Ch. 481..490

The Broken Warriors Daughter Chapter 481-We are escorted to an empty room, with a table next to the glass overlooking a lake. There are fairy lights all around the lake, giving it a romantic feel. Not the feeling | want to have with this Alpha.

Without asking me, Alpha Mahli orders for both of us. When the waiter is gone, he shifts his attention to me. “What do you know about me, Lily?” “Well, | really only know what you've told me today.” And that you are a terrible decorator and possibly have a small dick. But | don’t say that out loud.

He reaches over and takes my hands in his. “I’m looking for a mate, someone that can be by my side, helping me to manage the day-to-day operations of the packhouse. | don’t need a strong Luna, merely one that is competent and one that can give me an heir.” He pulls my hands to his lips, kissing them, then sucking on my knuckles. | have to swallow the bile in my throat.

“Your father thinks that we would be a good match. | would care for you, and your would want for nothing. You are young and sexy and should be able to give me many heirs.” Ewww, this time | think | actually threw up a little in my mouth.

| force a smile on my face, happy when the food comes, and | can pull my hands out of his. | wait until the wait staff leave before responding.

“Alpha Mahli, you are very kind. | am honored that you would consider me as a mate.” Not really, but | definitely don’t want to piss this guy off, especially when I’m on his pack lands and have no idea where my father is.

“| have always wanted to find my fated mate. It’s been a dream of mine since | was a little girl. Obviously, | haven't reached the age where | can sense who my mate is, but | would want to pursue the option of finding my fated mate before taking a chosen mate.” “Of course. You are young, after all, and youth thinks the world will be beautiful once they find their fated mate. | hate to be the one to tell you this, Lily, but that’s not always how it is. Many mates are rejected and many never find their fated mate.” He leans forward, his eyes intent on me. “You should listen to the wisdom of age — your father, and me. We can tell you what is best for you. Then you wouldn't have to worry your pretty little head over silly things such as fated mates.” Okay, now this guy is just being insulting. | already told him | was intelligent. I’m perfectly capable of making my own decisions, so why in the world would | let someone | barely know make any decisions for me. And after today, I’m not sure | want my father making any decisions for me either.

I'm sure this food would be delicious if my stomach wasn’t churning, making me feel like it will all come back up any moment. “You have given me much to think about, Alpha Mahli. Being underage, it’s not a decision that can be made now anyway. I'll consider your request.” Yeah, consider forgetting all about it and never coming back here again!

| knew you'd make the right decision.” He says, as the waiter comes back asking about dessert.

No, we won't be having dessert. My future Luna needs to watch her weight.” He says.

I'm not sure this asshole could be any more insulting. Watch my weight? | train 6 hours a day, which is more than I can say for him. | guarantee that | could take this Alpha in a fight.

When we get back into the limousine, Alpha Mahli once again sits beside me. This time, he puts his hand on my knee and begins rubbing his hand on my thigh. Would you like to take me for a test ride?” | frown, hoping I’m misunderstanding what he means, but knowing if he doesn’t remove his hand, Andra will rip it off. “I’m not sure what you mean?”

The Broken Warriors Daughter Chapter 482-“Oh, don’t play coy. You know. See how compatible we are sexually.” He leans in, placing a kiss on my neck before moving to my ear. “I know I'd love to take you for a test ride.” | pull away, moving as far away as the seat will allow. “Actually, I've been saving myself for…..my mating night.” Telling him I’m waiting for my mate won't work. He’s basically said he doesn’t care about that.

| watch as his eyes widen, then darken with this news. “You’re untouched?” It’s probably supposed to sound like a purr, but it makes my stomach clench in revulsion.

| swallow, hard. “Yes.” It comes out as a squeak. Please goddess get me out of this car.

“Well, that changes things. It will make the night of your birthday so much more exciting when | am your first.” He’s practically salivating at the thought.

When we get to the packhouse, he helps me out of the car. “I’m really tired. It’s been a long day and you've given me so much to think about. Goodnight Alpha.” | don’t give him a chance to respond. | hurry to my room, running into the bathroom before throwing up everything that | had for dinner.

‘Andra, please tell me we won't accept him as our mate.‘ For the first time since | got my wolf, she is quiet, and | feel absolutely alone.

When | come out, | grab my phone and see a text from Clint. It immediately settles my nerves.

| know it’s late, but | need to know that I'll see him tomorrow. Somehow, he knew something was off about this visit. | want to tell him about it and see if he has any ideas for how | can reject the advances of this Alpha without it causing problems for our pack.

While he will be back tomorrow, it won't be until late. He tells me not to tell my father. Fat chance, | don’t even know where he is. | haven't seen him since this morning.

I go lock the door to my room, knowing that it won’t keep Alpha Mahli out and knowing that | won’t sleep a wink tonight.

| change into my pajamas, thankful that | brought a top and bottom set rather than just a nightshirt. | grab the blanket off the bed and pull it around me, sitting 4/1 on the window ledge, listening to the clock slowly tick through the night.

At one point, | hear the doorknob jingle softly. Thankfully, Alpha Mahli doesn’t use the key to come in.

Then, somewhere in the middle of the night, | feel a jolt and Andra is back.

“Lily, go to the bathroom.’ She says to me.

‘What? Why?' | ask her.

‘Just do it.‘ She says and | get up and go into the bathroom. | turn on the light.

“What is it?” | ask her.

‘Look in the mirror.‘ She says, pushing forward.

| do and my hands fly to my mouth. ‘Andra, why are your eyes gold?

“We've been given the gift of a Guardian. I’m a Guardian now.’ ‘Andra, we can’t let Alpha Mahli know. We can’t let anyone know. You know what they do to female Guardians. Alpha Mahli would never let us leave. | don’t even want to tell Alpha Patrick. You need to stay far back in my mind until we get home. Don't, for any reason, come forward, no matter what.‘ | say, panicking. ‘Agreed, but | think there is someone we should tell, someone that can help us. She says. Clint and Donovan.

‘We need to get home first.‘ | tell her before pulling her back.

At 5 am, | change into my clothes, pack my bag and head downstairs to get som coffee and wait for my father. When he gets there, he looks terrible.

“Lily, have you heard from Clint? Is he coming back today?” He asks me in a rus “Yes, he said they are on their way back.” It’s not a lie, its just not the entire truth.

The Broken Warriors Daughter Chapter 483-He runs his fingers through his hair. “Fine.” He says as if he’s angry with me. “Good morning.” Alpha Mahli says, walking into the room. He comes over and takes my hands. “How did you sleep, darling? | tried to check on you, but you locked the door.” I’m guessing by ‘check’ he means crawling into my “I'm great. But | think we have to head back now.” | say looking at my bed. father.

His entire demeaner has changed as he watches the exchange between Alpha Mahli and I. “So, we have an agreement?” He says, looking at Alpha Mahli. “Oh yes. I’ve instructed your daughter to listen to those of us that are more experienced and can help her understand that waiting for a fated mate is unnecessary. Right, darling?” He asks me. | can do nothing but force a smile.

| look at my dad. “We need to get going.” Alpha Mahli walks us to our car. Then, before | know what he’s doing, he pulls me in and kisses me, forcing his tongue into my mouth. | pull away from him, looking at my father who just gets in the car.

“Until | see you again, darling.” He says. | quickly make my escape and get into the car.

| wait until we are off pack lands before laying into my father. “What the actual fuck, Dad!” “Don’t you dare use that language with me, Lily.” “| think I’m entitled to use whatever language | want when it feels like my father is selling me to an Alpha. You know that shit’s illegal, right?” | yell at him.

“You would be lucky to have Alpha Mahli as a mate. He’s wealthy and can take care of you.” “| don’t care how wealthy he is. He’s old and disgusting. He doesn’t care about what | want in life, he doesn’t want me to be a warrior. He only wants me to take care of the packhouse and give him heirs.” “You are so ungrateful. | find an Alpha for you, and this is how you respond. You could be the Luna of a,pack. Do you realize that?” “Yeah? If he’s such a great catch, why hasn't anyone else snatched him up yet?” “You will be his mate, Lily! And that is all there is to it.” | don’t even know what to say. | can’t believe my father thinks he’s going to force me into a mate bond with Alpha Mahli. | don’t care about being a Luna. | care about finding my fated mate, finding someone who loves me for me. Not someone that wants me because | look like | can pop out a bunch of heirs.

| turn and look out the window, tears falling, unsolicited. We drive the rest of the way in silence.

When we get home, | don’t even go inside. | take my bag and run to the tree line. | hear my father calling my name, but | ignore him. As soon as | am in the forest, | shift, Andra grabbing my bag and running to the rocky terrain where we train.

I stay there, all morning and into the late afternoon until | get Clint's message that he’s back. | immediately run to his room and knock on his door, anxious to see him and feel safe again. When he opens the door the first thing | see is his smile, which quickly drops when he sees my face. | want to run into his arms and let him tell me everything will be alright. But first, | have to show him.

When | hear him growling, asking if Alpha Mahli hurt me, | almost break down. Instead, | tell him | need his help, before turning around and letting Andra come forward.

Npo He gasps, staring at me for a moment, before taking his arms. | let the fear and the stress of the last couple of days go and he holds me while | cry.

Cooper Author

The Broken Warriors Daughter Chapter 484-Lily is a Guardian. | wouldn’t have believed it if | hadn’t seen it. When | take her in my arms, she breaks down. I’m not sure what happened while | was away, but | intend to find out.

| hold her for a moment while she cries before picking her up and carrying her to a chair. Sitting down, | settle her in my lap and let her cry until she cries herself out. | can tell the moment she realizes that I’m wearing nothing but a towel, and I’m holding her in my lap.

Her body tenses and | relax my arms, letting her pull back. | rub my thumbs over her cheeks and wipe her tears away. “Better?” She nods. “I’ve been waiting for you to get home all day. | didn’t… “Shhh, I’m here now. We can figure this out together.” | was so worried about her. It encompassed all my thoughts for the last day and a half. Now, | can’t help but touch her. | tuck her hair behind her ear, sliding my fingers down her cheek. She leans into my hand.

“Why don’t you start from the beginning.” | say.

It's everything | can do not to lose it when she tells me about her time with Alpha Mahli, how her father left her alone with him and his expectation that she would become his. Donovan is thrashing around in my head, ready for blood.

“We need to take care of our mate. That must be first. We'll deal with the idiot Alpha when the time comes. | tell him, forcing him to calm down.

“I'm afraid, Clint. If he or my father finds out I'm a Guardian, I’m afraid he might try to steal me away.” “That won't happen. But we need to talk to Anders.” She’s shaking her head before | can finish. “What if Alpha Anders tries to force me into a mate bond?” Donovan snarls. “He won't. First, he’s not like that. But, he has me as a Guardian. He doesn’t need another one.” | tell her, trying to lighten the mood.

“But you’re right that other Alphas will be looking for you. We need to confirm that the previous Guardian has died. Then we need a plan to keep you safe. Do you trust me?” | ask her, desperately wanting her to say yes.

She nods her head, sniffling. “Then trust me that Anders will help as “1 tilt her head up to look at me. “Okay?” “Okay, Clint” | smile at her before mind linking Anders to come to my room. Since we are on the same floor, it only takes a minute before he’s knocking and walking in Lily hurriedly pushes herself off my lap and | stand, the towel not entirely able to hide how her being seated in my lap has affected me “| apologize, | should have waited until you answered. | didn’t realize you weren't alone.” Anders says, turning to walk back out.

“Anders, wait.” | say. Lily has turned her back on him and while | know she’s embarrassed having been caught on my lap, | can feel the nervousness vibrating off of her. Anders must feel it too.

“Is everything alright?” He asks, looking at me before focusing on Lily.

“Could you close the door?” | ask, giving Lily a minute. | walk to her rubbing my hands down her arms. “You need to show him Lily.” She turns, looking at Anders before looking back at me. | nod my head encouragingly at her.

When she looks back at Anders, | watch as Andra pushes forward. Anders sharp intake of breath is similar to my reaction to seeing her gold eyes the first time.

“You're a Guardian.” He says in awe before looking at me.. It takes a moment, then | see the realization sink in. “Shit.” He whispers. “Yeah, shit.” | echo his response.

He begins pacing the room, his hand running through his hair. “I need to confirm that the previous Guardian has died. Their pack is on the other side of the country, but we had heard that they were having issues with a neighboring pack. | didn’t think it had gotten out of hand enough that a Guardian’s life would be in danger.” He continues pacing.

“And we need to figure out what to do with you.” He waves his hand in Lily’s direction, causing her to flinch. | growl at his implication that he will be doing something with my mate.

He stops pacing and looks at me. “Having one Guardian in this pack was enough to cause the other packs to be envious. If they find out we have two, they will hunt her down, trying to get to her.” He says, piercing me with his gaze.

“They won't care me that she’s underage She will bring them power frost being whe and what she is “He turns to look at Lily “You were already strong Lily, now yet and Andra will be even stronger and more powerful” He looks at her for a moment. “What do you want, Lily?” He asks her gently.

She looks at me. “There’s more to the story here Anders. That issue we talked about this weekend? It’s come to fruition.” He turns to Lily. “Alpha Mauli wants to take you as his chosen mate?” He asks and Lily nods, looking startled that he already seems to know.

“And how do you feel about that?” He asks and it’s everything in me not to snarl at his question.

“| don’t want to take him as a mate, but my father is insisting that | do, even if he’s not my fated mate.” She says, her voice quivering. | wrap my arms around her, lending her my strength as she leans against me.

“| need to confirm what happened with the other Guardian, but Clint,” he says giving me a meaningful look. “We need to bring my father into this tonight.” | nod. | knew from the moment Lily told me that her father was pushing her into a mate bond with Alpha Mauli that we’d have to pull Patrick into this. Between that and her being a Guardian, it's the only way to keep her safe.

“I'll have some food sent up for both of you, while | research the status of the pack that had the Guardian. And I'll set up a meeting with my father.” He turns to Lily. “Lily, where is your father?” “At home, | think. | was so upset when we got back this morning that | ran into. the woods and waited until Clint got home.

He nods, turning to leave. “I'll let you know when we can meet with my father. Oh, and Clint,” he says, turning back to me. “Put some clothes on.” He smirks before walking out the door.

The Broken Warriors Daughter Chapter 485-While I’m mortified that Alpha Anders saw me sitting in Clint’s lap, even though nothing was happening, I’m more concerned about what is going to happen next. Now, not just one but two Alphas will know I’m a Guardian. If | had any idea where to go, I'd run.

As if sensing my discomfort, Clint comes up behind me, his hands rubbing up and down my arms. “You said you trusted me, right?” He asks, turning me around to face him.

“Yes.” | say quietly.

“Then trust me that | won't let anything happen to you. | won't let Anders or Patrick force you into any kind of mate bond. Not that | think either of them will, but if it helps you feel safe, then know that | would never let that happen.

He leans in, kissing my forehead. He’s entirely too close. | can feel the heat from his chest through my clothes. | don’t know if it’s because he just had a shower, but he smells like warm apple pie, fresh from the oven. He smells like home, like my own personal happy place, and it’s making my mouth water.

My head is spinning when he steps back. “I’m going to put some clothes on, make yourself comfortable.” He says, gesturing to the chair he was sitting in earlier, when | was in his lap. It makes me blush all over again.

He winks at me before grabbing his clothes and going into the bathroom. He’s just closed the door, when there’s a knock at his door.

| walk over and can smell the food. | open the door and | see one of the kitchen. staff looking like she positioned herself if the most seductive pose you can get into while carrying a tray of food.

“Oh, Lily. | thought Alpha Anders was having dinner with Clint.” “Uh, no.” | shake my head. I’m still feeling distracted and out of sorts. | step aside and let her in. She walks over to a table that has four chairs sitting around it. She seems to know exactly where to set out the food. | guess he eats in here. often.

As she goes to leave, I’m shocked by her parting comment. “I guess you're no different than the rest of us, after all.” She says as she sneers at me.

“Actually, Lily is different from any she—wolf that I’ve ever met, Beth. She’s intelligent, kind, funny and she pushes herself as a warrior in ways I’ve never seen before.” Clint says walking up behind her. “It’s too bad more she-wolves aren't Hice 10” Her eyes drop to the floor. “Yes Guardian.” “You may leave.” He says to her before closing the door behind her. He stands there for a minute, before turning. “Lily, look “It's fine. She only said what everyone else will be thinking when this hits the rumor mill.” 1 say before turning to the food. I’m hungry but the thought of eating turns me stomach.

| feel Clint come up behind me. “It may be what others are thinking, but what | said is true. You are an amazing person, Lily. And that was before you became a Guardian. | can’t even imagine how much stronger and faster you will become now.” He comes around standing in front of me. “You’ve pushed me in ways | never could have expected over the past week. The more | get to know you, the more intrigued | am by you, Lily.” He turns, taking my hand and pulling me into a chair before sitting across from me. “Unfortunately, | have a feeling that I’m going to have to start sharing you a lot more now.” “What do you mean?” He looks thoughtful as he dives into his food. “I don’t know what Patrick will do, but | do know he'll want to keep you safe. It was why he moved me and my family into the packhouse when | was 10 and Donovan got his Guardian spirit. | wouldn’t be surprised if he wants you to move into the packhouse now too. Although, I’m not sure how that will go over, not with everything that has happened with your father.”

The Broken Warriors Daughter Chapter 486-Chapter 0486 His eyes go unfocused then he Tooks at his watch. “We need to meet Patrick and Anders in Patrick’s office in one hour.” He looks down at my plate. “Lily? You need to eat.” He looks up at me, holding my gaze until | pick up my fork and begin picking at my food.

“What if there’s nothing that Alpha Patrick can do? He’s my father, after all.” | ask quietly.

“Alphas have the final authority in the pack. They can override parents if they feel that the parent is putting their child at risk. Let's see what Alpha Patrick says before we make any decisions.” “We?” “Yes, we. I’m in this with you Lily. You’re a Guardian now, we’re the only two in the world. You're kind of stuck with me for the rest of our lives.” He says chuckling.

Of course he didn’t mean anything else by it. It’s because I’m a Guardian. | don’t even know what my heart fluttered for a moment when he said ‘we’ or why the thought of being stuck with him for the rest of my life suddenly doesn’t sound like a bad idea.

“Lily?” He says and | look up at him, realizing I’ve been lost in my thoughts. pushing food around on my plate. “Eat. It will be okay.” He says gently.

I'm not sure that's true but | am able to shove a couple bites of food into my mouth, much to the happiness of my stomach.

| eat as much as | can, which isn’t much. When Clint is done, we head down to Alpha Patrick’s office. He knocks on the door and when we enter, | see that Alpha Patrick, Alpha Anders and Beta Calvin are all in the room.

“Clint, Lily, come in.” Alpha Patrick says, standing and pointing to two additional chairs around an oval shaped table. When we're seated, Alpha Patrick looks at me.

“My son has given me some good news and some disturbing news, Lily. First, I'd like to see for myself that Andra is indeed a Guardian.” | look at Clint before turning to Alpha Patrick and letting Andra come forward. He nods his head. “Thank you, Andra, and congratulations, although the celebration may have to wait. You do understand that being an underaged Guardian, one not able to sener het mate, puts you in danget, yes? “Yes, Alpha, 1 understand.” We will deal with that and make sure that we keep you as safe as possib However understand there is another issue that needs to be addressed. Anders didn‘, have as much information about this, but it had to do with Alpha Mahli. | understand your father took you to spend some time with him this weekend?” He asks.

“Yes, Alpha. We left yesterday morning and returned this morning.” “Would you mind going through your time with Alpha Mahli for those of us in the room?” | nod, not very excited to have to relive this again, but | start at the beginning and go through my time. Alpha Patrick interrupts me a couple of times to get clarification on my father leaving me alone with Alpha Mahli, and the Alpha coming into my room using his key without knocking. | explained my father’s disheveled appearance this morning and the change in him when he saw that Alpha Mahli was interested in me.

And did Alpha Mahli attempt any type of physical intimacy with you?” Alpha Patrick asks. | know my face has turned scarlet. | had skipped over that part, wanting to save myself from the embarrassment of having to discuss that in front of four men. From the corner of my eye, | see Clint clench his fists.

| look down, not comfortable seeing the reactions to what happened and embarrassed having to share it. “He asked me if | wanted to take him for a test ride.” | tell them. Clint’s snarl beside me startles me and | look at him. His eyes are murderous as he stares at Alpha Patrick.

Alpha Patrick turns his attention from me to Clint. “Clint, you will control. yourself or | will ask you to leave.”

The Broken Warriors Daughter Chapter 487-He turns back to me. “I’m sorry to be asking these personal questions. | need to understand the expectations of Alpha Mahli and also your father. So, back to your story. Did you take Alpha Mahli up on his request?” Ashiver of disgust goes up my spine. “No. | told him that | was waiting for my mating night. | didn’t think telling him that | was waiting for my mate would make a difference since he already told me that waiting for my fated mate was a silly girl's dream.” “Did you feel like he would force himself on you if you didn’t give him a reason to stop?” Beta Calvin asks me.

| shrug. “I don’t know if he would or wouldn't. He had already called me his future Luna and had disregarded my feelings. | didn’t know where my father was, and at the time, | was alone with him in the back of a limousine.” “You didn’t feel safe?” Alpha Anders clarifies. “Not at all.” “Was that the only time?” Alpha Patrick asks me.

“| heard him try my door in the middle of the night. | didn’t sleep last night, afraid he would come in while | as in bed. Then this morning, he began calling me darling and he kissed me before we left.” Clint stands abruptly and begins pacing behind me. | see Alpha Patrick give him a warning look before turning back to me. “I'm assuming, based on the rest of your story that this kiss was unwanted?” Alpha Patrick asks.

“Yes.” “And, how did your father react to Alpha Mahli kissing you?” “He just got in the car like it was normal.” As I’m remembering everything that happened this morning, | do remember one other detail that didn’t make any sense to me. “He did say something else that | didn’t understand.” “He?” Beta Calvin asks me.

“My dad. When he saw Alpha Mahli holding my hands and calling me darling, he said something like ‘so we have a deal‘? | don’t know what that means ” Alpha Patrick sits back, rubbing his hand over his mouth and chin, looking thoughtful. “I’m afraid 1 do. But before we get to that, | have a couple more questions. When did Andra get her Guardian spirit?” “In the middle of the night. I’m not sure what time it was. She had been silent for hours, then suddenly | felt something like a power surge in my system and she was back. She told me to go to the bathroom and showed me that she was a Guardian.” Alpha Anders looks up at Clint. “Is that how it was for you?” He asks.

Clint comes back and sits down, but the tension in his body is palpable. “I don’t know. Donovan came to me with his Guardian spirit. | felt a power surge but I’m not sure if it was just his awakening, or if it had to do with being a Guardian.

Alpha Patrick turns his attention back to me. “Do either your father or Alpha Mahli know that you are a Guardian?” “No. As soon as | realized what Andra is, | told her to stay back, no matter what happened. | was terrified that Alpha Mahli wouldn't let me leave if he found out | was a Guardian.” Alpha Patrick gives me a very paternal smile. “Clint said you were intelligent. | can see, as usual, Clint is a good judge of character.” I turn and look at Clint. He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He reaches out and takes my hand. “You should have told me what was happening.” | shake my head. “You were too far away.” “| would have come for you anyway. Distance doesn’t matter Lily. If you ever need me, | will be there for you.”

The Broken Warriors Daughter Chapter 488-Donovan is thrashing around in my head so loudly that | can barely hear the conversation going on around me. The only reason he hasn't forced the shift was Alpha Patrick's warning that he’d send us out of the room. I’m not leaving Lily, not now that I’ve heard the entire story and know that Alpha Mahli touched what is mine.

I'm disappointed that she didn’t trust me enough to tell me what was happening. | only feel slightly better knowing she waited for me to get home and came to me immediately, knowing | would help her.

| turn to Patrick. “So, what do we do now? Lily is in danger, not only from this Alpha Mahli, but also from every other Alpha that finds out she is a Guardian.” He turns to Lily. “Lily, do you feel that your father will keep you safe and trust that he will take your feelings into consideration around taking a mate?” I can see Lily struggle. I’m sure she wants to say that she believes that he would keep her safe, but he’s given her trust in him quite a blow over the weekend.

“No.” She says quietly. I’m still holding Lily’s hand and | gently tighten my fingers on hers. She looks up at me before looking back at Patrick. “I don’t know why, but he seems determined that | will take Alpha Mahli as a chosen mate.” “Lily, do you know what line of work Alpha Manhli is in?” Calvin asks her.

She looks at him, shaking her head. “When | asked him, he said something like he’s in the business of luck and dreams. | have no idea what that means.” “He owns casinos, gambling rings, that sort of thing.” Calvin tells her.

| watch as she frowns. “What business is my father doing with him then?” She asks. My little mate is intelligent, but naive. | see Anders frowning over his phone. He’s been texting someone while we were talking.

“Your father has accumulated quite a gambling debt with Alpha Mahli.” Patrick tells her.

Lily closes her eyes. “So, he is trying to sell me to that Alpha.” It’s a statement. Patrick just confirmed something she was already contemplating.

“It would seem so.” Patrick tells her. She scoffs, her voice going hard. “How much am | worth to my father?” “Our sources say he owes over a hundred thousand dollars.” | can see the shock on her face. She had no idea her father was gambling, much less so heavily Actually.” Anders says. “On a hunch, | just checked with my source.” He looks at me before turning to Lily. “Your father’s debt doubled over the weekend. He now owes nearly $250,000.

1 watch as a single tear rolls down her face “At least I’m worth a decent amount of money.” She says, her voice quivering.

I'm in front of her in an instant, Donovan is howling in my head at our mate’s distress. “Hey. | know this is a terrible blow.” | say, wiping the tear from her cheek before pushing her hair behind her ear. “But you're not alone. | meant what | said before. You're sort of stuck with me for the rest of your life Lily bud. I’m not going anywhere and I’m not letting your father sell you to Alpha Mahli or anyone.” | say, before standing and looking at Alpha Patrick.

“lm assuming you agree, Alpha.” | say, using his title. He needs to know that I’m deadly serious about this. | won't tolerate having Lily at risk. She needs to be removed from her father’s care. As soon as he finds out she’s a Guardian, he’ll have her sold off and taken away.

“| believe we've already discussed that | do not allow my pack members to be sold or mistreated, Guardian.” Patrick says, stressing the word Guardian. | know this is his way of telling me to stand down, that | need to tread lightly and stop challenging him.

The Broken Warriors Daughter Chapter 489-“Lily.” Anders says, breaking the tension in the room. “How would you feel about moving out of your parents’ home and into the packhouse?” She looks at everyone in the room before answering. | sit down, taking her hand again. “What would happen to my parents? Especially my mother. | don’t think she knows anything about what my father is doing.” “| will confront your father and tell him that | am taking over your care until you turn 18. Your mother can choose to come live with you here or stay with your father. Your father will not be allowed to see you unless he receives permission from me first. The punishment he receives because of his intent to sell you to pay his gambling debts will be between he and I.*

She nods, thinking before responding. “I would like to move into the packhouse. | might have felt differently before becoming a Guardian, but now, | don’t think | can trust my father.” She hesitates before continuing. “I don’t think my mother will leave him to stay here with me. Does that matter?” Patrick smiles at her. “No, as | said, | will take over as your parental guardian until you turn 18. | will have a room made up for you on Beta Calvin's floor. That way, he can help me keep an eye on you.” He says this to Lily but he’s looking at me. His intent is clear, stay out of Lily's room and her bed. Obviously, she’s made it clear that she’s waiting for her mate. since I’m her mate, she’s basically saving herself for me. | give him a nod that | understand.

“I'll be speaking to your parents tonight, Lily. Tomorrow, you can go get your things or | can have someone pick them up for you.” “I'll need something to wear to school tomorrow. Maybe my mother can pack me a bag with my school clothes?” “I'll see to it. Now, please follow Beta Calvin. He'll show you to your room.” She stands, preparing to leave. “Oh and Lily, now that you are a Guardian, I’m putting Clint in charge of your training. | don’t know why we have two Guardians in this pack, but | want you both in top fighting condition. If something is coming, | want to be ready for it.” “Yes, Alpha.” She says before following Calvin out the door.

I stand to leave as well. “Clint.” Patrick stops me.

“| know she’s your mate, | know you’re a Guardian and you are like a son to me, but do not challenge me again.” | turn to look at him. “Keep her safe and we won't have any problems, Alpha.” — It’s Anders who comes up behind me, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Clint, | know you and Donovan are furious at what her father has done or intended to do. And | can only imagine how angry you both are that Alpha Mahli propositioned Lily. But you know my father. You know he will always look after this pack. That includes Lily. Let him do his job.” Anders has always been my balance. “You're right.” | turn to Patrick. “My apologies, Alpha.” “Apology accepted Clint and stop calling me Alpha, you know it pisses me off.” He says, making me smile.

“Yes sir.” | say turning to go find Lily.

“And Clint.” | turn to look at him. “If | find Lily in your room or you in hers after hours, you’ll answer to me. She’s under my care, so assume that | will be treating her as if she were my own daughter.” “Understood, Patrick.” | smile as | leave, feeling much better about Lily's safety.

Cooper Author What do you think of Lily's decision to move to the packhouSA?

The Broken Warriors Daughter Chapter 490-1 follow Beta Calvin to a room on his floor. It’s nice, but | feel like a stranger in this room. | go sit on the bed with nothing else to do. Nothing in this room is mine. | have no clothes, no toiletries, nothing. The reality of my situation comes crashing down on me. My father was going to sell me to an Alpha to pay his gambling debts. I’ve never felt so lost or scared.

I'm nervous for how my father will react when Alpha Patrick speaks to him. Will he yell at me? Most likely. Based on how he responded earlier, he will be furious and try to make this about me being ungrateful, | don’t know how my mother will feel. | can’t believe she knew anything about this. But she does what my father tells her to do. She has always been a good mother, but she never goes against my father. Now that her being a good mother and a good mate are at odds, I’m pretty sure that the mate bond will win. Will she be angry with me ast well? Will she blame me for whatever punishment my father receives from Alpha Patrick?

I'm getting myself more and more worked up as | sit here thinking of everything. I’m on the verge of tears when there is a knock at the door.

I go to open it and | smell apple pie. Clint.

As soon as | open the door, he opens his arms and I rush into them. He holds me, rocking me side to side, before kissing my hair. “Come on.” He says, guiding me into my room.

“Door stays open, Clint.” | hear Beta Calvin say from the hallway. Clint growls softly, making me giggle.

He smiles at me, tucking my hair behind my ear. When he looks around the room, he must see what | did. That it’s stark and there’s nothing for me to do in here.

but think. “Do you want to go for a run?” He asks me. “Yes.” That’s exactly what | want to do.

He takes me down the back stairs, I’m assuming to keep me from running into my parents. We head outside, strip and shift. Andra is happy to see Donovan and they begin to run through the forest. Instead of being a training run, this is a fun run. Donovan lets Andra lead the way, but eventually guides us to a place where we can rest and look out over the canyon.

The lights from the human town in the distance and those from the nearby 17 Shadow Falls Pack are beautiful. The moon has risen, and it shines brightly in the sky.

“How are you doing Lily bud? Clint asks me through the mind link. Andra has curled up against Donovan, who has laid his head over her protectively, keeping watch on the forest around us.

“| don’t honestly know.” | tell him. “I’m scared and | feel lost. I’m thankful for you, Donovan and Andra or I'd be feeling pretty lonely now too.

“You're not alone Lily. You’ll never be alone again.” It's quiet for a moment. “I was thinking, since Patrick put me in charge of your training, I’d like to move away from the warriors. That way, we can train in peace, but you also won't have to deal with your father.” | think about it for a minute. “I’d like that. Do you think Alpha Patrick will agree?” “I'll speak to him tonight. | don’t want your father distracting you from training. And Patrick knows | take training very seriously. He may want us to show him what you're learning regularly to prove that we’re actually training and not fooling around, but that’s fine.” I'm thankful that I’m in Andra’s form so he can’t see my blush. The rumor mill will be even worse now that I’ve moved into the packhouse, and I'll be spending lots of time with Clint individually. But it can’t be helped. No one else needs to know what happened with my dad, so let them talk.

“It's getting late, we should head back.” He says, before standing up. We run back to the packhouse, shift and change before heading inside.

“You little slut! After everything | did for you, this is how you repay me.” | stop dead in my tracks. My father steps out of the shadows, like he’s been waiting for 1.me. Clint steps in front of me. “You need to back off, Aaron.” “Like hell | will. Don’t think you’ve won here, Guardian.” He sneers Clint’s title. ” She’s my daughter.” “And you pay lost the right to be her parent when you tried to sell her to an Alpha to debts.” “That’s all a misunderstanding. I’ll get that straightened out and then Lily will come back home.” My stomach clenches at the thought. | know it’s not a misunderstanding. “By the time you get this straightened out,” Clint uses his finger to make air quotes, “your daughter will be an adult and able to make her own decisions. Until then, Alpha Patrick is her parental guardian, so if you have a problem with me or Lily, take it up with him.” “Let's go Lily.” He reaches behind himself, to encircle me with an arm, guiding me toward the door, but keeping himself between me and my father.

As we go to step inside, my father gives me his parting shot. “I hope you’re proud of yourself, Lily. You made your mother cry.” It's a well-aimed shot that hits home. | never wanted my mother to be hurt by all of this.

Clint gently pushes me inside before turning to my father. “She didn’t make her mother cry. Accept responsibility for your actions. You did this. You did it to yourself, you did it to your wife and you did it to Lily. You have no one to blame but yourself.” He says before letting the door slam closed.

Clint walks me to my room. “I’m sorry, Lily. I'll talk to Patrick.” | shake my head, trying to hold back my tears. “You have nothing to be sorry about. | hope you don’t mind, but | just want to be alone.” “Of course. You have my number. You can text me at any time. I'll check on your later.” “Thank you.” | tell him before closing the door. The minute the door shuts, the tears start to fall.