“Isn’t it?” Selene’s laugh was brittle, sharp. She looked around the table, appealing to the others. “Does no one else find this suspicious? The timing of it all? She disappears for five years and suddenly reappears with a child, claiming it’s Dimitri’s?”
My hands clenched in my lap, nails digging into my palms.
“You shared an unnatural bond as stepsiblings. She even claimed you were her Fated Mate.” Selene continued, her voice rising. “Everyone in this room knows how…complicated that situation was. And now we’re supposed to believe that this child is legitimate? That Isabella didn’t seek other comfort after being rejected?”
The insinuation hung in the air like poison.
Several board members shifted uncomfortably. One cleared his throat. Another suddenly became very interested in the papers in front of him.
“Are you suggesting,” I said quietly, speaking for the first time since I’d burst into the room, “that I’m lying about my daughter’s parentage?”
“I’m suggesting that we have only your word to go on. And your word doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Your mother was a homewrecker who destroyed Alpha Asher. Like mother, like daughter, as they say.”
The fury that shot through me was white hot and blinding.
“Watch your tongue, Selene.” Dimitri’s voice cracked through the room like a whip.
“Adele is my daughter. She is my heir. She is a Ravencrest. And she will be afforded every privilege and protection that comes with that name.” His eyes swept the room, lingering on each board member. “Including representation on this board through her mother until she comes of age.”
“Can’t you see what she’s doing?” Selene hissed. She’s controlling you, manipulating you, just like her mother did to your father. This is exactly how it started before—a conniving woman worming her way into the Ravencrest family, destroying everything from the inside out.”
“That’s enough, Selene,” Edmund spoke up, his weathered face stern. “You’re out of line.”
“Am I?” She whirled on him. “Or am I the only one brave enough to say what everyone else is thinking? That we’re watching history repeat itself? That Dimitri is letting himself be led around by—”
“I said enough!” Dimitri’s fist slammed down on the table with such force that several people jumped.
My wolf stirred inside me. No—she purred. Purred in satisfaction that Dimitri, our Mate, was standing for me and our daughter.
A slow smirk curled at the corners of my lips, but I pressed it away immediately, forcing my expression into calm neutrality.
When he spoke again, his voice was deadly calm. “This meeting is adjourned. The paperwork will be finalized by the end of the week. Isabella will be formally welcomed to the board at our next quarterly meeting.” He stood, his presence commanding the room. “If anyone has objections, you’re welcome to voice them. Through proper channels. But this decision is final.”
One by one, the board members stood. They began gathering their things, most of them avoiding eye contact with anyone. A few shot hostile glances my way.
I noticed one board member in particular with pale skin, brown hair, and a sharp, angular face. He hadn’t said a word during the entire meeting, but the way he was looking at me—it wasn’t just disapproval or skepticism. It was pure, undilutedhatred.
His eyes bore into mine for a long moment before he turned and walked out, his movements deliberate and unhurried.
Then there was Selene. She stood. I thought she was going to say more, but then she just walked out.
“Who is that?” I asked Edmund.
“Who?”
“The man who just left.”
“Oh. Ethan Thorpe. He’s…a new board member.”
There was a vagueness in his description, but I didn’t press.
“Don’t worry about him, Isabella,” Dimitri said, though his tone suggested I should probably worry about him. “He’s all bark, no bite.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. The look Ethan had given me wasn’t the look of someone who just barked.
Edmund gathered his papers and headed for the door. “I’ll leave you two to talk.” He closed it behind him with a firm click.
Leaving me alone with Dimitri.
