Page 19 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
“Cool,” Jarrod says as he butters his toast.
I sit at the counter, silent and very uncomfortable as the two of them proceed to get along like a house on fire.
After breakfast, we head off, meeting Dorian and Cody downstairs. My uncle and a couple of others see us out, and I hold Rex’s hand, smile, and kiss him on the cheek just so everyone believes we’re consummated and mated for life.
Mated for life.
Those words echo painfully through my chest, ringing through my bones. As we take the road out of town, I keep my head turned out the window, letting tears run silently down my cheeks.
Rex tries to start a conversation with me more than once, asking about my favorite books, movies, and food, but I only give short, closed answers. Jarrod decides to answer for me, and before I know it, the two of them are in a lively discussion about sports and race cars.
Through my pain, there is a splinter of hope.
Jarrod deserves a dad. That fact is part of what fueled my anger over the years—he didn’t have one because Rex left us. But now there’s an opportunity for Jarrod to have his actual father in his life, and they are getting along so well. I have to support this.
Even as I make that decision, I shrink away from telling them both the truth. It’s a miracle neither of them has guessed by now—especially since I’ve realized they have the same eyes.
All these years, I thought Jarrod’s eyes were shaped like his father’s but too pale in color. Now I know Rex actually has the same amber eyes. The dark brown eyes were part of his disguise.
The drive to Rose Hollow takes a while, and I stay quiet throughout, listening to the boys talk. Even if it makes me uncomfortable, the two of them getting along is the best possible thing for Jarrod.
We follow Dorian’s car through the main street of town, and I look around with interest. I’ve never left Eccles in my life, and it’s interesting to see the different buildings and parks.
“It’s pretty,” I mutter, not realizing I spoke out loud.
“Yeah,” Rex answers, startling me. “We’ve had passionate architects and builders over the years. I noticed that in Eccles, there isn’t much decoration.”
“It’s considered a waste,” I say. “A waste of materials and time. But looking at this, I don’t think it’s a waste at all.”
“I like it,” Jarrod agrees. “It feels… friendly.”
I agree with my son, but I don’t say it out loud. We turn through the small streets, still following Dorian’s car, and pull into a nearby parking lot.
“What are we doing?” I ask.
“Heading in to greet the elders, then move on to my place.”
I’m definitely not ready for this, but I get out of the car with my head held high. I have no idea what to expect from these people. We’ve always been their sworn enemy, and I don’t see how that can change.
I take Jarrod’s hand and stride towards the doors, with Rex following behind us. Dorian holds the door, and I give him a nod on the way through.
He’s barely said a word, but he seems nice.
The rest of the elders probably won’t be, though.
We come through the doorway into a cozy room filled with wooden tables and chairs. It’s decorated with pretty paintings of the surrounding landscape and brass fixtures. I’m a bit awed by how decadent yet homey it feels, and when I look down at Jarrod, I can tell he feels the same way.
“Hello!” an excited cry sounds from across the room, and a slightly plump older woman gets up and hurries over to us. “You must be Scarlett,” she says, immediately embracing me and crushing me against her soft body. “I’m Elder Erhart, but call me Celeste.”
“Pleased to meet you,” I answer, a bit overwhelmed.
“And who might you be, young man?” Celeste asks, bending down to talk to Jarrod.
“I’m Jarrod,” he says, holding out a hand.
“Such fine manners,” Celeste says, shaking it. “It’s a pleasure to meet such a gentleman.”
“Come on, Celeste,” Rex says from behind me. “Let us go on and meet the others. These two will want to see their new home and settle in.”
