Chapter 16
Michael POV
Never in my life would I ever imagined that as I sat at the makeshift bar, sipping my juice and trying to ignore the pounding in my head, that the woman I'd been talking to—gorgeous, sharp, and way too cool for this wedding—turned out to be Marissa Fairmont. The Marissa Fairmont. The one who'd just married Charles, the guy who looked like he'd been plucked straight out of a corporate office.
I nearly choked on my drink when the tall man called her by her name. My brain scrambled to catch up. This was the woman I'd just described as beautiful, brave, and way out of Charles' league. And here I was, sitting next to her, making awkward small talk like an idiot.
Before I could fully process this, the man turned his attention to me. His arms were crossed, and his expression was a mix of curiosity and suspicion. He looked like a dad who'd just caught his daughter sneaking out past curfew—except I wasn't his daughter, and I definitely wasn't sneaking anywhere.
"And you must be the guy knocking up my daughter," he said, his voice low and gruff.
I blinked, my brain short-circuiting. "Pardon me, what?"
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Eve. My daughter. The one she dragged in drunk last night?"
Fuck, this was Eve's dad, Alpha Jared. Everything instantly clicked into place.
"Hum," I said, holding up my hands in defense. "I'm not technically knocking up your daughter. I'm her... boyfriend."
Alpha Jared's eyes narrowed, and he glanced over at Marissa, who was surprised to say the least. "Is that so?"
I nodded, my heart racing. "Yeah. We're... together."
Alpha Jared turned back to me then eye-balled my drink, his expression unreadable. "You are day drinking."
"It's not alcohol," I said quickly, holding up my glass of juice. "Just... juice. For my hangover."
He raised an eyebrow. "How old are you?"
"I'll be 24 in a month," I said, trying to sound confident.
Alpha Jared grunted, clearly unimpressed. "What pack are you from?"
I hesitated, my mind racing. Before I could answer, Eve appeared, her smile bright and her dress swishing around her knees. Her eyes lit up when she saw Marissa. Hastily, she proceeded to hug her with profound excitement.
Perfect, they knew each other.
"Congratulations Marissa," Eve said "You must be really happy marrying Theo Black's nephew."
"Uh huh" Marissa responded with a forced smile
"I feel like I haven't seen you in decades. You have changed I can't even recognize you anymore" Eve continued "I have so much to tell you"
"I guessed so, you have a boyfriend now." She nudged her head towards my direction.
"Yes, I see you've met Michael already" Eve said, her tone cheerful. She then walked over to me, standing so close that our arms were touching.
Marissa raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between Eve and me.
"He completes me" Eve said excitedly
Marissa's smile was polite but strained. "I'm so happy for you"
Eve turned to Marissa, her smile widening. "Me too, Charles is a lucky guy. I have a good feeling about this"
Marissa's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Thank you."
Just then, Charles himself appeared, his smile so wide it looked like it might split his face. He walked over to Marissa, his hand resting on her arm in a way that made her visibly tense.
"Marissa," he said, his tone overly cheerful. "People are waiting for our first dance. We should head back to the hall."
Marissa nodded, her expression neutral. "Of course."
She shot me one last glance before following Charles back to the hall. Alpha Jared watched them go, his expression thoughtful, before turning back to me.
"I asked you a question," he said, his tone sharp. "What pack are you from?"
I swallowed hard, my palms sweating. "I'm not a werewolf."
Alpha Jared's eyes narrowed. "A shifter, then?"
"Not really," I said, my voice shaky.
"A witch? An elemental?"
I shook my head. "No."
Alpha Jared crossed his arms, his expression growing more suspicious. "Then what the hell are you?"
Eve stepped in, her tone sharp. "Dad, stop interrogating him. He's my boyfriend, not a criminal."
Alpha Jared shot her a look, but Eve stood her ground. "It's fine," I said, trying to sound calm. "I'm a human."
Alpha Jared's eyes widened, and he looked back and forth between Eve and me like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Human? You're telling me my daughter is dating a human? Someone with no gifts, no powers?"
"Where did you pick him? Are you doing this just to spite me?"
Eve rolled her eyes. "Dad, I didn't pick him from anywhere. And I'm a grown woman. I can make my own decisions."
Alpha Jared ignored her, his gaze locked on me. "How are you supposed to protect her in the face of danger? What can you possibly offer her? Perhaps you are wealthy enough to hire guards"
I opened my mouth to respond, but Eve cut me off. "Dad, stop. Michael doesn't need to prove anything to you."
"You are my daughter, and he does need to prove everything to me." Alpha Jared retorted, his voice filled with authority "He's just a measly human, with no wealth, gift, no nothing…"
"And he's my boyfriend all the same." Eve cut him off "Dad, don't take this away from me. You have ruined everything I have valued and allowed Marissa all the freedom in the world. I'm asking you to allow me this one thing…just this once let me have something of my own."
Alpha Jared's jaw tightened, and for a moment, he didn't speak. When he finally did, his voice was low and dangerous. "Do you love my daughter?"
I froze, my heart pounding. They had just discussed me like I was invisible this whole time and now he was asking me the most feared question. I looked at Eve, who was staring at me with wide eyes, then back at Alpha Jared. "I... uh... yes. Yes, I do."
Alpha Jared studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he grunted and turned to Eve. "Everything I do is to protect you. You are my only daughter and I only want what's best for you"
With that, he walked away, leaving me and Eve standing there in stunned silence.
"Well," Eve said, her tone light. "That's my dad"
I stared at her, my mind still reeling. "Marissa is your sister?"
"My dad brought her in after the incident with her parents, we grew up together."
"I really don't like the mess you have put me into." I sighed
"Yeah, sorry about that." She said
"Well, I should leave…."
"You are not sticking around for the after party?" she asked, her voice somewhat low
"I have a bad hangover to nurse, and I think my bed is missing me." I lightly laughed
"That's okay." Eve sighed then picked up a beer can from a nearby shelf
"Tell your dad we broke up or something, he'll be happy to hear that…I guess." I said standing up "and please don't let him send werewolves after me, tell him it was a mutual break up."
"He won't send anyone." She chuckled "thanks, for your help and all. I'll drive you home."
"That won't be necessary, I'll find my own way." I said before walking out towards the hall, then outside the mansion
---