Chapter 32 My Ring

*Diana*

"You dreamt of your mother, Diana," my dad said.

"*You were with your mother*, *Diana*," Onyx said.

I gasped, both Onyx and my father spoke at the same time. I didn't know what to say to either of them. My father was looking at me with concern in his eyes. I tried to give him a small smile so he wouldn't worry.

"You okay, pumpkin? You need some help finishing packing?" He stared into my eyes, trying to read what I was feeling.

"I'm fine, Dad. It was just a dream. No biggie." I got up and put my bedroom slippers inside a side pocket of my carry-on. I glanced at my bedside clock. I was only asleep for 30 minutes? How can that be possible? I was running along that road in the cold for a good long while until I saw Onyx.

*"Time passes by quickly in my realm, Diana. I needed to remind you of what they did to us*,* *to your mother**. *We deserve justice*!" Onyx growled. My wolf wanted vengeance.

My dad stood up and helped me zip up my carry-on. "You sure you have everything you need in your carry-on, sweetie?"

"Yes, Dad. My bedroom slippers was the last thing on my list. I have some money saved up so if I need anything else I can just buy it." I smiled at him.

"Are you sure you're ok, Diana? Maybe you want to talk about it. I may not know everything, but I can help you. That's what your old man's for, eh?"

"I'm fine, Dad. Honestly. Don't worry about me. Onyx says she won't let anything happen to me." I instantly regretted saying that last part. Why did I always have to say things out loud? Now my dad is never going to let this go.

"Onyx? Is that they name of your wolf?" He sat on the edge of my bed and I knew I was in for an interrogation. Smart Diana. Very smart. I wanted to kick myself in the head.

"Yes, Dad. Does your wolf have a name?" His face brightened instantly at the question. Nice one, Diana.

"His name is King. You will meet him soon. He has been very eager to meet you. I just had to keep him at bay since I've raised as you as a human. But I let him out once in a while when Uncle Mike and I go on our trips to the lake." Ahhhhhh, no wonder they make those trips at least once a month. They needed to let their wolves run freely. I thought they really liked fishing. I tried doing it with them and I found it boring.

"King. Nice name. It suits him. What I mean to say is...you have always been the king of my world, Dad." I give my dad a kiss on the cheek. "I'm ready, Dad. Can we get a quick bite to eat? I'm starving." I wasn't able to grab a snack at the diner after the, uhm, meeting.

"Sure. I was making some sandwiches before I came in here to check on you. Sorry if I barged into your room. You didn't answer the door and I was banging on it pretty loudly." He took my carry-on and moved the door wide open. "Let's go. We need to get to Uncle Mike's soon or he'll go frantic. Make sure you have all the other things you need in your purse. Money, phone and maybe your jewelry. Before I forget. Remember that ring I gave you when you turned thirteen? Bring that. That is the Alpha ring of the Lotus Pack. It will be your proof that you are the rightful heiress." I froze. I'm Alpha? "Diana?"

"I'm Alpha? Of a wolf pack?"

"Yes. You are my first born, my only child. Everything that is mine will soon be yours. Now come on. When we get to Cape Cod, we will start your training. I will tell you everything you need to know before we enter New Jersey." He exits my room leaving me standing there with more questions than answers.

I took my purse and stuffed it with all my money I have been saving up, my bank book and my phone. I opened the drawer to my night stand and took out my small jewelry box. My dad loved to give me pieces of expensive jewelry on special occasions. One of them being that magic ring.

It was the night before my thirteenth birthday. My dad had always prepared a small celebration for just the two of us on the eve of my birthday. When he handed me the tiny red velvet box, I was expecting a bracelet I had asked him to buy me when we went looking for a gift for Didi. I didn't expect to see a huge ring with a pink diamond in the center surrounded by smaller white diamonds formed into the shape of a lotus flower.

"Dad, I can't wear this. This ring is too big for me to wear. It won't fit." I handed him the red velvet box back, pouting. He pushed the box back at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"That was the first thing I thought when I was handed that ring. This ring is a family heirloom, Diana. It has been passed down from one first born to another for generations in our family. Touch the ring and watch. Go on." He sat beside me on the couch, took the red velvet box and opened it. "Go on, pumpkin. Touch the ring."

I looked at him with uncertainty. Why would he want me to touch the ring? "*Follow your father, Diana*." Well, if the voice in my head says it's okay then I shouldn't worry. I extend my hand with my index finger pointed outward and I touch the ring.

The pink diamond started to glow. Little balls of white light floated from it and flew around forming a lotus flower. I shrieked in delight! It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I heard a woman's voice whisper "*Diana*" and all the light that came from it was suddenly sucked up by the diamond. There before my very eyes, the ring shrunk to a perfect size for my finger.

My father took out the ring from the box and put it on my ring finger. It was a perfect fit! I lifted my hand into the light and the pink diamond twinkled like a star in the night.

"It's so pretty, Dad. Thank you!" I gave him a hug. I was so excited to show off my new piece of jewelry. Move over, Michelle. I had a pink diamond.

"I have to warn you though, Diana. You can't wear that outside of the house just yet." My face changed from excitement to crestfallen. Why would he give me this exquisite piece of jewelry if I wasn't allowed to wear it?

"Dad, why can't I?" I caressed the ring with my fingers. It was so beautiful.

"Sorry, pumpkin. I can't answer that just yet. You're..."

"Yeah, I know. I'm too young to understand." I sigh. When will I be old enough to understand?

"I do have another surprise for you because I knew you would be terribly sad you wouldn't be able to show off your new piece of jewelry. Here you go." My dad handed me a long blue velvet box this time. When I opened it, it had the bracelet I wanted. My face went from sad to glad.

I kissed the ring, took it off and placed it back in the cushion of the red velvet box. "One day, when I'm older, I'll wear you every day. For now, I'll keep you inside the box." I closed the box and handed it to my father.

"No, pumpkin. You keep in a safe place." He waved his hands and moved away from me. "That ring will keep you safe at night."

That was the night my nightmares had stopped. I have kept the ring beside my bed ever since.

I sat down on my bed and placed my jewelry box on top of it. I open it and take out the small red velvet box that I had not opened since my thirteenth birthday. I open it and the pink diamond casted a faint glow, a light pulsating from it.

"*The light is counting down to the day you become eighteen, Diana. On that day, when your father puts on the ring, you and I will be complete*."

"Diana! Let's go! Your Uncle Mike just called," I heard my dad yell from the bottom of the stairs.

I close the box and jewelry box then stuff them both in my bag. I take my keys I had left on my nightstand and run out of my room, closing the door of my bedroom behind me.

"Coming Dad!" I first run down the top steps then jump over the remaining steps to the landing. My dad raised his eyebrows in surprise as he saw me jump.

"You're getting stronger. The countdown to the eclipse has started. At the beginning of the eclipse, you will feel changes in you, physically and mentally." He rubs my arm. "You got everything?" I nodded my head at him. "The bags are in your SUV, the sandwiches and cooler in the back seat. And oh, I'm driving." He opens his hand so I could give him the keys.

"Awww, no fair. It's my car." I pout as I hand over the keys to him. He laughs.

"I'll let you drive later. Now scoot young lady, so I can lock up the house."

I enter the passenger side of the SUV and my stomach grumbles. I find the bag with sandwiches my dad had made and grab one, happily biting into the ham and cheese sandwich. While I ate, I peered through my window, seeing the sky turn to dusk and watched my dad double check the garage and the windows of the house.

I looked on as my dad stayed a while on the steps of the entrance of our house. We have lived here a long time. Many good memories were made inside this house. I knew my dad was having a difficult time letting go.

I saw him wipe his face with his hanky. He must have teared up. Poor Dad. He walked to the car, his head hung low. When he entered the car, he sniffled. I averted my eyes and looked at the gloomy sky instead. I didn't want him to feel embarrassed.

"It's time to face the world, Diana. You ready?" He turns on the car and pulls out of the driveway into the street.

"Sure, Dad. Just as long as I have you with me." He grinned.

I leaned back on my seat. Honestly, I wasn't ready. But I needed to face whatever it was that kept my father running and hiding. It wasn't fair for him. If I am the one who can stop all this, then I will do whatever it takes.

"*That's right, Diana. We will do whatever it takes for justice*."

Onyx never minces her words.