Chapter 5: DoNot Touch Me!

Grace's POV

“I haven't agreed to marry your son,” I told Margaret. “You can't announce a wedding without asking me.”

Margaret placed the cream envelope on the table. “The council has already been informed. Cancelling now would embarrass Daniel.”

“Then perhaps you should have spoken to me first.”

“Mother, the wedding isn't confirmed,” Daniel said. “You will withdraw that announcement. Grace and I haven't reached an agreement.”

Margaret's face tightened. “You're allowing her to make a fool of this family?”

“I'm telling you not to announce decisions we haven't made.”

She left, taking the envelope with her.

I turned to Daniel. “You keep telling me I have a choice, yet your family makes decisions about my life without asking.”

“I didn't authorize it, Grace.”

“But you knew your mother wanted the wedding.”

“Yes. I didn't know she'd already prepared the announcement.”

He looked exhausted, but I couldn't bring myself to comfort him.

“The council is holding a reception tomorrow,” he continued. “I'd like you to attend with me.”

“As what?”

“My prospective bride.”

“Not your mate?”

Daniel hesitated, and I looked away before he could offer another explanation about the council.

“I won't let anyone insult you,” he promised.

“Your mother has already done that.”

“Then I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.”

I agreed to attend after he confirmed that the reception wouldn't change our negotiations. Laura still needed to approve the contract, and I wasn't signing anything until she did.

I also insisted that Sarah accompany me.

“You're going back there?” Sarah asked when I told her that evening. “After everything his mother said?”

“I want to see how Daniel treats me when his council is watching.”

“And if he disappoints you again?”

“Then I'll know what kind of marriage he's offering.”

The following evening, Sarah helped me into a blue gown borrowed from her cousin. It fitted comfortably, though I kept checking my reflection.

“You look beautiful,” she said, fastening my necklace.

“Margaret won't think so.”

“Margaret isn't the one wearing it.”

I laughed, but my hands trembled as we left for the estate.

Daniel met us at the entrance. His gaze travelled over my gown before returning to my face.

“Grace, you look beautiful.”

I waited for him to suggest something I should change. When he didn't, I managed a smile.

“Thank you.”

He offered his arm, and I took it. My wolf responded immediately, making it difficult to remember why I was supposed to keep my distance.

Inside, wealthy pack families and council members filled the reception hall. Conversations quietened as Daniel escorted Margaret.

She noticed Sarah first.

“Daniel, I wasn't told Grace would bring a guest.”

“Sarah is here at my invitation,” he replied.

Margaret's smile returned when she saw people watching. “Of course. Grace, remember that these families expect a certain standard from the Alpha's household.”

Before I could respond, a woman in a silver gown approached us.

“Margaret, darling!” She kissed Margaret's cheek before examining me. “And this must be the girl everyone's talking about.”

“Grace Bennett,” I said, offering my hand.

“Eleanor Price. My husband serves on the council.” Her gaze settled on my waist. “I confess, I expected someone rather different.”

I kept my hand extended until she reluctantly shook it.

“Different how?”

“Oh, don't misunderstand me. It's simply unusual for an Alpha to choose a bride with such a generous figure.”

Sarah stiffened beside me. I squeezed her hand before answering.

“Fortunately, Mrs. Price, Daniel won't be marrying my figure.”

Eleanor's smile faltered.

Margaret laughed awkwardly. “Grace has a rather direct sense of humour.”

“I wasn't joking.”

Daniel rested his hand against my back. “Mrs. Price, Grace manages Rosewood House. She cares for twenty-three vulnerable wolves.”

“How charitable,” Eleanor replied. “Though I imagine managing an Alpha's household will be considerably more demanding.”

“It will be different,” I said. “At Rosewood, nobody's worth depends on their appearance.”

Sarah hid a smile behind her glass.

Eleanor flushed. “I was only making conversation.”

“Then perhaps we can discuss something other than my body.”

Daniel looked at me with an expression I hadn't seen before. He seemed proud of me, and I wished that were enough.

“Come,” he said quietly. “I'd like you to meet some of the council representatives.”

He introduced me to two councillors who asked about Rosewood's residents. I answered their questions, grateful to discuss the home I'd spent years keeping open.

Later, Daniel brought me a glass of water.

“You handled Eleanor well,” he said.

“She wanted to embarrass me.”

“I know. She had no right to speak to you that way.”

“Thank you for saying something.”

“You shouldn't have needed me to.”

His answer surprised me. For a moment, I saw the man I wanted Daniel to be, someone who listened and didn't make me feel ashamed of myself.

Then Margaret approached the centre of the hall and tapped her glass.

“May I have everyone's attention?”

The conversations stopped.

“On behalf of the Carter family, I'm delighted to introduce Grace Bennett, who is expected to enter a contractual marriage with my son, Alpha Daniel Carter.”

My smile disappeared. Daniel had promised me an introduction, not another announcement arranged by his mother.

“This union will secure Veyrhold's future,” Margaret continued. “However, Grace will not assume the Luna title. That honour remains subject to council approval following the birth of a legitimate heir.”

Someone behind me whispered, “So she's only the breeder?”

I couldn't tell who had spoken. I could only hear the quiet laughter that followed.

I turned toward Daniel. His expression had hardened, but he remained silent.

Margaret raised her glass. “To Veyrhold's future!”

The guests applauded.

My face burned as I stood beside the man whose child everyone expected me to carry. I hadn't signed the agreement, yet they were already celebrating my pregnancy as though it were inevitable.

Daniel reached for my hand, but I pulled away.

“Grace, please,” he murmured. “Not here.”

“You promised you wouldn't let anyone humiliate me.”

He glanced toward his mother. “Come outside. We'll talk.”

I followed him onto the terrace because I refused to cry in front of those people.

“Grace, I'm sorry,” he said when the doors closed. “I didn't know she'd make that announcement.”

“But you heard her.”

“I did.”

“And you let everyone applaud.”

Daniel looked toward the hall. “The council's recognition isn't something I can promise tonight.”

“I wasn't asking you to promise it. I was waiting for you to tell them I mattered.”

His expression softened. “You do matter to me.”

“Then why am I the only one defending my place beside you?”

He stepped closer, his eyes flashing gold as he raised his hand toward my cheek.

My wolf wanted his touch desperately, but I moved away before his fingers reached me.

“You don't get to touch me like your mate in private when you're ashamed to claim me in public.”