HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION (An Erotic Billionaire Romance) novel Chapter 55

Meadow’s POV:

The moment I saw Alaric’s mother, it automatically made sense that her sons were so damn attractive.

Ingrid Ashford was the epitome of elegance and beauty. Her blond hair was pulled back into a bun- something told me she hardly ever let it fall–her eyes a striking blue color that looked exactly like Nolan’s.

She glided toward us in a blue dress that went all the way down, her cheekbones high as she smiled at a few guests.

All of a sudden, I forgot how to breathe.

Alaric must’ve somehow noticed how tense I was, because his arm came to rest on my lower back and he pulled me closer to him.

“Relax, baby,” he murmured into my ear, sending a fresh wave of chill down my spine.

“I can’t,” I said through gritted teeth. “You didn’t tell me she was this… intimidating.”

How could I relax? The woman hadn’t even gotten to us yet and I could already feel her presence. Could already feel how important she was, both to her sons and the party guests.

Alaric didn’t respond, and for a second, I thought he didn’t hear me, but then he spoke. “She’ll behave.”

That did nothing to calm me down. Alaric wasn’t denying that she was an intimidating woman.

I wanted to say something else but Ingrid was already right in front of us.

“Mein Herz,” she said in a light German accent.

I had no idea what it meant but I figured it was meant for Alaric, because he stepped forward, hand slipping away from my waist as he did. “Mutti,” he breathed.

She leaned in to air kiss him on both cheeks, and then she stepped back. “A little birdie told me that my sons were almost at each other’s throats, so I came here to check what the problem was.”

Alaric exhaled. “Well, your little birdie was wrong, because it wasn’t like that,”

And then his arm returned to my lower back again as he pulled me forward, giving me a reassuring smile before looking at his mother.

“Mutti, this is my wife, Meadow.” My heart stuttered at the word “wife.” “Meadow, meet my mother- Ingrid.”

I forced my heart to calm, putting on a small smile. “It’s very lovely to meet you, Ingrid.” I made sure my voice was firm.

Ingrid’s eyes slowly dragged over me from my head to my toes, and then back to my face. Something flashed in her eyes and my breath hitched. She turned back to Alaric.

“Yes. The wife you married without informing your family.”

Alaric’s grip tightened around my waist, and I wished I could see the expression on his face right now. Mutti-”

“I do wish you could’ve introduced her, Mein Schatz…” she trailed off, her gaze shifting to me again.

Because she is so flawless.”

And then her eyes grew lighter, her lips pulling up in a full grin.

The relief I felt was unlike anything I’d ever felt before, and I could feel the tension waft away from Alaric’s body in waves as his mother walked closer to me.

Ingrid reached her hand out to my shoulders, and then she delivered an air kiss on both my cheeks.

“Lovely to meet you too, Meadow. Welcome to my party and I hope you enjoy yourself.”

She turned back to Alaric, fondly reaching out to fix his tie. “A few of your uncles are here, son. I would appreciate it if you went to them. Everybody wants to meet your beautiful wife, and possibly grill you about this sudden marriage.”

“You know very well I answer to no one, Mutti.” Alaric’s tone was low and clipped. “I couldn’t be bothered less about relatives who are sulking because they weren’t at my wedding to pick and prod.”

Ingrid let out a soft chuckle. “That is fair. I know you never much cared for big celebrations,” she said lightly, voice lowering as she continued. “Especially not after well, you know.”

I felt Alaric tense beside me. It wasn’t an obvious shift, but I felt it.

Whatever his mother had meant by ‘you know‘ had hit him.

“Mother-”

Without thinking, my hand slid from his arm down to his wrist and then his hand, wrapping around the only part of him that was exposed beneath the suit.

I wasn’t sure what it would do, but I just needed him to relax.

Alaric didn’t look at me, but his warm fingers curled around mine anyway in a light squeeze.

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