Page 57 of Finding Her Panthers

“Of course. That’s what family does.” She is honestly confused by me suggesting that something is wrong with it.

“Dads don’t have sex with their daughters. They are supposed to protect them from things like that,” I speak slowly, hoping something goes through.

“They aren’t my real dads,” she replies, clearly confused, looking at me like I’m the crazy one.

“Yes, but what they did to you when you were way too young to understand or consent was wrong.”

She frowns at me hard, and then her face transforms into a rage. Swinging her hand, she slaps me hard across the face, forcing my head to the side.

The blood dripped from my lip where she caught it with her ring. Okay, the gloves are off now. There is no reasoning with her.

I slowly turn my head to look at her, showing all the anger and disgust at her, at this whole fucked up situation. I give free rein to my temper. “If you think for one second I will willingly be your family or let this friend get his dick anywhere near me, you're crazy. Wait, I guess that ship’s sailed, right? You’re already batshit. My mates will never love you. They will never become your family. They are mine and always will be. Blue has always known there was something fucked up with you. That’s why you didn’t waste time on him. He caught on before anyone else.” I watch her eyes turn to black.

“Daddy will make you. He’ll make you listen,” she warns, using her other hands to pull my hair back, making my head tilt back. “You will love him as he deserves.” She tugs viciously, ripping a chunk out.

“Are you telling family secrets, daughter?”

“No, Daddy. Just welcoming her into the family.” She quickly releases my hair and turns to smile at the man that spoke.

“Rena. I’m so glad you agreed to join us.”

I watch in horror as the man that said he was my grandfather steps into the barn. Ames smiles brightly at me as he walks toward me. He dressed more like a businessman now, a sharp navy suit, shiny shoes, his hair slicked back. At the house, he slumped over, making himself appear much smaller in frame, innocent, just a grandfather looking at his granddaughter. The look in his eyes now scares me, full of heat, affection, and calculation.

“Who are you?” I whisper, fear creeping in.

“I remember your mother. She was beautiful, just like you. That same long dark hair.” He runs the tips of his fingers through my hair. “She was a panther, too. I wanted to be with her so badly. But your father just kept taking her away. I could see it in her eyes, begging me to rescue her. I had no choice but to do as she demanded.” He traces my cheek. “Did you hit her?” he asks Cindy, turning to her, glaring.

I shudder, disgusted by his touch. “She was your daughter.” This is way too demented.

“Oh, not really. You see, I killed her real dad and took his place,” he explains distractedly, switching his attention back to Cindy, finding nothing wrong with what he just said.

I glanced at Cindy behind him, and at some point, Scotty joined us, sulking in the corner. My eyes go back and forth between them.

I expect someone to jump out at some point and yell, “Just kidding!” This can’t be happening. When does shit like this happen in real life?

Apparently, right now, they are dead serious. He calmly takes his suit jacket off, folding it meticulously to lay across a barn door. He undoes his cuffs and rolls up his sleeves as he walks back over to Cindy, backhanding her. He doesn’t even look at her as she falls to the ground. He just gives me his attention again.

“How?” I ask weakly. I don’t remember my mother, but I have never felt closer to her than now. The hell she must have gone through before she died. I push away the sympathy towards Cindy that tries to rise.

“I was privileged to be a part of a prestigious group of like-minded individuals who wanted to study those that turned into animals.”

“Hunters? Aren’t you a wolf?”

“I wasn’t always a wolf, dear. I met your grandfather when I was stalking your mother. She was stunning, and I can admit I was already a little in love with her at that time. I knew I had to be close to her. I was supposed to kill her so I could take her back to the lab. I just couldn’t do it.” He looks off wistfully. “The moment she saw me and smiled, my priorities changed.”

“My grandfather?”

He snaps back to the present. “He wasn’t sure what to make of me. I looked very similar to him. Stroke of luck there. It made everything easy in the end. Anyway, I turned on the charm, fooled him into believing I was just out for a walk. The plan started to form. I followed him. Learned his routine, everything he liked, everything he didn’t. I studied every move he made. I became him. Before I made the killing blow, I forced him to turn me, to make me a wolf. It was crucial to my plan. It wasn’t natural to be turned outside the mating bond. At first, I thought I would be stuck, half shifted, never fulfilling my destiny. I was one of the lucky ones to make it through the transition.” He beamed.

“They never suspected?”

“Maybe once or twice I would catch Brian looking at me strangely.” Seeing my eyes widen, he expands. “That was your father’s name, Brian. Your mother was Katherine. She was everything to me. Kerian became my grandson. Kids are much easier to fool. They just want love and acceptance. Adults are more cynical, let down by the world too many times.” He shakes his head sadly.

“You killed them,” I say, trying to connect the dots. How can someone kill the one he loves? Obviously, he’s batshit, too.

“Sure, I had to. They put everything together, eventually, or at least your mother did. She knew who I was, what I had done. I planned on running away with her, you and your brother, taking you away with me. Katherine yelled at me, calling me crazy and a freak.” He points at his chest in agitation. “I confessed all then, confirmed everything. I explained how much I loved her, and we could take the kids and start over together, somewhere else. You know what she did?” he asks. I shake my head. “She laughed at me, actually laughed.”

Go, mom. She had guts. I began to see her motivation for what she did. But she had to know how well he would take that. I’ve only been around him a short time, and I know he’s nuts.

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