The Broken Warrior's Daughter

Tears are streaking down my face at Ell’s story. Everything he said is the truth. There was not one moment in his story that | could taste deceit. Liam had set me in the second chair and had begun pacing. Through the bond, | could feel his indecision, his frustration at hearing this story.

“You could have told my father this story back then, why didn’t you?” Liam asks him.

“Your father was a grief-stricken man, out for blood. He wouldn’t have listened to me any more than you have the last six months.”

| can see the impact of his words on Liam, feel them through the bond. Liam knows he’s right and his own guilt is threatening to eat him up.

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I stand and go to him, him. It takes a moment, but his arms come around me and he pushes his face into my neck, breathing deeply, calming himself. We stand there for a moment, while Liam collects himself.

When he’s calm, he looks back at Eli. “What about Cara? Why did you try to forcibly mark her?”

It's Elis turn to stand and begin pacing. “There are too many power-hungry, piss—poor Alphas out there. Many don’t care about their packs, they only care about themselves or furthering their own power. When | was a rogue, | ran into so many others that left their packs because of their Alphas‘ injustices against them or others in the pack. The Alpha line is passed down by blood, but maybe it shouldn’t be. You have bad Alphas teaching their sons to be even worse Alphas and all you get are shitty packs that are poorly run and miserable werewolves with nowhere to go.”

| understand this much better than Liam. | was on the run for six years, several of those with no where to go. My family and I ran into people just like Eli is talking about.

“What does that have to do with Cara?” | ask softly. | feel Liam come up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, holding me against him.

“| wanted to give those people a place to go, a safe place where they could live their lives and raise their families without having to worry about the tyranny of their Alpha. | wanted to create my own pack, a sanctuary pack for those needing to escape their own or just those looking to make a new start. In order to have a chance at creating a pack like that, | needed a strong Luna. I’m a second son of a Beta, but a strong Luna would have made me stronger. And there is no one

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stronger than a Guardian. It was a mistake on my part. | never should have tried to force the mate bond on her, and for that | am truly sorry.”

Liam looks at me thoughtfully for a moment before turning to Eli. “I need to think about what you have told me. Cara and Rik will be here this evening. | won’t make any decisions about you until | speak to them.”

Eli nods and goes to sit. Liam turns to the guards. “See that he gets a shower and have a tray of food sent down for him. Give him clean sheets and a clean cell.” | see Eli's head shoot up to look at Liam.

“Yes Alpha.” The two guards say in unison.

As we start to walk away, Eli speaks. “Thank you, Alpha.”

Liam nods but continues walking, taking my hand and keeping me close. When we get upstairs, he pulls me into his arms and holds me. His guilt and frustration through the bond are palpable.

“Clean slate, right Liam?”

“How could | have been so wrong for so long? | could have killed an innocent man. As it is, I've treated him horribly, and all he tried to do was save my mother.”

“We can’t undo the mistakes of the past. All you can do is try to make it right going forward.” | tell him, holding on to him. He takes a deep breath before pulling back. “Come on, | have a surprise for you. before you head over to Clint’s for training.”

We walk out to his truck and he takes me back to the main street that borders the two packs. This time, we stop in front of a hair salon. | turn to him. “I’m getting my hair cut?” I’m so excited I’m bouncing up and down in the seat.