Page 38 of Love, A Curvy Girl's Guide

Ian stared open-mouthed at Mr. Wheat. “But how… How could you know that?”

“Your dad came by earlier today,” he admitted. “But it takes a big man to tell me face to face.”

Ian cleared his throat. “Um, there is a little more.”

“Well, then?”

“Haley is my mate. I don’t know if Dad explained it all to you. But a mating bond is to wolves what marriage is to humans, only it’s not something that can be broken, even in death. I am committed to Haley, and will always be. But I was also raised by Frank Johnson, and I know a man is supposed to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“Are you planning on marrying Haley?” Mr. Wheat asked.

“Yes, sir, I am. But I’d like your permission and to know you are okay with it. If we can get things cleared up with the Alpha, maybe we could have the ceremony in the chapel here at the hospital?”

For the first time, the smile on the older gentleman fell. Tears clouded his eyes and his voice shook as he answered. “I’d be honored, Ian. You have my blessing, not that you need it. I may not be well enough to walk my baby down the aisle, but being there would mean the world to me.”

When Ianand Haley left the hospital an hour later, Haley’s heart felt a little lighter. She didn’t know what Ian and her dad had talked about. But when she’d returned with the nurse, the men seemed to be having a bonding moment. It meant the world to Haley that Ian had spent that one-on-one time with her dad.Ian’s quiet confidence as they walked to the car reassured her about the man she was choosing in a way she hadn’t expected.

“What did you two talk about?” she asked as they climbed into the car.

Ian smiled, his eyes soft. “Just man-to-man stuff.”

Haley huffed, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “Fine. Keep your secrets.”

As they drove toward Verity’s, the tension crept back in, but this time, Haley felt a spark of determination. Whatever lay ahead, she wasn’t facing it alone.

TWENTY-THREE

Haley parked in front of Verity’s townhouse, her pulse hammering in her ears. The porch light was on, and a faint glow from the living room window suggested Verity was home. Ian climbed out first, his presence steady and reassuring as he waited for Haley to join him.

Haley’s legs felt like lead as she climbed the steps. She didn’t bother knocking; she pushed the doorbell, hearing the chime echo inside. Moments later, the door swung open, and Verity appeared, her face shifting from surprise to wariness.

“Haley. Ian,” Verity said, her voice clipped with irritation. “What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk,” Haley said, her tone firm. “Now.”

Verity hesitated, glancing behind her before stepping aside to let them in. The tension in the air was palpable as they entered the cozy living room, the silence stretching taut between them.

“What’s this about?” Verity asked, crossing her arms defensively.

Haley didn’t mince words. “It’s about your post. What did you mean by it?”

Verity scowled. “It was a joke, Haley. I didn’t expect for there to be so many trolls in the comments. It just happened. I’ve taken it down.”

Ian let out a sigh. “It’s more than just a post.”

Verity’s face flushed. “Look, I wasn’t calling you a dog, Haley. It was just weird that my aunt saw you two kissing and then Ian was gone and a wolf was there instead. It didn’t make any sense. It was almost as if Ian had changed into the wolf. But that is impossible. I didn’t think it would?—”

“You didn’t think at all,” Haley cut in, her voice sharp. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

“Haley,” Ian broke in, “she doesn’t understand.”

“I understand that you both are being a little overdramatic about this,” Verity huffed defensively.

“You’ve put many lives at risk,” Haley added angrily. “You’ve put our lives at risk.”

The color began to fade from Verity’s face. “What do you mean?”

For the next few minutes, Ian explained what had really happened that night. He told Verity of the curse and where he and Haley had gone. With each new discovery, Verity’s eyes grew larger and her hands clenched tighter together.

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