As soon as Marisol's voice resonated through the battlefield, earning all their attention, Nicole released the wolf she'd been tormenting, its body dropping onto the floor with a loud thud as she leaped towards her daughter and immediately pulled her into an embrace.
Marisol's eyes immediately welled up with tears at the warmth of her familiar embrace, overwhelmed with emotion and her chest tightening with the force of it. She couldn't imagine just how much she'd missed this. Just the scent of her mother so close, mixing with hers, reduced her into a sobbing mess.
She could also feel the concern and worry of her people, her father's protective presence was like a soothing balm to her soul, but she couldn't help but feel something different about it.
Nicole finally broke the hug and pulled back to look at her daughter, her own eyes filled with tears. "My baby," she cooed, her voice trembling with emotion as she took Marisol's face into her hands. "I'm so sorry we didn't realize something was wrong sooner. We should have come for you sooner."
Marisol hugged her mother tightly at the words, basking in the familiarity of her embrace. "It's okay, Mom," she assured wetly, "I'm just glad you're here now."
Nicole nodded, sniffling loudly, "That witch's spell deceived us." She explained, shaking her head in regret. "We thought you were safe. We should have known better."
Liam's footsteps drew nearer, pulling Cedric and Caleb along as if they were rag dolls, his grip strong and unforgiving. Marisol felt a surge of fear and anger rise within her as she watched him manhandle her mate.
Unable to contain herself, she cried out, "Dad, stop!"
Liam halted, seemingly not having even realized what he'd been doing as he looked to blink back to reality before releasing them quickly, "Marisol." he said, his voice softening with emotion.
Marisol felt her lips wobble as she closed the distance between them and fell into his embrace, "I'm sorry, Marisol," he murmured, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I should have protected you better."
Marisol felt a pang of guilt as she looked into her father's eyes. She had always been his little girl, and she couldn't bear to see him in pain. "It's okay, Dad," she said, mirroring his expression, "You're here now, that's all that matters."
He forced a smile before he swiftly turned around to face the brothers who were only just picking themselves off the ground, "You bastards!" He growled, lunging at them again. He got hold of Cedric this time, fingers fisted in his collar.
"Dad, please!" she screamed, her voice trembling with emotion. "Please, you can stop now. You're hurting my mate!"
That effectively stopped Liam in his tracks, Nicole also turning to look at her in wonder.
Liam snarled at his daughter, wondering what had come over her. "What's this? Didn't they trick you? They kept you here against your will. For months now, they've kept you caged like an animal, you said so yourself!" He argued back, enraged.
"Dad!" She growled, her voice heavy with command. "Don't touch him."
It was only then that Liam realized just how much she'd changed. She was also bearing the mark of one of these two wolves.
He straightened up, still taking the bloodied man with him as he exchanged a look with Nicole.
'She's mated. Her powers have been activated too. If you go any further, she won't be able to hold back even if you're her father. Let go honey.'
"Dad, please," Marisol begged, quietly this time, "I'll explain everything, but you have to let him go first."
Liam hesitated, his gaze flickering between his daughter and wife. He was still seething with anger, but after a while, his grip finally loosened.
"Fine," he grumbled, "But they better not try anything funny, and you'd better have a good explanation for all of this."
Marisol sighed, in relief, Cedric was released. Her heart ached at his ragged look, and she itched to run to his side, but she knew she had to convince her parents that she was in her right senses first. She also worried about Cedric's pride, fussing over him right in front of everyone present would only make him seem weak.
He had to stand tall in front of her father if they were going to get his blessings. It shouldn't look like he couldn't hold his own no matter what.
Liam would never let Marisol be with anyone who he thought was weak and couldn't protect her.
She sucked in a deep breath and gestured towards the entrance to the pack house. Thankfully, there was no other argument as she led them in.
As soon as her parents were comfortable, with James and Garrett standing around stiffly and refusing to take a seat, Marisol dived into the story of all that had happened.
She started from her arrival by finding out about the prophecy, Guinevere's curse, and her time at Redwood. She spoke quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush as she tried to convey the urgency of the situation.
Her parents listened intently, their expressions shifting from shock to concern as they absorbed her words. When her story ended, there was a tense silence as they processed everything they had heard. Marisol's heart pounded in her chest as she awaited her father's reaction.
She finally understood what felt different about her father's presence. She had looked to him for protection her entire life. Now, she finds that she feels the safest with Cedric.
It was a slow process of acceptance, but it was true. Right now, her wolf was going wild inside her head, feral at the fact that her father had disrespected their mate right in front of her. Marisol knew that his protectiveness had always been a little too much, but this time, she couldn't entirely fault him. Atleast now, he knew the whole story.
Suddenly, Liam's thoughtful demeanor changes. With a ferocious growl, he leaped to his feet and grabbed both Cedric and Caleb, knocking their heads together before unleashing a brutal beating upon them. Marisol's eyes widened in horror as she watched her father's violent outburst.
"Stop!"
"You fools!" Liam growled, ignoring her protest, "You dare take my daughter out of the safest place for her and bring her here to endanger her?!" His voice was filled with rage and contempt as he delivered a series of blind punches at them.