11 - Sadie

it was as if he had never left. he didn't look any different, apart from the worried look on his face. from what I could remember of him, he was always happy; always laughing. I still couldn't believe he was standing in the middle of my living room, in front of me, after all these years. I thought he was dead. but here he was, living proof that I was wrong.

"Sadie...its been a while..." the look on his face was as if he was preparing himself for a proper telling off, and I wanted to yell, kick scream and shout at him for not being here...but I couldn't. all I could see was my dad, and that he was here now. that's all that mattered. I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him as tight as I could. he hugged me back for a while, then started to pull back, but I didn't move. I wasn't ready to let go in case he disappeared again. he caught on, and kissed the top of my head, murmuring words of comfort. after a while I pulled back, and realised I had been crying, when I saw a wet patch on his shoulder. I wiped my eyes and looked up at him.

"I've missed you dad," I tried to keep my voice steady but it cracked on every word.

"I've missed you too sweetheart, and I wish I could have been there for you all of those years, but i had to leave. ill explain everything, if you want me to,"

"of course I want you to, tell me everything, please?" he nodded, and moved towards the back door. i followed him until I saw who was standing on the back porch. Damien. obviously the shock on my face was visible, as dad pulled me in front of him and said "be prepared Sadie. please forgive me for not being there. this will explain why i had to leave. please don't hate me for it. he turned and jumped off the porch, and when he landed, it wasn't dad anymore. it was the large brown wolf from the meadow. The Alpha.

My. Dad. Is. A. Shifter. my head started to feel light, and tears ran down my face again. my legs gave out and i started to drop to the floor. Damien was by my side in an instant, holding me up against him. i looked at my dad again, and he had started to walk towards me, slowly, with his head lowered.

"dad, why didn't you tell me? you didn't have to leave, mom and i, we've missed you. so much. we could have worked it out," he shook his large head, and I took it as a 'you don't understand' gesture. i stepped away from Damien and towards dad, and I lifted my arm out to touch his head, feeling the fur. he was here, he was real, and currently, he was a frikkin huge wolf. this information was almost too much for me to take, but i forced myself to calm down. i know if I panicked they would freak and probably disappear again. then it dawned on me. it wasn't only dad who went missing.

"Theo...and harry? they're-"

he nodded and he looked up at me for my reaction. a huge grin spread across my face, and i hugged him round his neck. I mumbled into his fur "can i see them? please? now?" he grumbled and stepped back, nodding once again, tail wagging. he started to lower himself to the ground, but Damien stepped in

"ill carry her alpha, you should probably go ahead and warn them we're coming."

he gave Damien a look that could kill, but sighed and turned towards the forest. he took one last look at me before loping off into the trees.

"well, i told you everything would be explained" i turned to him, and couldn't help but smile. he backed up, and shifted, lowering himself to the floor. i clambered on eagerly, and we set off, towards the meadow. towards my family.