My Father's Warning
1276 Words
After a long night of broken sleep, I dragged myself out of bed before the sun was even high. Dreams of Ansel had followed me for hours, dreams I did not want, dreams that only reminded me he could never be mine. Only in sleep could we be together, and even then I woke feeling more empty than before. I did not even want to train with Nelson today. My body was tired, and so was my mind.
A sudden knock on my door made me freeze in the middle of the room. My heart stuttered in my chest. What if it was Ansel again? I could not face him, not this early, not with everything still weighing on me. I darted into my bathroom, pressing my back against the door, willing the silence to make him leave. If he thought I was gone, maybe he would give up.
The knock came again. Then a voice followed, low and familiar. “Lupa? Are you awake?”
Relief loosened the tightness in my chest. My father. I hurried out and pulled the door open.
“Is everything alright?” I asked quickly. He almost never came to my room.
He studied me for a moment, his brow creasing slightly. “Are you feeling any better? You left before we had cake and opened presents last night.”
“I am fine,” I answered, though my voice felt thin.
“Your mother told me you were sick.”
“Yes. I was. But I am better now. I was just getting ready to go train.”
“With your mate?” His mouth curved into a knowing smile as his eyes searched mine.
I shifted uneasily. “I…”
“You can tell me anything,” he said gently. “Are you sure you have nothing to share?”
“It does not matter,” I muttered, wishing he would let it drop.
He sighed. “This is your first time meeting Ansel, but I have known him since he was a boy. If you are not in a hurry, I could tell you something about him.”
“So I can fall for him more?” I asked, sharper than I intended. “No, thank you.”
“So that when you find your cure, you will be ready for him,” he replied without flinching.
I clenched my jaw. I did not know why my father was so hopeful about me and Ansel, but I could see how badly he wanted to help. Still, I had no interest in talking about Ansel with him. “Enough about him. I should get ready for the day.”
“What do you have planned?” he asked.
“Training with Nelson.”
“Your mate then,” he said, watching me closely and smiling, like he was mocking me.
I looked away, heat rising in my cheeks.
“Tell me,” he pressed, “why did you say Nelson is your mate?”
“Because he was the first person who came to my mind.”
He gave me a faint smile, one without judgment. “I know one thing for certain. Nelson is not your mate. More than that, I want you to stay away from him.” His tone carried a weight I had never heard before.
I blinked at him. My father had never spoken of Nelson like this. I had thought he liked him. “You are judging him,” I said, my voice shaking. “You bet I will keep training with him. I cannot believe you are telling me to stay away from him.”
He held my gaze, steady and unyielding.
Anger burned through me, sharp and defensive. Nelson was my friend. He had always been good to me, and I could not understand why my father would speak against him now.
“I cannot explain the details now,” my father said quietly.
“No,” I snapped, pulling open my dresser drawer to grab training clothes. “Nelson is my friend. He is a good man. He has helped me more than you know. Maybe it was a mistake to even talk to you about any of this.”
My father’s expression softened, but his voice remained firm. “You have a lot to deal with right now, and I understand that. But I will tell you this. You deserve better than Nelson.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I muttered, refusing to look at him.
“Have a good day training with Nelson,” he said at last, before turning and leaving me alone.
*****
The forest was quiet that morning, save for the crunch of my boots against the earth. I was glad to be outside, away from the house, and even more thankful I had avoided Ansel. The thought of facing him so soon after last night felt unbearable.
But as soon as his name crossed my mind, my wolf stirred. Mate.
“Stop saying that,” I muttered under my breath. My chest tightened. “If you could heal me, if you could take away this heart condition, then maybe I would gladly meet him. Until then, leave it.”
A sharp crack split the silence. My steps faltered as I pressed myself against the rough bark of a tree, scanning the woods.
“Hello, mate,” Nelson’s voice came, smooth and sly. He emerged with a grin that made my stomach sink.
Shock rooted me where I stood. He knew. He knew what I had done yesterday when I claimed him.
“I should not have said that,” I blurted. “I am sorry. I was not supposed to.”
“How I found out does not matter,” he said with a shrug.
“It matters to me,” I whispered, but the weight of it was already too heavy. “I used you. I am sorry.”
His grin only grew wider. “Then I guess I finally have something I have been waiting for.”
I pinched my lips together, wishing I had stayed in bed. It was too much, too soon, and my mind could not carry it all.
Nelson stepped forward and caught my hand in his. His skin was warm, his grip steady. “I have wanted to tell you this for years. I have had a crush on you. We could be something powerful together, you and I.”
I stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or recoil. “You must be kidding.”
“I am serious,” he said quickly, leaning in. “Dead serious. And I know you have feelings for me.”
My heart lurched at the lie. He stepped closer, my hand pressed against his chest, the hard muscles firm under my palm. But the spark I felt with Ansel was nowhere.
“I do not feel for you what you think I do,” I said firmly. “It is not the same.”
His eyes searched mine, but he only nodded. “I get it. Still, I know why you claimed me. You needed to get away from whatever Ansel was pressing on you. I can help with that.”
I pulled my hand back, unsure how to answer.
“I care for you,” he pressed. “I would be honored to stand by your side.”
The sincerity in his tone twisted my stomach. “I should go.”
I turned, but he caught my hand again. “Think about it. I will treat you well.”
Before I could respond, another sound drew my ears.
- Writer
