SEDUCE MY LOVE Page 3

  "Meow." Pix stood up and hissed.

  We both looked down at him and he stopped. Blinking a few times, he snuggled back against my stomach and sat down. I grinned, scratching behind his ear.

  "Why do I feel neither of you like that idea," I mumbled, returning to look at my dad, who sighed.

  "You're referring to the Jackson pack?"

  "Jackson is Alexander's last name, so yes? I don't really know much about the wolf pack system and…wait. You know them?"

  "I know quite a few things, my dear. Though I personally don't like them and I wouldn't be very pleased if my only daughter had to deal with them."

  I gave him a sad smile. "Guess that means I should give up, huh?"

  "I didn't say that," Father looked deep in thought for a second. "I get where you're coming from, Sia. I also get a bit of what Alexander may be going through, but until confirmed, I can't defend him. This is a world where you either fight for what you want or you let go. Even if his family is a pain in the ass, from what I remembered he's not a part of their pack but in the Smiths’ son's pack."

  "Yes, he's in Brian's pack," I confirmed. Father nodded and reached his hand out to Pix, who was eyeing the gold ring on his finger.

  Pix cautiously moved to his hand, sniffing it first before he patted his paw on his hand. Father smiled and continued.

  "If Alexander can't negotiate with his parents about his future, then that isn't a shifter you want in your life," Father whispered.

  "Really?" My voice was tiny while my eyes continued to stare at Pix, who practically hopped onto Dad's hand, staring intently at the ring. Dad didn’t look bothered as he continued.

  "Out of all the paranormal races, wolf shifters dominate one another through power, and that means each wolf has to know what they want. Whether it's their need to stay in the pack, to protect their home, family, neighboring packs, land, the list can go on and on. I'm sure Alexander loves you, Sia, and in normal human circumstance, he could simply state he loves you and won't go with whoever they had chosen for him. However, if he can't show his determination for you without flaking out, his parents will see that as well. They'll be able to tell whether he's unsure of his future and would rather appoint someone they deem best."

  "Isn't that irresponsible? I mean, how does that benefit Alexander? He's marrying someone he doesn't love or like."

  Dad picked Pix up. "Hmm. How about this example." He opened his other hand and a glowing outline of a cat appeared in seconds. My eyes grew wide as I stared at the magical cat that glowed a baby pink.

  Pix stared at it in confusion, reaching out to pet its head, but his paw went through it. He looked to me with a weird look that made me giggle.

  "It's just an illusion, Pix," I reassured him. I'm sure he knew that but being in cat form could have been a tad different.

  Dad held them both like a scale, his red eyes meeting mine. "I'm the parent of Pix. The pink kitten is the cat I want Pix to marry."

  "But she's just a kitten." I pointed out. Father raised an eyebrow at me, and I sheepishly grinned. "Continue."

  "Let's pretend she's a cat," he added. "Anyway, I've determined this cat will be married to Pix, but he states that he likes you and wants you as a mate instead."

  "Okay." I nodded in understanding.

  Father looked to Pix, who was staring up at him. "Pix. This is the cat you will marry. I don't want you marrying Sia."

  Pix stared at him for five seconds before hopping out of his hand and hopping back into my lap. He turned and glared at Father, hissing away as if he'd offended him.

  "Um, does that mean he doesn't approve?" I suggested, unable to not comfort Pix when he was visibly upset. I scooped him up and stroked his head, but he was still hissing, just at a quieter volume.

  "He hates my guts right now," Father chuckled. "Good thing this is only an example." He snapped his fingers, creating a replica of Pix outlined in a glowing sky-blue color.

  "Obviously in the previous case, that would be a number of many times a parent would try and get their way. Now, look at this scenario. Pix 2.0, you will marry this cat. I don't want you marrying Sia."

  Pix 2.0 glanced at Dad, the kitten, and then me. His eyes stayed on me for a long time, but he looked back at the kitten. He eventually hopped off Father's hand and moved to sit on my lap, but his head still looked back at Father.

  I lowered the real Pix back onto my lap and he sat still, staring at his copy. Father spoke again. "Pix and Pix 2.0"

  He didn't continue until he got both of their attention. "Once again, you will marry this cat. I disapprove of Sia and if you don't do as I say, you will lose your spot as future heir and alpha of my pack,"

  Oh, shit.

  Pix 2.0 gave me a look but moved back to sit on Father's hand. Pix didn't budge, his tail swaying back and forth at a lazy pace. Father grinned, and from the glint in his red eyes, I knew he was thinking of something.

  "Pix. You will marry this cat. I do not want you marrying Sia. I will give you this magic ring on my finger and all the secrets it possesses."

  Now Pix looked intrigued, his little head moving slightly to stare at the hand that had the golden ring. He then turned to me, his eyes meeting mine.

  I don't know why, but my nerves began to creep up as if this was a real situation where Pix was given the ultimate choice: me or the magical ring my father possessed.

  Pix stretched and began running around in my lap before he laid down on his stomach with happy eyes. "Meow meow."

  There was no way I could fight my smile, a wave of relief running through me. Father appeared just as pleased, the two outline felines disappearing from his hands.

  "That is an example of what Alexander could be facing. His parents may be threatening him and he's trying to think of a way out of it by following their commands while sneaking around to keep in contact with you."

  "So he could be wanting the best of both worlds?" I asked.

  "Essentially, but we're not in a world where you can have everything you want. There are sacrifices we have to make, even if it means we lose what could be important for us."

  I slowly nodded, looking down at Pix while he got up and lifted his front paws to rest on my stomach, patting them alternately.

  Picking him up, I rubbed my nose against his. "Thanks, Pix, for choosing me. Even if it wasn't real."

  "Meow," Pix replied. Father chuckled, leaning back against his chair as he switched his leg position. "Who said I was joking?"

  I blinked and looked down at Pix, who also seemed confused. "You...weren't?" I asked.

  "Nope. I was serious," he replied, looking at the ring on his right middle finger. Pix reached out to pat my nose with his paw, stealing my attention from the ring to look into his blue eyes.

  He didn't need words to express himself. His eyes alone told me he would have firmly stayed by my side.

  "What does the ring do, Dad?" I asked out of curiosity, giving Pix a quick hug before lowering him back to my lap, where he relaxed once more.

  "It helps pull my magic through to the surface. Like a piece of jewelry that harnesses my magical energy, so I can use it far better than at my own command. We're not mages, but we're born with small strands of magic. We can still use magic in desperate situations, but generally, if I wanted to light a flame, it wouldn't last for very long and would do little to no damage without this instrument."

  "Does that mean I can use magic better with a piece of jewelry or instrument?" I asked.

  "Have you used magic without one?" Father asked.

  "When I almost got killed, I set the man who almost killed me on fire with some spell Alexander had taught me," I admitted. He slowly nodded in understanding, but his silence gave me the impression he really didn't like all the "near" death instances.

  "I'll look into something for you."

  "Really?" I said in excitement, but had to calm my happiness, realizing rather quickly that Father wouldn't be here for long.

  My disappointment must have shown b
ecause Dad sighed. "Sia, don't look so disappointed."

  "You're going to leave again, aren't you?" I whispered.

  "And why would you think that?" he asked.

  "Because you always have in the past. For you to be here after what? Years. Why would I keep my hopes up this time?"

  Back in the dungeon years, my dad was like a guardian angel who always arrived when I desperately needed it. Now that I generally remembered what had happened, why would I hope for him to stay when I was an adult who knew how to handle herself?"

  "Do you remember when you were sixteen and I came in after you ordered your mother to kill you?" he inquired. Pix looked up to me, but I didn't look into his eyes, knowing they would

  be filled with anger.

  "One day, when you remember me without my visitation. When that happens, I'll make sure to stay for good. That's what you told me after I emphasized that I didn't like losing my memories of you whenever you left," I explained, avoiding his gaze.

  He stood and walked right next to the bed. I assumed he'd lift my chin up so I could look at him. Instead, he lowered to his knees, so I'd be able to look down at him, my eyes growing wide with shock.

  My wolf was intrigued, moving closer to get a better look at Father as he held my intense gaze.

  "I try my best not to judge Alexander's situation because I, too, was in a similar point in my life where I had to choose between staying with your mother or maintaining my position of power and wealth," he whispered. "I cared for her, but I thought it was better for us to go our separate ways, knowing my responsibility would only double if I committed to dating her. Dating different shifter races is messy, not because of our differences, but due to the power struggle. If I'd been more confident in my love for your mother, we would have been the most powerful couple in Singapore. Though that would be looked upon as good for some, the majority would frown upon the relationship, and that's what happened." He glanced at Pix, who was listening intently.

  "My parents were still alive at the time and they didn't approve of your mother. I listened to them for the sake of position and power, and after I saw your mother the last time, I regretted my decision."

  "You were set to have an arranged marriage?" I asked.

  "Not really. More like a line of wife potentials where I'd get to choose who I wanted. They wouldn't approve of a succubus shifter, but they wouldn't hesitate for any vampire shifters. I was appalled and declined them all, but when I tried to come back into your mother's life and apologize, she was gone. I'd broken her heart with my abandonment and by the time I found out she was pregnant, she was already giving birth to you."

  "You should have stolen me," I mumbled. It was a bit amusing trying to imagine my dad trying to deal with a baby.

  Father chuckled, making me wonder if he was envisioning the same thing. "I would have," he admitted quietly, meeting my eyes.

  "I would have fought every hospital nurse to get to you, but your mother must have known I would find out sooner or later. The grounds were heavily guarded and even though I was confident in my skills, you could have gotten hurt in the process. I couldn't afford that. It wasn't until an inside source informed me of what was going on that I realized you were being abused and experimented on."

  "Why couldn't you take me away?" I asked, tears forming in my eyes. "Why did you always leave me there? Was...I not good enough?"

  He bit his lip and shook his head. "You wouldn't have understood then, Sia. To be honest, until we get some time to really talk about what's going on, having you in my care would have put you at far greater risk than your own Mother."

  "She tried killing me multiple times."

  "In which you survived each time."

  "Not without your interference." I countered.

  "You wouldn't have given that woman the satisfaction of killing you," he whispered.

  "You say that so confidently."

  "I say it without a doubt in my mind because each time I interfered, I could see it in your eyes. No matter the amount of desperation in them, there was always a hint of stubbornness that wouldn't allow you to give up fully. That's why you never accepted death, even when it came knocking on your door," he declared.

  "So you weren't ashamed of me?" My voice was so low, I wondered if he even heard me. This question always pulsed through my mind each time I regained my memories.

  Each time he came back to save and check up on me.

  "Sia Hollister."

  I met his sad gaze, noticing the tears that glistened in those red eyes. "You are my pride and joy. I was a fool back then. I wasn't prepared for the onslaught of individuals who practically pulled at me from every angle to be on their side. I didn't want to bring a child into the world that would have to be in the middle of a power struggle. Who would have guessed fate had other plans for me, but I don't regret your existence, Sia. I've been a poor father. Not one that I ever wished to become. I wanted my child to look up to me with pride and reassurance that I'd keep them safe from the darkness of the shifter world. I never thought your mother would do what she constantly did, and as much as I wanted to snatch you away from her, it was too big of a risk. My words are nothing close to the apology you wholeheartedly deserve, but will you forgive me?"

  His tears rolled down his cheeks as he asked for forgiveness, his red-silver eyes meeting my watering ones.

  Pix moved from my lap to the edge of the bed and reached out to pat Dad's nose gently. "Meow." He sat down and looked up at me. A tiny smirk formed on my lips and I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

  "Guess that's Pix's way of saying I should forgive you," I suggested. Pix purred and relaxed where he was.

  "Hmm. He's a smart cat shifter."

  "He's actually a cool wizard," I pointed out. Father grinned and I couldn't help but smile back. He genuinely was sorry, but I had to ask one more question.

  "Would...you be mad if I didn't forgive Mother?" I asked. He took a few seconds to think about it before he replied.

  "Your mother's actions were uncalled for and there’s no way would I brush them away so easily," he admitted, biting his lip for a few more seconds. His eyes were flickering from silver to red, something I'd seen once before long ago which told me he was really pissed about the topic.

  "No child deserves to go through what you did. I wouldn't be mad if you never wanted to meet her again. Your mother and I will never get back together."

  "Even though she's changed?"

  "Just because someone has changed, it doesn't mean they can erase the pain their victims endured. You've grown, but it doesn't mean all the dark memories she created were erased. If you believe you can forgive her with your very soul and not light-heartedly, I'll support you, but it will never change my opinion of her, nor will it give her a chance to reunite us as a family. I may have been a fool to run away, but that wasn't enough of an excuse to torture you like an experiment, knowing how important you would be to me when I did find out."

  His answer made me a little happy, to know he wouldn't easily let my mother off the hook for her actions. It meant he knew what was right from wrong and wouldn't change that perspective to fit his situation.

  Most importantly, he’s being honest.

  "I forgive you, Dad," I said with a wide smile. "You can stop kneeling. It's bad for your knees, especially since you’re old," I joked.

  "I'm not old," he grumbled, but his wide radiant smile told me he wasn't the least bit upset with my joke as he rose up. Pix moved happily out of the way, giving Dad a chance to hug me.

  "I'm glad Alaric was able to guide me back. This place is a pain to find."

  "You two are good friends?" I asked.

  "Yes. He's a good ally on the battlefield and friend when we go for drinks. He keeps an eye on you from time to time."

  "He knows about me?" I asked, tilting my head. "Does that mean he knew about me dating his sons?"

  "Most likely. Alaric is sneaky. He knows a bunch of stuff that no one else does. Kind of like an info
rmation collector. I'm sure he knew, but his sons are both independent. They know what they want in a woman. He's stated this on multiple occasions when people ask why neither of them had mates yet," Father explained.

  "Hmm. I know you said there's always a power struggle between shifter races, but does that mean Alaric and Roxanne went through the same?"

  Dad slowly nodded. "Alaric did what I should have done with your mother. He stood his ground and didn't let people push him over. However, it's coming back to pick a fight now with everything that's going on."

  "You mean the covens getting attacked and those wolf shifters shooting up Brian's office?"

  "Yes. That's a part of it. How do you know about the office shooting?" Father asked.

  "Uh." I looked away and Pix began running around circles, meowing away.

  I took a peek to see him raise an eyebrow at me, and I caved. "I kind of was there, and got shot at, and almost died. Not a big deal."

  "Why are you always ‘almost’ dying?" he grumbled, and I literally laughed at his scrunched expression.

  "Aww, you look so upset," I giggled, noticing his cheeks begin to tinge red due to my laughter.

  "Any father would be pissed that their only daughter is getting into 'almost dead' situations regularly." He huffed. "Who were they?"

  "Oh, no. They're already dead. I'm sure their deaths were much better than what you'd bring upon them as punishment." I had to wipe away my tears from my laughing fit.

  "I would have destroyed them, revived them, and done it again," Dad muttered.

  "I'm sure you would." I brushed his comment off before I sighed. "I never would have thought I'd be sitting here laughing with you," I whispered.

  He reached out and stroked my head, a loving expression on his face. "Me neither, but I'm glad to be back in your life, Sia."

  "Does that mean we get to spend more time together? After the whole lay low, training thing?" I asked, enjoying how he stroked my head comfortingly as he used to when I was little.

  He nodded. "Roxanne, Alaric, and I have thought of a good place for you guys to lay low for a week or two. Then we'll work on your training while you guys attend to your real-life businesses. I'll make sure to squeeze in some father-daughter time." He nodded in confidence.