Chapter 6
"Avery, relax. It's your father, not some random old guy." Damian grips my upper arms, his gaze boring into mine.
My breath comes fast, "But he's my father that I've never met!" I say, near hysterical. I shrug out of his hold and run my hands through my hair roughly. "What if he doesn't like who I've become? What if he insults Emmaline? I'll have to hit him at least, and then he'll hate me for sure!" My voice breaks.
Damian gathers me against his chest, muttering sweet nothings. "Ave, calm down. He's your father; he'll love you. Just trust me, okay? I'll be with you the whole time."
I take a deep, calming breath. Feeling light headed, I press my face into his shirt and mumble, "You'd better be."
Damian laughs, "Always, little one. Now come on. The council waits."
I pull free of his embrace and take another breath, collecting myself. Glancing down at my dress, I nervously smooth my hands down the soft cerulean blue fabric that ends a little above my knees. Black, strappy heels adorn my feet. Emmaline had insisted on the strappy little death traps.
Damian and Everett had taken Emmaline and I to a fancy clothing store in a town outside Athens for nice outfits for tonight. Beside me, Damian and Everett are clothed in simple black dress pants and white dress shirts with their sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Damian's tie is a darker blue, matching his glinting eyes. Everett wears his shirt with the top button undone and with black suspenders, having complained at the store about how a tie felt too much like a collar around his neck. Emmaline is stunning, clad in a brilliant green dress that matches Everett's eyes and hugs her curves.
We stand just beyond the door to where the council is currently awaiting our arrival. Around us the city darkens as the sun settles in the West.
"Ready, everyone?" Damian reaches for the doorknob.
Emmaline and Everett nod. I compose my face as the door swings open. Silence precedes us. Damian enters first and Emmaline and Everett follow, his arm around her waist.
Another deep breath eases my nerves before I start in, my composure slowly slipping. The meeting hall is huge and resembles a courtroom in which a judge and jury would participate in a case. I shrink back, taking in the ten faces analyzing my every move. Damian is so dead for not mentioning that the whole council would be present to witness the little reunion.
Feeling like the criminal about to be pronounced guilty of murder, I hesitantly walk over to stand beside Damian.
Damian grasps my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. "Council members," He bows his head in respect. "I've brought in the requested." Damian gestures to Emmaline who is standing firm, Everett beside her. "May I present Emmaline Hart, daughter of Councilwoman Hart, and her mate, Everett Archer."
A blonde haired woman with Emmaline's eyes stands, walking around the long table where the council members are seated. "Emmaline, darling?"
Emmaline's face crumbles and tears flood her eyes. "Mom." She lets go of Everett and falls into the woman's embrace.
"Oh sweetheart." Councilwoman Hart soothes, stroking Emmaline's back.
The members still seated murmur among themselves, muttering distasteful words and spitting out the word, "Wolf." One man ignores the rest, his steady gaze locked onto mine.
Damian squeezes my hand. "And this is Avery Thorne, daughter of Councilman Thorne."
The man whose stare has not moved from my face stands and my eyes widen. "Dad?" My voice comes out barely above a whisper.
