“What?” I feel like the asphalt is being pulled from underneath me. “After everything that’s happened, you still want me to marry Timothy Oakwood and his clan of monsters?”
“Timothy Oakwood is a strong match.”
“I don’t need an alpha!” My voice catches, a sinking feeling of dread washing over me as my stomach drops like a lead balloon. “Haven’t I proven I’m enough on my own? I’m more than my designation!”
“You’re an omega,” he hisses. “You need an alpha!”
“That’s enough.” I jump at the deep growl coming from behind me. “You will not speak to her like that.”
Dad momentarily falters, lips curling, while taking in Ezra. Two alphas caught in a standoff. I’ve never heard of anyonestanding up to my father before. Usually, he’s surrounded by people pleasers who are too afraid to disagree.
“And who are you?” Dad’s eyes skirt over him, his expression communicating that he finds him lacking.
Warren coughs. “Ezra Brackenwood, sir.”
“Ah, yes.” Dad’s smile twists into a snarl. “The professor. What would Dean Rivers say if he found out you were caught, again, in a compromising position with a student, hm?”
Dad has the power to end Ezra’s career. Not just cost him the job at SVU but any future teaching job.
“Ezra, please.” I hope my expression conveys that I need him to listen to me. “Go back inside. I can handle this.” If it means protecting Ezra and the Valen Pack from facing my father’s wrath, I’ll back down. “I’ll go with him.”
Standing by my side, Ezra’s spine straightens. “You’re not going anywhere.” He turns to my father. “Your daughter has told you that she is not marrying the Oakwood Pack. You should listen to her.”
Dad’s chest puffs out like an arrogant peacock. “And who are you to tell me what to do with my daughter?”
“I’m someone who cares about her.”
“But you’re not willing to bond with her?” Dad scoffs. “From my research, you have quite a reputation, isn’t that right, Warren?”
Warren whips out his phone and starts scrolling. “That’s correct, sir.”
“A womanizer.” Dad points at Ezra with a flourish. “You’re throwing your life away for someone who will discard you, Kadence. For someone who doesn’t even care.” He beckons for me to follow him. “Come on. Get in the car. If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss our flight.”
“She already told you that she’s not going with you.” Ezra’s nostrils flare. “She’s staying with us.”
Ezra’s strong arm wraps protectively around my waist, taking me by surprise by pulling me closer to him. Being this close to him again makes me feel so safe. And wanted.
“You don’t know who you’re dealing with, Brackenwood.” Dad shoots him a death glare that would make most grown men shit their pants. “I can destroy you and your entire pack. All I have to do is make one call, and you’ll be jailed for the next ten years.”
It’s not an empty threat. I’ve seen Dad destroy livelihoods before. He can do it in the click of his fingers without losing a night’s sleep.
“I should just go.” My voice shakes.
I think about Nick and Winnie, how they’d struggle to cope without Hale’s support. How Riven wouldn’t be able to see the stars. How much trouble Calder would get into with his inability to back down from an argument. They can’t have their lives ruined by going to jail over me.
“Finally, you’re seeing sense.” Dad grins triumphantly. “You’ve made the right call.”
I step out of Ezra’s grasp, but he grabs my arm.
“No.” He holds my wrist, his gaze meeting mine, eyes widening with fear. “You can’t go.”
“Maybe it’s for the best.” I look down at my feet. “I was only going to break their hearts anyway, right?”
“You can’t marry them,” Ezra insists.
“She will marry who I tell her to!” Dad roars. “My daughter needs a pack to protect her!”
“She’s already got one,” Ezra growls.
