“And you’ll bond with her?” Dad’s eyebrows scrunch together. “To keep her safe from other alphas?”
The atmosphere shifts, my shoulders tensing. Bonding isn’t something we’ve discussed. Accepting the Valen Pack as my alphas is one thing, but the biological tie of a bond is quite another.
“That’s Kady’s choice,” Hale replies without missing a beat. “However, I can give you my word that, bonded or not, nothing will ever happen to her with us around. We’ll protect her with our lives.” Hale looks at me before continuing. “Even if she never wants to bond, that’s okay. We’ll never force her to do anything she’s uncomfortable with.”
“Really?” My voice comes out sounding choked. It’s pretty much assumed that an omega will bond with her pack. “You mean that?”
Ezra squeezes my shoulder. “Of course.”
Dad’s eyes momentarily soften, a look I haven’t seen on his face since Mom died.
“I promised your mother you’d be taken care of, Kady,” Dad murmurs. “I want to be sure you’re not making a mistake.”
“I’m not.” I feel it in my bones that this is right. That this is exactly where I’m meant to be. “This is what I want.” I swallow hard. “They are who I want.”
Seeming to accept this despite his reluctance, Dad nods slowly before Warren clears his throat. “The jet is waiting, sir.”
“I’m staying here, Dad.”
“I can see you’ve made your decision.” Dad dips his chin curtly. “And if you’re sure about this, then I guess I have no choice but to accept it. However, I do have conditions.” Of course, he does. He still won’t relinquish control entirely. Maybe he never will. He wags his finger at me. “I want things done properly this time. Official announcements must go through my team, understood?”
My mouth opens to respond before I decide to simply nod. The Valen Pack doesn’t know my father, but I know this is the closest we’ll ever get to his blessing.
“Warren!” Dad claps his hands. “Call Timothy Oakwood, and cancel the suit fitting.”
I grin at the thought of Timothy Blue Cheese Oakwood being rejected for a second time.
As Warren nods dutifully, I swear I see a small smile cross his usually sullen expression before it vanishes in a flash, making me question whether I imagined it.
“Before I leave, I’d like to have a word with my daughter.” Dad glares at the others. “Alone.”
No one moves.
“Would you like us to stay, Kady?” Hale asks.
“It’s okay.” I smile at him. “I’ll be fine.”
“We’ll be right inside.” Calder’s eyes stay fixed on Warren, obviously still suspicious of him.
I slip on my sneakers then step up onto the porch, gesturing at the swing. “Do you want to sit down?”
Dad’s lips purse in disapproval. It’s not exactly the plush boardroom chairs he’s used to, but he takes a seat anyway while Warren returns to wait by the car to give us some space.
“Is this really what you want, Kady?” Voice lowered, he speaks in a more caring tone. “The Valen Pack?”
“I never wanted to find a pack. You know that.” I wring my hands. “But as much as it pains me to admit it, they’re my scent matches. I can’t imagine not being with them.”
“Scent matches are hard to ignore.” He looks wistfully in the distance, like his thoughts have temporarily transported elsewhere. “I know I’ve been hard on you in the past.”
“And controlling?” I bump him with my shoulder.
His face morphs, struggling to get the words out. Admitting that he’s wrong is an alien concept to him. “I admit arranging a wedding without speaking to you might not have been one of my finest moments.”
I snort. “Understatement of the year.”
His expression softens, smoothing out his deep wrinkled forehead that’s permanently creased from his constant scowling and concentrating.
“I always look out for your best interests.” He takes a few seconds before continuing, picking his words carefully. “I know that my decisions haven’t always affected you in positive ways, but I act how I do because I’m trying to protect you. All I want is to keep you safe.” He grips his forehead, shaking his head. “But you’re independent like your mother. Strong-willed.” He smiles fondly. “Pig-headed at times.”
