TORN

Minor Concession

Mom knocks on my bedroom door for the third time and I groan before rolling over in my sleep.

"Avery you've got 10 minutes to get up from that bed and come downstairs! " she yelled

"What for" I groaned getting up from the bed and going to brush my teeth. "There better be a good reason for me waking up so early" I murmur on my way to the sitting room

I saw my dad sitting with my mom wearing a scowl

"Good you're here sit down, I want the both of you to resolve your issues, I wanted to stay out of it hoping you'd come to a compromise on your own but it's been 3 days! and you've refused to speak to each other and that is total nonsense so I have to step in". she yelled

We were both shocked by her outburst because it was unusual to see mom so angry she was usually always calm and happy, even on rear occasions when she was upset she never raised her voice.

"I'm the parent here I'll go first" My dad stated ...."Avery my love I'm sorry for making you feel as though I thought less of you. I really don't, you've always been my little girl and I guess I still see you as my baby girl; one that I wish to protect from all bad things and the evil in this world. Avery the day we had you was the happiest day of my life and it didn't matter that you were a girl I loved you all the same. Someone important to me was killed by rouges many years ago, I watched them die! I couldn't save them, so when you bring up wanting to do dangerous things I remember the bad event that took place. My love, there are a lot of evil creatures that linger in the forest and I would honestly rather die than let them even come close to those I love. So understand that everything I've done, is just a father protecting his child" he said with tears in his eyes

I ran towards him and hugged him "Dad I'm so sorry, you were only trying to protect me, I should've seen it but instead, I showed disrespect and acted like you're the villain. I'm so sorry dad" I said sobbing

"Mom I'm also sorry for the way I acted for the past few days.....and dad no more mention of security work, for now, I'd train more and learn to fight better and focus on my weakness until I become very good at it and for now I will continue to train the young ones to defend themselves but when I beat you, you'll have to let me go," I said with determination

"Deal," he said with a laugh

*******

Dad had gone out for his usual pack work, mom was doing deliveries and I had just finished a training session with the young ones since no one is gonna be at home now I decided that I will go visit Claire

"Hello it's me Avery" I announced while knocking on the door

"We can smell you, there's no need to announce' it Claire said opening the door

I walked in and greeted Claire's mother

"You didn't tell me you were coming over and I see that look in your eyes, you look like a woman on a mission" Claire said smiling

"Since when do I need to tell you that I'm coming here I said with a smirk......"You, my dear friend is going to teach me how to bake a cake, so educate me oh culinary master" I said with an exaggerated bow

"You want to bake?! Who are you and what have you done to my friend" she laughed

"I still think baking is hard, this cake is an apology cake to my parents, I know they've forgiven me but I still want to do it so I'm willing to do the work with your help that is" I replied turning to her

"That's very sweet and nice of you dear, I'll help you guys get the measuring scale"Claire's mom said walking into the kitchen

"Mom don't interfere I want to be the one to teach her" Claire whined

"Ok, ok I'll give you space, I won't say a word" she said going to the scale

"What's first" I asked in excitement

********

We were almost done with the mixing of the cake and were about to put it in the oven, it's a chocolate cake and I can't wait for it to be ready.

"Ave please bring those cake pans here" Claire said

"Ok" I replied filled with excitement, it's not my fault I really love cake. We put the cake batter in the baking pans then, we placed them in the oven.

Claire's mother walked into the kitchen and saw that we had messed it up during the baking. She looked at the both of us and said "Is this my kitchen?! I can't believe the both of you, clean this up immediately and you Claire didn't I teach you to work neatly? How are you going to handle a pack if you can't maintain a simple kitchen" she said angrily

"How dare she speak to us that way....I'll rip off her head"my wolf growled in my head. .... "You're too violent" I said to her

"We are sorry Ma it's my fault, we'll clean it up right away" I replied

"Sorry mom" Claire said

"We were already going to clean it before she came and yelled at us" Claire mumbled after her mother walked away

"Claire! if she heard you we will get in more trouble" I said giggling

"After about 25 minutes the cake will be ready, so we will bring it out of the oven and leave it to cool off," Claire said

***********

I went back home humming with the cake wrapped in my hand. Is that cake I smell I heard dad say as soon as I entered the house.

"Yes, it is" I replied laughing..... I and well Claire made it as an apology for my actions earlier. I know you're not upset but I wanted to do this.

Thank you so much dear they both said and we hugged.

"Alright go to the kitchen and grab a knife, let's dig in!!" Dad exclaimed and we all laughed.

That evening was spent laughing and sharing stories.

,

Richard's POV

"You had a chance to tell her today why didn't you do it" my wife Cecilia complained

"I wanted to but I couldn't do it, I'm selfish. She's my little girl, I don't want her to leave us" I lamented

"It would be better we tell her now than she finds out from someone else, that would be worse because she will feel like we've been lying to her" Cecilia advised

"You're right, I'll do it soon" I agreed