Page 130 of Conner's Luna

"Are well-trained, by your ex-colonel's older brother, in fact."

"Were they?" Dad leans back, his eyebrows shooting up, looking mildly impressed. He would be less impressed if he saw Braxton and Sarj arm-wrestling over the remote control for the 'big TV'

"You came here with a purpose," Dad says.

"I want to move you to ClearHowl land. Tomorrow."

My mouth falls open in shock. Dad scowls, "so she'll be closer to that boy? He's moving a little quickly."

"It's his nature to protect his mate," Alpha Alex says.

"She's not his mate," Dad interjects.

I wince and know that Alpha Alex notices when he reaches out and pats my hand, then nudges the bagel closer to me in a silent demand that I eat it.

"She is," Alpha Alex says, "but I understand your fears."

"Do you? What happens if Bailey wants out?" Dad asks.

I open my mouth to protest, then decide against it. I want to hear the answer, even if I'm more certain every day that Conner is my person.

"I assume you want reassurance, so this is it. Move to ClearHowl with your daughter. We have a beautiful house ready to move into. I will pay out your remaining lease on this house and place one million dollars into your bank account. This is your money, free and clear. If Bailey wants to leave she will have the freedom to do so."

Dad looks as stunned as I feel. "One million?" He glares at Alpha Alex, "it's a little insulting," he growls, "isn't it? You can't fucking buy my daughter."

"It's just a reassurance for your peace of mind," Alpha Alex says quietly. He smiles faintly, "I was also told by your mother that if my pack screws up, she'll 'stick a hot poker so far up my bum my tongue will be scorched.'"

"Sounds likeMami," Dad mutters.

"Please come to ClearHowl," Alpha Alex says quietly. "It's for Bailey's safety. We are floundering in this investigation. For her sake, move to ClearHowl."

Dad sucks in a deep breath and holds it for a second before expelling it roughly. He looks at me and I nod. We're not attached to this house or this town, quite frankly. There's really no reason to not pack up and leave. Dad nods, "alright. I assume you have a plan?"

Alpha Alex nods. "I do."

The doorbell rings a moment later. "That would be Conner," Alpha Alex says. "He held off as long as he could bear it, I believe." He stands up and offers me a smile. "If you don't mind, Hank, I'll let Conner in and see myself out."

Dad grunts and nods, arms folded across his chest.

---

Conner

I lean down and kiss her button nose, ignoring the grunt of displeasure from her dad. My heart skips a few beats when I see her gorgeous eyes twinkling up at me. My wolf pants happily, just to be here. To be with her. Her. Just last night we were- Fuck. I sit down in the empty chair at the table to hide my boner from her dad, but I'm pretty sure Hank saw it if his scowl is any indication.

I place the bag from the drugstore on the tabletop, far enough from her dad that he can't peek inside. No need for Hank to see the pill I brought for his daughter, or the giant box of condoms.

Condoms I'm going to need as soon as my honeygirl recovers. Under the pleasant scent of her soap, she scents of me, of us together. It makes my wolf loll on the ground, rolling around with his tongue hanging out of his mouth as if he can taste her.

That's next, I tell him silently. She'll be too sore for anything else.

"Good morning, Conner," Bailey says shyly, blushing.

"'Morning, honeygirl. Good Morning, Hank," I add.

Bailey's dad grunts. She smacks his arm with the back of her hand and he grunts again, a little louder.

"I don't like you with my daughter," he says bluntly.

---