Chapter 51: When Are You Getting Marked?
Chapter 51: When Are You Getting Marked?
(Aria’s POV)
As our vehicle approached the massive stone structure of the Blackwood family compound, my stomach churned with nerves.
The imposing building seemed to grow larger with every passing second.
“We’re here,” Ethan announced cheerfully, pulling the SUV to a stop in front of wide stone steps.
I squeezed Dominic’s hand involuntarily. His silver–gray eyes met mine, a reassuring smile on his lips.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered. “My grandmother is excited to meet you. Again.”
Ethan hopped out and opened my door with a flourish. “Welcome to the Blackwood den, cousin–in–law!”
“Please stop calling her that,” Dominic growled, though his tone lacked real anger. “We’re not officially mated yet.”
Yet? The casual implication sent a flutter through my chest..
“Details, details,” Ethan waved dismissively. “Grandmother’s already planning the ceremony in her head, I guarantee it.”
My wolf stirred anxiously within me, unusually alert to the powerful auras surrounding us. The Blackwoods weren’t just any werewolf family – they were practically werewolf royalty. And here I was, pregnant with another Alpha’s pup, playing the role of
Dominic’s intended mate.
What had gotten myself into?
Dominic’s hand settled at the small of my back as we climbed the steps, his touch warm and strangely comforting.
“Just be yourself,” he murmured. “They’ll love you.”
I highly doubted that, but I nodded anyway.
The massive wooden doors swung open before we reached them. A tall, elegant woman with perfectly styled dark hair streaked with silver stood in the doorway. Her posture reminded me of a soldier, rigid and alert. The distinctive gray eyes of the
Blackwood family assessed me with keen interest.
“Dominic,” she said warmly, embracing him briefly. “You’ve finally decided to grace us with your presence.”
“Victoria,” Dominic nodded respectfully. “You remember I mentioned bringing someone special today!”
Victoria Blackwood’s calculating gaze settled on me, taking in every detail from my emerald dress to my nervously clasped
hands.
“This must be your little healer,” she said, her expression softening slightly. “We’ve heard so much about you, dear.”
Her tone was friendly, but I sensed caution beneath her words. My wolf tensed, sensing the subtle assessment.
A tall, broad–shouldered man appeared beside her, his bearing similar to Dominic’s but with a more weathered face. “Marcus Blackwood,” he introduced himself with a slight bow. “Victoria’s mate and Dominic’s uncle.”
–
Before I could properly respond, a small, elderly woman pushed past them both, her silver hair elegantly styled despite her advanced age. Deep lines etched her face, but her silver–gray eyes – so like Dominic’s – sparkled with life and intelligence.
“So this is the she–wolf who saved my life!” she exclaimed, reaching for my hands. “Come here, child, let me look at you properly.”
Her grip was surprisingly strong as she pulled me closer, examining me with those piercing Blackwood eyes. My heart raced
under her scrutiny.
“It’s an honor to meet you properly, Mrs. Blackwood,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Eleanor, please,” she insisted, patting my hand. “You’re practically family now.”
My cheeks burned at her assumption. If only she knew the truth.
“Come, come, let’s not stand in the hallway,” Eleanor urged, pulling me inside with surprising strength for her age. “I’ve had tea prepared in the solarium.”
She linked her arm through mine, practically dragging me forward. I threw a desperate glance at Dominic, who followed with an
1.3
<Chapt When Are You Getting
amused smile.
+ Pants >
The interior of the Blackwood compound was even more impressive than the exterior – high ceilings with intricate woodwork, artwork that must have been worth fortunes, and everywhere, subtle indications of the pack’s power and history.
“Your home is beautiful,” I said, feeling woefully inadequate in such surroundings.
“It’s been in the family for generations,” Eleanor replied proudly. “One day, it will be Dominic’s to share with his Luna.”
Her meaningful glance between Dominic and me made my stomach flip. This charade was becoming more complicated by the
second.
The solarium was a sun–filled room with glass walls overlooking meticulously maintained gardens. Plants thrived everywhere, making it feel like a luxurious greenhouse.
“Now,” Eleanor said once we were settled on plush sofas with tea served in delicate silver–rimmed cups, “tell me how long you two have been together. Dominic has been frustratingly vague.”
Dominic and I exchanged a quick glance. We’d rehearsed this part.
“About a month now,” I answered, trying to sound natural. “But we’ve known each other since university.”
Eleanor nodded knowingly. “I remember asking him to bring you to visit after that incident at the territorial gathering. Three years
I’ve been waiting! Can you believe the stubbornness of my grandson?”
I looked at Dominic in surprise. He’d never mentioned his grandmother asking to meet me years ago.
“I wasn’t ready then,” Dominic said simply, his hand finding mine on the sofa between us.
His fingers intertwined with mine, sending a warmth up my arm that had nothing to do with the sunlight streaming through the
windows.
Victoria served the tea, her movements precise and elegant. “Dominic was severely challenged by his father when he left the
elite security operations,” she remarked casually. “He was on track for promotion, wasn’t he?”
My heart dropped. I hadn’t known Dominic had given up a promotion to help me with my mate bond severance. The realization
hit me like a physical blow.
My wolf whimpered within me, distressed at having caused him trouble. We had cost him so much, and for what? A fake
relationship to fool his family?
Dorninic’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Victoria,” he growled, a warning in his voice that made everyone in the room tense.
“What? It’s true,” Victoria continued, seemingly oblivious to his displeasure. “You were set to take over the Northern Territory’s unified security force. Your father was furious when you walked away.”
The air in the room thickened with tension. I felt like I could barely breathe.
“My father is always furious about something,” Dominic replied dismissively. “Besides, I had my reasons.”
His gaze shifted to me, something intense and unreadable in his silver–gray eyes. The look made my heart race.
“Aria is worth it,” he stated firmly. “She is my intended mate.”
The declaration sent a shiver down my spine, even though I knew it was part of our charade. Something in his tone, the
conviction in his voice, felt too real.
Eleanor’s delighted growl of approval startled me. She clapped her hands together, looking between us with obvious pleasure.
“Well! It’s about time you found someone worthy, my boy,” she declared, her gray eyes twinkling. “And a healer, no less! The pack
will be thrilled.”
Victoria seemed startled by this enthusiastic response. “Mother Eleanor, perhaps we should learn more about Aria first?”
Her tone was polite but laced with skepticism. I could feel her assessing me, finding me lacking.
Eleanor waved away the suggestion. “Nonsense! I knew she was special the moment she helped me without even knowing who I
was. That’s true character.”
My cheeks heated under her praise. Guilt gnawed at me. The deception felt wrong, especially with Eleanor’s genuine warmth.
“So, Victoria said after a moment, picking up her teacup with practiced grace, “when are you planning the marking ceremony?”
<Choper 51 When Are You Getting
The room fell silent. Marking was the first official step toward mating – A putin duvaration we intent that was early as binding as the mating ceremony itself. It involved the Alpha leaving his mark on his chewn materyally a bite at the junction of neck
and shoulder.
I froze, my teacup halfway to my lips. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure everyone
here it
My mind was racing. How far would this charade go? What if his family expected a marking exrameny s
I felt suddenly out of place in this grand room, surrounded by the powerful Blackwood Family with their dietetive silver gray eyes and proud bearing.
This entire situation had spiraled from a simple misunderstanding – Dominic’s acts of kindnews in helping me with my mate
bond severance from Alexander.
Olivia had misinterpreted those actions as romantic interest, teasing me about it constantly Now here I was, pretending to be Dominic’s intended mate to satisfy his grandmother.
Sitting in the Blackwood family compound, I finally understood the depth of that misinterpretation
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