Chapter 0487

He turns to face me again. "Forgive the personal nature of these questions. I must grasp Alpha Dominic's intentions—and your father's. So, tell me. Did you accept Alpha Dominic's... proposal?"

Disgust coils in my stomach. "No. I told him I was saving myself for my mating night. Mentioning my fated mate seemed pointless—he'd already mocked that as childish fantasy."

Beta Calvin leans forward. "Did you fear he'd force himself on you without a valid reason to stop?"

My shoulders lift slightly. "Who knows? He'd already declared me his future Luna, ignoring my protests. My father was nowhere in sight, and we were alone in the back of that limo."

"You felt unsafe?" Alpha Alistair clarifies.

"Terrified."

"Was that the only incident?" Alpha Patrick presses.

"He tried my door at midnight. I didn't sleep, terrified he'd enter while I was vulnerable. Then this morning, he called me 'darling' and kissed me before we left."

Grant surges to his feet, pacing behind me like a caged predator. Alpha Patrick shoots him a warning glance before refocusing on me.

"This kiss—unwanted, I assume?"

"Completely."

"And your father's reaction?"

"He just slid into the car like it was normal."

A fragmented memory surfaces—one that still baffles me.

"My dad said something strange when he saw Dominic holding my hands. 'So we have a deal?' No idea what that meant."

Alpha Patrick exhales sharply, rubbing his jaw. "Unfortunately, I might. But first—when did Valeria manifest as your Guardian?"

"Past midnight. She'd been silent for hours, then—this electric surge through my veins. She guided me to the bathroom and revealed her true form."

Alpha Alistair's gaze flicks to Grant. "Your experience?"

Grant drops back into his seat, muscles taut. "Evander came to me already bonded to his Guardian. The power surge could've been his awakening or the Guardian bond itself."

Alpha Patrick returns to me. "Do they know you're a Guardian?"

"No. The second I realized, I ordered Valeria to stay hidden. If Dominic found out..." My voice cracks. "He'd never let me leave."

Alpha Patrick's smile is almost fatherly. "Grant said you were clever. As usual, his judgment proves sound."

I glance at Grant. His smile doesn't reach his stormy eyes as he grips my hand. "You should've told me."

"I couldn't. You were too far."

"Distance means nothing, Evelyn." His thumb brushes my knuckles. "If you need me, I'll tear through hell itself to reach you."