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“It’s an honor to have you surprise us this evening, Mrs. Steele. I want to apologize for earlier. It was an unexpected situation, and I do regret my behavior, but your daughter is important to me. I won’t tolerate her being treated as if she is not my omega.” Adrian takes a step back, towering over Mom.
She stares at him expressionlessly until he picks up a gift box from the table and hands it to her.
“I hope we can overcome these challenges. We have a gift to show our appreciation for your openness to visit despite your alphas’ opinions.” Adrian smiles and motions toward the rest of us. “Why don’t you come in and make yourself comfortable? Ezra is preparing dinner, and I have a bottle of some vintage wine if you would like a glass.”
Mom’s face softens. She smiles, her eyes lighting up. She loves to be wined and dined, and I’m so glad that Adrian really took the time to understand how my mom works.
I force myself to step forward and open my arms. “Mom, I’m so happy you’re here. Thank you for giving us another chance. I don’t understand what has gotten into Dad.”
Mom hugs me and steps back, giving me a long once-over as she mentally picks apart my dress. “He’s just being bullheaded. I told him as much, especially because he even signed the proposal paperwork. I just don’t think he actually took the time to read over everything. Your alphas are quite handsome, Scarlett. I hadn’t realized they would be so unexpectedly mature. My fault. I didn’t read over everything. Just the financials.”
Of fucking course. Anger sizzles beneath my skin, her admittance over just signing a paper to get the money getting under my skin. She couldn’t care less about me or my future as long as I fulfill the obligation bestowed upon us. And now that she speaks of my alphas, I bristle. I certainly don’t want her anywhere near them. She is a huge flirt, and I don’t want her embarrassing me or making my alphas uncomfortable.
“You still did well,” I force myself to say, knowing she loves praise, even when she’s fucked up. “I’m very happy. Why don’t you come and sit at the table to open your gifts? Adrian picked them out.” I offer Adrian a smile as he pours seven glasses of wine, and Jonah and Leo help him carry them to the table.
Dominic pulls out a chair for mom, giving her the head of the table. “Mrs. Steele. Please take the guest of honor seat. It’s such a pleasure to have you here. I’m Dominic. That’s Jonah and Leo. As Adrian mentioned, Ezra is preparing dinner.”
“I hope you like Italian. I’m cooking one of my mamma’s favorite recipes.”
Mom smiles as she carefully pulls out the tissue paper from the bag with the boutique’s name clearly on the side. “I love it. How did you know it was my favorite store?”
“Because it’s Scarlett’s too,” he says, winking and making Mom blush.
Her attention returns to the gifts, and she pulls out the box with the purse and gasps, covering her heart with her hand, her reaction over the top but normal for her. “How lovely! This is absolutely perfect.” Mom turns to me and says, “I’m quite impressed. Your pack seems generous.”
“We’re quite happy about the small mistake with her paperwork. Who knew a typo would bring such a magnificent woman, who happens to have a brilliant mother, into our lives?” Adrian says, taking a seat beside me. He rests his hand on my knee, acting charming as hell.
Mom cocks her head, setting down the rest of the gifts. “I’m sorry? What do you mean by a typo?”
Adrian remains expressionless. “Her age was incorrect on the profile posted. It’s what actually first drew us to her. But none of that matters. We’re very happy. So much so, that we would like to offer you a special gift. Scarlett wants to prolong our engagement through the school year, so how could we ever say no? Because of that, I’d like to offer you a stipend. I understand how your pack won’t give you the dowry until our marriage is official.”
Mom presses her lips together, remaining silent for a minute. Sweat prickles on my hairline and I peek at Adrian and then at the others, taking a moment to study their anticipation.
“It’ll be quite substantial, Mrs. Steele,” Adrian adds. “I’ve had a very successful meeting with the mayor of San Francisco. The leader of Pack Carlisle has approved the expansion of our university. You will be pleasantly rewarded for agreeing.”
My heartbeat picks up pace, my nerves getting the best of me. I’ve never seen Mom take so long making a decision. She’s usually quick and rash about every aspect of our lives.
“That sounds lovely. A summer wedding would be perfect for my beautiful daughter,” Mom finally says, offering the fakest smile I’ve ever seen. “Whatever makes my daughter happy.”
Mom reaches out and places her hand on mine. Something strange darkens her eyes, and I feel the world crowding around me. I’ve seen this look before, but I can’t place the meaning behind it.
She’s acting, and I know it.
“Wonderful!” Adrian says, raising his wine glass. “Let’s make a toast. To new beginnings, a beautiful bride, and a union of families.”
“Cheers,” Leo says, clinking his glass to mine.
“Cheers,” everyone repeats, smiling with their relief.
Mom sets her wine glass down without drinking from it. We have a problem. I know it. I just wish I knew what to expect. Why does it feel as if she’s going to mess up my life again?
Because she’s mom, that’s why.
All I know is that I can’t wait to leave.
I need to set my life under the Steele name behind me.
It’s the only way I’ll make it through. It’s the only way I’ll have a future of my own making.
