Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 190

"What if it is?" I ask.

"And if it is?" he asks.

I shrug. I don't know. If today's the day they attack, shouldn't we be doing something?

He slumps a bit before rubbing his hands over his face. "Okay, look at it this way. Every day there are millions of things that could kill you. Cars, the cafeteria food, the werewolves you call friends. But, come Monday, none of that'll stop you from getting into the car to go to school, eating lunch so your stomach doesn't growl by fifth period, and hanging out with your friends. Why? Because it's not healthy, productive, or realistic to live every moment fearing for your life. Even in this situation."

He yawns again, but this time he actually tries to stop it. He gives me a sympathetic look. "If they do come today to attack, ask yourself this. What reasonable measure isn't being taken right now to ensure your safety?" he asks. "The answer is none. There's a guard outside. You've got your undeniably amazing and fit enough to take a werewolf on older brother, me, listening out for you. Mom and Dad in the next room. In the safety of your home." He looks into my eyes, sincerely. "Don't get me wrong, we can spend all night creating game plans on what the enemy might do, or," He really drags out that word. "We could trust that at least one of your mistresses is doing his job outside, and get some sleep so that tomorrow we can really make some power moves."

A lot of time passes, but he doesn't rush me or push me to pick one thing or the other. Eventually I say, "... Sleep sounds good."

"Great choice." He fluffs his pillow, laying his head on it. "Goodnight." He waves me away.

"So that's it?" I ask, even though he's right. I can't think of anything else that needs to be said.

"Yup," he says. "Unless you're scared. In which case," he pats the bed beside him. "You're welcome to take this half of the bed that I hate, if it makes you feel better. Either way I've gotta go to sleep."

I don't take him up on his offer at first. I go back to my room, lying down in the dark that makes the warm and cozy room feel freezing. I haven't been afraid of the dark in ages, but when I hear the wind against my broken window, and I remember that quite literally anyone could waltz right in through it, not even my bedside lamp can stop my shaking or my panicked mind from conjuring up the worst case scenario.

I grab my pillow and run like there's something in the dark. In the night. In the glow of the moon, nipping at my heels, trying to get me. I shove Michael's half asleep ass over and stare at the glow of his game system like it's another thing trying to kill me. Michael would be the only one able to sleep peacefully at a time like this, knowing what he does.

I don't think I'll ever sleep again, and I don't know why. When did I get so scared of things? When did the idea of werewolves stop being... fantastical? When did it turn into a nightmare? Why can't I breathe right now?

Michael sighs again, which scares me half to death because I thought he was asleep. He throws an arm around me and doesn't say anything else.