Chapter 028
HANNAH
I couldn't suppress a shudder at the implications of that. Asher was smirking, now staring at me hungrily, like I was a tasty morsel he was waiting to devour.
My shocked gasp was interrupted by Alpha Wallace saying, "If that is the only reason you called for this gathering, then I say the meeting is very unnecessary. Firstly, this issue is something we could have discussed over the phone. Secondly, I think it's important for me to point out that Hannah is also mated to my sons. Demanding that she be marked by Asher is putting the cart before the horse, isn't it? Again, like I said, this is supposed to have been a phone conversation."
"And why would you even imply that a matter like this be discussed over the phone?" Alpha Dawson demanded hotly. "If your sons had not been meddling in Hannah and Asher's affairs, we would not be here, would we?"
My mate's father, unmoved by Alpha Dawson's bluster, shrugged. "I was merely stating my opinion. Also there is some information I gathered. Your son, Asher was never interested in claiming Hannah as his mate in the first place which makes me wonder about his sudden interest in her now. Anyway, all my sons are interested in claiming her."
"Oh no. All that was in the past. Now Asher is interested in claiming her."
"Really? I wasn't aware the claiming of one's mate was to made on a whim. Is it that your son doesn't know his own mind?"
Alpha Dawson's nostrils flared angrily. "My son will be the future Alpha of this pack. You will have to be careful of the way you talk about him."
"A future Alpha, is he?" Jace said with a sneer. "Perhaps he should start his journey to leading the pack by first of all learning to decide what he wants in the first place."
In a second, everyone in the room was glaring at each other. The facade of forced politeness was dropped. Even the triplets who had barely moved since they came into the room looked about ready to start an argument or a fight.
"I have a suggestion," Alpha Wallace said. He casually flicked his hands in the direction of his sons and they relaxed in their seats. Barely. The next moment, his blue eyes, very like his son's were staring right into mine. They were kind, but still intimidating nonetheless. "Hannah should be the one to choose between my sons and Asher. She should tell us who is to be her mate. Who do you want your mate to be, Hannah?"
My heart was pounding so hard I couldn't breathe properly. The room went very still. I could feel the weight of a half a dozen pairs of eyes on me, ready to hang on to my every word.
Had I thought the place was tense before? That was a laugh. This time was worse. If I said the wrong thing, the argument could escalate and then who knew what would happen next?
The triplets were looking at me kindly, but far from reassuring me, I only got more tense.
"Yes?" Alpha Dawson prompted. "Who do you choose?"
His tone implied that I had better choose his son or else...
Crap! I could feel a full scale panic attack coming on. It made it hard to breathe. I wanted to say 'the triplets'. I really wanted to but opened my mouth to speak, I could only manage a slight exhalation of air.
I saw Cade frown a little before he spoke.
"I think this can be decided later," he said.
"How? Hannah's here and can talk for herself, can't she?" Asher said aggressively.
Cade, ignoring Asher, went on smoothly addressing Alpha Dawson. "I suggest we give Hannah seven days to make her decision. At the end of the stipulated time, we can have this meeting again."
"Fine," Alpha Dawson said at once, cutting short his son who looked like he wanted to protest. For a moment, I couldn't believe I had actually gotten a reprieve, and that Asher's father had agreed to it no less! "In seven days, you will give us your decision."
"Since that is settled, I think we're about done here," Alpha Wallace said, beginning to rise.
"Hold on. There is one more thing though. All interested parties, my son and your sons should completely seize communications with Hannah so she can make up her mind without being prejudiced."
Alpha Wallace and his sons exchanged a look before he nodded.
"Agreed," he said.
Without another word, he left the room with his sons. Jace was the last to leave.
Before he walked out the door, our eyes met. I felt a pang at the fact that I wouldn't be allowed to be close to them for a whole week. I had gotten so used to their presence in my life now.
"I promise, you'll be fine," he mouthed.
I held on to those words as I hurried out of the meeting room with my mother on legs that felt like jelly.
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