Chapter 186
Rebecca’s POV
1
I kept my expression neutral, though my heart was pounding. “Elizabeth. I’m sorry things didn’t go well with your meeting.”
Her laugh was bitter. “Oh, you’re sorry? How touching.” She looked me up and down with undisguised contempt. “Enjoy it while it lasts, you pathetic human. When he tires of you–and he will–don’t come crying.”
Her mother stepped forward, her eyes red–rimmed but filled with disdain. “So you’re the girl who’s ruined everything.” She examined me like I was an insect under a microscope. “Look at you. Do you honestly think you can be Luna? You don’t even know what that means.”
I felt a surge of protective instinct, my hand unconsciously moving to rest on my still–flat stomach. “I know enough to understand it’s not your concern, Mrs, Collins.”
Elizabeth caught the gesture and her eyes widened slightly. “So it’s true,” she hissed. “You’ve trapped him with a pregnancy. How convenient.
Raymond appeared at my side, his posture protective. “Miss Brown, Mr. Sterling is expecting you inside.”
sive wave. “Go play at being important. When the pack rejects you, remember this
“Yes, run along.” Elizabeth’s mother said with a dismissive
moment.”
I straightened my spine, meeting her gaze directly. “Elizabeth, you are a sad, sad woman, and I truly pity you.”
Her face contorted with rage, but before she could respond, Raymond gently guided me toward the building entrance, positioning himself between us and the Collins women until they stormed off toward their waiting car.
Once inside the Bentley again, with the Sterling estate unexpected force.
te on the horizon, I suddenly lurched forward, a wave o
of nausea hitting me with
“I need to stop,” I gasped, one hand flying
ng to my mouth. “I think I’m going to be sick…”
Raymond immediately pulled over to the shoulder of the road, the car barely stopping before I flung face as I leaned out, breathing deeply and willing my stomach to settle.
ng the door open. The cool air hit my
Dominic’s hand appeared on my back, rubbing gentle circles. “Deep breaths,” he murmured. “You’re okay.”
After a moment, the worst of the nausea passed without me actually getting sick. I sank back against the leather seat, embarrassed and exhausted.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Don’t apologize,” Dominic said firmly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “It’s perfectly normal.”
Raymond handed back a glass of water and what looked like lemon slices. “Try this, with some crackers in the compartment.”
Brown, Sofia specifically packed it for you, along
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Chapter 186
1 accepted the water gratefully. “Thank you, Raymond. Sofla thinks of everything.”
ort was a priority,” Raymond said with a small smile. “I helleve her exact words were If Reberca “She made it very clear that your comfort looks even slightly green, you pull that car over immediately, Raymond, or answer to me.”
That drew a weak laugh from me. “That sounds like Sofia.”
As we resumed our journey, I stared out at the passing landscape, I swallowed hard, my anxiety returning. “Dominic, your parents… de they know about me? About what I am?”
His hand found mine, squeezing gently. “They know that you’re human.”
“And they’re… okay with that? I couldn’t keep the doght from my voice.
Dominic’s slight hesitation told me everything I needed to know. “They will accept you because you’re my choice,” he said finally. “And they don’t have the authority to make decisions for me.”
“That’s not exactly reassuring.” I muttered.
“My father is… traditional, especially my mother, Dominic admitted. “She expected me to choose a mate from one of the established werewolf families.”
I looked down at our intertwined fingers. “Will I… will I need to follow certain protocols? Is there some kind of werewolf etiquette I should know about?”
Dominic’s e
expression softened. “Just be yourself, Rebecca. That’s who I fell in love with.”
As we turned onto a private road lined with ancient oak trees, I felt my heartbeat accelerate. At the end of the long drive, a massive stone mansion came into view,
“Oh,” I breathed, taking in the sprawling estate. “It’s like something from a period film.”
Dominic smiled slightly. “It’s been modernized inside, I assure you.”
As the car approached, I noticed a row of black–suited security personnel lining the circular driveway, standing at attention like an honor guard–or a warning
Raymond brought the car to
to a stop at the foot of wide stone steps leading to massive double doors. At the top stood a couple that could only be Dominic’s parents.
His father was immediately recognizable–tall and powerfully built like Dominic, but with silver at his temples and lines of authority etched into his face. Beside him stood an elegant woman with Dominic’s deep blue eyes and a posture that spoke of natural grace and confidence.
“Ready?” Dominic asked quietly.
I nodded, though my heart was pounding so hard I was sure everyone with werewolf hearing could detect it. “As I’ll ever be.”
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Chapter 186
The walk up those stone steps felt like the longest journey of my life. Dominie’s hand rested protectively at the small of my back, a warm, reassuring presence that steadied me despite my trembling knees.
As we approached, I could feel Alpha Sterling’s gaze dissecting me, coldly analytical as he took in every detall of my appearance. Beside him, Luna’s expression was more controlled, thigh I caught the slight flaring of her nostrils–she was scenting me, I realized with a jolt of discomfort.
“Father, Mother,” Dominic said formally when we reached the top step. “I’d like to present Rebecca Brown, my mat
mate.”
Graham Sterling made no move to extend his hand. Instead, he simply stared down at me, his expression inscrutable. “So this is the human mate you’ve chosen,” he said, his deep voice carrying a note of something I couldn’t quite place–disappointment, perhaps, or resignation.
I lifted my chin slightly, determined not to show fear. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Sterling,” I said, proud that my voice remained steady.
Marianne Sterling stepped forward, her eyes–so like Dominic’s–scanning my face intently. She inhaled subtly, and I knew she was confirming what Dominic had told them about my pregnancy. Something flickered across her features–surprise, possibly, or curiosity.
Sterling Manor, Rebecca,” she said, her voice melodious but reserved.
lcome to S
“Welcome
Alpha turned abruptly. “My study. Ten minutes,” he said to Dominic before disappearing through the massive doors.
I felt my shoulders sag slightly as the tension of the moment broke. Dominic squeezed my hand reassuringly.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured close to my ear. “His expression was actually better than I expected.”
I couldn’t help the small, incredulous laugh that escaped me. “If that was a good reaction, I’d hate to see a bad one.”
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