The Broken Warrior's Daughter

“Lily.” Anders says, breaking the tension in the room. “How would you feel about moving out of your parents’ home and into the packhouse?”

She looks at everyone in the room before answering. | sit down, taking her hand again. “What would happen to my parents? Especially my mother. | don’t think she knows anything about what my father is doing.”

“| will confront your father and tell him that | am taking over your care until you turn 18. Your mother can choose to come live with you here or stay with your father. Your father will not be allowed to see you unless he receives permission from me first. The punishment he receives because of his intent to sell you to pay his gambling debts will be between he and I.*

She nods, thinking before responding. “I would like to move into the packhouse. | might have felt differently before becoming a Guardian, but now, | don’t think | can trust my father.” She hesitates before continuing. “I don’t think my mother will leave him to stay here with me. Does that matter?”

Patrick smiles at her. “No, as | said, | will take over as your parental guardian until you turn 18. | will have a room made up for you on Beta Calvin's floor. That way, he can help me keep an eye on you.” He says this to Lily but he’s looking at me. His intent is clear, stay out of Lily's room and her bed. Obviously, she’s made it clear that she’s waiting for her mate. since I’m her mate, she’s basically saving herself for me. | give him a nod that | understand.

“I'll be speaking to your parents tonight, Lily. Tomorrow, you can go get your things or | can have someone pick them up for you.” “I'll need something to wear to school tomorrow. Maybe my mother can pack me a bag with my school clothes?”

“I'll see to it. Now, please follow Beta Calvin. He'll show you to your room.” She stands, preparing to leave. “Oh and Lily, now that you are a Guardian, I’m putting Clint in charge of your training. | don’t know why we have two Guardians in this pack, but | want you both in top fighting condition. If something is coming, | want to be ready for it.”

“Yes, Alpha.” She says before following Calvin out the door.

I stand to leave as well. “Clint.” Patrick stops me.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“| know she’s your mate, | know you’re a Guardian and you are like a son to me, but do not challenge me again.” | turn to look at him. “Keep her safe and we won't have any problems, Alpha.”

— It’s Anders who comes up behind me, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Clint, | know you and Donovan are furious at what her father has done or intended to do. And | can only imagine how angry you both are that Alpha Mahli propositioned Lily. But you know my father. You know he will always look after this pack. That includes Lily. Let him do his job.”

Anders has always been my balance. “You're right.” | turn to Patrick. “My apologies, Alpha.”

“Apology accepted Clint and stop calling me Alpha, you know it pisses me off.” He says, making me smile.

“Yes sir.” | say turning to go find Lily.

“And Clint.” | turn to look at him. “If | find Lily in your room or you in hers after hours, you’ll answer to me. She’s under my care, so assume that | will be treating her as if she were my own daughter.”

“Understood, Patrick.” | smile as | leave, feeling much better about Lily's safety.

Cooper Author

What do you think of Lily's decision to move to the packhouSA?