Drake’s eyes narrowed as her
head lowered, she looked so despondent and beaten. “What have the Elders
decreed?”
“Everything’s up to you. Whatever
you decide they will stand by.”
“You never told her the
stupid things humans tell their children, like I was dead or I disappeared in
the middle of the night?”
A sad smiled lined her lips.
“No, she always knew her father was alive, she just didn’t know your name.”
“Only that I’m the greatest
Lyken warrior alive.” He grinned as she lifted her gaze.
“Yes. I started wondering
when she was around four if you’d been in on the setup, but then I was afraid
to come back and ask because I knew you’d be angry with me for keeping her from
you.”
“Would you have ever told
me?”
“Yes. I was making plans to
come back when I heard something going down that I had to gather more
information on for the town. It put me months behind my plan to come back, but
I knew it couldn’t be helped.”
“The meeting tomorrow?”
“Yes. Drake, what are you
going to do?”
“I don’t know yet,” he
answered, noting the fear in her eyes again. “I’ll let you know tomorrow before
the meeting, as I’m sure I will have to report my decision to the council.”
When she nodded her head in acknowledgment, he turned and headed out the back
gate. He stopped suddenly when he saw Olivia standing there.
“I don’t care if you’re my
father or not, I won’t let you take me away from my mamma.”
“If I recall correctly,
children are not the ones who dictate to adults.” He tried to stop his smile,
but damn she reminded him of himself when he was her age—all full of piss and
vinegar.
“Maybe not, but if you take
me away from her, I’ll make it a living hell for you and everyone near me.”
“You’re eight.”
“I’m also a quarter Fairy and
a quarter special human. I’m not stupid and I’m not a scared little girl, I
know how Mamma was treated by the meanies of this town.”
“Kalana spoke of their
cruelty?”
“Not out loud, she’s never
said a bad word about anyone here, but like you’ll learn, kids pick up a lot
more than adults think we do, especially me.”
“Well then, I’ll take your
¼
requests, under consideration. Tell me, have you shown any Lyken
tendencies besides needing red meat?”
“Not yet, but I’m not going
through puberty either.”
His brow arched. Well that
was something he never thought he’d have to talk about with a child. “Okay
then.”
“I want you to be my dad and
I want to get to know you and learn stuff with you, but not if it hurts Mamma.”
Drake knelt, bringing him to
her eye level. “You’re very protective of Kalana, aren’t you?” he asked softly.
“She’s my mom. Wouldn’t you
tear someone’s throat out if they thought about hurting yours?”
Drake grinned. “Yeah, I would
and I’m thinking you have more Lyken tendencies than you know of.”
“Probably.”
Drake stayed still as Olivia
leaned closer, her small hands cupping his face on either side as she met his
gaze. He chuckled. “Don’t think to try and read me, little one. I know of the
gifts your human grandfather had.”
“You know how to block.” Her
brows furrowed. “A lot better than Mamma, although she does have different
gifts.”
Leaning back on his heels as
she moved her small hand, he watched as her fingers trailed down the hair
hanging loosely on his shoulders. “Can you scent me as Lyken?” he asked.
“A little, I know the
differences between humans and
Other Kin
, and I can smell things far
away lately. Mamma’s tried to help me, but she doesn’t have the Lyken nose.”
“You need training to enhance
your abilities.”
“Will you help me learn?”
Drake kept her gaze as she
moved back, thrusting her hands into her pockets. She exhibited so many of his
traits it was a little unnerving. “Of course I will, Olivia; I’m your sire.”
“Will you promise me that you
won’t take me away from Mamma?”
A sigh escaped at her soft
voice and little quiver of her bottom lip. “I don’t want to hurt you or your
mother, Olivia. I promise I’ll do my best to come up with something that will
be good for all three of us.” His heart flip-flopped when she smiled; her
entire face seemed to brighten.
“Thank you!”
He chuckled as she launched
herself into his arms, hers going around his neck. He lifted his arms around her
small frame, his eyes closing as he inhaled deeply, content with her in his
arms.
“What do I call you?”
Drake met her gaze as she
leaned back. “Dad I suppose.”
“Okay!” Grinning from ear-to-ear,
she jumped back. “I’ll scoot so I can give you time to come up with the perfect
plan, okay? Don’t take too long.” Leaning in, she kissed his cheek before
bouncing back again. “I’ll be waiting to hear all about it, Dad, I know you can
do it!”
Drake rose as the little
scamp skipped around the corner to the front of the store. The smile etched
across his features as he headed home.
* * * *
“She looks like you.”
Drake glanced to the left
meeting his brother’s gaze as he leaned casually against the doorjamb to his
den. “You’ve seen her then?”
“Ah yes.” He smiled. “And
spoke with her. I must say she’s you to a tee at that age.”
“Yeah she’s a little
spitfire.” Drake grinned.
Evan tilted his head to the
room at his back. “Come on in, there’s a few things we need to talk about.”
“The other reason Kalana came
home.”
“Yes and you’re not going to
like what’s going on.”
Drake shut the doors behind
him as he stepped into the den.
* * * *
Drake sighed as he stared at
the waxing moon. In several short days it would be full and bright. Today had
been an experience of shock, excitement, anger, and disbelief when he found out
about Olivia. He’d always thought about having children, but to be blindsided
by an eight-year-old version of himself wasn’t something he’d ever thought of.
His hand slammed on the railing, he knew why she’d kept Olivia a secret, but
damn it, she should have told him he had a daughter. How in the hell was he
supposed to come up with a plan of having Olivia with him unless he brought
Kalana along too? Drake groaned as his cock grew with the thought of his little
Woodland Fairy. Damn the woman. Nine years later and his body still stirred
with the thought of her. What was he going to do with a woman he wasn’t sure he
could trust fully, yet made his body ready for mating? Not to mention, he had
to declare his decision to the Elder Council tomorrow night before the town
meeting and try to come up with something that would keep his daughter smiling.
“Damn,” he growled. Turning, he stepped back into his room, removed his clothing
and slid onto the cool sheets of his bed.
* * * *
He knew he shouldn’t, but
Drake loved the stunned look that came over Kalana’s features. Drake struggled
to hold his smile back as Olivia did a dance around them ‘whooping’ every now
and then.
“Did you get dropped on your
head too many times as a baby, Roven?” Kalana snapped.
“Now, Kalana, you might
offend Evan as Alpha not to mention our mother.” He grinned, arms crossed over
his chest, his feet spread.
“That’s a sign of
defensiveness you know.”
“Now, baby, it’s a sign of
pure male confidence.”
“No way, there’s no way in
hell I’m moving in with you.”
“Olivia seems to like the
idea.”
“
Olivia
doesn’t know
what’s best for her yet.”
“What’s the matter,
sweetheart, afraid you’ll like the end result?” The frustration she felt was
all over her face and movements. He knew he shouldn’t tease her, but he just couldn’t
help himself.
“That depends on what you
think the end result is going to be.”
His eyes narrowed slightly as
fear streamed through her being quickly. Was she afraid of him, his clan or
just the thought of what might happen between them again? Evan had mentioned to
him how she’d backed up when he and Gwil approached her the other night.
Lowering his arms, he glanced around at the Council of Elders. “May we have a
moment please?”
“Certainly,” Amias said as he
took Olivia by the hand leading everyone out.
“Why are you afraid?” Drake
asked the moment the doors closed.
“I-I’m not, not really.”
“Are you afraid of me?” he
asked, his chest tightening at the thought.
“No!” she answered quickly,
her gaze flying up to meet his. “No, I’m not afraid of you, Drake.”
He breathed a bit easier.
“Then what frightens you, Kay?” Stepping closer, he itched to take her within
his arms.
“The unknown, the future,
everything.”
Her whispered words tore at
his heart, something he hadn’t felt since the day he’d found her gone. “Kay,”
he whispered soothingly. “I’ll do everything in my power to make sure your life
is wonderful.”
“I know,” she sobbed as she
stepped forward wrapping her arms around his waist, and laying her head on his
chest. “And I think that scares me the most.”
“Gods, baby,” he groaned as
he brought her closer to him, settling his cheek on the top of her head. “I had
to come up with something to make Olivia happy. I promised her I wouldn’t take
her away from you.”
“Why would you promise her
that?” she asked as she lifted her head.
He met her gaze. “Because,
she’s my daughter, Kay, and she needs me. I can feel the Lyken in her screaming
to get out and play and I can’t help her the way I want to unless I have your
blessing.” His hand lifted, brushing several tendrils of hair away from her
face. “Because you’re her mother and we must agree to her training.”
“Are you just saying that to
make me happy?” She frowned.
Drake chuckled. “Yeah, a
little bit. So are you alright with this? Can we go tell the elders there’s no
more fighting?”
“Yes.”
The smile left as he
remembered what his brother mentioned. “You know the females might—challenge
you, right?”
“Yeah, I had a feeling.”
“I’ll stand behind you, Kay,
but if we’re not mated, they have a right to challenge.”
“I know I’m up for it, but I’m
telling you right now, Drake Calum Roven, if they bother Olivia…”
Chuckling, he leaned forward
placing a small kiss on the tip of her nose. “Damn, the middle name’s been
dropped. I know, Mamma, you’ll kick their asses.”
“You have no idea.”
“Meaning?”
“I’m not a shy little girl
anymore, Drake, and I’ve honed my abilities. If they piss me off, they’ll get a
surprise.”
“Well then,” he stated as he
put his arm around her shoulder, leading her to the door. “I say, serves them
right. Now, let’s go inform the masses you’re back.”
“You say that with such
joviality. You love this, don’t you?”
“Hell yes.”
“You know I’m still highly
attracted to you, right?”
“Thank the Gods for small
miracles,” he groaned.
* * * *
Drake was exhausted by the
time they arrived back at Roven Manor. The town meeting had gone exceedingly
well, all members of Alston had showed, including the
Other Kin
who didn’t
like being around others for various reasons. It lasted longer than
anticipated, but questions needed answers. Then they’d gone by Amias’ to gather
the few bags Kalana and Olivia had. Drake smiled as he glanced down at his
daughter sleeping in his arms as they climbed the stairs to his wing of the
manor. He knew he’d made the right decision by having them come live here, now
he just had to convince Kalana.
“Are you sure?” Kalana asked.
“She’ll be fine. I told her I’d
put her in the room across from mine tonight and she could choose her own
tomorrow morning. She knows where to find us, Kay, stop being a worrywart.”
“I’m not a worrywart.”
Drake smiled as he glanced
her way. “Yes, you are. Now I thought I’d put you in with me tonight, you know
in case she needs you and all.”
Kalana scoffed. “You’re so
full of crap your eyes are almost brown.”
He chuckled softly as he
bumped the door open with his hip and reached over to turn on the bedside
light. “Seriously, we didn’t tell her where you’d be. If she does get
disoriented, she knows I’m right across the hall, but I’d rather have you
there, Kay. I don’t have the daddy ears yet.”
“Daddy ears?” She smiled as
she started untying Olivia’s shoes. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean that meanly; I
know what you mean. If she rolls over I hear her; if she sneezes or coughs, I’m
on it in a heartbeat.”