Lila’s POV
I stared dumbfounded at this man that Rachel introduced as her father.
“Ray,” he corrected, holding out his hand for me to take. “You can call me Ray.”
“Hello, sir,” I said in return, shaking his hand.
Rachel had confided in me once about her home life and the struggles she’s had growing up. A lot of it
pushed to abuse drugs and alcohol which led to the problems she has currently. Most of these issues
stemmed from her estranged relationship with her father.
From what he told me, he wasn’t a good man. He was incredibly abusive in more than one way and the
thought of him weaseling his way back into her life caused me to feel unsettled.
She even looked uncertain when she introduced us, and I couldn’t help but notice the plastered smile
on Ray’s face when he shook my hand. It looked like he didn’t want to be here any more than she
wanted him to be here.
But it made me wonder why he was putting on such a show and who he was trying to impress.
“Rachel had told me a lot about you. I’m glad to finally able to put a face to the name,” Ray said, his
dark eyes fixated on my face and making me feel even more uncomfortable. I felt the need to take a
step back this time.
“Dad, why don’t you get the rest of my stuff from the car,” Rachel suggested, peering up at him.
He pulled his eyes from me to look at her, a deepened frown playing on his lips. He eventually nodded.
“Sure, I’ll be right back,” he said with a large grin.
He turned away and left our dorm, leaving all three of us silent.
I finally look at Rachel with disbelief on my face.
“Why is he here? He’s the route to most of your problems, Rachel.”
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“I know…” she breathed. “But he’s still my dad.”

I could see the sadness and remorse on her face; she was unable to look me in the eyes.
“He abused you for years,” I reminded her. “And you are just going to let him back into your life just like
that?”
“It’s not that simple,” she said, meeting my eyes. “As bears, we are loyal to our kind. I can’t just walk
away from my father.”
“After everything he had put you through??”
“He’s trying to make it up to me. I’ve been staying with him these last few weeks and he’s been really
great. He feels badly about how he treated me so he’s basically buying my forgiveness. He’s bought me
so much.”
“You aren’t an item that he can just buy, Rachel. You deserve so much better than that and it’s not fair,” I
said, shaking my head.
“It’s not up to you, Lila,” she said in return.
Her voice was calm and not at all upset.
I knew she was right, but I really didn’t want Rachel getting hurt.
“I’m just glad you’re here, Rachel,” Becca grinned. “It wouldn’t’ have been the same without you.”
“I second that,” I said in return, happy for the subject change.
Rachel hugged us both again before going off to her room to unpack. I looked at Becca with a worried
frown.
“I don’t like that her father is here,” I murmured, trying not to be too loud.
“I know. But there isn’t anything we can do about it,” she said with a shrug. “Rachel can make her own
decisions.”
At that moment, Ray returned with another bag and looked between Becca and me with a frown.
“I hope my being here isn’t intruding,” Ray said, meeting my eyes. “I just wanted to make sure she made
it here okay. I’ll be heading home soon.”
“It’s no problem,” I said turning away from him. “I’m going to finish unpacking.”
I went back to my room, shutting the door firmly behind me.
I wasn’t getting a good feeling from him; I couldn’t help but wonder if he had an ulterior motive. But I
really didn’t want to argue with Rachel about this so I figured the best thing I could do is just go back to
my room for the evening.
I grabbed my phone and glanced at the screen, once again being disappointed that Enzo hadn’t
responded to any of my messages.
Where are you, Enzo?

Enzo’s POV
“Our mate is upset we aren’t with her. I can feel it,” Max whined for the hundredth time.
I knew this already; I could feel her pain as well. But there wasn’t anything I could do about it. I felt like
an idiot confessing my love to her like that. I shouldn’t have said anything, but I was acting out of pure
impulse and emotions. Not thinking about the consequences following it.
“Going to her would only put her in danger,” I reminded my wolf. “If my father’s followers knew how
important she was to me if they knew she was my mate, they wouldn’t stop hunting her.”
“We can protect her from any and all dangers,” Max told me in return. “We shouldn’t deprive ourselves
of our mate because you fear the worst.”
“This is protecting her. I don’t know how else to do that.”
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