Together again

2. Surprise

Amy's POV

“What… how…I don’t understand. Is this a dream?” I stuttered my questions, not believing my eyes or rather my nose. With my face still buried in Daddy Peter’s chest, I hadn’t had a chance to look at them.

“Oh, darling. How could we miss this day? You are our number one priority, princess.” Daddy Ben said, crushing me from behind.

I was still sandwiched between them, so I couldn’t see their faces. “Besides, Blake is now an Alpha and Cameron is his Beta, so we have no duties at all.” Daddy Peter chuckled, leaning back a little to cup my face in his hands.

I had no idea they would come. They said they had some important mission my Alpha sent them on, so I was sure I would receive my diploma alone. I had prepared myself to spend the day with Greta and her family. I guess, like always, they made time for me or they purposely lied to surprise me in the end.

“You came!” I cried out, looking at my father's handsome face through my blurry vision. I didn’t notice I was crying until he tilted my head to look up at him. Although they were happy tears, I was sure my makeup was smudged, making me look like a clown.

“I hope those are happy tears, baby girl?” He asked, wiping the river of tears with his thumbs. I nodded in response.

When I finally stopped crying, they detached themselves from me and faced me. Each took my hands in theirs and smiled at me lovingly. “Our baby is an adult, Ben. Soon she won’t need us in her life.” Daddy Peter said with a sad smile.

“It’s a normal thing, babe, she was always meant to grow up.” Daddy Ben grinned, kissing his temple, but I saw the tears in the corner of his eyes while saying this.

When the tears stopped flowing and my vision cleared, I could finally see them. Both stood over six feet tall. Daddy Peter had his auburn hair cut short on the sides and longer on top, and his amber eyes shone with pride and love looking at me. Daddy Ben stood proud, hovering above us both, his long, dark blond hair put in his usual bun, his trimmed beard and brown eyes gave him a dangerous look. Adding to that equation were the tattoos all over his body and the muscles that filled his black clothes, almost causing the fabric to rip apart. Yes. He was the epitome of the Big Bad Beta. With his scary look and dominant aura, all the boys from my year tumbled in his presence. Daddy Peter was his total opposite. With his lean yet muscular body, always dressed fashionably and laid-back, they completed each other perfectly.

They adopted me when I was four months old. My biological parents died in a rogue attack. With no relatives to claim me, I was put into an orphanage and luckily, after just a few weeks, my fathers picked me to be their daughter. Yes, I was raised by two men. And if anyone said it was wrong, I would say ‘f**k You’ or kick their asses. My dads not only show me the biggest amount of love and support in my every decision, but they also gave me the strength to follow my dreams and taught me to never judge people according to their looks, but their actions.

I am a Beta’s daughter, but I always knew I would never take that position after my fathers. It wasn’t due to my gender or the fact I was not their blood. As it would be tempting to hold the power, I had never felt the need to do it. I had never wanted to be a Beta; I wanted something else, something that has been calling to me since I was a little girl.

My Alpha knew my view and he chose his Beta a long time ago, the best choice for that role. And as much as I hated to admit it, he had been the best candidate from the beginning. Devoted, loyal, and lethal. Cam was the epitome of the next Big Bad Beta to come.

That’s why I fell in love with him in the beginning. He oozed the confidence and power that made him the man of my dreams. I wanted to be protected and cherished by him the moment my hormones made me notice more than books during my teenage years. He became my little obsession. I wanted to be his mate, I wanted him to be mine. But as always, we never get what we wish for, so I knew he would be my first crush until I died.

“Amy!”

Greta’s voice put me out of my thoughts while still looking at my fathers in shock. I tilted my head up to look over their shoulders and saw my smiling friend running in our direction with her family hot on her tail. I pushed past my dads to meet her halfway.

“We made it, girl. We are finally the doctors and ready to show them our f*****g worth!” She screamed, jumping in place once she loosened her grip on my body and stepped a few inches away from me.

“Dads, you remember Greta, but let me introduce you to her parents as well.” I said once I had stopped jumping, smiling, and screaming my enthusiasm.

“Ásdis and Keaton Michaels, healer and a warrior from Idaho's pack.” I gestured to the lovely couple behind my squirming friend and they smiled, greeting my fathers with a handshake.

“Ahh, yes. Alpha Jonathan and Luna Grace Thompson’s pack. We met your Alpha during the last meeting. A very good leader and funny person.” Daddy Ben smiled at them before indulging into a small conversation about the latest changes in pack laws after the newly-formed treaty with Vampires, leaving me and Greta to ourselves.

“They are hot as f**k, girl. How I wish one of them would be my mate.” She whispered, leaning up to reach my ear, wiggling her brows in a bold gesture.

“Stop it now. They are my fathers for f**k’s sake and they are MATES!” I smacked her arm not so gently, seeing her drooling over them.

Typical Greta and her boldness. But she was right, they were perfect. Protective, doting, and handsome. Anyone would want to have a mate like them. She licked her lips lustfully when no one noticed. Gross. I know a lot of girls have the same dreamy look while ogling them, and I know all of them described them as s*x on legs but to me, those two big wolves were soft teddies for their little princess.

After a short and pleasant conversation, we all decided to have dinner together to celebrate our graduation. Knowing probably every restaurant near the campus would be filled to the brim, we decided to go a little further to have more privacy.

Greta and I drove first to our dorm to leave my car in the parking lot before joining our families in their cars. The trip to the restaurant took us about 30 minutes before we spotted the small and cozy little Italian restaurant right on the outskirts of the campus.

The smell of freshly baked pizza mixed with a mouthwatering garlic butter aroma hit my nostrils the moment we opened the door. Hurriedly, we sat down at the first available table that could fit us all and gave our orders. My stomach was rumbling in anticipation of the goods that would be delivered to me.

The time spent in the lovely restaurant went by like a blur. We laughed, chatted, and made some arrangements to visit each others’ packs in the near future. Before we knew it, it was time to go back and prepare for the mandatory graduation party that was held on the field just outside the university. It was the first time that students and lecturers would mingle and be seen as equals.

Reaching the dorms, Greta and I hurriedly jumped out of our cars and sprinted inside to pack the rest of our belongings and change into more comfortable clothes. We both knew it was our last day together before we parted ways and became residents in our packs, so we planned to spend our last night having fun.

“Med Bitches for life, Ams! Tonight we’ll have fun, tomorrow we’ll start sewing wounds.” Greta jumped on the bed and did a little dance before jumping off and discarding her dress.

I chuckled at her enthusiasm, she was always the funny girl but her comment about going back hit me with a realization. I was happy to go back to my pack, but the thought of the particular man made me release a heavy sigh.

“No. Now it’s not the time for sentiments. It’s time to have some fun, Amy, before our lives get too serious.”

As always, she tried to light up my mood with her chirpy attitude. “But I’m going to miss this, miss you, miss us.” I answered, almost crying.

“Stop. Stop it right now. I can see your hesitation and, even more, I can smell it.”

Greta grabbed my hands, stopping me from zipping my bag in the middle, and I almost cried at being so obvious about my feelings. That was a part of her abilities as a healer, she could sense all the feelings that emanate from others. Hesitation, happiness, sadness, or nervousness that I could never hide from her.

“I don’t want to face the truth of not being over him. I’m scared, Greta.” I whispered and sniffed, holding back the biggest tears that were threatening to fall down my face.

“Shhh, sweety. It’s OK, I’m here with you and for you. And if you need me out there, call me and I’m there to kick his ass for not seeing your worth.” She pulled me into a hug and I broke down, crying my heart out.

As ugly tears streamed down my face, I realized my nirvana was about to end and reality was waiting outside the university. And as much as I had prepared myself for it, the truth was that I was so god damn scared. And that little, miserable girl was still there inside me, just shunned away by the fake mask of confidence.

“Let’s get ready. Tonight is our graduation and your birthday in a few hours. It’s not a time for tears of sadness. It’s time for tears of happiness. Or better yet, no tears at all but a few drinks, seductive smiles and maybe a hot make-out session with that sexy Jaden who has had his eyes on you for at least a year.” She chuckled, causing me to laugh slightly at her boldness.

I wiped away my snot, still laughing at her attitude and nodded. We quickly changed our outfits and after putting on my long cafe-au-lait cardigan, I placed the flower back on my shirt. Grabbing our bags, we went downstairs and loaded them into our cars. As I walked, I took a last look at the campus that had been my home for the last two years and smiled.

Everything would be different from this day on. Every day would be filled with tasks our packs needed or demanded from us. But right now, it was time to have some fun. So I took a deep breath and held Greta’s hand in mine, giggling as we headed to the field where the party was held.

***

The party was in full swing when we arrived. Students were mingling with their families and friends. The teachers were drinking with the parents and a few even openly flirted with their former pupils.

“Hey sexy. Want to have some fun in my old room?” A large arm wrapped around my waist from behind as hot breath fanned my cheek, and the strong scent of alcohol hit me, causing me to gag.

“I’m not interested Jaden, go find someone willing to be your flavor of the day.” I rolled my eyes at his persistence and pushed him away.

Turning around, I saw his almost drunken state that made him wobble on his feet. He was handsome and tall with ocean blue eyes and perfectly combed dark hair, but his overgrown ego was a total turn off for me. His eyes were full of lust, roaming over my body while licking his lips. Not wanting to spend a second longer with him, I excused myself and went to search for my dads.

“Here’s the star of the year. My beautiful niece who kicked all the males in grades.” From behind, I heard the proud voice of my uncle and I blushed at his words.

Turning around, I bit my lip, seeing him approaching me with a big grin plastered on his face. My fathers followed right behind him. He engulfed me in a hug, kissing the top of my head before releasing me to give my fathers space to do the same.

“She’s our pride and joy. Thank you Deacon, for being here to almost give her her diploma.” Daddy Ben sneered at him, knowing he had hit a nerve.

“I can’t fight her orders, but at least I had the privilege to make my speech before Amy took her paper.” Uncle Deacon sneered back, causing all of them to laugh at their behavior.

I couldn’t hold back my own laughter and joined them. We spent the next few hours talking, laughing, and teasing. It was the best day of my life. I had finally graduated from the United Werewolves University of Medicine, and my fathers, despite their schedule, or their lies, were here with me to celebrate it. My uncle almost, almost was the one to give me my diploma, before someone I was not expecting took his place.

“What are you laughing about, boys?” The sweet voice that caused me to shiver before spoke behind me and my body instantly started to sweat.

My father and Uncle Deacon smiled at her. I almost forgotten she was there, and I didn't expect to see her at this party. Gulping down my nervousness, I turned around and faced the woman who gave me my diploma instead of my uncle.

She was my idol and my motivation as a woman to achieve more. The one who had fought hard to show that we women are equal or sometimes even greater than the world thinks. None other than Martha Wagner was heading our way with the bright smile, happy eyes, and graceful moves that intimidated all the people around her.

“Hello Amy, it really was a pleasure to supervise your work, and an amazing feeling that another woman kicked all the males’ butts in the fight to be on top.” She beamed, grabbing my hand once she joined us. “And even a greater honor to be the one who can brag about that.” She winked at me.

My mouth was dry, my tongue paralyzed, and my body frozen. I didn’t know how to respond to her, my words were stuck and my brain suddenly decided to shut down. The head of the ‘High Trinity’ was talking to me, praising my achievements, and I couldn’t form a single word in her presence.

Not finding my tongue for a few seconds, I blushed profusely and nodded like the obedient dog I was when my master awarded me for doing a great job. Thankfully, she didn’t notice my awkwardness or decided not to embarrass me more by pointing it out. She was engulfed in a conversation with the rest of the group, leaving me alone.

“Your flower is barely hanging on your shirt, let me fix it.” She suddenly spoke out of nowhere and before I noticed her move, she clipped my sunflower back into place a little too hard and the pin scratched my skin, causing me to hiss at the small bite of pain. I quickly masked it with a smile.

“I have to go now, but I’m hoping to hear more from you in the future, Amy. I have a feeling you’ll do greater things for our kind than you can ever imagine.” She excused herself after one of her assistants whispered something in her ear. “Don’t let them stop you from achieving more, Girl power Amy.” She whispered in my ear before walking away, leaving me still dazed and intimidated but determined to show the world my worth.

“Are you ready?” Daddy Peter asked excitedly, bringing me back to earth.

“Hmm?” I asked, still in a daze about meeting my idol and overwhelmed at her words.

“It’s after midnight princess, it’s your birthday. Ready to meet your wolf?” He asked and I squealed like a little girl for the first time in years.

Meeting my wolf was one of the most important things on my ‘to do’ list and I was dying to see what she looked like. Was she shy, brave, big, short, blond or different? It was about time to find out, so with a broad smile I answered him.

“I’m thrilled to meet her.”