I walk with Helang down the hallway to my dad's study, where he told me to bring her. I can't help but think about earlier.
I hear Nadia say something to Helang in a threatening tone, and I shake my head at that redheaded firecracker friend of mine.
I say her name in a sharp warning tone, and she plasters on a look of innocence. I set my features neutral and mindlink her.
She continues to speak in a sarcastic tone, that look of fake innocence still in place.
Nadia, what did you tell her?
I said nothing.
Oh really? So why is she acting like I have some contagious disease?
Perhaps she's finally understanding that you want nothing to do with her?
I grind my teeth and take a sharp breath to contain my annoyance.
Nadia...
Oh fine! I told her to stay away from you and that you're my boyfriend.
Nadia! What the hell?
I don't see what the issue is! You obviously don't want anything to do with her and have been cutting corners just to avoid her! So why are you upset?
Nevermind! It's nothing.
I say, feeling flustered for a moment, which causes a tiny smirk to adorn her heart-shaped face.
Hmmm. Sure it is. Why else would you have a reaction?
She says, teasing me.
Drop it, Nadia!
Ok, ok. But....we'll talk about it later?
Maybe. I just need to confirm a few things.
I cut the link, feeling irritated with the situation, and speak to Helang.
Everyone knows I've been avoiding her like the plague, so they've all been stepping in when it's my turn to watch her.
Then my father caught on and ripped me a new one just twenty minutes ago, so here I am back at his office with a confused and slightly pissed-off Helang.
Just great.
"Helang, Steven, thank you for being here on such short notice. Mr McCarter called me with some information about your parents, and I-"
"I have no parents." She cuts in, narrowing her eyes.
"Pardon?" My dad interjects, clearly not used to others interrupting him.
"I only had my mom... my dad isn't in the picture, so I have no parents." She says, explaining her story with a slight fidget.
He lets out a hmm and slowly nods his head.
"Well, actually, that's why you're here." He says, speaking vaguely but still hinting at something big.
Helang visibly perks up with confusion and curiosity, and I can't help but watch her more intently. My lips slowly part as her chestnut brown hair casually falls over her shoulder, and I see her pale, slender neck. I start to wonder what it'd be like if I had my wolf mark her; flustered, I shake my head to clear my thoughts.
Then a knock at the door breaks the small silence my father created, causing Helang to jump at the sudden disruption.
"Come in." My father calls out with authority dripping from his tone.
In walks Helang's police friend. His sharp, stoic features soften the moment he catches sight of her, and I grit my teeth, then mentally kick myself.
Get a grip!
Helang perks up when she sees him, and a genuine smile adorns her face, making her hazel eyes sparkle.
"Mr McCarter!" She exclaims, getting up to hug him. He chuckles softly and pats her head, causing an impish grin to form on her cupid-bow lips.
"Hey there, kid." He says with affection and a small smile.
Looking at them, a pang of jealousy hits me; what if she looks at me like that and runs into my open arms?
After the pleasantries, my dad clears his throat, and the room takes on a serious atmosphere. I shake my head again.
"Helang, I know you mentioned you didn't want to be in a foster home, so I've been tirelessly looking for your dad." Mr McCarter starts, and Helang visibly stiffens, her full attention on him.
"Ooookaaaaaay." She says, dragging out the syllables with an unsteady voice.
"I found your dad, Helang,"
Like a bomb, his words are palpable and deafening. Then the shock sets in, and I can visibly see the wheels turning in her head.
Without waiting for her to respond, he continues, reporting his findings.
"He's been in a very secluded wooded area similar to here, but not as many acres. If you'd like, I can take you there." He states with an uncertain finality.
She blinks rapidly, with a look of pure astonishment and uncertainty, and breathes in a few deep breaths before barely nodding her head.
Then, with a look of clarity, she nods with more confidence and proceeds to speak.
"Yes! Yes, ok, um... when can we go?" She says, finally showing excitement and becoming fidgety with anticipation.
And then my heart sinks with sadness.
She's leaving....
No! No, no, no, no, no! I can't let her leave yet!
Shaking my head, I open my mouth to protest; only for my father to step in.
"She is more than welcome to go with you and seek out her found father. We will be here waiting for a phone call; should you deem the environment unsafe."
My head snaps aggressively at the sound of my dad's words, and I start to uncontrollably shake in anger.
No! She mustn't go! She is ours!
"Thank you so much, Mr McCarter! I'm nervous about this, but I haven't seen my dad since I was a little girl." She says shyly, and the uncontrollable anger I felt starts to melt away.
I continue to breathe and try to ignore whatever the hell is going on.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
"Well, if you're up for it, we can head out right now." He says with a stoic face.
"Sweet!" She exclaims with that beaming smile of hers.
Mr McCarter beckons her, and she gets up and follows him out the door all too quickly, and I'm sitting there, feeling stunned by what happened.
Anger once again flares in my veins, and I try my best to taper it.
"Don't worry, Steven, she'll be back." My dad says, breaking through my angry haze.
I barely nod in acknowledgment before I'm getting up and walking out the door myself, feeling lost and confused.
She can't leave....