Page 18 of Wedding for My Werewolf

“Eric! What a lovely surprise.” She beckoned him inside with a wave of her manicured hand. “I was just about to call you.”

He followed her into the sitting room, where sunlight streamed through lace curtains onto antique furniture that hadn’t moved an inch since the day they moved in.

“Mother, I need to tell you something.”

She perched on the edge of her favorite wingback chair, hands clasped.

“At last! I knew you and Lila would hit it off.” Her face lit up. “She comes from such good breeding, you know. Her grandfather was?—”

“This isn’t about Lila,” he said sharply, and her smile faltered.

“But she said you two had such chemistry. And her family’s connections to the Northern packs would be invaluable for?—”

“I’ve chosen someone else.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. His mother’s fingers tightened around each other until her knuckles went white.

“Someone… else?” She blinked rapidly. “But Lila said you were perfect together. She told me just yesterday that you?—”

“Lila was mistaken.” His wolf bristled at the memory of her unwanted advances. “And so were you.”

His mother’s face brightened again. “Oh! Is it Catherine from the Tennessee pack? I heard she was visiting her cousins, and she’s just as lovely as?—”

“Mother.” The word came out as a low growl. “I’ve chosen Robin. She’s human, and new in town.”

The color drained from his mother’s face, as her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. The pearls around her neck clinked as she pressed a hand to her chest.

“A human?” The words came out as a horrified whisper. “Eric, you can’t possibly—the Pack would never?—”

“The Pack will accept my choice.” His wolf surged forward, an underlying growl to his words. “Just as you will.”

“But think of your position! Your responsibility?—”

“I don’t have a position, and I don’t want a position. I’m simply a member of the Pack.” He took a step closer, towering over her chair. “Robin is my choice. My mate. And you will welcome her.”

His mother’s lips pressed into a thin line, the same expression she’d worn when he’d refused to attend law school.

“But there’s never been a human mate in the Grayson line.”

“Times change. And so will you. I’m bringing Robin to the next Pack meeting. I expect you to treat her with respect.”

Tears welled in his mother’s eyes—the same tactical display she’d used throughout his childhood.

“What will people say? What about the council?”

“They’ll say nothing because my mate is not up for discussion. Are we clear?”

His mother’s shoulders slumped as she dabbed at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. “The next Pack meeting?”

He straightened, satisfied he’d made his point.

“Yes. And Mother?” He waited until she met his gaze. “No more surprise guests. No more eligible Pack females. It’s over.”

Her eyes narrowed, the mournful expression vanishing. “Is she really your choice? Or are you just trying to avoid mating with a suitable female?”

He stared at her, anger simmering in his veins.

“She’s my choice,” he bit out. “Goodbye, Mother.”

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