“Ian lied to me… again, and I lost it. I’m done with him.” I snap, looking between my mom and dad.
“How did he lie to you?” My mom speaks in a soft, calm voice. So, they’re playing good cop bad cop, just like when Kelsey and I were pups. This should be fun.
“He told me he had to go on a mission, when in fact he went to Vegas on a boys’ trip.” I place my cup on the table and stare into the black abyss that is my coffee.
“Vegas? Ha! Who told you that?” My dad slams his paper on the table.
“Does it really matter? The fact is, he lied. I still can’t trust him.” I narrow my eyes at my dad.
“Let me ask you a question. While you were screaming at him, did you notice what he looked like? Or that he was wearing the same clothes you last saw him in? Or did you notice he stunk to high heaven? Did you?” Dad and I are locked in a staring contest. “Well?”
“No… I didn’t take notice. I just…” Dad interrupts me.
“You just what? Focused solely on what some mystery bitch told you. Is that it?” Dad leans into me.
“What’s your point?” I snap at my dad and cross my arms.
“My point? You were and are completely in the wrong.” Dad leans back in his chair.
“Me?” I stand and shout.
“Sit your ass back down, or I will make you.” The chair that dad is sitting in screeches across the floor as he rushes to his feet, meeting my gaze and pointing to my chair. I stand in defiance for a few tense moments before slamming back down in my seat. “Ian, Zane, Kelsey, Beta Charlie, myself, along with one hundred warriors rushed out of here to help protect the Crimson Tide pack from a rogue attack that threatened their very existence.” Dad is breathing heavily as the anger rolls off of him. “There was no boys’ trip to Vegas!” He shouts before taking his seat.
“Wait, you went on a mission?” I look at my dad and mom.
“Yes, I did. Ya know why? So, your mate could hurry and get back to you!” My dad cups his hands around his mouth and screams at me.
“Sugar, that’s why I stayed with Ian’s mom. The girls were keeping you busy and occupied, and neither of us wanted to be alone while our mates were on a mission.” My mom’s soft words and gentle touch pierces my skin like a thousand little needles.
I take in my dad’s words, sinking into my chair.What have I done?My cheeks flush as the feeling of guilt washes over me, settling into the pit of my stomach. The guilt churns and twists my guts into a thousand knots, and last night’s nachos threaten to come back up violently. My breathing is shallow as beads of sweat form on my face and neck.
“I… I…” my dad interrupts.
“Am a complete asshole. Is that what you were going to say?” Dad snarls at me.
“Earnest!” Mom gasps and shouts.
“What? It’s the truth. She is the asshole right now. She should have kept her cool and calmly talked with her mate. Instead, she acted like a pup and screamed like a banshee at him in public.” Dad looks from mom to me, “You realizeyourmate is the future beta of this pack… andyou’rethe future beta female. Those positions hold significant importance in this pack, and as the future beta of this pack, yourmatedeserves respect, and respect starts with you, Kate.”
“Respect? You want to talk about respect? Where was his respect towards me when he was cheating on me?” I scrunch my face to hide my quivering lips.
“Ian was the asshole then. He got his ass beat by Alpha, his father, and me multiple times on your behalf. He vowed to do whatever it took to prove to me and this pack that he deserved another chance with you. We all know that the mate bond was not severed. So, tell me Kate, in the over two years you were apart, did you feel him being unfaithful? Because he felt it every time you let that human touch you.” Dad shakes his head in disgust and disappointment. Tears stream down my face.
“Earnest!” Mom gasps and shouts.
“Truth hurts, doesn’t it, Kate?” Dad leans back in his chair, satisfied with the point he has made. I’m not too sure how he knows so much, but he does.
When my dad is finished, I feel about two inches tall. My dad has never spoken to me this way before, I suppose because I’ve never given him a reason to. I wasn’t a perfect pup, and he has had tochatwith me before, but never in this manner. He’s right though, and I can’t argue back with him. I am the asshole. Once again, I’ve messed everything up; it seems to be an ongoing theme of my life lately. After I mentally digest everything my dad has said, I stand to leave.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Dad’s voice booms off the walls.
“I need to find Ian,” I simply state.
“It won’t be hard. He’s sleeping on the front porch… been there all night. Poor fool was afraid you’d run away.” Dad’s voice softens as he shakes his head.
I take a mug from the cupboard and prepare Ian a cup of coffee the way he likes it; two creams and two sugars. I make my way to the front porch, stopping first next to my dad. I look at the ground and fight the tears back. Once I’m fully in control of my emotions, I place the cup of coffee on the table and kiss my dad on his cheek.
“What was that for?” He pulls away and looks me in the eyes.