Ipulled away from Nathan’s arms and dropped to my knees in front of Dad. We stared at each other in disbelief, tears streaming down our faces.
How was this possible? Mom had been convinced he was dead along with my Poppa Rue. Did this mean Poppa was alive too?
I was jolted out of my thoughts when Dad pulled me into his arms. He held me so tightly that I could hardly breathe, but I didn’t protest. I never thought in my wildest dreams this would be a possibility.
“My sweet, sweet girl. I’m so sorry.” He kissed the top of my head, rubbing his cheek against my hair.
What could this man possibly have to apologize for? I pulled back, and he reluctantly dropped his arms. “We thought you were dead. Mom thought you were dead. She felt the bond break. How is this possible?”
He ran a trembling hand down my face, cupping my chin.
“It’s a long story.” He looked around, searching for her. “Where is your mother?”
In my disbelief at seeing my dad, I’d forgotten the fire and why we were at home in the first place. “I don’t know.” I sobbed,grabbing his hand. “We have to find them. There’s no way the animals didn’t warn Grumpy and Pop.”
Before Dad could respond, I heard Pantar growl in warning. I saw another Fellat and a man with dark skin and long, white hair emerging from the portal. The Fellat was a beautiful pale gold, and I could see her amber eyes glowing from here. My view was cut off abruptly by the guys and Pantar surrounding me and my dad.
“They’re safe,” Nathan reassured everyone. “Damien, come meet my Nexi.”
Nathan helped me to my feet as my dad and I stood. Everyone stepped to the side except for Pantar. He cautiously approached the Fellat as she bared her teeth at him.
I was shocked to see him bend his front legs and drop his head in a bow.
“It’s an honor to meet the great Mira of the Hawthorne clan. I formally present myself as the bonded companion to your human cub, Reverie.”
WHAT?!! This was Mira?
My mother was going to lose her mind. I refused to entertain the thought that they weren’t okay. It would be too big of a tragedy for her not to experience the joy of a reunion with her lost loved ones.
The large golden Fellat approached Pantar. She circled him, showing her teeth, and her tentacles pointed at him in threat. Pantar never flinched, holding still for her inspection. After she made a complete circle around him, she nodded her head.
“I accept this bond and wish you great strength and cunning in protecting our family.”She then rubbed her head against his body and he did the same.
I didn’t know what to think about any of this. I was still stunned at finding out my dad was alive. Seeing Mira appear almost broke me.
“They are scent-marking each other. I would expect that Pantar has done this to every member of your Faction at every opportunity.” Dad explained.
His tears had dried, but he hadn’t yet taken his eyes off me. How could a man I just met look at me with so much adoration?
As Mira approached, everyone moved back except Nathan, Oren, and my dad. She was beautiful and almost as big as my Pantar.
“I am glad to meet the youngling of my bonded. Many apologies for not being here at your birth.”She nuzzled the top of my head, and I wrapped my arms around her massive neck. Even though I wasn’t bonded to her, I felt an instant connection.
“My mother has never recovered from the loss of you and my two fathers’. When we find her, she’s going to be overjoyed.” Tears rolled down my face in joy at the moment, but also in sadness that my mother wasn’t present to witness this.
“Do not be upset, cub. I sense your mother is close. Give me a few minutes, and I will retrieve her.” She disappeared suddenly.
I glanced around in hopeful confusion. “Mira said she could sense my mother was close, and she was going to retrieve her,” I told everyone surrounding me.
My men and Chloe looked overjoyed at the news. Dad, on the other hand, suddenly seemed nervous.
The man that had appeared through the portal with him and Nathan approached and patted him on the back with a huge grin. “I’m so happy for you. Adelaide is going to be overjoyed to see you.”
He turned to me and held out his hand, “My name is Damien. I’ve been friends with your parents since we were at Emberhold.”
I eagerly grabbed it with both hands. “I’m Reverie, and it’s wonderful to meet you.”
Deciding that a distraction would help my dad with his nerves, I thought more introductions were in order. I motioned for Chloe to join me, “Dad, I’d like you to meet my bestie, Chloe.”
