Dante’s dark eyes glittered as he lifted his glass. “To finding people who see and value you for who you truly are, just as you are.”
“To finding real family,” King said, raising his glass solemnly.
Bianca looked at each of them, her eyes more like storm clouds than Daniel had ever seen. Something was brewing in that gaze, so much turmoil beneath the surface. She swallowed and raised her glass.
“To tonight,” she said simply.
Pack King could’ve said something then, something to refute the temporary promise in her words. Perhaps they should’ve said something. But they didn’t.
They were going to saythe thingthe next night, during a sunset walk along the beach. That had been the plan. After the kitschy murder mystery dinner they’d selected because they thought it would amuse Bianca, they’d walk beside the waves and ask the omegas to be theirs forever.
Which is why they didn’t say it on the deck, enjoying their dinner instead, thenreallyenjoying their dessert, and then falling into an exhausted sleep in a bed that was too small for them all, which nobody complained about. It was amazing. And so was their late breakfast the next morning, and their subsequent exploration of the town’s hokey little boardwalk shops.
What wasn’t amazing was the look on King’s face when the Tweedles called to interrupt their afternoon sampler from the boardwalk’s assorted food trucks. Daniel didn’t even have to ask what the assistants had called to say. He could feel King’s disappointment through the pack bond as he ended the call.
“We need to head back,” King announced, glancing at Bianca. “Your parents want to meet with you ASAP. Amelia managed to put them off until this evening, but that’s the best she could do.”
Bianca’s face hardened immediately. Daniel fought against a growl. He hated the effect they had on her. She’d looked so relaxed all day, with her hair in soft, full waves around her face. It was so different from her normal sleekly sculpted styles, and it made her look more like a goddess than ever. Now the ethereal glow around her was dimming.
“We don’t have to go, BB,” Daniel said, sure his packmates would back him up. “We’ll call your parents ourselves and tell them they’ll have to wait until we’re back tomorrow.”
She was shaking her head before he’d even finished. “No, I wouldn’t risk…I mean, I wouldn’t ask you to intervene on my behalf.” She lifted her chin and gave him a tight smile. “It’s perfectly fine, Daniel. It’s always better to just get on with it.”
They should’ve pushed harder to stay. Or maybe they should’ve thrown the plan away and gotten on with saying what they’d plannedthe whole damn trip to say. They probably should’ve done anything but drive back to Bonnycastle Privé.
Maybe then nobody would’ve gotten hurt.
Chapter twenty-two
Bianca
When Bianca, Callum, and Pack King reached the penthouse, they found her parents waiting. Pack Bonnycastle sat in her formal living area off the foyer wearing disapproving expressions, as if they'd been up all night waiting for a child who'd missed curfew. Bianca felt immediately defensive, her shoulders tightening and back straightening under their scrutiny. It reminded her why she’d spent so much of her young life at schools six thousand kilometers away from her parents.
"Finally!" Astrid exclaimed, standing and giving Bianca a reproachful look. "Where have you been, elskling? We have the best news to share with you and so much to discuss."
Her mother wrapped her in a hug that felt suffocating, then kissed the air beside each of her cheeks. Bianca didn't miss the way Astrid sniffed and wrinkled her nose before pulling away, undoubtedly scenting Pack King. Bianca gritted her teeth, forcing herself to take a slow breath.
"As it happens, Astrid, I wasn't expecting your company this weekend. Had I known, I wouldn't have made other plans," she replied coolly, stepping away from her mother. "We had to cut our trip short."
Astrid turned to Callum as if noticing him for the first time. "Oh, is this the Clifton- Merriwether boy that we’ve heard you befriended? And,might I add, we didn’t hear this from you, our daughter, but through the kindly gossip of the omega grapevine. Honestly, Bianca, I would've thought you'd introduce us to anyone you decided to spend so much time with."
Bianca resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Sometimes, being a wealthy omega felt like living in a regency drama. Astrid had obviously watched far too much of Remy Rhodes’s asinine television series,Waverly Hills.
“I’m sure the ‘ton’ is properly scandalized,” Bianca answered dryly, mimicking the accent of the show’s narrator. Before her mother could reply, Bianca turned to her fathers. “Arthur, Winston, Gregory, this is Callum Clifton-Merriwether.”
Callum introduced himself warmly, turning on the charm and pouring on the polite nothings, completely unperturbed by her mother’s disapproving looks. He shook hands with her fathers with equal confidence, then draped himself in an armchair. As mortified as she was about the situation, Bianca was relieved that he’d stayed. If anyone could understand her family dynamic, it was Callum.
"Yes, well, sit down. As Astrid said, we’ve been waiting to discuss some very important matters—the kind you should be prioritizing over frivolous socializing,” Gregory groused, frowning at Bianca, then at Pack King. “We’re pleased you at least had the good sense to take your bodyguards on your little adventure. Two wealthy, unbonded omegas of your breeding shouldn’t be out in public without proper supervision."
Bianca bristled, annoyed by his unsolicited commentary, but she didn’t reply. She stalked to an armchair and sat down, perching on the edge of the seat with her back ramrod straight. Her fathers made a big show of greeting Pack King, complete with lots of alpha posturing and forceful handshakes. For their part, King and his packmates were professional, but stoic. Instead of sitting, they stood at attention on the sideof the room nearest Bianca. She could see King’s and Dante’s military training in their upright postures. Daniel appeared more massive than usual and was even more intimidating without his trademark grin.
"We’re glad you’re here, gentlemen. This concerns you as well," Arthur said to Pack King once everyone had settled. "You’ve done a fine job protecting our daughter. You’ll be happy to hear that we’ve recommended you to many of our associates, and we’re sure there will be a few very desirable new contracts coming your way. We hope and expect that the exposure we’ve given you will make up for the loss of this job since we won’t be needing you much longer. Pack Willoughby has made our daughter an offer. As stipulated in our contract, your employment terminates upon her mating."
Bianca drew in a sharp breath. She saw what was happening, yet she couldn’t stop it. Her heart pounded and her skin crawled. The walls of the penthouse were closing in around her. The key was turning in the lock, and she was being caged once again after her all-too-brief taste of freedom.
Arthur turned toward Bianca with a benevolent smile. "Lord Willoughby called us this morning to request our blessing on your mating. We have a few more logistics to work out, but we’re thrilled to inform you that we have given our enthusiastic consent. Well done, my dear."
Arthur hadn’t used that tone with her in years, and Bianca wasn’t sure he’d ever used any terms of endearment. Astrid beamed, her face unusually animated and eyes bright with excitement. It was all wrong. Bianca was so used to her parents’ disapproval that their attempts at affection were just unsettling.
