Chapter Thirty-six
Senite finally got Lola to come in and the secretary instantly became professional. “I did some mod work and I can safely say that your engagement has everyone’s approval.” Lola beamed. “There were lots of questions though, about why His Highness…”
“Lukas.” Lukas corrected reflexively.
“...about why Alpha King Lukas kept the news of his Fated mate a secret until right before his engagement. Questions about the identity of Miss Claire…” Here she turned to smile at Claire who mirrored her expression on instinct meanwhile she was dying on the inside.
Because she desperately wanted this to be someone playing pranks on her. She was still in denial, she absolutely wasn’t cut out to be a Queen, much more a Queen of werewolves.
She tuned out the rest of what Lola said knowing it would just compound the issues she already had on her plate, breathing easier when Alec whispered something to Lukas and they both got up to leave.
Lola left right after, excusing herself to go oversee the final preparations of the engagement ball so it was just Claire and Senite left behind.
Senite gave Claire a concerned look, she noticed that she had been a little out of it for a while now. “Are you alright, Claire?”
Claire blinked like she was just waking up from a deep sleep. “Yes! I’m… I’m fine, just a little overwhelmed.” She calmed down to say.
Senite sat beside her to pull her into a little side hug. “It’s normal to feel that way.” She comforted her. “If it’s any consolation, your wedding is going to be a small affair.” She added, getting up to leave as well.
Claire didn’t know how to feel about that, she didn’t feel very consoled. It was starting to look like less of a joke and more of her reality. She almost wanted to confront Lukas to ask him just what he was doing but the thought of his predatory look made her backtrack quickly on that idea.
She should be relieved that this was the most he was doing to her, she wasn’t sure if she couldn’t handle him moving back into their shared bedroom.
For now, she just wanted to go back to sleep to find an escape. Her parents would be coming in a few hours, she had to be able to pull a perfect front like she was fine and everything was fine.
Hours later, Claire finally pulled herself out of bed, more exhausted than when she got into bed. She had spent the entirety of her morning rolling around in her bed unable to catch a wink of sleep, there were just too many thoughts in her head.
Her ringing phone had been what finally made her get out of bed to clean up. Her parents would be at the mansion in half an hour and in that time, she had to be all cleaned up and dressed to receive them.
She had no other choice, she had to ring up the maids who showed up at her bedroom in a heartbeat, eager to help her out.
Claire insisted on being dressed in something casual and after a brief struggle, they finally settled on an oversized top and short skirt. It was still not what Claire would willingly wear but she would take it.
In no time, she was ready and she stepped out to personally receive her parents at the gates. It was weird for her to just walk up to the large gates that hid the mansion from the public because whenever she went out she was always with Senite, Lola, and a handful of bodyguards.
The guards keeping watch outside the mansion were just as confused when they saw her purposefully march toward the gates. Two of them on standby immediately followed after her to keep an eye on her.
“It’s fine.” Claire slowed down to reassure them. “I’m just heading to the gate and back.” She clarified nicely, glancing at her phone.
The bodyguards were uncertain, they wanted to obey the nice mate of their Alpha King but they couldn’t go against Lukas’ orders. “I’m sorry ma’am but we’re just following Alpha King Lukas’ orders.”
Claire gave up at this point because she knew that convincing them would be next to impossible but more importantly, her parents were already at the gates. “Could you have them open the gates for me then?”
The bodyguards moved quickly, the gates opening right away.
A bright smile broke out on Claire’s face when she saw her parents’ car drive in. A bodyguard offered to help them park the car properly so they could meet up with Claire.
Julia hurried out of the car before then to hug her only daughter. “Sunshine!”
“Mom!” Claire ran forward as well, hugging her mom tight like she hadn’t seen her in years. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
Her dad walked up then with a proud smile. “We wouldn’t miss your engagement for the world.”
Claire invited them inside and in the foyer, they met up with Senite who had a pleased smile on her face.
“Welcome, welcome,” She drifted down the stairs in an ankle-length cashmere dress. “I’m Lukas’ aunt, call me Senite.” She introduced herself. “Claire told me you would be coming today.”
Julia seemed to take to Senite instantly, stepping forward to take her hand. “Thank you, Senite. I’m Julia and this is my husband, Matt.”
Their handshake evolved into a hug and after a quick exchange of compliments, they were thick as thieves.
“I’ll show you to your room myself, Claire needs as much rest as she can get for her big day tomorrow.” Senite offered. “I could also take you and Matt on a tour of the city if you’d like.”
Claire couldn’t say a word as Senite effortlessly hosted her parents, leading them away. She couldn’t argue because they wouldn’t let her win, she had just gotten out of bed but once again, she was returning to her room.
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