Chapter 22
Chapter twenty-two
Bianca
When Bianca, Callum, and Pack King reached the penthouse, they found her parents waiting.
Pack Bonnycastle sat in her formal living area off the foyer wearing disapproving expressions, as if they'd been up all night waiting for a child who'd missed curfew. Bianca felt immediately defensive, her shoulders tightening and back straightening under their scrutiny. It reminded her why she’d spent so much of her young life at schools six thousand kilometers away from her parents.
"Finally!" Astrid exclaimed, standing and giving Bianca a reproachful look. "Where have you been, elskling? We have the best news to share with you and so much to discuss."
Her mother wrapped her in a hug that felt suffocating, then kissed the air beside each of her cheeks. Bianca didn't miss the way Astrid sniffed and wrinkled her nose before pulling away, undoubtedly scenting Pack King. Bianca gritted her teeth, forcing herself to take a slow breath.
"As it happens, Astrid, I wasn't expecting your company this weekend. Had I known, I wouldn't have made other plans," she replied coolly, stepping away from her mother. "We had to cut our trip short."
Astrid turned to Callum as if noticing him for the first time.
"Oh, is this the Clifton- Merriwether boy that we’ve heard you befriended?
And, might I add, we didn’t hear this from you, our daughter, but through the kindly gossip of the omega grapevine.
Honestly, Bianca, I would've thought you'd introduce us to anyone you decided to spend so much time with. "
Bianca resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Sometimes, being a wealthy omega felt like living in a regency drama. Astrid had obviously watched far too much of Remy Rhodes’s asinine television series, Waverly Hills.
“I’m sure the ‘ton’ is properly scandalized,” Bianca answered dryly, mimicking the accent of the show’s narrator. Before her mother could reply, Bianca turned to her fathers. “Arthur, Winston, Gregory, this is Callum Clifton-Merriwether.”
Callum introduced himself warmly, turning on the charm and pouring on the polite nothings, completely unperturbed by her mother’s disapproving looks.
He shook hands with her fathers with equal confidence, then draped himself in an armchair.
As mortified as she was about the situation, Bianca was relieved that he’d stayed.
If anyone could understand her family dynamic, it was Callum.
"Yes, well, sit down. As Astrid said, we’ve been waiting to discuss some very important matters—the kind you should be prioritizing over frivolous socializing,” Gregory groused, frowning at Bianca, then at Pack King.
“We’re pleased you at least had the good sense to take your bodyguards on your little adventure.
Two wealthy, unbonded omegas of your breeding shouldn’t be out in public without proper supervision. "
Bianca bristled, annoyed by his unsolicited commentary, but she didn’t reply.
She stalked to an armchair and sat down, perching on the edge of the seat with her back ramrod straight.
Her fathers made a big show of greeting Pack King, complete with lots of alpha posturing and forceful handshakes.
For their part, King and his packmates were professional, but stoic.
Instead of sitting, they stood at attention on the side of the room nearest Bianca.
She could see King’s and Dante’s military training in their upright postures.
Daniel appeared more massive than usual and was even more intimidating without his trademark grin.
"We’re glad you’re here, gentlemen. This concerns you as well," Arthur said to Pack King once everyone had settled. "You’ve done a fine job protecting our daughter. You’ll be happy to hear that we’ve recommended you to many of our associates, and we’re sure there will be a few very desirable new contracts coming your way.
We hope and expect that the exposure we’ve given you will make up for the loss of this job since we won’t be needing you much longer.
Pack Willoughby has made our daughter an offer.
As stipulated in our contract, your employment terminates upon her mating. "
Bianca drew in a sharp breath. She saw what was happening, yet she couldn’t stop it. Her heart pounded and her skin crawled. The walls of the penthouse were closing in around her. The key was turning in the lock, and she was being caged once again after her all-too-brief taste of freedom.
Arthur turned toward Bianca with a benevolent smile. "Lord Willoughby called us this morning to request our blessing on your mating. We have a few more logistics to work out, but we’re thrilled to inform you that we have given our enthusiastic consent. Well done, my dear."
Arthur hadn’t used that tone with her in years, and Bianca wasn’t sure he’d ever used any terms of endearment.
Astrid beamed, her face unusually animated and eyes bright with excitement.
It was all wrong. Bianca was so used to her parents’ disapproval that their attempts at affection were just unsettling.
"You've finally used the many advantages we’ve given you wisely," Astrid gushed.
"When you first mentioned Pack Willoughby, I was cautiously optimistic about your chances, but you did it!
Somehow, you secured them! They are completely smitten with you and are eager to join the family as soon as possible. "
With a jolt of surprise, Bianca finally found her voice. "Surely, it’s far too soon! We don't have time to work out the legalities before my next heat. And the period of courtship has been so brief."
Arthur waved away her concerns. "That’s nothing for you to worry about. We’ll handle all the business; you just need to focus on closing the deal."
“They’re eager to tend your next heat, which is why they’ve moved so quickly.
” Astrid was practically vibrating with excitement now.
“They realize they’re getting up in age and need to produce heirs, the darling old fools.
It’s just like men to think they’re immortal.
But it works out in our favor, so I won’t fault them. My grandson will be a lord!”
Bianca could barely hear her mother over the blood rushing in her ears. It grew until it became static, and her heartbeat raced in tandem with its atonal buzzing. She had to remind herself to breathe.
Gregory chimed in again, dollar signs flashing in his eyes.
"In fact, they’re so excited to be a part of the family that they’ve made us a very generous gift of one of their London properties.
It’s in a prime location, exactly where we want to be.
We’re finally going to build Bonnycastle Ascendent. "
Bianca’s stomach sank. Her parents would never pass up on the opportunity to open a hotel in London.
They'd been scouting properties there for years but hadn't found a good price in the right area.
One of the main reasons young Bianca had pushed to study at an academy in London was that there was no Bonnycastle hotel nearby.
"But we can’t plan a proper ceremony before my next heat," Bianca argued, her hands clammy as she clutched the fabric of her armchair. “It’s due anytime.”
“Do you think we don’t track your cycle?
” Astrid scoffed. "We’ve already discussed it and I’m confident we can pull together a tasteful, intimate ceremony prior to your heat.
Then, when Bonnycastle Ascendant London opens next year, we'll christen it with a grand ceremony to celebrate your anniversary.
Lady Willoughby has such a lovely ring to it! "
"How soon?" Bianca asked hollowly.
She could hear the hopelessness in her own voice. It was over. She was out of excuses. She was out of time.
Her stomach was in knots. Bile rose in her throat and she swallowed against the bitter taste. The static in her head was growing unbearable.
"Two weeks from today!" Astrid proclaimed triumphantly.
Her smile faltered as she studied Bianca critically.
For a moment, Bianca thought her mother had noticed her distress.
Then Astrid frowned and sighed. "It may take more work than I expected to get you prepared. What have you done to your hair? No matter, we’ll get it smoothed out and presentable in time. "
Bianca thought she might faint. Her heart was beating far too fast. It would surely give out at any moment. That was the only explanation for why it felt like it was being torn to shreds. The ache in her chest and the buzzing in her head was too much. It would tear her to shreds too.
“Eyes on me, Countess.” King’s voice broke through all the noise. It was steady and low. The smell of sweet tobacco and caramel made her inhale deeply, relief flooding into her burning lungs. “That’s a good girl. Take another one. You’re okay. We’re right here.”
Bianca took another deep breath, filling her lungs with chocolate and butterscotch, coconut and cloves, French toast and maple syrup.
King was crouched in front of her, big hands covering hers where they gripped the arms of her chair.
Dante and Daniel stood on either side of her, and Callum leaned against a nearby wall.
Bianca met King’s dark brown gaze, desperately searching for something to cling to.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” King said, his voice as firm and assured as always. Bianca didn’t understand how he could sound so calm when everything was crumbling around her. “You don’t have to accept Pack Willoughby.”
“Excuse me, young man, but our daughter will do what we say is best for her,” Arthur interrupted angrily, rising to his feet. “You seem to have forgotten your place.”
“I’m not talking to you yet,” King replied coldly, never looking away from Bianca. “I’m talking to you, Countess, and I’m telling you that you don’t have to do a damn thing you don’t want to do. The way we see it, you have at least three options.”