David seemed to be thinking, I could tell he was uncomfortable with being called out for his shit, and I could also see he really was trying to apologise for his actions.
"I do have a question for you, though," I said. He lifted his head and looked at me, his face unreadable. "Why didn't you tell me about Zoe? Why did you stop her from being a part of our lives?"
David sat back in the chair like he was trying to find the words. "If you knew about Zoe, you could have left, and she was a part of your mother's old life, the life she had with your father. I guess I was jealous that your mother loved someone other than me. I made it no secret that I felt betrayed that she had a child with someone who wasn't her mate, so I made her cut ties with her family." I was appalled at his reasoning. He basically made my mother choose her family or her mate, which it's almost impossible to go against the mate bond.
David seemed to grow tense under my glare. I didn't even realise I was glaring at him until I saw him look to Mitch, who was already on his feet staring at me. I closed my eyes and took some deep breaths through my nose, I could feel my fangs protruding and taste my own blood in my mouth. Regaining control, I relaxed. That was the first time I had actually managed to gain full control of my emotions and instincts. David's answer was so selfish it made my blood boil.
Once I was settled down, I grabbed my coffee and let the burn from the scolding liquid distract me from ripping him apart. I had no doubt in my mind now that if it came to that, I could easily overpower and kill him. I couldn't do that though I had to think of Lily.
"So, after Mum died, what was your excuse for not letting her see us? And don't say it was me running off because you and I both know I would never leave Lily in your care." He went to protest but shut his mouth.
"Well after your mother died, I just didn't see the point in bringing it up. You lived without her, so what's the point? Then when you started working there, I was quite shocked she didn't tell."
"She didn't say anything because she knew I would never leave Lily behind, and also so you wouldn't stop us from seeing her. She didn't care what sort of contact she had with us, she just wanted to be a part of our lives." David nodded his head in understanding. Listening to my words before speaking again.
"Well… so how do we go about this whole custody agreement?"
"What agreement, David? I haven't agreed to anything. Lily will remain with me until you either prove yourself, or she is old enough to choose."
"But surely, we can organise some routine so I can spend some time with her, or maybe even a time when you and Lily come and stay at the Pack house, so she is still around her Pack members?"
Mitch seemed to stiffen at the last part. There would be little chance of Reid ever letting me go back to my old Pack. "You would have to speak to Reid about that, David."
"But he isn't Lily's father. I should have some say,"
"I'm his mate, I will not go against him. If he won't allow me to stay at our old Pack house, then I am sorry David, but I will not allow you to be alone with Lily without me there. I didn't do this, you did. You made your bed so, for now, you need to lay in it and do things on my terms. If you don't agree to it, that is fine, I understand. But you won't be seeing Lily until I say so or she is old enough to understand and decide for herself." I would never back down when it comes to Lily's safety, and I had to lay it all out there because if he thinks I am just going to be pushed to the side and let him take over, he is sadly mistaken. I won't allow him to damage my sister any more than he already has.
David stood up about to protest, I remained seated, keeping calm. Mitch stood up and started making his way towards the table when Alpha David looked in his direction, he sighed before reigning in his emotions.
"I see at the moment we aren't going to agree on anything, I really need to talk to you about something else but wish to do so in private" Mitches phone suddenly started ringing, cutting David off. David looked at Mitch, who answered it. It was clear he was on the phone to Reid. "Some other time then Aria, can I pick Lily up after school with you?"
I nodded in agreement and told him to meet me in front of the school at 2:20. I promised I would stop in early to meet her classmates and teacher. That would also give me enough time to let the warriors that patrol the border to allow David back into the territory.
I escorted David out and watched him leave. Walking back inside, I was suddenly stopped by Mitch. He was carrying my jacket and had keys in his hand. "Come on Ari, Alpha wants you to come to meet him at his office. You really need to reign in your emotions. He has been hounding me the entire time you were talking to David, and now he is that anxious, he has ordered I bring you to him." I rolled my eyes at him, I could just overthrow him, but I know that would not only piss Reid off but also Ryder. The last thing I need is an angry possessive werewolf on a rampage to hunt me down so I decided it is best to go willingly.