Luna of Light

What did you do to her?

Gaia

We sank onto the leather furniture, Dawson beside me on the couch as my father hesitantly took his armchair.

“Okay, um…Dad…” I started, not sure where I was going. Dawson reached over and took my hand, squeezing reassuringly. I threw him a grateful smile. My father watched the interaction, his face becoming livid.

He shot to his feet. “No!” He snapped, his voice dangerous. Dawson was also on his feet in a heartbeat, tucking me behind him as he stared my father down. “Get away from her!”

“You need to relax!” Dawson snarled. I smacked his shoulder but he didn’t even react.

“Dawson, let me handle this!”

“Absolutely not!”

“You’re a teenager!” My dad roared.

“Dad, I’m an adult!” I said, stepping out from behind my Alpha. “I’m eighteen! And I lo-” I managed to stop the word before it fell out of my mouth. I love him. Jesus, that was the absolute wrong thing to say right now, for so many reasons. “I…learned a lot last night.” I finished lamely.

“You’re a kidnapper.” My father glowered at Dawson, who’s eyes were darkening with anger. “You kidnapped my daughter and filled her head with your lies. I’m calling the police.”

“Dad, stop! Will you just listen?” My body shuddered as worry and anger filled me. Dawson was practically snarling at my father, and my father wanted to call the cops on my mate. And neither of them would just listen. Heat coursed through me. My dad crossed the room to grab up his phone. Dawson snarled, moving to follow him. “STOP!” I commanded.

Instantly Dawson froze, his eyes snapping to me. I was livid as I pointed at the sofa. “SIT!” He blinked for a moment, then relaxed out of his aggressive stance and sank back down on to the couch. I crossed over to my dad, resting a hand on his shoulder.

“Dad, you need to listen. I was not kidnapped. Dawson didn’t do anything to me. I…” He wasn’t listening. He wasn’t even moving. His eyes were locked on the hand I rested on his shoulder; his face frozen in fear. I followed his gaze.

Shit. The hand I touched him with was currently tipped with long black claws.

“I…I’m a werewolf.” I whispered anticlimactically. I didn’t look at Dawson. I hadn’t bothered asking if it was alright that I told my dad, but I didn’t care. He needed to know. “We are werewolves. Last night…when I turned eighteen, the wolf started to come out. Dawson took me away so I wouldn’t hurt anybody. I left my phone behind in the chaos, I’m sorry.” It was probably still in my purse, somewhere on the roof of the Majesty Hotel.

“You…” His eyes snapped to Dawson again, where he sat on the couch. “What did you do to her?”

Dawson opened his mouth angrily. Not. A. Word.. I snapped. His eyes went to mine and he looked downright petulant, but he closed his mouth and sank back against the cushions again.

“Daddy, Dawson saved me. And all of those people last night. Look at me, you know I’m telling the truth.” My father met my eyes. He was trembling. The phone clattered from his hands, and he sank into the chair behind his desk, dropping his face into his hands.

“Oh God…oh God…”

“Dad…”

“It’s true, I know it’s true…” He muttered into his palms. My eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“…What?”

He sniffed hard. Was he crying? As he finally looked up at me, his face was indeed wet. He grabbed my hand and kissed it desperately. “Oh Gaia, my princess, my baby. Please forgive me.”

“Dad, what are you talking about?” I was starting to panic.

“Gaia…I should have told you years ago, but when your mother passed…I just couldn’t stand the thought of you ever belonging to any else…” I remained silent, with no idea what to say. Finally, he met my eyes again. “Gaia, baby. You’re adopted.”