The Broken Warrior's Daughter

As happy as | was that it was Friday, | was terrified of another public display of wills between Alphas. | could only hope that my offer to Liam of training and dinner helped him feel calm enough that he didn’t show up at school again today.

By lunch time, | was a nervous wreck. Not only was everyone, and | mean EVERYONE at the school talking about what happened yesterday (even two teachers asked if | had a preference for one of the Alphas. Seriously??), but what if my mystery man was scared off? Or worse, what if he wasn’t and Liam showed up again?

When | walked into the cafeteria, | wasn’t sure if | was relieved or hurt that no one was waiting for me.

Artemis piped up in my head, ‘If Liam scared him off, he wasn’t worthy of us anyway.’ In some ways, | don’t disagree. Artemis is a very powerful wolf and needs a powerful wolf for a mate, but | also know that Liam is a strong and powerful Alpha. He intimidates almost everyone. ‘Almost being the operative word,’ she retorts.

| get my food and join Lacey and Jason at our table. “So, | guess Alpha Liam scared off your mystery man.” Lacey says.

I shrug, not really knowing what to say. There is no gift. Was that intentional, or was no gift planned today? Or maybe, because it was Friday it was planned for the end of the day. It was anyone’s guess.

As we are talking, a hush and then a loud buzz of chatter begins in the room. It look up to see the most beautiful, delicate, exquisite man | have ever seen. He was easily seven feet tall, but lean and lithe in a flowing gown that seemed to float around him as he glided over to me. A deep, melodic voice asks, “Cara Nelson?”

I nod, yes, because | can’t get my mouth to work. He must be a fae. I've never seen one before, they are rare and almost never interact with werewolves, but he looks exactly like what | would expect a male fae to look like.

In his hands, he has a gift, wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with twine. ” This is for you,” and he hands me the gift. | look up at him. “Thank you. Is there a card?”

He arches an arrogant eyebrow at my question. “It requires none.” And he turns. on his heel to leave. Before he exits, he states loudly, “My debt is paid in full.” And he walks out.

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| stare down at the gift in my hands. For some reason, the lack of a card and decorative wrapping has me nervous of what this could be. | untie the twine and open the wrapping. | gasp and my hand flies to my mouth. | am in awe.

After a minute, | reach out a shaking hand to touch the leather cover of the tome. In elegant writing that looks like it was burned into the leather the title reads: The History of the Guardian. There is exactly one version of this book in the world, and it is now in my possession. | know my father has searched for this book for decades and has never been able to find it, but my mystery man has found it and given it to me. | feel tears prick my eyes at such a priceless gift.

“Thank you.” | whisper, but since you can hear a pin drop in the room, | know my suitor can hear me. I clutch the book to my chest. | need to get this home to my father. It’s too precious to even have with me at school the rest of the day. As the bell rings, | finally look around to see others with a questioning look on their face. Everyone wants to know what theAll content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

gift is so they can understand my response. My eyes meet glaciers and | am locked into his gaze. He doesn’t look surprised or like he’s wondering what | received. He looks..... happy. With my response? | have no idea.

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