I snorted. “You’ve been Alpha for a total of twenty-four hours, don’t let the ego get to your head so easily, Brandon.”
The words slipped out so easily, and I quickly shut my mouth, realizing just how bad I was. My father glared, but Brandon cracked a smile. “Fair. But still, your father agreed.”
“And last I recall, we live in the twenty-first century.”
“You just said you were going to marry someone else because your father arranged it.”
I shut my mouth, feeling so many things hitting me at once. Did he know about Ilsa? No, he was far too calm. There was no way he knew. My father certainly wouldn’t have told him. Right?
I quickly tried to find anything to make this not work. “Father, you can’t go back on your word. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? I’m sure the deal you made was already agreed upon.”
My father shrugged. “He will understand. This is the Alpha after all.” My father looked smug as he looked at Brandon like he had won the lottery.
“And I feel that’s wrong,” I countered.
Brandon smirked. “Jade, this wasn’t a request. It’s an order.”
I curled my hands into fists, not sure of what to say next. I couldn’t, wouldn’t marry him. I’d rather start all over again than be forced to stay with him.
I opened my mouth to protest when the sliding door opened. I heard the footsteps before Ilsa spoke up as she ran inside the house. “Mommy, are we leaving soon? I’m hot.”
I watched as my father’s eyes widened in horror, and Brandon’s widened in confusion. Ilsa hurried to me, clinging to my leg. I looked down at her, feeling my stomach sink. This wasn’t how I wanted them to meet. But here we were. I knew it was only a matter of seconds before it clicked in Brandon’s head. He would feel that tug toward her, and he’d know.
For a second, I thought maybe this would save me. Maybe he would be pissed I hid this from him, and he didn’t want to marry me because of it. Or this would only solidify the decision.
Chapter 5 - Brandon
I sat frozen, staring at the little girl who clung to Jade’s leg. I hadn’t even known she had a child. I wasn’t around, but I thought Kaleb would have at least mentioned it once. He spoke with his sister regularly, so he must have been aware that she had a kid.
The little girl stared at me, her eyes looking confused and wide. She was the spitting image of Jade. The soft curly brown hair and the big eyes. But she had golden eyes, and I felt a tug toward her. I felt the hair on my body stand as I stared at her like I was trying to figure out a puzzle.
Jade swallowed. “This isn’t just about me. This is about what’s best for her as well.” Jade pulled the little girl closer, and I just stared. I couldn’t pull in air as I looked at her. That tug deep in my chest twisted up.
“What is her name?” I asked, knowing my voice had come out softer, like a whisper. I was almost scared to speak.
She brushed a hand over the little girl’s face as she spoke. “This is Ilsa.”
The little one offered me a smile, and I knew. There was no denying it. As much as she looked like Jade, I saw myself within her. That tug deep in my chest was my wolf knowing her.
I pulled myself up and squared my shoulders. I ground my teeth together, suddenly questioning how the hell she could keep something like this from me. I felt my nostrils flare as I took a deep breath in. “The deal stands. Doesn’t matter that you have a daughter. You’re still going to be my wife.”
The little girl looked confused. “What?” She looked at Jade, utterly terrified, and Jade whispered softly to her.“Sweetie, why don’t you go get in the car? We will be going home in a few minutes. Go get your shoes on.”
“Actually, I would like to speak with you outside for a moment?” I offered, wanting a moment alone with Jade. I watched the way she stiffened, and Dale jumped up. “Of course. You two talk this over. Go over details.”
I glared at him when he turned, knowing fully well he was treating this like a transaction rather than marrying his only daughter off. It sickened me. He was happy to marry her off to another man and even more eager to marry her to me. He didn’t care about her at all.
We headed for the stairs and out the door. I waited until it shut before I even turned to look at her. Jade looked nervous and chewed on her cheek as she rubbed her hands together.
“How could you not tell me?” I asked, the words snapping out quickly. “For over three years, Jade!?”
I watched her work her jaw, her nostrils flaring. “You left, Brandon.”
“No!” I yelled back and watched her flinch. She stepped back, and I took a deep breath, knowing yelling wasn’t going to help. But Jesus, was I angry. This wasn’t like she kept a small secret from me; this was a child. My child.
“You could have told me.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “How? How exactly should I have told you? You made it very clear what you wanted, Brandon. You slept with me, and you left me the very next moment. A baby was not going to change that.”
