"Lovely, you frightened me. I think we should have Doc come have a look at you. You've been through a lot and you aren't feeding properly."
Dani stepped out into the hall, hoping he would see her and release Tessa. She cleared her throat, and his head snapped up to look at her. She went back into the office. Confused, he dropped her mother as if she'd burned him and ran down the hall to meet Dani. Dani felt sorry for the guy. She assumed Chase had smelled her mom's similar scent and had mistaken Tessa's nearly identical body frame for her.
"Lovely, I thought that was you," he stuttered.
"Nice to know you can't tell me from some other chick. That's true love for you, huh?" She grinned at him. He looked relieved that she wasn't angry.
"She smelled just like you, baby. I'm sorry," he apologized.
"I just fed from her. She likely has my scent all over her." She'd been through a terrifying experience, and as much as she knew she should stay away from him, Dani really just wanted to lean on Chase for a minute. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. He sighed and laid his cheek on top of her head, squeezing her back and rocking just a little.
That was how Mason found them. Chase must have expected Mason to be angry, but he didn't release her. The pink that spread across Chase's face when he saw Mason was precious. She couldn't help smiling at him. If they could be together, she didn't think anything would ever come between them. There was a connection that pulled on her constantly and made her want to hold him, touch him, and kiss him. It was hard work to stay away from Chase. She wished she could be his friend. She wished she could allow herself to be with him until his bonding, but she couldn't. It hurt too badly already.
"Why didn't you tell me the girl you wanted to break your engagement for was Danielle?" Mason shut the door and looked from her to Chase.
"I didn't think it would matter, Dad," Chase returned. "You saw me arguing with Kayden after the dress shop incident. So I didn't think it was a surprise."
What did he just say? Dad? Mason was Chase's father? That meant … Oh God, what did that mean? She stepped away from Chase and fell back on the sofa with a flop.
"It matters very much, actually. There are some things the three of us need to discuss, but I think it would be better if we didn't do it here. Dani and I are going to have a talk and then we'll meet you at your condo." Mason ushered Chase toward the door.
Dani had never known Mason's last name. Mason and Chase had never acted particularly close when she saw them together. Every time she'd seen them together, it was during a time of stress, so she didn't pick up on their relationship. Chase had never called him Dad before. Would he tell Chase who she was? No, he couldn't do that.
"No, Mason. There's nothing for us to talk about," she insisted.
"But, honey, things could be different." Mason crossed the room to sit by her and take her hand. The look on Chase's face was so hopeful.
"You can't. I can't. No," she sputtered. "Chase, could you leave me alone with Mason?"
"Hell no! I want to know what's going on here! What are you two talking about?" Chase stood firm, unwilling to give them privacy.
"Mason, do not make me freeze him. I can't deal with this. Do you have any idea what I've been through today? And there are other things we need to think about before you start jumping the gun." She was gruff.
"Chase, wait for me in the chamber." Mason was annoyed.
"No! You guys can't do this to me. I deserve to know what's going on!" Chase's eyes flared black.
"Please, give me a moment with Mason," she begged.
Chase dragged her up off the sofa to wrap her in a tight hug. "I know this is no excuse to you, but I have a duty to my house and to my people. I don't know how to walk away from that. I don't know how to fight a prophecy, Danielle. I'm supposed to stop this rogue and save our kids. I don't know how to undo that, but for you, I was trying." He kissed her lightly and left the room, dragging his feet as if he were forcing himself to go.
It was quiet for a few moments, while both she and Mason sorted out their thoughts. Then he asked, "Why don't you want me to tell him? Because I have to tell you, I have never seen him behave that way. I'm not even sure that was my son. I also think you should know that your mother and I believe the prophecy Griffin's sister gave us refers to you and not the other Vaughn girls."
"You're grasping at straws with the prophecy. If he's meant to be with one of us, he will be, no matter what. He professes his love to me, but he chooses her every time. He's never told her he wants to be with me. For all you know, she is the one he needs. I'll tell you one thing. I will be damned before I bond myself to a man out of obligation to some prophecy. If he doesn't love me enough to choose me, no matter the consequence, I don't want him. If you tell him who I am, then he will use it as his reason for breaking up with Sam. What if it's her in the prophecy, Mason? What if it isn't even Chase who is meant to fulfill the prophecy? Don't screw with fate any further. If he leaves her because of who I am, I will live the rest of my life wondering if he would have married her. Either he makes this decision on his own or I won't have him. Don't forget that we have no idea what Griffin is going to do now. He knows who I am, but that doesn't mean he'll claim me publicly. That would tarnish his family's reputation," she argued.
"These are valid points, but things would go more smoothly if we helped them along. If Griffin knew you and Chase were in love, he would see the connection to the prophecy and be more likely to take the risk," Mason returned.
"You just don't get it." She crossed the short distance between them and cupped his face. "I won't be second best, Mason. The men in my life will choose me for no other reason than they can't live without me, or I will not have them. If my father is too embarrassed to claim me as his child for no other reason than that he is proud to have me as a daughter, then I will not force myself on him and his family. If Chase doesn't pick me over her, prophecy be damned, it isn't enough for me. And have you thought of the fact that Chase has no idea I'm human? He may not want me after he finds out that little tidbit."
"You're half-human," Mason countered.
"I'm human enough for it to make me weaker than your kind, and he's not going to want my mutt babies," she whispered.
"You are much stronger than our kind in many ways. As far as babies go, I think that is the whole problem here. You're afraid he is going to reject you when he finds out you're human. You won't let him get close enough for it to matter. Also, you don't want your children to suffer the rejection you feel. I love you, Soleil. I love you no matter what you are, and he will too." Mason pulled her into his arms and rocked her.
"I need to think, and I need you to promise to keep a lid on this until we see what Griffin is going to do. Please take my feelings into consideration. This is my life, and I won't live it for people who could reject me for being beneath them. When the time comes, I will tell Chase I'm human. I also have to think of Kayden. So please don't push me." She stepped out of his arms and walked away.
After her disagreement with Mason in the council chamber, Dani wandered down the corridor, feeling like her head would explode. He wouldn't see her point of view, and she wouldn't give in to his wishes. She could clearly see where Chase got his pigheaded nature.
She needed to get back to the Enclave to retrieve her things, but she didn't want to ask either of the men in her life for a ride. They were the reason for the persistent pounding in her head, so she was on her own. The chamber doors were still open, and two deep male voices could be heard echoing off the wall-to-wall marble. Of course, Chase and Kayden were both waiting for her. They were actually being agreeable and behaving like old friends instead of archenemies. Seeing them that way reminded her of the reason for their estrangement. They could both really use a good friend, and she was the wedge between them. She'd screwed up everything she'd touched since meeting those men.
"Do you need a ride? I promise not to ask any questions about your health or badger you to bond with me." Darren scared the shit out of her when he interrupted her spying. He looked over her head at Chase and Kayden.
That sounded like the ticket to her. She left with Darren, not stopping to say good-bye to the double trouble waiting for her. She needed to be alone with her thoughts and figure out the next step. It took no time to pack at the Enclave, and Darren kept watch at the door, in case any of Lance's men decided to exact their own revenge.