For so long, I’d been saving the best cuts of meat for Ryan, trying to please him, leaving my wolf unsatisfied. But tonight, I could feel my wolf reveling in the feast, fully content for the first time in ages.
Just then, the restaurant door swung open, and a cheerful voice rang out. “Good evening, everyone!”
+25 BORUS
Chapter 5
It was Willow.
The Silver Claws members‘ expressions immediately darkened.
Willow was my uncle’s illegitimate daughter, someone the upper echelons of the wolf pack had never truly accepted. If not for the influence of my family, she wouldn’t even have the right to show her face here.
Ryan’s father’s face turned grim as he scolded sharply, “This is a family dinner. Why did you bring an outsider here?”
Willow’s eyes reddened, and she hid behind Ryan, looking pitiful.
Ryan, clearly distressed, shielded her protectively. “Willow is Alice’s cousin–that makes her family. Why shouldn’t she attend a family dinner?”
As he spoke, his gaze fell on the seat beside me now occupied by Lucas. His expression turned icy, but he dared not say anything outright.
When he saw Lucas serving me meat, his face darkened further, his mood plummeting.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated with a new message. It was from Ryan.
[What are you doing?! Just because I brought Willow, you called in Uncle Lucas to play this game and provoke me?!]
I flipped the phone face down, pretending not to see it.
Across the table, Ryan glared at me, his eyes practically drilling holes into palpable.
At that moment, Ryan’s father raised his glass and began to speak.
me,
his fury
“Our family’s upcoming celebration has already become widely known throughout the pack. Tonight’s dinner is meant to finalize the details of this important matter. Following that, we’ll discuss the mate bonding ceremony and wedding arrangements, ensuring everything is properly decided tonight—”
Before he could finish, Ryan interrupted anxiously, “Dad, Alice and I have completed the mate bonding. We’ll take care of the rest ourselves. Right, Alice?”
Ryan called my name, his eyes signaling desperately for me to agree.
I lowered my gaze and said nothing.
I wasn’t marrying him, so there was no need to respond.
Ryan’s expression turned frosty, his eyes filled with anger and disapproval. He quickly sent another text.
[Say something! If you keep this up, I’ll call off the wedding for real!
Chapter 5
VIS VANJS
[Alice, don’t test my limits!]
Annoyed, I unlocked my phone and blocked himn
When Ryan realized what I’d done, he stared at me in disbelief, his hands clenching so tightly that the veins on the back of them bulged.
Under the table, Lucas reached for my hand, his grip firm yet gentle, as he said, “We should respect Alice’s wishes. Whatever she decides, we’ll follow.”
The warmth of Lucas’s palm sent my heart racing
Ryan hurried to echo him. “Right, right. Uncle Lucas is absolutely right! Dad, Mom, Alice and I have everything under control. You just need to show up at the wedding!”
The other elders exchanged puzzled glances at his words.
Finally, Ryan’s father couldn’t contain his anger anymore and slammed his hand down on the table, “We’re discussing Lucas’s marriage! Why are you constantly interrupting?!”
