9

Sage’s POV

The drawing room was exactly what I’d expected from a wealthy werewolf family-all antique furniture, oil paintings of stern-looking ancestors, and a fireplace large enough to roast an entire deer.

Mrs. Thorne sat in a high-backed chair like it was a throne, wearing a sky blue dress that probably cost more than my car. Her silver hair was perfectly styled, her posture impeccable.

She looked like royalty.

And I looked like someone who’d raided a boutique and hoped for the best.

“Grandmother.” Kael’s voice was neutral, professional. His hand was still at the small of my back.

“Thank you for inviting us.”

“Kael. Miss Draven.” Her sharp eyes moved from him to me, assessing.

“You look lovely, dear. That dress suits you.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“Please, call me Eleanor.” She gestured to the sofa across from her. “Sit. Both of you. We have much to discuss before dinner.”

That sounded ominous.

We sat. Kael’s hand moved from my back to rest on the sofa between us-not touching me, but close enough that I could feel the heat of it.

“Would you like a drink?” Eleanor asked. “I have an excellent scotch. Kael, your usual?”

“Not tonight.” Kael’s voice was careful. “We have something to tell you first.”

Eleanor’s eyebrows rose. “Oh? This sounds serious

“It is.” Kael looked at me, and something in his expression softened. “Sage and I… we met before she started working for me. Three months ago.”

“I see.” Eleanor’s gaze sharpened. “And you hired her anyway? That’s quite the conflict of interest.”

“It is,” Kael agreed. “But she was the most qualified candidate. And I… I couldn’t let her go a second time.”

“How romantic.” Eleanor’s tone was dry, but her eyes were bright with interest. “And now you’re here together. At a formal family dinner. Which suggests this is more than a professional relationship.”

“Grandmother-”

“Let me finish.” She held up one elegant hand.

“I’ve been pressuring you for years to find a mate. To settle down. To think about the future of this pack Her eyes moved to me. “Tell me, Miss Draven.

Are you here because my grandson has finally come to his senses? Or because you’re a convenient solution to his family obligations?”

“Neither,” I said before Kael could answer. “I’m here because he invited me. And because I have something important to tell you.”

Eleanor leaned forward slightly. “I’m listening.”

I glanced at Kael. He nodded once.

“I’m pregnant,” I said. “Three months. The baby is Kael’s.”

Silence.

Eleanor didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Just stared at me with those sharp, assessing eyes.

Then, slowly, she smiled.

“Well,” she said. “That’s unexpected.”

“Grandmother-” Kael started.

“Unexpected,” she repeated, “but not unwelcome.” She stood, moving with surprising grace for someone her age, and crossed to a side table. She poured herself a drink-that excellent scotch she’d mentioned-and took a sip.

“How far along?”

“Thirteen weeks,” I said. “Almost.”

“Have you seen a doctor?”

“Not yet. But Kael is arranging-”

“I’ll arrange it.” Eleanor returned to her seat. “I know the best obstetrician in the city. She’s discreet, experienced, and she understands our kind.” Her eyes moved to Kael. I assume you plan to claim the child?”

“Of course.” His voice was hard. Certain. “The baby is mine. I take care of what’s mine.”

“Good.” Eleanor took another sip of her drink.

“And Miss Draven? What are your plans?”

“I… don’t know yet.” I twisted my hands in my lap. “This is all very new. We only just talked about it tonight.”

“Tonight?” Eleanor’s eyebrows rose again.

“You’ve known for weeks, I assume. And you’re only telling him now?”

“I was trying to find the right time-”

“There’s never a right time for news like this.” Eleanor’s voice was sharp but not unkind. “You simply tell the truth and deal with the consequences.” She looked at Kael.

“Though I imagine the consequences were… dramatic?”

“We managed,” Kael said tightly.

“I’m sure you did.” Eleanor set down her glass.

“Now. Let’s discuss practicalities. Miss Draven, where are you currently living?”

“A studio apartment. In-”

“That won’t do. Not for someone carrying a Thorne heir.” Eleanor pulled out her phone-an actual smartphone, which surprised me for some reason. You’ll need proper accommodations. Security. Staff.”

“I don’t need staff-”

“You need whatever keeps you and that baby safe.” Eleanor’s eyes were steel. “This child is the first Thorne heir in thirty years. That makes you both target.”

My stomach dropped. “Targets?”

“There are people who would love to see this family fail,” Eleanor said bluntly. “Business rivals.

Other packs who want our territory. Enemies

Kael has made over the years.” She looked at her grandson. “You’ve already thought about this, I assume?”

“I have.” Kael’s hand moved to my knee-the first time he’d touched me since we sat down. “She’ll move into my penthouse. Tomorrow. I can provide better security there than anywhere else.”

“Wait-“I started.

“He’s right,” Eleanor said. “The penthouse is the safest option. Kael has excellent security. And you’ll be close to the office, which makes logistics easier!

“I can’t just move in with him-”

“Why not?” Eleanor’s tone suggested this was the most practical thing in the world.

“You’re having his child. Living together makes sense.”

“Because we’re not… we’re not in a relationship. We’re barely friends. I work for him.”

“You’re carrying his heir,” Eleanor corrected.

“That’s more important than any relationship status.” She stood again, smoothing her dress.

“Now. Let’s have dinner. We can discuss the details afterward.”

She swept out of the room like a queen, leaving Kael and me sitting there in stunned silence.

“That went well,” Kael said finally.

“Well?” I turned to stare at him. “She just decided I’m moving into your penthouse without asking if I wanted to!”

“Do you want to stay in that studio apartment?”

“That’s not the point-”

“It’s exactly the point.” He stood, offering me his hand. “She’s right, Sage. You need better security. The penthouse has a doorman, cameras, and a private elevator that requires a key.

No one gets in without authorization.”

“And you? Do I need authorization to live in your home?”

His jaw tightened. “You’re the mother of my child. That’s all the authorization you need.”

I took his hand and stood. “This is happening too fast.”

“I know.” His thumb brushed across my knuckles-just once, barely there. “But it’s happening. And we need to adapt.”

“You sound like you’re planning a business merger.

“In some ways, I am.” He led me toward the dining room. “But instead of companies, it’s lives. Yours, mine, the baby’s. We’re merging whether we planned to or not.”

“That’s very romantic.”

“I’m not a romantic person, Sage. I’m practical.”

We stopped outside the dining room doors. “But I am committed. To this baby. To keeping you both safe. To doing this right.”

“What does ‘right’ look like?”

“I don’t know yet.” For the first time since I’d told him about the pregnancy, he looked uncertain.

“But I’ll figure it out.”

The doors opened. A different butler-or maybe the same one, I couldn’t tell-stood waiting.

“Mrs.Thorne is seated,” he announced.

We entered the dining room, and I tried not to gape. The table was long enough to seat twenty, set with china that looked antique and probably priceless.

Crystal glasses caught the light from another massive chandelier.

Eleanor sat at the head of the table. She gestured to the seats on either side of her. “Kael, on my right. Miss Draven, on my left. I want to get to know you properly.”

This was going to be a long dinner.

The first course was some kind of soup-French onion, maybe?-served in bowls that probably cost more than my rent.

“So, Miss Draven,” Eleanor said, delicately lifting her spoon. “Tell me about your family.”

Here we go.

“There’s not much to tell,” I said carefully. “I grew up in foster care. Never knew my parents.”

Eleanor’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in her eyes. “No pack affiliation?”

“I was adopted into Crescent Bay pack when I was sixteen. By my guardian, Carol Morrison.”

“Crescent Bay.” Eleanor’s nose wrinkled slightly.

“That’s Nash’s pack, isn’t it?”

My stomach tightened. “Yes, ma’am.” You know Nash?” Kael’s voice was sharp.

“We dated,” I admitted. “For three years. He… we broke up three months ago.”

“The same night you met me,” Kael said slowly.

“Yes.”

“That’s quite a coincidence.”

“It wasn’t a coincidence. It was a disaster.” I set down my spoon. “He rejected me. Publicly. At what was supposed to be our engagement party.”

Silence.

“He what?” Kael’s voice was dangerously quiet.

“He found his ‘true mate.’ My best friend, actually. Former best friend. They’d been sleeping together for six months.” I picked up my water glass, needing something to do with my hands.

“He rejected me in front of the entire pack. Said I was bland. Like Rice. Nobody’s first choice.”

“Rice.” Kael’s jaw was so tight I thought it might crack. “He called you Rice.”

“Among other things.”

“And the pack supported this?” Eleanor asked, her voice cold.

“They supported true mates. The Moon Goddess’s will.” I took a sip of water. “I walked out. Went to a bar. Met your grandson. And here we are.”

Eleanor studied me for a long moment. “So you left your pack.”

“They left me first.”

“Good.” Eleanor picked up her spoon again.

“Crescent Bay is weak. Nash is a poor excuse for an Alpha. You’re better off without them.”

“Grandmother,” Kael said. “This isn’t-”

“It’s fine,” I interrupted. “She’s right. Nash Ryler is weak. The pack is weak. I should have left years ago.”

Eleanor smiled-a real smile this time. “I like you, Miss Draven. You have a spine.”

“That’s what Kael said.”

“Did he?” Eleanor’s smile turned knowing. “How interesting.”

The rest of the dinner passed in a blur. More courses appeared-some kind of fish, then beef, then a dessert that involved chocolate and gold leaf. Eleanor asked questions about my education (community college, incomplete), my work experience (waitressing, administrative work), my plans for the future (nonexistent until recently).

Through it all, Kael sat quietly, occasionally interjecting but mostly just watching. His hand kept moving toward me-resting near my water glass, adjusting my napkin when it slipped,refilling my glass before I could ask.

Small gestures. Protective gestures.

It was… confusing.

Finally, as coffee was being served, Eleanor set down her cup and looked at us both.

“I have a proposal,” she said.

Kael tensed. “Grandmother-”

“Hear me out.” She turned to me. “Miss Draven. Sage. You’re carrying a Thorne heir. That puts you in a unique position. But it also puts you in danger.”

“We’ve established that,” I said carefully.

“What we haven’t established is how to protect you properly. Moving into Kael’s penthouse is a start. But it’s not enough.” She leaned forward.

“You need pack protection. Full pack protection. The kind that comes from being officially recognized as part of this family.”

“I don’t understand-”

“She’s talking about a mating contract,” Kael said quietly. “A formal arrangement.”

Eleanor nodded. “Exactly. A contract that establishes you as Kael’s mate. On paper, at least. It would give you legal rights, pack status,and-most importantly-protection.”

My heart was racing. “A fake mating?”

“A practical one,” Eleanor corrected. “You don’t have to love each other. You don’t even have to like each other. But you need to present a united front. For the baby’s sake.”

“And if I say no?”

“Then you’re vulnerable.” Eleanor’s voice was gentle but firm. “Other packs will see you as unmarked, unprotected. Fair game. The mother of powerful Alpha’s child, but without the protection that comes from being his mate.” She paused.

“Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”

I looked at Kael. His expression was unreadable.

“What do you think?” I asked him.

“I think,” he said slowly, “that my grandmother makes a valid point. A mating contract would solve several problems. Security. Status. Legal protection.”

“But?”

“But it’s your choice.” His eyes met mine. “I won’t force you into anything. Not even something practical.”