Page 157 of Bred

"Where's Luca?" I asked, looking for his son. While we were around the same age and joined the guard at the same time. We were never more than just acquaintances, but I still expected him to attend.

"We thought it best he not come," Dage whispered, his eyes flickering to Lily.

Swallowing hard, she squeezed her wrist, angling away from us so I couldn't see her face. The sharp scent of distress mixed with her sweet cherry blossom scent. It sent my senses into overdrive. The need to protect my mate from any threat that scared her pushed hard at my shoulders.

I turned back to Dage. "Why would it be best that Luca not come?" I asked, studying the tick in his jaw.

Dage opened his mouth but immediately stopped, smiling wide and patting my shoulder. "It's so good to see you mated and happy." He squeezed my arm, then marched off, not giving Lily a second glance.

Placing my fingertips on her elbow, I pulled her gently to me. "What was that about?"

She shook her head slightly, her eyes still firmly on her feet.

"Lily," I whispered, leaning down and forcing her to look at me. Her eyes widened slightly at how close I was, but she didn't back away. "I just need you to be okay."

Her lips parted, and her little tongue brushed over her bottom lip. "I…uh…he…."

"My sweet baby." Lily's mother, Charis, stepped out of the temple, dabbing her eyes with a small white handkerchief. My parents followed, my own omega mother blowing her nose. Charis grabbed her daughter's hands and kissed her cheeks. "I can't believe you're mated."

Lily's father, Samuels, shook my hand with a proud smile on his face. I nodded at my new father, and he quickly bowed low in return. Just like Lily, he had a calm demeanor and was soft-spoken.

"Rowan," Samuels smiled, "my new son. Take care of my little girl."

I bowed again, squeezing his hand to reassure him. "I give you my word."

Charis turned to me, placing her hand on my forearm. Her expression fell from one of joyful sadness to twisted with fear and worry. "Promise?" she whispered.

The tremor in her voice caught me off guard, and I jerked slightly. "Of course. I will always protect her."

Lily grabbed her mother's shoulders, guiding her away from me. "Of course, he will, mama," she whispered. "Rowan would never let anything happen to me."

Samuels forced a smile, then quickly followed them. I narrowed my eyes at Lily's back. There was something here that wasn't being said. Fear and anger thumped in my veins at the thought of something bad happening to Lily, but I couldn't see any other reason for their odd reaction. Once I was able to get Lily alone and complete our mating, I would be able to find out. I just needed to be patient with my mate.

The party overflowed with food, dancing, and even more wine. People chatted at little tables situated under the trees or danced on the large patio. The lush garden of lilies, roses, and a smattering of wildflowers were illuminated by lanterns hanging from poles and lining the pathways.

Lily sat at a small wrought iron table on the other side of the garden. Mina sat on one side of my mate and Summer on the other. Lily smiled politely as Mina and Summer talked, but her eyes kept darting around the crowd.

A heavy slap landed on my back, followed quickly by a drink pushed into my hand. "Well," Ivor said, scanning the mess of people in front of us. "It's all over. The ceremony was…" he paused, pretending to think, "...long."

I chuckled, my attention pulling back to Lily. She didn't look very happy. Her mouth was set in a polite smile, but her eyes….she looked tired. "Does Lily look okay to you?"

"She's gorgeous. Not as gorgeous as my mate, but still gorgeous." He popped the top two buttons on his shirt. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to dance with my mate. Her dress is far too short and needs exploring."

Ivor winked at me, then pushed through the crowd, practically racing to Mina. He pulled his mate away from the table, both of them pawing at each other before they even made it to the dance floor.

Lily's shoulders hunched forward as she watched them disappear into the crowd.

"Go ask her to dance," my father said, stepping up behind me. His voice was as big as him. Loud and commanding.

"She looks miserable." I narrowed my eyes, wishing I could see into her head.

He laughed, and I turned to him. He had a tumbler of whiskey in one hand and a cigar in the other. "Do you think your mother was happy when we mated?"

"Of course," I said, a little shocked. My parents were so happy together. It was hard to picture them any other way. "I always assumed she was thrilled to mate you."

"Fuck, no!" He laughed again. My father wasn't a drinker, and the whiskey worked him over rather quickly. He pointed at Lily, not being discreet in the least. "That little omega is terrified. Her parents are betas which means she has no fucking clue what to expect being mated an alpha. And you." He pushed his finger into my chest, a goofy smile on his face. "You're standing all the way over here chatting up your friends instead of lavishing her with attention. Go dance with her. Kiss her. Omega's need affection. Go be a good mate!"

I sighed hard, realizing my shortcomings. It was the earrings all over again. I wasn't paying attention. "You're right."