Dad whirls on me his fists clenched. I can't help but flinch.
“Dad I'm sorry.” I choke.
“Sorry?” He shouts. Spit flying from his mouth. “You bonded Hades pathetic, demon of a fucking son and your sorry!”
The gasps from the pack ring in my ears but I can't bring myself to look at them.
He said 'you bonded' like I had a say in the matter.
“And you kept this from me!” He shouts, the hurt heavy in his tone as he looks at Gwen. She looks back at him with tears in her eyes.
He growls a curse as he paces again.
“And now to top it off your powerless!” He punches a small nearby tree and it cracks in half.
“For rejecting him Dad! I don't want the bond!” I shout back with a sob.
He straightens with his back to everyone. His fists clenching and unclenching.
I briefly glance up at the pack and my knees threaten to buckle at the looks of disgust and shock. Lukas stares at the ground his jaw clicking and Caleb is watching me closely. Assessing. His brow knotted deep in thought.
No one dares to speak for a while and bile rises in my throat. I knew this wouldn't be easy but after living with the pack for months I didn't think they would be so quick to hate me. It cuts me so deep that they know this is not something I couldcontrol but they don't seem to care. I'm bonded to their enemy and now I have no power to protect them. Apparently they seem to have forgotten that it was me who saved them in the first place.
Anger begins to bubble under the hurt in my gut but I stamp it down. Tensions are already too high.
“Dad.” I say softly in earnest. “All I want is to make you proud. I love you and I love the pack. I would do anything for them. The bond was already in place when I was torturing him. I felt all of it but I didn't give in because I wanted you back. I have blocked him out and rejected him to the point that Gaia has taken my powers! I have given everything I have! What more can I do so that you won't hate me?”
Everything is quiet. I don't take my eyes from my Dad and slowly I see his muscles loosen. He heaves a great sigh as he turns to me with tears in his eyes.
“I could never hate you.” He says. “But I cannot bare my daughter being fated to a monster.”
Mum comes over and puts her arms around me. I lean into her knowing that no matter what she'll always be there.
“Gaia has a plan for her.” She explains. “She wants Krista to save her son. If there is anything to save. We cannot ignore the great goddess's will no more than you can Zeus's. Her power is great and her destiny even greater. Don't turn your back on her when she needs you most.”
Dad strides over to us and wraps us in his arms. I sob into him. He cups my face in his hands as he looks at me.
“I have watched you grow up though your mothers eyes and I have always known you would be incredible. I love you.”
“I love you too Dad.”
Chapter 20
Evening falls and we are all around the fire. It's tense and quiet. Izzy, Penny and Jason have barely looked at me all day. Not since my bond with Alistair was made common knowledge. I can see their distrust warring with their loyalty. This is why I didn't tell them sooner. I can see they're hurting. The daughter of their Alpha being destined to be with their enemy is hard for them to accept. Lukas hasn't said a word to me. He transformed earlier and ignored everyone. He's only just come back looking just as brooding as before. I saw him and Caleb talking in hushed tones by the lake but since then Lukas has been avoiding him to.
Caleb comes over to me with two open bottles of cider and offers me one which I take with a grateful smile.
“After the day you've had I wish I had something stronger for you.” He chuckles.
“This is fine” I chuff. “I'm sorry. I'm sorry to everyone.”
“Don't be sorry for having a great story ahead of you. This is how you get immortalised in the stars.” He says looking up at the night sky. “See, Hercules is looking down on you right now. After his 12 labours this should be a piece of cake.”
“You think so? Then how about we swap. You go to the underworld and face Hades and I'll stay right here.” I joke.
“If only that were possible.” He murmurs. “Alas, here I am stuck as a wolf with no great history to write for myself.”
I give him a questioning look.
