7

Lilith’s POV
“Mom, dads… this is our mate, Lilith Emory,” Caleb announced, his smile radiating pride.
I took in the three standing before me. There was no denying the presence they carried-a subtle mix of allure and authority, paired with an unspoken air of superiority. Arrogance, even.
Their mother wasn’t particularly tall, standing a few inches shorter than me, though the twins themselves couldn’t be much over six feet. She was undeniably beautiful, with long, dark chocolate-brown hair and mismatched eyes-one a deep brown, the other a piercing blue. She wore no makeup, no jewelry, and yet, her casual sundress and sandals screamed high-end designer.
Then my gaze shifted to their fathers-a textbook Alpha if there ever was one. Tall, broad, and powerfully built, their massive shoulders and rugged frame practically shouted dominance. They had the kind of presence that suggested they’d look just as natural swinging an axe as they did in thier neatly pressed blue polo and khakis. Their dark hair was streaked with the beginnings of gray, and his weathered features hinted at a life well-lived-and hard-fought.
“Lilith, it’s so wonderful to meet you. I’m Sophia. The boys couldn’t be happier,” their mother greeted warmly.
Okay, not a hugger. That’s a point in her favor, I suppose. At least she wasn’t overly familiar.
“I don’t know them very well yet, but they seem rather… persistent. You can just call me Lily,” I replied with a tight smile.
Was that a compliment? Maybe. It was the best I could manage under the circumstances.
Both parents exchanged a glance before their fathers stepped forward, his voice deep but kind. “And I’m Ethan. This is Kieran. We couldn’t be happier to meet you.”
I shook both their hands, noting how neither insisted I address them by their Alpha titles. I wasn’t part of their pack, and I didn’t owe them that courtesy. If they had insisted, though, I’d have looked like a jerk for refusing.
They introduced themselves to my dad and aunt without hesitation, which I appreciated-it meant I could avoid talking as much as possible. Once the obligatory pleasantries were out of the way, conversation drifted to Caden making small talk with his parents about their journey.
“So, Lily,” Sophia said after a few moments, her tone curious. “Tell me about yourself. What’s your passion?”
“Well…” I began, deadpan, letting my eyes flick between her and Kieran.
The twins stared at me with barely veiled warnings in their expressions, silently pleading for me to behave. Fine. I could be cordial. Meeting parents wasn’t *that* hard.
“You’ve *never* met anyone’s parents before,” Rose reminded me with a snort of laughter.
Not helping.
Straightening my posture, I decided on something safe-something I could actually be proud of. “I don’t mean to brag, but I never end a sentence with a preposition. I consider it poor form, and anyone who respects the English language should feel the same.”
Crickets. Total silence.
*Really, Lilith? Goddess, I can’t STAND you sometimes,* Rose muttered.
Sophia smiled politely, clearly unsure of how to respond. “That’s… good to know. I suppose it’s not something I’ve ever given much thought to.”
“Reporter has a midlife crisis at 21, quits journalism, and becomes a grammar teacher at a convent-full story at five,” I quipped, nodding as if satisfied.
Thankfully, my dad stepped in, filling the silence with tales of my time working for the school paper. He even mentioned some of my published stories, a few of which he’d framed. My mom had probably burned the scandalous ones.
“A reporter? That’s fascinating,” Ethan said with a warm smile. “We haven’t had one of those in the family before.”
Cheery. Too cheery. No one is genuinely this happy all the time.
*Stop being a brat. Just relax,* Rose scolded.
The conversation drifted without me, which was fine. I wasn’t exactly dying to be the center of attention. At one point, family photo albums were brought out, and my mom started reminiscing about how Aunt Freya had made the dress I wore to a formal dance. She even mentioned how she’d hoped my date-Henry, the biggest nerd imaginable-might’ve turned out to be my fated mate. I barely suppressed a gag.
The twins had wandered off to talk football with some of the other males, leaving me to entertain myself. Deciding it was time to dig up some dirt, I leaned closer to Sophia, my voice casual. “So, which one of the boys’ girlfriends was your favorite? And why?”
I kept my expression neutral, but inside, I was dying to see her reaction.
Sophia didn’t miss a beat. If she was caught off guard, she didn’t show it. “Well, there was a young lady named Crystal. She grew up with the boys-they were very close as pups. I’d thought she might be their mate, but of course, fate had other plans. And here we are, with you. Such a lovely home you have,” she added, beaming at my mom.
Damn. Score one for Luna Ashford. The woman was quick.
Big hands suddenly settled on my hips, sending a jolt through me. My body betrayed me, leaning instinctively into the touch. Caleb. It had to be.
Sophia’s approving smile didn’t help my annoyance.
“So, Lily,” Caleb murmured, his voice low but loud enough for others to hear. “How about the three of us go for a run? You can show us your pack’s land.”
*Oh, Goddess, please! Let’s go! I’ll do anything, Lily. PLEASE!* Rose begged, practically squealing.
*Not happening,* I replied firmly, crossing my arms.
“That sounds…” my mom began, her words trailing off as her gaze landed on my face-the face she knows far too well.
“Actually, I think we should probably head back,” I said quickly, forcing a smile so tight it hurt my cheeks. “I’ve got a lot to work on, and finals are right around the corner. Coming home tonight wasn’t really in the plan.”
“Well, surely you’ll be at the big game next Saturday,” Sophia said with a cheery tone as Caden hugged her.
“Of course, she will. Lily’s our biggest fan now,” Caleb chimed in, tightening his arm around me like a vice.
“It’s really amazing you never noticed your connection during a game,” Kieran added, his arm snug around his mate.
Five sets of Ashford eyes turned to me, waiting for an explanation. I let out a dry laugh.
“Oh, I’ve never gone to watch the jocks bash their heads in for fun. Honestly, I wouldn’t even know what I’m looking at. They just run around yelling, throwing a ball until someone topples over, right? If I wanted that kind of chaos, I’d go hang out in the ball pit at Chuck E. Cheese,” I said, snorting at the absurdity of it all. “Wasting a perfectly good evening on that? You’d be better off rolling me in honey and dumping me in a landfill.”
Their collective expressions were priceless-five Ashfords staring at me like I’d sprouted a second head.
*I really do hate you,* Rose groaned, practically stomping her paw in my mind.
“Well, I certainly hope you’ll make an exception for this game. It’s a big deal. Practically the entire pack will be there to cheer on their future Alphas,” Kieran said, giving his mate an affectionate squeeze.
Sophia beamed, her sons looking at her like she could light up the world with her smile.
“And, of course, there’s the big party we throw before the last game of the season,” Caleb added, nodding like it was already decided.
“You’ll definitely be there for that,” Caden said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Oh, will I?
“You want me to go to a game *and* a party… the week before finals?” I asked, silently begging the universe not to strike me down where I stood. *Goddess spare me-I swear I’m a good person. I just hate awkward social situations. I hate forced gatherings.* Like, oh, I don’t know-this one.
“Surely a few hours away from the books will do you some good,” Caleb said, his hand finding its way to my waist.
“I think Lily needs some dinner. I haven’t seen her eat all night,” Caden interjected smoothly, steering me away with Caleb’s help.
If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s when a guy puts his hand on the small of your back to guide you somewhere. It reeks of control. I hate it.
*Oh, that’s the *one* thing you hate? I’m going to stick my head in a hole and be done with you,* Rose groaned dramatically.
Caleb led me into one of the food tents, the kind with sides that blocked prying eyes. For the first time tonight, we didn’t have an audience. But the moment was anything but a reprieve-both of them loomed close, boxing me in.
“You know,” Caden murmured near my ear, his voice low and sinful, “your tongue’s been running all night, little mate. But mine? It hasn’t had its turn yet. Maybe we should head inside so it can get a proper workout.”
Rose froze, and so did I, suspended in some strange limbo between time and space-though my body burned with a heat I couldn’t ignore. My jaw began to drop, but I snapped it shut.
No. No, no, no. We are *not* doing this. Not here. Not at my parents’ house.
“You’re a psychopath,” I whispered, my voice low but sharp.
“But I’m *your* psychopath, little mate. And it takes one to know one,” Caden said, taking my hand and brushing a kiss across it, his smile wickedly soft.