Abbie's POV
I was all smiles as the party continued, talking to old classmates and catching up with everyone. But I couldn't help but realize that Hunter kept a close eye on me.
Why was he suddenly all worried?
I finally realized when he placed his hand tightly around my waist. He cleared his throat, and I could see from the corner of my eye that he was mind-linking someone as his eyes went dark. I could hear the low growl from the back of his throat. His jaw was tight, and I could feel the tension in his body, making me tilt my head in concern.
I noticed he was looking toward the entrance, making me look towards it as well.
My eyes went wide; I felt my heart speed up and my blood run cold as I saw my father, Armand, strolling through the door. My stepmother was no longer by his side. There was another woman next to him, short in stature compared to him. He no longer looked like the menace he once portrayed. He looked rather sickly. His body was no longer a tower of muscles but frail, thin, and... Weak.
The woman standing next to him looked timid, uncertain of whether she should be here or not, that's for sure. She was in some way- the same as my stepmother: thin body, soft features, and a noble smile. She looked lovely, actually. It seems he takes a liking to girls who are too nice and too naive. If only she knew who he really was, I bet she'd make a run for it.
Or perhaps- she already knew but was too scared to leave, knowing he could probably break all of her bones if she even tried. The only difference was that my stepmom had wavy and dirty blonde hair. This girl had long, silky brown hair. Same dark brown eyes and wore very light makeup.
But what made my heart skip was the little girl in his arms. She looked not much older than Jesse. She's probably six or seven at the most. The little girl clutched her tiny hands around his neck as if he were the most loving father in the world.
She looked like a spitting image of him: same dark eyes, dark black hair, and fair skin with rosy tone cheeks. I could tell from here that she had light freckles resting over her cheekbones and nose. Her long, dark eyelashes batted, and her mouth gaped open as she looked around the big ballroom.
Intrigued by the little girl, I used my werewolf hearing to listen to her. Not very polite, but hey, sue me! I'm curious.
"Daddy, this place is so beautiful," she says in a tiny squeaky voice. "Do you like it, baby?" "I do. It's so pretty!" she replied, making me fist my hands in anger.
This is not the same Armand Montero I remembered. What the hell happened to him? And why is he suddenly so fucking lovely? I longed all my life to feel loved by him, for him to stop torturing me and treating me like garbage, but all I got were beatings after beatings.
Tara was standing just meters away. She turned, anger written on her face as she stormed toward them, and for once, I saw worry in my father's eyes. "What the hell are you doing here? I thought I told you not to come? Leave, right now?" she grits her teeth, standing before my father.
OK, please don't hate me. I know this is stupid. I hate the man, and I wish he died, but he's.... Grrr.
He's still my father. And my blood calls to him. Hunter is already walking toward them as he sees Tara being a bitch, trying to make them leave. Of course, she's talking in a low voice, trying not to make a scene, but I see the little girl clutch my father's neck tighter; obviously, she's scared of Tara. I am not going over there for him, I promise. But I will not let Tara hurt that little girl or threaten her like she did me.
I bolt over there, passing Hunter as I see Tara grip the woman's arm and try to pull her out of the room. I block her as she pushes her toward the exit, making their eyes widen like saucers. "Good evening. And welcome to the Blood Moon Pack. I don't believe we've met. My name is Abigail." I say with a big smile, extending my hand to the woman.
Tara lets go of her instantly, clenching her jaw. My father and the woman's eyes were wide in surprise. "Ab... Abbie?" he asks as his eyes fill with tears.
"That's me," I say, holding my head high. "Big sister! Daddy, it's big sister!" the little girl says, pointing at me. My eyes widen in shock as my dad's hand rests on her back. "Yes, baby. Big sister Abbie," he says, making Merida gasp in shock.
The woman lifts her hand, resting it on my father's arm, but as I look closer at her, I realize it is my stepmom. However, she looked healthier. Still short, still thin, but healthier. "Sweetheart, maybe I should take Chloe. You... you and Abbie should talk," she says, making my eyes water.
"You look... you look different." I say, puzzled by her appearance. She chuckles, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "In a good way, I hope!" she says, opening my mouth in shock. "Uhm... yeah."
"Yeah. I... I stopped dying my hair and, well, a few more changes. Abbie, you look so different. So beautiful. I... I thought we would never see you again. Tara told us you had died, but we knew... we knew it wasn't possible. Even Alpha Hunter told us you had to be alive. I'm... I'm so glad to see you, Abbie." she says, smiling politely, but I was in such shock that I couldn't move.
I should be lashing out, yelling at them, throwing punches, right? This man and his daughter made my life a living fucking hell... but why can't I?
"Mr. and Mrs. Montero, it's a pleasure to see you guys tonight. Please, why don't you come in?" Hunter says as he places his hand on the back of my waist, making me startled.
"No. That won't be necessary. They were just leaving." Tara announces, looking at them warningly, making me snap out of it. "Bitch, please! You better put this Heffer in her place, Abigail, or I will bite her head off!" Merida says in my head, making me fist my hands.
Chloe, as I learned the little girl's name, clutches my father's neck tightly, hiding her head in the curve of his neck.
"Nonsense. Armand, you look like you could use a drink to unwind. Spencer," Hunter calls out his guard, waving at him, "No, no. Thank you, Alpha Hunter, but... you know I don't drink." he says, making my eyes widen in surprise.
What? Since when does he not drink? He literally sold me for a box of whiskey! Does he not recollect?
"Oh, right! The uh... right! Well, why don't you join us for dinner? There is still plenty of food. Chloe Miss Livie made chocolate chip cookies. The ones you like with big chunks, would you like some?" Hunter asks, making the little girl's eyes widen. Her lips tug into a huge smile as she nods happily, then looks at her mom.
"Good, come on. Big sister Abbie will help you get some while Tara," he says in an alpha tone, making Tara look at him. She looked annoyed yet scared to defy Hunter. And she should, if not him, me. I will slap her across this ballroom if I need to.
"Hunter, that's not necessary. They are leaving, right?" Tara says, looking at my father, grabbing my stepmom's arm, making her look at us in concern. "Uh, rig,"
"Well, it doesn't look like they were leaving, Tara. They had just arrived; why would they leave when I saw them enter? Don't be ridiculous." I say, making her give a low growl; her eyes turn dark, showing me her wolf. Merida chuckles, "Is that bitch seriously trying to intimidate us? Don't make me come out, Felicia! I'll rip your puppy apart! Let me at her. Let me at her, Abbie!"
"Calm down, Merida. You're too much!" I say, chuckling a little as I cross my hands over my chest. "Tara, you forget this is not your pack. You're not even the Luna of your pack. You have no say in who leaves and who stays in this party. They are Hinter's guests, and as you can see, he just invited them for dinner. Now, either you can go about your way, or you can leave." I say, making her growl louder, making Hunter growl back, making her snap out, jumping as he startles her.
"Abbie is right, Tara. I'm afraid you have no say in this. Your parents are my guests. Chloe will go with the other kids to enjoy cookies and milk while you return to mingle with your friends. And you'll allow your parents to enjoy their night. I presume we won't have issues about this, right? I'd hate to escort anyone out tonight, causing them to be humiliated in front of all our guests here?" he says, making her look at him with annoyance.
"Of course not, Hunter."
"Alpha...Hunter, Tara. I already told you." he says, tightening his hold around me.
"Right. AlphaHinter. There will be no trouble. No trouble at all." she murmurs the last part, making me smirk.
"Ok... what the actual hell is going on? Why is Hunter acting nice to them? Does he not remember what we just told him earlier today? And your dad! He looks like he had a vampire suck the life out of him. Look at him. He looks like the walking dead, with hooded eyes and a frail body! He aged. Werewolves don't age that fast after we turn eighteen, Abbie. He looks like he's aging like a human being. And Tara... oh, I am going to rip her to pieces. She is for real trying to get your man, girl. You better keep her in check! But... What is going on, Abs? Seriously, I am confused!" Merida retorts, making me grunt.
"I know you're confused. I'll explain... later," Hunter mind-links me as he wraps his hand around my waist, making me grunt inwardly.
"For now, and for the sake of that little girl, let's just enjoy the night, ok? I will choke your dad later. I promise." Hunter says, making me look up at him. He winks, kissing my lips quickly. "And if you want me to throw Tara out, I will. Just say the words, baby," he whispers, making Tara grit her teeth as she can hear. I smirk, looking at her dead in the eyes, "No need. I can handle her." I whisper back, kissing his lips.
My father looked at us with his mouth gaping openly, "Did I... miss something?"
Hunter chuckles, standing proudly as he holds me tight, "Abbie and I are mates, Mr. Montero. She's soon to become my Luna." he says proudly, making Chloe and my stepmom's eyes widen in shock. "What?" Tara fumes, making me smile.
"That's right. I already marked her and everything," he says, brushing my hair back and exposing my new mark. I can see the red in Tara's eyes as she looks at me angrily.
"Wow! Uh... congratulations, alpha." my father, Armand, says. "Yes, congratulations. To both of you." my stepmom says with a polite smile. "Daddy, can we go get cookies, please?" Chloe adds. Armand can't help but look at me, making me feel uneasy.
There's a hint of sadness behind his eyes. Almost as if... He was regretting what he did. But no. I'm not falling for it. I almost lost my life out there, and all because of him. Plus, if he really regretted what he did, he could have looked for me and asked me to forgive him. But he never did, did he?
I'm not a fool. I'm not falling for this... whatever it is. He can rot in hell, along with Tara by his side.