Page 42 of Omega's Pretend Mate
“If anybody has any reason why these two should not be…”
“I object!”
Chapter 12 - Christian
“Iobject!”
The words were like a bucket of ice water had just been dumped over me. I’d been in a daze until then, unable to tear my gaze from Gabe since he’d appeared at the end of the aisle, and admiring how handsome my omega looked in his cream suit with seafoam tie.
I was about to marry the love of my life, no matter how brief the marriage was to be. How could anybody object to that?
I turned, along with everybody else, to see Gabe’s cousin Ivy standing, her mom Evelyn desperately trying to pull her back into her seat while her husband and children looked mortified.
“I object!” she said again. “They don’t love each other. This is just some scheme so that Gabe can keep his house!”
Gabe’s grandfather stood and glared at Ivy. “What are you talking about, young lady?”
Ivy blanched and started trying to backpedal, but the damage was already done. Guests murmured and spoke among themselves.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the officiant said. “Please remain calm and seated. I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding. We’re going to adjourn for a few minutes to discuss in private before the ceremony resumes.”
He nodded towards the house. Gabe and I fell in step behind him, followed by his father, grandfather, Ivy and Evelyn.
I noticed mom stood to accompany us.
This was all falling apart and all I could do was hold my trembling omega close.
We all made it to the living room, where there was an explosion of yelling.
“What was that about Ivy?” Gabe’s grandfather demanded.
Ivy seemed on the verge of backpedaling, then seemed to double down. “They’re not in love! Gabe just doesn’t want to lose his house.”
“And why would he be worried about losing his house?” the elder Everest yelled.
“I… uh…” Ivy stammered, finally realizing the hole she’d dug for herself.
“Evelyn!” Gabe’s father snapped. “Explain this!”
She fidgeted, but held firmer than her daughter. “He pays a lot in property taxes, so I pointed out that he should look into a new house after his last discretionary disbursement.”
“You did what?” his grandfather roared, alpha rage cutting through the cancer battle. “How dare you! This house was a gift, and there is more than enough money in his trust for property taxes. Of all the grandchildren, he’s probably the most responsible with his disbursement requests.”
“It’s a lot of house for one man,” Evelyn argued.
“Who cares? We can afford it. He can afford it. There’s looking for savings, then just being malicious. You’re making me reconsider leaving you as trustee.”
He took a deep breath. “I’m sure Ivy had something to do with this too, given her outburst. I should have known she’d cause problems after the tantrum she threw when I bought this house.”
Mom walked over to me. “Christian? Are you really marrying Gabe so that he can keep his house?”
I glanced down at where my omega was tucked into my side.
“Before he answers,” Gabe’s grandfather interrupted. “Let’s take the issue of the house off the table.” He turned to Gabe. “Gabe, as soon as we return to Boston I’ll be removing Evelyn as trustee on your trust, and naming you as both trustee and beneficiary. I had no idea that she’d threatened to refuse your property taxes, and this is an egregious enough abuse of her authority that I will not have her in charge of your money for even a second. I will also reconsider her position as trustee for other members of the family.”
My eyes met Gabe’s. This was what he’d always wanted, to just live in his house without fear of it being taken away for malicious reasons.
But it also meant that I might lose the year I would have had with him, and the thought made my heart ache.
