He rested a hand upon her shoulder. “After your mother died, I thought it was best to not become involved in your life. I see now I was wrong, and I hope you will forgive me.”
Jenny stopped, shuffled her feet in the earth. “My adopted parents never truly loved me. They took good care of me, but when I came into these powers at 21, they feared me too much. I’m the reason the pack died.”
“No. I saw what was happening, tried to reason with the alpha and your parents. They refused to listen. Do you understand, daughter? It was not your fault.”
Something eased inside her. She understood now. At least her mother loved her, until she died.
So many questions. They had time. She had time now that the answers stood in front of her.
“Why did you give me to my adopted parents?”
“I reasoned if you were brought up by a caring Lupine couple, your wolf side would take over. I did not realize I had passed on so much power to you, which didn’t manifest until you turned 21 last year.”
Now she understood why she felt torn. Child of two different species, always fighting one or the other.
Maybe it was time to reconcile herself and these powers. Now that she had a father who could teach her not to fear them.
“Are you the reason why I gravitate toward using daggers and swords?”
Her father nodded. “It is in your blood.”
Caderyn unsheathed a huge sword from his back and handed it to her. “Try this.”
The metal felt heavy, awkward, and yet she liked the feel of it in her hands. As if she’d come home.
“It’s impressive.” Jenny handed over the sword, watching him sheath it. “I like it, but it’s too heavy and bulky for me.”
He nodded. “I will forge you something lighter for your size.”
Jenny folded her arms across the chest, looking up at him. Her father. Dad. No, he was too big and foreboding to think of him as “dad.” However, he sired her and she had some of his powers.
“I’d welcome any training you can give me… sir.”
A brief smile touched his mouth. “I am your birth father. I understand if it is too much to address me as your father, however, you may address me simply as Caderyn.”
They returned to the clearing, where the others still talked. Judging from their grim expressions, it wasn’t good news.
Jenny went to Troy, who slid an arm around her shoulders. She rested her head against his shoulder.
Caderyn gave her lover a level look. “Now for you, wolf. Do not ever hurt my daughter or I will tear your head from your shoulders.”
Jenny groaned. Thanks Dad.
The Silver Wizard cleared his throat. “Caderyn, you could be a little more diplomatic.”
“Diplomacy is not my strong suit.”
“Is this what I have to look forward to with my daughter?” Xavier asked. “I may end up locking her up until she is at least 100. No dating until then.”
“Good luck with that,” Gideon murmured.
With his typical confidence, Troy shrugged. “You’d have to catch me first, and there’s no way I’d ever hurt Jenny. I love her.”
“I love you too, Troy.” She touched the bristles on his face, needing to connect again with him after this roller coaster of emotions. He was her anchor in a turbulent sea. “I’m glad you were my first.”
Silence descended on the grove. Caderyn stepped closer, his mouth flattened. “First what?”
Jenny blinked. “First lover.”
Aiden face palmed, and Tristan groaned.
“Did you have to tell your dad that?” Tristan asked.
The Shadow Wizard ignored them all and focused on Troy, his hands glowing with power. “You took my daughter’s virginity. She was innocent.”
Troy did not retreat. “Consent was freely given. She’s an adult, so lay off, wizard.”
Proud as she was of Troy for standing up to her birth father, Jenny worried Caderyn might overreact. Especially now, his big hands sparking like a Fourth of July firecracker.
A firecracker intent on turning Troy into Lupine dust. Jenny stepped in front of her lover.
“Whoa Caderyn, easy on the power. You’re not the electric company. And I love Troy. I wanted him as much as he wanted me.” Jenny scowled. “Besides, where were you all these years when I thought I was an orphan? You aren’t exactly a poster child for Father of the Year.”
But the wizard ignored her, sidestepping Jenny to reach out for Troy, who refused to cower. Fine.
Jenny called on her own powers, and funneled them into her right fist. She punched Caderyn in the face, a magick punch that sent him reeling backwards.
The big wizard blinked, as if no one had ever stopped him before. Maybe not. Hiding a wince, she flexed her fingers. Punching Caderyn felt like hitting granite. She’d be sore later, but it was worth it to see astonishment on his face.
Tristan’s jaw dropped. “Did you see that?”
“I saw that, but can’t believe that,” Xavier said.
“Did we truly see that?” Gideon marveled.
“I saw that,” Drust added.
Caderyn rubbed his jaw. “I felt that.”
Having all five wizards stare at her as if she’d turned into a goat or a dancing ogre felt mighty uncomfortable. Troy slid his arm around her, anchoring her to his side, a reminder she did not stand alone.
“Listen up, all of you. What’s between Jenny and me is our personal business. She’s had more than enough shocks for the day, so lay off. I may not have her magick or yours, but I’ll do everything in my means to keep you from hurting her or breaking us up. Got it?”
Caderyn blinked. Jenny held her breath. “One question,” he said slowly. “Do you love her, love her enough to take her as your mate?”
Tenderness filled Troy’s gaze as he looked down into her face. “More than my own sorry life. More than anything in this world. I would have claimed her as my mate
