7

Chapter 7

Adele Wilson

“You are home.” My father smiled, meeting me at the door.

“Good evening, father.”

He took my backpack. “Good evening, daughter. How was school?”

“School was fine. You came back early today.” I walked past him, going to slump on one of the old couches in our small living room.

“The alpha gave me a break for today.”

Have I mentioned that my father works in the packhouse? Well, that was how I got admission into the Pack's academy. Because the Alpha gave me the scholarship for the sake of my father.

“You must be tired… Have you eaten yet?” I reached for his hand, rubbing the back of his palm gently.

“I'm fine, sweetheart.”

He smiled, but I could see the sadness behind his smile.

“I'm making dinner. Go shower and come back for dinner.” He smiled at me and left for the kitchen.

I stared after him, my heart twisting in my chest. I couldn't deny the fact that he wasn't happy, and it broke me that I can't even do anything to ease his pain. He works his ass off every day to put food on our table, and it must be really hard on him.

I dragged myself to my room, changed into a casual dress, and headed back to the kitchen to help him.

“What are you doing here, dear?” He turned to me.

“To help you, of course. I can't let you cook alone while I'm home, doing nothing.”

I walked past him, going to pick a bowl to wash the meat he left on the small kitchen table.

“You don't have to, Adele. You should rest…”

“I insist.”

He sighed, and shrugged. “You win.”

A thunderous silence echoed in the kitchen. Just the sound of cutleries clanking and water splashing from washing the meat.

“So, how did your day go…”

“So, how was school today?”

Our questions collided as we ended up asking at the same time. We looked at each other, and chuckled.

“You go first, darling.”

“How did your day go?” I asked.

“Splendid. The Alpha had guests over today, so it was quite hectic at the packhouse, but I still had fun.” He smiled softly, but his eyes said otherwise. He looked tired.

“I see.” I muttered.

“What about you? How did school go today? Did you have fun? Did you make new friends?”

His eyes widened with hope, his face brightened with a big smile.

‘Yes, father’.

I wanted to tell him about Jason, but something held me back. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea.

“School was fine, father. And I didn't make new friends…” I leaned close to him and smirked. “I'm in school to study and not to make friends.”

He clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. “You are so uptight. You should loosen up, daughter.” He patted my shoulder, and I chuckled.

“You need to make friends once in a while, darling. You would need it in the future.” He advised.

“Yes, sir! I will.”

He chuckled, shaking his head.

‘Can you move into the dorm for a few weeks?’

My heart galloped as Jason's words replayed in my head, and I looked at my father. Is this the best time to tell him? I mean, the atmosphere was favourable. What will he say about it? Will he even agree to it?

“You're okay? You look like you have something on your mind.”

Father looked at me worriedly.

He knows me like the back of his palm.

“Yes, father. I'm fine.” I nodded.

“You're not.”

“Okay, fine!”

I wiped my hands clean with a towel and faced him. “Can I stay in the academy's dorm for a few weeks, father?”

I looked into his eyes.

His mood shifted immediately, and he turned his face away as he told me a blunt ‘No!’.

“Father…”

“I won't allow you to stay in the dorm, Adele. And that's it.” His tone was firm and authoritative.

I sighed, crossing my arms in front of me.

“There’s this school program, and everyone’s staying in the dorm. I can't be left out.”

I wanted to tell him the truth… that I wasn’t staying for any school program. But how could I explain to him about Jason? Or the plan to change my life? He would never support it.

“Still, I can't allow you, Adele…” he paused, placing his hands on my shoulders, eyes gazing at me. “You can go for the program from home.”

I shrugged his hands off my shoulders. “Come on, father. It's not so serious. I need to be in the dorm. This is also an opportunity for me to get to study more about figure skating.”

I pouted my lips.

He sighed, dragging his fingers through his hair. Seeing that I was almost winning, I pressed on. “You told me to make a lot of friends in school. This will also be an opportunity to get to know more people.”

He scoffed. “You always know how to get things your way, don't you?”

My face brightened with a smile. “Is that a yes?”

“I don't know, Adele. I don't think this is a good idea.” He shook his head, turning away.

“But father—”

“How sure am I that you'll be fine there? You need to eat good food. You need someone to take care of you. You need me.”

“I am not a baby, father. I am twenty-three years old. I can take care of myself.” I huffed.

“Ugh! You are always persistent, aren't you?”

“Father, please…”

“Fine! I will allow you to stay over there, only on one condition.”

“Anything, father. Ask anything.”

“I will be there every day to check on you.” He proposed.

“Father—”

“It's either that, or you are not moving in there.” He cut me off.

I exhaled. “Fine! That's okay.”

“You have my approval then.” He muttered hesitantly.

I squealed. “Yes! Thank you, father. You are the best father in the whole universe.” I threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly, and he scoffed.

“You always say that when you get what you want,” he said, trying to laugh, but I caught the tightness in his eyes. He was worried, even if he didn’t say it out loud.

“Whoa! What do I do with you?” He scoffed, and we chuckled.

I just hoped I wouldn’t regret moving into that dorm…