[[OLD]] A Handful of Daffodils (Forgotten Series, #7)

Chapter Fifty-Seven

"And that's what we did for my seventh birthday!" Patricia sounded excited and I couldn't help but give a small smile. My stomach was still in knots but the little girl was honestly adorable and I appreciated the distraction. "I know people think it's weird that I like rocks cause I'm a girl but I do! Papa Jason says that it's okay and that rocks are neat! He helped me pack them all cause I have lots. I've got a pretty purple one. It's all shiny and sparkly. It's called amitist."

"Amethyst, Pat." Jason's correction was low and when I glanced at him he had a small smile on his face as he looked in the rear view mirror. It was clear he adored his niece and she loved him just as much back. She constantly hung off of him, her bubbly personality and rather loud pink wardrobe at almost odds with his nearly severe, stoic demeanour but he gave her hugs and kisses all the same.

"Yah! It's really pretty! I got that one for my seventh birthday. I love it! It's my favourite." She gave a happy sight and I resisted the urge to look over my shoulder at her. My stomach was already a little nauseous, especially after I had to throw up after Jason had stopped at what he called a fast food restaurant and got me a burger and a milkshake. They had been really good but the grease had upset my stomach and it wasn't long after I ate that we had to stop because I ended up puking. I had apologized to the rather serious male and he had just shrugged and told me fast food wasn't for everyone. "Do you have a favourite rock?" The question had me flushing slightly, I didn't know much about rocks or anything like that. Father hadn't really allowed me to have pursuits outside of cooking and cleaning. It wasn't my place.

"I'm not sure. They are all really nice." I said it slowly, hoping it was a good enough answer for her and she giggled.

"They are! I love fossils and crystals and shiny rocks! I like colourful rocks too and brown rocks! I like rocks with metals and princess gems! They are all so cool!" She fairly gushed it out and that made me smile. It did make my heart pang slightly for Dana and Mike's kids. It had been hard saying goodbye to them. Amaya had cried when she learned I was leaving and I hated doing that to her but everyone had been right. It just wasn't safe.

"They are, lil bit." Jason nodded as he slowed the truck down before glancing at me. "She wants to be a geologist when she gets older." There was that faint smile on his mouth, his gaze warm as he looked from me into the back seat where Patricia was buckled into her booster seat.

"Yah! They get to play with rocks all day! I want to do that. Papa Jason says I gots to do really, really, reallllly well in school and I am!" She clapped her hands, the excitement clear in her voice and I nodded.

"That sounds like it would be a lot of fun." I liked that he was catering to her wants, humoring her in what she wanted to do with her life rather than telling her it wasn't her place. It was nice to see that, to see him fostering her sense of discovery rather than crushing it.

"We should be coming up to the pack territory soon." He glanced at me, his dark eyes flicking down me and then back up. "You feeling okay?" At the question I nodded. My stomach was still off but I knew it wasn't just the fast food. Everything that happened before we left played in my mind. Brochan and the Alpha, Mike and everyone else yelling. Patricia had been rather subdued and when Jason got in and we drove off, she told him that it had been scary in a very quiet voice and he had apologize profusely to her for having to see that before he apologized to me. Telling me he didn't think the Alpha would be 'that fucking ballsy'.

I really didn't get what he was saying but the image of Brochan straining and shaking his head at me, silently telling me not to get out of the truck as the Alpha ordered him to get me out and give me to the Delta, whose name was apparently Regan. It made me shudder slightly, I didn't want to know more about the male. I wanted to forget he existed and never have to deal with him again. Seeing how the Alpha acted about me leaving, I was only slightly upset that Simon and I would be running away. I would never be able to be safe in the pack, the Alpha would give me to the Delta even if Brochan said no.