Luke’s expression froze for a moment before he said seriously, “Emma, sit down. We need to talk.”
After I sat, he extended a clawed finger and held up a single digit.
“All I need you to do is one thing: be patient and wait a little longer.”
“I promise you, once Alina and I finish the ceremony, I’ll leave her and come to you that same day.”
“It’s only a few days. Can’t you wait?”
“Emma, show a little sympathy. Alina’s mother did a lot for me, I’m just helping her fulfill her last wish.”
As he spoke, he pressed a kiss to my forehead, then grabbed my hand, his voice soft but his words cold and warning.
“But I won’t tolerate you cursing my mother’s death just to stop me from being with Alina.”
“My father passed away early. My mother raised us both alone. She loved you deeply, and you owe her a great deal.”
“You lost your mother when you were young, so I can forgive you for not understanding a child’s love for their parent. But I can’t accept your cold-heartedness. Cursing her like that is unforgivable. If anyone else had been there, I would’ve punished you.”
” But I cannot accept your cold-heartedness. Cursing her like that is unforgivable. If there had been a third person here, I would’ve punished you.”
“I hope you can understand mine and Alina’s situation. We’re just trying to repay an elder’s kindness.”
“I don’t want to hear you mention my mother again. That’s all I have to say. Don’t disappoint me, okay?”
I stared into Luke’s familiar amber eyes, but they felt more foreign than ever. It didn’t matter though. Monica couldn’t come back, no matter whether he saw her or not.
“Fine, go ahead. Have your ceremony with Alina.”
Seeing me give in so easily, a faint smile tugged at Luke’s lips. He thought I was scared, afraid he’d really leave me if he got serious. “After the ceremony, I’ll be all yours. I promise you, I won’t sleep with her.”
“Mm, if that makes you happy.”
Luke looked relaxed and cheerful, almost whistling as he turned to leave. He was about to say something else when the sound of a car horn outside interrupted him.
I wondered if the people I had scheduled from the funeral home had come to pick up Monica’s body. My wolf, Shadow, however, told me it wasn’t them—it was Alina coming to pick up Luke.
