Chapter 62

(Tommy POV)

I arrived at my father’s office after a short walk from our house. I greeted the few young pack members that seemed to always be in the pack house kitchen before turning down the short hallway to where my father’s office was located. I stopped at the door when I overheard my father talking to someone inside. The door had not been closed completely so I could hear the two talking clear enough to understand what they were talking about.

“We need to take precautions! We have no idea how dangerous this could be! She Is clearly unstable! You saw what she did, and now you are telling us to act as if nothing happened?” The man inside yelled.

“Calm down!” My father said trying to restrain his anger at the way he was being spoken to. “Now sit!”

There was a shuffling sound and silence followed.

“Are these the thoughts of all of y(ou who witnessed what happened?” My father asked in a calmer tone.

“It is.” The man answers simply.

“Very well. Then I will not object if you all wish to leave the pack.” My father said without hesitation.

“What?” The man asked with genuine surprise. “You would rather send us away then that girl?”

“I am not sending you away. You do not wish to stay, there is a difference.” My father says.

I could feel my anger growing as the man that I could not recognize just yet goes on to vocalize his grievances against my mate with an ounce of restraint. I wanted to burst in and rip him apart for what he was saying, but I trusted my father to handle the situation. So, I stayed where I was.

“I have heard enough Daniel!” My father said with a warning growl.

How did I not recognize his voice sooner? It had been some time since I had last been in a room with him, but I didn’t think it had been that long. It was Eli’s father that was speaking about my mate in this way? The woman who was also his son’s mate? Eli’s relationship with his father had been strained since we were kids, and he spent most of his time with my family that I did not really bother to get to know his family much. His family lived on the farthest part of our pack lands and did not associate much with others in the pack unless it was necessary.

Eli’s father was not a kind man, and he was always ready for a fight. Which explained why he had offered to come with us to rescue Maya, he must have been hoping for more bloodshed. I didn’t even remember seeing him once Eli and Maya were with us and we left for the pack. Eli hadn’t even notice him.

“That girl has suffered a lifetime of grief and is in constant danger because of who she is. Not only this but she is your son’s mate and yet you wish me to send her away. Do you not care about the effect that would have on your own son?” My father asks.

“It is not natural. A woman who has more than one mate is an abomination. How could I ever accept her as more than a slut?” Daniel spits out like venom.

I could not listen silently for any longer, and a growl escaped me before I was even in the room. My hand was around the man’s throat just as quickly and the sound of his body slamming against the wall echoed loudly around us.

“What did you just say?” I say through gritted teeth.

“Son!” My father’s voice sounded distant, but his warning was clear.

I was seeing red, and even my father’s commanding alpha voice was not enough to stop me as I tightened my hold on the man.

“What did you say about MY mate?!” I growled out as my claws grew and were threatening to puncture skin.

“Please…” Daniel tries to choke out.

“I never want to hear another word about my mate come from your lips again! Go and tell the others the same! If they dare hurt or say a single word against my mate, I will not hesitate to kill them. DO you understand!” I say holding on to the last bit of self-control I have left, and with a nod of agreement I let his body fall from my hand.
His body slumps to the ground and shakes as he gasps for air. I give him one last warning growl that has him jumping to his feet and stumbling out of the room.

“Son.” My father rests his hand on my shoulder cautiously.

“I swear I will not hesitate to kill anyone who tries to hurt Maya! I don’t care who it is!” I tell him.

“I know son, as you should. That man has been trouble long before any of this happened. He does not accept things easily, but I am sure your less than gentle warning will be enough to deter him for now. We should be cautious, however, since he is not alone in his distaste for your unique situation.” My father stepped away and sat again behind his desk.

“How much danger is she in here?” I ask him straight out.

He sighs and runs his hand down his face. He was clearly exhausted.

“In truth son, he is not the only one who has expressed his displeasure. Rumors have spread quickly even when we asked those who had witnessed Maya’s powers to keep it quiet. They are afraid of what she can do. She is unpredictable. They do not trust that she will not easily turn her gifts against us. I have done my best to assure them that she is not the one we should fear. That if word reaches the alpha who had been hunting her that she is still alive, we would face a far greater threat. But fear is hard to
bargain with, and that is all they feel right now.” My father explains.

“We need to take her away from here.” I say.

He looks to me with pain in his eyes, but I could see that he was thinking the same.

“I do not want to send you all away, but I fear that she is in as much danger here as she was with her father. Until they can see she is in full control and not a threat to our pack, they will not trust her.” My father says tightening his fists in frustration.

I wanted to protect Maya, but this was my home, my family, and it was not going to be easy to say goodbye.

“Where could we go?” I ask lowering my head trying not to let my father see the sadness I was feeling.

“There is a cabin, I built it for your mother when we first became mates as a place for us to escape to once in a while. It is isolated from both other packs and humans. One road in and out, with a protection spell cast around it. It will be safe for you there, and safe for Maya to explore her abilities further with the least chance of anyone being hurt. It will be best to leave right away. I’m so sorry son.” His voice was pained and full of guilt, but I knew he was not doing this because he wanted us gone.

This was to protect us, and it was killing him to ask us to go.

“We will leave tonight.” I say swallowing down the intense emotions I continued to feel. “Can I ask for one more thing before we go?”

“Of course, anything!” My father says eagerly.

“The number you have of the Fae, can I have it? I want to try again to contact them.” I tell him.

He nods and opens a drawer revealing a small sheet of paper with a few scribbled numbers on it.

“I hope you find the help she needs. Tell her how sorry I am!” he says.

I stand and take the piece of paper before nodding and turning to leave.

“Son!” I stop and turn to look at him. “Be safe!”

When I close the door to his office, I hear the sound of my mother echoing from the kitchen, and it felt like my heart was breaking. She was so excited to get to know Maya and accept her as a daughter. Now I need to take that away from her not knowing when we can return. I held back the teras that threatened to fall, because I didn’t want her to see me like this. I couldn’t tell her; I would let my father tell her once we were gone. As soon as she sees me, she is smiling.

“Hey you! How is my daughter-in-law? Did she enjoy the food?” She asks coming closer and hugging me.

“She loved it mom! Do you have any of your famous cookies I can take to her?” Her face lights up instantly.

“Yes! How did I not think to bring her some when I went to see you all? I think I was just too excited! Let me grab some for you!” She turns and rummages around the kitchen for a container and fills it as much as she can with cookies for Maya.

I smile as I watch her bring them to me. “Thanks mom! I’ll see you later!”

“Ok! Bye pup!” She says hugging me again.

I turn and walk out of my old house and turned to look at it as if this was the last time. I didn’t know how long we would need to hide Maya away, and that meant being prepared to never return if others could not accept her. My amazing, beautiful Maya. She didn’t deserve to be hidden away, but I would do far more to keep her safe.