Chapter 3. Meet the parents

"I'll give you two days to prepare yourself because you will be staying with me after that. And I don't care even if I linger for many more weeks, months, or years. I will wait until you accept me."

SAFETY of mine is the paramount goal I've been striving for, the most crucial thing in this world. This is why I cannot let anyone find me, or I'll be forced to put them to death, and if I failed, I'd be wrecked.

I am glad that Alpha Ace didn't follow me or push boundaries beyond my comfort zone. I knew he was just like the other werewolf who would kill me if he found out I was the silver wolf.

Walking to the living room, I was stunned when I saw mom, dad, and my sister sitting around the dining table, all watching me with worried expressions.

"What's wrong, mom? Dad? Sister?" I questioned as I strode straight to the refrigerator to grab a glass of water.

My sister, Filomena, had her brown hair tied into low ponytails. She wore white tights and a blue crop top with red flat shoes. She was gorgeous yet scary looking when she looked down at you. She used to wear sexy outfits, which is my opposite because I always prefer wearing plain and simple clothes.

"Do you have no plans on telling us what happened earlier?" mom inquired, but I drank first before answering. Seriously? How did they know?

The three of them looked like they were expecting an answer from me, so I quickly swallowed the water and set it down before turning toward them.

"The Alpha saw her."

A familiar voice entered the kitchen, making me tense even though I knew who that voice belonged to.

"Hey, Matt! Why did you leave me there alone, huh? You didn't even wait for me," I said, looking at him disapprovingly.

"You knew our deal, Gwen. I must not intervene so that you wouldn't look suspicious," he explicated, which somehow convinced me. "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Hareya, and to you, Sister Filomena."

"Join us with dinner, Matt," Sister Filomena offered politely. Well, seeing Matt in our house is not new because that's the only reward we could give him for all the kindness and sacrifice he has made to me. For me, he's just my brother whose only wish was to preserve my life by guiding me.

"So, what happened earlier, Gwen?" dad queried, then I strode toward them to take and sat beside Matt.

"I rejected him."

"W-what?" they're all asked in unison as if they're shocked by what I just told them.

"Well, technically, I can reject him anytime I want. Is there wrong with that?"

"But, the Alpha has sent a letter with us. He was inviting us for supper tomorrow evening with his family. Did he apprise you, sweetheart?" mom asked.

"No. I rejected him, so why would I agree to meet his parents?"

Sister Filomena shook his head. "You're being impulsive, Gwen."

"But I'm sure that I'm not gonna regret this."

"Well, if he accepted your rejection, there's no need to worry. But if he didn't, you both will suffer."

"Suffer?" I crumpled my brows.

My mom nodded. "From pain."

"And the only thing to free both of you was to accept each other," my father added, which left me flabbergasted.

"But I thought we're all fine with this?" I questioned with curiosity as I recollected those times they acknowledged my choice not to find the Alpha. "What if he kills me?"

"He won't," Matt assured. "If anything happens, you'll be safe because I'll be there to watch out."

"Yeah, but not without consequence."

He chuckled, which annoyed me. "Don't worry about me, Gwen. Alpha Ace is a good man."

"So, do you agree, my daughter?" dad asked.

I hesitated for a while, skeptical about meeting Alpha and his parents. It's hard to believe that this is what happened to me after being seen by him in the forest. If only I had known sooner that I had this fate, I wouldn't have been there in the first place.

I don't know how much more my tolerance can hold up now that I have assented to this matter.

"Yes."

"Good."

Our dinner continued after that, with small talk and jokes thrown between my mom, dad, my sister, and Matt, with the light atmosphere like nothing had ensued this day.

I couldn't stop pondering Alpha and his conversation with me. That man seemed so addictive, his presence was honestly enticing, perhaps because he was my mate, yet I couldn't say whether it was a good thing. I kept my doubts about accepting the Alpha. I was so immersed in what was ahead that night that I couldn't sleep due to the negativity shrouding me.

ONE hour went out before we reached our destination— the place of Alpha, including his family.

Feeling uneasy, I wasn't prepared to see them but had no choice since Alpha Ace urged us to go here.

Mom and dad entered the door first, followed by my sister. Matt and I were the last ones who entered, closing the door behind us. The former Alpha Rivo approached and greeted us. He is the father of Alpha Ace.

They invited us to dinner, and everyone occupied all the seats around the table except for me, who was left standing still when I saw the man seated at the head of it, staring straight at me like a predator eyeing its prey. However, his stare doesn't have any indication of harm, just pure admiration. I couldn't deny the fact that he was attractive.

"Gwen?" sister Filomena called out my name, enough to arouse me from my rowdy senses.

I strode toward them and realized that the only space left was in front of Alpha Ace. I'm honestly feeling awkward because his eyes are fixed upon my face, making me uncomfortable.

'I miss your scent,' he said to me. My eyes widened when our minds linked automatically without me allowing it to happen. This has never happened before.

'I don't miss yours.'

'Ouch. But maybe you miss my handsome face.'

'That's ridiculous.'

'Don't deny it.'

'I won't. You're insane, you know.'

'Yeah, I am. And it started when I saw you in the forest.'

His last words compelled me to glance at him with annoyance, but my heart was thumping wildly internally.

"I guess our son and your daughter were able to bond after all," Alpha Rivo broke the silence with an amused tone.

My cheeks warmed up at this as I looked back at Alpha Ace. He smiled softly at me; a hot smile almost melted my heart into oblivion. This can't be!

"Welcome to our family, Mr. and Mrs. Hareya. It's a pleasure to meet you with your two lovely daughters," the woman beside Alpha Rivo, his wife, said. She gave me a warm smile. "I am Athena, but you can call me mom Athena since you will be staying here."

We were both stunned by what she stated until my mom recovered from her astonishment first. "Uhmm, I think it would be better if my daughter would spend this night with us. And tomorrow evening, we'll send her here."

"It's alright, mom. Let my mate spend this night with them; tomorrow, I expect her to be with me. Will that be fine, Gwen?"

'No!' I said in my mind, but he didn't respond; instead, he smiled, which annoyed me.

'You're annoying! Tsk!' I retorted in my mind, which made his smile wider.

I just realized that everyone was waiting for my answer when Matt nudged me lightly on my arm.

"Oh, yeah. That's fine," I answered forcefully, but I managed to hide the exasperation on my face and smile instead.

"Alright, if you both insist, then let's eat," the former Alpha Rivo spoke excitedly until everyone proceeded to eat their food.

The conversation between my family was light, but somehow it felt heavy for me since I'm not used to entertaining them.

After long moments of eating dinner, I noticed that my best friend wasn't there anymore until I excused myself and found him outside. Soon as I reached the frame door, I scrutinized the entire surrounding and caught a man standing from a distance; his face seemed to hold a worry like he was in a state of profound thought. It was Matt.

I walked toward him, but before I could utter something, he took the chance first, and I was startled by the word he had stated.