Three

Back home, I stood at the top of the stairs, gazing at the scene below. My dad's voice boomed through the room, warm and eager to please. “Welcome! My king, my queen!” He gestured dramatically.

My stepmother clung to his arm, playing the perfect hostess. The Lycan king and his wife inspected our home with disgust as if we lived in the gutter. Despite my dad spending months decorating the house for this visit, they were unimpressed.

Shame and desire mingled hot in my throat the moment Justin stepped into the foyer. He was probably not even thinking about me. The thought made me feel pathetic as if I was grasping something that wasn’t there.

The Lycan royals moved slowly while my dad kept up his over-the-top act. “Can I get you something to drink?”

The king barely looked at him. “Champagne, of course.” His tone made it clear that anything else would be unacceptable.

Like magic, the butler appeared with a tray of sparkling glasses. The royals took them without so much as a thank-you. Watching them made my stomach hurt. Even though Justin was my mate, I couldn't stand his parents' arrogance.

My stepmother came up the stairs and begged me to get dressed, saying I needed to look presentable.

She thrust a short black dress into my hands, pairing it with a heavy set of coral beads. “This will catch their eyes,” she declared and motioned for me to add bright red lipstick to complete the look. Then she spun around and left.

I stayed frozen by the banister, wondering why I couldn’t find the courage to expose her for the manipulative person she was. Unfortunately, my dad had too much control over me. In my world, being unmarried and without my father’s support was a risk I couldn’t afford.

Reluctantly, I put on the dress and stood in front of the mirror. The short length made me feel exposed. I applied the red lipstick more to avoid another lecture from my dad than anything else.

Taking a deep breath, I started down the staircase. My movements were slow and awkward. The dress felt tighter every step, and I kept tugging at the hem. I paused at the last step, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

A foolish part of me hoped that maybe seeing me in this ridiculous dress would make Justin notice me. Forcing myself to move, I immediately felt his eyes sizing me up when I entered the room.

His gaze lingered, tracing every line of my outfit with deliberate slowness. It felt as though he was stripping me bare without ever lifting a finger.

My body reacted in ways I couldn’t control. I couldn’t shake the pull I felt toward him. He was my mate, even though he acted like it didn’t matter.

"We meet again," he muttered, that infuriating smirk stretching across his face.

“Ah, I see you’ve met my daughter,” my dad announced, his tone filled with the pride of a man parading his most prized possession. “She’s the light of my life, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. She’s brilliant, holds a master’s degree in law, and is planning to continue her studies soon.”

I kept my face neutral, though every word made me want to roll my eyes so hard they’d stick.

“And why isn't she married?” the queen asked, staring at me.

The question tightened my chest, and I glanced at Justin, wondering why he hadn’t said anything about our bond. He acted like it didn’t exist, and I couldn’t figure out why.

My dad puffed out his chest, flashing an overly proud smile. “Because the Moon Goddess is saving her for someone truly special, your Highness. A rare gem like my daughter cannot be handed to any ordinary male.”

Justin’s eyes settled on me. His lips curled into a faint smirk. His stare was deliberately slow, like he dared me to react, yet mocking me all the same.

We moved to the dining table, and I forced myself to walk with my head high, even though my insides felt like they were in knots. I hated the thought of looking desperate, of wanting attention from someone who didn’t seem to care.

“Who are you kidding?” My wolf’s voice taunted me. “You want him. You’ve been thinking about him since you first saw him.”

I ignored her and focused on the food before me, moving it around on my plate more than eating it. Brian and his mate, Shelby, joined us after a while. Justin didn’t sit with us. My stepmother spoke to him in her overly sweet tone.

“Join us, my Lord. The food is wonderful, trust me.”

“I don’t eat food that isn’t made in my own home,” he replied flatly.

My stepmother’s smile faltered, and I had to fight back a laugh from the horrified look on her face. I took my time with each bite of food. The conversation around me was pleasant enough, but I couldn’t focus on it.

As dessert was served, I noticed my dad's gaze on me. At first, I pretended I hadn’t seen the slight tilt of his head toward the living room where Justin had gone. But his signals became more obvious, and soon, even the others at the table began to notice.

Pushing my chair back, I stood and excused myself. “I need to use the restroom,” I mumbled, not addressing anyone.

Without waiting for a response, I walked out of the dining room and slipped behind my favorite pillar, a quiet corner where I could think without interruption.

My dad's scheming was ironic. If he knew that Justin and I were mates—he would likely throw the biggest party this pack had ever seen. He’d use the bond as leverage to secure whatever help the Lycans could provide to our failing pack. Justin must be ashamed of having a werewolf for a mate.

My thoughts wouldn’t settle. Maybe I should take this chance to speak to Justin. If he was trying to communicate indirectly, perhaps this was his way of acknowledging the bond without involving anyone else. Rejection would be painful, but at least it would be clear. Everyone would know I had a mate, even if he chose to walk away.