Lycan's Mate (His Claim) Chapter 118

Fiona's POV

"Blake? What brings you here?" my dad asked in surprise. From the way he spoke, it was clear to me that he had no idea I was even standing behind Blake to begin with. Maybe this was my chance

I tried to take a step away from him, but Blake held me tight. I punched him softly against his lower back, only for him to pinch my exposed skin in response. He definitely wasn't going to let me get away so easily, and it was now that I wished I was a werewolf so I could have easily dodged him. Then again, I highly doubt one could get away from an Alpha wolf, so I still would have been at a disadvantage. Dang it

"Hello, Raymond. I thought I'd stop by and see how you were doing," Blake replied. Despite me struggling against him, his voice remained even. It was like trying to push against a freaking wall

I couldn't see his face, but I'm sure my dad was still in shock to see a my mate standing in front of him. It hadn't occurred to me until now that maybe they had not even interacted since I left two years ago, so maybe that would explain my dad's surprise in seeing him to begin with

"Oh, well that's nice of you. How have you been, son?" my dad asked, his voice sounding a bit more confident. He did always try to sound braver when Blake was around, probably because Blake easily toward over him without even trying. I wouldn't be surprised if Blake was using his 'Alpha charm' on my dad now, and by the low chuckle that vibrated through my mate when I punched him again, I was certain he was. Alphas

"I've been doing a lot better these past few days, actually," Blake replied happily, squeezing my waist a bit and causing a stir of sparks to ignite between us. I couldn't fight the smile that now spread across my lips as I leaned my head against his back

"That's good to hear!" my dad exclaimed, the sound of wood creaking beneath someone's weight filling the air.

"I haven't seen you in quite some time, but I'm happy to see you doing so well.

My dad paused, an awkward silence falling between them.

"Why are you here, if you don't mind me asking?" he asked slowly

Blake straightened up in front of me and I could feel his arm tense around my frame. Oh no

"I have a little surprise for you," Blake said, a bit too eagerly in my opinion

Before I could even comprehend what was happening, I was suddenly being swung around Blake' large frame and now standing in front of my father. I peered up at my dad, who now leaned lazily against the door frame, expecting a lecture of not telling him in advance about my visit, but instead I was greeted by a bright smile and tear-filled eyes

"Fiona?" he asked breathlessly, and within seconds I was being hugged tightly by my father. I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction as I hugged him in return. It had been far too long since I had last seen him, let alone talked to him. Within the time we had spent here in Black Forest, he and I had grown closer, so I knew deep down the sudden decision to go to New Jersey was completely unexpected and heartbreaking for him. And yet, the time we spent apart and distance seemed to melt away as we held each other closely, neither one of us willing to let go

Finally pulling away slightly, my dad began to analyze me, tears streaming down his face as the smile remained plastered on his face.

"What in the world are you doing here?"I shrugged my shoulders, a breath of laughter escaping me as I looked at him. "Last minute decision, I guess."

He rolled his eyes, wiping the tears away as he quickly let go.

"I know all about that," he muttered, but never once did his smile waver.

"Well, come on in! This is your home, you know," he exclaimed, grabbing me by the shoulders and steering me inside

"You too, Blake ! Don't want you getting any taller than you already are by just standing there," he called over his shoulder, never once bothering to look at my mate as we entered the living room

The sound of the front door closing shut echoed into the room as I stared at my surroundings. It was as if nothing had changed and I was merely graduating high school the day before. My father had decided to leave the furniture just the way they were and didn't seem eager to change them any time soon. I wasn't complaining though, my mother's unique taste in furniture is something I would always hold dear to my heart

My dad guided me to the couch and sat us down, Blake trailing behind and taking a seat on the other. Glancing quickly at the television, I noticed my dad had been watching one of his favorite TV shows. No wonder he didn't hear all the noise Blake and I were making outside, he was probably too transfixed to even bother to notice! My cheeks instantly flushed at the thought of my dad hearing everything that went on between us, and as I looked over at Blake, I could see a sinister smile playing at his lips. Of course he would do what he did! I was almost positive he could track my dad's every move beyond the wooden walls! And yet, something told me he wouldn't have really cared if my dad did happen to hear and catch us in the act. This man was going to have me grounded within minutes of entering my old home

Looking back at my dad, I couldn't help but smile at the excitement in his eyes. They glistened under the sunlight that entered the room and I could practically feel him bouncing in his seat. It tugged at my heartstrings to know how happy he was to see me, and I would be lying if I didn't feel the same way

"So what brings you back? I thought you were doing so well at the Senior Home you told me about," he asked, confusion lacing his features

"Well, um," I stammered, struggling to find the right words to say.

"As much as I liked being there, I thought it would be best to find a job closer to home. That way we wouldn't be so far away from each other."

"Aren't you going to miss….what was that man's name?" my father trailed off, deep in thought. My eyes traveled over to my mate and I could see him tense in his seat. His eyes didn't meet mine, but his demeanor had clearly changed at my father's words. Even I was secretly hoping my dad wouldn't utter his name after everything we had gone through merely a month before

"Oh yeah! Joel, right? You used to call him Joey?" my dad asked, capturing my attention once more

I breathed a sigh of relief, and from the corner of my eye, I could've sworn Blake had done the same.

"That's right! He was one of my favorite patients and would keep me company when I worked overtime. I am going to miss him," I said softly, his wise face appearing in my mind. If there was one person I was going to miss dearly from New Jersey, it was Joel. He was the first one to have made me feel like I was at home, despite the hollow emptiness I felt on a daily basis.

"He was incredibly nice that one time I spoke to him over the phone," my dad continued. I had almost forgotten they had indeed talked for a bit on one of my long nights at the home. It was because of them that I ended up leaving well past midnight, only to have an early shift the very next morning

I nodded, leaning back on the couch with my dad following suit.

"He's always been a sweetheart. But even if I am going to miss him, I missed my home even more. So I decided to come back and Linda, Blake' mom, was kind enough to offer me a job at the Senior Home right here in Black Forest!"

Blake suddenly looked up with wide eyes after nearly burning a hole on the living room floor a few seconds ago. It was then that I realized that I had never told him about my conversation with Linda a few days ago. After talking to her about the Senior Home back in Jersey, she immediately grabbed her phone and called the manager to schedule an interview for me. But after revealing that it was I who she was offering a job to, the manager didn't hesitate to hire me on the spot. And you can guess it, the manager was a pack member and she was more than thrilled to have her future Luna assisting her with the elderly. Sadly, I didn't quite have the time to visit her and get more well acquainted, but she insisted I begin when I was ready, which I was secretly hoping was next week.

"Really? That's fantastic, Fiona!" my dad said excitedly, hugging me once more. "So that means you'll be staying here permanently?" I simply nodded, which earned me a loud shout of delight from him.

"Then I guess we better start getting your room ready! It's exactly how you left it, actually."

My dad began to stand up from the couch, eager to begin the task, but I quickly caught his arm.

"About that…." My voice trailed off, instantly causing my dad to sit back down and stare at me questionably

"You're not staying here?" I shook my head.

"Then where will you live?" he asked slowly, a tone of sorrow overtaking his voice

"She'll be staying with me, sir," Blake responded quickly, his deep voice causing my dad and I to jump at the sound. He straightened his back and clasped both hands in front of him, taking on an authoritative demeanor all of a sudden. I couldn't help but glare at him as my dad turned around to look at my mate. I knew exactly what he was doing and I was practically screaming in my head for him to turn off his 'Alpha Mode'

My dad stared at Blake for quite some time before looking over at me.

"With Blake? So does that mean…."

I nodded, sitting upright and looking over at Blake.

"Yeah, he and I are back together, dad."

Silence filled the room and it was almost suffocating. My dad remained quiet for what seemed like hours, his eyes shifting from Blake and I repeatedly, as if trying to decipher the situation in front of him. Here I was, suddenly coming back to Black Forest without alerting my dad beforehand, only to drop another bomb on him at the same time. What kind of daughter was I

It seemed like ages had passed before my dad's voice broke the deafening silence.

"Well, that's…..fantastic!"

My eyes widened in shock. Was he serious? He merely gave me a pointed look, glancing at Blake before looking back at me.

"I always thought you two made the perfect pair, even reminding me of your mother and I a bit," he said quietly, his eyes distant in memory before refocusing back on me.

"So it was quite a shock for you to suddenly tell me you had broken up. If I were to be honest, you two had such chemistry that I sometimes believed that you two were meant to be together. It saddened me to receive those news when you decided to leave, but I'm incredibly happy to know you two have somehow worked things out and are back together. And besides," he paused, looking over at Blake with a bright smile, "I did always like you, you know."

This comment instantly made Blake grin victoriously, his eyes meeting mine. You've got to be kidding me, was my dad high or something? Not once did he make it seem like he actually liked Blake for me. I mean, yes, he was always nice to him, but he always had a hard edge to his voice when they interacted, leading me to believe that he never considered Blake as a potential boyfriend for me. And yet, here I was being proven wrong. Who knew

My mouth gaped open at his words, not believing what I had just heard. "Seriously?" I asked in a high pitched voice which caused Blake to laugh at my reaction "I told you that everyone likes me," Blake said confidently with a wink

"Don't push it," my dad warned playfully, looking back at me.

"If it means anything to you now, I've always approved of Blake"

I couldn't help but smile, a bubble of joy erupting inside me. The simple fact that my dad accepted my mate, from the very beginning it seems, brought so much happiness inside that all I wanted to do was jump and dance merrily around the room. That would've been embarrassing, if I do say so myself, but having your parent accept the person you have chosen to spend the rest of you life with was one of the greatest accomplishments a child could ask for

"Thanks, dad," I whispered, reaching over to hug him tightly before breaking away seconds later at the sound of Blake' voice

"Fiona does wish to tell you something else, sir." Crap

My dad looked at me questionably, his intense eyes searching mine before dropping to my stomach. Wait a minute

"Are you pregnant?"