Chapter 7

DECLAN

Standing in the shower for the one hundredth time in one night, I had given up on trying to get some sleep as my mind did nothing but replay Maria in my arms. The way she cried her eyes out, the way she curled herself in my arms, the way her hair smelled as I rested my jaw on them, the way my hands wrapped around her, and most importantly how beautiful she looked as she fell asleep in my arms.

At the rate I think about this girl after meeting her just once, it is unhealthy. I need my brain to shut the fuck up because I am here, outside inside my car at the event hall of my son’s wedding and the only thing on my fucking mind is Maria.

In just one night she has fully occupied my mind, built a throne in my fucking head and is sitting on it like it was made for her.

I didn’t get a chance to see her before I left the house this morning. I wanted to go check on her in her room, but I had to control myself. I am not a stalker, nor am I a jerk. Besides, she’d be at home when I went back in the evening.

I needed to put my mind back on track, I needed to be a man and go inside and face my son and his mother who is the beam of my existence. I finally managed to pull myself out of the car. Dressed in a black suit, custom-made by the best tailor in Italy, whose name I would not disclose because he is a rare gem that is meant for me alone... yes, I am obsessive, I like to make sure no one else has access to what belongs to me. Black shoes are also custom-made, and cufflinks are also custom-made.

I made my way towards the hall and everyone had their eyes on me, from the old ladies to the married ones to the young ones.

“Okay, he is hot… totally a sugar daddy, I want him.”

I comment I hear everywhere I go, never gets old but today is for my son and besides, I have someone I have my eyes on now, who is waiting for me at home so I ignore them and make my way into the hall.

Sitting at the back because going to the front would only cause drama and I do not need the drama right now, I do not need the attention on myself, so I sat in the back and watched my son get married to his …wife.

Everyone cheered them on, except for one girl who kept looking at my son’s bride like she was about to rip out her neck, I could sense her wolf growling, her eyes glowing, her claws growing out as she glared at them.

Ex-girlfriend maybe?

No, there was something about the way she was looking at the newlywed, it wasn’t a hate that belonged to her, it was as though she was hating them on someone else’s behalf.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Lan.” I heard that familiar yet unpleasant voice curl up my skin in a whisper. Her scent filled my nostrils as she leaned in, sitting next to me, faking a smile while I could feel every hatred oozing out of her.

Greta.

My son’s mother.

Taking my eyes off the angry girl, I returned it now to my son and his wife who were now busy greeting the guest with a warm smile on their faces.

“What do you mean, Greta, this is my son’s wedding.” I hissed, not sparing a glance and making sure our skin doesn’t touch because then I’d have to throw away this fucking expensive custom made suit. After all, her scent would be all over it and no amount of dry cleaning could get her scent off.

“You know you shouldn’t be here, you don’t have the right!’ She sneered, “The moment you walked away from him.”

I took a deep breath, standing up and so did she with a fake smile to hide the awful tension between us because our son and his bride were a few seats away from us and the other guests were beginning to sense the heat between us.

“I didn’t walk away from him, Greta, he is my son, no matter the means he was conceived. You were the one I walked away from, Greta and you know why, and clearly you haven’t changed one bit.” My words were not cold, nor was my stance but it was clear that I wasn’t nice about the way I spoke to her.

Rejecting her and walking away was something I would never regret.

“How can you look at me with such contempt, I loved you, I wanted you… you’re the bad guy here, Declan, you left me while I was pregnant for your son just so you could screw around with girls who are old enough to be your daughter.” He snarled, faking tears, faking broken words, faking being weak like she was not some manipulating woman who would do anything, use everyone including her son to get what she wants.

Just by how pitiful she is acting right now, it only means someone is watching, someone I care about… my son.

“What are you two doing, This is my wedding.” My son had finally caught up to us, he hissed, his eyes rolling all over me, surprised, “What are you doing here?”

“Son, it’s your wedding, I wouldn’t miss it.” I muffled.

“Hello, Mr Declan, I have heard so many nice things about you from, my husband… it is nice to meet you. I’m Chloe.” My son’s bride stretched out her hands for me to shake with a bright smile plastered all over her face.

“Nice things, huh, I never thought your husband had any nice things to say about me.” I muffled with a smile, taking her hands, “Nice to meet you too.”

“Well, I didn’t, now you can leave, it’s too late, trying to be a father… and of all places, not at my wedding.” He hissed, gesturing for me to leave.

I stood, wanting to say more but eyes were on us, “Well you heard him, he wants you gone.” Greta of course was going to make things worse.

“Actually, I am not here to play the role of a father, I was here to give you an offer,” I muttered.

His brows furrowed, “What offer?”

“How would you like to be my heir?”

“What?” Greta and my son exclaimed in disbelief.

I chuckled, “But for the next six months after your honeymoon, you move into my mansion with me, you’d have your space but you and I still get to bond and catch up on all the times I have missed and train you to be my heir.” I offered.

It was a tempting offer. A powerful offer.

“Can I think about it?” He asked.

“Sure.” I pulled out my card and gave it to him, “ I know you don’t have my number, I’d be expecting your call.”

“Congrats on your wedding, Jason, and nice to meet you again, Chloe.”