Getting away with the Alpha's Pup

Chapter 22

Cherry

“Darling, all my friends are here,” he said.

“There are preternatural areas in Berlin, too,” I said brightly. “The Mitte District is the main one with many witches and warlocks trading there. And I’ve met a few shifters hanging out in the area too.” The area was where I’d gone to find the scent blocker for Fern. I knew my dad wouldn’t cope well adjusting to spending too much time in human society, so I wanted him to know that Berlin had a thriving preternatural community too.

“I’ve still got my work here with the pack, love,” My dad continued. “And I don’t think another pack would hire an old codger like me,” he said.

I kicked myself for not being considerate about how much it would mean relocating. My father had worked for the Starsmoon Pack his whole life. He was in his late fifties now, and I had to admit relocating cities for him meant starting over completely, with friends, home, and work.

But the truth was I had to tell my dad about Fern because sitting around with both Bert and Fern the other night had been a real eye-opener. I wasn’t just me; I was hurting by cutting myself off from my past. I was hurting those I loved: my dad, Bert, and especially Fern.

With my thoughts swirling, I owned up, “I’ll visit every year if you do stay here,” I said firmly, knowing I wanted my dad to be a bigger part of my life… and my daughter’s. “But the reason I want you to visit and consider if it could be somewhere you’d, at least, spend more of your time is because I have a daughter.”

My dad’s jaw dropped open, and he almost spilled his drink. As he gathered himself, he managed, “A daughter?”

I nodded, but before I could say anything else, a familiar scent flooded my nose.

The grassy, woody scent of another pack member.

Bert came around the side of the house and up onto the veranda. He took one look at my dad and said, “So the Fern’s out of the bag then?”

My dad spluttered. “You knew?”

I scowled at my friend. “Bert just found out about her.” I fixed my eyes on my dad. “You’re the only two who know about her, okay? And I want it to stay that way.”

A thousand questions seemed to dance in my dad’s stare, but he finally nodded. Perhaps already suspecting the reason for my secrecy. I knew from his tight expression that this conversation wasn’t over. But with thoughts about the pack clearly on his mind, he asked, “What’s up, Bert? Does the Alpha need me?”

“It’s Cherry here I’m for, actually. The old Alpha and Luna want to see her this evening. They asked for her to stay at the compound tonight, too, so she’ll be staying at my house. I promise you can have her back tomorrow, Mike.”

With a promise to my dad that we’d talk more tomorrow evening after the Alpha Ceremony, I hopped into Bert’s truck, and we were soon trundling along the rural road leading to our pack’s compound.

We were silent most of the way, and I was pleased that the falling dusk obscured the fields and woods that might have been too much for me to look upon after the whirlwind of the day I’d already had.

In no time, Bert stopped the car outside the old Alpha and Luna’s house, and I followed Bert into the beautifully converted barn. Then, I found myself face-to-face with Chris and Heather. The years had been as kind to them as they had been to my dad, and I was happy to see them looking so well.

Heather had tears in her eyes as we broke apart from our hug, and Chris beamed at me as if my leaving was all water under the bridge.

“I know you must be exhausted, but we couldn’t resist having you come today when it’s been such a long time since we had you with us,” Heather said. Chris invited Bert and me to take a stool at the breakfast bar as he offered us drinks.

“How could I mind fulfilling my Alpha and Luna’s request when you’re stepping down from your role tomorrow?” I said, my eyes running over them with gladness.

Heather beamed, handing me ginger tea as she sipped her own.

Chris cracked open a beer for him and Bert, then said, “We’re up to our eyeballs with prep for Dylan’s ceremony tomorrow, but we couldn’t let the opportunity to catch up with you, slip by.”

I smiled. “And what are your plans when Dylan takes over? A well-earned holiday I hope?” My stomach fluttered as I said Dylan’s name, but I was proud I managed to keep my voice steady.

Chris chuckled. “I wish, but I think I’ll stick around a while in case he needs me. Maybe after his and Lucy’s wedding in a few months, Heather and I will take a break.”

I noticed Heather’s eye on me, and I mustered myself, eager to hide the fact that the mention of Dylan’s mate twisted my insides. “A summer wedding will be lovely here,” I agreed.

Heather’s expression eased. “That it will. Which reminds me, I hoped you might consider designing the wedding clothes for Dylan and Lucy. We’d be so honored if you’d consider it.”

Perhaps it hadn’t been a good idea to act so nonchalantly about the news of Dylan’s upcoming nuptials. But now, not seeing a way out of it, I said, “I’d be happy to.”

At that moment, the front door clicking open sounded, and my heart galloped as heavy steps, matched with the clip of heels, echoed from the hall.

“Perfect timing,” Heather said, and I knew, as I swiveled around on the bar stool, exactly who I’d see.

Dylan and his mate Lucy.