A Deal With Her Parents

Damon sat across from Derek and Hattie, while Charlotte sat between her parents nervously.

They decided to move into Damon's study room to have more privacy, but Charlotte thought the close room made the atmosphere feel heavy and awkward.

Hattie's eyes never left Damon as she spoke. "Explain your relationship with my daughter."

Charlotte nudged on her mom's shirt, whispering, "Mom, I told you—"

"No, not you sweetie. I want him to answer it by himself."

The last time she allowed Charlotte to defend her mate, the results had been disastrous. Therefore, she wanted to judge Damon without her daughter's involvement.

Damon, on the other side, appeared a bit stiff, his calm demeanor suddenly vanishing under the intensity of Hattie's gaze. 

It never occurred to Charlotte that her mother was capable of making a strong and respectable alpha like Damon nervous.