Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 165

Chapter 165

Elena’s POV

The moment my father hung up the phone, I turned to him and held up the list.

“Is Kade coming tonight?”

My father glanced at the list, where Crescent Hollow was written in his familiar handwriting. To my relief, he shook his head. “He never RSVP’d.”

“But you invited him,” I pointed out.

He sighed. “I had to, Elena. It’s Tyler’s Alpha Ceremony; if any packs in the region are excluded, it could cause issues, and Tyler doesn’t need that during his first week as Alpha. It was only a formality, I assure you.

I sank into the chair beside me and tossed the list aside. It was reassuring to know that Kade probably wasn’t going to show up; if he were, then I might need to sit this one out, which I really didn’t want to do. This was a very important day for my brother, and I couldn’t bring myself to miss it.

If my father noticed the perturbed expression on my face, he didn’t mention it; he had learned, over the years, when to pry and when not to.

Instead, he leaned forward and said, “You know, tonight could be special for you, too.”

I looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

My father gestured to the calendar on the far wall-a red X indicated that the full moon was tonight. I knew what he was going to say before he even said it.

“No.” I finished the last of my tea and stood once more “I’m not finding a mate tonight. My vows state—”

“Your vows state that your primary goal in life must be healing-but they do not disallow you from finding love,” my father said quietly. “Besides, Elena, you’re still young. You’re always following your vows to the letter. Even the most seasoned healers know that the vows are antiquated and they’re not all mandatory. There is wiggle room.”

I bristled at that. “Yeah, well, I’m different. I have a Silver Wolf-I was sent back here for a purpose, and healing is my purpose. I have to follow my vows, because it’s my duty.”

“Is it your duty?” My father leveled me with a gentle but firm look. “Or is it your way of running away from your true emotions? From your past?”

My heart lurched at the bitter reminder, and I looked away before my father could see the tears brewing in my eyes. Ever since… well, everything, I had thrown myself into my healing like my life depended on it.

Maybe it did depend on it; if I didn’t make healing the whole focus of my life, then I would only spiral into the abyss that was always there, always threatening to swallow me. A yawning chasm of pain and memories and the cries of a baby that I’d never get to hear again.

“Look, Elena, I don’t mean to force anything upon you, nor do I mean to dredge up the past,” my father said, rising from his seat. “I just don’t want to see you not living a full and rich life because of your vows-and because of your history.”

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Chapter 165

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“My life is full and rich thanks to the good I get to do for rogues. I don’t need a man for that.”

My father’s shoulders deflated a little. He reached out and touched the silver pendant around my neck, which I still wore every day, rain or shine. “I just want you to be happy,” he whispered.

I took his hand in mine and squeezed it. “I am happy.” I released him and turned then, unwilling to continue the conversation that we’d been having for two years now. “I’m going to get ready for tonight.”

With that, I retreated to my room, where I drew a bath. While I waited for the steaming water to fill the tub, I undressed in front of the mirror. I had indeed gotten skinnier lately, but I still looked a far cry from the sobbing girl who returned to Nightshade with only a baby blanket seven years ago.

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