Chapter 6 6.My Daughter

Ava's POV

"What are you two doing here? I told you both not to approach the meeting room," Daddy interrupted with his typical authority.

As William continued to stare me down, a sick feeling formed in the pit of my stomach.

I remembered how my Dad had embarassed me publicly when I was little.

"Why aren't you in the house?" He had yelled once.

"What are you doing running around these woods?" he had scolded another time.

"I thought I asked you not to do that? Why can't you listen to your father and obey?" he had shouted again a few years ago.

I thought he'd eventually stop but here I was now, being humiliated in front of a lot of people-in front of William for that matter. I flushed red, feeling embarassed for myself.

"I'm sorry Daddy, I shouldn't have come here," I tried to calm his anger.

He ignored my apology, still angry from my disobedience. "Don't you know yOi shouldn't enter this hall during a meeting, young one?" His voice boomed throughout the hall.

"I'm sorry Daddy," I lowered my head and my voice to apologize but he just kept scolding.

"Don't you know the rules of this Clan?"

The other wolves in the room watched the exchange, murmuring.

William just kept glaring at me while my Dad publicly embarrassed me. I avoided his gaze, looking towards Mia and the others.

"I'm sorry, Daddy. I won't disobey your instructions again, I promise." I repeated.

Mia, making at attempt to put an end to the scene, stepped forward and gave Daddy a soft pat. "Oh, come on, Sir. It's no big deal. We were just trying to help."

I looked at William astonished. "What is he doing here?" I asked myself.

Soon, Daddy's eyes softened as he listened to Mia. "All right, Mia. You're right. It's not a big deal. But next time, please listen to my instructions and stay out of the meeting room."

Gratitude and admiration rushed through me as I mouthed, "thank you" to my friend.

"It's alright," she whispered back to me.

She had a way of softening Daddy's heart and I appreciated that about her.

A chill ran down my spine as William approached me with a wicked smile on his face. "Didn't expect to see you so soon, little she-wolf."

His tone was dripping with sarcasm. I was too scared to move, feeling small and vulnerable in his presence.

"Is this little she-wolf your daughter?" William turned to my Dad and asked.

Daddy's eyes narrowed at the insult, but he remained calm and answered him firmly, "Yes, this is Ava, my daughter."

He added, "Though, I suggest you don't provoke her. She's got a temper and she can be quite fierce when she's angry."

William's smile faded at Daddy's warning, and he took a step back.

"Thank goodness," I thought. I felt at ease with Daddy protecting me from William's taunts.

William continued to stare me down with his menacing gaze. I could feel the power and aggression radiating off of him.

"Run! Hide! He's dangerous!" My instincts kicked at me but I remained still.

Mia had asked me to escort her to the meeting room.

"Please, Ava please. I really want to see the so called powerful people that came to talk to Sir," she had pleaded.

I'd rolled my eyes. "Mia, remember Dad warned us..."

"Please," she'd begged.

"Fine," I just couldn't have said no to her. "I'm only agreeing because you've been a good friend. But we'll be extremely quick, I don't want Daddy to find out."

"Don't worry he won't," she had assured assured me, however, here he was scolding me.

I just prayed that my Dad's warning was enough to scare William away.

William's POV

Ava's presence gave me a feeling of both unease and fascination.

"Don't disobey me again, Ava." I watched as her Dad scolded her and I couldn't help but notice how sad she looked. Her posture was slumped.

"Sorry, Daddy, I won't do it again." Her voice was so soft and she had such a sweet, endearing personality.

As she spoke, I became more attracted to her.

"Thomas," I looked at Thomas and whispered. "I feel so guilty that my mate is the daughter of my sworn enemy. Yet, she's so graceful, I can't stop staring at her."

Thomas agreed, "Yes, she's pretty adorable."

"Now, I suddenly feel a sense of responsibility towards her. I really wish I could protect her and make her happy."

Her father interrupted my thoughts when he placed his hand on her arm. He appeared to have noticed our connection.

"Excuse me, have you two met before?" he asked so suddenly, causing Ava to look away shyly and leaving me to stand there and think of the right answer. The question made me tense.

Ava seemed to be the kind of person who'd tried to be perfect for her Daddy since she looked scared. She looked sad. That moment, I knew something was off.

I thought of the answer to her Dad's question, raking Ava's body. "I know our one-night stand would be frowned upon by the Blue River Clan, especially since your father has such a high position. So you don't have to worry Ava, I would still protect you," I said in my head.

"No it's nothing like that. We just spoke briefly during the festival of Luna-"

Distracting me and her father, the contents in Ava's fruit basket fell to the ground with a loud sound. Clearly, she was caught off guard by my answer.

"Oh, I'm sorry," her sweet voice apologized.

She bent down to pick it up and Mia assisted her. "Here, let me help you. Be careful next time. You might hurt yourself."

I felt amused as I saw her nervousness and tempted to reveal our one-night stand to her father.

"No," I whisper to myself. "It isn't right. It could cause a lot of problems for Ava. And I can't let anything happen to her."

I knew that I needed to protect Ava.