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Delaney rolled his eyes, groaning loudly, “You owe me big time, Elias Bordeaux.”

“I love when you say my full name.” An electric current raced down my spine, heat on the tail end of its arc. “I can start working off my debt now,” I whispered. I lifted Delaney into my arms again, settling into the chair at the desk. With him straddling me, I was able to guide him by the waist, and I did, easing him forward as I rolled my hips up.

“That’s not going to work.” Delaney attempted to lie, but the brightening red undertones in his gorgeous brown skin, and his climbing scent stated otherwise, prompting me to slide my hand under his sweater to thumb over his sensitive nipples.

“Well, since it’s not going to work, I might as well stop.” My head was yanked back by a fistful of hair. I grinned widely as I stared at Delaney.

“Did I say you could?” He questioned in a demanding tone.

I gripped his throat just under his chin, tilting his head to the side and leaning in to lick a broad stripe along his healed scent gland. My fangs elongated, the points dragging over the sensitive skin as I parted my lips to latch on. His body jerked against mine, and I relished the feeling of the fight draining from my omega’s body.

The invite to dinner was long forgotten once he looked at me with honeyed irises blown wide and uttered the magic words.

“Please, alpha?”

As I unclasped the choker, removing it from my neck, I sighed heavily. I had half a mind to throw it in the bushes, but I pocketed it, being mindful—somewhat—of Delaney’s trepidation in displaying our mating marks.

“Had I known you were going to use me like a chew toy last night, I would not have encouraged your behavior!” He glared at me.

“You’re one to talk,” I whispered heatedly.

“Well, your bite marks are hidden behind your shirt!”

“And you could have worn one of your high-necked dainty shirts—oof!” I held my side, the dull ache of his elbow in my ribs causing me to whimper in pain.

He hissed between clenched teeth, “You told me not to!”

“I told you not to dress up,” I argued.

The front door was pulled open to Jackson standing in the foyer, a mildly amused smile that fell drastically short of reaching his eyes resting on his face. The grin was wiped away once I crossed the threshold, pulling Delaney in after me. “Oh. This is an interesting turn of events.” His eyes slid over Delaney, lingering on long legs wrapped in distressed denim, before moving back up to raise an eyebrow at one of my shirts that was styled to fit his smaller frame. “Very interesting indeed,” he drawled once he locked in on the bite marks around Delaney’s gland.

I looked down at Delaney, my words really for Jackson. “There’s nothing to hide. You’re the one I’ve chosen. The one I want, okay?”

His eyes searched mine, flicking back and forth as they sought out reassurance. Having found it, a small sigh rolled over his mouth and Delaney nodded. “Okay. Nothing to hide.”

“Good.” I squeezed his hand before facing my brother. “Let’s get this over with.”

Jackson led us through a maze of rooms, purposely weaving his way in and out of studies and parlors, unnecessarily prolonging whatever agony he believed he was inflicting. “When Mother said that you agreed to all of her demands with no push back, I was surprised. I foolishly believed you had turned over a new leaf. Instead, imagine my shock when I see that you’ve mated with a biological abnormality.” He glanced at Delaney, scoffing.

My hands reflexively balled into fists, a low growling starting in the back of my throat. Had Delaney not quietly called my name, forcing me to regain my senses, I was certain I would have mauled my own blood.

“Tch,” Jackson clicked his tongue against his teeth. He paused in front of the double doors to the dining room, leveling a look of contempt my way. “Sneakers, jeans, and an off-brand shirt? You’re wildly underdressed, even by your deplorable standards.”

“Remember why we came,” Delaney reminded me.

“Apparently to try and piss off Mother and Father,” Jackson happily filled in the blank. “Don’t allow me to delay your temper tantrum any longer.” He pushed open the doors, bringing the conversation around the formal dining table to a halt.

I guided Delaney to my empty seat at the table. “Ah, Taylor.” I glanced down at the bewildered man. “Would you mind sitting next to Jackson? Thank you.” I smiled politely, ignoring my mother’s deadly glare and my father’s barely contained aroma of rage.

“Uh…” Taylor looked at my parents before waving over an employee and whispering where to place his setting.

I smiled at Delaney as I pulled the chair out for him. Turning bright eyes to my parents, my grin widened as I introduced him. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to my mate, Delaney.” I tugged down the collar of my shirt, proudly displaying my mating mark.

All hell broke loose.

Taylor burst into tears, lamenting loudly about a “lost opportunity to have perfect children”. My mother stormed out of the dining room while my father accused me of “bringing great shame to the family name”.

“By loving someone as perfect for me as Delaney?”