SWNOVELS Chapter Father Knows Best
The next morning I woke up on the couch with Kam and Mik both sprawled out in the recliners. I sat up and looked around the house, wondering how lucky I was to end up with such a supportive family and mad that I stayed away for so long. I needed to talk with my mother and find out why she kept me from coming visit and what happened with Grannie Lily but that would have to wait until after my father and I spoke about the future of our pack.
It was nearly noon before the girls woke up and I had already packed a bag and was ready to go back to Georgia after I told them I was leaving.
"Hey, something came up back home and I have to go talk to my father."
"Ok give us a few minutes and we'll come with you." Mik said as she started to walk to her bedroom.
"No. Mik, this is something I have to do alone. I hope you can understand that."
"I already told you, anywhere you go, we go. I'm not letting you leave without me."
"Mik, I appreciate you wanting to come but there are a lot of things I need to figure out and questions that I need answered and honestly, it doesn't concern you or Kam."
She looked at me with an angry expression then said "I don't like that you are keeping things from us but I understand why you need to do this. Just promise me you won't make any decisions about the pack without us."
"I won't, you know I would never do that. I just need to figure out if the decision I made by leaving was the right one. Plus I haven't exactly told them about Bishop yet and I don't know if I will."
"I wouldn't if I were you. If you take over the pack it should be because of your accomplishments not because of the man who was destined to be your owner."
I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my mouth at her choice of words when Kam came in the room.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to go home for a few days."
"Ok. Let's go get our stuff Mik." She said before she turned around to head to her room.
Mik grabbed her arm and stopped her then said "She is going alone."
"McScuse me bitch? Are you crazy?"
"Kam, it's ok. This is something she needs to do alone. But she promised me she wouldn't do anything rash." She said as she looked at me sternly.
"Yes I promise I won't do anything without talking with you two first. We are a team and I would never make a decision involving the pack without you being there. Now I have to go, I have a long run ahead of me."
Kam hugged me and said "Promise me you'll be careful and call us when you get there."
I waved goodbye and took off into the woods, I didn't tell Chase anything because I was afraid he would go all big cousin on me and insist he come with me and I didn't want anyone ruining my chance to prove to my father that I was the best choice to run the pack.
My mate was busy dealing with prowlers and if I told him I was going back home it would only aggravate the situation further. On the other hand, not telling him would be terrible for his wolf. I contemplated turning around but the thought of him missing me made me smile so I continued on my journey.
After a few hours of walking I found a place to undress and shifted into my wolf for a run. She wasn't too happy about leaving Bishop for a few days but the chance to take over our pack had suddenly become an interest of hers. We ran the rest of the way to Georgia when I finally reached the border of our pack and without hesitation, George one of my fathers most trusted guards escorted me to the pack house.
After shooting a quick text to Kam about my safe arrival, I walked into the cold, dark house, knowing everyone but my father was asleep by now. Once I reached the hall I walked up to his door and knocked softly when he answered with a grunt. I entered his office making him look up and smile as he saw my face. He walked around the desk and wrapped me in a hug surprising me with his sudden bout of affection.
"I'm so glad you're home Em. We've been so worried about you."
I looked into his eyes and for the first time in my life I noticed how tired he was. The wrinkles that had begun to show around his eyes were more prominent and dark circles had taken their place underneath. He looked fragile and defeated and I didn't know if bringing up becoming Alpha was the right thing to do at the moment.
"Hello father. I've missed you."
We sat down on the couch facing his desk and the silence between us was becoming awkward.
"You must be exhausted. Why don't you get some sleep and we will talk tomorrow. Your mother will be so glad to see."
I nodded my head and left his office, climbing the stairs to my old room. Everything was just as I had left it with clothes strung across the chair, an unmade bed with two comforters balled up at the feet, even my bathroom still consisted of an open toothpaste tube and hair products laying around the sink. I picked up as much as I could then stepped into the shower to wipe off all the dirt and mud that had become caked under my feet for the past eight hours.
After my shower, my mind was clearer and I was never more certain of the conversation that we would have tomorrow. I just hope he was open to hearing what I had to say without a fight. I fell asleep with tons of thoughts racing through my mind but the exhaustion from my long trip kept me in a tranquil state until the next morning.
A soft knock woke me from my dream and an annoyed groan left me lips. Who in the hell would wake me right now?
“Who is it?”
“Ms. Watson, it’s Elanore. I’ve come to pet you know breakfast is served.”
The thought of eating with all the wolves of my pack had me terrified. What if they had questions about my sudden disappearance or were not happy that I was back? It was always understood that I shouldn’t take over the pack but the fact that I had no mate and was getting older, they had accepted their fate as well as mine.
“Can you please have a plate sent here to my room, Elanore?”
“Yes ma’am. I’ll be right up.”
I sighed after she left and tried to think of a way to explain my presence. These people held a higher respect for me around here than my mother and when I left without a word it must have left some of them wondering.
Elanore returned a few minuted later with a tray of delicious smelling food. I grabbed the tray and sat on my window. As I stared at all the pack members going about their daily routines. All of the men and boys were heading to the training grounds, the pups were trailing behind their moms on the way to school and the elders were congregated under the tree, no doubt talking about me.
After I finished my breakfast I gathered all my courage and headed back to my father’s office determined to make him see once and for all how capable I was to take over this pack. When I made it to his door the voices inside made me stop in my tracks and anger began bubbling to the surface.
How could my father ignore the only request I had before I came here? The door knob jiggled and I took off down the hall into one of the empty rooms to avoid being caught.
“I hope she will change her mind. Good day, Alpha Watson.”
I’m so glad the girls were able to have a fun night with each other again. It feels like forever since they were carefree and could let loose.
So Ember is going home! I wonder if it was such a good idea to go alone and without telling Bishop!
And go figure Anderson would be in her father’s office. He needs to find another pack and leave Ember alone, but something tells me he likes a challenge!