Chapter 55
Draven.
I walked briskly toward the house, fury clinging to every muscle in my body like a second skin. My boots crunched across the gravel path, but I barely heard them.
All I could see—over and over again—was the black stallion barrelling toward Meredith, her figure frozen in its path.
If I hadn’t moved when I did…
I didn’t want to finish that thought, but sure enough, my wolf had other plans.
“She could have died.”
Great! Perfect timing! He just knew how to upset me.
Rhovan’s voice stirred in my head. ” You are worried about our mate. Good.”
“Shut up, Rhovan.” My jaw clenched. I didn’t need his commentary—not now.
“Why are you still denying it?”
I wanted to punch something. No— someone . Preferably him. If he were physical, I would have thrown him through a wall without batting an eye.
“Who said I’m worried? I’m furious because the servants were careless,” I snapped under my breath. “And because a mistake that big could have cost someone their life. That’s all.”
“Liar, ” Rhovan growled. ” Punish that little troublemaker who couldn’t sit still. And that woman who was supposed to watch her.”
I didn’t correct him this time. He was right. Wanda should have been watching Xamira. And she hadn’t. It makes me doubt her capabilities all of a sudden.
“You have to apologize to our mate, ” Rhovan said again, more insistent.
“I don’t take orders from you.”
“Then I will ignore you for a week,” he snapped. ” Let’s see how you handle all the troubles at your doorstep without my help.”
Damn him!
I reached Xamira’s room and pushed open the door. “Leave,” I said sharply to her nanny inside.
She bowed slightly scrambled out.
She bowed slightly and scrambled out.
Xamira sat curled up at the edge of her bed, a little lump under her pink blanket. Her eyes were wide and red-rimmed, her fingers curled in the fabric.
I approached her, my height, towering over her small frame.
“Daddy, I’m sorry.” Her voice cracked as fear flashed across her eyes.
No matter how mad I was at Xamira, I didn’t want her to be afraid of me—not truly. I wasn’t going to strike her. But I needed her to understand.
I took a breath and sat beside her, letting my body weight sink into the mattress.
“Why did you do that?” I asked gently, though my voice still carried its edge.
She didn’t answer. I waited. Then repeated, more firmly, “Why did you release Tempest, knowing he’s dangerous?”
Xamira lowered her gaze and fiddled with her fingers.
“Look at me,” I said, trying to soften my tone.
She raised her head. Her pale green eyes looked into mine, and what I saw there—guilt, fear, and confusion. They took the edge off my anger.
“I just wanted your attention,” she whispered.
My brows drew together. “My attention?”
She nodded.
It was hard to understand that statement without knowing her reasons, so I asked about them.
“You were with your new wife… and forgot about me. You didn’t look at me before the race. I cheered for you, but after the race, you went to her again,” she explained.
I was stunned into silence.
Xamira looked down. “I didn’t mean any harm, Daddy. I didn’t know it would be dangerous. I just wanted you to see me.”
There was no room to argue with her honesty. Her words hit deeper than I expected. And the worst part? She was right. She sat under the second umbrella, yet I ignored her, didn’t I?
There was no good reason I went to Meredith in the first place. I could have called Dennis from where I stood if I wanted to speak to him. But I went to her instead. Why?
I exhaled slowly, refusing to dwell on that topic that shamed me.
But now that I have discovered that Xamira did what she did because she thought I no longer cared about her, and was jealous I hadn’t paid any attention to her. I needed to correct that perspective.
“You are my daughter,” I told her. “You are important to me. I didn’t abandon you, and I won’t. But if you want my attention next time, come to me. Don’t ever do something dangerous again. Understand?”
She nodded slowly, a tiny pout forming. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Smile, Pumpkin.”
She did. Then threw her arms around my waist.
I held her briefly, then stood and held out my hand.
“Now,” I said, “you have to apologize to my wife. You put her in danger, even if you didn’t mean it.”
She looked hesitant, but took my hand.
As she slipped her sandals on, I knelt and met her eyes once more.
“If I hadn’t gotten there in time… Tempest could have hurt her badly. Or worse. You understand that?”
Her face paled. She nodded quickly, her hands squeezing mine tightly.
I opened the door and led her out. Then, we nearly bumped into Wanda in the hallway.
She blinked, surprised to see us together before shifting her gaze to Xamira. “Xamira, are you okay?”
Xamira nodded, her guilt and tears, completely gone.
Wanda looked from me to Xamira. “Sweetheart, what happened wasn’t your fault—”
I turned to her sharply. “Don’t say that.” I cut her off immediately, not giving her the chance to finish her statement.
Her eyes widened. “I was only trying to make her feel better,” she explained, straightening her back.
Though I understood Wanda’s intentions, I have to set the records straight, in case of next time.
“Xamira needs to understand the weight of her actions. Don’t teach her the opposite.”
Wanda pressed her lips together, before nodding silently. Then she asked, “It’s time for her medicine. I came to give it to her.”
“When we get back,” I said simply.
Then I turned away and continued down the corridor with Xamira’s small hand in mine, slowing my stride so she could keep up.
“Where are you taking her?” Wanda asked.
“To apologize,” I said firmly, not looking back.