Chapter 5

A sudden knock sounded at the door.

“Paisley, your dad’s home and he wants to speak with you. Both of you.”

Our gaze returned to each other briefly before I took the initiative to widen the distance between us and open the door. My 'mother' still stood there in the doorway and briefly peered in before releasing the tension in her shoulders seeing Beta Carter standing in the middle of the room and nowhere else- for example- the bed. I discreetly rolled my eyes and made my way downstairs, Beta Carter following behind me- teasingly stroking down the back of my upper arm. Pleasurable tingles raced down my skin like a line of charged electricity everywhere he visited. 

I had to cough to clear my own intimate thoughts which I’m sure were showcased on my face. I could feel the burning shame coursing through me. I quickly pinched myself as punishment for not keeping my distance from the man so soon after I decided not to.

My 'father' paced the living room and stopped when he saw us. “Paisley, come sit here please.” He gestured to the arm chair by him, his commanding voice leaving no room for argument. “You-” he gestured to Beta Carter, “sit over there.” He motioned to the couch on the other side of the room. Normally I would have rolled my eyes at the protective behavior but at this moment, I couldn’t be more grateful. If Paisley’s father didn’t like or approve of the mate bond, then I could use that as an excuse to stay away. ‘Oh I can’t. I love my father too much to go behind his back like this and he’d never approve of us. Boo-hoo, sob’. Perfect. My one college theater class I took while obtaining my degree will finally pay off.

I tried to hide my evil smirk.

"Is what you said this afternoon about Paisley true, Beta Carter? Is she really your mate?" My father asked, never taking his discerning gaze off of him.

Beta Carter met my gaze for a moment and smiled inwardly, a tender expression shocking everyone else in the room. He met my father's gaze again and nodded. "Yes, sir."

"How can you tell?" He interrogated. Yes father! Grill him to pieces! My mother came around the couch to my side and placed her hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. I looked up at her and was shocked to find a cautious, almost suspicious expression residing there.

What is she on about? 

"From the moment I caught her scent in the crowd, I knew she was mine." He smirked at me once more- a mischievous smirk resting there. "And when I caught her taking pictures of me-"

I coughed aggressively into my sleeve and subtly glared at him. His innocent expression showed no recognition of what I blatantly tried to stop him from saying, however, his cheshire cat grin said it was just a cover for the impish man who thrived on stirring up chaos- the bastard.

My father folded his arms and looked back and forth at both of us. "Do you intend on being sexually-active with my daughter?"

"Phil!" My mother gasped.

"I think I'll let Paisley decide that one." For the first time ever, Beta Carter looked uncomfortable. His cheeks slightly reddened, and I groaned, putting my head in my hands. What a disaster.

"Alright, then how many sexual partners have you had in the past?"

"Phil, you can't just ask someone that!" My mother covered her own face now and slapped my father's arm in protest.

"What? We need to know. I don't want to find out in two months that I have to get my daughter tested for STDs? Do you?" He shrugged like it wasn't the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to me in front of the hottest man to walk this earth.

"Okay!" I jumped up- embarrassed beyond belief. "I think we've had enough of the questions now. Beta Carter's probably got to go home now. Beta duties and what not." I shoved Beta Carter to his feet before attempting to push him to the door, one that didn't succeed because the man was made of granite. Impossibly immovable.

"Alright, alright. Hold on love birds. I've got one more question." My father asked solemnly.

Dear Moon Goddess Selene, please strike me down and put me out of my misery. Or better yet, dear author- please write me out of this story so Paisley can come back and I can end this madness.

"Will you treat my daughter how she deserves?" My father had a serious look on his face. “Protect her from harm? Especially from other werewolves?”

Envy bubbled within me. Paisley was so lucky to have a father like Phil Gable. I could only dream of having someone in my life who loved me so much they teasingly embarrassed me on purpose, or asked a man his intent with me. 

“With my life, sir.” Beta Carter’s eyes met mine and for a brief moment it seemed like he was staring straight into my soul. “She is my equal in every way.”

No one spoke for a moment. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who was shocked by the intensity of his response. The silence was only broken by the soft thoughtful chuckle of my father.

"Alright, you passed. Welcome to the family, Beta Carter!" My father pulled a shocked Beta Carter in for a hug, his confident mask dropping for a moment. Available only from my view was the gaze of a shocked and nervous man anxious to be accepted. 

“Phil-” my mother started but was quickly interrupted.

“You might as well stay for dinner too! You are practically my son-in-law after all!” My father grinned cheekily and patted his back

My mother and I's jaws collectively dropped.

"B-but I'm sure Beta Carter is too busy to stay for dinner. Isn't that right?" I sneakily glared at the man in question, elbowing him ever so subtly. He looked back at me with confusion, but it soon was overtaken by something that made a cold sweat drip down my back.

An exciting challenge.

“Actually, I'd be honored to join sir, and please- just Carter.” He grinned, a cheeky dimple escaping from its hiding place under his russet haired stubble for a moment before he faced me with that burning passion of a challenge flaming his excitement. "And it’s just like you said. I am your son-in-law, after all."

The bastard.

“That’s the spirit, son!” He smirked and they both laughed. Leave it to the only two men in the room to bond over a sports team.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, my mother mirroring my movements, but she shifted uneasily, glancing at me cautiously again before making her way to the kitchen.

What was that?