"As long as you don't introduce me as your girlfriend, we're good to go," I say, my words dripping with sarcasm.
Graham's eyes lock on mine, and his lips curve in an indulgent smile. "As you wish, Cassidy. But do let me know if you ever change your mind."
"Are you serious?" I ask, gawking at him.
"We're here," Graham says, ignoring my question.
Our journey ends in front of a giant mansion. My jaw almost drops open. Graham lives in one of the largest mansions I've seen. I knew that he'd come from a rich family, but until this very moment, I hadn't had any clue as to what magnitude of wealth he had experienced.
The Grey Manor does seem like a fairy-tale princess castle where royals reside. But who knows?
Graham drives us through the wrought-iron gates with a curt nod at the guards manning it. He continues down the driveway past the most beautiful gardens I've ever seen. The flowers are of vibrant colors and surrounded by lush, well-kept grass.
"We're the last to arrive," he tells me when he stops behind the two expensive cars.
My nerves are starting to get the better of me, so instead of commenting, I get out of the car. He closes the door after me and presses a button on the key. There's a beep and the SUV is locked. It's weird what silly things the brain focuses on when threatened to be overridden by anxiety.
"Since Garren is king, he and Alyssa live here with their three-year-old daughter Gabriella," Graham explains, his calm voice doing wonders to soothe my fraying nerves.
"The black Corvette belongs to Gavin. Though he's the youngest, he was the first to marry and is now the reigning king of the Lafayette Kingdom. Leia is a sweetheart. They have two kids, Leon and Logan."
Garren. Alyssa. Gabriella. Gavin. Leia. Leon. Logan.
I'm trying to remember all the names. There must be a reason why Graham is bothering to explain his family tree again and more in-depth.
"Grayden is the one who married the witch," Graham continues. "They're the ambassadors, remember? Well, he and Helia also have a three-year-old girl called Georgina."
Grayden. Helia. Georgina.
"Are you listening to me?" he asks, probably noticing my blank face.
"Why are you telling me all this?"
"Because I want you to know who you'll be hurting if you don't keep our secret," he says gravely.
"You will meet my entire family today. My parents will also be here, and so will Leia's. The wolves you'll meet today are considered to be the most powerful of their generations. Be cautious of your words, your actions, and your expression."
My hands grow cold, my vision blurry, but my feet carry me forward. They take me to the end of the universe and possibly beyond. I'm almost in the house, but the pressure inside my skull is beyond indescribable.
"Are you okay?" Graham asks.
"Yes," I manage to grit out.
We've left the land of sanity and reality.
"Deep breaths," Graham encourages me. "Relax."
Anxiety.
"Just walk," I say, mostly to myself.
The image of him, his brothers, their wives, and their kids being killed because I couldn't keep my mouth shut flashes before my eyes. Blood splattered all over the ground, children screaming...
"Deep breaths," Graham repeats. "As long as you don't do anything stupid, you're under my protection."
As I repeat his words in my head, I inhale deeply. And then the panic retreats, though my insides are still quaking.
Graham pushes the massive door open, revealing the luxurious foyer inside. Before I can take it in, a pale boy with dark hair runs into Graham's arms.