Seven Beasts (Haremworld)

“ARE YOU MAKING BREAKFAST?” Cassandra came down the stairs with a yawn stretched across her face.

“I made coffee...” I nodded towards the pot that was still steaming.

“You’re supposed to make breakfast!” Cassandra huffed as she walked over to the pot of coffee.

“Sorry...” I muttered. “I’m worried about our father.”

“He’ll be fine.” Cassandra shrugged. “I’m sure he’s just out trying to find the perfect gift for us.”

“Are you really that dense?” I exhaled angrily. “They found his car abandoned. He would be out of medication by now. This is a serious situation.”

“Come on, Anabelle. He’s fine.” My sister waved me off.

It seemed like there was no getting through to her, and she was supposed to be the smart one. I walked upstairs and locked my door, shaking my head in anger as I sat down on my bed.

I spent the day in my room and that evening Detective Crane came calling again. The search had been a bust. They couldn’t find a trace of him, and although they planned to continue searching when morning came, they weren’t very optimistic. They decided to leave his car where they found it on the off-chance he was able to use it as a landmark, but I didn’t like the vibe I got from Detective Crane. I could see the hope fading from his eyes and drifting out of his voice when he spoke. He was trying to hold back for my sake, but I could read between the lines. He didn’t think my father was still alive and the search was only continuing out of obligation.

I went back to my room and locked the door. For the first time since my father had been lost, I felt hope fading as well. Tears filled my eyes and I started to cry. My sobs got louder as the minutes passed and I pushed my face into the pillow, soaking it with my grief.

I’m not ready to lose my father—I just can’t.

MY NIGHT DIDN’T OFFER much in the way of viable sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw snow swirling in my vision and I could hear my father crying out for me. He never asked for my sisters. It was always me. Anabelle, Anabelle, Anabelle! His voice echoed in my ears even when I woke up with the daylight peeking through my windows. I spent another day with tears adorning my swollen eyes and grief stuck in my burning throat. The salt from my tears had left my skin raw and my esophagus was shredded from my sobs.

I knew what Detective Crane was going to say even before the words left his lips. The search was being called off. There was no way he was still alive in those temperatures without his blood pressure medication to regulate a life of stress and worry. They would wait a few more days, but he would be presumed dead when they finally filed the official report.

I managed to get my sisters to join me at the dining room table and they had a stare of gloom etched on their faces as well. They were finally beginning to understand that the situation wasn’t favorable. As much as they tried to ignore it and pretend things were just going to work out in the end, the reality was finally starting to come crashing down.

“We have to start thinking about what we’re going to do from here. The company is already in turmoil without him there.” I picked up my cup, which was filled with whiskey instead of coffee.

“We should sell it.” Bethany shrugged and tilted her head. “It isn’t like any of us can run it.”

“Yeah.” Cassandra nodded as well. “Without our father here to run the company, it won’t survive for long. There have been a few offers.”

“How do you know that?” I narrowed my eyes at her. “Have you been in contact with someone?”

“I’ve taken a few calls.” She shrugged. “I’m the oldest, so they naturally called me first.”

“You would really sell his company?” I looked from Bethany to Cassandra, feeling anger rising up in my sternum. “It is his life’s work!”

“Which obviously he’s not here to handle anymore.” Cassandra turned to me with a look of anger. “You sure can’t run it.”

“I would try!” I slammed my hand on the table. “I don’t know why I’m even talking to the two of you. All you care about is how much money you can get right now. Daddy’s company is supposed to take care of us for the rest of our lives!”

“You told us we should be thinking about where we go from here. I suggest we sell it.” She shrugged again. “It is better than watching it get run into the ground.”

I couldn’t believe my sisters were so callous when it came to our father’s legacy. He had worked his whole life to build a company that could support his family. We had a good life—my sisters had certainly been spoiled rotten by the wonderful life our wealth provided. They might have been right about our inability to do the things he did to keep the business going, but I wasn’t about to just give up. If they didn’t care enough to do anything else, I would do it myself.

I waited until they were asleep and started packing a bag. I didn’t need much, but if I found him, I wanted to be prepared. I packed some survival gear, his medication, and some warm clothes for him. I was going to drive straight to Lake Vaughn and start searching on my own. I knew it was the whim of a foolish young woman, but if I didn’t go, the lingering thoughts would always haunt my mind. If I failed, at least I would know I tried. I drove most of the night, and when I got to Lake Vaughn, I drove around for nearly two hours until I saw his truck parked on the side of the road. I was thankful the police had left it there, because it gave me a starting point. I sat in my car until the sun was coming up, and then stepped out into the snow.

If you’re out there, Daddy—I will find you.

Chapter 2: Alexander

1817

“You need to run for president.” Congressman Campbell put another large tankard of stout in front of me.

“President?” I whistled through my teeth and shook my head. “I’m not a Founding Father. Nobody is going to vote for me.”