Chapter Five: Meeting the family.

   The day passed in a blur.

   I didn’t go to school. What was the point?

   Jason and Noah had betrayed me, and I wasn’t ready to deal with that mess. On top of that, I had zero interest in running into the quadruplets. I didn’t want to hear them calling me their mate or see those intense, possessive stares.

So, I spent my day in bed, watching N*****x and pretending my life wasn’t falling apart.

   *

   *

   By evening, I was halfway through my third show when the doorbell rang.

   I hesitated.

   Nobody ever visited me.

   Slowly, I got up and walked to the door, my heart racing a little.

   I peeked through the peephole and almost jumped back.

   A man stood there, dressed in a sharp black suit, his posture stiff. He wore white gloves, looking more like a butler than a delivery guy. His face was unreadable—cold, almost scary.

   Before I could panic, my phone buzzed.

   A message from Mom.

   Sweetheart, take the package from the man. You’ll be meeting my fiance along with his kids tonight.

   I blinked at the message.

   Finally?

   My stomach turned.

   I slowly opened the door. The man’s eyes barely moved as he held out a box.

   "Uh...thanks?" I said awkwardly, taking it from him. "Do you want to come in?"

   The man didn’t say a word.

   Shrugging, I shut the door and headed to my room.

   Inside, I set the box on my bed and carefully opened it.

   My jaw dropped.

   Inside was a stunning off-shoulder navy-blue dress. The fabric was soft and flowed beautifully, with tiny silver accents that shimmered under the light. The neckline dipped just enough to be elegant, and the waist was cinched perfectly.

   And the heels?

   A pair of gorgeous black stilettos with a silver strap.

   Damn.

   Mom really wanted me to make an impression tonight.

   I hesitated, but then sighed and got dressed.

   By the time I was done, I barely recognized myself. The dress hugged my body in all the right places, and the heels made my legs look longer.

   I took one last deep breath before heading downstairs.

   The suited man was still waiting outside.

   It wasn’t until I stepped out that I noticed the limo parked in front of my house.

   My mouth fell open.

   Wow.

   I knew Mom’s fiancé was rich, but a limo?

   The man opened the car door for me without a word. I swallowed hard and stepped inside.

   The drive was quiet.

   Too quiet.

   The air felt cold, and for some reason, my wolf stirred uneasily inside me.

   After what felt like forever, the limo finally pulled up in front of a massive estate.

   The place was unreal.

   The gates alone looked like something out of a royal palace, made of black and gold metal with intricate designs. The driveway stretched endlessly, lined with perfectly trimmed hedges and tall, expensive-looking lamps.

   And the mansion?

   It was a three-story masterpiece, built from sleek black stone with enormous windows that reflected the evening sky. A huge fountain stood in front, water cascading down a sculpture of a howling wolf.

   Money.

   I could practically smell it.

   The limo stopped, and before I could react, another person—dressed just as formally—opened the door for me.

   I stepped out, still overwhelmed.

   I barely had time to process it all before I spotted my mom.

   She looked breathtaking in a fitted burgundy dress, her hair in soft waves.

   “Mom…” My voice cracked a little.

   I wanted to apologize. For what I said last night. For everything.

   Before I could, she smiled warmly. “Ava, I was scared, scared of you meeting him and not liking him for you. For us. But now, you deserve to meet him. I love you, sweetie.”

   I felt a lump in my throat.

   “I love you too, Mom,” I whispered, hugging her.

   She pulled back and took my arm. “Come on, let’s go inside. He’s excited to meet you.”

   I swallowed hard and let her lead me in.

   The interior was just as stunning as the outside.

   The grand entrance had high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and a marble floor so polished I could see my reflection. Every piece of furniture screamed wealth, from the velvet couches to the massive fireplace at the far end.

   And the dining room?

   Oh. My. God.

   A long table stretched across the room, set with elegant silverware and plates so fancy they looked untouched. The chairs were high-backed and regal, and the entire room had this rich, sophisticated air.

   “Take a seat, sweetheart,” Mom said. “I need to get something.”

   I sat down, suddenly feeling nervous.

   A few minutes later, Mom returned—this time with a man.

   I stood up immediately.

   He was tall, dressed in a crisp navy suit. His face was sharp, handsome in a way that felt oddly familiar.

   Where had I seen him before?

   “Hi, Ava,” he greeted smoothly, offering a polite smile. “Nice to finally meet you. Your mom has told me so much about you.”

   Before I could react, he leaned in and placed a formal left-and-right peck on my cheeks.

   “I’m Charles,” he introduced himself as we sat down.

   Charles. My mother’s fiancé. I just realized I have never even bothered to know his name and mom never mentioned it either.

   “So, Ava,” he started, picking up his wine glass. “Your mother mentioned you’re in your final year of high school?”

   I nodded, playing with my fork. “Yeah.”

   “Any plans for college?”

   I shrugged. “Haven’t really thought about it.”

   Mom scoffed. “Oh, please. You haven’t thought about it because you’ve been too busy getting into trouble.”

   I shot her a glare. “Mom.”

   Charles chuckled. “Ah, teenage years. I remember those days.”

   I raised a brow. “You do?”

   He smirked. “Well, let’s just say I wasn’t exactly an angel.”

   Mom laughed. “Oh, don’t let him fool you, Ava. He was way worse than you.”

   I blinked.

   It was...weird.

   This was the first time in a while that Mom had actually laughed. Like, genuinely laughed.

   I didn’t know how to feel about it.

   Charles leaned forward. “So, tell me, how’s school been? Your mom said you’re a great student.”

   I let out a dry laugh. “She lied.”

   “Ava.” Mom shot me a warning look.

   Charles smiled. “Not a fan of school?”

   “I used to be,” I admitted. “But lately… not so much.”

   “Why’s that?”

   I hesitated.

   Should I tell him? That my so-called boyfriend and best friend had betrayed me? That I had four guys claiming I was their fated mate?

   Yeah, no.

   “It’s just…complicated,” I muttered.

   Mom gave me a knowing look, but said nothing.

   Just then, the dining room doors swung open.

   “Sorry we’re late,” a voice said.

   Charles chuckled and gesticulated towards the entrance. "Ava, meet my sons, your future stepbrothers. Boys, meet Ava."

   I turned.

   And my heart stopped.

   Standing at the entrance—looking completely drop dead gorgeous—were the quadruplets.

   The same quadruplets who claimed I was their mate.

   The same quadruplets I was avoiding.

   My fingers loosened in shock.

   The wine glass slipped from my grip.

   It hit the floor, shattering into pieces.

   And that was the moment I knew this night wasn't going to be one with a happy ending.