Wren POV
Charlie and I are standing on the front porch of the Gravestone Pack house. Our hands are barely brushing together, but the tension between us is thick. I am not sure what happened two nights ago, but I am eager for it to happen again.
Destin is being decidedly tight-lipped about why he was suddenly okay with Charlie joining us. But, to be fair, I haven't asked. I think I might be too afraid to know the truth. Still, I don't regret it. Now, if he would only be on time today, my parents will be here any minute.
"Do you think he will show up?" I whisper to Charlie.
Charlie groans. "He would not miss an opportunity to cause chaos. He will be here."
I look up at Charlie, and his jaw is tight. If he is displeased with our arrangement, he hasn't said so, but he has been different.
"I am sure Destin will be respectful when my parents get here." The words flow freely, but I am not sure if I am convincing Charlie or myself.
Any hope I had of Destin showing up before my parents disappears when a black SUV comes to a stop in front of the pack house. It is definitely not Destin's beat up truck. Tears spring to my eyes. He said he would be here.
I hold my breath as my fathers help my mother out of the vehicle. Father and Mother are smiling, but Dad has a scowl on his face. I can already tell this visit isn't going to be a fun one.
Charlie strides forward, offering his hand to my fathers and a small bow to my mother. "I am honored you have chosen to visit the Gravestone back."
Dad looks around and lets out a huff. "This isn't a social visit. Where is the Fae?"
Mom smacks him on the shoulder, but his mood doesn't change. Dad has been holding a grudge against Destin since the war with the Moon Goddess. He felt like Destin disrespected him and my brothers. Destin only made Dad's hatred worse when he avoided me for a year. I am not sure their relationship can be repaired, but Destin is my mate. They will have to learn to get along.
"I'm here, too," I snap.
"Hello sweetheart," Mom embraces me, but I leave my arms limp at my side. I have no interest in being cuddled. I want them to leave so I can get back to my life.
"See," I roll my eyes. "I'm alive and well. Your visit was for nothing."
"We aren't here to check up on you," Father lies.
"Yes, we are," Dad corrects him. "You have not been acting like a proper princess."
"What is this medieval Europe?" I scoff. "How exactly is a princess supposed to act?"
"Maybe we should move this conversation inside," Mom cuts in, but Dad and I aren't listening.
His face has gotten red. "You can start by not going to sex clubs. You were seen leaving in nothing but that Fae's shirt."
"He has a name," I scream back at Dad. "He deserves respect. He is my mate!"
"No," Dad growls. "You are going to reject him. We will find a suitable chosen mate for you."
"Leo," Mom gasps. "She can't reject him, it would be a slap in the face to the Moon Goddess."
My mouth is hanging wide open. They have plans for me. Plans that I wasn't included in. "Last I checked, this is my choice."
"You are making all the wrong choices," Dad yells. He is ready to say something else, but his mouth clamps shut. He is shaking with anger.
Suddenly, I feel hands on my shoulders, and tingles spread over my skin. He came, but that doesn't stifle my anger. "You are late," I snap at him.
Destin tucks his massive wings against his back, and he frowns. "Truck wouldn't start."
He turns his attention to my parents. "It is nice to see you again, Luna Queen, Alpha Oliver."
His omission of my dad is a slap to the face, and I hide behind my hand. Charlie was right; he is going to make this harder than it needs to be.
"Do it now," Dad snarls.
Destin turns to me. "Do what now?"
"I am not rejecting my mate," I snarl. "Find something else to complain about."
Destin's eyes turn cold when he looks back at Dad. "A fae cannot reject their mate. She is stuck with me for the rest of her tragically short life."
"Good thing she isn't Fae," Dad growls.
I step forward and rear my hand back to slap my dad across the face, but Destin grabs my wrist. Anger continues to flow through me, and I spin, slapping Destin instead. He doesn't seem phased. A hint of amusement flashes in his eyes, but Dad is growling loudly behind me. This fight isn't over.
A roar stops us all from arguing. My mother has had enough. Her Luna Queen aura has us all submitting, even Destin.
"I did not come here to fight," she snaps. "Everyone will behave from this moment on. If you want to act like children, I will treat you like children."
She drops her aura, and Father scratches the back of his neck. "I didn't even do anything."
"Well," someone yells from the driveway. "That was dramatic."
My heart is racing in my chest. Why would she be here? Not when I have finally gotten Destin to accept the bond between us.
Mom spins around. "Macy. Why are you here?"
"Leo said we were having a family meeting," she replies. My brothers are silent at her sides.
"You are despicable," I snap at my dad. "Stay away from me."
I kick in the door to the pack house and find the triplets huddled around the front window. They try to scatter, but they bump into each other and fall to the ground.
"Enjoying the show?" I hiss at them.
"Your mom's aura is intense," Sophia gasps. "I thought I was going to pee my pants."
"Just get me out of here," I groan. "I don't want to be here right now."
Scarlett peeks around me and nods. "Are you bringing them with you?"
Charlie and Destin are standing behind me. Both have their arms crossed over their chests and defeated looks on their faces.
"No," Charlie mutters. "I am not coming, too. I have to fix this mess. I won't have the Luna Queen pissed off in my pack's territory."
"I will stay behind, too," Destin whispers.
I stomp my foot. "Because she is here?"
"Kitten," he sighs.
"Don't Kitten me," I snarl. "Just leave me alone."