The Broken Warrior's Daughter

| hadn’t even noticed that I’d leaned into him, drawing his scent into my nose until he leaned down nuzzling into my hair. “Little Guardian, | would love nothing more than to know what is going on in the beautiful head of yours, but | think we need to redirect your thoughts before our fathers come in and smell your arousal.”

It was like a bucket of cold water was dumped on my head. | leaped out of his arms as he chuckled softly. “Perhaps we can focus on dinner? How can | help?” He asks me.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

| know my face must be scarlet in embarrassment, but | look around and get my bearings. The mac and cheese is almost done, so it’s time to make the salad. | get everything out to start chopping and plating the salads. | give Rik what he needs to set the table.

Dad and Anders come back in with the cooked steaks. They eye the two of us and Rik was absolutely right. It would not have gone over well if they had thought | Was

getting turned on by my future alpha.

| put a pat of truffle butter on each steak and after bringing everything to the. table, we sit. Anders and Rik sit beside each other opposite Dad and |, so I’m facing Rik. “This looks and smells delicious. Thank you both for including me tonight.” He says to both of us, but his smile is only for me.

I smile and duck my head as | focus on my food.

My Dad clears his throat before turning his attention to Rik. “So. You are mystery man, eh?”

Rik turns to Dad and replies, “Yes sir.”

Cara’s

“Did your father ever tell you what he had to do to get your mother to date him?” My father asks with an evil grin on his face.

My head whips up to Anders. “You had to convince Luna Calista to date you?” | can tell that this story is news to Rik as well because his attention is now on his father.

Anders is glaring daggers at my father who just smirks back. “Not like Lily wanted anything to do with you either Clint.” He throws a jab at my dad.

Dad just nods his head. “It’s true.” He turns to Rik. “Your father and | weren’t exactly known for having a chaste dating history.” Anders scoffs. “I wouldn’t call what we were doing ‘dating’.” “True. So, do you know this story Rik?”

Rik looks at his father before turning to mine. “No sir, | don’t believe | do.”

Dad and Anders are having another one of their silent conversations, almost like they are reliving the moment together while my father tells the story.

“Well, your mother and Lily were best friends. One day your father notices Calista at school. And...”

Anders interrupts him, “It was like everything in the world just righted itself.” A small smile on his lips at the memory.

Dad continues, “Right. So your father, being the future Alpha, saunters up to Calista and Lily.” “| didn’t saunter.”

“Oh, you sauntered.” My father jokes with Anders before picking up the story again. “And he asks your mother out on a date. Now, mind you, your father didn’t ask girls on dates. I’m sure you know how it is, they just flock to the strong males in the pack.” Rik looks from my dad to me but, intelligently, doesn’t acknowledge my father’s comment.

“So, imagine your father’s surprise when your mother turns him down flat.” Anders picks up the story line again. “I was so shocked, | didn’t even know what to do or say, and just watched the two of them walk away.” He looks over at me. Your father

wasn’t any help at all, basically laughing at me saying something like ‘tough luck buddy*.