I drop my head against his chest and look up at him, his amber eyes look just as I remember them. Matteo cups my cheek in his hand gently and presses his lips against mine.
It's a gentle kiss, soft and warm. It reminds me of lying in the sun with Bunny in the woods by the water. He smiles against my lips before releasing me.
Wolves are more open with their bodies, and affection, than Humans. It just feels right, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s to hold onto happiness when you have it because it can be ripped away at any moment.
“I had clothes brought over for the meeting tomorrow. You have to be dressed appropriately. Alpha Michael has a certain expectation of the Humans he sees,” Dean says, looking a bit annoyed. “Unfortunately, you’ll be showing a lot of skin.”
“Okay.” I see the bag on the counter, so I reluctantly hop off of Matteo’s lap and move over to it. I pull out a black lace dress and hold it against my shoulders, assessing thelength. It's a little shorter than the skirt I’m wearing now but not too bad. The sweetheart neckline will make my boobs stand out but not offensively. The dress is nice, nicer than anything I own by a mile. There's also a shoebox in the bag, so I pull that out and find black three-inch pumps. Most Humans never really wear heels, since it makes it harder for us to do our jobs, but my mother had some just like these that she wore for Michael.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? I could just stay here in your room,” I offer, hoping they agree. There’s a nervous energy in the air, and I hate it.
“You’re expected to attend. The Alpha’s son claimed you as his Avowed as well as the Alpha’s son of Shadow Moon. Coal’s father will want to see you,” Matteo says in reply, looking sorry.
“Well, fuck sauce,” I grumble.
Both guys chuckle at my response, but I notice how stressed they are. They’re worried about what might happen tomorrow, even if they don’t say it.
“Is the Alpha really getting worse?” I ask the guys, not looking at them.
“Much worse…” They say in unison. Okay. Great. Absolutely awesome. When my mother was his Avowed, he was starting to become angrier. He would lash out at my mother often. She came home many nights with new bruises.
I spend some time getting ready after that. Thinking about Coal and his father the whole time.
Maybe Dean and Matteo can get both my mother and me out of here. I don’t want to think about that, though.
The only thing worse than being hopeless is being hopeful and having that hope crushed.
Monday morning comes too soon, and by now, I’ve showered twice, shaved, brushed my teeth, and done my hair. I want to smell neutral at this meeting, so I apply some of my lavender oil.
When I step out of the bathroom, both men stare, eyes wide. I get anxious, worried something is wrong. I look down at myself and try to adjust my dress. Am I showing too much skin?
“Don’t, you look beautiful,” Matteo says, as Dean adjusts the bulge in his pants, making my mouth fall open in shock.
“Seriously!” I laugh at his obvious discomfort.
“You’re hot,” he shrugs, and I shake my head at the shameless Wolf.
“Let's do this shit,” I say, forcing confidence I don’t feel. As we step into the hall, we all freeze. Coal is there, waiting for us.
“I knew it. Fuckers,” Coal grumbles, not as angry as I was expecting him to be. I told him I’d be with Dean, but Matteo isn’t supposed to be here.
For a moment, no one speaks. We all just stare at Coal. As we do, my heart rate spikes. Is this the moment I’ve always dreaded? Is Coal about to start a fight with one of these Wolves because of me?
“You’re an asshole,” Coal says, pointing at Matteo. He really doesn’t seem all that bothered, though. Coal said nothing had changed, but just a few days ago, he would have been pissed that his friend was conspiring with his rival behind his back. Or would he? I don’t know anymore.
“I’m here to make sure you fuck heads don’t get her killed,” Coal snaps, and moves to stand in front of me, staring down at me with a serious look. “Don’t speak unless spoken to and try to hold in any snappy comebacks. Don’tmake eye contact with anyone. Not me, or them…” he says, looking at Dean and Matteo. “No one, Delilah. Keep your head down. My father… is unhinged, and as the years go on, he’s become more…” he pauses, “unpredictable.”
“You can’t protect me,” I say. It’s not a question. He can’t.
A look of despair falls over Coal’s features, but he clears it quickly. He looks back over my shoulder at the other two Wolves. “She needs to stay close to me.” Dean starts to protest, but Coal cuts him off. “My father isn’t likely to allow her to remain as your Avowed, Dean. If you can’t let her go, he’ll take her from us both. Do you want to know what he’ll do with her then?” Coal snaps, before taking my hand and stomping away from the other two.
“How scared should I be? I thought you and Quil…” I pause, looking over at the other two, “had a way of redirecting him. I’m so confused.”
“Well, keep it in your head for now, please.” Coal seems agitated. I look up at his blue eyes and sandy hair. “Head down, Delilah,” he instructs gently, and I do as he says.
I decide to focus on my feet for now, though. Just walk, walk and breathe; that’s all I can do. Everything else can wait. Coal is scaring me, and now, I’m worried.
Tonight is going to be bad.
