Tyler squints his eyes as he reads the marriage license, gasping in shock when he sees my name and Delilah's signed at the bottom.
“Marriage license…?” Tyler whispers out loud, to which I nod.
“That's right, Ty. Delilah is my wife, according to State law. As a wolf, I have the responsibility to protect the woman whom I married.”
An echo of shock reverberates through the Moonshine Pack den, but I'm only focused on Delilah's wildly disbelieving hazel eyes. Usually inviting, like warmed honey, her eyes throw daggers at me now, cold, icy particles like the thorns I was expecting.
She doesn't have to say a word to let me know how furious she is, her anger pulsing off her in waves of heat that radiate through me.
I can sense her anger because I'm her fated mate—and there's no more running from it. I just have to figure out how to tame her wild spirit and make her realize that we'll do better as a team.
I only have myself to blame for the way she shuns me now, but I don't doubt that I can change things.
Though looking around at all the shocked faces in the den makes me realize that I'm going to be in the dog house for a while, and I grimace.
Chapter 5 - Delilah
Glaring at Hunter as everyone else in the room stares at me in silent shock, the sound of my pounding heart raps through my eardrums like a siren bleating to signal the start of my worst nightmare.
I hadn't given much thought to what could be worse than being rejected by one's fated mate, but marrying him just to prevent marrying another man is worse than I thought it would be.
Especially while he remains so smug about it, like he's achieved some grand feat that needs to be boasted about to his friends.
Ourfriends, who must think we're crazy, since this is coming out of nowhere.
We'd been careful to hide our past relationship from them, and I'll be damned if I have to bring it up right now.
I didn't marry Hunter because I have hope, or because I still have feelings for him.
The only feeling I have right now is hatred—red-hot, seething hatred for the man I married.
What did I get myself into?
While shock simmers in the deafening silence, I quickly snap out of my own, hating him more now because I made it very clear that this was supposed to be a secret until we could go to Scarborough.
“It's not like it means anything,” I chuckle nervously as I step forward, snatching the marriage license out of Hunter's hand. “We entered a deal, so I won't be forced into marrying the prince.”
Hunter nods. “And part of that deal includes doing everything toappearlike a real couple,” he drawls as he leans closer. “What would your parents think if they learned about this mission and heard your husband wasn't with you?”
I huff with exasperation, realizing Hunter is right. Apart from all eyes staring at me, stunned, it's my parents I need to take care of.
After this mission, of course.
“Right,” I concede through my irritation, pursing my lips and throwing daggers with my eyes at Hunter. I didn't think it was possible to hate him more, but here we are, and now he's accompanying us on the mission.
As we get briefed about the mission, intending to travel to Oakland—the human town Arianna lived in while Tyler was in ops, the same place her vision took her to when she saw the dark lord—the tension in the air can still be felt as our friends remain curious about this fake marriage between Hunter and me.
Throwing my head fully into the game is the only way I can distract myself from the seething anger I feel toward Hunter. We discuss how we'll travel on foot to Oakland, without utilizing our wolf forms in case it alerts the dark lord to our approach.
“I have something that might help,” Emily offers as she reaches into her large handbag and draws out a vial of clear liquid. “It's a blend of herbs, brewed over a fire for three days and two nights. It masks a werewolf's scent.”
She passes the vial to Tyler and Arianna, who now appear less shaken by her vision and more determined to catch the dark lord, pats Emily's shoulder.
“Are you a witch, too?” she asks curiously in a sweet tone. “I swear I saw that recipe in my grandmother's journal.”
“No, I'm definitely not a witch,” Emily blushes shyly. “But I've always been drawn to healing with Earth's medicines.”
“I remember we tried a trial of the serum during one of our black ops missions,” I say with a thoughtful nod.
