Chapter 468
Four hundred and seventy
Emma POV
The Root Daughters had completed their final sweep that afternoon, and the verdict was unanimous. The curse was dead. Alexander no longer felt the phantom touch over his ribs. Dr. Harry had given him a clean bill of health.
I couldn’t be happier.
You would think surviving a decade of dark magic and living as a rogue would be the hardest thing a man could do. But as I parked outside my uncle’s mansion on Friday evening, Alexander gripped my hand and seemed far more terrified of having dinner with my family.
“They aren’t going to bite you, my love,” I said, reaching over to rest my hand on his thigh.
“It’s your entire family, Emma. All of them in one house p>
“And?” I laughed.
“What if they don’t like me?” he muttered, his voice unusually vulnerable. “What if something goes wrong p>
I rolled my eyes.
“What could go wrong? We’re already expecting a baby together. It’s not like they have a choice anyway. They’re stuck with you.
Alexander glanced at me, his lips twitching into a smile before the worry returned to his eyes.
Beneath my teasing, I understood his concerns. He had spent years as a rogue, never knowing what it felt like to be supported by strangers. Of course he wanted their approval. He wanted to know he was worthy of standing beside me.
I leaned over and wrapped my arms around his shoulders as best I could, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“Alexander, you are the best man my family could ever want for me. You’re my fated mate, and you’ve protected me with your life. They already love you. Stop overthinking p>
He took a deep breath and covered my hand with his own. “Okay p>
We were spending the entire weekend here, from Friday night through Sunday, and the estate was full of activity. Lights shone from every window, and laughter drifted outside.
We were among the last to arrive. As we stepped into the foyer, I could tell Alexander was struggling to stay calm.
The moment we crossed the threshold, Luna Lisa spotted us.
“Emma! Alexander!” she called, hurrying over.
She pulled me into a hug and kissed my cheek before turning to Alexander.
Then my mother spotted us. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.
Alexander was caught off guard, but he slowly returned the embrace.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” my mother said, pulling back to look him in the eyes.
Alexander smiled warmly. “I can see where Emma gets her beauty from. Though I must say, Lady Nadia, you look far too young to have a daughter who’s about to become a mother herself p>
My mother’s eyes widened slightly before her cheeks turned pink. She laughed, waving a hand at him. “Oh, Alexander, you flatter me p>
“Not at all,” he replied with a smile. “I’m only telling the truth p>
1/4
Four hungrest and seventy
Isabella approached with a smile. “Welcome, Alexander! It would have been a shame if you couldn’t make it tonight p>
She turned and brought a little boy forward by the hand. “Maverick, say hello p>
Maverick looked up at Alexander and immediately pointed at the tattoo on his arm.
Isabella smiled at Alexander. “This is the little boy you saved from Alpha Desmond p>
Alexander looked down at the boy and managed a smile before Maverick ran off to play with his toys.
I stood beside Alexander, feeling proud of him. He still wasn’t fully relaxed, but the women’s warmth seemed to ease his tension.
My dad and Uncle Cameron approached next. Uncle Cameron clapped Alexander on the shoulder. Wesley followed with a knowing nod.
“Make yourself at home,” Uncle Cameron said to Alexander. “No one in this house has any ill will toward you. You’re family now p>
The only person who made little effort to welcome him was Charlie. He stood near the archway with a drink in his hand, never approaching.
I couldn’t care less what was going through his head. If Charlie wanted to stand in a corner sulking, that was his problem, not mine. Thankfully, he had Veronica now, who looked beautiful in a lemon strapless dress.
Dinner was served shortly afterward. The table was covered with food: casseroles, veal sautéed in butter with mushrooms and wine sauce, turkey stuffing, stir-fried vegetables, and bowls of curry soup.
The men poured themselves glasses of rum and wine. Alexander stuck to water because his body was still clearing the herbs the priestesses had given him. Since I was pregnant, I avoided alcohol too and drank freshly squeezed orange juice.
Midway through the meal, Anita arrived with Haley. Haley looked surprised when she spotted Veronica at the table. Luna Lisa fixed plates for them and welcomed them into the gathering.
As the evening progressed, the room grew louder. My dad and Uncle Cameron started telling jokes and sharing stories from their younger days. At one point, my dad grabbed a wooden bowl and two spoons and tapped out a rhythm while Uncle Cameron sang a terrible rendition of an old torch song.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Alexander sat among the men, watching the chaos unfold. After years in the woods, away from people, he was seeing a family enjoy each other’s company without fear or restraint. I noticed the admiration in his eyes.
Every now and then, he glanced across the table at me, silently asking for help. I winked and smiled, letting him adjust at his own pace. I wasn’t going to force him to become a social butterfly overnight.
While the men played cards, the younger women gathered near the lounge.
Anita leaned toward Veronica, raising an eyebrow with a grin. “So… you and Charlie are fucking, huh p>
Veronica blushed and looked down at her hands p>
She seemed shy and guarded. After everything she had endured with Zachary, the thought of starting something new seemed to frighten her.
“If you feel like things are moving too fast, it’s okay to take a step back,” I said to her. “But don’t isolate yourself out of fear. Finding someone who respects you can help you heal p>
She looked up at me with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, Emma p>
2/4
Four hundred and seventy
By the time the gathering began to wind down, it was almost midnight.
I headed upstairs to our assigned suite. I lit four scented candles beside the porcelain bathtub, filled it with warm water, and lowered myself into it.
The heat eased the tension in my muscles. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the rim, waiting for Alexander.
A little before midnight, the bathroom door creaked open.
Alexander stepped inside quietly, as though he expected me to be asleep in bed. When he saw me sitting in the candlelit tub, he stopped.
His gaze darkened with lust as he took in the sight of me.
I smiled and rested my arms along the edge of the tub.
“I see you survived your conversation out there p>
Alexander laughed under his breath and rubbed the back of his neck as he approached.
“Your dad and uncle are relentless. I think I played five rounds of cards and listened to three different lectures on pack history p>
“I told you they’d love you,” I teased. “Now, are you going to stand there staring, or are you going to join me p>
Alexander hesitated, looking at the water before meeting my eyes.
“Emma… isn’t it a little disrespectful for us to do this in your uncle’s house p>
I rolled my eyes and laughed at his sudden concern.
“Since when did you care about manners? Do you have any idea what half the other couples in this mansion are probably doing right now? Get in here p>
A grin spread across his face.
“Your wish is my command, my lady p>
He undressed and stepped into the tub beside me, his large frame taking up most of the space.
The moment his skin touched mine, the distance between us that had lasted for weeks disappeared. The mate bond stirred,
sending a rush of warmth through us.
Alexander pulled me gently against his chest. I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned into him as his lips met mine in
the candlelit bathroom.
214
Admins2