Page 71 of Stella

I pinched the bridge of my nose. I was never in the mood to deal with my father, especially not when I was about to leave for a relaxing long weekend with my pack.

I was thinking of Stella as mine, I realized with a start.

“She had another pack, you know. Some pack up the coast,” Dad said. “I didn’t want you to have to find out this way but—"

“I already know.” I sighed. “So what? I had an omega before her.”

I gave Dad a sharp look to remind him how it was I’d come to have an omega before.

Dad didn’t look ashamed. “You’re okay with an omega who’s…been with other alphas?”

“Ava certainly wasn’t a virgin.” I locked eyes with him. “What’s your point?”

“She’s running some shady matchmaking service.” Dad sneered. “Instead of leaving things as nature intended, her entire family is swindling people out of their hard-earned money.”

“They’re not swindling anyone.” I slipped my hands into my pockets. The piece of obsidian Stella had given me stayed in my pocket, and I found myself rubbing it throughout the day. “They’re matching people together.”

“I bet she said she was the perfect match for you,” Dad glared. “And your money.”

“I don’t know what you’re trying to do but stop.” I glared at my father. “I know you don’t approve of my choice of mates, but you’re not going to stop me from loving them.”

Dad frowned. “Is that really what you want for your children? Some dubious hippy commune?”

“It would be better than a family who does whatever it takes to get you to live up to the last name.” I shoved my laptop in my bag. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a pack to go home to.”

“She’s smart, I’ll give her that. But sooner or later, she’ll show her true colors.” Dad shook his head. “You’re a big fish to land, especially for her little business. Requests for money will soon follow, and you’ll want to help your pack.”

I slammed my fist on my desk. “Right. Because Ava only wanted me for me.”

“She could be controlled.” Dad frowned. “Better to know what the price is, upfront, than the omegas acting like they love you. You should talk to this omega about signing a prenup agreement.”

“No,” I snapped. “I trust her.”

Dad arched an eyebrow. “In the heat of the moment, when she’s begging you for your bite, how do you know what you really want? A prenup protects everyone. And if she’s not after your money, then she won’t mind signing one.”

His logic made a twisted sort of sense, not that I would ever say that out loud. “We’re done talking about my pack,” I said. “Talk about work, or nothing at all.”

Dad smiled. “Of course. You’re in charge of your own life. Rising in the company faster than I did at your age.”

Dad left, and I wanted him to be angry. His smug smile only made me realize I hadn’t gotten through to him.

I would never get through to him.

It was pathetic, that even after everything he’d done, I still wanted him to be proud of me. As a kid, his approval had been a moving target. No matter how many sports I took on, how high my grades were, it was never enough.

I was a fool, thinking that because I was an adult, I could change things.

I texted the group chat that I was on the way, shaking my head. It was fine. Who needed my father’s approval when I had my pack?

I drove faster than the speed limit allowed and managed to get to Stella’s cottage in record time.

Stella was snuggled in between Jerrick and Evan, watching old movies. My shoulders were tight, and the drive up here only made my headache worse. I was running on fumes, pulling several late nights getting ready for this weekend.

Stella beamed at me, her brown hair mussed. I took a deep breath, her peaches and orange scent relaxing me. When she looked up at me like that, my whole world shifted, and I wanted to be the alpha worth her attention.

Evan scooted over, so there was room between them. I sat down on the couch, loosening my tie.

“How was your day?”

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