Caged In

Chapter 14: Friends . . . (edited)

Greg had led me outside to my family, before assuring that he would give me some alone time with them by sending all the pack members out of the area. A surprisingly thoughtful action, considering how he'd treated me so far.

I was in the middle of being suffocated to death by Petra when alpha Wild decided it was his turn to asphyxiate me.

" Remember, you're always welcome back home, don't feel like you have to stay here for our sake!" Petra cried.

" Don't worry, I'm not." I managed to gasp before they released me.

Petra frowned and fiddled with her hands, trying to stop herself from wrapping them around me again. Logan offered me a smile as he pointed at his phone, silently telling me to text him.

" Okay, honey, how about you get to the car and let me have a moment alone with Lucy." Alpha Wild said as he gently shooed her off.

Petra looked between her mate and me before sighing, "I suppose you're right. If I stay any longer the next time I get my hands on her I may not let go."

Alpha Wild nodded as she walked off with Logan.

" Lucy." Alpha Wild's tone was soft. I expected the reason he sent his mate off to be so that he could lecture me without her intervention, but it seemed like that wasn't the case.

" Alpha Wild." I looked into his stormy eyes.

" I didn't realize how nostalgic this would feel." He smiled.

" Nostalgic ?"

" It feels the same as when we helped you move in for your first year in college." His conflicted eyes betrayed his level voice. No matter how much he tried to hide it, he always wore his heart on his sleeve.

" I'll see you again soon." I brought my right hand up to his left shoulder to offer some sort of comfort.

" I really hope you mean that Lucy, but we never know what the future has in store for us." He started," I'm sorry Lucy."

" Sorry ?" I laughed," What could you possibly be apologizing for ?"

His arms shot out and pulled me into his chest. I could hear his rapid heartrate as he placed a kiss on the top of my head and rested his cheek on my hair.

" Alpha Wild ?" I asked. I felt a knot begin to form in my throat, but I had no idea why.

" Never mind." He said to himself, unwrapping his arms from my body and brushing his hands over his shirt to take out the newly formed wrinkles. He coughed and took a step back," Lucy, I don't care what you say or think, and I absolutely don't care about what those nasty packmates say about you, you are my daughter. You will always be my daughter, and no matter what, I will always be on your side."

Always ? I mentally thought.

" Always." He said, as if reading my mind before turning his back to me.

I stared at his tall figure. He had a reliable back, the kind of back that looked like a shield when he stood in front of you like this.

" Thanks." I managed to whisper before following it with an ever quieter," Dad," Hoping that he wouldn't be able to hear it.

My face flushed in embarrassment when I saw his shoulders jump at my words.

He definitely heard it. I groaned.

I was ready for him to walk off to the car and resign myself to my future at Greg's accursed pack house when Alpha Wild decided to exclaim one last profession of fatherly love for me," And if that little brat is mean to you, don't be afraid to give him a punch before you call me to pick you up!"

I giggled in response as he jumped into the passenger seat of the car and waved at me along with Petra and Logan. I watched the car depart from the overhang and down the long driveway, wishing that I could join them on the drive home.

" How touching." A voice said to my left. I turned to see Callista towering over me, wearing her usual smirk," A bit dramatic, but touching nonetheless."

Her brown pleated skirt fell neatly to her ankles and I took note of the golden buckle on the black flats she wore. Her light green shirt was wrinkled and had light mud stains on the arms, as if she was gardening before being summoned to deal with the guests on the territory.

I slouched and pursed my lips," Don't you know what privacy is ?"

" It's my job, don't hate me too much for it." She shrugged.

" Greg said he'd send everyone out of this area so I could get some space with my family, is it your job to ignore him ?"

" When he makes bad decisions, yes." She revealed a set of perfectly straight white teeth as she smiled.

" I thought we already decided that I wasn't a threat, do you really need to keep monitoring me like this ?" I groaned.

" Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this to keep the pack safe from you, in fact, it's the exact opposite. I'm protecting you from the pack, doll. That is, at least, certain members of it." She replied.

" Your alpha's already taken the bodyguard position, but thanks for the offer." I wave her off and try to escape her as I walk inside before realizing I don't know where anything is.

" He still has other things to do, so how about you let me take over when he's busy ? I thought you would want a friend during your stay here." She replied airily.

" I don't like people who follow me around without asking." I replied coldly.

" I can answer any questions you have about the pack." She said, piquing my interest and making me turn around.

" Any questions ?"

Her grin widened as gold flashed in her eyes with excitement," I think we're going to be good friends, doll face."

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A/N: Posted that bby! I really like Callista's character if u can't tell, I have a bias for my girl characters ,, anyway, see ya next chapter and thanks for reading!!
- Zolot

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