Chapter 70 70. Decent Guy
Tabitha’s POV
“Are you sure you’re feeling better now, darling?” Mom asks me while we’re having breakfast at the dining table the next day.
“Yeah. I think resting did the trick,” I reply with a smile. Actually, I feel too guilty to continue with my fake sickness excuse just to ditch eating with the rest of them. Besides, it’s not like I can pretend to be sick forever just so I can avoid my stepbrothers.
I just pretend that I’m not hyperaware of the fact that they’re sitting across from me right now. I keep my focus on my plate, cutting my pancakes with exaggerated care as if the golden stack is the most fascinating thing in the world. Still, it’s impossible to ignore the weight of their stares. It feels like heat crawling up my skin, simmering at the back of my neck, daring me to look up and meet their eyes. But I don’t. Not when every cell in my body seems determined to betray how flustered I actually am. And not in front of their father’s investigative eyes.
“You seem a little more put together today,” Alpha Emery observes. “Got somewhere to be?”
“Uhm, yes. Actually, a new—friend asked me to hang out today,” I answer before sipping on my juice.
“And who is this new friend?” Mom asks.
“Evelyn. I met her at Kaelara University the other day when I was enrolling.”
“Evelyn… the daughter of Eliott Sharpe?” she asks, looking a bit surprised.
“That one.” I smile.
My mom and Alpha Emery exchange amused glances. Alpha Emery, for one, looks pleasantly surprised—almost delighted.
“Hmm. Interesting.” Alpha Emery leans back in his chair. “Looks like you’re surrounding yourself with a rather influential company these days. Which is good. These are the type of friends you should have. Haven’t you also recently gotten close with Arthur Beckett?”
Reed lets out a derisive snort.
“Close? Yeah, right.” He leans back in his chair, a disdainful smirk tugging at his mouth. “Pretty sure Beckett’s just using any excuse he can to sniff around her. Guy couldn’t be more obvious if he tried.”
I choke on my sausage, coughing hard as my mom pats my back in alarm. “What the hell, Reed?” I wheeze between coughs.
“What? The asshole’s trying to make a move on you, and he’s dumb enough to think he’s got a chance,” he fires mercilessly.
Alpha Emery raises a brow. “He’s what?”
“Pretty sure he means Arthur’s only goal is to get under Tabitha’s skirt,” Jace cuts in before Reed can, his tone laced with the same contempt as his brother’s.
This time, it’s Mom’s turn to choke on her drink.
Alpha Emery’s voice sharpens. “What are you boys trying to say?”
Reed grins wolfishly. “That Arthur’s got the hots for your stepdaughter, is what we’re saying.”
I stab the remaining sausage on my plate and glare at my jerkass stepbrothers, my cheeks burning. “Not everyone thinks with their dicks, you know.”
Reed clicks his tongue. “Oh really? Did your precious Arthur tell you that himself? That he’s just after some wholesome friendship bracelets and a stroll down the rainbow bridge?”
Jerk!
A very strong part of me wants to punch him across that smugly handsome face. Damn it.
“That’s enough,” Alpha Emery rebukes his son in a calm yet commanding voice. Then, he shifts his gaze back to me, his expression softening. “Well… Arthur Beckett is a decent young man. If anything, I think he’d make a good match for you, Tabitha.”
My fork freezes midair. What? Is he seriously saying that right now? I have to bite my tongue to keep from snapping back. Nope, pissing off Emery Aldair is not the way to go, Tabi.
Alpha Emery continues, as though he’s talking about the weather. “If I were to give your hand to anyone, Arthur would be a very good candidate.”
Beside me, Jace lets out a heavy sigh and drops his utensils onto his plate with a muted clatter as if he just lost his appetite. Even Luca looks unimpressed, his expression unreadable but his jaw tense.
Across from me, Mom lets out an awkward laugh, sipping from her glass like it might save her. “Isn’t Tabitha a little too young for that kind of talk?”
Yes! I silently agree but keep my mouth shut. Arguing against an Alpha—especially one letting you live under his roof rent-free—doesn’t sound like a bright idea.
Alpha Emery chuckles lightly. “Tabitha isn’t a little girl, Isla. She’s a grown woman. If she wants to explore her options when it comes to men and relationships, I simply think Arthur Beckett is a decent man to consider.”
I purse my lips, forcing myself not to comment. In truth, he’s not wrong—Arthur is decent. He’s kind, polite, maybe a little too polished. But I don’t see him that way. Maybe because I think he’s just being friendly… or maybe because my attention is already hopelessly tangled elsewhere. Toward someone else. Or worse—others.
I risk a glance on my right and note Jace’s stiff posture, his usual teasing grin gone. He stares at his plate like it personally offended him. Across the table, Evren, Luca, and Reed all wear varying shades of pissed. Reed doesn’t even bother to hide the storm brewing in his eyes. I have to mentally pray that he won’t go off in front of his father and in the middle of breakfast! I don’t want Alpha Emery to start suspecting anything weird. Because seriously, no one should look that angry over their stepsister’s potential suitor—especially a stepsister they’ve only officially had for, what, a little over a month? That would be weird… right? But Reed doesn’t seem to give a shit. Damn it.
Luca sips his juice, but the way his knuckles tighten around the glass tells a different story. It’s almost as if he’s ready to punch someone right now—prefereably his father. And Evren looks eerily calm, too calm, though the quiet anger in his eyes burns deep enough for me to feel it.
I don’t know how, but I can feel it. Their anger and barely-contained restraint. Like it’s pulsing in my veins alongside my own heartbeat. Like I’m connected to it.
I wonder if that’s part of the mate bond too.
Mom lets out another laugh, breaking the tension. “Well, when Tabitha’s ready, I’m sure she’ll find a nice man for herself.” She glances at me with a small, nervous smile.
I manage a forced one in return. I hope so, Mom.
Alpha Emery shrugs and reaches for his coffee. “Of course. I’m merely making a suggestion.”
Well, his sons definitely don’t appreciate that, seeing how they are glaring at their food.
After lunch, I head back to my room to freshen up before meeting Evelyn. I briefly stop to get my phone when I receive a message from her.
Evelyn:
OMW to the mall. See ya! Xoxo
Me:
See you. :)
Alright, time to go. I grab my bag and sunglasses, then walk back down to the living area where Mom is chatting with one of the housemaids.
“Mom, I’ll get going now,” I tell her.
She looks up with a smile. “All right, sweetheart. Have fun, and don’t stay out too late, okay? Gerald’s waiting for you in the driveway.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll be home before dinner,” I promise.
“Good girl,” she says warmly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear before giving me a gentle pat on the arm. “Be safe.”
I smile and wave before heading out. The black Mercedes is already parked in the driveway, polished enough to reflect the bright afternoon sun. I walk toward it and open the rear door.
“Hey, Gerald. Thanks for driving me to—” I stop mid-sentence when I notice someone sitting in the passenger seat.
What the hell is Jace doing here?
He turns his head toward me, that usual grin already plastered across his stupidly handsome face. I feel like I'm about to have a stroke.
“Uh, why are you in the car?” I demand, crossing my arms over my chest.
He shrugs casually. “What? I’ve got a lot of free time today. Thought I’d tag along.”
I frown. “No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am.” He grins while stretching his legs leisurely across the seat, making himself look far too comfortable for someone who wasn’t even invited.
“Stop playing around! Get out. I’m gonna be late!” I glance at Gerald through the open door, silently begging for backup. But he just clears his throat and averts his gaze, shifting his fingers through the steering wheel as if he suddenly finds it very interesting. There’s a single bead of sweat trailing down his temple. Traitor.
“Jace!” I growl at him in a warning tone.
Jace is unbothered. He leans back in his seat and fakes a freaking yawn. “Mmh, I already told you I’m tagging along. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you’ll get to your little girl-date. You wouldn’t want to keep Evelyn waiting, would you?”
“Ugh, you’re so annoying!” I mutter under my breath.
“Don’t worry, we’re both gonna enjoy this day,” his teasing voice slips into my mind.
I groan, rolling my eyes so hard they might pop out. “But you better not start any trouble.”
“I can’t promise you that, baby. Trouble loves me.” He winks at me.
I throw my head in frustration as I slide inside the car. Jace flashes a triumphant smile before nodding at Gerald at the driver’s seat.
“Drive, Gerald,” he barks, settling back with that smug grin still on his face.
As the car pulls away from the mansion, I silently swear that this is either going going to be a fun day or a disastrous one.