Precious Love

My Story

Chapter 4

Balinda’s pov

“It was the night before I planned to leave with you that the moon goddess visited me. I knew it was her because of the aura that she gave off, it was warm and peaceful. For a moment, my heart was not in complete and utter torment.”

He took a breath and, I noticed, blinking tears away. I grabbed his hand and looked out at the water, giving him a moment to compose himself.

“She told me that the attack was orchestrated by someone who found out about you and what you will one day be capable of. They wanted to take you. She said that she would create a bond between me and Margaret, the female who had survived protecting you. That you would be protected this way. I did not want a new bond, but I tried to accept it if it was the only way to keep you safe.

“She willingly accepted the bond between us and I truly believe that she loved you. Over time, however, I think she understood that I would never be able to love her as I did Charlotte. When I gave you that necklace on your birthday, it was just another example that I could not move on.”

He paused. “She deserves to be loved the way I loved your mother. I do not hate her or blame her for leaving, though I wish it was done in such a way that you were not hurt.”

He brought my hand up to his lips and kissed it. “You look so much like her. I have been so happy that I can see her light carried on in you, my daughter.”

I felt some tears slip down my face as I felt some of my life pieces fall into place. “You and Margaret didn’t deserve that. I understand that it was for my protection, but there should have been another way.”

We were both quiet, thinking about all that had happened. “Daddy, you said that those people wanted me because of what I would be capable of one day. What does that mean?” I’m no weirder than any of the other she wolves.

Thornton and dad spoke together, “We don’t know, but we will try to be there for you as long as possible.”

“What does that mean?” I know what he means, but I need him to say it.

Thornton was the one who answered, sadness and grief in his gaze. So much that I felt my heart reach for him, I could feel the crushing weight that he felt everyday.

“One day soon, we will join your mother. We have lasted longer than most whose mate has died. You have needed us until now.”

I started to interject, but Thornton put a hand on my check to stop me.

“You will always love us, as we will always love you, but the time for you needing a father is over. You no longer need us.” The last part was said by both of them.

“I know what you are saying, and I know that you are right. I will always want you in my life, Daddy.” I tried to take a breath, pushing my grief away. “If it were me, I would want to join the one whose soul was a part of me. I cannot begrudge you that.”

They pulled me close, “Thank you for not being angry with us.”

I then let my tears slip, grieving over the fact that I have never met my mother; grieving for my father’s loss; grieving that I would lose him soon; grieving for what could have been. I felt my dad grieving with me. It was comforting to grieve together. I can’t imagine going eighteen years and not having someone to truly grieve with.

After a while, we stopped crying and allowed ourselves to rest and eat from the picnic basket. I listened as he shared about life as an alpha and about my mother.

“Daddy, thank you for pushing through the pain for me. I don’t know if I could do what you have.” I rested my head on his shoulder as we looked out at water, letting the water wash some of my sadness with it.

“I had a good reason.” He kissed my head and we fell silent.