Beauty

Chapter 34 Bailey

After giving Harley a hug, and fighting tears, I walked from the hospital to find my Dad waiting for me just as he had promised. Leaning against the walls of the pack hospital, taking the moment to enjoy a chance to relax, basking in the late afternoon sunshine. He must have heard me approaching as his head turned to look at me the moment I moved down the steps, and I watched as his eyes darted across mine, taking in my tear-filled eyes, and his face filled with concern, “Is he okay?”

I assume he had jumped to the conclusion he had passed away or something along those lines with me battling tears. I simply nodded. Not feeling up to elaborating on everything I had just discussed with Harley. It had been difficult enough the first time. I did not need to go over it again with my Dad, because he would want to analyze it too, and I most definitely did not nhave the energy for that.

“We going home?” I asked.

“Well, I am walking my little girl home, yes, but I do have to head back to the office. I have a few things I need to see to, before I am done for the day.” He says with a smile. I find myself smiling back at him. I am glad he wants to walk me home, and appreciate him looking out for me. I do not, however, appreciate him referring to me as a little girl…

“Little girl? A little less of that Dad. I am an adult now, do you not think I have grown past being called your little girl?” I asked him, and he chuckled to himself, like he found himself so amusing. Though my Dad had always had a habit of laughing at his own jokes.

“Always my little girl, it doesn’t matter how old you are, Bailey. Something Ellis said bothered me though. Does being the second sibling really cause you to feel like you weren’t important?” his face had gone from smiling to looking downhearted now, which tells me he never thought of it that way. Obviously, in my mind, he hadn’t been a bad parent, and neither had my Mum. They had ensured we all had everything we needed. But, their priority did tend to fall to Jordan, with him being the Beta heir, and, of course, with Morgan, with her being their youngest. Not to mention she had a habit of being quite demanding. So, I think it was sort of a natural thing that I sort of got lost somewhere in the middle. I didn’t mind, I was always quite happy to sit and keep myself occupied with my books…

“I think it is quite common, Dad. Honestly, you don’t need to worry. You made sure I had what I needed. You made sure we all did.” I said, not liking seeing my own Dad battling with his guilt here, I had enough to deal with right now. It was easier like this. It wasn’t like they had neglected me.

“No, Bailey, don’t lie to me. Is it true you were bullied?” he questions, and I suddenly feel unable to meet his gaze. He wants answers, and a part of me wonders if this is before I leave, so he can deal with it all in his mind, and process it all, before addressing everything, the same as Jordan, I guess. But, the bullying was never my parents’ fault. Yes, they would lightly tease me for forever having my head in a book, and I guess my brother and sister picked up on that and copied, but the serious bullying was in school. Around pack…

As we walked along the paths of the pack, the roads and paths were both quiet, so the two of us just enjoyed one another’s company. I slowly nodded, not sure how best to approach the subject. “It was since school, Dad. Just because I studied more. Did well in school. You know what kids can be like. You know that, Mum was forever telling me I made it worse for myself.”

“Your Mum knew?” he asks, sounding more than a little surprised, making me wonder if he lived in his own little world sometimes. So busy with his own commitments to his work? Or did he just block out his own failings? I was sure I had gone to both my parents over the years about the struggles I had

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Wed, Jul 31

Chapter 34 Bailey

G

+5 Pearls

faced. Yes, more so my Mum, because she was the one at home more frequently. But, that was purely because my Dad had a lot of responsibilities in his role as Beta and was in the office a lot. It was no fault of his own, it was a part of his job, and we had accepted that. So, much of the parental responsibilities fell to Mum. But, could he really have been so naïve about all of this?

“Yeah, but she told me I had to try harder to fit in Dad, Why do you think I avoided the events so much? It was what made Miles not want me as his mate, I think. The fact I was not the stereotypical Alpha mate. I would have been an embarrassment.” I told him, and my Dad growled, telling me his wolf was lingering, and getting angry at what I was telling him. Werewolves were protective of their family. Notoriously so, especially fathers with their daughters… though, I can’t lie, I had wondered at times if my Dad had been bothered about me… but it seems his wolf did not like hearing all of this.

“Well, he was a fool then. If he couldn’t see what he had, then it was his loss.”

“Thanks Dad. But it is irrelevant now. And the one guy I thought I could have something with I have had to let go to make sure he is safe.” I whispered.

“Ah. I understand the tears now. You told him it couldn’t work?” he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close to him, softly kissing me upon my head. A father trying to comfort his daughter. Something I needed all those years ago at that birthday party. When Miles told me to keep everything secret, when all this mess had begun…

“Time is a healer, sweetheart. He has a mate out there, and if he found her, that would have torn him in two. He will always crave his fated, despite choosing you. Some say a chosen matebond is stronger because your heart chooses it, but a fated mate bond is so difficult to fight. You crave it with every inch of your being. No matter what he may say. It is our instinct, Bailey. He would struggle. I don’t doubt that boy thinks the world of you, but when it comes to meeting his fated mate he would not know what to do.” My Dad gently stroked my hair back from my face as he spoke, something he hadn’t done since I was a little girl, when he used to read me bedtime stories. I used to love it as I found it so reassuring, So soothing.

I nodded, knowing he was right, that was the thing I had failed to see when Harley had offered me the chance to be his chosen mate. Neither one of us had thought of his fated mate out there. She was waiting for him somewhere. And they both deserved the happiness that being with a fated mate should bring.

We neared our house and my Dad still had his arm around me. I don’t know if it was for his own comfort or for me. Maybe a little of both. But he seemed reluctant to let go. Yet, as we wandered up the path to our home, the door of the house next door opened, and the one person neither of us wanted to see stepped out. Miles… And his eyes settled instantly on me, a dark, evil stare building..