"Baby," I began softly, trying to ease her tension. "This is a good thing. We can learn to control the power you have. Together." She scoffed at my words, her eyes flashing with defiance.
"I must be pretty pathetic if I can't even control it myself."
"Erica, you don't understand," my father interjected, shaking his head. "You possess the power of an Alpha, a very powerful Alpha at that. Even my wolf is apprehensive around you." I couldn't help but nod in agreement, adding with a mischievous grin,
"Although, my wolf thinks it's sexy." The comment earned me a groan from my father, but I could see a faint smile tugging at Erica's lips.
"Both my parents were Gamma rank," Erica argued, her brow furrowing in disbelief. "There's no way I could be an Alpha."
"Erica, the proof is in the picture," my father insisted. I nodded in agreement, remembering the day we met and the undeniable power she exuded.
"Trust me, I saw it too." My voice was gentle, trying to ease her confusion. I could tell she needed comfort, so I pulled her onto my knee. As she snuggled into me, her citrus scent enveloped me, sending a wave of warmth through my body.
Suddenly, my father's expression shifted, and he looked uncomfortable. I raised an eyebrow, urging him to continue.
"Spit it out, Dad."
"Erica," he began hesitantly, "I think you should be taken out of warrior training for now." Her eyes widened, and she protested immediately.
"No!"
"Listen to me," my father reasoned. "You're struggling to control your power, and the volatility of warrior training isn't helping. Instead, you should train with Liam, Jacob, and Damon."
"Training with them?" Erica asked, her voice laced with suspicion. "What does that have to do with controlling my anger? And what do you mean by 'other things'?" My father's discomfort increased, and he stuttered as he tried to find the right words. I couldn't help but be amused by his awkwardness, and even Gregg chuckled at the scene unfolding before us.
"Wh-what I mean," my father stammered, "is that Damon has a calming power that could help with... other aspects of your abilities."
"Like what?" Erica pressed, her frustration mounting. As my father continued to fumble over his words, I struggled to hold back laughter. The sight of the usually unflappable Alpha flustered like this was too rich.
Gritting his teeth as he tried to maintain composure, my father finally found the words that had been escaping him.
"Erica, have you noticed an... abundance of potential, well, erm... suitors?" I couldn't help but growl at the idea of other men pursuing Erica, and her confusion was evident on her face. But as realisation dawned, her eyes widened, and she narrowed them, fixing my father with a glare.
"What does my sex life have to do with anything?"
"Ah, well," my father stammered, still flustered. "You've mentioned having issues with other Alphas, and it seems they often revolve around... sexual matters." It took all my strength not to burst into laughter at my father's awkwardness. With a smirk, I turned to him.
"I'm glad mum knew how to give us the birds and the bees talk," I quipped, causing Gregg to lose his battle against laughter.
As the chuckles subsided, Erica's confusion remained. I sighed and decided to lay it out for her.
"The power you give off baby, it's immense and carnal. It's likely attracting aggressive Alphas because of how strong it is." The words fell heavily in the room, and I could see the horror creeping into her expression. "They feel a need to protect or covet you."
"Wait," she said, her voice shaking. "So, basically, I'm some kind of Alpha magnet? And it's making me a target?"
"Something like that," I confirmed, trying to soften the blow. "But we'll figure it out, I promise. That's also why we want guards on you." I looked over at my father, my resolve firming. "Damon and Jacob will be your main guard detail." She considered this for a moment, her brow furrowed. I could see the gears turning in her head as she processed everything we had just told her. Her fear and frustration were palpable, but beneath it all, I sensed her determination to overcome these newfound challenges.
"Alright," she finally said, steeling herself. "We'll do this. But I won't let this define me or control my life." I smiled at her, pride swelling in my chest.
"That's the spirit."
I couldn't help but notice Erica's drooping eyelids and the weight of all we had just discussed pressing down on her. She was exhausted, both mentally and emotionally.
"Hey," I said gently, reaching for her hand. "Why don't we table this conversation for now? You need some rest." My father nodded in agreement, his eyes softening with concern.
"Yes, Erica, let's continue this another time."
"Okay," she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. I guided her off my knee and onto the sofa and wrapped a warm blanket around her shoulders. As I made sure she was comfortable, I felt an overwhelming urge to protect her from anything that would hurt her further. With one last squeeze of her hand, I turned to leave the room.
