chapter 61
Tori's:
"I've been telling Tori all about my Andrew," Mrs. White said, placing a hand on her grandson's shoulder. "Such a fine young male—steady income, owns his own car, and he's already saving for a house."
Andrew shifted uncomfortably under his grandmother's praise, his eyes darting nervously toward Lucas before fixing firmly on the floor.
"Andrew has excellent prospects," Mrs. White continued, her voice taking on that matchmaker tone I'd come to dread. " Perfect match for someone in Tori's... situation."
The way she said "situation" made my skin crawl. I knew exactly what she meant—damaged goods, former inmate, Omega with a violent past
Suddenly, the air in the cabin became heavy and cold.
"Mrs. White," I said quickly, trying to defuse the situation, "thank you for your thoughtfulness, but now's not really the time to discuss this."
Andrew found his voice, though it came out strained and slightly higher than normal.
"Sir, I assure you, I would only pursue Tori after she completes her studies."
The look Lucas gave him could have frozen a lake in summer. Andrew actually took a step back, bumping into his grandmother.
Mrs. White seemed to finally grasp the danger signals Lucas was broadcasting.
She clutched her purse tighter and managed a strained smile. "Well, we should probably be going. I just remembered—Eileen isn't even here, is she? We'll come back another time."
She practically dragged Andrew toward the door.
The door closed behind them with a soft click that somehow felt louder than a slam.
The silence that followed pressed against my eardrums.
Lucas stood motionless, his expression unreadable but the low-pressure system of his mood filling every corner of the cabin.
"I wasn't dating him," I blurted out, feeling compelled to explain.
"Mrs. White has this idea that I need to be paired off with her grandson. It's her thing, not mine. We've only met a couple times, in passing."
Lucas turned those ice-blue eyes on me.
"Then why are you so nervous about explaining this to me?"
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. He's impossible, I thought.
"I'm not nervous," I said aloud, crossing my arms defensively. "You just looked like you misunderstood the situation."
"Does my misunderstanding matter?" Lucas took a deliberate step toward me. "Especially when you've already decided to keep your distance from me."
I backed up instinctively as he continued to advance, his tall frame seeming to grow more imposing with each step.
My back hit the kitchen counter. Nowhere left to retreat.
I lifted a hand to his chest, intending to maintain some space between us, but the moment my palm made contact with the solid wall of muscle, I felt his heart beating strong and steady beneath my fingers.
The sensation made my own pulse quicken.
Lucas effortlessly captured my hand and removed it from his chest, though his touch remained gentle.
"Whatever you're worried about, Tori" he murmured, his voice impossibly deep, "I can wait until you figure it out. If it's the status difference you're concerned with, I don't care about that. Not with you."
His eyes held mine, intense and sincere.
"I'm serious about you, Tori. But I need you to understand something—no more entertaining strange wolves you've just met. Is that clear?"
The authority in his voice triggered something primal in me. Before I could think better of it, I heard myself respond with a quiet, "Yes."
Tracy was practically dancing beneath my skin. Did you see how protective he was? So Alpha, so powerful!
Is this really the time? I shot back mentally.
Are you honestly telling me you're not affected by him standing this close? Tracy challenged.
I had no answer for that.
The moment was shattered by the harsh buzz of Lucas's phone.
His expression shifted as he glanced at the screen, then back to me. "I need to take this.
He stepped away, creating distance that felt both relieving and disappointing, and moved toward the door. "Mother," I heard him answer as he stepped outside.
Through the window, I could see his profile as he spoke, his expression growing more serious.
Even from inside, I could hear Elizabeth Grayson's voice rising as she demanded to know why he'd disappeared on Winter Solstice, a day traditionally spent with family.
Winter Solstice. The realization hit me suddenly.
Today was Winter Solstice—one of the most important holidays for wolf families to gather together. Pack bonds were celebrated, family ties strengthened.
And yet Lucas had driven all the way here to find me instead of being with his family.
The weight of what that might mean made my stomach flip.
When Lucas returned, his expression was tense but resolved.
"I need to head back," he said, his voice carrying the unmistakable authority of an Alpha who'd made a decision.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
He moved closer again, just for a moment.
"Be good while I'm gone, Tori," he said, his voice softer but no less commanding. "We'll continue this conversation when you return."
I watched Lucas leave, the door closing behind his imposing figure.
Only then did I notice Anna sitting quietly on a small wooden stool in the corner, her wide eyes taking in everything that had just happened.
My heart sank. I'd completely forgotten she was there.
"Is he my brother-in-law?" Anna asked innocently, clutching her coloring book to her chest. "Not Andrew?"
"What? No, sweetheart, he's—" I stammered, feeling heat rush to my cheeks.
"Mommy says only people who love each other hug like that," she continued, her head tilted curiously. "So he should be the brother-in-law, right?"
I knelt down to her level, not sure how to explain the complicated situation to a child.
"It's... a little more complicated than that, Anna. " I whispered, gently touching her small hand. "It's our special secret. You don't need to tell Grandma or your mom about what you saw. Right?"
Anna's eyes widened slightly at the mention of a secret, then she nodded solemnly.
"I can keep secrets," she whispered back, though her understanding expression suggested she wasn't entirely clear on why this needed to be a secret at all.