Chapter 3: The Mate He Wouldn't Claim

Grace's POV

The words hurt worse than anything Margaret had said. Daniel had recognized me as his mate, yet he stood beside his mother while she looked at me as though I were unfit to enter their family.

“So she was right,” I said. “I'm good enough to have your child, but not good enough to stand beside you.”

“That's not what I meant, Grace.”

“Then explain it.”

“Under the Heir Covenant, I must secure a legitimate successor to protect my position as Alpha. If I fail, Marcus can petition the council to appoint him regent. The council also controls recognition of a Luna, and until the succession is settled, I can't guarantee they'll recognize you.”

Margaret folded her arms. “Daniel is offering you security most women could only dream of. You ought to be grateful.”

“Security?” I looked at her. “Your contract says you can take my child if the marriage ends.”

“Grace, that's enough!” Dad caught my arm again. “You've embarrassed us enough for one morning.”

Daniel stepped between us. “Take your hand off her, William.”

Dad released me, apologizing to Daniel rather than to me. I rubbed my arm, watching the man who could protect me from my father but couldn't contradict his mother.

“Can we speak alone?” I asked Daniel.

He led me into a smaller sitting room overlooking the gardens.

“I haven't rejected our bond, Grace,” he said. “I need time to deal with the council.”

“You didn't need time to tell everyone you wanted an heir.”

“I was trying to make my position clear.”

“You did.” My voice shook. “My father has spent years telling me no man would be proud to marry me. When my wolf recognized yours, I thought perhaps he was wrong.”

“He is wrong.” Daniel moved closer. “I want you, Grace.”

The scent of cedar and rain filled the space between us. My wolf urged me toward him, and I hated how badly I wanted him to mean it.

“Then why couldn't you say that in front of your mother?”

“Because wanting you and naming you Luna are different matters.”

He reached for my hand. His fingers brushed mine before I pulled away.

“You're asking me to become your wife, carry your child, and live in your home without knowing whether you'll ever acknowledge me publicly. Would you accept that from your mate?”

Daniel's jaw worked, but he didn't answer.

“That's what I thought.”

“I can protect your rights in the agreement,” he said. “I've already told you the custody clause will go.”

“But you haven't changed anything yet, and I won't sign on promises.”

“Your lawyer can review every amendment. I'll make sure the debt is paid directly to Rosewood's lender.”

He had listened when I challenged the contract, but he'd also looked me in the eye and said he didn't need a Luna.

“Then let my lawyer review it,” I said. “Until she does, there's no marriage.”

“Grace, don't leave because of my mother's words.”

“I'm leaving because of yours.”

When I returned to the drawing room, Margaret glanced at my face and smiled.

“Well? Have you decided to be sensible?”

“I've decided not to sign anything today.”

Dad stood so quickly that his chair scraped the floor. “You selfish girl! Do you know how much money you're throwing away?”

“Seven hundred thousand dollars,” I replied. “You made sure I knew the price.”

His face reddened. “Think about the people at Rosewood before you ruin their lives.”

“I think about them every day. That's why I won't sign a contract that could let someone take my child.”

Margaret shook her head. “Daniel, surely you won't allow her to dictate terms.”

“Grace is entitled to legal advice,” Daniel said from the doorway. “Thomas will drive her home.”

Dad turned toward him. “Alpha, please. She doesn't understand what's at stake.”

“She understands,” Daniel replied. “Neither of you will pressure her into signing.”

I walked past him without looking up. His defence should have comforted me, but I couldn't forget what he'd refused to say.

Thomas Reed was waiting beside the car. During the drive, he told me Daniel had asked him to contact Rosewood's lender.

“I'll need the loan reference and foreclosure notice,” he said.

“I'll send them. But no payment arrangement should be made through my father.”

“Understood, Miss Bennett.”

“Has Daniel told you whether he'll recognize me as Luna?”

Thomas glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “No, Miss.”

I looked out of the window for the rest of the journey.

Sarah met me at Rosewood's entrance and followed me into the kitchen.

“What happened? Did he agree to change the contract?”

“He did. He said I could use my own lawyer, too.” I sat down. “Sarah, Daniel is my fated mate.”

She stared at me. “The Alpha? Are you sure?”

“Our wolves recognized each other. He admitted it himself.”

“Then why do you look like you've been crying?”

“Because he told me he needs an heir, not a Luna.” My throat closed around the last word. “His mother insulted my body right in front of him, and he wouldn't tell her I was good enough to be his wife.”

Sarah pulled out the chair beside mine. “What did you do?”

“I left. I wanted to stay, which makes it worse. Every time he came near me, my wolf wanted to go to him.”

“You can want him and still refuse those terms,” she said, taking my hand. “We'll find a way to protect Rosewood without letting them treat you like that.”

That afternoon, I called Laura Brooks, the lawyer I'd spoken to the day before. She agreed to review the contract and request the revised terms from Daniel's representatives.

I was collecting the loan documents when my banking app refused to open the Bennett family account. A notice said my access had been revoked.

The account couldn't repay Rosewood's loan, but I'd used it for groceries and emergency repairs when donations ran short. Without it, I couldn't replace the supplies we'd ordered.

I called Dad. He rejected the call and sent a message instead.

You made your choice. Don't expect another dollar from me.

Sarah read it over my shoulder. “He knows you need that money for the residents.”

“That's why he did it.” I tried calling the lender, but the office had closed. “The foreclosure notice says Friday. I don't know how we'll manage.”

My phone rang before Sarah could answer. Dad's name filled the screen.

“The lender has agreed to delay foreclosure for another seven days,” he said. “After that, Rosewood belongs to them. Are you ready to marry your Alpha now?”