Cruz's Salvation

“Once bitten, forever burned,” her father growled. “Their souls are dead, Kiara, and they burn in hell.”

“That’s not true.” Kiara’s voice trembled in defense. “Cruz has a warm soul. He’s generous, kind, and loving. If only you’d get to know him—”

“Get to know him,” Adric roared, cutting her off. “Vampires are our enemies. They have killed thousands of us.”

“I know,” Kiara whispered, tears forming in her eyes, still unable to make eye contact with him. What he said wasn’t a lie, but she could have pointed out werewolves had killed just as many. However, she couldn’t bring herself to throw the awareness in his face. She never wanted this. Never imagined she’d disappoint him.

“You have corrupted her,” Adric snarled. Clearly, the harsh statement had been directed at Cruz.

“No, I have loved her,” Cruz sneered.

“A vampire capable of love,” her father scoffed. “Impossible.”

“It’s not impossible,” Kiara shouted, glancing away from the ground to him. “It’s true. I love him now and I’ll love him forever.”

Rage formed on Adric’s face, causing a vein to bulge in the center of his forehead. She’d seen the look before, but she also knew him well. Kiara needed her father to see her side, needed for him to understand. She ran to him and grasped his arms. He stood firm in his stance. “Cruz makes me happy, Father. Happier than I’ve ever been. I know how wrong you think this is, but my heart tells me it’s right to stay with him. Do you want me to live a life I don’t want?”

Adric held her stare for long moments until the look softened and he sighed. “No, I wouldn’t want that for you.”

“Then forget your prejudices. Stop thinking as an Alpha and of these stupid rules our world lives by. Only think as my father. Cruz is wonderful and I’ve loved him for months now.”

Adric’s eyes widened and shock registered in their depths. “Months?”

“Yes, months. We’ve been in hiding, keeping our love a secret. It’s why I’ve been sad. I haven’t been pining for my mate. I’ve been mourning the time I’m away from him.”

Adric glanced to Cruz then looked back to Kiara a few times over. The silence grew thick in the room. Finally, he sighed, a tired sound. He raised a hand to her cheek and sadness darkened his eyes. “I’d say I’m disappointed you never told me, but I know why you kept this to yourself.” He sighed again and despair shone on his face. “Do you know what it will mean if you choose this life and stay with him?”

Kiara gulped. She had a full understanding, and her heart ached at the thought. “I won’t be able to see you again.”

Adric nodded. Sorrow wafted off him. “That’s right.”

Suddenly, Cruz shot from the other side of the room and tore Kiara from her father’s grip, spinning her to face him. “Kiara, you must think this over. This is not a decision to take lightly. I’ve thought of this, considered it an option, and I don’t want this for you.”

Confusion swirled in her mind. She glanced at her father, who looked shocked by Cruz’s words. She glanced back to Cruz, not understanding what he meant. “You don’t want me?”

Cruz snorted. “You know I want you, but you’ll lose your family. I, of anyone, understand the pain this can cause. Consider what you will lose for us to stay together. Is it worth it?”

Kiara could never admit this aloud in front of her father. She didn’t want to break his heart. As much as she’d miss her father, her happiness lay in the hands of Cruz now. Her life was enriched by him. If she lost him, she wouldn’t be able to go on. She didn’t want to lose her father, but life had given her no other choice. Where her father had been the backbone in her life, the man who molded her into the woman she was, Cruz would take her and deepen her life—frame her happiness forever.

Adric sighed at her silence, drawing her focus to him. “We’ve got a bit of a mess here.” He looked to the dead Milo on the ground, clearly given whatever answer he searched for since he paid no cause to Cruz’s remark and moved along. Kiara was stunned to see acceptance in his eyes, and focus. “Milo is an Alpha. Answers for his death will have to be given.”

She understood Cruz’s hesitation, but her heart belonged to him and, although she loved her father, would miss him—the love she carried for Cruz held strong.

Adric glanced away from Milo and looked to Cruz with stern eyes. “When you turn her, you need to make her bleed along the floor. Be sure to leave enough of her blood here to make it appear as if she has been killed.”

“What?” Kiara gasped. Was he really so accepting? Yes, Kiara knew she’d never see her father again, but she thought it would mean run away and hide. She never thought he’d willingly agree to let Cruz turn her into a vampire. Did his love for her stretch that far?

“It’s the only way, Kiara,” Adric declared. “For this to happen, I will have to come up with a reason why my daughter is no longer with us. The pack will not believe that you’re missing and I’m not looking for you.” He sighed and his jaw clenched. “My only resolve is to allow Cruz to turn you. If you want this life, then you will have to accept it fully. It’ll break your bond to the pack, your scent will no longer be the same, and no one will be the wiser. Enough of Cruz’s blood remains here now that my wolves will acknowledge a vampire stayed here, destroyed Milo, and also killed you.”

“You’re truly okay with this? You’re going to do this for me?” Kiara couldn’t believe her ears. Tears rushed down her cheeks. She plowed into him and hugged him tight.

“I’ll do this because I love you, Kiara. I made a promise to always ensure you are well and happy. No matter what you are, you’ll always be my daughter. And if being with the vamp…” He cleared his throat. “Cruz, will make you happy, what kind of father would I be to deny you?” Adric leaned against her and inhaled as if to memorize her scent.

Kiara couldn’t believe he had agreed and accepted their love, but as the thought rose, she chastised herself. Her father loved her. Had always loved her. And her happiness remained the most important to him. He agreed because she asked it of him. She should have realized that a long time ago, and felt foolish for thinking otherwise.

Leaning away from her, he smiled. “You will have an hour here to do what you have to.” He gulped. “Be sure to not stay around any longer. You cannot leave here a wolf. My pack will track you. I’ll return with my guard soon and will plant the idea I followed your scent here.”

Kiara hugged him with every ounce of her strength, and he embraced her right back. The last time she’d see her father for who knew how long. She hoped at some point she could return, find a way to keep contact with him. But her heart told her it’d be a long time before that day—or night—would come. Maybe if she wasn’t an immortal, leaving him would seem harder, but with forever ahead of her—as all supernaturals had—she hoped she didn’t have to wait centuries to see him again.