Page 66 of Sellout

He furrows his brows. “I thought you were just friends with Parker?”

“Parker, Will, and Blaine.” I sit up straighter. “They’re who I hang out with.”

“Just at school, right?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No. I mean, we hang out when we’re not at school too.”

Dad’s eyes widen. “Really? I didn’t think they’d have friends…” his voice trails off.

“What? Outside the pack?”

“You know about the pack?”

I nod. “Yeah. They’re wolf shifters. Like you.”

He goes completely still. “You know?”

“Yeah.”

“Did Parker—”

I cut him off. “No. Parker wouldn’t tell me, no matter how much I begged him to. Will is the one who told me. He shifted in front of me.”

His shoulders slump forward. “I didn’t mean for you to find out like this. I always wanted to tell you. I was waiting—I thought you would develop powers or something. I don’t even know what kind of supernatural you are. I was hoping to figure it out.”

I’ve always had powers, but I decide not to bring that up just yet.

“Dad, there is something I wanted to know.” I lick my lips. “Um, the guys told me about soulmates—”

He cuts me off. “Are you dating one of them?”

“No.” My cheeks grow warm. “But I was wondering why you don’t have a soulmate.”

His entire face falls. He lowers his head, not making eye contact. “I did have a mate.”

Did.

My chest aches. “What happened?”

“She died.” He still won’t look up. “Usually, when a shifter’s soulmate dies, it kills them too. But my great grandfather was an alpha. When a shifter has alpha blood in them, they survive their mate passing. I spent years wishing that I didn’t.” He finally looks at me. “But then I met you. I think you’re the reason I survived. I was always meant to be your father.”

“Dad—”

“I’m okay,” he says. “A shifter can only have children with their soulmate. You’re a true gift, Henley. I don’t know why anybody would want to give you up, but I’m so glad they did.”

Tears well up in my eyes.

“I’m sorry that I never told you the truth. I wanted you to live as normal of a life as you could. Part of me wishes I had never brought us here, but it feels so right. I’ve missed pack life.”

I wipe at the tears. “I haven’t been honest with you either. I know you think that I don’t have any powers or abilities, but I do.”

“What do you mean?” His eyes are wide as he stares at me.

I look down at my hands. “I know the reason that I have seizures. I know why I have headaches and nose bleeds. It’s not because I’m sick. It happens when I’m overwhelmed. I can read human minds.” I finally look up. “But don’t worry—I can’t read your mind. Or any wolf shifter. At first, I didn’t realize that it wasn’t normal. By the time I figured it out, I was scared you would freak out if I told you the truth. Plus, I had no way to prove it. I figured you would think I was crazy.”

“I wish you would have told me.” Dad rubs at the scruff on his jaw. “I wish I would have told you everything sooner. You never would’ve had to suffer.”

“There is no sense in wishing you could change the past.” I smile at him.