Pride and Joy!

Alpha Theodore Claude Thornton

Theo had dreamed of the possibility of turning his back on his father and running away with Athalia, building a life with her instead. He would never have turned his back on his child, not to mention her mother, the woman he had loved from the moment he had laid eyes on her.

It would have changed EVERYTHING.

Nevertheless, Ivan had also informed Theo about what happened to Daniel, which blew his mind. Theo was never prouder of anyone in his life. She was a true Alpha and had not fully realized her full potential.

His mind had raced with the possibilities.

Her effect on Daniel and Ivan was uncanny, and Ivan had admitted his wolf had submitted. However, with Daniel, it was different. Their wolves had imprinted on each other, blossoming that Alpha and Beta bond, sealing it for all eternity.

He was her true Beta, ordained by the Divine Moon Goddess. That is only true for white wolves.

Betas are loyal and devoted to their Alphas, and Theo is pleased it's Daniel. Truthfully, before Aubrianne, Theo was deeply considering Daniel to be the next Alpha when he stepped down. It was sad to say, but his sons were not options for such responsibilities.

He had always admired Daniel and the way he carried himself with purpose. Theo had secretly wished his sons would have taken a page from Daniel's book when it came to life on a spectrum or even from him. Goddess, Darn it!.

However, Alpha Thornton looked at Aubrianne and sensed her turmoil. His heart squeezed in his chest.

He grumbled, then ordered, "Everybody leave us!"

He tried hard to suppress his aura of raw strength and power for one that was not so intimidating. Theo did not want to scare Aubrianne in any way.

He tried exuding his warmth, care, and love.

Jada knew this man was not to be messed with. He was feared, so he did not have to tell her twice, nor did it take a rocket scientist to know that Mr. Thornton was suppressing his power, yet still she felt that command as if she belonged to his community and was initiated into it.

She had instantly moved, and Daniel followed, taking the lead.

They went out of the house to the backyard by the pool, leaving Aubrianne and her Dad alone….

It was quiet momentarily as Aubrianne stared at her father, unblinking, not believing what was happening. While Theo felt like he was waiting for an eternity to say 'Hi' to his baby girl, with soft, caring honey-brown eyes like Aubrianne's, he watched her.

His eyes, 'She has my eyes,' Theo had said to his wolf Osouf back at the college.

Now staring into her eyes, he was afraid to even make a move, let alone a sound.

Suddenly Aubrianne broke down and croaked, "Dad?" Tears flowed freely as she got up and ran into his arms, her arms outstretched. Staring into those warm brown welcoming eyes, Aubrianne had fought with everything in her against this feeling that was taking over her.

And Theo's heart skipped a beat at her voice calling him Dad. He felt as if the simple utterance of the word Dad from Aubrianne's lips was everything to him.

For Theo, this was a dream come through. It had irked him to his core every time she had called him Mr. Thornton back at the college. He cringed every time.

He had almost grimaced every time and fought tirelessly to hide his displeasure at hearing Mr. Thornton from her lips instead of Dad.

Even Osuof did not like it. He had said, 'Uh, I do not like how she said, Mr. Thornton."

Theo had responded, "Agreed, buddy, you and me both, but we have to bide our time. Soon though, soon!"

It was clear Theo did not like her calling him Mr. Thornton. He wanted to hear 'dad,' though, in all honesty, he did not dare to imagine that it would be this soon.

Regardless, he was filled with pride and joy. His chest could not have swollen any bigger.

He waited patiently, arms opened wide, willingly welcoming her.

Staring at him now with everything she had learned, it was so obvious. There was no denying it, along with the strong bond she felt between a wolf and his pup.

Her, yes, she was that pup, as Leia had explained.

Aubrianne surmised she felt the bond this time meeting him because she had experienced her first shift.

Leia had made herself known after being subdued for so long, then that light that had encompassed her released what was bound, as her mother had explained.

The feelings that were coming through that darn wolf bond contradicted what Aubrianne wanted to feel; she was conflicted and had questions.

One in particular, but wrapped in his strong arms, she felt like she was home. She felt safe, comfortable, and secure as her wolf imprinted on her father's. She had never felt this safe and secure in her life.

The bond between Father and pup strengthened as the seconds ticked by.

He had scooped her up cradle style and sat on the couch, holding her as you would a baby. It was ridiculous, but he did not care. Besides, he was six foot two to Aubrianne's five foot seven inches.

His heart wailed as he thought of how many of these he missed, comforting HIS baby girl this way. What it would have been like holding her like this as a baby.

A tiny Aubrianne danced in his mind. It was projected from Leia. He gripped Aubrianne closer at the image as a tear escaped his eyes, and he shivered.

And to know he missed a year of this, but no, he had to, he still argued.

But looking at the image, she was a beautiful baby girl looking so adorable and full of life. Theo began thinking of all the first he missed and swore he could have heard his heart crack as he thought of cradling baby Aubrianne.

Aubrianne lost all strength. All the fight in her dissipated. She even tried recalling how riled up she was at Mr. Grey's words earlier, but the fire never lasted.

She imagined herself wailing uncontrollably in his arms in frustration as he held her tight while she feebly beat at his chest, asking him whyyy? Why did you wait? Taking moments away from her, away from them, and you were still waiting for what? She would then desperately await his answer.

But nope, he had her, and being in his arms, as stupid as it was, brought back all those memories of her wishing this very same thing, only she was a lot tinier. She remembers tiny five-year-old Aubrianne.

Nevertheless, she basked in the solace of being comforted by her father for the very first time in her life at the ripe age of twenty-two as she snuggled closer into his chest, burying her face.

She knew they had to have a conversation and was sure she would be ready. But she could already feel whatever it was, she would forgive her father. That was how much her emotions were betraying and controlling her right now.

It was like she had no control, but this was something she did not mind. After all, it was her father.

Plus, she could tell he was just as affected.

And as Aubrianne lay there comfortably in Theo's arms, he recalled the first time he met her and how things were left with her mother.

Theo remembers it as if it was just yesterday when he showed up for career day at Aubrianne's College. Can you believe he almost did not make the trip?

Around that time, they had a massive amount of financials to finalize for clients, and it was tax season, not to mention an amnesty was passed.

This allowed for the waiver of penalties and interest charges payable by taxpayers on outstanding tax liabilities in relation to taxes under the revenue laws.

And as such, all his clients would need/want their taxes up to date. This was just for his accounting firm dealings.

Then there were his commitments to his other businesses. His work schedule was overbooked, and he was overworked.

However, his wolf, Osouf, was surprisingly restless when he realized they may be unable to make it and was considering calling the school to cancel soon. At least giving them time to get a replacement.

But Osouf was not having it. He had grumbled and stressed that they needed to be there. They needed to attend that Career Day. He was unsure of what it was, but Osouf behaved as he did when they met their mate, Christen.