Startled, I looked at the door. It was David, he looked murderous, his gaze flew to my mom. She quickly stood, Trenton stood holding her hand, Aaron and Baron stood around her like some kind of protection.
I stood as well, my head bowed in fear and nerves knotted painfully tight. I did not know what to expect from him. I was trying hard not to tremble visibly, I guess Zach and Lucas noticed it because they both flanked my sides as a form of support too. I was grateful because I was on the verge of slipping into unconsciousness, not to mention the fact that Greg and Bryan were still locked in the room. Only the Moon Goddess could say how they were faring, I just hope they were not dead. They could die someplace else but not here.
"No one is saying anything." David looked at all of our faces.
"Mom and Katherina are going no where, dad." Trenton was the first to speak which surprised David.
"And who said they were going anywhere in the first place?" He asked.
"You said it is a disappointment and a smear of your reputation to have a wolf-less step daughter." Mom told him. She was trying to stand up for herself, and also defend me.
"But I never said you guys should leave." David argued.
"Then what did you mean by that statement?" Mom was finding her confidence now and taking angry steps toward him.
"You know how things like this can be. It came as a shock to me, Liz. But that does not mean I want you out of my life or home. Look at what we've built." He gestured to all of us.
That left mom speechless for a second, then she spoke up again. "But why would you make that statement?"
David sighed, them he looked at me. "Come, Kathy." He beckoned.
I walked to him, my eyes searching his.
He spread his arms wide. "May I?"
I heaved a relieved sigh. This was David, the man that had taken me in and treated me as a father would his daughter. He had not complained when I called him by his name, even when his son's had gotten close to mom and called her mom. Well, except for Baron who said 'stepmom' instead of mom but it was still a lot.
He had given me my own car, a new phone, changed my wardrobe every other week even though it was totally unnecessary. I understood his disappointment and pain, being an Alpha came with a lots of responsibilities and the last thing any Alpha would want was to allow anything ruin his reputation. He knew about my wolf-less nature and still, he was willing to accept me. To love me as he had always done.
A new feeling greeted me and I knew it was affection for him. A certain kind of love that should exist between daughter and her father. I smiled. "Yes, dad."
His grin widened as he drew me gently into his embrace, I wrapped my arms around his built frame too. "Thank you, dad." I felt emotional, my throat was heavy with them. I stood on tiptoe to whisper to him. "Thank you for not letting my mom go."
"You both are going nowhere." He whispered back and that warmed my heart greatly.
I drew back and grinned at him. "Yes sir." I gave a mock salute.
He chuckled, then looked at my mom. "Come here, mate."
Mom's eyes were filled with tears and she wasted no time entering the embrace of her mate. She sobbed into his chest, he patted and consoled her until she stopped crying. "I was scared to leave." She told him.
"I was more scared seeing your luggage downstairs. Don't do that again." He had eyes only for my mom.
"I won't." And she fixated hers on him too.
They both engaged in a passionate kiss. It was kind of weird seeing mom in that position with a man, but it was sweet too. Lucas and Zach whistled joyfully. I turned to see Trenton smile, Baron too. Aaron met my gaze and held it, the memory of the two of us in my bathroom flashed and I quickly looked away, flushing hard.
When they finally pulled away from the kiss, mom turned to look at all of us, a certain kind of joy radiated through. Her smile was full and genuine. She looked more than happy. "Come here all of you, my six children."
Lucas was the first to go to her, Zach pulled me along. Trenton walked over. Baron and Aaron joined in too.
"Family group hug." She announced cheerfully.
It was a warm one full of promises and love.
"It's late, you guys should be in bed by now. There's school tomorrow…today I mean." Dad said.
"Yes but we're not going." Zach informed him.
I was half expecting him to disagree and insist on us going but he searched all of our faces. "You all agreed to this?"
"Yes." The boys replied.
With a crooked brow, he stationed his gaze on me. "Even you, Kathy."
"Yes dad." I nodded in confirmation.
"Okay. Then let's all file downstairs and have a family time before we finally go to bed."
"No Alpha duties?" Mom inquired.
"Nothing that can not be shifted." He offered his arm and mom snaked hers through his and in a single file, we followed the mate-birds.
"Where's my luggage?" Mom asked, pointing at the empty space where her luggage had stood before.
"You think you can get away from me? Not possible." Dad said.
That made mom laugh. I saw maids miling around. They were not here before. What time was it? I was not with my phone. Lucas was behind me.
"Do you have your phone with you?" I asked him.
"Yes. What's up?"
"What's the time?"
He checked his phone. "It's past four am."
"Wow. The night has been long and filled with events." I told him.
"Yes, it has." He held my hand.
I looked at our hands. "What is it?"
"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" He asked.
Lucas was the first of the Salvatore boys to accept me without question. He had made a mistake, but he still had a special place in my heart. "Yes, boyfriend."
He grinned widely.