Page 54 of Howl For A Kiss
"For your protection," her father said quickly, pain evident in every word. "And mine, but mostly yours. Elena, I couldn't bear the thought of losing you too. After your mother died during childbirth, you were all I had left. If the pack had known what you really were..."
His voice trailed off, but Elena understood. Death would have been the only outcome for her.
"I'm so sorry," her father continued, tears now flowing freely down his weathered cheeks. "I didn't know how to tell you, didn't know how you'd handle it. I just wanted to keep you safe."
Elena felt her own tears start, hot and overwhelming. "I forgive you, Dad. I understand now why you did it."
Damon squeezed her hand as she wiped her cheeks with her free hand, his presence a constant source of strength.
"Tell me about her," Elena said softly. "About my mother. The real story, not the lies."
Her father's expression softened, a ghost of a smile crossing his features. "Sophie. Her name was Sophie. I met her when I was eighteen, camping with friends near the human settlements. It was love at first sight."
Elena leaned forward, hungry for every detail about the woman she'd never known.
"Beautiful blonde hair, just like yours. The most stunning blue eyes I'd ever seen. That's where you get your beauty from." Her father's voice grew tender with memory. "Sophie was the best thing that ever happened to me. I thought we'd have our fairy tale life together."
"What happened?" Fiona asked quietly.
"The pack laws forbidding human-shifter matings made everything impossible," he explained. "We lived in secret. When we found out Sophie was pregnant with you, Elena, we planned to move far away after you were born. Somewhere that accepted humans and hybrids."
Elena felt her chest tighten with grief for the life her parents had never gotten to live.
"But tragedy struck during the birth," he continued, his voice breaking. "I was too afraid to bring in a shifter healer because of Sophie's human nature. I regret that choice every single day. If I'd been braver, maybe she'd still be alive."
"Dad, no," Elena said firmly. "You can't blame yourself for that."
"I also regret how I raised you," he admitted. "That isolated, survivalist lifestyle—I know it drove you to run away at sixteen. I was so terrified of losing you that I nearly guaranteed it anyway."
Elena's tears flowed freely now. "You were a wonderful father. You did the most loving thing a parent could do—you protected me at all costs. I'm the one who should apologize."
She stood and crossed to him, kneeling beside his chair. "I'm sorry for not understanding when I was young. I'm sorry for all the terrible things I said and did. Can you forgive me? Can we start fresh?"
Her father pulled her into a fierce embrace, both of them crying openly. "There's nothing to forgive, sweetheart. I'd love nothing more than to have my daughters back in my life."
Fiona joined them, and Elena felt Damon's protective presence watching over them all as their family finally began to heal.
"We should go," Damon said gently after several minutes. "This location might be compromised after last night."
Elena pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Dad, you need to come with us to the rebel compound. It's not safe here anymore."
Her father looked reluctant to leave his sanctuary but eventually nodded as they convinced him of the danger.
"I have a cabin available," Cade offered when they returned to the truck. "You could all stay together."
Elena's heart soared at the prospect. "Yes. I'd love to have everyone I care about under one roof."
TWENTY-FOUR
DAMON
Damon watched Elena's face light up with genuine happiness as Cade's truck rumbled back toward the rebel compound. Her father Martin was settled into the passenger seat beside Cade while Elena, Fiona, and Damon occupied the back bench. The sight of his mate finally reuniting with her family sent a wave of protective satisfaction through him that bordered on primal.
This is what she needed,he thought, studying the subtle changes in Elena's posture. The rigid tension she'd carried since Tyler's death had eased, replaced by something softer yet no less determined. Through their shared bond, he could feel her relief and cautious joy pulsing like a warm current between them.
"The cabin I have in mind sits just past the main lodge," Cade called over his shoulder, navigating the bumpy forest road with practiced ease. "Three bedrooms, full kitchen, private entrance. Should give you folks the family space you need."
Elena's fingers found Damon's hand, her touch sending electricity up his arm. "Thank you, Cade. For everything."
