Beloved Alpha Mated With My Best Friend, I Turned To Mate With His Rival Chapter 06
Dylan stayed eerily calm on the surface, yet rage practically simmered off his frame. I tilted my head, thoroughly confused. We’d only crossed paths a handful of times, and I couldn’t fathom why he was far more furious about everything than I was.
“Dylan, why are you—”
I’d barely gotten the question out when my mother darted over and pulled me firmly behind her back. She pinned Dylan with a sharp, scrutinizing stare, her tone laced with pointed sarcasm. “Alpha Dylan. No pressing pack business to tend to today? What brings you wandering onto Dewmoon Pack land?”
Dylan blinked in surprise before quickly regaining his bearings. He dipped into a sincere, formal bow. “My apologies. It was inexcusable of me to quarrel with Eileen, and it won’t happen again.”
Mom had braced herself to shut down any future contact between us had the Shadowmaw Pack Alpha acted arrogantly, no matter how formidable his standing. His earnest demeanor completely threw her off guard. “There’s no need for such a formal bow, please rise.”
I watched his unwavering sincerity, my confusion mounting by the second, while Mom’s stern features softened instantly into a warm, grandmotherly smile.
“I never intended to pressure you into calling on me; I’d only feared Eileen had fabricated a nonexistent boyfriend out of thin air. Had you given me advance notice, I would’ve happily introduced you to our pack elders…”
“Mom!” I cut her off hastily, panicked. “He’s swamped with pack duties and needs to head back shortly.”
“I have plenty of spare time to accompany you and speak with the elders,” Dylan cut right over my protest, smiling gently at my mother.
My eyes blew wide in shock, and I snatched a fistful of his sleeve. “What are you doing? I made up that lie on impulse earlier—don’t take it seriously!”
Before I could say another word, Mom grabbed Dylan’s wrist and dragged him straight back into the banquet hall. Within minutes, she’d proudly presented him to every attending pack member.
“Indeed, Alpha Dylan is thoughtful and generous. He’s sent me holiday gifts every single Winter Moon Festival. His endless pack workload is the only reason I’m meeting my daughter’s five-year partner for the very first time today.”
I froze mid-step at her words.
Dylan’s gaze darkened faintly, edged with genuine remorse. “I regret neglecting visits all these years. From now on, Eileen and I will come see you regularly.”
Mom beamed from ear to ear at his promise, then turned to Bonnie’s mother to boast openly. “See for yourself? My Eileen landed an exceptional match—Alpha Dylan is every bit Barnett’s equal.”
Barnett’s face turned pitch-black the instant the comment landed. He ignored all surrounding guests raising their glasses for toasts, his vicious, possessive gaze glued unblinkingly to my figure. Sensing his foul mood, Bonnie rushed to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“Thank you all for taking time from your busy lives to celebrate Barnett and my mating ceremony…”
Barnett’s eyes burned with ravenous ownership, staring at me like a prized prey that had slipped free from its master’s grasp.
I knew without a shadow of a doubt this messy fiasco was nowhere near finished.