She's made it abundantly clear that our marriage is nothing but the farce it was meant to be, and she hates my guts.
Then why is she holding my hand as if she doesn't hate me anymore?
We pass through the town and head toward the lavish, fruitful gardens that open up to a cobblestone pathway that leads to the only mansion in sight. The impressive towering structure is two levels from the ground, with large pillars reaching the cathedral-like dome canopy covering the top. We make our way to the arched porch, and all Delilah does is tap a code on a keypad to unlock the swinging doors, which open up to more opulence.
My breath catches when we step inside, mostly because Delilah is still holding my hand, but also because my eyes trace the gold trimmings around ivory white walls. An ornate fireplace crackles with life in the living area, spreading warmth throughout the vast, open expanse of luxury all around.
I've never visited Scarborough before, but I've only heard about the grand mansion that houses the alpha and luna of Shadow Fang. Standing in its magnificence now is beyond anything I could have imagined, as if we walked through time and entered an era of overflowing wealth.
It's no wonder Delilah's family runs the Shadow Fang Pack like a monarchy, as if they're royalty in their own right.
So mesmerized by the opulence all around us, I hardly take note of the way Delilah pulls me forward, turning the corner to where another arched doorway is guarded by a man with a thick, brawny build. He appears intimidating, wearing a scowl even when he greets Delilah.
“Miss Hargreeves.” He gives her a short nod.
“Hey, Arthur. Are my parents in there?” Delilah asks, her voice imperious when she speaks to the man.
Meanwhile, I'm losing my mind trying to compose myself. I knew this moment was bound to come because this is the whole reason we signed that contract in the first place.
I just wasn’t expecting it to happen so suddenly, especially with all of Delilah’s reluctance.
Something must have triggered her haste. “Yes Miss Hargreeves,” he nods as he steps aside, and Delilah turns to me, wearing a composed expression and giving nothing away.
She pats my chest once as if she's encouraging me. “Don't worry. You're gonna be fine.”
Before I can open my mouth to say something, Delilah squeezes my hand tightly and pulls me into the dining room.
At the furthest end of the large polished oak table, an older man and woman are about to clink glasses of orange juice.
Delilah clears her throat. “Mother…Father…” she announces her arrival firmly. “I have returned from Portland.”
“Welcome back, Delilah.” The man stands up, eyes flitting from our tangled hands to my face. “Who is he?”
Delilah takes a bold step forward without letting go of my hand. “He is my husband, my mate.”
Shock fills the silence that stretches over us like a rubber band about to snap back and punch me in the gut. The snap comes when I slowly turn to Delilah, my jaw dropping, and Delilah's father clears his throat.
I avert my eyes, feeling ashamed for standing in front of them and being revealed as their daughter's mate, her husband. That was the plan, to prevent them from marrying her to the European Lycan Prince, but suddenly, it doesn't feel like such a good idea anymore.
It's too late to turn back now, and I'm too shocked by how quickly Delilah revealed our marriage to them.
“What is your name?” Alpha Gabriel addresses me, compelling me to lift my eyes to meet his.
“Hunter.” I clear my throat; it feels too dry. “Hunter Black.”
“Are you an alpha, Hunter Black?” Delilah's mother asks as she stares at me through narrowed eyes, and I hesitate, glancing at Delilah as if I'm grasping at straws.
I'm already aware that Delilah's pack upholds strong beliefs about maintaining pure bloodlines for the heir of the alpha mantle. I've heard about how strict the pack is when it comes to cross-breeding, hence the question.
Delilah only offers a nod of encouragement that tells me I don't have to lie.
“Yes, Luna. I am an alpha. But I do not currently lead a pack.”
Delilah's mother's eyes flit to her husband, and Alpha Gabriel's face pales when the truth strikes him like an invisible punch to the gut. Delilah gives my hand a reassuring squeeze before she tells her mother, “It doesn't matter that he doesn'tlead a pack yet, Mama. He's an alpha. And more importantly, he's my fated mate.”
More shock renders me speechless, and I stare at Delilah with a million questions racing through my mind.
Why did she just reveal we're fated mates when she's been acting cold toward me this whole time, as if I didn't exist? I know she hates me for rejecting the bond in the first place, but now she's flaunting it as if we've agreed to accept our fates. Now there's a spotlight on me, and it isn't until footsteps echo down the hallway and stop at the doorway that I realize why she announced our marriage so suddenly to her parents.
