“Prepared for what?” I ask. I don’t see anything when he puts the truck into park.
“My dad’s here.”
Merick
I can sense him, even before I have visual confirmation. It's what he does, he lingers, he appears out of nowhere like it's supposed to be some dramatic arrival. I love my father, truly I do, but his presence isn’t always wanted. Our elders, they aren’t always the best of company. Most are still bitter of their ending and trying to live vicariously through the younger pack members. As if, leading us to the triumphant existence they have imagined will somehow erase the fact that they failed.
What they need to come to terms with is that their arrogance is what led them to the devastating end. If I know anything without a doubt it is that I have no intentions of repeating history.
“Should I be worried?” Taryn steps out of the cab and I pull her in close. I don’t want her to be afraid, but I also don’t want her to feel too relaxed either.
“No,” I say, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead I began leading her toward the front door. He has come for confirmation.”
“Confirmation?”
“Of your pregnancy,” I feel her grow tense at my side. “The legacy of our people, the rebirth of the world that was nearly lost. It all lies in the hands of our baby’s conception. We are the ones that open up the realm for all those wrongs to be righted.”
It is a burden, one I wish I did not hold. But what I did know was that Taryn and my child, or any child we create, will be protected by an army.
“Son,” he steps out of the shadows and I hear Taryn gasp.
He looks rested, more so than the last time I saw him.
Instantly I notice the way he looks over Taryn, pausing at her midsection and the tip of his mouth curls into a smile. I chance a glance at her and see that she too has noticed. Only she has a perplexed look on her face, and I wonder what it is he must be thinking. She has to be able to read his thoughts.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” I look away from Taryn just as my father does the same and we are once again staring at one another. “I’ve heard so many things, and I thought since my son has yet to invite me to meet the one he has chosen as his mate, I’d come and meet her myself.”
“You’ve known of her since the first day I’d found her, in fact I think you knew of her before that.” No need to play games, I vowed to always be honest. Taryn can handle it, I refuse to have secrets.
“True,” he nods, keeping his gaze on me which I am thankful for. “You’re mother was the one to tell me. She had a gift for seeing what was coming. She pictured Taryn long before she ever shared those visions.”
At the mention of my mother his hardened look softened. She always had that effect on him, even long after she was gone she is still able to calm him.
“Shall we go inside?” For the first time since he appeared I noticed a smile on his face. “I’d very much like to get the chance to know my future daughter-in-law and mother of my grandchild.”
Before I can answer, Taryn speaks up surprising us both. “I’d like that too.”
Stepping out of my hold she moves closer to the door, which is also closer to my father and shows no fear. He is not a small man, he holds the unapproachable look that most avoid, but not my girl. She showed no hesitation.
“Once she is at the door and uses her own key to unlock it, she pushes it open and steps inside. “Maybe we can whip up something for dessert, I’ve got a sweet tooth.”
My father chuckles and I am astounded. I don’t remember the last time I heard him laugh. Humor was never high on my father's list of reactions. Always so serious and stern. “She reminds me of your mother,” again his smile is wide and surprising. “So fearless, and kind.”
I was young when my mother was taken from us, but one thing I do remember is her smile. It was infectious, and beautiful. He is right, my mother was kind, so loving and generous. It's one of the things I have the easiest time remembering because very rarely was she anything other than joyful.
My father steps inside and follows Taryn as we walk toward the kitchen. I’ll admit I am waiting for the ball to drop, but part of me hopes that I’m being foolish. Maybe he truly does want to know her. I pray I am right and that there is no ulterior motive. Because if it comes down to choosing, it will be Taryn and my child. It will always be them.
Later, while lying next to Taryn in bed I listen to the soft sounds of her even breathing. Unsure if she is sleeping or not, I refrain from saying anything. So many things I am curious about, replaying the entire night with my father over and over.
He was different. The way he was with Taryn, genuinely interested in her and her family. They got into an in depth conversation about her ability to hear thoughts and again I wondered what my father was thinking.
“There was only silence,” my body goes rigid in the darkness. “I couldn’t sense anything. No thoughts, no feelings, there was nothing at all. Only silence.”
Was she talking about my father?
“Yes,” again Taryn’s voice echoes through the dark room and I turn toward her. “I tried so hard to hear what he was thinking. At first, I wanted to know what he thought of me. Then it was more what he thought of us
