Prove To Us You Are Worthy Of Ari

••• Arabella’s POV ••• “Mom… Dad…” I greeted my parents. Once we reached the Red Moon Pack, we went straight to Dad’s office, and here we were, standing in front of them like two schoolchildren about to be scolded by a stern-looking principal, aka my dad. “Dad, Mom,” Max greeted them. Dad snorted and asked, “Who are you calling ‘Dad’ and ’Mom’?” “Dad, he’s my mate!” I exclaimed with exasperation. “You guys are just pretending to be mates,” Dad snorted again, making me speechless. Yes, we were just pretending, but I still wanted Dad to accept Max. “We are married, and he’s your son-in-law,” I argued again. “For only a year,” Dad countered. “Can't you just accept him?” I asked helplessly. “Why should I accept him when you guys are only a fake couple?” Dad was so stubbornly against Max he didn't even try to conceal it. I opened my mouth to argue again when I felt Max’s large hand cover mine. “It’s no use to argue with your dad, Arra. There must be a reason for him to ask us here. Let’s listen to what he needs to say first,” he mindlinked me. I looked at him and shut my mouth. He was right. If I said anything further, it would only lead to a battle of stubbornness between me and Dad. I took a deep breath and tried to change the subject, “Dad, why did you call us here?” Then I knew I had just asked the wrong question as Dad glared at Max. “You, boy,” he pointed at Max and ordered domineeringly, “Step forward.” Goddess! Why must Dad use that word? I really didn't know whether to laugh or cry seeing a man like Max being treated like a boy by Dad. “Don't worry, Arra,” Max said through our mindlink again before he released my hand and stepped forward. How could I not worry when I knew what my own dad was like? I wanted to step forward but shrank back when I saw the warning glare in my dad’s eyes. “Don't interfere, Ari. This is between me, your mom, and this boy.” I glanced at Mom to see her shaking her head helplessly at us. “Maximillian, we’ve heard about what happened at the Silentmane Canines Pack,” Mom said gently. “How are you going to explain letting those old fools and your members disrespect our daughter?” Dad glowered at Max. “Dad, Mom, I’m sorry. It was an error on my part for being unable to foresee it beforehand, which led to them slandering Arra,” Max apologized with just the right amount of respect in his tone, neither humbly nor arrogant. “But rest assured, we’ve caught all the parties involved and will investigate them. I’m not going to let my mate be disrespected like that in the future,” he continued. Dad snorted again. “Are you sure you can protect her? If you can't, just divorce her. Ari is the Alpha Princess. She doesn't need a weak man.” Weak? How could Dad describe Max as weak? “I’m sure,” Max said firmly. “I will protect Arra. She’s my mate. My Luna.” “Maximillian, are you sure you want to go against the Elders of your pack for Ari? You two, after all, will go your separate ways after a year,” Mom said. “We won't. I and, Cyrus, my wolf, have decided that Arra and Iris are our chosen mate. I won't let her go.” Max was so resolute, and it kind of made me speechless. How could he say those words to Mom and Dad? What if his mate appeared? Argghhh! Why were all men so stubborn?! Mom and Dad shared a look before Dad spoke, “You need to show it to us. If we hear this happening again, we’ll take Ari back, and you can't stop us.” “I understand, Dad. I will protect Arra from now on,” Max replied. “Go and wait outside. We need to speak to Ari alone,” Dad dismissed Max with a wave of hand. “Dad-” I was about to ask Dad to at least show a bit of respect to Max, but Max turned around and took my hands, saying, “I’ll wait for you outside, Arra. Don't be mad at your dad. He’s just worried about you.” “Okay…” I could only agree with him at the moment. Maybe it would be better if I talked to Dad and Mom alone. He placed a light kiss on my forehead before he left, which made me blush since he did it in front of my parents. “Ari…” Dad called my name the moment Max closed the door behind him. “What’s going on with you and that boy? Are the two of you really chosen mates to each other?” he asked. Now, how should I answer that question? “Umm… He wants it, but…” I hesitated, but in the end, I still decided to tell how I really felt. “But I haven't agreed yet. I don't know if his fated mate will appear. If she appears, she’ll be heartbroken.” “Have you fallen for him?” Mom asked. My brows furrowed when I heard Mom’s question. Fell for Max? “I… don't think so…” I answered. I didn't dare to fall for him as we weren't fated mates. “He seems serious about you,” Mom said with a gentle smile. “Which part of him shows that he’s serious about Ari? He can't even protect her from being bullied,” Dad snorted. Mom rolled her eyes at Dad. “Oh please, Hayden. Did you protect me when I was bullied during our first marriage? Or when Milla and Sofia bullied me after we divorced?” Mom’s words shut Dad’s mouth. “No, right? In fact, you bullied me too after we got divorced,” Mom added and let out a soft laugh. I would have applauded Mom for putting Dad in his place if I wasn't afraid of Dad. “Must you bring up the past in front of our daughter?” Dad asked Mom helplessly. “I was just making a point,” Mom laughed again. “I can see Max’s sincerity. I believe he can protect Ari.” “Mom, I’m curious… Why didn't you do anything when they bullied you?” I quickly asked before they became even more lovey-dovey. My parents weren’t ashamed to show their affection toward each other, which usually made me roll my eyes or bolt out of the room. “I was stupidly in love with your dad,” Mom answered with a smile. “Was?” Dad asked and pulled Mom to his lap. Oh please… This time, I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes anymore. “She asked about our past. Of course, I’m still in love with you now,” Mom answered and pecked Dad’s lips. Ewwww… “What about after you got divorced?” “I couldn't be bothered to deal with them. For me, they were insignificant people,” Mom answered lightly. It seemed my mentality wasn't as strong as Mom's. I was affected by the Elders' comments yesterday. “Ari, I don't know what the future holds for you and Max, but since he wants to protect you now, then let him do it,” Mom said, then she seemed to receive a mindlink. “Alright, we have a meeting to attend now. Bring that boy in before you go,” Dad said. “Dad, can you show some respect to Max? He is my mate for now,” I requested. He sighed and said, albeit reluctantly, “Alright.” “Thank you, Dad!” I went them and hugged them. “Max, come in,” I mindlinked him after Dad agreed to my request. He entered the office and didn't even bat an eyelash as he saw Mom sitting on Dad’s lap. “Prove to us you are worthy of our daughter,” Dad said. Max nodded. “I will.” I dragged Max out of Dad’s office after we all bid each other goodbye. “Your dad loves your mom a lot,” Max said during the drive to my company. “He is,” I laughed. “I can spoil you the same way your dad spoils your mom if you agree to be mine,” he said lightly, which I didn't know how to answer. Thankfully the drive wasn't long and we reached my office building a few minutes after he said those words. In the car, reluctant to see me go, Max said, “Arra, work for me so I can have you around all day.” “I’ve put a lot into this job and am not going to give it up easily,” I told him. “Arra, you are now the Silentmane Canines Pack’s Luna. Your interests should align with the pack's,” he reminded me. “I understand, Max,” I told him, opened the door, and got out of his car before adding, “But I am also the heiress of the royal pack, and I have responsibilities towards my own pack.” Not wanting to argue with him, I closed the door before he could reply and headed to my office.