Page 22 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

“You should have told me,” he counters before kissing me one last time, then letting me go. I watch him as he goes and gets in the front passenger seat of the car. He blows me a kiss as Levi pulls off. I sigh, psyching myself up to face daddy.

When I get to the backyard, daddy’s sitting in his favorite lawn chair in front of the fire pit. He casually rubs Crown’s head.

“Sit down,” he says, not even looking at me.

I chose the chair across from him. Crown scurries to my side, and I scratch under his neck. Daddy lifts his eyes, peering at me. I can’t read his face. I don’t know if his expression is disappointment, embarrassment, or what. I gave him my full attention because I wasn’t ashamed that Braxton and I slept together; I’m just embarrassed that daddy knows about it. No daughter wants their daddy to know they’re having sex, grown or not.

“I’m not mad at you, Nyah,” daddy says. “I know what it’s like to have the pull of the bond, but what I won’t have is my daughter disrespecting herself to where others can see her. How do you think that makes me look as the Alpha of the Pack or for you as my daughter?”

Scooting to the edge of my chair, I rest my elbows on my thighs, then lace my fingers together.

“Daddy, we got caught up in the moment. I didn’t expect Corey to be lurking in the woods, watching us.”

“I understand that Nyah, but you have to use discretion before the mating ceremony. The only reason why I didn’t stop the fight between Braxton and Corey sooner is because I’m hoping the blows to Corey’s head knocked some sense into him.” Daddy scratches his head, then continues. “Horace has been pushing for the two of you to be mated for years, thinking that it would be beneficial for the Pack.”

I fall back in the chair, covering my mouth. What the Hell?

“You know I’ve always stood firm on you and Kenia picking your mates. Plus, I could never see you mating with a Beta,” daddy chuckles. “You would run all over his ass. You need an Alpha who matches your energy and Braxton seems to be the one.”

“He is,” I blush.

Daddy laughs louder, then says, “I’m happy for you, Nyah but you have to be careful.”

“I know.”

“Corey has proven today that he will be a problem for the two of you. I’m going to have a sit down with Horace to get his son in line. If he can’t,” daddy let out a deep breath. “Then it’ll leave me with no choice but to exile him from the Pack. I haven’t had to do that for decades, but if it comes down to it, it will be done.”

I hate that daddy has been put in this position. The Pack means everything to him and for him to have to contemplate on putting a member out breaks my heart.

I guess daddy saw the distress on my face, because he says, “I don’t want you worrying about this, Nyah. Shit, happens. Hopefully, Horace can convince Corey to stop with his obsession with you.”

“I hope so too,” I agree. “Excuse my language, daddy, but Corey has been showing his ass and I am over it. If he doesn’t get his shit together, Braxton will kill him the next time. This is the second time he has challenged Braxton.”

“I know,” daddy returns. “Which is why the conversation with Horace is necessary. I can only step in so many times.”

Thinking about what Braxton said earlier, I changed the subject.

“Daddy, Braxton asked me to stay at the hotel this weekend with him. Do you mind keeping an eye on Crown for me?”

Daddy makes a clicking sound with his tongue that has Crown going over to him.

“Of course. I think it will be a good idea for you to get away for a few days while I take care of this shit. Whenever you move into momma’s cabin, Crown will have two homes. I’ve grown used to him being around, so I don’t know if I’m going to let him go.”

Daddy winks at me. “We’ll see about that. Go on inside and get ready for your day tomorrow. Don’t worry about Crown, he’ll be fine.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” I responded, getting out of my chair. I go over to him and kiss his cheek, then rub the top of Crown’s head. “He’ll be with me at the cabin.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” daddy chortles.

I roll my eyes before going inside. Thank the Gods I have an understanding daddy. I had a little more pep in my step as I went to my room to pack my bag. I’m ready to have a relaxing weekend with my mate. I’ll deal with the Pack bullshit when I return Monday evening.

Chapter 13

Braxton

This morning, I woke up on cloud nine. After calling Nyah last night and finding out her father didn’t hate me for my actions, it put me in a better mood. But when she informed me that she would be spending the weekend with me, that’s all that mattered.

I was actually up and dressed before Levi, which never happened. Room service had brought the breakfast I ordered, and I was getting ready to dive in when Levi came into the living room in his robe. He stared at the food, then rubbed his eyes.

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