The Wolf Princess by Amberlyn Holland

Author:Amberlyn Holland [Holland, Amberlyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy fairy tale, fantasy romance, wolf shifter, the frog princess
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

"YOU and your father were almost civil to each other at breakfast," Del teased gently, settling on the garden bench next to Beckett. She was doing her best to keep her mood light and upbeat. Refusing to give in to disappointment after yet another failed attempt to transform on her own.

Watching Beckett and his father get along after the previous day's emotional revelations made her more homesick than ever. She desperately wanted the threat of the Keres to be gone and her world to be safe once more. Most of all, she wanted to see her father and talk to him and just feel like everything was right in her world again.

But she was also terrified of going home without control over the wolf. Of facing the scrutiny and the whispers and the judgment of her fitness if anyone realized her new circumstance.

It made her even more determined to gain some semblance of control.

"Yeah, well, hearing him offer to run interference for my getaway makes it harder to hold on to old grudges."

There was something both wistful and uncertain in Beckett's tone. The poignant undertone pulled at Del's emotions and inspired an inexplicable urge to reassure him.

"He loves you, you know."

"I do know. And I love him. But he spent his whole life building a place to settle down, grow roots, and create a legacy to pass on." Beckett smiled, but it was tinged with a bittersweet quality. "And I only ever wanted to fly free. He refused to see that side of me. And when I couldn't stand it any longer… When I broke the chains holding me here, I shattered his perception of me as well."

Beckett stopped and scrubbed the heel of his hand over his heart. "It's going to take a long time to put those pieces back together."

Del's heart twisted as her thoughts returned automatically to her own father. The parallels were suddenly startingly clear to her. He treated her as if she were made of glass. He saw the tiny babe, born too early.

And he saw the mirror of her frail mother, who'd succumbed to fever when Del was little more than a babe.

He saw a girl, still too young and innocent and untried as age settled into his heart and his bones.

And now, after nearly losing her, she worried he would be even more determined to protect her from the evils of the world. That it would be even harder for him to see Del as anything other than a naive child in need of a guiding hand.

"Beckett!" Felix's shout echoed around them, startling Del with its urgency. He rushed out of the kitchen doorway, excitement and fear giving him an unexpected burst of speed.

"Felix, what's wrong?"

Beckett was already on his feet, alert and primed for action.

"Aven just came back. Delivery. Obelarr City," he started, trying to explain between gulping inhalations. As he continued, though, his breath evened out, and the words followed suit. "Whole squad of mercenaries. They rushed by him on the High Road.

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