Page 141 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

Sasha slapped a palm to her mouth. “Ye gods,” she groaned, her cheeks flushed.

Lara turned, waiting for the explanation. All eyes landed on me.

Undeterred, I grabbed hold of Sasha’s hand and declared, “We are mated.”

Silence descended. The entire room went mute, as if everyone held their breaths and awaited the beta’s response.

Nick Havens remained predatory still. His eyes hardened. He jerked his chin toward me. “You. Me. Outside.”

I felt the irritation from my bears at having their alpha given an order by a beta. But I saw it for what it was: a father concerned about his daughter. I would give him leeway for that. I showed respect by dipping my head and then followed the older male out of the den.

We stepped out into the open, the late afternoon sun sinking toward the horizon. Nick led me toward a hillside nestled under a copse of oaks. He leaned his broad back against a trunk, his eyes pinioning me.

“My daughter mated with you?” he asked.

I leaned my own back up against a nearby trunk, facing him. “Yes. I was lucky she took my ass back.”

Nick’s brows lowered. “And what does that mean?” His words sounded dipped in ice.

I went about retelling the entire story of how Sasha and I met during the battle. About how I rejected her at first, but years later we partnered up to investigate the werebears’ killing spree. Warmth bloomed inside my chest as my mind slipped back into the past. In her office, Sasha displayed her determined and fiery nature. She gave me a strict ultimatum of three minutes to speak or face physical harm. It took a long time and a near-death experience for her to warm up to me, for us to see each other in a new light.

“Even when she thought I had betrayed her,” I said. “She still heard me out. When I’d dropped to my knees that night and bared my throat, she could’ve ripped it out—no questions asked.” I lowered my head, a smile of wonder crinkled my cheeks. “But she didn’t. Instead, she listened as I declared my love for her before my clan and her pack, and then she took me to her bed—invited me. We’ve been mates since yesterday. Officially. Not just fated mates.”

A pregnant pause blanketed the two of us as Nick mulled over my account. He took a deep breath. “Though I’m sure you know it’s unconventional for a wolf to mate a bear, I’m not one to stand in the way of my daughter’s happiness.”

My head whipped up, eyes wide.

A slow smirk touched the curly, dark-haired male’s lips. “If she believes you are good enough to be her mate, then you’re her mate.” He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s as simple as that.”

I blinked, my mouth opening, yet no words coming out. What could I say to that? I had expected a hostile male that was ready to flay my hide and instead I got a father that had his daughter’s back and accepted me.

Nick’s eyes grew slitted, the hazel shining pure gold. “If you ever hurt her again, if you ever even make her shedonetear, I will find you and end you. Are we clear?”

And there was the overprotective, hostile father.

I gave him a decisive nod. “Understood, Sir.”

He nodded in a gruff manner, appearing satisfied.

Upon returning to the den, Lara had whipped up a quick meal and gathered Sasha’s siblings—Ty and Sky. She seated my bears at the table, their mouths slathering as they eyed the steaming ribs and bread rolls on the platters.

“Took you long enough!” Lara glanced at her husband, placing fresh jars of lemonade on the table. “Now, come on and eat before the food goes cold.”

“How the hell did she get this food going so fast?” I whispered to Nick.

Nick gave a hearty chuckle. “Leftovers.”

“Ah.”

Lara scowled, and everyone found their seats.

The meal was uneventful. Bears and wolves got along, sharing tales from each pack and clan. Laughter erupted now and then, and the tension that had blanketed the air earlier had dissipated. Sasha and I had shared knowing looks. Things would work out. Sasha’s pack and I forming an alliance could lead to the Silverfang pack being more welcoming to the Stoneclaw clan. A frown touched my brow as I thought back to the hostile looks thrown our way upon entering the den.

Our packs had been at war for so long, it wouldn’t be easy to forget old wounds and past hurts. But with Sasha by my side, we’d pave the way to a new world. The Dark Fae would need to be done away with first.

Another wave of laughter ended. Nick turned to me, a solemn look stealing across his features. “The reason for your visit isn’t to meet the family, is it?”

I set down my fork and shook my head. Sasha exchanged a glance with me. Her eyes shone with sadness. I nodded at her. This revelation about her heritage. It was hers to be shared—to be revealed.

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