“What does that mean?” He doesn’t respond.
I lift my hand up and cup his jaw as I repeat. “What does that mean, Tyler? You’re going to reject me, aren’t you?” As soon as the last words leave my lips, his blue eyes find mine.
“That’s not it, baby.” He rests his forehead to mine, closing his eyes. “What do you think your father will do to Talon and I when he finds out we’re your mates? About the shit we’ve put you through?”
“If he doesn’t kill us, he’ll punish us. Whatever happens though, it’s going to affect you.” I’m speechless as his words register. I won’t allow my father to hurt them; I cant.
Tyler leans forward and presses a kiss against my forehead. “Give me time to think. I’ll talk to your father, pay my dues and take my punishment.”
As I eat lunch with Talon a little later, I’m still struggling to get the conversation that I had with Tyler out of my head.
Will my father really kill them?
****
“Get your hands off of me!” I hear a familiar voice and it has me smiling as I quickly shut the dishwasher door.
“You’re hurting me!” My happiness quickly fades when I hear her cries. With a growl, I quickly rush out of the kitchen and towards the porch. I see two of my father’s guards on either side of Phoenix. The small girl can barely keep her feet on the floor as the men on either side of her grip her harshly.
“Let her go!” I yell, rushing down the stairs. The wolves stop and pause, not letting go of their hold on her.
“We found her lurking in our woods. We’re taking the witch to the Alpha. Move, little one,” the dark haired man says, looking down at me.
“Don’t talk to me like that. Let. Her. Go!” I grind out, glaring at the man. I watch as his hold loosens a little; I can tell he’s fighting his wolf for control.
“Listen to her, Adam.” I hear my father’s voice from behind me, the tall man and his friend quickly drop their hands. Phoenix rubs her arms and then wipes her fiery hair away from her face, smiling at me. She runs up to me and hugs me tight. I let out a small cry when she squeezes my ribs.
“Shoot! Are you okay?” She takes a step back looking me over. “Did I hurt you? Your father called Noelle and told her what happened. I had to come and see you, make sure you were okay.” Her chin starts shaking and her eyes turn watery.
Jesus. We’ve got another crier. Alex is going to love her.
I throw an arm over her shoulder and lead her towards the house. “I’m doing better Phee. I’m so happy you came to visit me. Let me introduce you to my father.” I’ve tried to change the mood and it seems to do the trick because her chin stops wobbling and she lets out a little giggle.
We walk up the porch steps and stop right in front of my father. Johnny is very intimidating, but if Phoenix is scared, it doesn’t show. My father stern expression doesn’t deter her one bit. She smiles and extends her hand.
“Nice to meet you, sir. I’m Phoenix,” she says happily, not one bit scared of the wolf in front of her. I guess it’s the one thing that makes me so fond of her. She doesn’t discriminate at all. There’s so much animosity between wolves and witches around here, but not with Phoenix. Phee doesn’t care if you’re wolf, witch or alien. I hope she keeps that sweetness. I hope she never allows anyone to take that part of her away.
I watch the corners of my father’s lips twitch a little as he tries to keep up the big bad wolf act.
“Just Phoenix?” He asks.
“Just Phoenix,” she continues, still giving him a big smile. My father soon gives her a small smile back, gently reaching out and shaking her hand.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Phoenix. Don’t let my guards behaviour stop you from visiting our Angel as often as you please.” Johnny nods his head to his guards. They remain standing a couple of feet away, looking as uptight as ever as they watch their Alpha shake a little witches hand.
“I didn’t plan to, sir. No wolf in the world could have stopped me from checking in on Angel,” she says seriously. My father surprises me by chuckling as he walks past me nodding his head.
“I thought as much.” He walks away and I guess I’ve got his blessing, he’s allowing Phoenix to teach me.
Phoenix grabs my hand and looks at the cuts. “I brought some healing balm with me. Let’s get these bandaged up.” She pulls me into the house, completely taking charge as if she lives here. We pass a couple wolves, they can clearly smell the witch in her because some let out small growls and glares as she passes; she pays them no attention.