Page 88 of Dark Souls

“I don’t give a shit how it looks. I don’t give a shit what people think. I never have,” I argued, slamming my hands down on the table. “But you are right. I am a royal princess, which means I have a duty to protect and help those who need it. So I am doing this. You can’t exactly stop me. I am an adult and can make my own choices.”

“And I am your father, your Alpha, and your King so you cannot disobey my orders!” he roared.

“I am not a wolf! This alpha crap doesn’t work on me!”

“Let’s all take a minute and calm down,” Grandma Maddy said, placing her hand on my dad’s shoulder and pushing him into a chair. “Look. Ilaria is right. She has the right to make her own choices. Ezra, you and Ruby worked so hard for this exact reason. To give your children and all supernaturals the freedom to be who they are and unite all species to live peacefully. If Ilaria believes this person that she is helping isn’t free, then it is part of our duty to help them or to at least allow her to. You raised her to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, so let her do that.”

There was silence in the room until my uncle cleared his throat. All our eyes darted to him as he sat at the end of the table with Sienna on his lap. He had remained uncharacteristically quiet since all the arguing began.

“I say let her go.”

“What?” My grandpapi, Dad and I all said in disbelief but for very different reasons.

“She can handle it. She proved that at the last event. I don’t like it and would rather she took up crocheting as a hobby, but this is Ilaria we are talking about. Sienna and I can make sure she is as safe as possible with SIA training, so I say let her go.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at him as Sienna weaved her hand into his hair with a proud little smile on her own face. Pretty sure I had her to thank, too.

“Fine.” My dad huffed, and my eyes widened with shock. That was too easy. There was a catch coming. I could feel it. “But I want to meet him.”

“Who?” I asked, my heart thundering.

“This person who you are helping. The man who is involved in the club but isn’t free. I want to look him in the eyes and hear him promise that no harm will come to you under his watch.”

“I agree.” My grandpapi nodded.

My lips parted. Oh fuckity, fuck. There was no way. Just the thought of Dad and Grandpapi in the same room as Heathen or Luka had sweat breaking out on my skin. “No. He has to remain anonymous. No one can know he is helping me from the inside or this could all go to shit.”

“Ilaria.” My dad used his commanding tone that told me he would not budge on this. “Either I meet him or Grandpapi puts a spell on you to keep in the castle until the event is over.”

“You wouldn’t!” I glared at my grandpapi, whose lips twisted into a devious smile.

“Oh, I would.”

“Urgh! You two together are the worst!”

“That’s our job, Princess. So, when are we meeting him?” Grandpapi asked, folding his arms over his chest with a smug smirk. I glanced up at Grandma with a pleading look, but she simply shrugged, knowing even she didn’t have the power to change his mind on this one. I was screwed.

There was no way of contacting Heathen. And to be honest, he was way more of a wild card than Luka. So my only choice was to ask Luka to come and act like he was the one who needed help. But convincing him to do that would not be easy. I pulled out my new phone from my pocket and texted my old one.

Don’t flip out. But I had to tell my family about The Underground events and membership. I won’t lie to them when I am walking into a dangerous situation. They have a right to know what I am up to, but don’t worry, they have no idea you are my mate or anything about you.

…OKAY

I inhaled a shaky breath as I lifted my gaze over my phone at my dad. He was staring expectantly, waiting for an answer.

I told them someone from the inside was helping me to gain a membership, but your identity had to remain a secret. I said you’d make sure I stayed safe at the events, but they don’t believe it. They won’t let me go unless…

UNLESS?

You need to come here and meet them. They want to look you in the eye and know they have your word that I’ll be safe. My dad and Grandpapi have a little ‘Keep Ilaria safe’ club, you see. They are hell bent on ruining my life.

I stared at the phone. He’d read it but didn’t reply. Shit.

Please?

“Shall I start working on that spell?” Grandpapi chuckled. I cursed under my breath when there was still no reply. I knew there was no way Luka would agree to this. Dammit, why did I have to do the right thing and tell my family my plans? I should have just lied, deceived and gone behind their backs.

The phone vibrated.