6: Mom Doesn't Even Know It Yet

Kristen's POV

The grand wedding reception is organized in the courtyard, containing over five hundred guests served five-course meals instead of the usual three-course wedding meals.

Of course, this is to show off wealth. Alpha Calhoun is a billionaire. The wealthiest on the East side.

The bride and groom dance and people cheer for them as they're at this.

Alpha Calhoun hasn't looked at me for some time now, he's so focused on Mom as he dances with her. Even his smiles aren't forced anymore as he looks at her.

I ought to be relieved that he isn't staring at me anymore, but why do I feel even worse? Like I am being betrayed or something.

This isn't me but my wolf. She's overwhelming me with emotions that I don't even want to feel. Craving to connect with Calhoun's wolf.

It's just so bad that I want them to round things up so I can shift and do a marathon. Far away from everyone.

But I'm tipsy right now.

I can't count the glasses of wine I've had. My bladder feels full but because I want to torture myself, I remain seated. Making a mess out of my food and drinking more wine.

Boys around my age are seated at my table. Wearing suits and looking dashingly handsome. On a normal day, I would have been interested because I like cute boys but I don't even feel myself.

They tried to start a conversation with me but I just offered them an awkward smile and shut myself out. So they left me alone. Thankfully.

Bruce approaches me for the second time.

"Do you want to go outside?" He's not as upset as he used to be. Only he knows what's going on apart from me and Alpha Calhoun. He thinks we just hooked up but he's not even aware that we're mates.

"No," I shake my head at him. I know he made the offer because he wanted to ease the tension here, but my wolf is totally against it.

"You're only complicating things for yourself and Alpha Calhoun if you remain here," warmth spread through his eyes.

"My mom looks at me from time to time, she'll think I'm against her marriage if I just step outside and refuse to return," I drum my fingers on the table after pointing out this fact.

"I understand," Bruce thins his lips and slides into the seat next to mine.

I shift my gaze to the dancing couple once more and find Alpha Calhoun's blue gaze on me.

And it makes me feel so hot that I need something to fan myself because my fingers cannot do the job. Despite my raging guilt.

Trying to forget about what we did only makes it worse because I'm seeing the images everywhere.

How he put my leg on his shoulder and drilled into me, with the backseat creaking and our moans forming an alignment.

Okay, so I'm the worst daughter ever to recall sex with this man when my innocent mom is in the picture.

One thing is for sure.

I'll never be able to forgive myself.

"Kristen!" Mom literally yells my name and I let out a low breath as I look at her.

"What are you doing, sitting all alone and looking so bored? Come join us," my heart climbs to my throat when she makes this offer.

She wants me to dance along with her and Alpha Calhoun? Hell no!

"Come on!" She drags this request, letting go of Calhoun's hands to beckon me with hers.

"Just dance as long as you want, Mom. It's your day, I don't want to cause any intrusion," I pause halfway from letting out a small shrug when Alpha Calhoun leaves Mom.

Oh my god, no!

He's approaching my table.

Christ! I need to hide.

What the heck is he up to?

He and his beta exchange a look when he stops in front of my table and there's some sort of wordless conversation between them, and Bruce excuses himself from the table.

"Your mom wants you on the dancefloor, Kristen." There, Calhoun's voice is so calm and mature. He holds out his hand for me to accept.

I stare from his hand to his face, then his face to his hand, and then back to his face.

Shit.

He's one attractive son of the devil. Literally the most handsome man here. It'll be quite dangerous for him to walk on the female population. And last night, the club's multicolored bright lights made it impossible to see his face clearly. Even when we had sex in his car it was quite dark.

But now, I can see how fine he looks.

And I don't accept his hand.

"I'll bet you're elated to be a stepfather," note my sarcasm.

Mom is already waiting with her hands on her waist.

Calhoun snatches my hand, pulls it into his warm big hand, and gently takes me away from the table without my consent.

My heart is doing dangerous backflips in my chest because our wolves are in dire need of connection. My knees wobble because this is overwhelming and before I can miss a step, Calhoun steadies me on the floor, with his arm on my waist.

Time holds still, slowing down the pace of my heart and making it pump blood heavily.

Why do I always fall when he's near? It's just stupid.

His hands on my waist are electrifying so I just draw myself away from him and hurry to meet my mom.

She hugs me and tells me how glad she is that I made it to the wedding.

We dance and Calhoun is mature enough to maintain some necessary distance between us.

But it doesn't last for long.

We're forced together for pictures this time.

We take pictures with several other people and then together as a family.

Until it's just us two.

"Just one picture," I tell Mom because I want to be as far away from this man as possible. We're so connected that the world seems to narrow on just him alone as if no one else exists besides our two.

"One picture, honey. You two look perfect together as father and daughter," Mom cannot hide her excitement. She's even worsening things by putting our arms around each other.

If only she knows what happened last night…

I seize my breath as I wait for the moment to come.

It takes longer than expected.

Calhoun is surprisingly calm as if nothing happened and it's because he has control over himself and his wolf. He's not an Alpha for nothing.

We take the picture at last and pull apart from each other.

"Today is the happiest day of my life," Mom kisses my forehead soundly and holds Calhoun's hand, "I am so glad that we're together as a family."