Chapter 7: Meeting the Parents

*Ada*

I felt my breath hitch in my throat as the anticipation of feeling his lips on mine climaxed. Bryson  was about to kiss me. I hadn't even thought about if it was what I wanted or not. My body didn't have to think about it though. The beating of my heart was confirmation enough.

My eyes drifted closed.

"ADA!!!"

I jumped as I heard my name screamed through the previously silent woods. I would recognize that voice anywhere.

I panicked and pushed Bryson away from me, my eyes darting around me to find out where the source of the voice was. I heard spluttering from beside me and realized that when I had pushed Bryson in my panic I had ended up pushing him further into the water. I didn't have time to help him, I jumped up to stand between him and the intimidating man that was barreling toward us.

"Dad, stop!" I yelled out, making sure that I was standing between the two and putting up my hands in an attempt to physically stop him. "This isn't what it looks like!"

I wasn't even sure what it was…

My father continued to march forward, unphased by my words or my hands. I moved to step in front of him again, but he just grabbed my arm and ripped me to the side, pouncing on Bryson behind me.

The panic in my chest escalated and I scrambled to help him. Bryson's injury still wasn't fully healed, he was too weak to fight.

"Dad, stop!" I yelled, banging my fists against his back.

He swatted me away as if I was just an annoying bug.

I watched as my father pulled Bryson from the water. Bryson glanced at me and didn't even lift a hand against my father as he landed a punch right to his chin, knocking him back to the water.

Was he not fighting my father…for me?

"Please, stop!"

Bryson righted himself again, but stayed impassive. His jaw clenched as my father lifted his fist again, preparing for another punch.

This time I moved towards Bryson instead of my father. I pushed him back and out of the way just in time as my father's fist swung through the air.

I didn't get there in time to avoid the punch myself though.

My father's fist was flying through the air and I saw the awareness alight his eyes as he realized what was about to happen as well. However, it was too late for him to stop either. There was only a split second until his fist would hit my face.

Yet just before it made contact I felt a giant tug from behind. I cried out in surprise as I fell backwards, feeling the air whoosh past my face. Then, with a soft, but wet thud I landed in a pair of extended arms.

I looked up to see Bryson holding me. He wasn't looking at me though…

A flash of things happened all at once. There was a loud growl from the man holding me, the vibrations rumbling against me. And his eyes were locked on my father. Still not looking down at me, he twisted me around, placing me softly behind him, and then took a protective stance in front of me.

Bryson had been resigned and inactive moments before while being attacked, but now he stood coiled in front of me, his teeth bared and one arm wrapped protectively to keep me where I was.

My father had jerked back when he had realized where his fist would have hit, thankfully making the punch easier to avoid, but he still didn't look happy at the current development.

"Ada, what the hell!" he yelled. "What are you doing?"

He reached out to me, but a loud growl broke through Bryson's clenched teeth in front of me. My eyes widened at his response. He was protecting me.

Warmth filled me and I had to admit that the feeling felt nice, but I could see my dad getting more antsy in front of me. However, with Bryson and I so close together now he seemed too worried to attack again with the added risk of hitting me.

At least it got my dad to stop his assault for a moment.

"Dad, you have to listen to me," I said in a more level voice now that the fighting had stalled. "He isn't a rogue, he is from Grandmoon. He's one of the pack leaders."

My dad's gaze didn't leave the man in front of me, who was still crouched in the water in a defensive pose.

I lifted my hand up and placed it gingerly on Bryson's shoulder. He moved slightly at my touch, but didn't relax.

"Hey, I'm alright," I said softly. "It's okay."

Bryson still remained in the same position for another moment or two, but then, as if forcing himself, he straightened back up and let his lips curl back down over his teeth. He still kept his arm around me and stayed in front, his eyes not leaving my father's figure.

It still helped deescalate the situation slightly though, so I would take what I could get. Now my dad was looking between Bryson and I, confusion taking charge over the rage that had been there before.

Shit. This was not going well at all. This was not how I expected them to meet. Well, in fact, I hadn't wanted them to meet at all.

If I had, it would have gone nothing like this.

Anger crossed my dad's expression again. "Wait. Did you say Grandmoon?"

Double shit.

Why had I not thought to hide the fact that he was from Grandmoon? Especially knowing my parents' feelings on the matter.

"Who the hell are you?" My father asked, jabbing his finger at Bryson. "And why is a wolf from Grandmoon in the Western Pack?"

"My name is Bryson, sir," Bryson said. "It was a common case of the wrong place, wrong time scenario. I had been running errands as one of my chores when I encountered some rogues. They attacked me and I was weakened in the process. Somehow Ada found me though and has been slowly nursing me back to health."

I tried not to show any emotions during his speech. I knew he was lying about some of the parts, but he had done such a convincing job that I didn't want to blow his cover by reacting in some odd way and tip off my dad.

"That's admirable of her," he said, looking at me, the disapproving dad look clear on his face. "But if you were attacked by rogues while out and about that means that people must be out looking for you. You can't stay here, someone from your pack might misunderstand and think we took you."

I hadn't thought of that. Holding Bryson could put our pack in danger…then again though, what he had told my father was a lie. He had never once mentioned that anyone would be looking for him.

"You have to go back," my father continued, making my stomach clench. "Immediately."

When neither of us moved my dad raised his voice. "I mean right now."

I felt Bryson's hand tighten against me. I could practically see Bryson's brain twisting as it tried to think of a way out of this situation.

"This isn't a discussion, Ada. Let him leave and come with me now."

I squeezed Bryson's shoulder as worry grew. There was obviously no convincing my dad of anything else. Bryson turned to look at me and I saw his eyes flash black as he saw the worry that must be on my face.

"Dad, he isn't well enough to leave yet," I attempted, not taking my eyes from Bryson. "If you just-"

"ADA. NOW!" my father screamed, and I felt the inkling of the alpha command in his voice.

Since I didn't have my wolf yet it didn't work on me, but it still got its point across. I felt the corners of my eyes sting as if tears were forming there as I looked at Bryson. I wasn't sure why I was so emotional about it, but I didn't want him to go.

His hand twitched next to me, and I wondered if he was thinking about grabbing my face again, or if he was wishing he could punch my dad.

Bryson surprised me by turning the rest of the way around and pulling me in for a hug. I hadn't realized how cold the water was until Bryson's arms were wrapped around me.

I hugged him back, aware that my father was watching us closely.

"Thank you for all your help," Bryson said as he continued to hug me.

Then he lowered his voice and spoke right in my ear so that my father wouldn't hear.

"I will see you soon."

I felt my chest lift and the sadness creeping in receding back.

I opened my mouth to say something back, but was interrupted by a rough hand grabbing my arm and yanking me out of Bryson's.

I heard another low growl and was aware that my father had snatched me out of Bryson's arms and was pulling me away.

"There. You said your goodbyes, now let's go," my father huffed, not even looking at me.

My eyes found Bryson's and I realized that it was him that had growled. He was watching me walk away with anger clouding his face. He took a step forward as if he was going to follow us but I quickly shook my head and placed my finger to my lips.

Bryson looked at me and closed his eyes, taking a couple of deep breaths. But then he opened his eyes and it was I that had to remind myself not to follow him.

When he opened his eyes, the anger had been replaced with anguish. He watched in dismay as I was being led away, and the look on his face made me want to turn around and comfort him.

It was a much stronger reaction than I expected. We had gotten close after spending so much time together the last few days, but I hadn't realized that he had been feeling anything too…

Like I was.

The trees engulfed me and I suddenly couldn't see Bryson anymore, making my chest uncomfortably heavy. I fought the impulse to return and allowed my father to keep dragging me along.

He waited until we were almost all the way back to the pack until finally letting go of my arm and whipping around to face me.

"What the hell are you doing, Ada?" He asked in a voice that sounded like he was trying not to scream. "How could you risk the pack's safety like this? And a Grandmoon Member? You've got to be kidding."

"What was I supposed to do, dad, just leave him there to die?" Even saying the words out loud hurt.

"You definitely shouldn't have hidden it! That's for damn sure."

"He was Grandmoon," I said slowly. "I know how you and mother are about them."

"I don't give a shit if it was a rogue, you have to tell me these things," his anger turned to wariness in his eyes. "You know what this means right?"

A different assortment of nervousness piled into me at his words.

"No, please, I promise. I won't do it again, I'll tell you everything. Please. I promise," I lied, hoping my rambled pleading would change the outcome. "If you would just tell me what our problem with Grandmoon is, then I would know why I need to tell you."

It didn't.

"I'm sorry, Ada-bug, you know I can't tell you that. And you know I can't play favorites. Especially when it comes to punishment."

Damn it.

"Go to the room of reflection until I come and get you," he said, not looking at me.

I hung my head and did as I was told. This isn't a battle worth fighting, and it wasn't one I was going to win. I started walking off.

"Ada," my dad said slowly, causing me to turn back around.

He seemed nervous about what he was going to say.

"Is he…Is that guy…is Bryson your…" he stopped talking and looked at me and then continued more to himself than me. "No, that's not possible. Sorry, nevermind."

"Oookaaaay," I said, drawing out the word.

I went to turn around, but was stopped by him again.

"Spend this time reflecting on yourself as well," he said, looking at me as if there was something on my face. "Maybe it will be good for you."

Yeah, right. But I turned around and headed off anyway, with Bryson's words keeping me going.

I will see you soon.

I had anticipated that one day Dad would discover his identity, but when that day arrived, I felt some what surprised.

Where do we go from here with our relationship?

 Why are my parents so against me knowing people from King Palace? What secrets lie hidden here?