Chapter 328
Three hundred and thirty
Wesley POV
“Sorry I’m late,” I said, hurrying into the muted chamber where the council members were already seated, including my father and mother.
Their barely contained smiles made me suspicious. Even my mother’s eyes held a playful glint, and Dad looked just as amused.
“Did I miss something p>
“Not much,” Dad said. “Except I was just announcing that my formal preparations to hand over the Alpha position will begin in seven weeks p>
My eyes widened as the council erupted in applause and laughter.
My mother’s grin stretched the widest.
Dad winked at me.
The rascal hadn’t even told me he was going to do this.
“Well, what a surprise,” I said. “I suppose this is what I get for spending years asking you to step down. You finally decide to do it after I’ve stopped asking p>
Laughter swept through the chamber.
Dad only grinned.
The council members turned to the preparations, discussing the rites that would begin in seven weeks.
My gaze snapped to Dad.
The rites.
I would have to shift in front of the council, the pack’s leading families, and everyone else attending.
The ceremony wasn’t just about crowning a new Alpha. An Alpha’s wolf was proof of his strength. The pack needed to see the wolf that would lead them, witness its power, and accept the authority of the Alpha who carried it.
Dad caught my gaze. That tight smile told me he knew exactly what was running through my head.
Every conversation and argument we’d had over the years came rushing back. Dad had always insisted I was capable of leading the pack, even when I doubted myself.
Now, I was starting to think he might have been right.
Had Dad changed his mind because my wolf hadn’t had an episode that required me to be taken to Joanna? But was skipping one episode enough to convince him I was strong enough?
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The discussion shifted to the coronation and everything surrounding it. I knew this could either go well or end horribly.
As if my thoughts weren’t enough, Elder Logan brought up Barbara.
“You and your intended bride have been together for some time now,” he said. “Thankfully, she’s already familiar with what it means to be a Luna. It may be wise to formalize the relationship before the rites begin p>
My mood soured.
“What does my proposal to her have to do with the coronation p>
“Everything,” Elder Jackson said.
His answer echoed Grandma Cassidy’s warning.
“There’s no reason to leave such matters until after you become Alpha. She has to prepare for her position as Luna as well p>
“Is that compulsory?” I asked, barely keeping my irritation in check. I couldn’t let my emotions make anyone suspicious.
“All we’re saying,” Elder Logan said, “is that if you intend to marry her eventually, making the engagement official now gives everyone time to prepare. Six months into your reign would be a reasonable time for the wedding p>
“They’re giving you advice, Wes,” Dad said. “You don’t have to decide today p>
I glanced at the papers before me.
This was more complicated than I’d expected. I’d only wanted to fake a relationship with Barbara until the elders stopped pushing me toward marriage.
If I’d known Dad planned to step down before the year ended, I never would have brought up this stupid
idea.
“I’ll think about it,” I said.
“Very well,” Elder Logan said.
We moved on, but I knew this was only the beginning.
By lunch, Mom’s annual gala preparations had taken over the house. The committee crowded downstairs, surrounded by staff rushing between calls, schedules, guest lists, and everything else needed for an event this size. Even Mom checked her tablet between bites.
“So, about earlier,” she said, setting it down. “Why are you hesitating about getting engaged to Barbara? You made yourself look unserious back there p>
I sighed.
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Anita jabbed her fork into her plate, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Mom, it’s too early to get engaged p>
“Why not p>
“Because I’m not ready to get married p>
Mom and Dad exchanged a glance.
“But you and Barbara are together,” Dad said. “Nobody forced you into that relationship p>
I lowered my gaze. I was a terrible liar.
“We’re taking things slowly p>
Anita swirled her juice with her straw.
“Do you even love her?” Mom asked.
I shrugged.
“I like her p>
“You like her?” Mom echoed. “There’s a huge difference between liking someone and loving them p>
“I know. That’s why I don’t want to rush p>
“Then perhaps the engagement should wait until you’re certain,” Dad said. “Just don’t string her along. You know how much I frown on that p>
I nodded.
“Besides,” Anita said, “I’ve always wondered about the lack of romantic chemistry between you two p>
I looked at her.
“Maybe that’s just how I am p>
She smiled.
“Maybe. But I know how you are when you’re in love, and this isn’t it p>
“Anita, don’t put ideas into his head,” Mom said.
“What? I’m just being realistic. Barbara adores Wesley, but I don’t see the same energy from him. It’s like he merely tolerates her. That’s not exactly romance p>
I said nothing.
“Is this about hoping to find your mate?” Mom asked.
I glared at her.
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“What does finding my mate have to do with this? I don’t even know if she exists p>
“I’m just saying,” she replied.
She picked up her fork.
“Now eat. The cook spent half the morning marinating that chicken, and I’m not letting it go to waste while we discuss your love life p>
I gritted my teeth against the oncoming sensation, holding on a little longer. I wanted Isabella to reach climax before me. My hand moved between her breasts, and my fingers curled around hers.
“Come for me,” I whispered into her ear.
Her body shuddered, and mine followed, pleasure crashing through us as we gasped and groaned
together.
I licked her neck, tasting the salt on her skin as her fingernails traced up my side. Then I kissed her. I loved how touch-hungry she was, how she never held herself back with me.
“You just know how to drive me wild, don’t you?” I murmured, peppering her lips with kisses as she wrapped her arms around my neck and smiled up at me.
“Just don’t do this again,” she whispered. “The guard stationed here must have seen you p>
“I don’t care p>
I’d spent the entire day convincing myself I could stay away from her that night. It hadn’t worked.
By 10:30 p.m., I’d given up pretending I could sleep without seeing her. I took the bull by the horns and drove to the staff lodge.
When I knocked, I expected her to be awake.
She wasn’t.
Isabella had already fallen asleep.
She looked surprised when she opened the door but still let me in.
Now we lay on the floor with a blanket beneath us against the cold tiles. Isabella stretched for an extra pillow as I pulled away, already missing the warmth I’d been buried in.
“You should go,” she said. “I don’t want Maverick waking up and seeing you here p>
I scoffed.
“You’re really going to make me go home p>
She laughed.
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“Swear you don’t want me to stay by your side all night,” I said, tickling her until she giggled.
I turned her toward me, and our eyes met.
“You have duties in the morning, and I have work p>
“Right. Because apparently, I have those p>
She smiled.
I kissed her.
“After work tomorrow, I’ll take you to dinner p>
She rolled her eyes. “Absolutely not p>
“Why p>
“Because you’re Wesley. Alpha Wesley p>
She said it like she was explaining something obvious to a child.
“I could wear a cap p>
“Or a hood,” I added.
She shook her head.
“You’ll still be six feet something and the future Alpha p>
“You keep finding reasons why we can’t do anything outside this confined space,” I said, pulling the
blanket higher.
“We have plenty of reasons not to,” she said, reaching for my hand beneath it.
“It’s not my fault,” I said, staring at the ceiling. “I like being with you. Talking to you. Making love to you. Texting you. Seeing you everywhere. Even when you get annoyed with me p>
Her fingers stopped tracing patterns across my thumb.
She said nothing.
When I looked at her, she was blinking rapidly.
I lifted myself over her.
“Why are you crying p>
“I’m not p>
“You are p>
I wiped her cheek and held up my finger, showing her the evidence.
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“You shouldn’t say things like that p>
“Why p>
“You’re with someone else p>
“And how would you know she doesn’t like me p>
“Have you met her before p>
“Several times,” she said after a pause. “Take yesterday. She scolded Anita for asking me to design outfits for her, calling me a stranger and an amateur. And when Anita hinted that she liked me, she looked disgusted p>
Perhaps I should thank Barbara for discouraging Anita from making advances toward Isabella, but I kept that to myself.
Speaking of Barbara made me want to tell Isabella the truth about our fake relationship. Maybe that was what kept her from giving herself fully to me.
“You don’t have to worry about whether she likes you p>
She looked at me.
“Because our relationship is fake. We’re only together for the optics p>
Her eyes widened.
“You’re lying,” she said, pulling away and sitting up.
“Do you want me to swear p>
She searched my face, waiting for me to laugh.
“What do you mean it’s fake? Does she know p>
I nodded.
“We agreed to pretend we’re together because of the council p>
She frowned.
“That doesn’t explain why you’d pretend to date someone p>
I explained how things worked here, how particular the council was about who would stand beside the next Alpha and how closely they scrutinized his relationships, friendships, and everything surrounding him. If I didn’t give them something they could understand, they’d start looking for answers.
“And your parents know about this fake relationship?” she asked.
I shook my head.
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She fell silent.
“So why tell me if you didn’t tell your parents p>
I didn’t know how to answer.
Why was I telling her?
Was I looking for validation, or had I simply started liking her more than I was willing to admit?
I pulled her closer as we sat together on the floor.
“I didn’t think we’d get here,” I said.
She looked up at me.
Maybe I needed to unload some of that burden too.
“I plan to break things off with her after the gala p>
I kissed her forehead.
She still said nothing.
“So, about dinner tomorrow p>
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” she said. “Not until you break things off with her p>
“Okay. If that’s what you want. Just don’t complain when I start sneaking up on you instead p>
She managed a smile.
“Does Grandma Cassidy know about this fake relationship?” she asked.
I hesitated, wondering why she wanted to know, then nodded.
She seemed lost in thought for the rest of the night.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.