The Broken Warrior’s Daughter by Cooper

Chapter 0119

I didn’t want to be late to pick up Cara. I really wanted to be early, like hours early, but I restrained myself. She has things to do today and I don’t want to overwhelm her.

When I can’t wait any longer, I head over to the florist to get the flowers I ordered. yesterday. Dorothy had suggested that I start adding some color to Lily’s memorial, so it’s violets today. I’m surprised when I walk in and immediately catch my favorite scent, vanilla and honey. I look around and don’t see her. ‘Let’s hunt her down.‘ Kai says to me, and I can feel his excitement. He’s been wanting to chase our mate for real. Unfortunately, Artemis isn’t yet ready to shift so Kai has had to be patient.

I stalk around some plants, following my nose. When I see her peeking around a planter, I know that she hid from us so we would have to find her. Oh my little guardian, you can never hide from me.

Wrapping my arms around her and hearing her yelp of surprise has made my day. I take a deep breath of her amazing scent and feel everything that was out of sorts in mind and body today settle immediately. She has become the balm to my stress and worries, and she doesn’t have to do anything but be in my presence.

I suddenly have a flash of Liam, having gone so many years without his mate. For someone that is as alone as he is, he really is a great Alpha. He doesn’t let his own emotions impact how he runs his pack. At least not yet. Alphas have been known to go feral if they don’t find their mates. I really hope he finds his, but I’ll be damned if he thinks he can have mine.

After convincing Cara to leave her car, we head to the memorial. I can tell when we arrive that she’s nervous. Never having had to live without my parents, I can’t imagine what it is like for her. But I plan to be by her side and support her in any way she needs.

When we walk up to the memorial, Cara stops and looks around. “You and your mother placed all these flowers?” She asks me.

a section just off to the side of the memorial. “I believe that group in front is from your father. And those around the back are probably from other pack members

begin to walk toward the memorial, taking her hand and pulling her along with me as she takes it in. There are many people in the pack that loved Lily

a wonderful person with a beautiful soul. She

mother’s footsteps, I place my hand on the angel’s folded hands. “Thank you, Mrs. Nelson, for your sacrifice. Mom told you we’d never forget, and

“What was that? What promise?”

the stone statue for both

we were under attack and my mother tried to get us to the bunker, but we didn’t make it. We were cut off and were about to be attacked. Your mother came out of nowhere, taking out the other pack’s warriors. I can remember it so clearly. She

it. My mother had shifted and was

dying in front of me, hearing my mother’s wolf snarling from somewhere behind me. I’m trusting you to watch out for her. Take care of her and keep her safe for me. Promise me Rik. Promise me

said. I’m not even sure my mother knows she said it to me. I never told anyone. It scared me. But before her

a promise to keep. I must ensure your safety. It’s not just the Alpha in me, or the love that I feel blossoming in my heart for you,

can feel the tears hanging in the corners of her eyes.