Page 126 of Fated Obsessions

Everybody went quiet, and for a second, the only sound that could be heard were of a couple of the kids giggling. But those were quickly silenced by their parents, as it was clear this wasn't going to be a pleasant interaction.

There was this crackling in the air, this electricity that coated everybody like honey, this thick layer that covered all our bodies.

I looked between Tucker and my father, over and over again, my heart in my throat as I tried to read them. But their expressions were stoic, masks of indifference as they hid their emotions.

Tucker stopped a few feet from our table, and for long moments, everyone just watched the Beta and their Alpha. I licked my dry lips, my pulse racing, my heart pounding so hard it was actually painful. I needed to do something, because I could feel the tension steadily rising between the two males. I certainly hadn’t wanted to talk to my father about this in front of the entire pack, but it looked like things weren’t going as planned, even though I didn’t have a plan, per se.

I should’ve spoken to him when we were in the office alone, without prying eyes and ears. I could’ve controlled the situation better.

“Is there something you need, Beta?”

I felt this chill race up my spine when my father addressed Tucker that way.

Tucker glanced at me, and the low growl that had been percolating in my father this entire time rose so loud that it echoed off the arched ceiling. I felt like the entire room stopped breathing at that sound. The forks clanging against plates sounded, and I felt my throat tighten even more.

“You look atme,not her. Your Alpha.” My father placed his hands on the table and leaned forward. “You keep your eyes onme, Tucker.” The way he pronounced my mate’s name was as cold as ice.

“Alpha?”

I forced my attention to Emery, one of the council members. He too was in his thirties and unmated, but it was clear by the look on his face, as well as the scent I picked up on—the potent mating aroma Tucker was throwing off—that our secret wasn’t so much of a secret anymore.

“You stand down,” the Alpha said low, dangerously, his focus on Tucker. “And since this is happening right here and right now, might as well clear the air, yeah?”

My spine straightened as I looked between the two men again. “This can be done in private,” I hissed, feeling my anger rising.

“It doesn't need to be, sweetheart.” My father glanced at me then and said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, “And when a new mating occurs in our close-knit community, it’s something we should know and celebrate… right?” There was almost a disapproving tone in that last word, and apparently I wasn’t the only one who picked up on it. Because the low warning sound that came from Tucker had every male in the room shifting on their feet in unease.

“Don’t talk to my mate that way.”

I felt my eyes widen at Tucker’s tone, at the threat in his voice. No one talked to the Alpha that way.

The council members stepped closer to the Alpha. The guards moved closer to Tucker.

“Is that right?” my father prompted with this amused tone in his voice. “You think you can tell me anything that has to do with my daughter?”

“She’s my mate.”

There were more hushed murmurs.

“You should have told me first,” the Alpha said, standing to his full height and staring down at Tucker.

“I planned on telling you, Dad,” I whispered.

“No,” he said and pointed a finger at Tucker. “Heshould have come to me from the moment he knew what you were. He should have asked for my blessing.”

Tucker snorted and crossed his big arms over his chest. “She’s my mate, and I don’t have to fucking ask anyone—Alpha or not—to claim what is rightfully mine.”

I bristled at that. “Excuse me?” All eyes went to me. “I’m not a piece of property, Tucker. No one owns me.”

He took a step closer, his expression softening. “I didn't mean it like that, Mia.”

I looked at my father, who wore this self-satisfied smirk on his face, as if he were happy I’d just called Tucker out. “And I don’t need your permission or blessing to associate, be with, or mate with anyone.”

My father looked at me, his brows lowering. “I didn’t mean it like that either.”

It was my turn to snort. “You two are more alike than you realize. Parroting each other's words and all.” I was annoyed now.

My father made another low sound, and then he was moving out from behind the table and walking down the podium. Everyone stepped back… everyone except Tucker, who scowled and held his ground. There was no fear coming from my mate either, but then again, he was just as fearless and stubborn as the Alpha.

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