The Broken Warrior's Daughter

When | realized I’d gotten out of my date with Lucas because he was going on the hunt for the rogues, | decided to stay in and relax. The bite mark on my leg was sore and the doctor said it would take a day or two to heal completely.

| have to admit, Clint texting me and checking on me is really sweet. | had a restless night's sleep, my leg causing me pain every time | turn over, but | smile at my text from Clint in the morning. | didn’t realize he could be this sweet, it’s nice.

‘Yes, it is.’ My sleepy wolf says, yawning and stretching in my head.

| get ready, grab my overnight bag and meet my father downstairs. We grab some coffee before heading out. Since it’s a long drive, | close my eyes and sleep for the first couple of hours before waking up and watching the changing landscape.

When we get to the pack borders, my father gives our names, and we are allowed entrance. He seems to know exactly where he is going and we pull up to a lavish packhouse, bustling with activity. | step out of the car as a man, clearly the Alpha, steps out of the packhouse. As | watch, he looks me over from head to toe, before turning to my father.

‘That was creepy.’ Andra says in my head. | couldn’t agree more. He didn’t even say hello.

My father comes around to get me, guiding me over to Alpha Mahli. “Alpha, it’s good to see you again. This is my daughter Lily, the one | told you about.”

| look at my father. I’m his only daughter, so who else would he be talking about.

Alpha Mahli extends his hand and | reach to shake it, but instead he pulls it to his lips, kissing the back of my hand for a full minute too long. He never takes his eyes off me, watching my reaction. | smile at him, but it's forced.

“It's nice to meet you.” | say. There is something creepy about him. I’m beginning to see why he hasn’t found his mate, or perhaps she chose to reject him. Either way, | don’t like the vibe I’m getting from this Alpha.

“My omegas will take your bags.” He says and two individuals scurry forward, taking our things. “I have a private breakfast being laid out for the three of us.”

Inside the packhouse, it’s decorated with dark wood and red and black furniture. There’s nothing light or airy about the space. It feels suffocating and dingy, and what | would expect a vampire’s coven to look like.

He takes us upstairs to a private room that overlooks the forest, or it would, if the blinds weren’t closed. | can just barely see out of them, but they cut the light in the room down considerably. For all the people that | saw moving around outside the packhouse, the inside is deathly quiet.

The omegas setting up the room for breakfast don’t say a word. There is a dark tablecloth on the table that is muting any sound of the plates being placed on the table. | look at my father, but he doesn’t seem to be disturbed by the décor.

We sit and the omegas serve us before leaving the room.

“So Lily, your father tells me you'll be 18 soon.”

| look at my father who gestures for me to answer. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“In just a couple of months?”

“Yes, my birthday is in May.”

“Ahhh, Lily of the Valley. Is that where your name comes from?” He asks me.

| look at my father again, who is shoveling food into his mouth like he’s never eaten before. “I don’t actually know. Dad, is that where my name comes from?”

His head pops up when | address him as if he hasn’t been paying attention. “No idea, your mother named you. | think she likes lilies.” Ohhhhhkay.

“And are you in school still Lily?” Alpha Mahli continues with his questions.

“Yes, I’m a senior in high school, I'll finish soon after my birthday.”

“Are you smart?” He asks. Not, ‘do you get good grades?‘ which is what most people ask. It’s an odd question. “| like to think | am.”

“Good, | like a smart woman.”

| look down at my plate, and take a bite of food, not sure how to respond to that.

“Your father tells me you are a strong warrior.”

“Yes. | am training for the warrior battles in June. I’m hoping to defeat most of the warriors in my pack.”

“Strong and intelligent. Excellent qualities in a mate, wouldn't you agree?”NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.

An uncomfortable feeling begins to settle in my stomach. ‘Andra, you don’t think he’s considering taking us a mate, do you.’ ‘lm beginning to think so. Thank the goddess we’re not old enough yet. | really

23

hope he’s not our mate. He’s creepy.”

I'm still deciding how to respond when my father puts down his fork and stands. “Well, | have to get to that business we discussed Alpha. I'll let the two of you continue to get to know each other.”

“Wait, dad.” | say and start to get up.

“Stay here honey, keep the Alpha company. I’ve told him all about you.” He says, leaning down as if he were going to hug me, but instead whispers in my ear. “And don’t embarrass me.”

* 25 BONUS