Chapter 57

Adrian clutches my hand on his arm, reminding me that he’s there and that it’s almost over.

I knew being the Alpha’s mate would come with a few parties and events. I just thought I would have a little more time before I would be expected to attend.

No such luck.

I was specifically named on this invitation, so it would have been considered rude for me to refuse. Adrian promised it would be short affair. Just a luncheon that would last two hours or so and then we could leave.

So far, it had been rather uneventful. Many of the people Adrian talked to were fairly civil and treated me with far more warmth than I was used to receiving. Maybe it was because I was there as the Alpha’s mate and therefore, as Adrian reminded me in the car, I technically outranked most of them.

It also could have been because I had never met many of them before. Several seemed genuinely nice. Adrian’s circle was different. More mature and down to earth.

Everything was going so smoothly and I was starting to think that maybe this would be my first event that didn’t contain some form of drama, when a commotion had us turning our attention to the door.

Julian strolled into the room like he owned it, Vanessa on his arm, looking beautiful and far less bruised than her concealer should have allowed her to look.

I clutch tighter to Adrian’s arm and he tenses under my hand.

The host hurries over to us. “I swear. I never extended them an invitation.”

“It’s alright Helena.” Adrian assures her with a calm that betrays his tension. “We’re all adults here, I’m sure we can be civil.”

Helena rushes away to prepare extra place settings and everyone files into the dining room to find their places.

After everyone is seated and the plates are set, Julian rises from his seat, his glass in hand.

“I would like to have a word, if I may?” He directs his question to Helena, who looks apprehensive, but nods for him to proceed. He raises his glass in a toast. “I would like to propose a toast to my fiancé, Vanessa, who just last night agreed to marry me.”

The entire assembly raises their glasses, and chatter and congratulations erupt.

“Vanessa will make a wonderful queen!” I hear someone announce and polite, pleased smiles grace the faces around the table.

“Adrian!” Someone calls out. “You must be pleased with this. A union between your two families has been long sought after.”

“This is very unexpected.” Adrian answers noncommittally and clutches my hand under the table.

I say nothing. What can I say? I feel every eye on me, waiting for a reaction to me seeing my former fiancé with another woman. I don’t feel jealous, just shock.

So much for her not meaning anything to him.

The rest of the luncheon goes by awkwardly. Half the table avoids Julian’s announcement, the other half can’t seem to get away from it.

It’s not until we are all excusing ourselves from the table that Adrian leans down to murmur in my ear, “Get your things. I’m going to have a word with Julian and then we can leave.”

I nod and he presses a kiss to my brow before leaving me to walk across the room and pull his son to the side.

I grab my purse and find a corner by the door to wait in when I hear a loud shout just outside the door.

“You have no right! This is my decision, and this wedding will go forward!” Julian is yelling.

“I will not approve this marriage! As your Alpha, I have every right!” Adrian shouts back. “That family is treacherous, and I will destroy this pack myself before I allow it to fall into the conniving hands of that woman!”

“I am the heir!” Julian argues, “It is my hands, and I will choose my own queen.”

“You’re a fool, Julian! She and her family have schemed against us for years to take my position. She will be controlling you from the day you say, ‘I do’. I will not allow you to marry her.”

Vanessa, not even giving me a second glance, speeds past and out the door.

“We will be mated and there is nothing you can do to stop us. The rule that we need your permission is archaic. Julian can choose his own mate, just as you chose that woman!” She protests haughtily and several other guests, hearing the commotion, go outside.

I follow to see Adrian facing off with his son and Vanessa. Adrian’s face is one of an enraged Alpha and I worry this might be the moment he actually hurts Vanessa.

But he can’t yet. It’s too soon.

“Watch your tone and do not speak of her like that again.” He growls at her, menace dripping.

“I just think it’s a little hypocritical, Alpha.” Vanessa says, voice sweet as syrup. “Considering you have been having an affair for months.”

My face burns and guilt and embarrassment flood over me in a wave.

“This again, Vanessa?” I scoff and step to Adrian’s side facing them off with him. “You have no proof, and it isn’t true. Adrian and I didn’t recognize we were mates until after Julian and I were over.”

“It is irrelevant.” A voice calls out and the entire crowd turns to Phillip, who strides over and gazes over us. “Mates cannot be separated. I have confirmed the Alpha and Lily’s mating myself. They are fated. It is sacred and for many unable to be resisted.” He glances over the group, his wise eyes taking us all in. “And that is the only mated pair I see here.”

Vanessa gapes at him and lets out a noise of indignation. Julian looks like his temper rests on a knifes edge. He looks at me with a hatred I never expected to see in him.

Seeing it hurts a little.

“Fated or not, Alpha, Julian is your heir.” Glenn steps forward and rests a hand on each of the young couples’ shoulders. “And as such, he has the right to choose his own queen. You may have to approve the wedding, but they have the right to be together and mate according to werewolf custom. And when Julian inherits, he can choose Vanessa as his queen and wed her without objection.”

Adrian looks at his son for a long moment. Julian glares back with pure sheer defiance. Like he would do anything, just for the sake of going against his father.

Then Adrian announces, in a loud clear voice and with unquestionable authority, “Julian Whitmore is no longer my heir. The pack will be inherited by another, who is yet unchosen.”

“You can’t do that!” Julian shouts, anger and shock warring for dominance on his face.

I almost can’t believe it myself. I never thought Adrian would disinherit his own son. I fight to control my face, but I know I look just as shocked as everyone else. There is a frantic murmuring among the crowd. Vanessa looks like she might be sick.

“I can.” Adrian assures him with a calm unreadable expression I envy. “With your defiance and foolishness, I cannot trust you to lead this pack. If you want the title back, you will have to earn it.”

Then he takes my hand, and we walk away, leaving the shocked faces behind.