Claribelle's Mate

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Claribelle's POV

Damien turned in his seat and gave me a confident smile. "Are you ready to do this?" he asked. We were sitting in his driveway, having just arrived at his pack house. It was really too late to go back if I had wanted to.

I nodded quickly and returned his smile. "I'm ready," I assured him.

His smile grew even wider and he shut off the car and pocketed the keys. "Stay there," he told me as he got out and walked around the car. He opened my door and held out his hand to help me out.

When I was standing, I threaded my fingers through his as he shut my door. He swung our arms slightly as we walked up to the house and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before swinging the door open wide and strolling inside.

His parents were waiting expectantly for us in the entry way. He looked a lot like his dad, but he had his mom's eyes. His mom was a willowy woman, standing only slightly shorter than me, with curly black hair and kind blue eyes. She appeared very sweet, but you could feel her nervousness at having a vampire in her home. His father was nearly the opposite. He was only slightly taller than Damien, with a little less muscle mass. He had brown hair and stern green eyes. He radiated a protective vibe, standing very close to his mate, like I would attack her.

I ignored both of their protective and nervous vibes and smiled brightly at them, trying to make them feel at ease. "Hello, I'm Claribelle," I said, introducing myself to them.

Damien smiled at me and then looked to his parents. "My mate. Clari, this is my wonderful mother, Ashley, and my father, Alexander."

I stepped forward to shake their hands and Alexander stepped in front of Ashley, blocking my path to her. I heard a quiet growl rumble from Damien at their actions, but I only let my smile falter slightly before beaming at them once more. "It's so nice to meet you, Alpha Alexander," I told him, holding out my hand for him to shake.

He took my hand and shook it firmly before releasing me. I waited for him to move so that I could do the same with Ashley, but he didn't budge. Damien growled louder this time, not liking the way his father was treating me. I reached back and took hold of his hand again, squeezing gently to calm him.

I smiled at Ashley around Alexander and said, "It's nice to meet you as well, Luna Ashley. I'd shake your hand, but I think your mate is uncomfortable with me being here."

At my statement, she returned my smile and gently pushed Alexander to the side. He didn't appear happy about it, but he went anyway. Ashley walked forward and held out her hand. I shook it, unbelievably happy that she trusted me enough to do so.

"It's very nice to meet you as well, Claribelle. I look forward to getting to know you better," she told me, squeezing my hand gently before releasing me and moving to her mate's side again.

"As do I," I answered, doing the same and taking Damien's hand again. I smiled up at him and he returned it, obviously happy at his mother's actions. I could tell I still had to work with his father, but his mom was willing to give me a chance.

"Dinner needs a couple more minutes; would you like to wait in the living room?" Ashley invited.

I nodded in agreement. "That would be wonderful."

Ashley turned to lead the way and Damien and I followed behind her and Alexander. The living room was beautifully furnished in earth tones. Damien led me over to a love seat and Ashley and Alexander sat across from us on the couch.

"How are you feeling?" Ashley asked me, looking worried as she looked me over. "Damien said that you were injured pretty badly the other day."

I smiled comfortingly at her. "I'm right as rain," I assured her. "My coven took care of me and with some rest I healed nicely."