Chapter 414

I opened myself up as I sat down and sent out a call. “Sorry it took so long.” I sighed as I sat down next to her.

“You were busy.” Carl’s voice was sad, and as I looked over, both he and my grandmother looked worried. “But you are here now.”

“I didn’t expect both of you.” I sighed.

“Daddy.” Carly called as she jumped up, but I grabbed her.

“He’s not really here, baby, remember? You can’t touch him.” She trembled and then she sat back down. They settled across from us with the grave between us.

“I forgot.” She looked at him. “I miss you, daddy.”

“And I miss you too, baby.” He leaned over, the need to touch his daughter too much. “I heard every time you prayed to me.” His eyes softened. “And I want you to know, baby, that if you want to call Amy mom, or if at any time Amy gets a mate and you want to call him dad, your mother and I won’t mind. We will always be your mommy and daddy.” The tears in his eyes were full of love.

Carly looked at me and I smiled down at her. “You don’t have to call me or my mate anything you don’t want to. I won’t mind. I’ll still love you either way.” I kissed her head.

“Carl?” My grandmother turned to him and he nodded. “Darling, you and I have to talk.” She nodded behind us. “Carl will sit with Carly for a bit.”

I kissed Carly again. “I’ll be close if anything happens.” I stood and walked away from the two, speaking low at the grave. I turned to find my grandmother beside me. “What’s wrong?”

“I know you are thinking of finding the Lycans, but that isn’t for you to do.” She looked back at the grave. “That is destined for someone else.”

“But,” I looked at Carly, “she is so young.”

“And it will wait until she is ready. You have other things to worry about.”

I nodded. “I have a plan for Vince, but I don’t know who this Garith is.” My grandmother paled. “You know something.”

She nodded, but she held up her hand. “Talk to your father, talk to your computer friend. Make a plan. They are worried about you, and you will need them.” There was something else she wanted to say. She leaned over and kissed me. “Your father… he needs to confess some things to you. Some secrets will shift your entire world, and the view of people you have had. Be open to it.” She kissed me. “And be ready to be your true self. Full, unhindered, and wild.” She pulled back and cupped my face. I closed my eyes, trying to feel her hands, but there was nothing but the wind. “You are going to make an amazing leader one day.”

I laughed. “I am no leader.”

She glanced back at the grave. “Leave the Lycans for the Shaman. She has her own fate to figure out. Focus on the men who are trying to take over the world.” Then she was gone. I turned and walked back to the grave.

“Your nan gone already?” I nodded to Carl. “You had all of us worried for a few days there, girlie.” His eyes danced to Carly. “We could only watch and hope you got out.”

I smiled. “I wouldn’t leave our girl.” I winked at him and hugged Carly to my side.

He sighed and smiled. “Thank you. For everything so far, and everything to come.” He stood and looked at his daughter. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you too, daddy.” She turned to me. “He can’t stay?” I could hear the hope in her voice, and it broke me.

I shook my head. “I don’t have that power, my love.” She nodded and turned back, but Carl was already gone. I watched her deflate a little.

“I miss him so much.” A tear fell, and I pulled her into my lap.

“I know.” I hugged her. “You are going to miss him every day of your life.” I pulled back to look down at her. “Some days it will be easy, a flicker of love in your heart and a tiny piece of you calling for him. And some days, the ground will shift out from under your feet and your entire body will ache with your love for him. The need to see him will make your bones ache.” I ran a hand down her head. “Grief is something that changes you forever. But I will say, the longer you go, the easier days come more and more, and the bad days, they feel easier to deal with when they come farther apart.”

“You lost someone you loved.” She wasn’t asking. She could tell I knew the feeling.

I nodded. “I lost my pup.” I smiled at her and I could feel the tears in my eyes. “You make it easier to deal with, though. The days that are bad, you make them a little lighter.” I stood with her and she wiggled down.

“You make my days easier, too.” She smiled up at me.

Toya stepped out of the back door. “It’s dinnertime.”