“I think neutral ground would be better. He’s staying at the pub we went to last weekend. We can go meet him there in a bit. Might as well get it out of the way.”
Sara groaned. She should’ve known she’d have to face him eventually. “Okay.”
“I’ll let him know.”
HER FATHER STOOD in the car park waiting for them as they pulled into the pub. He had two of his betas with him.
“Great,” Sara muttered. “A welcoming committee.” At least he hadn’t brought either of her brothers with him. Sara loved them both dearly but didn’t want this to turn into some big family feud. Neither of them shared her father’s views, but he was their alpha. She was fast coming to resent the power alphas had over their pack, in a way she never had before.
“Don’t worry, dear.” Celia patted Sara’s knee after she’d parked and turned off the engine. “You have me, and I’m far scarier.” She grinned, all teeth, and Sara smiled back at her.Yes, you are.“Let’s get this over with then.”
They got out of the car and walked over to where her father waited. He made no effort to meet them halfway.
“Sara. It’s good to see you.”
His smile seemed genuine enough, and Sara managed to return it. “You too, Alpha Gallen.”
Rolling his eyes, he waved a hand as if to brush all the formalities away. “I’ve told you not to call me that.”
“It’s good to see you too,Dad.”
He studied her. “Do you mean that? You’ve only called me once since you’ve been here. And Celia said you didn’t want to see me.”
“That’ll be Alpha Cornell to you,” Celia cut in.
Sara fought a smile at her father’s pinched expression.
“My apologies, Alpha Cornell.” Turning to Sara again, he said, “I’d like to talk to you alone if that’s all right with you?”
Was it? Sara glanced at her grandmother who gave her a little nod in return. “Okay.”
He smiled and gestured at the pub behind him. “We can go sit in the garden out the back. It was empty last time I checked.”
“I’ll wait for you over by the car, Sara.” Celia gave her a quick hug, glared at her dad, then turned and headed back to her car.
Gallen dismissed his two betas and opened the door, letting Sara go through first.
As soon as they reached the outside garden area, memories of her brief time with Rachel flooded back. She flushed and quickly looked anywhere but at her father.
Thankfully, he led them to a different bench seat, and Sara recovered her composure as they sat down.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked, gesturing over his shoulder to the bar. “I should’ve asked as we walked through the pub.”
“I’m fine, thank you.” She just wanted to get this over with. “Have you changed your mind?” She blurted, unable to sit through anymore small talk.
He sighed, and Sara’s heart dropped.
“I take it that’s a no,” she muttered.
“I thought the matter was settled.” He frowned and glanced in the direction of the car park. “Has Celia been putting ideas in your head? She did the same with your mother. She never would’ve left—”
“It’s Alpha Cornell, remember.” Something snapped inside her, and Sara clutched the edge of the table, claws digging into the wood. “And Mum left you because you’re a bigot and—”
“Enough!” he roared, banging his fist on the table.
Sara froze.
“I am your father and your alpha. I will not be spoken to like that by any member of my pack, and that includes you.” He leaned over the table, voice now lowered to a whisper but no less powerful. “I made my decision regarding the Tregarrak girl, and nothing has changed. I will not allow you to waste your life over a full-moon mistake.”
