Guardian Of The Betas Heir

16 - I promise

Elenor

“Mommy, when is my daddy coming back?” Sylva sniffs as I stroke the back of her hair.

This is all so new to Sylva. She woke up in a strange place, and it took me over an hour this morning to calm her down. When I told Sylva that this was her daddy’s house, she couldn’t contain her excitement.

Michael hadn’t awoken yet, but I showed Sylva around the house. I wanted her to be familiar with our new home. Looking at her new bedroom, I couldn’t even hide the smile on my face. Sylva was so excited to see the toy box in the corner of the room. When she opened it, toys came tumbling out. The joy falling from that little girl when she asked if her daddy had made her a princess bedroom was everything I have ever wanted for Sylva.

I was surprised at how well Michael knew Sylva when he’d spent little to no time with her. But I had to admit that he’d done well. I also wondered just how long Michael had the room ready for Sylva.

Had it been months?

A few days?

Was he planning to take Sylva back all along?

Whatever the reasons, it made me smile. It proved to me that Michael had always loved Sylva, he just didn’t know how to let her into his heart. Now that he had, he would never let her go.

Isn’t that how it should be?

Sylva and I were eating breakfast when Michael walked into the room, freshly showered and ready for the day. Instantly, he sat beside Sylva and kissed her head. Seeing the smile on Sylva’s face made me feel emotional. All she has ever wanted is her father’s love; now she has it; baby girl is over the moon.

However, after finishing the food I made for him, Michael said he had to leave for a while. Sylva started to cry, but Michael held her close and told Sylva he wouldn’t be gone long. But it seems she doesn’t believe that.

“Sylva, your daddy will be home very soon. I promise.”

She nods her little brunette head and then lays it on my shoulder. I hold her close and hum the tune of a soft song in her ear.

I dressed Sylva in a little white dress, pink cardigan, and white shoes. She wanted her hair in pigtails, so that’s what I did. She looks adorable! Michael wanted Sylva to look presentable and ready to meet the rest of her family. As glad as I am that Sylva will be surrounded by people who love her, I’m worried it might be too much for her. I know I should say something, but I don’t want to rock the boat. Besides, I’m sure Michael knows what he’s doing.

“Why did he leave me?”

“Oh, baby,” I smile and kiss her head. “Daddy didn’t leave you. He just had something to do, but he’s coming back.”

“Pwomise?”

“I promise.” The front door opens, and I smile. “That will be your daddy now.”

Sylva lifts her head as Michael walks through the door to the living room. “Daddy!” She squeals and reaches for him, making him smile.

Huh. He’s quite handsome when he isn’t frowning.

“There’s my girl.” He takes Sylva from my arms and kisses her cheek.

“I fort you not coming back, Daddy.”

“Ah, my princess. I will always come back to you.”

I’d roll my eyes if I thought I could get away with it. I shouldn’t be so hard on Michael when he’s trying so hard. But he acts like he’s the best dad in the world when he’s been anything but. I don’t know, perhaps he’ll turn out to be just that in time.

“Are you ready to come and meet your family, Sylva?”

Sylva nods. “My gwama and gwanpa?”

Michael smiles, and it’s so genuine I can’t help smiling with him. I had my doubts about him being a real father to Sylva, but I can see that I misjudged him. He loves Sylva, there is no denying it. He was lost for a while there, but he’s not lost anymore.

This is all I wanted for Sylva. Just seeing her smile warms my heart.

“Yes, baby girl. You’re going to see your grandma and grandpa.”

“Yay!”

Sylva loves her grandparents. Her grandmother has always been so kind to that little girl. I often wondered why she didn’t ignore Michael’s requests and just take Sylva to live with her. It was clear that’s what the woman wanted. But what’s done is done, and there is no longer any point banging on about it.

“I need you to come with me.”

I nod because I figured as much. However, I thought Michael would have wanted to introduce his daughter to his family without me there. “Of course,”

“The King wishes to see you.”

I can’t say I wasn’t expecting that. I am on his territory, and I’m not a Lycan. He was bound to want to check me out.

“No problem.” I smile slightly.

“I will warn you that he’s intimidating and will throw tons of rules at you. He also knows the truth of who you are.”

My eyes widen.

What the fuc.k?

I should have known Michael wouldn’t keep the truth of who I was to himself. But now all I can think is that someone from the institution will find me! It’s all my fault. I should have made it clear to Michael that I didn’t want the truth to get out.

Oh, well. There’s nothing I can do about it now. All I can do is go with it. But the Dragon King isn’t going to be happy that I lied to him. Gods, I’m going to be in so much trouble!

“I’m sorry, Elenor,” Michael touches my arm. “I couldn’t lie to Thane. I know you’re worried about it getting back to King Xale, but I promise nothing will happen to you.”

I wish I could believe him. But I have been through so much, too much to believe anyone can protect me from those monsters. If a man as strong as Von almost died because of those people belonging to the institution, I have no hope of surviving if they catch up with me. It won’t matter who Michael is, he cannot protect me.

Michael leads me toward Knight Castle. He carries Sylva because she refuses to let him put her down. Michael’s house is a ten-minute walk from the castle, not that I mind walking, I enjoy it.

People stare at us as we walk, and I wonder what they’re thinking. To the outside world, we look like a family. It makes me chuckle to myself because we couldn’t be farther from family. Then I frown because this will never be me. I will never have a child of my own or a mate who will love me.

Unconsciously, I lay my hand on my stomach. Until yesterday, I believed there was a baby in there. Now, all I’m left with are wishes and sadness for something that will never be mine.

The heavy oak doors to the castle swing open with a solemn creak, revealing a well-lit hallway that stretches into the heart of the building. The guards tip their heads to Michael, showing respect to the prince.

I take a deep breath as I step inside, feeling the weight of the unspoken expectations that come with my new position as Sylva’s Nanny here in Lykos. Okay, I was already her Nanny, but the rules are different here, and I will soon find out what they are.

The walls were lined with portraits of stern-faced ancestors, their eyes seemingly watching my every move, judging my worthiness. I must say, the Royal Lycans are a handsome bunch. The portrait of the King and Queen shows what a beautiful couple they are. Their love for one another shines in their eyes, and it makes me smile.

Michael leads me to a massive oak door. We stop outside of it, and Michael turns to me. “This is where I leave you. The King is waiting for you inside.”

“Mommy, don’t leave me.” Sylva’s lips quiver as she reaches out her hand to me.

“Elenor won’t be long, Sylva.”

I try not to roll my eyes at Michael. He has every right not to want Sylva to call me Mommy. But Sylva still isn’t listening as she calls me Mommy again before I take her little hand in mine.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I won’t be long, and then I’ll come and find you.”

“You pwomise?”

I smile. “I promise.” I kiss her head before she lies it on Michael’s shoulder.

“Once you’re done with the King, he’ll show you where Sylva and I will be waiting.”

I nod. “Okay.”

Michael tips his head and walks away.