Wanted by the Wolves (Fated Dates Novella)

18. Harper

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

HARPER

T he next morning, we took Aria to Hawthorne’s parents' house. He assured me she would be safe there. His mother was so excited to meet us both and already had lots of food made and what seemed like every toy option available.

His father was also very nice. He seemed like a picture of what Hawthorne would look like in twenty years. He was also very excited to meet Aria. Apparently, they didn't have a granddaughter in the family and very easily accepted her as theirs.

That morning as we got ready, I asked her if she liked it here. Her response was, “Of course, Mom. It’s like I have three dads and a mom. It’s awesome.”

I didn’t correct her. I knew the guys thought the world of her and would love to be seen as her father figures. I wouldn’t tell her what to call them or force anything, but seeing her happy and thriving made me ecstatic.

Now, we only needed to handle this, and we could get started on the rest of our lives.

My leg bounced as we headed to the pack house. Leo held my hand the whole way, trying to bring me comfort. While it worked a bit, I couldn’t help the nerves.

Hawthorne held the door open for me as he led us to the conference room.

“They’re going to be here soon,” he said. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

I nodded. It would be, I knew it would with them here.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. An older man came in first, then the man from that night behind him behind him. I barely remembered him, but I could see some of Aria’s features in his face. Stephen. His name came back to my memory as I looked at him.

“Hello, Ms. Maloy,” Rolland said. “You look well.”

“I am,” I said.

“Good. You recognize my son, Stephen.” He had a busted nose and a slightly bruised cheek, like he’d been punched.

“Hardly,” I scoffed.

“Right,” he said with a saccharine smile. They sat across from us, getting right to business. “Well, since your daughter is my son’s child as well, we wanted to offer you a place in our pack. Aria would learn to one day take over, and you would get a spot of great power. Our pack is very rich, and we would make sure you’re comfortable.”

“No, thank you,” I said quickly.

“I think you should consider. A child needs a father.”

My fists balled. Was he for real? “Well good thing my child now has three.”

I heard Leo hold back a snort as I said it.

Rolland looked shocked by my words. “That’s not fair, he didn’t know and deserves to be in her life.”

“Are you interested?” I asked.

Stephen looked up at me. “Not particularly.” He sounded so disinterested I knew I should be upset, but I was honestly relieved.

His father looked as if he were ready to explode. “He doesn’t know what he means,” he insisted. “That alpha belongs to our pack!”

I pulled down my top a bit to reveal my mating bite, which was now healed over with little white-pink marks. “I’m marked by the Pack Alpha, and we’re not going anywhere. And from what I heard, you don’t have the means to take on my pack. So I would suggest you go away.”

“Stephen, say something,” Roland insisted. “Don’t you want your daughter back?”

He rolled his eyes. “No. I’m barely home as it is. Sorry it ended up this way, but I promise you, you don’t want me around.” He stood and walked out. I wasn’t sure if I found what he said aggravating or amusing, but it didn’t matter now. I wanted him out of my life just as much as he wanted us out of his.

“Fine,” Rolland huffed. “We’ll be going.” With that, he followed his son out of the room, and it was over.

I slumped to the desk, all my previous adrenaline gone.

“You were so kickass,” Leo said. “Is that what you look like when you’re negotiating house deals? If it is, we might need to do a bit of roleplaying.”

I let out a loud laugh and picked my head up. “You really were amazing,” Jasper said. “You held your own against them. You’re so strong.”

I took a deep breath. “Thank you. I think I’m ready to go home now.”

I smiled. I liked the sound of that.

Home.