Max muttered something to Jerry at our sigh. Grace smiled our way. I waved my hand at them and sat down on the bench. Silver sat next to me and Elizabeth next to her.
"We have ordered our food," Grace cheerfully said.
I managed a smile keeping my sadness away.
They kept talking, planning their next place to find the book. I placed my head on Silver's shoulder. All eyes turned to me.
"Will we find ever a way to reach him?'' I asked.
" Yes, you're not alone. We're here for you. We all." Max said.
"True, " Elizabeth chimed.
"I'm fed up hearing it," I said.
"Is he Mr. Dawson?" Grace asked, looking over my head.
"What's he doing here?" Max muttered under his breath.
Everyone turned to greet him as a shadow towered over my sitting position. I could count him on my enemy list without knowing a reason. His wife got banned from the academy because of me, his daughter lost her wolf because of me. He must be glaring at me.
"Is there any pack meeting? No one informed me." Max asked. He was already on his feet.
"I came to visit Donovan." I heard his deep voice. My gaze was only over my food. I hadn't decided yet what I should eat, "Miss Emersyn Nelson," He softly said my name.
My chin lifted up slowly, my eyes catching the figure, towering over me. He didn't look older than Charles. His grey eyes looked down at me softly. I wasn't seeing any hatred for me. Indeed he looked happy. His blond hair was tucked in a pony behind his nape.
My jaw dropped. I had seen him many times. My mother had his picture in her old closet in the old house. It couldn't be. He couldn't be my father. That's mean.
"Your parents are here," Elizabeth said.
That was the last thing I wanted. They stopped to converse. The smile faded from my mother's face when she inhaled the air. Her steps quickened at us. She had gone through a lot because of him.
"Mom!" I smiled cheerfully.
Her gaze turned to me and it softened immediately. She couldn't hold her anger more than a second when it was about me and Ava and Luke too.
"Is everything alright?" Charles asked in a gravel tone, stepping between mom and Mr. Dawson.
"Hey! Dear Daddy!" Gosh! I didn't want a bloody fight between them. Not in front of all watchers. Charles looked shocked for a second and then a full smile appeared on his face, "What's brought you here?" I asked. I also notice the astonishment of my friends. They must have noticed a sudden change in my behavior.
"Sweetie, is he troubling you?" My mother's gruff gaze turned to him. She looked at him as she would tear him apart. Her hard glare was matching with Silver's when she hurt me.
"No, Mrs. Quarles, " Max said on behalf of me when I was still busy looking at my angry mother.
Mr. Dawson looked at mom with an open jaw, he didn't try to hide his shock, "I didn't know Emersyn is o..." He stuttered.
"My daughter!" Her voice was full of anger and authority. Worry and turmoil were wearing me down.
Mr. Dawson was still looking at my mother, her faded bitten marks. I had seen them on Silver's neck too but she hid them only in front of me. My mother wore them proudly.
I'd be better if I pretended to not know him.
"Mom, I'm staying with my friends tonight," I couldn't quite fathom anything but I didn't want to witness a fight among them.
"No," Mom turned to me, "Silver, Betty! Would you like to stay at our place? I can talk to your parents too."
"We're not kids anymore," Silver rolled her eyes.
"We don't have any problem. We'd love to," Elizabeth said.
I arched my brows at Elizabeth, "Great! We're waiting in the car," Mom said.
"No, we'll come later mom," I added immediately when her eyes widened.
Charles put his hand on her lower back, smiling at me, "Sure, I'll send the driver to pick you up." He said.
"We can come with Jasper. Only an Alpha can open the portal." Silver smiled.
"I'll manage that," Charles smiled.
"Stay away from my daughter," She snapped at him before turning away.
Mr. Dawson glanced at my mother for a few seconds and then turned to me with a smile as nothing happened. Elizabeth opened her mouth but shut it immediately. Her words were on the tip of her tongue.
"Emersyn," His smile was reaching his eyes, "They are your friends," He ignored the warning of my mother and sat down. Why did he do this to my mother? Perhaps, they weren't mates.
"You shouldn't ignore Mrs. Quarles," Max dared to speak. He didn't say warning.
Mr. Dawson glared at him, "I haven't introduced myself, Honey. I'm Lancelot Dawson." He extended his hand.
I hated this man and he was looking extremely happy to see me. No doubt! He knew me.
Reluctantly, I extended my hand and shook. "Emma," I said. I never used my full name.
"Emersyn, I like Emersyn." He warmly shook my hand, his grey eyes never left mine.
I pulled my hand back, "They're my friends." I shouldn't say so. He wasn't my father. I hated him. I reminded myself.
"Of course, I know them." He chuckled, running his gaze on the confused faces.
I kicked Silver's feet from beneath the table. She looked at me. I just stared at him. I needed to get out of here. I should be angry but I wasn't.
"We should go. We're getting late." Silver said.
"No," Mr. Dawson shook his head, "You haven't touched your food. I'm also hungry. I've invited myself. There! " He slapped both of his hands on his thighs, making a sound of a slap. Rhett was coming holding a tray for him.
Silver shrugged her shoulders, "Well," She pulled her plate closer to her and began to eat.
I felt Max's curious gaze on me. I glared at him before turning to my food. Silver patted the back of my hand sensing my sudden tension. I wasn't going to tell them anything. Not yet at least. I sighed and dug into my food.
◐
◐
I slackened my pace when we reached home, "It's not the place I want to be right now," I said.
Jasper was still sitting behind the wheels after dropping us.
"We can do human things. You'll feel better." Elizabeth suggested.
"Good," I turned to look at Jasper. It felt as if he already knew it, "Can you drop us somewhere else." I asked him.
"I know a place," He said, gesturing to us to get in the car.
"Emma," My mother's voice cut my pace. I spun with a frown, "We need to talk." She said,
"No," I said, starting my pace. Silver and Elizabeth looked at my back.
Charles blocked my path. I stared at him, "Wrong timing, dear daddy," I said sarcastically. I said it to irk him.
Contrary, he smiled and took his hand out of his pocket. He was holding the cards, "You may need this." He shoved them in my hands, "I'll talk to her." He whispered before turning to my mother.
It was unbelievable but true. I whirled to speak but I really didn't feel able to cope. So I walked over to the car and hopped in. My thoughts were getting annoyed. I couldn't run. I should face them.
"We'll talk in the evening," I told them before getting in the passenger seat.
"So?" Elizabeth asked.
"Let's shop," I stared at the cards.
They looked at me with a grin.
"Girls!" Jasper rolled his blue eyes with a smirk and drove the car away from our residence.
We walked through a narrow dim lighted aisle. I was enclosed between my friends. They didn't want to risk any danger around me. I could hear the soft music at the end of the aisle.
"Club? '' Elizabeth squealed, quickening her steps. She elbowed Jas to walk past him.
He giggled, "Yes, only werewolves are allowed in." He said.
"Do you bring your girl here?" Silver asked.
"Usually, but everyone knows you and Elizabeth." He said.
"Oh! Your girlfriends are going to target me at first glance." I chuckled.
"That's not going to happen, sis." He held me by the elbow and tugged me toward him. He moved toward the door, his arm drew around my neck.
"See them glaring at me," I muttered. Silver shot me a look. She did not like her to remind her mistakes. It wasn't my intention.
"It's a werewolf club. I like it." Elizabeth rubbed her hands together, excitedly.
"Edward won't like it,' I chuckled.
" She's in the mood of spoiling our happiness today," Silver shot me a look. Don't spoil our fun!
I shrugged my shoulders. If I was feeling bad I wasn't showing it on my face.
"Let her enjoy her day in her way." He said, patting my shoulder.
I grinned up at him, "Ladies! He's my brother. You're free to dance with him." I pushed myself away from him. I wanted to escape the worst feelings I was feeling from the day after he left.
Cruel Lover!
The place was crowded at this time of the day. I pushed everything out of my head and rushed to the dance floor.