Chapter 04 Half-Truths

Hanna

Dinner is as awkward as one can imagine. Dad cooked my favorite Italian dish tonight—spaghetti made with his special homemade tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella with a side of savory buttery garlic bread sticks. He even brought out mother’s pretty China, the ones with bamboo stalks, and tiny pink flowers with gold accents on the crimped edges.

Dean, unbothered by my dad’s stern stance, continues to wolf down his food like he’d been starving all day. Any other day, this sight would’ve pleased dad. Tonight, however, he says nothing.

I take a big bite as well, and I almost tear up again from how good it tastes. Nothing comes close to a nice, home-cooked meal. They say love is the special ingredient. Dad’s cooking proves just that. When I tell him the news, I’m sure he’d love to cook this more often.

Speaking of news, I peer up at dad to see him staring at me. I promised I’d explain after dinner since Dean and I barely had time to eat on the road after making a stop in his personal tower along the borders of Blackwood. We wanted to arrive in Evergreen before it got dark.

Dad clears his throat, then addresses me with a calm tone. “You could’ve told me over the phone about your engagement.”

I almost choke on my food. The barely chewed pasta went down my throat like a ball, it was unpleasant to say the least.

“We wanted it to be a surprise,” Dean answers for me as he hands me his wine-filled glass.

I instantly glare at him for continuing the charade as I accept the glass. If I could tell him what’s on my mind, it’d be for him to back off and let me handle things.

“I see,” Dad replies.

My throat constricts. I drink some wine then swallow hard, feeling the pasta slowly descend. I drink more to ease the discomfort. Then like a delayed response, once I can breathe again, I blurt out, “Dad!”

Both heads turn to look at me, then back at each other.

“Did you know she has a mate?”

“She never told me, but what does it matter? If you ask for it, I’ll marry her tonight.”

“Dean!”

They stare at each other for some time, neither of them backing off. I understand my dad, but Dean is acting too out of character.

“Dad, I told you I can explain after dinner!”

“Mm. Not bad, young man. Not bad at all.”

He rises from his seat, taking his empty plate with him. He has a thoughtful look on his face, blue eyes tired. I’ve yet to ask him how he’s been doing living on his own for this long, and we’re already talking about irrelevant things.

“My daughter has always been strong-willed. Don’t know who she got it from. Hanna is old enough to make her own decisions. As her dad, even I won’t get in the way.”

He places the dishes on the counter, then turns to address Dean with a sharp expression.

“That being said, I am still her dad. I’ve heard about you, second son of the Beta of Blackwood Pack. I’m not letting my daughter serve as collateral damage for whatever business you have with Beta Chanler.”

I don’t dare say a word. Dean’s very touchy and secretive when it comes to his family and his pack life.

He holds his tongue for a few seconds, head down and arms to his sides. Slowly, he rises from his seat and meets my dad’s gaze.

“I understand your concerns, Mr. Wells, but you can rest assured that she won’t be in danger.” Dean pauses. “Let me rephrase—she isn’t in danger. Before we return, we’re paying Blackwood a visit. I plan to settle it all then.”

Dad’s eyes widen. “You don’t mean …”

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. I was too young then so I have no decent memory of my parents. My foster family is my only attachment to the pack. My life, on the other hand, is back in Naila city.”

Dean’s smiling as he shares pieces of his story, something that mustn’t have been easy for him to do. Yet despite sharing what most wolves find shameful, he appears calm and relaxed.

“I see. I apologize for stepping out of bounds. You’re bold to tell to my face that you intend to marry my daughter as a rogue.” Dad must’ve known those things about him since earlier, though, seeing as how he’s not the least surprised of a Chanler giving up his lineage.

“It’s not ideal, but rogues are a dime a dozen in the city,” Dean replies.

His posture stiffens, voice stern. “Even then, I’m not letting you marry my daughter until you have my approval. Disrespect my sentiments, and you can consider yourself an enemy of Evergreen.”

What’s going on here? Does dad seriously believe him?

“Wait, wait, wait. Hang on. Dad, it’s not like that at all!” I exclaim, getting up.

Dean leaves his chair, and for a moment I believe he’ll finally drop the ball.

Instead, he replies with a serious undertone in his voice. “Thank you for giving me a chance, sir.”

Dad leaves his plate and glass on the sink. In a more amicable tone, he says, “You must be worn out from your travels. Don’t bother doing the dishes. Get some rest tonight.”

I push my chair back to go after him and explain everything thoroughly, but Dean firmly grabs my arm.

“What are you doing?”

“Stopping you from undoing your escape route.”

A deep-set frown, heavy lines on his forehead, and a determination in his icy blue eyes makes me hesitate. Those few seconds are enough to keep me rooted in place. Enough to distract me.

“He’s the reason, isn’t he? Why you left your pack. Why Esme doesn’t have a dad. He doesn’t even know she exists, does he? That’s why you stopped me earlier.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. Shame, guilt, and anger boils into one raging storm, but my gaze turns downward. “Who are you to judge me? What happened between me and Logan is none of your business. I appreciate the help to get me out of that situation, but you took it too far with dad.”

I meet his calm eyes. “You never deceive family, Dean. Dad and Esme are all I have left. You crossed the line tonight. I have to make things right.”

I make a move to follow Dad, but he stops me yet again.

“What about me?”

--CC_GN--