Page 14 of Her Cold-Hearted Alpha: Part 2

"What do you want to do? My original plan was to allow you to stay here, it being the strongest pack around and the safest for you." Dad said.

He didn’t mention Alejandro… My stomach knotted. He hadn't guessed who it was, right?

"But if you want to come home, I would be more than happy. The boys are leaving at one in the afternoon, if you wanted to return with them."

"No. I think I’ll stay." I replied firmly.

Not only to torture him, but I needed to be here for Aunty Indy… I couldn't turn a blind eye to everything she was going through.

"Are you sure?" He asked as I grabbed the water bottle, taking a few gulps. Trying to get rid of the lump in my throat.

"Yes."

"Angel… What do you plan to do?"

I looked him directly in the eye.

"Nothing, I'm continuing with my life. I'm not running from anyone and nor am I just going to make things easier for them." I said stubbornly.

Dad gave a half-smile before looking at his hand.

"Before the mate bond… Did you feel anything for him?"

"What makes you think it’s a guy? It could be a girl, Dad." I said, rolling my eyes.

Dad raised an eyebrow, "Don’t try to change the topic."

I pouted. Damn, the man was too smart.

"So, was there?" He persisted.

I looked down, my heart aching at all the moments I had with Alejandro… My lips quivered and my eyes stung as I stared at the bed covers. My eyes blurred as I fought back those tears.

"I felt a connection." I whispered.

‘We felt a connection', that was what I wanted to say, but maybe that was my misconception… I remembered his words in that closet… He said I was perfect, but then if I was, why didn’t he want me? ‘I forget that not everyone is a fucking monster like me,’ those words…

Dad hadn't replied and I looked up, seeing him frowning deeply.

"It’s not Rayhan because I saw you at the mating ceremony." He said, frowning. I shook my head.

"Does he deserve you?" He asked quietly.

I smiled sadly. "Does it matter?"

"You’re not a child anymore, I know that. I also know that all your life I’ve been overbearing because I love you. However I also know you’re old enough to make your own decisions, make mistakes and learn from them. I never valued the mate bond, I loved your mother before I knew she was my mate, and I was ready to reject my mate for her. As a father I want to say; forget the asshole, move on and you’ll find someone better. But as an adult to an adult, trying to pretend I'm not giving this advice to my daughter, I'm going to say this: If you think he’s worth fighting for, that you feel something for him, then don’t let him go so easily. Sometimes the harder choice isn't always the easiest. If you had felt nothing for him, I would have told you to reject him, but if you think there was a connection… then fight for it."

I looked at Dad. His words shocked me. He looked slightly amused by my surprise but gave me a wry smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He continued.

"You might not know, but your mother kept pushing me away. She didn’t think I cared enough, or thought I’d betray her. I didn’t have the best track record; I was a player and I won't deny it. I had to fight for her, show her she meant the world to me. She had gone through hell and it had affected her. I won’t take credit for her healing because that was all her… but… without knowing who your mate is, I can’t really say much, just sometimes there's a reason behind a person’s refusal… I'm not saying he’s right but there may be underlying reasons. I’m not saying accept someone after they reject you, or to forgive them, but you know him better than I do. Do what feels right."

Dad’s words were deep and they made sense. To learn how he had fought for Mom… I know Mom said Dad did a lot for her, but I often just saw Dad as this temperamental Alpha who was possessive. I knew he would do anything for Mom and from the way he was speaking to me now, going against his possessiveness and impulse to cocoon me in safety, I knew it was hard for him. He was just giving me his advice. Advice that was settling deep within me and giving birth to a fierce determination within me.

Yes, my original plan was to not make this easier for Alejandro... but if there was even a chance… should I fight for him? The thought of Alejandro accepting me… the way he always said he needed no one, that he was a monster… Did he just need someone to heal him as Dad did with Mom? Even if I was able to, I knew it would take me time to heal from the pain he caused me… This was a choice I had to make alone.

Dad sighed and I looked up at him.

"Your Mom is coming tonight. I haven't told her about what happened. She’ll probably want to rip his dick off for refusing you. I will leave it to you to tell her." He said, with a smirk, and I flinched at the very thought. "But speak to her, I'm sure you might be more comfortable sharing what you don’t want with me."

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