Chapter 22
Chapter
Twenty-Two
“Dad?”
The King had gone silent for a long and awkward moment. Torin sat tense next to me, and my heart beat wildly.
“Hayden called me and briefed me on most of the news, including that you were staying at Alpha Torin’s pack.” Dad’s tone sounded as sharp as his sword. “I need you to come back home.”
I sighed. It was an order, although Dad avoided making demands of his only daughter and used softer words than what he used for his Alphas.
“And why didn’t you ride back with your bodyguard, Anna?”
Dad was in full King mode now. I imagined him sitting on the black leather chair in his study, fingers tapping on the massive mahogany desk.
“I’ll explain everything when I see you, Dad. There’s a lot to talk about.”
“What do you want to talk about?” he asked, and his voice already sounded softer.
He couldn’t stay mad at me for a long time.
“The magic books I found. People are after them.”
“What’s in the books?”
“It’s not easy to open them. They’re protected with riddles,” I said.
“Good. Bring them over here, and we’ll get more information from the other Alphas. Maybe someone knows something.”
Dad wouldn’t let me open the books without some heavy persuasion.
After a brief pause, Dad asked, “And who’s after the books?”
How much had Hayden told dad? I didn’t want to reveal too much because he’d worry and restrict my independence, but I didn’t want to lie to my dad.
“Well, the last kidnapping was the vampire Queen’s doing. She also wants…the book,” I said and glanced at Torin.
His elbows dug into his thighs, hands on his face. He sat alert, but at the same time, something in his slouchy back made me believe he was also defeated.
A low growl came from the other side of the line, and a cold chill ran down my spine. My body tensed in anticipation of the King’s orders. How far would he go?
“You’re not safe next to the Alpha,” the King said, knowing too well Torin sat next to me.
“I know, my King, but I’ll protect the princess,” Torin said with a strained voice.
“As much as you have so far?” my dad deadpanned.
The King was fair and never directly blamed any pack member or Alphas. Dad was also forgiving and believed in second chances. Still, when it came to my safety, he was strict, relentless, and overbearing.
Torin chose not to respond, and after more awkward silence, Dad spoke again.
“I don’t want Breanna caught in your vendetta with the vampire Queen. Bring her here immediately. Then we’ll discuss our next steps.”
Torin pressed his lips into a line, but a sound resembling a low growl rumbled from his throat.
“Or do I need to send Hayden to fetch Anna?” Dad asked, making it clear he wanted me away from the Alpha.
“Dad, everything will be fine. I’m fine,” I said.
“Fine? Hayden told me on the phone your ankle was injured, as well as your shoulder. You call that fine, Anna?” Dad spat out the words furiously.
A creaking noise echoed in the background.
“Stop scolding her, Brendan,” Mom said, and I smiled.
“I’m not. Just…” Dad didn’t finish.
“And don’t be mad at Alpha Torin. I’m sure he’s doing his best,” Mom said. “Anna, sweet girl, how are you?”
Torin’s lips curved slightly.
“I’m okay, Mom.”
“I can’t wait to see you. Hurry back home.”
“Your birthday is coming,” Dad said in a voice that told me he was in full dad mode now.
I smiled at my father’s mood change. It usually happened when Mom was around. She brought out a gentler side of him that saved me from more grueling training sessions on occasion.
“Brendan, don’t interrupt me,” Mom scolded him. “That was my line.”
I placed my hand over my forehead. As much as they bantered with each other, they also looked at each other with so much love, held hands, and fed each other food at the table.
More shuffling noises sounded on the other line, making me smile.
“I know you don’t like grandiose parties. We’ll have a small gathering of close friends,” Mom said.
“Ha-ha. How small, Mom?” I let out a heavy sigh and glanced at Torin.
His amber eyes beamed at me. Was he excited about my birthday? It was another year of me getting older while he stayed forever young.
Mom yelped and then giggled. “Brendan, stop distracting me.”
I imagined Dad pinching Mom’s butt, which he only did in private or in front of me.
“Small enough,” Mom said. “Now get here asap.”
“Alpha Torin?” Dad’s voice had switched back to serious again.
“Yes, my King?”
“You have one day to bring my daughter over here.”
After saying our goodbyes, the line went dead.
The drive to the kingdom was only a couple of hours away, so the King’s demand wasn’t unreasonable.
One thing was clear—I’d have to warm up the King to the news that the vampire Alpha was one of my mates.
Torin clicked on a button on the screen, abruptly stood, and walked away. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned with the two magic books, paper, and pencil in hand.
He handed me my two books but remained quiet. I crossed and uncrossed my legs while he strode to the high stool at the countertop to take a seat. His back greeted me, his head bowed.
His mighty wall of ice and frost rose extra high right now. Torin suppressed his emotions, but I wanted to tell him he didn’t have to do so in front of me.
“I’m sorry Dad talked to you like that.”
“He has every right to do so,” he said without turning.
Torin’s hand moved fast over the white paper.
“I guess we’re leaving for the kingdom?”
“Pack your stuff, Princess.”
I sighed and strolled toward him. Looking over his shoulder, I was amazed by the details of the weird creature Torin sketched. The spikes, steamy breath, whip-like tail—all of it seemed so real on the page.
“You’re sketching it for the Alphas’ meeting?”
He nodded.
“Is Alexander coming with us?”
I wanted Torin to talk to me, but he was retreating into his shell instead.
“No. He’s staying here.”
His Beta usually accompanied Torin during his visits, but he had to stay behind if another creature showed up. I was still worried about Torin. Not that he couldn’t take care of himself, but still.
My heart ached for him. After spending time with him, I’d learned about his gentle side. I also had a first-row seat in the aftermath of his past trauma. The man couldn’t sleep well, was haunted by nightmares, and visited his dream realm where he remained in pain.
Not everyone in the kingdom liked the Alpha. They feared his vampire powers and thirst for blood. But they were wrong. Torin would never betray the King or the werewolves. I wished there were something I could do to help Torin to be more accepted in the kingdom.
I stepped back and looked at the ceiling. We weren’t meant to be mates, but at least I could try to help him. The thought of Torin living his eternal life in constant pain made my chest tighten.
I only packed a few clothing items and the two books in my old leather bag. I didn’t plan on staying in the kingdom. I would make Dad see that I would be safer away from anything supernatural.
Three SUVs were parked downstairs. Torin slid into the driver’s seat of the middle one, and I got in the passenger seat next to him.
“Have the vampire attacks become more frequent?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I fidgeted in my seat and rubbed my palms together. “So you wanted to drive instead of one of your warriors?”
We were now on our way, Torin gripping the steering wheel with extra strength. “I feel more in control that way.”
It was going to be a long two-hour drive.
We drove in a group of three, not letting other cars cut in.
After a while, we turned on a quiet two-lane freeway cutting through the hilly woods, going south.
The trees on both sides of the road bent and twisted into an arch above the lanes, casting shadows and dark patches.
More winding roads with twisty turns followed.
The wind picked up the brown fallen leaves. Most of the trees had retained their green shades, but a few were bare. A cold chill ran down my spine.
“Are you cold?” Torin asked and reached for the heat control.
We were stuck in the car, so we might as well have the tough conversation. The truth was I grew tired of bringing up the issues Torin and I faced. Torin was my tortured mate who I wanted to heal. But I was also hurting, and more than anything, I needed a strong mate next to me at the moment.
I blew out a shaky breath. “It may be better not to tell Dad that we’re mates. Hayden hasn’t told him about you two being my mates. Maybe on the day of my birthday…” I remembered Dad’s beaming face from all my previous birthdays. “He’s always happy on my birthday, so he won’t kill you then.”
Torin’s knuckles turned white, his grip on the wheel deadly.
“We can’t act like mates. You’ll have to act like before…” I took a deep breath. “Ignoring my existence like before.”
The leather under his fingers creaked as he squeezed the wheel. “It’ll never be a good time to tell him, Anna, as I will always remain half vampire.”
“I know, I know. But on my birthday, Dad always asks me what I want. He grants me one wish. And I don’t usually ask for anything except calligraphy supplies.
But I’ll wish for Dad to acknowledge you as my mate this time.
I’ll tell him the truth about having two mates but probably after we address all the other issues with strange, demonic creatures and magic books appearing. ”
I wouldn’t postpone my conversation with Dad for too long, but the issue couldn’t be rushed either. For the sake of Torin. I would do anything to lessen the burden he carried.
Torin glanced at me, and I couldn’t decipher the emotion behind his eyes. “I will honor your wish, Anna, and do as you say if that’s what you want. I’ll let you handle the situation and talk to your dad, and I won’t get involved because I respect and support you. But what about Hayden?”
If the King found out Hayden was my mate, he’d give his blessing and set up the mating ritual for the next day.
“I’ll talk to Hayden.”