Chapter 0269

As we walk up the steps, the paparazzi call out questions to us, asking where I’ve been and who

the new members of our party are. I hear them also calling Luca’s name, but Luca is very

professional about the whole situation, keeping his eyes focused ahead on my parents, who are

waiting patiently for us at the top of the stairs.

Again, I can’t help the huge smile on my face. My mom beams at all of us, her hands pressed to her

heart, but she laughs aloud when she sees me, so pleased and happy that I’m here, and that I’m

safe, and that I’ve managed to drag my two Alpha mates into what is sure to be a great deal of

drama for her to enjoy.

I shift my eyes to my dad after a moment, not letting it bother me that he’s looking very stern. After

all, he usually always looks stern. But as dad watches me, his eyes flicking for a moment to both

Luca and Jackson to let me know precisely what is on his mind, I see the corner of his mouth twitch

just subtly.

And I know, in that instant, that the sternness is all a front, and that he’s not actually mad at me.

That he’s probably just as thrilled and excited to see his two eldest children as we are to see him.

Something about that little twitch at the corner of my dad’s mouth breaks the final restraints I was

keeping on myself and I burst into happy laugher, dropping my hand from Luca’s elbow and dashing

up the final three stairs into my father’s arms. I hug my dad tight around his waist and his arms fold

around me, holding me tight. I hear and feel the happy rumble in his chest as he pulls me closer to

him.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Rafe embrace mom quickly and then turn, starting to introduce her

to our guests, some of whom she’s already met.

Dad, however, pulls my attention back to him.

“Hello, little trouble,” he murmurs, and I pull back a little to smile up at him. He runs a fond hand

down the length of my rose-gold hair. “Looks like you’ve been up to no good, haven’t you?” he says,

again looking up to peer over my head at the two young men standing behind me. I quickly glance

over my shoulder to see Luca meeting my father’s gaze, standing before him with Cadet sharpness

– feet apart, his hands tucked behind his back, his face very serious. Behind him Jackson stands

just as still.

I turn back to my father with a smile, pointing upwards towards the sky. “Actually, dad, this wasn’t

my fault. If you’re mad about it you’ll have to take it up with my grandmother, the moon.”

Dad can’t help it - he bursts into laugher as he shakes he head at me and unfolds his arms,

stepping away and reaching out a hand towards Luca.

“Cadet Grant,” my dad says very seriously as I stand at his side, grinning and watching this unfold.

“Welcome to the palace. I was looking forward to meeting you before your fight against the

Atalaxians in two days – but now I am eager to get to know you for…other reasons.” Dad’s voice is

low, rumbling, intimidating.

Luca, to his credit, stands up beneath it.

“Thank you, Sir,” he says, raising his chin and shaking dad’s hand seriously. “I’m looking forward to

the opportunity to both defend the nation’s honor and speak with you about my intentions towards

your daughter.” He shifts his eyes to me now, just briefly, a smile forming on his lips. “She means a

great deal to me.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” my dad says, and when I glance up to him I’m surprised to see that he’s…

impressed? “That’s one hell of a shiner you’ve got there, son,” dad continues, lifting his chin towards

Luca’s eye. “You going to be fit to fight?”

“What, this?” Luca says with a frown, gesturing towards his own face. “This is nothing, sir. At least

you now know that I can take a punch one day and show up to the Palace on my best girl’s arm the

next.” He glances at me, fond, before turning his eyes back to dad. “Whatever the Atalaxian’s throw

at me, I can take it.”

Dad bursts out laughing at this, apparently as charmed at the rest of the nation. And I don’t know

how Luca knew to say it, but he picked precisely the right thing. My dad even gives him a little smile

before shifting his eyes to Jackson.

“Cadet McClintock,” dad says with a nod, holding out his hand. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Luca graciously steps aside, making room for Jackson to step forward. Jackson does, meeting my

father’s gaze and taking his hand, giving it a steady shake. “Sir,” he says, accompanying it with a

serious nod. “Thank you for…welcoming me to your home.”

My dad nods and drops Jackson’s hand. Awkward silence reins for a moment and I look between

my dad and Jackson, realizing that my dad is studying him and – of all horrible things – waiting for

him to continue.