I didn’t reply, and when Jackson glanced at Kaleem, he quickly averted his eyes.
I watched their car drive off, and when the crowd across the street started to disburse, I dialed Dad’s number. Jackson would twist this in any way possible, so he was seen as the victim, and Colin would believe him.
I couldn’t go back to the pack, not after this, and Dad couldn’t stay.
Those boys were drunk and pissed, and Dad would be used as their outlet for revenge against me. I’d seen it in Jackson’s eyes.
When Dad answered the call, I spoke before he did. “Dad, you need to leave the pack right now. Pack only the necessities for us both, and meet me at Kaleem’s territory right now.”
“What? What happened?” he asked, but I could hear shuffling in the background that he was already doing as asked.
Looking at Kaleem, I sighed before walking away to get back into the car. “Jackson happened,” I replied. “And Kaleem did what he had to.”
***
After picking up Dad and explaining what happened, we drove with Kaleem onto his territory. No one spoke, the silence in the car as thick as early morning fog.
A magical night was turned into the unceremonious end of Dad, and I’s bond to our pack. This wasn’t how I saw things happening, but perhaps this was for the best.
Come morning, we’d hear from Colin, and he’d want to speak to Kaleem, but I’d spotted people filming the entire altercation. Whatever lies Jackson was telling Colin right now, it would be a waste of time.
He picked a fight he should have known he couldn’t win, even if Kaleem had struck him first.
Kaleem was visibly still pissed, and his eyes hadn’t stopped glowing since we left town. He also hadn’t spoken except to greet Dad. I couldn’t blame him. Jackson went too far, not just with calling me a bitch but for what he’d done to that poor boy.
Kaleem allowed the pack to return, and this was the result of his kindness.
Silverdawn Pack was more beautiful than I’d imagined despite it being the middle of the night and most of the houses being shrouded in darkness.
Wolfcreek was a stunning town with charm and character, but this place was like a housing scheme for the upper class. The smallest houses were two stories the least, and they all had massive lawns and paved driveways. I loved that there were trees around the homes and in the yards as if the pack was still blended with the forest and not a demolished area to create a settlement.
When the packhouse came into view, I knew what it was without being told.
The house was at the end of a dead-end street with an impressive circular driveway. There were tall windows and a three-door garage, and the structure was made of copper bricks that gave it a timeless, dated look.
The front door opened, and I recognized the man that walked out.
It was one of the wolves Jackson had been arguing with the night I ran into Marian, the one that asked who I was, but tonight his hair was loose around his shoulders.
“Diana, this is my brother Killian,” Kaleem said, and I placed my fist over my heart and bowed.
I could see the resemblance between them now, but I hadn’t noticed it the night I met Killian. I was too pissed, and honestly, only now that they were standing side by side, their resemblance was noticeable.
Killian smiled and placed his fist over his heart as well. “We met, but it’s nice to officially meet you, Diana.”
“And this is Mathieu, Diana’s father,” Kaleem said next, and Killian and Dad bowed in greeting.
“Welcome, both of you,” Killian said while gesturing towards the house. “Rooms have already been prepared for the night.”
“I’m afraid I’m not staying,” Dad suddenly said, and I frowned. “Thank you, Alpha Kaleem, for standing up for my daughter and welcoming us into your pack, but I only came to see that Diana got here safely. I’ll be returning to the pack, and perhaps I can get in front of this before Jackson weaves a tall tale that starts another war.”
“No!” I said with disbelief. “You can’t go back. You know that’s a horrible idea, Dad. There is nothing either of us can do now. You said you agreed. You said you’d join the pack with me. They don’t need you. I do. I need you here, safe and with me.”
My words weren’t getting through to him. I could see that, and my heart shattered. Was he really going to choose the pack over me?
“Please,” I begged. “I can’t—I can’t do this without you.”
“Diana, that pack is my home,” he rebutted, and I saw red.