My Step-Dad Is My Mate
Chapter 26

I proudly admired myself in my glowing white gown and white cap in amirror they had backstage.

"Jessica Kingsley." The principal called out from the microphone to theone of the graduates to get her certificate.

They are doing in alphabetical order by last name, which means I'msoon.

My nerves were all over the place by I was happy. All my hard workover the years is paying off and nothing could possibly ruin this day forme.

"Danica."

I turned around to face one of my teachers, her name was Mrs.Wardand I hated that bitch like the plague.

"They're about to call your name. Get out there." She said in her deadmonotone voice that made me want to kill something.

Giving her a brief nod, I glanced over at myself once last timde thenreluctantly left the mirror.

"Oh and Danica.....Good job." Mrs.Ward said softly as I passed her by tohead to the stage with a grin on my face.

This is it.

"Danica Monroe."

Holding my head high, I proudly walked up onto the stage near myprincipal.

He handed me the medium sized document that had a red ribbonaround it.

"Congratulations." He said and I nodded then said a brief thank you. Ilooked out to the crowd and spotted my mom and Aiden sitting in theback.

"Good job." Aiden mouthed to me, and I beamed in happiness.Walking off of the stage, I still couldn't believe I was officially done withhigh school. No more 5am mornings, annoying classmates or lameteachers- well for now anyways. I have plans to go to college but notright away.

I stripped from my gown and stayed in my regular jeans and Bullet ForMy Valentine T-shirt.

I made my way through the scattered groups of people that were withthose who already got their certificates to my mom and Aiden.

"Dani!" My mom semi yelled and engulfed me in a hug, knocking mygown out of my hand bit luckily Aiden caught it.

"I'm glad you guys could make it." I said and Aiden rolled his eyes."How could we ever miss it?" He said with a grin and gave me a hug assoon as my mom got off of me.

My eyes wandered down to a see a bunch of roses on the chair mymom was sitting on.

"Who sent you roses mom?"

"Oh!" She exclaimed and picked up the bundle of white roses andhanded it to me, "These are for you actually. Some girl who said shewas from your class brought them to me. She said someone left themback stage for you but she didn't want them to get lost so she gavethem to me to hold. They're quite pretty."

I ran my gently over the white petals. There was a small card hiddenbetween one of the petals and I took it to read it.

You looked beautiful in your gown -K

K? Is this from Kaden? I hope it is.

Glancing over at Aiden, he wiggled his brow and I shook my head whileI sniffed the beautiful flowers.

"Mom these are from...-what are you staring at?"

I looked up at my mother to see her staring in the opposite direction,and Aiden was now doing the same. I turned my head and my eyeswidened in shock.

"Richard.." I mumbled and he was leaning again a tree with his handsdeep in his black coat pockets.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Aiden growled lowly and I patted hisshoulder arm.

"Its okay." I said then began to walk towards him but mom held meback.

"Are you sure that's a good idea Danica?"

"No but it's bound to happen one day. I guess it's just sooner thanexpected.”

I placed my roses and my gown in her arms and gave her a smile.

"I'l be okay."

"Well, I surely didn't expect to see you again." I said to Richard as Iapproached him.

"I wanted to see you graduate..at least before I leave.” He said as helooked me over with a sad look on his face.

My brows furrowed,” Leave? Where are you going?”

He shrugged. "I left the pack. Not like I was that welcome anywayssince...you know...so I'm just going to leave once your mom gives methe divorce papers. Besides Aiden hasn't told me where I'm going yet.""Wait. Aiden? Why does Aiden have to tell you where to do?"

And from there, Richard began to explain. How when he was in thetorture chamber how Aiden came to him and told him he had to rejectme if he really cared about me. How Aiden told him that he would sendhim away after the rejection.

Believe me, I'm glad for the rejection but I thought it was on Richard'sown terms, not Aiden's.

I turned around and scowled at Aiden who was staring intently atRichard.

Aiden has some explaining to do.