Chapter 8

MAYA

Twenty minutes later, upon emerging from the bathroom, Donovan received a call. It was his Personal Assistant, I peered through the screen. The phone was on speaker. 

He brought it to his ear, looking into space with an air of seriousness. 

“Hello Gracie, what's it?” 

“Your aunt and uncle are here. They have just arrived.” 

Donovan didn't let her say further when he flinged the phone over. 

“Hello?” 

“Hello?”

Her voice was left hanging in the air. Donovan had pulled me over to the dressing room. “I'm coming, let me dress up!” He shouted in an amusing manner. I couldn't help my chuckle. 

“Quickly, dress up!” 

“Let's not keep them waiting.” 

He opened the wardrobe to reveal a luxury dress collection, my eyes flared wide open. “What's all these, you bought them for me.” My lips slowly curled into an excited grin. 

“It's festive season, this red will fit on you.” Out of the three gowns, he pulled out the red gown, long with high slit and an open back. Though showy, it was classic. 

“What are you going to wear?” I asked him. 

“A suit.” 

“Huhh?” 

How can he put on a suit at his home just because he's seeing his aunt and uncle, not like they are strangers coming to visit. I couldn't understand. 

“Is there something you're hiding from me? Are we going somewhere?” That's the next possible thing I could think of but he shook his head and smiled. 

“No, not at all.” He moistened his lips, staring straight into my eyes, seeming to be in thoughts. “It's because of my family.”

“Your family?” I stressed, staring wide into his eyes. 

“Yes, we are quite formal in nature.” 

The way I sensed it, he didn't just want to say more, so I had to let the matter go. We dressed up, he in a suit and went out to greet his aunt and uncle. They looked like royalty. Their eyes cascaded down on me, scaling me from head to toe. 

I curtsied perfectly before them. “Welcome ma’am, welcome sir.” Donovan shook hands with his uncle and hugged his aunt while I greeted them. They didn't respond to my greeting but kept on looking at me and I wondered what was going on. 

Walking beside Donovan, we went over to the living room where he will sit to receive them. They dropped to the couch with a heavy sigh. I rose up, “What can I offer you please?” 

“No, please. Just go sit.” His aunt declined right away. I would have taken it as her not wanting to stress me but her tone said otherwise. She didn't just want it, she didn't want me to do anything for her. 

I reluctantly returned to my seat beside Donovan, he grabbed me by the wrist, pressing it gently. “Don't worry,” he said in a kind of a mindlink. My wolf and his hadn't been active for some time now because we were based more on the physical. 

I hummed deep inside of me. 

I watched as his aunt steadied her eyes on him, then to me. “Who's she? Your new girlfriend?” She didn't let him say a word, so Donovan nodded. 

“Yes, she is.” His face looked rather firm for a pretense. Anyone would believe this. 

“Hmm,” she scoffed. My heart dropped. 

What's really going on? 

Is anything wrong with me? 

I began to ask myself these questions but could get no answer. When I couldn't and with the bad stare she was sending towards me, I withdrew my hand slowly from Donovan’s. Maybe we're showing too much affection in public and she doesn't like it. 

Her husband was looking, he didn't give an approving look either. I leaned towards Donovan whispering into his ear when the maid later came in with two glasses of water in a tray. 

“What's their ideal type for an in-law? Don't they like me?” 

Donovan shook his head and was about to say something when the maid finished up and paved the way so their gaze returned. The panic and tension was increasing, making me more unsteady. If this was a test to check out my confidence level, I'll fail. 

“What's wrong with her, aunt? I'm pretty sure mom wouldn't have an issue with her.” Donovan voiced out but was countered. 

“I don't have an issue with her either, just that she doesn't fit into the eligibility status of what your potential mate should be. You can't rule with this girl?” She pointed her fingers, getting her lips twisted with disgust. 

“But aunt, she's a scholar and–” 

“She's not just of standard.” His uncle concluded, his voice broke away Donovan’s. I lowered my head to the ground, drowning in thoughts. When I couldn't bear it any longer, I rose and excused myself. 

“I'll be back soon. I want to visit the restroom. Excuse me please.” While lowering my head, tears filled my eyes. If I'd stayed a little longer, I'd break down. 

So I stayed in the restroom for the next fifteen minutes, and had forgotten about everything when I then remembered that I left my crush and my mate with his uncle and aunt. My mate who couldn't accept me. 

This could be another test. Who knows? 

I rushed back to the living room. I bowed in courtesy to them, then sank down beside Donovan. 

“Young woman,” the middle-aged woman called immediately as I sat. I sprang up, sitting straight. 

“Yes ma’am,” I replied. 

“I realized you're his niece’s best friend and you're also claiming to be his girlfriend, can't you be ashamed of yourself for once?” 

Donovan sprang up while I sat, puzzled, my lips spreading wide, same with eyes, my heart was playing drums and my legs shook. 

“Why will you say that aunt?” Donovan scolded her, keeping his face so firm. He lifted me up, draping his hand over my shoulder and pulling me closer to his body. My wolf felt like I was wallowing in bliss and at the same time anxiety. 

“Will you sit?” She twisted her face, scolding back in a low tone. 

“No, I won't aunt. You complained I'm gay, that's why I couldn't give the right attention to my first wife. Now I've shown the girl I like and you're rejecting me.” 

“What's the difference between this girl and your first wife?” She asked, withdrawing her face to look at her husband. Seemed like they were having some conversation, a brief one only their wolves could hear. 

I wrapped my hand over Donovan’s tummy, looking up to him with pale eyes. He's my savior, the one I love, the only one whom I guessed had the final say in this case. If he accepts me, then his aunt and uncle had no further say. 

I took a deep breath and later sat with him. I could hear his heartbeat. 

Wait! 

Isn't this the Donovan that asked me to forget that we made up and should see him as my big bro? 

I blinked my eyes several times, then looked at him. He's the one. My lips curled up into a slight grin. I couldn't admire him less that he noticed and turned to me. 

“What's it?” He growled in a deep, low tone. His face was still stern, perhaps he was still pissed by what his aunt said. My wolf was excited that he cared to defend me, I was now thinking he really loves me but still decided to keep the aloof attitude. 

I released another breath. 

Unexpectedly, his aunt’s phone rang. She picked it and raised it to her ear. “Hello?” Her voice went up, then a second passed and she nodded. 

“You will have to message sis, I've seen the new girlfriend he claims to have. She's not eligible.” 

I pulled my hands to my head, destabilized. This must be Donovan’s mom. 

“She's calling mom.” He whispered into my ear. “I knew already that they were coming here as spies, to gather information for my parents since they can't travel down here themselves and it's not yet the right time for me to visit them.” 

“What do you mean?” I changed posture, turning to face them. The more Donovan spoke, the more he was getting more mysterious.

He belongs to a big, influential family and he's trying to hide his identity. 

This thought flashed in my mind. 

I wanted to ask him who he was to say this when my attention returned back to his aunt. “It's time we get him linked up with the girl we've already arranged for him.” 

I jerked up, ended up stumbling backward but Donovan caught me. My ass dropped on his lap and I wanted to rise quickly but he pressed me down, leaning closer. 

“Remain here!” 

I blushed. 

His aunt set her eyes next to me, giving me a cold, deadly stare. I struggled, getting off. He didn't want to let me go. 

“Donovan, I hope you know who you are and you know how the time is near for you to–” 

“You don't have to go into details, hun. He knows.” His aunt intervened. 

Jeezz. 

I wanted to hear all she had to say. 

“Who's the girl?” Donovan asked with an irritated look. Merely asking got me envious. I don't want him to be with another girl. 

“I want to let you know that whoever you're choosing must be beneficial to you. She's a medical doctor, would be your personal medical doctor.” 

I shifted back. 

“Yes,” she affirmed as if telling me that I wasn't up to her standard. “She's the only daughter of the royal Beta, you see how eligible she is, such a privilege?” 

“Before he could get to be linked with the daughter of the royal Beta, then he must be of a high position I couldn't guess.” My thoughts rang out, curiosity flying in.