Page 112 of Daring Her Vampires
“You’re a vampire,” he states, keeping his gaze on my boyfriends but speaking to me.
“I am. A hybrid.” He won’t look at me. “I survived, as you know. You’ve been sending me flowers for years. Why?”
“You killed her,” he whispers, looking down.
“I know that’s not true,” I say, and his head snaps up. He focuses over my shoulder. “I met Mom. She informed me of what really happened.” His body grows tight. “She left you, and you hated me for it.”
“You killed her in my eyes when you were born. She was never the same, and you were the reason. Where is she?” he demands.
“Dead,” I say ruthlessly. I want to get a reaction from him, any kind of reaction.
“What?” he rasps.
“She died trying to protect me. I was surprised to see a woman with my face. You told me she died giving birth. Why not tell me the truth?” He grinds his teeth and still won’t look at me. “She wasn’t your mate, but I think you loved her.” I see some emotion other than anger for the first time. “Is that why you hated me? I looked too much like her, and you couldn't take looking at the face who abandoned you?” He flinches and looks toward the trees across the yard. “Come on, Dad,” I sigh. “What’s the point of keeping it a secret anymore? I’m here. I’m not leaving until you give me some answers. I don’t want to be your daughter anymore. We don’t have to have a relationship. Coming here, I had no illusions of father-daughter bonding time. Nothing you say can change my opinion of you, so just be honest. I’m a big girl. I can take it.” He twists his neck, and his eyes close.
“I hated you,” he admits, meeting my gaze. I would have staggered back by the rage in the eyes that look similar to mine if not for Luca. Atlas steps beside us, slightly in front. “Every time I looked at you, I saw her face. Her beautiful, treacherous face, and I despised how it made me feel. The bitch left me witha baby and ran off with another man. How could I love you? You represented everything I lost. What if she hadn’t gotten pregnant? Perhaps she would have stayed. Instead of living out my life with the woman I love, I had to raise a child. I couldn’t forget her, and still love you. I didn’t want to be a father. You cried all the time. I couldn’t do anything right. I know you wanted to be held, but I couldn’t. I saw her in your face when you were born. At the time, I didn’t care. She was beautiful and I thought it would be alright since she loved me. I didn’t care that we weren’t mates. The universe never did me any favors, so why would I wait around for someone who didn’t exist? All that mattered was that she was with me. I was shocked when she left.” His nostrils flare. “She told me she didn’t love me, and she wasn’t made to be a mother.” I flinch, and Luca growls low. “Well, I wasn’t made to be a father.”
“That’s clear,” I whisper. “Why did you keep me?”
“What the fuck else was I supposed to do? Who was going to raise a rabbit shifter?” He kicks the weeds and puts his hands on his hips. “I thought maybe she would come back. You were my only link to the woman I love.”
“Did you feel any love for me?” I ask, not sure what I want his answer to be. What would make it less painful? He grinds his jaw and stares at me.
“No,” he says, and looks away. “Your face.” He shakes his head. “I only loved one woman with your face—”
“And it wasn’t me,” I finish his sentence and nod sadly. “I didn’t expect much, but I think I had a twinge of hope.” I bite the inside of my cheek, looking away, trying to hold the tears at bay. “I did love you. When I was young and dependent on you.”
“She died? Truly?” he asks.
“Yes. Her body was severely beaten and unable to shift.” I look at him.
“Why would she try to rescue you?” he asks, and I laugh abruptly.
“She thought I was in trouble and wanted to make up for leaving me.”
“Either way, you really did get her killed,” he says harshly. I grab Atlas’s arm as he begins to move toward him.
“Life is full of choices,” I begin, pulling away from Luca. “She chose to be with you and get pregnant. I didn’t ask to be born or for her to save me. You chose to keep me around for whatever reason. It was your hand on my head pushing me under the water. All the beatings and harsh words came out of your mouth. I didn’t ask for any of it.” I step toward him. “You decided to be a miserable person and father.” I pause and look over my shoulder. I smell other shifters and vampires. My knees grow weak as my family steps out of the trees, standing tall, their love reaching out to me. I inhale sharply—the sight is beautiful. My dad sucks in a breath and tenses. I glance at my mates, and I know what they did when they left this morning. I clear my throat and turn back to my father.
“Do you know what I chose? To survive. I ran away, but I ran toward something. It took years of loneliness, hunger, regret, and faith. I wanted something better. I reached down deep and found the strength to fight for myself since I had no family to do it. I met many good people along the way, but no one compared to who I found months ago. Family loves each other and offers support. I have that now. I’ve been accepted and worried over from shifters of every kind. They didn’t care that I was a rabbit shifter. The vampires befriended me, and gave a shit about my well-being. We have built a found family, and we would kill for each other. My mates love me and allow me to be myself. They would kill you if I asked them.” He shifts, his hands in fists. I slide my hand into the pocket of my dress and bring out my rabbit’s foot. He frowns, and I know he’s never had enoughpower to have a tool to hold it. I glide it over his skin and stare into his eyes.
“One hundred and fifty years ago, you loved a woman and the daughter she gave you. But your heart wasn’t big enough to sustain a love so beautiful.” His eyes glaze over, and I know he’s under my control. “Because of your anger and heavy hand, they died. You will live the rest of the years the universe allows, alone, lonely, and wishing for more. As the years pass, you will look within, filled with regret for what you lost. If only you would have treated your baby with the smallest of care, she would have loved you desperately. She would have cooked for you, had long talks with you, and gatherings with her new family. You never send anyone flowers, but the color yellow will always remind you of what you lost. Every time you see it, pain will shoot through your heart.” I gulp and continue to hold him under my spell. “I would have protected you. Once I love, I don’t let go. You will be the exception. My love for you died the day you put me in the water. As I step back, you will walk away and go into your house. Once inside, your new life will begin, and knowing love won’t be a part of it.” I release him and step back. I watch him shake his head and walk up the steps. Atlas and Luca stand beside me as he opens his door. He pauses briefly before going inside.
“Tricks,” Luca rumbles.
“I’m okay,” I whisper, taking a breath.
“Our brave Little Bunny,” Atlas says.
“I am,” I agree as I stare at the closed door. “I chose to be.” I look away and turn. My family hasn’t moved, and I gaze at them.“I choose you.”I send the message to their minds. “You did this,” I say to my mates.
“No. You did.” I frown at Luca. “They came because of who you are.”
“We just issued the information,” Atlas says, and I twist my lips.
“Fuck, I’m going to cry,” I sniff, but pull myself together. “I think this calls for a celebration. Let’s go to the club.” I ignore the groans from many of the men.“Yes. To the club we go.”The groans turn into curses. Holy shit. I can send group messages with my mind.
Oh, the possibilities.
