Page 76 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

EMILY’S POV.

Why couldn’t I speak? Maybe I was just so terrified by their looks, and awfully aware that if anything went wrong, I was in trouble.

It felt like just sitting there watching them would give me a panic attack.

“You are sleeping with him.” Lady Mira said in horror, and I shook my hands and head immediately. It was only then that the words came pouring out.

“Why would I sleep with him? He’s John’s uncle. I can’t forget that. John would be so mad, and if the news gets out, we’ll be in trouble. I can’t do that to the family. Lucas and I are just friends. There’s nothing going on between us. If you ask Sadie, she’ll tell you. She was the one who wanted us to be friends in the first place. I’m not sleeping with Lucas. He also can’t do that to John. They’re like brothers. I’m engaged to John. That is impossible. I don’t want you thinking I have something sexual to do with him.” I blurted out, breathing faster.

“Then why didn’t you say a thing when we asked you?” Alpha Raymond asked.

“I’m sorry. I was scared. I still am. Messing things up here would be bad for me. I just became tongue-tied, and unable to express myself.” I said, looking into their harsh faces.

“You’re acting guilty. How do we believe you?” Lady Mira asked.

“I’m just scared. I… I was told to do well, and not cause any unwanted suspicions.” I replied, feeling the urge to moisten my dry lips.

“By who?” Lady Genevieve asked.

“Sadie.”

“Sadie?” Lady Mira asked.

“Yes.”

“What’s your deal with Sadie? Why is she always around you? Does she have something on you?” Alpha Raymond asked.

“No.” I said, a little too quickly.

“Sadie is a little too smart for her age, and she never liked you from the start. It only make sense that she has something on you, or that she wants something that you can give her.” Lady Mira said.

“I don’t know about that. Maybe asking her would be better.” I said, avoiding locking eyes with her.

It felt like she’d see the truth in my eyes.

“But I’m curious about your relationship with Lucas.” Alpha Will said, and I bit my cheek.

“We’re friends. Nothing more.”

“He’s too lenient with you.” Alpha Raymond pointed out.

“A man and a woman being friends. Cut the crap.” Lady Mira said, taking a strawberry from a tray of strawberries.

“Yes, we are. We actually met before I knew he was John’s Uncle. He also didn’t know I was John’s fiancée. We were strangers. Maybe that’s why we were free with each other.” I explained.

“Where did you meet?” Lady Genevieve asked.

“ A bar.” I replied, and instantly regretted saying it was a bar.

“See?” Lady Mira accused, raising her voice.

“No, no, we’re not sleeping with each other. I promise.”

“What were you doing in a bar? You’re going to be married soon.” Lady Genevieve shot at me.

“I was… I met friends. They asked to meet up, and he was there too. We happened to have a situation with the bartender. That’s it. That’s all.” I said, hoping it sounded convincing.

“I still don’t understand why a woman about to be married would go to a bar, even if it’s with friends.” Lady Mira said with a scowl, picking up another strawberry.

“So you’re saying, throughout all the years in which you dated John, you didn’t catch even a glimpse of Lucas? On his phone, or with him? You didn’t see news about the family on the internet?” Alpha Raymond asked, holding a newspaper booklet rather too tightly.

“No. I… I don’t follow up on politics. I only knew John.” I defended myself.

“That’s ridiculous. They met before she knew he was related to John. That’s complicated. Lucas will have something to say to oppose us. Don’t bother saying anything to him.” Lady Mira said, with a disapproving look on her face.

“Do you like him?” Alpha Will asked, crossing his legs.

“Yes. Uh? No! I mean… as a person, I like him. As a friend. That’s… that’s what you meant, right?” I asked, feeling like a fool.

“Do you have feelings for Lucas?” He pressed.

“No, I don’t.”

“The truth, Emily.” He said, and I swallowed.

“No. I don’t have feelings for him.” I replied, strongly, fiddling with my sweaty fingers.

“You’re always happy with him. With John, it’s not the same. I’m very observant, and I have been observing you.” He said, and honestly, my saliva felt so hard to swallow.

“I… I do like being with him. He’s nice, and…” I began.

“Isn’t John nicer? He’s the one you’re marrying.” He cut me off, and I looked at them. They seemed to have decided in their heads that I was cheating on John, by having feelings for Lucas.

“I… I’m not sleeping with Lucas, and I don’t have romantic feelings for him.” I blurted out.

“Then why do you seem to prefer Lucas over John? Are your feelings changing?” Lady Genevieve asked.

“This is really hard to explain, but it’s not what you think it is.” I said desperately. I couldn’t give all the details.

“You are something else, Emily Watson. Don’t bring ruin to our family.” Lady Mira said.

“You seem to think this is something light. It is not.” Lady Genevieve added.

“Stay away from Lucas.” Alpha Raymond declared.

“Right after we take care of this mess, and explain to the public that our highly respected, and exemplary family is not in ruins, you’re to stay away from Lucas. There are, I believe, more than a thousand more men in the world. Be friends with them, but don’t bring disgrace to my family.” He threatened.

“Make it clear to her, Raymond.” Lady Genevieve said.

“Bring this family down one bit, by accident or purposefully, and I will see to it that you rot behind bars for the rest of your life.” He said.

“Whether or not you commit a crime.” Lady Genevieve added.

I swallowed.