Family, Forgiveness, & Fuck This

Paisley

Zayla wakes up with a jolt as I shake her shoulders.

“Zayla, it’s almost five; you gotta get ready for the pack barbecue.”

I just came from telling her parents what I forgot to mention before, that Soren is not a wolf and they were just as surprised as I expected.

Then I realized Zayla was asleep, and about to sleep through the barbecue.

Groaning, she shoves her face into the bed. I can tell she doesn’t care about pretending to want to be at the barbecue, but she doesn’t have a choice.

“Zayla, I swear by my wolf that I will drag your skinny ass out of here by my teeth if you don’t get up!” I huff and shake her again.

“No, let me sleep. I’m emotionally stunted right now. I need at least another four hours.”

I can’t help but giggle. Zayla lifts her head and scowls at me.

“What could possibly be funny right now?” she says.

“Oh, you know, the fact that you said four more hours because that’s the time when Soren is usually waiting for you.”

I smirk at her, my eyes lighting up with mischief as I take in Zayla’s reddening cheeks.

“Zay, what did you do?”

Her face turns a darker shade of red. “I may have found Soren’s home,” she says into her pillow.

“May have?” My voice is hopeful and full of humor.

“Yeah, may have…and I may have…masturbated in his bed.” She says the last part almost silently, but of course I hear it and squeal like a pig, jumping up and bouncing around.

“I’m so proud of you!” I am so enthusiastic that Zayla can’t help but laugh at my antics.

“Take that, Soren!” I say while fist pumping the air. My happiness at Zayla’s cheeky behavior has her sitting up, just to laugh at me.

“Zayla, can I talk to you?” my Uncle Zayn’s voice rings out as he walks into Zayla’s room. “Oh…hi, Paisley.”

I halt my movements, and Zayla fidgets uncomfortably.

“Hey, Uncle Zayn! I was just getting this one up for the barbecue,” I say while pointing a perfectly manicured finger in Zayla’s direction.

Uncle Zayn looks just as uncomfortable as Zayla does, moving his weight between his feet. He looks like he’d rather be anywhere fucking else.

“Do…do you think I could have a moment with Zayla?” he says in a quick breath before clearing his throat.

“I’ll see you outside, Zay.” I reach down and kiss my cousin’s head before walking out and pulling the door almost closed behind me.

Almost, but not quite. I want to hear what Uncle Zayn says to Zayla.

My eye to the crack of the door, I see Uncle Zayn walk over to the bed with unsure movements. He plops himself on it. He’s close enough that Zayla could touch him, but far enough to give her space.

From the look on her face, she fucking hates it.

Zayla has always been up her dad’s ass, always looked up to him and loved him more than anything in the world. It’s got to be fucking killing her right now to have him so unsure about even being around her.

With a deep sigh, she leans her body over, placing her head on his shoulder. The move has him stiffening slightly before his whole body finally relaxes.

This is such an intimate father-daughter moment that I almost feel guilty for eavesdropping.

Almost, but not enough to leave.

“I’m so sorry, princess,” he says after a few minutes, his voice cracking at every word he speaks. Zayla says nothing, just letting the silence take over.

“I’m a fucking idiot, I am. I could never be ashamed of you, Zayla. Absolutely never! I just…” He takes a deep breath.

“I don’t know…” Zayla seems torn.

He’s silent for a minute before continuing, “When I saw the mark, I was so angry, my wolf was so angry! But not at you. We could smell that it wasn’t completed and it hurt us.

“It hurts to know that you’d be hurting while feeling that need to complete the bond.”

My cousin doesn’t move from her spot. She stays silent, fighting to hold in the tears that are threatening to ruin the moment.

“Before your mother met me, she was force marked. More than a dozen times. Those marks heal instantly like a cut. Your mom says that they burn like crazy for days, but the mark itself is gone.

“When I saw yours I knew it was willingly—your wolf was holding onto it. I could feel her puff up when Drayden ripped your shirt… I yelled at him for that, by the way…”

With another deep sigh, he finishes his statement, “She was so proud of it, my wolf could feel her.

“And that angered me, not because she was proud, but because whoever did it, she cared more for the bond than he did. And I’m not okay with that…

“I now know he is your mate. Paisley told your mother and me some of what you’ve told her, and Zayla”—he clears his throat—“I’m sorry, princess, but when I meet him I’m going to punch him in the face.”

My cousin can’t help the laugh that slips out at his clipped warning. His wolf purrs at the sound, loving the interaction it’s getting from its pup.

At least she doesn’t blame me for betraying her confidence. I don’t know what I’d do if she started hating me for sharing her secret.

“I love him, Dad. I’ve never seen him in person, I don’t even know what he looks like, but my heart bleeds for him, my mind craves him… I don’t know what to do…I’m falling apart,” Zayla says.

His arm circles Zayla, squeezing her into his side. “Sometimes men need a woman to kick their ass into gear. I needed your mother, and maybe this Soren needs you.”

Sitting up, Zayla locks eyes with him, confusion on her face, but remembrance shining in his.

“You think so?” she asks.

Kissing the side of her head, he says, “I know so.” Then he stands up, holding his hand out to her.

“Now get dressed. As much as I love your brothers, I’m ready to kill them both, so let’s not give them a reason to come talk to us.”

Taking his hand, she laughs at his expression before he turns to the door. I wish my bond with my own father was so tight.

Before Uncle Zayn can spot me, I scurry down the hall and duck inside the guest room where I left my sweater. I’ll catch up with Zayla downstairs.

***

I meet Zayla at the door into the backyard. She’s put on her favorite baby-pink dress, the cute one with the soft, flowy skirt. It’s one of her favorites.

She must be feeling confident now that she talked with her dad.

When we walk outside, she links arms with me and we make our way to the table.

We grab food and make small chit chat with pack members and their kids. Eventually, we find seats at a small table and sit down to eat.

Right when I’m about to take my first bite, I watch my cousin Draxel, Zayla’s brother, stand up. He and his mate are sitting at the head table on my uncle’s side while my cousin Drayden and his mate sit on my aunt’s side.

“Can I have your attention, please?” Draxel says while tapping his knife against his cup.

The chattering of pack members slowly dies down, and everyone’s attention is on the head table and my cousin.

“We would like to thank you all for coming to this barbecue. We hope you are all enjoying yourselves.”

A round of cheers rings quickly through the crowd.

“My mate Kimber and I have an announcement.” Reaching his hand down, he pulls her softly to her feet, kissing her temple before putting his arm around her.

The move is seemingly innocent, but I can see how badly it’s affecting Zayla.

She looks like she’s about to vomit, her nerves taking over her body in a quick spike. I can see the feeling of uneasiness spreading through her as she tenses.

“Kimber and I are expecting a pup!” The happiness showing proudly on his face has to affect Zayla. Her emotions must be in a turmoil.

Looking over at her, I see how tightly she’s gripping her fork. Definitely mixed emotions!

She wants to be happy. Like, fuck, of course she wants to be happy for them!

But that feeling of heartache is written across her face. With a tear sliding down her face, she slowly pushes away from the table.

“Zayla, are you okay?” I whisper at her once she stands up.

“Yeah, I just need…a minute,” she says sadly as the tears take over her face. She walks away calmly until she hits the line where she’s no longer visible, then she takes off.

Zayla always did have trouble hiding her feelings.

Sometimes, all she can do is run it off.