The Mate Mistake(The Woolven Secret 3)(31)
She held up the glass in a toast. “It’s what I am, right?”
She didn’t sound bitter, but she didn’t sound too happy about it, either.
“It is.” He met her eyes. “Talking with Belle earlier, I realized that we never had a discussion about our circumstances.”
“You don’t have to worry, Parker. I told my father I was happy with my situation and I’m well taken care of.”
“I know, but you deserve an apology. You deserve to know that what happened was an accident, but she is my mate.”
She took a sip of her champagne. “Your true mate? Your One?”
“Yes.”
“I’m really happy for you, Parker. That doesn’t often happen with our kind anymore and for you to have found her…” She sighed. “I’m just glad you found her before we were mated. That would’ve been messy.”
“Thank you for understanding. I know Warner wasn’t what you were expecting, but he’s a solid wolf. He’ll be good to you.”
“If we’re being honest, I don’t mind him.”
“I guess that’s a good thing.” Parker realized he wanted more for his uncle and more for Maribella than “not minding” each other. Except it was a very real fate that a lot of their kind had to endure.
“It really is.” She finished her champagne. “I think we might actually be a better match than you and I. Over these last few days, I’ve realized that you and I are more alike than is probably healthy for any relationship.”
He gave her a genuine smile. “You’re right about that. We’d have gotten along okay, though. I wasn’t opposed to marrying you, you know. When I went to Vegas, it was to find you and do my duty.”
“Except you got shitfaced and married a waitress named Belle. Who is perfectly lovely. I like her a lot.” A mischievous grin curved her mouth. “And she makes my nephew happy.”
“I hope you and Warner can be happy.”
“Me too. I’m going to try.”
“Can I ask you something personal?”
“Why not?” She grabbed another flute of champagne off a passing tray and took a sip.
“You seem to be much like me in a lot of ways. Closer to your humanity than your beast. Were you bothered that he ‘kidnapped’ you like wolves used to do to their mates?”
“I was startled, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it. I think while our humanities are kindred spirits, Warner’s wolf and mine are.”
“Perhaps you’re his true mate. His One.”
“Doubtful. He told me even as he was marking me that he’d only ever love your mother.”
Parker snorted. “Yeah, he was probably just telling himself that.”
“It’s okay either way. I knew to expect an arranged mating. This is my pack now.”
Parker leaned forward and impulsively kissed her cheek. “It is. Forever and always, Maribella. You belong to us and we belong to you.”
“Thank the goddess for that. It was you or Remus.”
“I still wonder why your father chose us. Especially since he chose Remus in the war.”
“Siding with Remus was calling in a chip. He didn’t want to, but he didn’t have a choice. He sent me here because he knew I’d be safest with Woolven.”
Parker tried to imagine being forced to make that choice for someone he loved. For his own child. It made him even more thankful he wasn’t the Alpha. “I’m sorry you didn’t get the big wedding.”
“I’ve realized I don’t really need it. Since you asked me something personal, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“I’d like to get to know Warner better. Any hints on how to do that? I think we got off on the wrong paw.”
“Oh yeah?” He couldn’t help the smirk. Warner was prickly, but he needed a mate who could give him what for. He hadn’t thought Maribella was that she-wolf, but just maybe she was.
“He said I was too pretty to be useful. I told him he was too old and ugly. I didn’t mean it. I know I can say I’m sorry, but those are just words.”
“So were the daggers you threw. I’m sure he’s over it.”
“I’m not.”
“Go to his level. I know he doesn’t spend any time as a man at his cabin.”
“He prowls the woods in his wolf form most of the time. He checks on me, makes sure I have everything I need, but it’s like having a babysitter instead of a mate and I’m pretty much over that.”
“I would be, too. So you know what you have to do.”
She downed the champagne. “Give up the champagne and diamonds and run around naked in the mud and trees. Got it.”