Reba’s POV
<b>1 </b>
I kept my expression neutral, though <b>my </b>heart was pounding. “Elizabeth. I’m sorry things didn’t go well with your meeting.”
Herugh was bitter. “Oh, you’re sorry? How touching.” She looked me up and down with undisguised contempt. “Enjoy it while itsts, you pathetic <b>human</b>. When he tires of you–and he will–don’te crying.”
Her mother stepped forward, her eyes red–rimmed but filled with disdain. “<b>So </b>you’re the girl who’s ruined everything.” She examined me like I <b>was </b>an insect under a microscope. “Look at you. Do you honestly think you can be Luna? You don’t even <b>know </b>what that means.”
I felt a surge <b>of </b>protective instinct, my <b>hand </b>unconsciously moving to rest on my still–t stomach. “I <b>know </b>enough to understand it’s not <b>your </b>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. “<b>Miss </b>Brown, Mr. Sterling is expecting you inside.”
sive wave. “Go y at being important. When the pack rejects you, remember this
“Yes, run <b>along</b>.” Elizabeth’s mother said with <b>a </b>dismissive
moment.”
I straightened my spine<b>, </b>meeting her gaze directly. “Elizabeth, you are a sad, sad woman, and I truly pity you.”
Her face contorted with <b>rage</b>, 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 <b>gasped</b>, 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 <b>flung </b>face <b>as </b>I leaned out, breathing deeply and willing my stomach to settle.
ng the door open. <b>The </b>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 <b>nausea </b>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 <b>of </b>hair from my face. “It’s perfectly normal.”
Raymond handed back a ss of water and what looked like lemon slices. “Try this, with some crackers in thepartment.”
Brown, <b>Sofia </b>specifically packed it for you, along
1 epted the water gratefully. “Thank you, Raymond. So 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 yourfort looks even slightly green, you pull that car over immediately, Raymond, or answer to me.”
<b>That </b>drew a <b>weak </bugh from me. “That sounds like Sofia.”
As we resumed our journey, I stared out at the passingndscape, 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 ept you because you’re my choice,” he said finally. “And they don’t <b>have </b>the authority to make decisions for me.”
“That’s not exactly reassuring.” I muttered.
“My father is… traditional<b>, </b>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, Reba. <b>That’s </b>who I fell in love with.”
As we turned onto a private <b>road </b>lined with ancient oak trees, I felt my heartbeat elerate. 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 ck–suited security personnel lining the circr driveway, standing at attention like <b>an </b>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 <b>couple </b>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 <b>a </b><b>posture </b>that spoke of natural grace and confidence.
“Ready?” Dominic asked quietly.
I nodded, though my heart <b>was </b>pounding so hard I was sure everyone with werewolf hearing could detect it. “As I’ll ever be.”
12:46 Sat<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>27
The <b>walk </b>up those stone steps felt like the longest journey of my life. Dominie’s hand rested protectively at the small of my back<b>, </b><b>a </b>warm, reassuring presence that steadied me despite my trembling knees.
As <b>we </b>approached, I could feel Alpha Sterling’s gaze dissecting me<b>, </b>coldly analytical as he took in every detall of my appearance. Beside him, Luna’s expression was more controlled, thigh I caught the slight ring of her nostrils–she was scenting me, I realized with a jolt of difort.
“Father, Mother,” Dominic <b>said </b>formally when we reached the top step. “I’d like to present Reba 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 <b>chosen</b><b>,</b>” he said, his deep voice carrying a note <b>of </b>something I couldn’t quite ce–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 <b>face </b>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, Reba,” she said, her voice melodious but reserved.
e to S
“Wee
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 <b>than </b>I expected<b>.</b>”
I couldn’t help the small, incredulousugh that escaped me. “If that was <b>a </b><b>good </b>reaction, I’d hate to see a bad one.”
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