Her father, Gary, chose that moment to come behind his wife. He wrapped his arm around her and she couldn’t help but smile. Her parents’ mating had been so sweet. For the most part, it was the talk of the town. They loved each other so very much.

Unfortunately, they’d only been given the opportunity to have one child, her. After she was born, there had been too much damage, and according to doctors, her mother hadn’t been able to have any more children.

“We need you to keep an open mind, okay?” Gary asked.

“Sure. You’re both kind of scaring me. I’d thought you’d be happy to see me.” She looked between her parents.

“We are happy to see you.” Eliza grabbed her hand, and before she knew what was happening, she was being moved into the sitting room, and everything became clear.

Lucas stood there. Beside him was his father.

This was a first.

She pushed some of her hair back and quickly bowed her head to the Alpha, showing him the respect he was due.

“It’s good to see you home and well, Mabel.”

“I don’t understand what’s going on.”

Lucas continued to stare at her. Even as she hated him, she couldn’t deny the pull she had to be closer to him. Her traitorous little wolf wanted to be as close to him as was humanly possible, or even wolfly possible. She didn’t know. Either way, she wasn’t going to get close to this … man.

Since she’d seen him last, he’d grown a lot taller, more handsome in a ruggedly rough kind of way. It was why the girls at school loved him, and yes, he’d enjoyed the many pleasures they offered, or so the rumors were to be believed.

“Please, take a seat,” Duke said.

It was on the tip of her tongue to refuse, but no one ever refused the Alpha.

She sat down on the edge of one of the chairs as her parents took the remaining seats.

“We’re here as a … necessity,” Duke said. “We all understand your reservations to officially mate with my son, but this cannot continue any longer.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear and stared down at the floor, gritting her teeth.

“You and Lucas recognized the mating.”

She lifted her head up as he continued.

“And this prolonged absence is no longer acceptable.”

“Dad, don’t,” Lucas said.

“Acceptable?” She laughed. “I don’t recognize any mating with your son. Is it there, yes, but I refuse to fall a victim to it.”

“Mabel, there is no denying the mating heat.”

“I have.” She refused to look at Lucas. “And he’s still alive and well. There is no reason for either of us to be mated together.”

“You’re fated for each other.”