Chapter 121

Maurice POV

I still couldn’t believe I was actually dressing up to meet Octavia’s parents, because she wanted me to. I’d never done something like this before, never cared to impress anyone but myself. Yet here I was, standing before the mirror like a nervous fool. I guess there’s a first time for everything.

I kept reminding myself that I was the Alpha. They were my subordinates. No one, not even her family, could make me feel small. But no matter how much I repeated that, I couldn’t shake the strange unease of meeting my mate’s parents. It was ridiculous, but it lingered in my chest like an ache I couldn’t name.

I straightened my tux, adjusted the tie until it sat just right, and exhaled slowly. The man staring back at me in the mirror looked every bit the leader he was supposed to be, calm, composed, in control. “Perfect,” I muttered, just as a knock came at the door.

“Alpha, we’re ready,” came the voice from outside.

I gave myself one last gl