“Rowan told us your father was here,” Rhett explained. “We all wanted to meet him.”
“I'm Thorn.” Thorn reached out his hand, and Dad just looked at it.
“I'm not making a contract with you.”
“Why would I force a contract on my mate’s father? I would only do that if I could offer you the best.” Thorn smirked.
“I promise he can be trusted,” I told him, holding up my mate mark from Thorn.
Reluctantly, Dad put his hand in Thorn’s and shook it. “Nice to meet you. I hear you kept my daughter safe through the years.”
“Safe only from boredom, I'm afraid.” Thorn shot me a self-loathing look, but I shook my head.
If I had let him take me away, I may not have suffered at the village, but I also may not have met my mates at the academy.
“Alister is my vampire,” I gestured toward him.
He flashed his fangs and shook his hand. “Pleasure to meet the father of my sweet ruby. You are a ruby too. Interesting.”
Before Dad could question him about the ruby spiel, Rhett stepped forward with his hand out.
“I’m Rhett. Incubus, and I’m grateful you found her so easily.”
He smiled and looked down at me. “Me too. Now, you’re Lachlan.”
Lachlan nodded. “I'm honored that you know who I am.”
“I've been keeping an eye on her. I know who most of you are, just not all of your names. Thank you for keeping her safe and loving her like mates should.”
I tensed, and he gave me a look.
“I saw that you were affected by dark magic. I heard bits and pieces about a rejection. What happened?”
“Well, before I met them, I met my first mate who promptly rejected me.”
“And who was he?” A growl rumbled from his throat.
“Grayson Haven, Haven’s son.”
A louder growl tore from his chest.
Damien chuckled, crossing his arms. “Yeah, that was our reaction too. Don’t worry. Grayson’s dead, but you probably know that already. Simmons explained a lot to Wren about the alpha and luna of that pack.”
“Do they know that you killed their son?”
“Oh, I killed them.” Damien’s smile widened as he ran his hand through his hair. “Their pain was delicious.”
“Good. My mate deserved vengeance.”
“And so did your daughter,” Alister said.
Dad nodded in agreement. “Regardless, I'm thankful to you all for keeping her safe and loved, but I'm most thankful to have my daughter back.”
I teared up again, causing him to do the same, and I hugged him tightly. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“And I’ve missed you. We are staying in the marketplace just outside of town. We met an older woman named Jan who runs a magic shop. She’s been very welcoming.”
My lips curled into a grin. “I know Jan. She’s been a mother figure to me since coming here.”
