Woulf my life- My father's daughter

Chapter 4 Patrick’s memories

I was sat at my desk and was reminiscing about the past. I has been eight years since I saw Carley in the woods, and I still vividly remember how her deep blue eyes were swarming with panic and angst when she realised, she was lost and far away from her house.

I remember that day as if it was yesterday. I went out for a run after my beta, Sam, told me there are some troubles waiting to unfold in our territory if I didn’t get myself a chosen mate to run the pack with. I remember how I was feeling extremely annoyed at Sam’s words and commanded him not to follow me on my run, as I just took off into the woods without a care of my clothes being torn to shreds when transforming into my wolf, as we have clothes hidden all over the forest.

I was running for almost two hours, when me and my wolf decided to stop and return to my human form. As I was getting dressed, my wolf started wining in my head.

‘What is wrong with you Jam? Is what Sam said annoying you that much that you can’t calm down?’

‘That, too….’ He replied ‘but I can smell a familiar scent coming from up-north’

“A familiar scent?” I asked out-loud, sharpening my senses and smelled the air around us. And, as on que, my memories of my late mate and our little daughter came over in my mind as a video, one by one.

‘It’s our pup’ Jam stated the obvious.

‘Why would our pup be so far into the woods?’ I asked more myself than Jam.

‘Patrick!’ he said with a sense of urgency ‘She is in distress’

‘I can also feel that, but there’s no other smells around the area. It can’t be a rogue.’ I said while slowly walking towards her direction.

You see my mate, Diana, passed away not long after she gave birth to our daughter. I was away aiding another pack in a battle with some vicious rogues, when my own gamma – or third in-command – decided to betray me and seized the opportunity of me being away to attack my mate, the love of my life, and kill her. I was returning home, when I felt like my heart was being ripped apart from my chest and burned to ashes, and I instantly knew that my mate was no more. I speed up and reached in time to witness my gamma turning towards my baby, to strike and take her life as well, but I was faster. I got to him in time. He had no time to react, as the next thing that he snaped out to was, his heart in my hand, ripped out viciously from his treacherous body. My promise of protecting my baby girl well engraved in my being. And now, my little one is the only being left in charge of my heart. We never got to name her, as I was grieving and always angry or seeking revenge, so I did what I thought was best for her… and that meant asking her godparents and her maternal grandparents to take care of her until she is ready to know the truth and was able to decide what she wanted to do with me – forgive me… or otherwise.

As I was approaching her small self, I could feel everything she was feeling, fear, frustration and annoyance. But I could see the tears threatening to fall, so I decided it was time to make my presence known to her.

‘Don’t scare her’ my wolf said.

‘I won’t’ I rebuked slightly annoyed at my wolf.

I took a deep breath to calm myself down and stated “Hello, little one! Don’t you think you are way too deep into MY woods?” my voice boomed, and she slowly turned towards me, fear apparent in her beautiful deep blue eyes.

‘i***t! You scared her! How can you be so…? She is your pup’ My wolf spat at me, while I was mentally slapping myself.

‘I know! Now shut up!’ I spat back at him.

It took me a good minute to realise that neither of us had said anything, and decided to break the silence, hoping to sound less intimidating.

“What?” I found myself booming again “Did the cat get your tongue?” and again mentally slapping my stupid self. Why can’t I be gentler, did my gentle side died that day with Diana? But one thing was clear, I was crap at interacting with children.

After what appeared to be a long silence, she finally looked up at me and our eyes meet. Her deep blue ones, bore into my ones as if she was trying to read my mind. Her looking at me with those curious eyes, made me smile inwardly and made me state ‘she is her mother’s daughter and my daughter’. I could fell her power seeping through, and I could tell that she is going to be a leader, a fierce one, one day.

“Sorry! I didn’t realise I was on a private property.” She answered looking straight into my eyes.

I can’t help, but look at her with pride, at how outgoing and polite she is. And even though she is scared, she is not letting it show in the tone of her voice. I made sure she doesn’t notice my feelings, as she was not ready to know that she is talking with her real father. As well as not wanting to ruin he childhood, that, at one glance, appeared to be a happy one.

“As long as you didn’t do it on purpose, I accept your apology. But tell me, how did you end up so deep into the woods?” I asked truly interested and curious as why she was here, when it was obvious that she didn’t know who I was to her.

“I was picking wild berries” she started shyly “for my nana to make jam.” at which I could imagine my wolf giving us his wolfy grin. “I didn’t realise when I left the path…” she paused blushing innocently “…I was also to busy eating” her voce reduced to almost a whisper. Hearing her story, made me laugh so hard, a laugh that I thought is long forgotten and gone together with her mother. Then I offered to take her home and she also told me her name ‘Carley’. It kept playing in my mind. I remember Diana mentioning that name for our pup, but I never used it.

Hearing that the Silverson’s have kept their promise to take care of her and not mention anything, made my whole being relax. And I planned to reward them accordingly when time is right.

After telling her to be more careful next time she is in the woods, I turned, with heavy heart, to go back to the pack house. But, as I turn, Carley grabs the hem of my shirt and stops me. All I could do is look at her. She then put her basked down and hugged my legs. I crouched down to her eye level, and she just wrapped her arms around my neck. At first, I didn’t know what to do, but soon I relaxed when inhaling her scent.

“Uncle Patrick! Thank you for saving me!” she said and picked up her basket and started running home.

The next time I saw her was two weeks after. I was on my run, and my wolf was enjoying himself, when he caught her scent.

“Uncle Patrick!” she said with a smile on her face as soon as she saw me. “I wanted see you before I leave the town” Carley continued with tears in her eyes. “I didn’t know where to go from here, in order to see you, so I waited. I don’t know why I feel the need to tell you about me leaving, but I just needed to say my goodbye to you or see you soon. I just knew that I had to do this.” She said while crying and her voice a mare whisper.

“What happened, little one? What do you mean by ‘saying goodbye’?” I asked concerned by her words.

‘Where is our pup going?’ My wolf asked confused.

‘I don’t know yet, Jam!’ I retorted.

“My parents got a transfer at work, and they said we will be moving to another country. I will really miss you, but I am confused… I know we will see each other again, but at the same time, I have to warn you to be careful. I can’t explain it, but it is a feeling that you will be in danger.”

She said, and I was in shock. I couldn’t understand how a ten-year-old can be so mature and have so much insight. And then, I remembered, she is my pup. She is an Alpha, she is stronger than anyone and I will protect her for the rest of my life.

“Don’t worry little one! As you said, we will meet again, and when we do, you will understand everything. I will explain everything! That I promise you!” I said with my hand on my heart, making the promise official. “I am sure your parents will protect you and teach you lots of interesting things in the near future, and I want you to promise me that you will learn everything you can from them.” I continued, knowing the people I entrusted with my pup are good and powerful, also they will protect her and tell her what is needed when is needed. “I am sure you will return to m… us, much stronger and wiser than any other man in this town.” I observed how my words made Carley relax and even smile at that thought.

“Me too, uncle Patrick! I promise to come back and show everyone who I actually am! Thank you!” she said and gave me a hug that I gladly returned. “I have to go now! I need to help packing.” I just stood there watching as Carley got up from the tree trunk and started walking towards the edge of the woods.

That day was a hard day for me, seeing my little pup leaving. After they moved, I went to visit the Silverson’s and they told me that Sally and Fin moved to California due to their job. I was relieved when I realised that we have members of our pack there and we will be able to keep them safe if need be. I wasn’t to please when I got the report about the number of other supranatural beings in that part, so I decided to keep in touch with the Sundown’s.