Changing Fates: A Sons of Satrina Novel (The Sons of Satrina Book 3) (14 page)

It didn’t take long for Marion to round the girls up. It was getting late and they were both in their room. The first thing Rhian did when she knocked on the door was complain that they hadn’t found them separate rooms yet.

Cala followed in silence while Rhian kept up a whole list of complaints on their way down to Kelton’s office. Marion seriously felt sorry for Kelton. This wouldn’t be an ideal situation for any man to find himself in, but to find out he had a daughter like Rhian? That had to be a hell of a blow.

“What’s this all about?” Rhian demanded for the tenth time in less than two minutes.

“Master Warrior Kelton wishes to speak to you both.”

“Well, I figured that much out by myself.” Rhian huffed. “I meant, what does he want?”

“He’ll tell you when we get there.”

Rhian didn’t do patient. She thought that if the warrior wanted to speak to them, he should have come to them. Why did she have to run around after him? She was only playing along with this because of her mother. She would do anything for her mother, putting her up on a pedestal as the vision of a perfect woman. Cassandra wanted a way in with Kelton, and that was what Rhian was going to give her. She didn’t have to like it, though. And complained loudly and often. Cassandra may want the Master Warrior, but she didn’t care about him in the slightest. Her father? She didn’t need him. They’d done well enough without him so far.

Marion managed to ignore her the rest of the way down. It was almost like Rhian wasn’t actually waiting for answers. She just liked the sound of her own voice.

Knocking on the office door, she opened it up and smiled sympathetically at Kelton. He looked like he was living a nightmare. The bags under his eyes were dark and deep and there was a look of stress marring his handsome features. Marion wished she could do more to help him, but without Kayleigh, there was nothing else he wanted.

“Please, come in. Sit down.” Kelton moved aside his laptop. He hadn’t been doing anything productive, just wasting more time trying to locate Kayleigh. To no avail. Again. It was amazing how well she was managing to hide herself. After all his years as a warrior, searching out the hidden was one of his specialities, but could he find the one person he needed the most? Like hell he could.

“What’s this all about?” Rhian stood with her hands planted on her hips and enough attitude for a dozen teenagers.

“Please sit down.”

“No. Just tell me what this is about.” She demanded.

Kelton almost growled, he was that frustrated. “Sit your ass down now, Rhian.”

She had clearly never been spoken to like that before as she sat in silence with a shocked expression on her face. But, Kelton couldn’t put up with her crap any more. This was hard enough as it was, without her throwing a hissy fit. She was acting like a toddler, which wouldn’t do any of them any good right now. It was time for her to grow up.

“Rhian, Cala.” He looked at them both, making sure they were listening. “I’ve brought you both here to speak with you. I’ve received the results of the paternity test. It came back positive. I am your father.”

The girls sat in silence. Cala looked like she was emotionally unable to speak. This was what she had wanted to hear. Over the years, it had only been her, Rhian and Cassandra and she had always been the odd one out. They had a bond that couldn’t let anyone else in. Cala was hoping that this could be a fresh start, to get to know someone new, to have a family that she craved so deeply. Even after speaking to Kelton only a handful of times since they first arrived at the academy, she already respected him. He was a man of worth and she was pleased that the results came back positive.

Rhian now looked bored. She didn’t care one way or the other. This was simply a means to an end, working on her mother’s goal. Personally, she couldn’t see what her mother saw in the warrior. He was arrogant and clearly didn’t have the kind of money that was expected of the position he held within their community. But, if that was what her mother wanted, that’s what she’d get.

This wasn’t quite the reaction Kelton had been expecting. The news had rocked him to his very core, even though it was expected. But, now it was proved. He was their father. Rhian looked like she didn’t give a damn, but Cala looked as shocked as him, but in a good way. It was a positive thought that he may grow to know and like at least one of them. But, that wasn’t something he wanted to think about right now. That was something they’d have to work on in the future. Right now, he had too much on his plate.

“Is there anything you’d like to talk about? Anything you’d like to ask me?”

Cala looked about to speak when Rhian piped up. “What do you want us to say? Great to have you here Daddy? Don’t be so ridiculous!”

Marion couldn’t bite her tongue a moment longer. “Rhian! There’s no need to be rude.”

“Well, what does he expect? We haven’t had a father for this long. We don’t need one now.”

“Is that right?” Kelton growled, royally pissed off with the girl. Sure, he hadn’t wanted to believe this new turn of events, but he was accepting it and was willing to move forward with it. He turned his eyes to Cala. She seemed overcome by events and he said in a softer tone, “Is that true, Cala?”

Cala looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights. She desperately wanted to connect with him, but the way Rhian was acting, it was making it impossible. She didn’t want him to think that they were alike in their opinions.

“I am giving you both the chance to think about this. This is a new thing for all of us and we don’t know how things are going to turn out. If you want me in your life, we can work with that. If you don’t, we’ll keep this strictly a warrior and trainee relationship and it will never be mentioned again. I’ll leave it to you to think about it.”

Cala looked distraught. She didn’t want to leave t, but Rhian was already tugging on her hand, making the decision for her.

Rhian stood up, yanking her sister to stand with her. “We don’t need a father. We certainly don’t need someone like you in our lives.” She pulled Cala after her out of the door, slamming it shut with a resounding thud behind them.

“Rhian! That was the perfect time to get to know him.” Cala whispered, not wanting to anger her sister any further, but she couldn’t keep it to herself. She wanted to stay and talk, find out about him and talk about the future, but she’d been dragged out of there before she could protest.

“I don’t want to get to know him.” Rhian snapped.

“Why not? He doesn’t seem so bad.” In fact, to Cala, he seemed pretty damn perfect. He was the perfect father figure, strong, protective and loyal. But, with Rhian around, she’d probably never get to find out.

Rhian stopped dead and stepped close to Cala, “If you think we’re here to play happy families, you’ve got another thing coming. You want a father? Good luck with that. It was written all over his face that this was the worst thing to ever happen to him. Get it through your thick head. He doesn’t want us. He doesn’t want you.”

Cala had to blink back tears. “You don’t know that.”

“Get real.” Rhian laughed, “Why would he? He doesn’t need a family, and it’s obvious he doesn’t want one.”

“You don’t know that. He didn’t say that.”

“Grow up, Cala. He didn’t have to say anything. Plus, why would you want anything to do with him?” Rhian turned up her nose in disgust. “He’s uncouth.”

“He is not.” Cala felt she had to try and defend him. “He’s a warrior. And a well-respected one at that.”

Rhian shook her head. “You poor, deluded little fool.”

Cala’s eyes widened, but she was used to that kind of insult from her sister. She’d lived with it all her life. This time, however, when Rhian turned to walk away, she didn’t follow her. It was time for her to try and stand on her own two feet and get out from under her sisters shadow. It wasn’t going to be easy and it would take time, but she had to try to learn to be her own person.

The main thing she would have to learn was to believe in herself. She’d been trodden down her entire life, always told that she was worthless and would never amount of anything. That was part of the reason she was relishing the whole warrior thing at the academy. Sure, she wasn’t very good at it, but in time, she was hoping she could make herself proud. This would be her thing, something away from her mother and sister.

Walking in the opposite direction, Cala ignored the insistent shouts from Rhian.

Marion slumped in the chair. “Well, that went well, didn’t it?” She shook her head, pity for Kelton and the situation he was in welling in her chest.

“Why does she have to be like that?”

“You mean a bitch like her mother?” Marion quipped and then slapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry, Kelton. I shouldn’t have said that. It was bang out of order.”

Kelton smiled wryly. “Not at all. No need to apologise when you’re speaking the truth. She is the carbon copy of her mother.”

“It’s such a shame, because Cala seems like such a sweet girl. If only she could get out from under Rhian’s tough grasp, her light would shine.”

“I know exactly what you mean.” Kelton agreed. At this moment in time, he couldn’t ever see him getting on well with Rhian, which was such a shame seeing as he just found out for sure that she’s his daughter. On the other hand, there may be hope for Cala. Their mother had well and truly gotten her claws into Rhian, but Cala seemed to have escaped that kind of fate. Maybe there would be hope for the future after all.

It was all too soon to be thinking about that yet. He’d only just got the confirmation that he was a father. There was plenty of time to think about bonding in the future. They’d gone this long without having one another in their lives, a little longer wouldn’t hurt.

Plus, now that he had found out the truth, he could once again concentrate all his efforts on finding Kayleigh. He needed her back in his life now more than ever and would do everything and anything in his power to see that it happened.

Chapter Ten

Ash knew that she was a disgusting sight. Her hair had come loose from her bun and it was plastered to her face which was dripping in sweat. She was also pretty damn sure that she stunk to high heaven, but seeing as the rest of the guys were in the same state, no one seemed to care.

They had just spent the last two hours out on the exterior agility course. The night was frigidly cold, but running, jumping and climbing, plus swinging on those dreaded monkey bars, on the course ensured that they worked up a sweat and got their blood pumping.

Ash had to smile to herself, despite feeling exhausted and cooling rapidly. Seeing how Jackson and Caleb helped Cala around the course, hanging back to make sure she made it through was so sweet of them. The two training classes had come together for one mass work-out, battling in a race to see which team would out-shine the other.

She wasn’t smiling because the girl was struggling. She had nothing against Cala. It was simply nice to see Jackson and Caleb helping her out, even though it put their own class in jeopardy of losing. In all fairness, it should have been people in her own class that were taking that role, but the boys stepped up and showed real warrior teamwork. Even the warriors complimented them.

Plus, it was nice to be able to train with Cala and spend some time with her, without Rhian constantly popping up over their shoulders. The poor girl never seemed to get any time away from her sister, but while they were training, she was free. Rhian was still refusing to participate, which meant she had the time to herself. It was refreshing. Sure, it was hard as hell and she felt like her legs were going to drop off, but it was worth it.

Ash loved spending time with them all. The training was hard, but they all pulled together. Jackson and Caleb were working well together. It was good to see the pair of them getting on so well. Caleb could be a little prickly and seemed standoffish until you really got to know him, and even then, he wasn’t always easy to get along with.

It wasn’t surprising, though. Even though it had taken him a while to get there, it seemed that he was finally settling in. However, he was still a shifter living with a bunch of vampires. It wasn’t ever going to be easy for him, but he was working with it and finally making some solid friends. He and Jackson were nearly inseparable lately. It was a good thing for Ash that she got on well with them both!

Bending over with her hands on her knees, Ash swiped at the hair that had fallen in her face. Even though she was thoroughly knackered from the training session, nothing could stop the grin that broke out across her face. Jackson was a helluva sight to behold. All those rippling muscles and those glistening tattoos in the moonlight, it was hard for her to believe that they’d finally gotten their act together and were an item. No wonder Lana always complained how jealous she was, wanting a badass warrior-in-training of her very own. Ash could totally see it.

Looking over at Jackson, he was just the type of boy that her parents would have had a heart attack over. The ink, the muscles and the violent occupation were enough to send them into cardiac arrest if they found out she was involved with him. Or so she had thought. When she had casually mentioned to her father about her ‘new’ relationship, her father had actually been quite pleased. He seemed relieved that she had someone to look out for her during this phase in her life.

And Lana? Jealous wasn’t the word. She was Ash’s best friend in the world and had gone crazy with happiness when she’d first told her that things were going well with Jackson. Lana had been her shoulder to cry on in all those months that Jackson had been running hot and cold on her, so she was over the moon when they finally sorted themselves out. Unfortunately, that meant the end for Lana’s drooling over him, so she moved quickly onto Caleb. He was still young, free and up for grabs. Aisline couldn’t help but laugh at her. That girl was always on the lookout for a future husband.

It took several more minutes for Jackson and Caleb to finally drag Cala over the finishing line on their final lap. The poor girl looked like she was ready to collapse. The warriors always tried to push the trainees to their very limits, but Cala was way past her limits and she hadn’t given up or given in. She’d held her own and made it to the very end, with the help of Jackson and Caleb by her side. Although Aisline could tell that she felt like she was going to pass out at any minute, the sense of achievement was written all over her face, making her beam.

With a shy smile of thanks to the boys, Cala was tired way beyond the ability to speak. She turned and caught Rhian’s eye. Her twin sister glared at her. Rhian stood off to one side, bundled up in layers of designer clothing, refusing to partake in the training and turning her nose up at everyone else in the two classes. Talk about bursting her bubble. But Cala turned away and looked for Aisline, determined to revel in the satisfaction and joy she felt for a little while longer. There was no way she was going to let Rhian spoil this.

Cala could feel herself getting stronger and pulling away from her sister. Sure, she still had a hell of a long way to go with regards to her level of self-confidence, but she was getting there. Training on her own and tentatively making friends was doing her the world of good and it was obvious that Rhian didn’t like it. That wasn’t much of a surprise really, seeing as Rhian had Cala at her beck and call all of her life, feeling her pull away was more than a little annoying. They’d come here, met their father and now Cala was moving away from her, gaining independence. She was proud of herself and wouldn’t let Rhian ruin this for her.

Ash called over to Cala and was glad when the girl walked over to her. She didn’t want Rhian dragging her down. She was right to feel proud of herself for achieving what she had done and it wasn’t fair of Rhian to try and take that from her. It was clear that Cala had felt on top of the world when she finally crossed the finishing line. Rhian could be such a stuck up princess and if she didn’t want to make the most of this opportunity, then that was her problem. She shouldn’t try and take it away from her sister. Cala may not be particularly fit or agile or have very good coordination, but she was trying her best. Ash gave her props for that.

“I’m going to go and fill up my water bottle, do you need anything?” Ash offered, getting Cala to walk further away from Rhian and closer to Jackson and Caleb.

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.” Cala replied shyly even though she was too exhausted to move.

Ash smiled and turned to walk away, calling over her shoulder, “You did really well today. You should be proud of yourself.”

Cala blushed and grinned to herself, trying to hide behind her hair. She wasn’t used to any form of praise. Growing up, her mother had all but ignored her in favour of Rhian, no matter what she did to try and gain her approval. Here at the academy, people were constantly talking each other up and encouraging one another. It was a strange concept for her to get used to.

That was why she was trying so hard at the academy now. When their mother had dropped the bombshell that this strange mark was some kind of warrior thing and that she was going to drop the girls off to live with their father, Cala saw it as a way to make a new start. She wanted to make Kelton proud from the moment she met him. He was a great man and respected by everyone she encountered. It meant a lot to her that he liked her and saw that she was trying to fit in, trying to be like him. Even if she couldn’t do it as well as the others, she wouldn’t give up. This was a great opportunity for her and she was determined to grasp it with both hands, no matter how much of a cow Rhian was to her. This was her thing. Finally she had something of her own.

Rhian wasn’t making any of that easy, though. She was acting like a spoilt brat as per usual. Always wanting to hog the limelight, making sure that no one even noticed Cala. It was hard to deal with, but seeing as she had dealt with it her whole life, it was nothing new.

However, she was hoping for something new here. A new life. A new Cala. Rhian was making that all but impossible, reminding her of her place, at her side to do her biding like a little lapdog.

“Are you okay, man?”

Cala turned around at the sound of Caleb’s concerned voice. He was stood next to Jackson, who was looking decidedly pale and unwell. All the colour had drained from his face, making him look as white as a ghost.

“What’s wrong with him?” she asked Caleb. Jackson had been good to her, helping her through the gruelling course and encouraging her when she didn’t think she’d be able to make it another step. She was instantly worried that it was somehow her fault that she was in pain.

“I don’t know.” Caleb said with a frown. “Jackson? What’s wrong? Talk to me, man.”

“I think we might need help. He doesn’t look well.”

“I don’t know what to do.” Caleb tried to shake Jackson a little, trying to get a reaction from him.

“Do you want me to get one of the warriors?” Cala asked.

“I don’t know what we should do. Jackson? Come on, man!”

Jackson didn’t reply, but doubled over with severe stomach cramps, groaning uncomfortably.

“Shit.” Caleb muttered, trying to hook an arm around Jackson to help him walk. Cala walked along next to them, looking worried, as they steadily made their way over to Master Warrior Dixon. “We’re gonna need some help.”

“Sir?” Caleb called out.

Master Warrior Dixon turned and quickly approached the three of them, concern etching his features.

“What’s going on here?”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with him.” Caleb said.

“Jackson?” Dixon peered into his face. “When was the last time you fed?” He knew that look straight away. Jackson was always pushing himself to far, stretching the boundaries and trying to work through the hunger. However, it wasn’t often that he let it get this bad. This was the worst Dixon had seen him.

“Sir?” Caleb asked.

“Jackson!” Dixon tried calling his name, but he was too overcome by stomach cramps to respond.

“What is it? What’s wrong with him?” Cala asked quietly, confused by the situation.

“He needs to feed. He hasn’t taken enough blood lately.”

“Oh.”

“Here,” Dixon stepped forward, “Let me take him to the donors.”

Caleb kept his arm tightly around Jackson’s waist. “It’s okay. I know where we need to go. I’ll take him there.”

“Are you sure about that?” Dixon knew that this would probably be the shifter’s first encounter with the donors and he didn’t want a difficult situation made out of it.

“I’m sure.” Caleb nodded.

“I can help.” Cala offered.

Caleb nodded to her as he started to move towards the mansion, to the closest door that would take them to the donor’s quarters. As they moved further away from the rest of the trainees, Cala rushed to catch up with them.

“Where are we going?”

“I’ve got to get Jackson to the human donor’s. He needs to feed.”

“What do you mean? Blood? Now?” Cala made a face. It was one thing living among the vampires, but it was a whole other thing to think about what they had to do to survive. It was gross.

“Yes. He needs blood now.” Caleb said blankly. He didn’t like to think about the whole process, either, but this was his friend he was talking about and if Jackson needed his help, he’d be there for him.

They walked on in silence with Jackson wedged between them, making very slow progress up the stairs. He was starting to sweat under the strain of lugging Jackson along. He wasn’t a small man and Caleb knew he could rib him later about eating too many pies. Caleb paused when they finally got to the doors that led to the human quarters. Taking in a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

“Is this it?” Cala asked. She’d never been here before. Why would she? She wasn’t one of the vampires and didn’t need blood. Plus, Rhian didn’t like to associate with humans. She thought they were beneath her.

“Yep. This is it.” Caleb hadn’t been here either, but he knew enough about the mansion to know where to find them. It made him feel a little queasy to be bringing Jackson here, knowing what was going to happen.

The door was instantly opened up by a girl who looked about the same age as them.

Caleb’s eyes widened in shock. She looked so normal and pretty, not what he expected a blood donor to look at. Sure, he knew that they’d been at the Christmas celebration dinner, but he hadn’t really taken any notice of them. There’d been so many people there, the place had been jam packed. Normally, the trainees ate in shifts, seeing as there was so many of them, but Aisline had done her planning and managed to squish everyone in. Caleb had no reason to take an interest in the humans. He’d never had much contact with them when he’d been growing up and he didn’t have a vested interest in them now, not like the vampires.

Even growing up in the pack, he’d never really had much interaction with the human population, what with the pack keeping to themselves. So, his idea of a blood donor was something much more seedy and dirty. This girl was actually extremely attractive and smiled at them in a friendly manner.

“Um…” Caleb didn’t know how to broach the subject. This was way out of his comfort zone.

“Don’t worry. Master Warrior Dixon called to tell us you were on your way. Come on in.” she smiled.

Caleb hesitated before walking over the threshold. The place looked lavish, even more so than the rest of the mansion, if that was even possible. He’d heard that the human donors were well cared for, but this was beyond anything he’d imagined. Again, it was the thought of the donors being chained up in a dungeon, ready and waiting for the vampires to feast on their juicy necks. Stupid, he knew that, especially after getting to know them all. The guys were not like that at all, but he couldn’t help the traditional thought of vampires that he’d grown up with.