Chapter 15

“Scarlett, are you sticking around for dinner?” Mom asked, pulling me from my thoughts. I realized then how hungry I was.

“Sure, I’ll stay,” I replied, grabbing a plate and helping myself to some pasta.

I heard the front door open and close, and I figured it was probably Dad and Bob. Bob was the first to enter the kitchen, and he looked a bit let down when he saw it was just Mom and me.

“Hey, where’s the alpha? His car’s parked out front. I thought he was here,” Bob said, scratching his head in confusion.

Dad walked in right after him, his eyebrows furrowed in thought. I felt a shiver run down my spine. It was time to come clean.

I could try to lie, but it wouldn’t get me anywhere. They were bound to find out about the baby sooner or later. I was cornered.

“Actually, I have the car,” I said, pulling the keys from my pocket and placing them on the table. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mom’s eyes widen in surprise, but it was Dad who spoke up.

“Why do you have one of Alpha Christopher’s cars?” Dad asked, crossing his arms over his chest. His question made my stomach churn, and I took a deep breath to steady myself.

“I need to tell you guys something. The alpha and I, we’re together. He’s the one I went out with last night,” I confessed.

Dad just stared at me, wide-eyed, and took a seat at the table.

I watched as Dad swallowed hard, then turned to look at Mom. His eyes were red and shiny. He was angry, and his wolf was close to the surface.

“Martha, did you know about this?” he asked.

Mom glanced at me quickly before answering.

“Yes, Scarlett told me a few days ago, but she asked for time to prepare to tell you,” she admitted.

“Why the hell am I the last to know? Why was this kept from me?” Dad shouted, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

“I didn’t mean to keep this from you,” I said, my voice louder than I intended. “Karen found out and…”

“Wait, Karen, who doesn’t even live here, already knows too?” His voice cracked, and I felt my eyes start to sting.

Why did Dad always have to make things so difficult?

“I didn’t plan it this way, Dad. I didn’t want to disappoint you. I was just waiting for the right time to tell you.” Tears were now streaming down my face.

He turned to face me, taking a deep breath to calm himself.

“How did it happen?” he asked, his voice softer now. The anger was gone, and I wiped away my tears.

“We met when I treated the head guard, but nothing happened then. It was when I caught Mathew cheating on me at Tyler’s. I was upset, and Christopher was there for me. He was kind, and one thing led to another,” I explained as honestly as I could.

Dad looked down, and when he looked back up at me, his eyes were filled with sincerity and concern.

“Does he treat you well? The way you deserve?” His question caught me off guard, and I felt a tear slip down my cheek as I remembered how well Christopher treated me.

“Yes,” I said, unable to put into words just how much.

“And do you like him?” Dad asked, his voice clear.

“A lot. In fact, what I feel for him is stronger than what I felt for Mathew,” I admitted.

It was true. I felt a deep connection with Christopher, so deep that it was almost painful when we were apart. And all the stories about the mate bond that I had heard—I realized that was what I felt for Christopher.

“Really?” Dad asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I just nodded.

Dad was silent for a moment, and I was afraid to break the silence.

“I need some time to process this, but all I want is for you to be with someone who cares for you and loves you, even if that someone is my boss,” Dad finally said, letting out a nervous laugh.

“Thank you,” I said, relieved.

“You’re my girl, and you always will be,” Dad said, pulling me into a hug. I started crying again, but this time they were tears of relief. I knew I should tell him about the pregnancy, but I decided it was too much for one night.

I had already eaten half my plate of pasta, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat any more, so I decided to leave.

“Dad, I’m glad we could talk about this,” I said.

“I am too. Secrets are never good.”

“Christopher asked me to come over tonight. It’s been a tough day for all of us, and we just want to be together. I hope you understand. I’ll see you guys tomorrow. Good night,” I said, giving each of them a kiss on the cheek.

I could tell from their faces and the tension in the room that they were still processing everything, but they were coming to terms with it. And I knew I needed to be with Christopher.