Chapter 19

Dean POV

"Fina, you know I see you as family. If I didn't feel that way, I wouldn't have invited you this evening. Of course, you had the choice not to accept the invitation. But now that you're here, I hope you'll show me a measure of respect. I also ask that you extend that same respect to Blossom. Let me remind you that I am the alpha, and Blossom is my mate. As the alpha, I couldn't move forward alone. I had to make a choice, and she is the one I chose."

At that moment, Caleb had left his seat at the table and made his way across the room to where I, Blossom, and Fina stood. He swiftly took Blossom's arm and led her away to her seat at the head table as dinner began, wanting to remove her from the confrontation and leave it for me to handle. Blossoming under pressure, she had already endured enough.

I felt an overwhelming sense of relief when I saw Caleb striding quickly in our direction. I always counted on my brother to be there when I needed him. I knew he would instinctively g