“You’ve been in my office?” said Hugh, looking at the bottles his son was holding.
“Nope, I caught your valet disposing of them.”
“Look I’m fine really kids and like you said, you’re adults now, wouldn’t you rather be at home with your families?” said Hugh desperately.
“We’d rather you just told us the truth dad.” retorted Lyall.
“Tell them the truth.” growled Knox, pushing forward turning Hugh’s eyes black. “They will understand.”
“We can see you’re fighting your wolf dad,” said Lennox gently. “Tell us, we might be able to help.”
Hugh slumped on the nearest armchair, “I don’t think anyone can help me with this.”
Lyall and Lennox looked at each other with concern.
“Dad, please tell us. Why did you run out of the wedding, you looked ill, are you sick?” asked Lyall with alarm.
“No. No I’m not sick, it’s just...” he faded out, unsure of how to tell his kids that the Goddess wanted him to betray their mother with another. How could he tell them that everything he held so dear, the promise that he made to himself to remain true to her was crumbling, that it was crumbling so fast that he ran around half of Scotland looking Annie, that the reason he had ignored their calls and texts was because of another woman? What if they hated him for it, demanded he reject her or they would never speak to him again? Hugh felt like his head was caving in and the pull to her was getting stronger.
“TELL THEM.” demanded Knox, clawing at Hugh’s chest.
“I.....I.....” stammered Hugh.
Lennox stood up and poured his father a drink. He handed him the amber liquid and sat on the edge of the marble coffee table.
“Please dad, just tell us what it is, you’re scaring us now.”
“Please don’t hate me,” said Hugh, “I didn’t want this, I don’t know why the Goddess has chosen to do this to me.” He fell silent his breathing rapid.
“Dad?” prompted Lyall, truly worried now.
“The Goddess has given me another mate,” blurted Hugh, his words coming out garbled and at a rapid pace. “There was a woman at the wedding, related to the bride, I met her as I walked in, it’s not what I want, I should have rejected her straight away because I promised myself there would be no one after your mother but I was confused so I left and then when I wanted to see her, to reject her, I think, but she had left and I don’t know where she is, so I went to Edinburgh thinking she had gone there but she wasn’t so now I have to find her.” Hugh closed his eyes and waited for the fallout, trying to calm his breathing.
Lyall and Lennox looked at each other then back at Hugh in stunned silence.
“That’s all?” said Lennox, breaking the silence, “The Goddess has given you another mate? For fucks sake dad we thought you were ill or dying or something.” Hugh opened his eyes and looked at his son, Lennox was grinning, a look of relief on his face.
“I’m so sorry.” He whispered, “I’m going to find her, I know I have to reject her, please don’t hate me, I would never betray your mother.”
“What do you mean reject her? Dad you can’t, you mustn’t. The Goddess has given you a second chance, you must find her and make her yours.” said Lyall gently, kneeling at her father’s feet. “You have a chance to be happy, take it.”
“I am happy, I can’t..”
“Dad, you have been alone for the whole of my life, you took care of us and now it’s your turn to have a life.” interrupted Lyall.
“I have a life.” countered Hugh, gesturing around the room.
“What, running around after Alpha Armstrong, making him rich, what about after?” said Lennox with a raised eyebrow. “Dad, being happy with a mate the Goddess chose for you is not betraying mum, is that why you’ve been alone all these years, because you thought we would hate you? Mum has been gone a long time and while we still love and miss her, we never thought you would spend your life alone, we never expected that of you dad. Have you ever thought that perhaps the Goddess has given you this mate now because I’m ready to take over from you so you can begin to live a little? I can’t believe you ran away from her, you need to find this woman, go and find her and be happy dad, please.” pleaded his son. Hugh was stunned by his children’s reaction, this was not what he expected, it might have been easier for him if they had been angry. He let out a deep breath and he felt like a weight had lifted off him, they didn’t hate him, in fact, they were happy for him. He wasn’t sure if he was happy for himself however.
“I have people looking for her, I just need to wait until she is found.” said Hugh, emotionally drained. “She might not even want me you know.” he said weakly.
“Why would she not want you dad?” smiled Lyall, hugging him.
“I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet, I need time, time to think so I would appreciate if you would keep this information to yourselves.” said Hugh, draining his glass, both his children nodded. He stood, hugged both his kids before seeing them to the door. It had been just the three of them for so long he wasn’t sure if he could see his life any other way. He watched as they drove away, his kids never failed to surprise him, they were amazingly resilient even as pups growing up without their mother. He thought they’d be angry at the thought of their mother being replaced but they were as supportive as ever. He sighed, now his kids were on board, it changed the situation somewhat but he decided to wait until Annie was found, if she could be found, before making any rash decisions. An image of Annie flashed into his head, long brown hair and those beautiful blue eyes.
“That’s enough Knox.” he said to his wolf. Knox huffed and went to the back of Hugh’s mind. Hugh ate and went to bed where he dreamt of her vividly again, her legs wrapped around his waist, his hands in her hair pulling her to him, her body pressed into his... Hugh woke with a jolt. He groaned, the bed was in disarray, the bed covers had been kicked onto the floor and he was fully aroused. He rolled over and groaned again, would this ever end?