Page 116 of Lost Girl

“Don’t, it wasn’t real. I’m right here, baby.” He tightens his grip on my hand. “Alive and well now that I have you back by my side.”

“I never should have left, never,” my voice trembles. It was the stupidest thing I ever did. Stupider than Peter.

“I can’t say I don’t agree, but I’ve got you now. Everything is going to be—”

The front door opens, halting the words I need to hear on the tip of his tongue as his father, formidable and intimidating, stands at the threshold.

“Welcome back, son,” the Chief says fondly, his soft smile extending even to me.

I can’t quell the gasp that shoots free from my mouth. It’s the first time I’m really seeing him, and let me tell you—I’m stunned. It’s like looking at Tavi in the future. Same hard-lined facial structure, same dark features, same warm almond-shaped eyes, and full bowed lips. The main difference is the hair. Where Tavi keeps his trimmed around the sides and mostly neat, the Chief rocks a silvered man bun.

“Wendy, right?” he asks, ambling across the porch and down the steps.

I can’t even look at him, bowing my head through a nod. “Yes, sir.”

But he doesn’t allow it, tucking two fingers beneath my chin, forcing my line of sight on his.

“It’s very nice to finally meet you, Wendy. I’m Natano, and I believe I owe you an apology, my dear.”

I shake my head because that’s all I can do. I don’t know what else to do.

“Oh, but I do. My behavior wasn’t that of a Chief. I was very unfair and judgemental of you without knowing anything about you, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

I’m still mute, completely taken aback and speechless, and even if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t know what to say.

How to act.

“All I’ve wanted in life is for my children to be good people and to be happy. You seem to make my son both and I’m forever grateful you’ve brought him such joy. I hope one day you’ll be able to forgive me for my senseless actions,” he adds, extending his hand to me in a peace offering.

Glancing down at it, I note how similar his hands are to Tavi’s, prompting me to slip my palm in his. We shake briefly, and just as he hopes I find it in me to forgive him one day, I’m hoping he can see the reassurance in my eyes, too.

And I think he does because I’m almost certain I see a slight sense of relief flash in his stare before he sets his sights on the man beside me.

“And you, my son. I owe you an apology as well.”

“Pa, don’t start,” Tavi gripes, waving him off.

“Just hear me out, will you?” He pleads, resting his hands on his shoulders. “Since the day you came into this world, I had a vision of your future. I would never have known it then, but that vision would one day prove to be wrong. And that day is today. All along I dreamed of you being the greatest leader this land has ever seen, the Chief of all Chiefs, I guess you could say, and when that dream failed to come to fruition, time and time again, I asked myself why. Wondered what I was doing wrong, why you couldn’t just seem to follow the path I’d laid out for you. It wasn’t until I saw the despair in your eyes, the fear and urgency, that I realized why. It was nothing you or I did. You were simply never meant to be Chief, my son, and do you know why?”

Tavi shakes his head.

“Because you were always meant to be the Alpha, a position of power in its own right and calibur. That greatness I dreamt for you? You’re already living it, and I’ve been blind to it all along. And for that, I can’t begin to explain how sorry I am. I feel so foolish for not recognizing what a remarkable man you grew up to be, stubborn and strong-willed as ever, but kind and good-hearted with valiant intentions. You’re living the life I—”

Tavi slams into his father before the man can finish. He hugs him so tightly, the Chief is overcome with emotion from a sheer moment to the next, dropping his face into his son’s shoulder. It’s a beautiful moment to witness, one that brings tears to my eyes. Soft sniveling meets my ears, cutting my gaze to the front door. Within the threshold stands Tigerlily, tears rolling down her cheeks as she watches this play out with me.

When the two men pull apart, it’s clear they’ve shed a few tears of their own. The Chief wipes the wetness clinging to his cheeks, then holds his son at arm’s length, regarding him with nothing pride. “Tigerlily and I were just heading to Aiyana’s to see Kimi, but I want you to know that you’re both welcome to stay here moving forward.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Tavi concedes, squeezing my hand.

“Yes, thank you, sir,” I pipe up right behind him, drawing his warm stare on me once more.

“None of that sir nonsense. Natano is perfectly fine.” He smiles, turning back towards his daughter. “Tigerlily, come. Let’s allow these two some privacy. I’m sure there’s much they need to discuss.”

Nodding, she slips into her shoes and rushes down the steps, offering me a tight smile. There’s kindness behind it, but not in the same way as it used to be.

She hates me, is all I can think as she and the Chief start down the grassy path.

“So, did you mean it?” Tavi asks once they’re out of earshot, quirking my brow.

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