Chapter 5

Nathaniel's POV

I walked into the pack house, Phoebe was sitting on the couch, staring out the window. Her hair caught the light, and she looked peaceful. I hadn’t expected her to be here or to have her wait here for me, but seeing her there made me stop for a moment.

"Phoebe... how're you doing?” I asked, stepping closer. 

"Looks like I’m okay,” she said with a shrug.

Before I could respond, she cut me off, her words sharp and to the point. “What is this all about, Nathaniel?” Her tone wasn’t just questioning—it was desperate, demanding.

I stopped in my tracks, raising one eyebrow in question and she rolled her eyes. I knew she meant the mating ceremony. I didn’t want to talk about it. Admitting I had planned to mate with someone else would only make things worse. 

So I kept my face calm and walked closer to her. 

 “What do you mean?” I asked, She scoffed,  “Don’t play dumb. The mating ceremony. You didn’t plan this, did you? Or were you just waiting for the perfect moment to humiliate me?”

Her voice cracked slightly. For a moment, I saw the weight of everything she’d been carrying—her questions, her doubts, her pain. And yet, I knew I couldn’t give her the answers she wanted. Not now. Not yet.

“Phoebe,” I said softly, lowering my voice as I approached her. “What if I wanted you from the beginning ?” I stared at her. Silence spreading. “If I didn’t want you here, I wouldn’t have chosen you. Whatever doubts you have, put them aside. You belong here, Phoebe. That’s all that matters.”

She opened her mouth to respond but stopped in her tracks, her gaze faltering. 

Her expression didn’t change much, but she didn’t push further. Instead, she looked away as if she was lost in thought.

Phoebe’s head snapped back toward me. She looked like she wanted to argue but didn’t say anything. Instead, she stood up and folded her arms, her body tense. 

“Will we be sharing a room?” she asked quietly.

“This is your home now, stepping closer to her. You’re my mate and you belong with me. Where I am is where you'll be found.”  

Phoebe’s shoulders dropped slightly, she looked tense. I reached out and took her hand gently. 

“Come on. We’re having dinner with my family tonight.”

Phoebe nodded without saying a word. I took her hand in mine. It was a small delicate hand and I would have kissed it if I wasn't unsure about what her reaction would be. 

Her silence felt heavy, but I decided not to push her. We walked to the dining room together. As we entered, I saw my family was already seated.

My two brothers, Alexander and Gabriel, were there. Alexander gave Phoebe a curious look. Gabriel was openly staring at her, his expression amused. My sister, Elizabeth had a barely concealed frown on her face. She didn't seem to like Phoebe and she wasn't trying to let it show. 

At the head of the table sat my parents. My father, the alpha, had a serious look on his face as he watched us enter. My mother was more subtle, but I could see the suspicion in her eyes as she glanced at Phoebe.

We greeted everyone at the table and then I led Phoebe to a seat next to me. She sat down quietly, her hands resting in her lap. At first, she didn’t say much, just answering politely when someone spoke to her. I could see she was nervous, but she was trying to hold it together.

As the dinner went on, Phoebe started to relax a little. But the stupid questions were only going to start then.

“So.. your father was a warrior right?” Alexander asked Phoebe.  

I shot him a warning glare, but Phoebe answered before I could intervene.

“Yes.” Phoebe nodded, biting her lower lip.

My father picked up his glass of wine and my mother didn't look up from her plate.

“So Phoebe, do you know what it means to be in this position? or are you only used to living like a peasant?” Alexander asked again. 

This time, I could see Elizabeth trying to hide her smile. She found this amusing.

I leaned back in my chair, fixing Alexander with an icy stare. “Alexander, let me make this very clear: Phoebe doesn’t need to prove herself to anyone. She is here because she deserves to be, and as my mate, she’ll learn everything she needs to know. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you keep it to yourself.”

The room went silent, I could feel Phoebe stiffen beside me, she had her hands on her laps so I took her hand holding it in mine.

Shortly after Mother looked up and said,

“Phoebe, why don't you have some more drink?” 

Phoebe nodded and picked up her glass, almost emptying it at once. 

Elizabeth poured her another one immediately, smiling mischievously.

“This is me hoping you've not come home with a useless mate. I mean, what can someone who's never had a good life be useful when it comes to handling pack affairs?” Alexander muttered under his breath, but loud enough for me to hear.

I turned to him sharply, my voice low and cutting. “Careful, Alexander. You’re testing my patience.”

Elizabeth was still hiding her smile from the mean comments. Apparently, she was enjoying it too. 

Eventually, I decided it was time to end the evening. I stood up and took Phoebe’s hand. “I think it’s time for us to go,” I said, giving my family a polite smile.

My mother stood up as well, her eyes on Phoebe. “Take care of her, Nathaniel,” she said, her voice firm.

I nodded. “I will.”

Phoebe leaned against me as we walked back to her room. She wasn’t completely drunk, but she wasn’t steady on her feet either. 

Elizabeth had insisted on refilling Phoebe’s glass throughout dinner. It was obvious she had done it deliberately, hoping Phoebe would embarrass herself.

When we got to her room, I helped her sit on the bed. She looked up at me, her eyes unfocused but soft.

“You're a little drunk. You had too much wine,” I said in a murmur. 

She shook her head. 

“I don’t get drunk. I hate it,” she muttered, rubbing her forehead.

I chuckled. “That’s exactly what drunk people say, Phoebe. The wine was stronger than usual—it happens.”

She didn’t respond, just sighed and lay back. Her sniffles were louder than she probably realized.

She looked so adorable at that moment, and I couldn’t leave her.

I couldn’t help but smile. There was something about her that made me feel protective. I leaned down and kissed her gently. Her lips were warm and soft against mine. I lingered, tasting the wine on her lips. My hand cupped her jaw and she leaned into me. 

She didn’t push me away, but her eyes closed, and she started to snore softly.

I pulled back, laughing quietly. I adjusted the blanket over her and sat on the edge of the bed, watching her for a moment. She was the one girl I'd wanted and now I was watching her sleep, in my home. I leaned down and kissed her again.