“Of course, son. We are so proud of you and how far you’ve come. I’m glad Anders called when he did. I almost got you one myself since that is what you asked for. But things have changed since then, and I didn’t want to put pressure on you.”
“Well, I appreciate your contribution. As it turns out, it’s exactly what I wanted. Knowing you contributed brought tears to my eyes.”
“You're wearing it?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’m wearing it right now. My little friend put a small piece of Toby’s watch on it, making the change more bearable...”
“Your little friend, as in...”
“The Princess.”
The line is silent for a moment before my father continues. “Tyler...” He sighs.
“Yes?”
“You… you sound different. Are you doing okay?”
I chuckle. He stopped asking me that a long time ago, so used to my expressionless face and the drone-like speech pattern.“Yes. I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“Did you just laugh at me?”
“Now that I think about it, maybe I did catch a virus. Tearing up, laughing, and enjoying music is a bit out of character for me. Maybe I shouldn’t come to see you for dinner. It might be contagious.”
Silence fills the line again.
“I’m kidding. Bad delivery? Okay. I’ll try harder next time...”
Still, my father doesn’t say anything.
“I will still come to see you for dinner tomorrow night. Dad?”
He clears his throat. “I’m still here. I just... I didn’t think I would ever hear you make a joke again,” he chokes out. “You used to be quite the jokester as a boy.”
I used to do a lot of things before. I’m still a far cry from who I used to be. I’m just about to round the corner to the front of the mansion when I hear a shrill screeching voice shout. “Dad, I need to go. Something is happening at the Alpha King’s home.”
Chapter 11
Birthday Surprises
JESSICA
Seven Years Ago
Everyone left after the little birthday/graduation celebration. Emily went to her roller derby tournament, promising to finish my birthday with a movie marathon and all-we-can-eat popcorn. Emily invited me to go with her and watch, but I didn’t want to divert her focus from the tournament. She has been increasingly overprotective since the night of the guard ball, and while I love her and her company, I am filled with guilt that she feels she can’t leave my side for a minute.
I hate being a burden, and I want her to enjoy herself when we go out, not act as my babysitter. But a part of me also feels guilty I didn’t attend her tournament. Experiencing life with her, versus simply waiting for her to return and tell me all about it, would be a welcome change.
With that in mind, I decide to surprise her. The twins should be home soon, and Sixes texted me that she’s at the rink waiting for the tournament to start.
I bound down the stairs when the doorbell rings. Then, it rings again. It rings a total of five more times before I reach the foyer. No one else is around so I answer the door. To my surprise and hers, Elaine Powers stands there, hand raised, ready to knock. She composes herself quickly and raises her chin.
“Well, I guess the royal family finally came to their senses and placed you on the staff.”
I roll my eyes. “What can I do for you, Elaine?”
“What you can do is get the hell out of my way and let me in!” she shrieks.
I raise my brows. “If you’re here to see Luke, he’s not home.”
