Chapter 52: Like You
Chapter 52: Like You
(Aria’s POV)
“When are you planning on having your mating ceremony?” Victoria asked again, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
The question hung in the air, making my stomach tighten. I forced a smile while Eleanor’s silver–gray eyes–so much like Dominic’s–studied me carefully.
“We haven’t discussed it yet,” I answered softly, feeling like an imposter.
Eleanor leaned forward in her chair, her weathered hands folded in her lap. “Tell me about your family, dear. Where are you
from?”
My heart raced. We hadn’t prepared for such direct questions about my background. Dominic’s hand squeezed mine reassuringly
under the table.
“I’m local,” I lied, the words sticking in my throat. “An orphan, actually. It’s just me and my brother James now.”
Eleanor’s expression softened immediately. “I’m so sorry, child. That must have been difficult for you.”
Guilt washed over me for earning sympathy with my fabricated story. My wolf whimpered quietly within me, uncomfortable with the deception.
“It was,” I admitted, thinking of my real mother’s death–at least that part wasn’t a lie. “But we managed.”
Dominic’s thumb stroked the back of my hand, a surprisingly comforting gesture. “Aria’s stronger than she looks,” he said, his
voice carrying a genuine warmth that caught me off guard.
“She’s the one who bullies me, not the other way around,” he added with a mischievous grin.
I pinched his thigh under the table, making him jump slightly. His family laughed at his reaction, the tension in the room easing.
“I like her already,” Eleanor declared, her silver–gray eyes twinkling. “She knows how to handle you.”
I smiled, genuinely this time. Despite my fears, Eleanor seemed to be warming to me. Perhaps this charade wouldn’t be so
difficult after all.
Just as I began to relax, the sound of the front door slamming echoed through the house. Quick footsteps approached, followed by a young female voice calling out, “I’m home!”
A slender young woman with the Blackwood family’s distinctive gray eyes burst into the room. Her long dark hair was styled perfectly, and her expensive clothing showcased her status. Her eyes lit up when she spotted Dominic.
“Dominic!” she exclaimed, rushing toward him with arms outstretched.
He stiffened beside me, raising a hand to stop her approach. The gesture was subtle but unmistakable. “Eva,” he greeted coolly.
Eva Blackwood froze, her smile faltering. Her eyes darted to me, then to our linked hands on the table. Her expression shifted from confusion to hostility in an instant.
“Who’s this?” she demanded, not bothering to hide her disdain.
“Eva,” Victoria admonished, “mind your manners. This is Aria, Dominic’s intended mate.”
Eva’s gray eyes widened in shock, then narrowed dangerously. “Intended mate? Since when do you have an intended mate?”
Dominic’s expression remained neutral, though I felt his fingers tense around mine. “I’ve been meaning to introduce her to the family for some time.”
Eva’s hostile gaze swept over me, lingering on my emerald green dress–the one Dominic had helped me select. Her lips curled in obvious disapproval.
“Interesting timing,” she muttered. “Vanessa just arrived in town yesterday.”
Victoria shot her daughter a warning glance. “Eva, that’s enough.”
The atmosphere had grown thick with tension. I shifted uncomfortably, feeling Eva’s judgmental gaze boring into me. My wolf
<Chap 62 Like You
bristled beneath my skin, defensive yet unwilling to challenge a member of Dominic’s family.
Dominic must have sensed my discomfort. He stood suddenly, still holding my hand. “Aria’s tired from the journey. We’ll rest
before dinner.”
Eleanor nodded understandingly. “Of course. I’ve had your room prepared, Dominic. Show Aria upstairs.”
+8 Points>
As we left, I felt Eva’s eyes following us, her hostility radiating like heat. The relief of escaping her scrutiny was overwhelming.
Upstairs, Dominic led me to a spacious bedroom with large windows overlooking the Shadow Pack forests. Once the door closed
behind us, I released his hand and sank onto the edge of the bed.
“Your cousin hates me,” I stated flatly.
Dominic ran a hand through his dark hair, sighing. “Eva has… expectations about who I should mate with.”
“This is going to be more complicated than you led me to believe,” I said, anxiety knotting in my stomach. “What if they discover I’m lying about my background? What if they learn I’m still technically mated to Alexander?”
“They won’t,” he assured me, his voice confident. “I’ve got everything under control.”
I gave him a skeptical look. “Eva looked ready to claw my eyes out, and I’ve only been here ten minutes.”
Dominic chuckled, the sound unexpectedly warm. “Eva is the least of our concerns. Focus on your acting, little wolf. You’re doing
well so far.”
“I hate lying to your grandmother,” I admitted. “She seems kind.”
“She is.” His expression softened. “But this is necessary. Once she sees we’re not suited for each other, she’ll stop pressuring me
about finding a mate.”
“What makes you so sure she’ll think we’re unsuited?” I asked, curious despite myself.
Dominic’s silver–gray eyes met mine, something unreadable flickering in their depths. “Because she knows I wouldn’t pursue a
she–wolf who’s carrying another Alpha’s pup.”
The blunt reminder of my pregnancy made me wince. Of course that was how he saw me–damaged goods, unsuitable as a true
mate. Even in our pretend relationship, I wasn’t worthy.
Seeing my expression, Dominic quickly added, “That didn’t come out right.”
“No, it’s fine,” I said stiffly. “This is all pretend anyway.”
He sat beside me on the bed, close enough that I could smell his distinctive Alpha scent–cedar and mountain air with something uniquely him.
“What if it wasn’t?” he asked softly.
My heart skipped a beat. “What?”
His lips curved into a teasing smile. “What if I told you I’ve had feelings for you since the day you saved my grandmother?”
Though my pulse quickened, I recognized the playful glint in his eyes. He was joking–getting into character for our charade.
“Very funny,” I replied dryly. “Save the performance for your family.”
A knock at the door interrupted whatever he might have said next. Ethan’s voice came through the wood. “Dominic! The guys are waiting for you at the clubhouse. I told them you’d stop by,”
Dominic rolled his eyes. “I’ll be right there,” he called back.
“Bring your girlfriend!” Ethan added cheerfully. “Everyone wants to meet her!”
After Ethan’s footsteps faded, Dominic turned to me apologetically. “We don’t have to go if you’re tired.”
The thought of staying in this room alone, possibly running into Eva, made my decision easy. “I’ll come with you.”
The “clubhouse” turned out to be a luxurious lounge where several young Shadow Pack wolves had gathered. Dominic introduced me briefly before being pulled into conversation with some of the male wolves.
Ethan kept me company, regaling me with embarrassing childhood stories about Dominic. “And then,” he continued, barely containing his laughter, “Dominic lost the bet and had to dress as a girl for the entire pack gathering!”
<Chup.er 52. Like You
I couldn’t help laughing, imagining the stern Alpha in a dress. “I don’t believe you.”
+8 Points
“It’s true!” Ethan insisted. “Grandmother has pictures somewhere. His face was priceless when Uncle Marcus recognized him
despite the disguise.”
“Don’t believe a word he says,” a female voice interrupted. Eva stood behind us, her arms crossed. “Ethan exaggerates
everything.”
Before I could respond, a server approached with a tray of drinks. “Wolf–whiskey for the gentlemen, and what would the ladies prefer?”
“Water for me,” I said quickly, mindful of my pregnancy.
Eva raised an eyebrow. “Not drinking? Are you pregnant or something?”
My heart froze. How could she have guessed so quickly?
Ethan rescued me before I had to answer. “Leave her alone, Eva. Not everyone enjoys getting drunk like you do.”
Eva scowled but thankfully moved away. Ethan rolled his eyes at his sister’s behavior.
“Sorry about that. Eva can be…” he trailed off, searching for the right word.
“Hostile?” I suggested.
He laughed. “I was going to say ‘protective of Dominic, but hostile works too.”
A newcomer approached us, eyeing me with interest. “Ethan, aren’t you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?”
Before Ethan could correct him, a strong arm wrapped around my waist. Dominic had appeared beside me, his Alpha presence filling the space.
“She’s not Ethan’s girlfriend,” Dominic stated, his voice low but carrying a clear warning. “She’s mine.”
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