"So," Claudia began. "I was thinking we have the mating tonight."
"Tonight?" Charles raised a brow, his fingers tightening around his cup. "Why the rush?"
Delilah's stomach twisted.
"There has to be a rush, Charles," Claudia replied evenly, crossing one elegant leg over the other. "You know what is at stake."
Charles exhaled slowly. "Yes, I do. But… Claudia, is the Alpha himself ready? Is Delilah ready?"
"Of course, Dad," she said quickly. She even managed a faint smile. "I was born ready."
He did not look at her.
He continued staring at Claudia.
"Charles, what's going on?" Claudia asked, curiosity edged with suspicion. "You are acting strange about all this suddenly. Does this have to do with our discussion the other day?"
"What discussion?" Delilah asked, tilting her head slightly, injecting just enough innocence into her tone to make it believable.
Of course, they ignored her.
Again.
The dismissal was no longer subtle.
