Chapter Four

* Emma *

My poor Dad. I could only say that in my mind, for I know that he would not accept it if I tell him that I am feeling his pain. His arrogance is still there, everybody's eyes turn to him when he forces himself to stand up from the wheelchair. Robert immediately came to his rescue but he slap his hands away. The humor in his eyes is gone, I feel that he is hurting as he slowly stood in front of me with a slight tremble in his legs, he wanted to make me see that he can still do it.

"I still have my strength to live for a decade Emma but I want you to stay with us during these times. I am giving you and Robert the authority to manage our business as Dylan will dedicate himself to the safety of the pack."

I let out a heavy sigh. It's not even a few minutes since I arrive and saw him but now he is already talking about business. My worried mother look at me and then touch my father's hands.

"Honey, let us bring Emma home and let her get some rest before we talk about these matters."

My father's face lighted up a bit. "Alright, let's head back home. We have a more important event in the Langston palace next week. It's good to have you back with us finally Emma, the Alpha King would be delighted to see you."

I look at the face of my father when he mentioned the Alpha King, something unusual with the way he brought him into the conversation. Then I glance at my mother who is also looking at him, I saw the way they exchanged meaningful glances before I felt my mother's hand over my shoulder.

"Let us take a different car while your father and the boys can ride together."

My brothers groaned especially Robert, to be called a boy on his current status is not pleasant. "Hey Robert, how is Selene?"

Remembering that he has a mate and wife made me ask him the question. He meet her before I even decided to went out of the Langston lands.

"Oh, yes Ems. She is not feeling so well on vehicles lately. But she welcomes you home and encourages me to convince you about visiting her."

The glow in my brother's eyes could only mean one thing. Robert used to be strict and very serious about things but everything changes after he got married to Selene. He did everything to please her and the two of them love each other to eternity and I am happy for both of them.

"What is wrong with her? Did she get sick?"

I raised a brow and pretend that I don't get what he mean.

"She is three months on the way Ems, we all are happy to announce that there would be an addition to this small family of ours. I gasp and hug him tight.

"Oh my! Congratulations big brother! You are going to be a father soon! This is a big reason to celebrate."

My smile is genuine when I suggested the thought.

Our father smiled proudly of Robert as he signals him to get inside the ford expedition first. "Yes, we will talk more in the house Ems."

My father turns to me as my mother help him slowly before getting in the passengers seat. "I cannot wait to tell you the even next week Emma, and I am so glad that you came back."

The sincerity in his words made me wonder, so much has change for my arrogant and mighty father. When I was younger and he was strong, he used to tell me what to do and I get grounded more often for disobeying the rule. That long ago I have no wish but to grow up and decide for myself but now it seems that my father's sickness will make us do things according to his wishes.

"Let's go Emma."

My mother holds my hand and we both get inside the other car maneuverer by  someone I did not recognize. "You have a new driver mom?"

"Oh, yes. Meet Sigfrid, his family lives near the Steel factory Ems. Sigfrid, this is my daughter, Emma."

The middle aged man glances back at us. "Hello Miss Bates, nice meeting you mam. I am the new driver for your father and Mrs. Bates."

I recognized his timid smile. His scent tells me that he is not like us, and I wonder why my mother took him.

"The feeling is mutual Mr. Sigfrid."

I frowned and look at my mother when he started driving our vehicle. There is an alarming question in my mind, but I cannot voice it out because he will hear it. So I use the mind link and question my own mother.

"He is human! Why did Do you get a human driver mom? Is this even allowed?"

My mother shrug her shoulders. "There is no harm in employing them Ems. It's true that we live in a world dominated by wolves but we must also co exist with them in order to be more peaceful. He has family to feed and your father is giving him a better salary than his fellow human being. That and the fact that he is not overworked, our intention here is to let him live a better life."

I nodded my head and smiled. "I just hope all the wolves are like you and my father when it comes to dealing with the human."

The comment I give is based on what I heard to the other wolves who uses their ability in order to use some of the humans who needed help. Even when the Alpha King forbids to hurt them but they are still vulnerable to other wolves, and more vulnerable with rogues. I shake my head and changes the thoughts inside my mind.

"What is the event in the Langston palace next week mom? Care to tell me a little bit about it."

Her expression changes and she look away when I tried to meet her gaze.

"Your father is going to discuss it with you before we attend the event Emma. It's about the betterment of your future, do not worry about it sweetie."

I let out a heavy sigh. "Could Dad think of other things than my future? I mean, I am twenty three years old mom and two years ago I left this place to build my own future. Don't you think I deserve to decide for myself?"

My mother's face turned grim as she look at me. "You are our only daughter Emma and you wanted to build a life outside the pack. The place where humans are dominating, how could you think that it is dangerous for a human being to work for us and then it is safer that you, a werewolf works for them? Did you even know how worried your father was when you did not contact us? He would stay up all night just to wait for the news about you."

I blink away the guilt which invaded my heart after hearing what she just said. However, my father should not dictate my future. When I keep my mouth shut, she continued speaking.

"It is not really a decision nor a plan that your father wants for you Emma. You are wrong about that part. We believe it is your fate as we can have the palace wizard to attest to it. Anyway I should not tell you anything else and let you and your Dad talk about it after you settled back in our home."

"Alright mom."

To stop the conversation into getting harder I agreed with her and then try to divert myself into looking outside the window. Our vehicle is not far away from my father and brother's car. In our home there would only be me and my parents as my two brothers are already living a separate place. Robert build a mansion with Selene and Dylan is staying with the pack warriors and he has also an apartment in the city.

I could still remember how happy we are used to be when we were still children and we have no clue on what our future could be. Everything begins to change when we graduated high school and my father started to suggest things that we should do instead of doing what we want. Robert begin to take over on some of the family businesses and Dylan begin to train as the pack warriors. Despite that, they are both willing to obey him and then there was me who choose to rebel.