Chapter 249

Chapter 249:

The lobby was an ocean of black marble and chrome. The air was frigid, carrying the scent of ozone and expensive cologne. Men and women in sharp suits moved with predatory grace—Pack members, all of them. I could feel their eyes sliding over me, dismissing me without a second thought.

Wolfless. Weak. Nothing.

I approached the massive reception desk. The woman behind it was stunning, with sleek blonde hair and eyes like chips of ice. She didn’t look up from her screen as I stopped in front of her.

“Name and purpose of visit,” she droned.

“Adella Everett,” I said, my voice sounding thin in the cavernous space. “I’m here to see Dallas— Mr. Marshall p>

She finally looked up, her gaze raking over my simple dress and the brown paper bag. A sneer curled her perfect red lips. “Mr. Marshall doesn’t take walk-ins. Especially not for delivery services p>

“I’m not delivery,” I said, a flush creeping up my neck. I leaned in slightly and lowered my voice. “I’m his Mate p>

Silence stretched between us, thick and humiliating. Then she laughed—a sharp, barking sound that carried across the marble floor.

“Sure, honey. And I’m the Moon Goddess herself,” she scoffed, loud enough to turn heads nearby. “Listen, we get five of you a week trying to claim a bond with the Alpha King just to get a glimpse of his wallet. Do yourself a favor and leave before I call the Pack Warriors to drag you out p>

My grip on the bag tightened until the paper crinkled. The sting of her words wasn’t just embarrassment—it was a reminder of the chasm between Dallas and me. To them, I would always be the broken thing trying to climb to the throne.

𝗙іո𝖽 𝗇𝘰𝘷e𝗹 𝗣𝖣𝘍𝘀 𝗈𝗇

“Fine,” I whispered, turning away. My eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall.

I was halfway to the exit when the private elevator in the corner slid open with a soft chime. A hush fell over the lobby.

“Adella p>

The voice was like cracking parchment—old, dry, and commanding. My blood ran cold. I turned slowly to find Eleanor Marshall stepping out, flanked by two massive bodyguards. She wore a tweed suit that probably cost more than my entire life’s earnings, and her grey eyes were sharp as hawk talons.

“Mrs. Marshall,” I stammered. Panic clawed at my throat. This was the woman who had exiled Dallas as a child. If she knew who I was to him—

“What are you doing here, child?” She marched toward me, her cane clicking rhythmically against the marble. She sniffed the air, her nose wrinkling slightly. “You look flushed p>

I couldn’t tell her the truth. I couldn’t let her know I was here for Dallas. She would tear us apart before we had even begun. My mind raced back to the lie I had told her in the car to escape her matchmaking.

“I’m here to see my boyfriend,” I blurted. “For lunch p>

Gigi’s eyebrows shot up. “Ah, yes. The accountant. What was his name? Bob? Bill p>

“Ben,” I said, praying there was actually a Ben somewhere in the building. “He works in Financial p>