Mated to the Beast of the Wasteland novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56 A Quiet Word

Chapter 56 A Quiet Word

“Eat more if you like it.”

The picture of domestic affection took some of the weight off George’s and Freya’s chests.

+10 Free ComS

At least Merrick was considerate. His failure in the bedroom was the smallest flaw on a long list of virtues. Right? Right?

George’s eyes landed on the glass in front of Gillian. Juice, not wine. He grabbed a fresh glass of fruit wine and set it down in front of her.

He grinned wide. “Gillian, give this a try. The wine pairs beautifully with the lamb.”

“Oh wow, George, this wine smells incredible.”

With the lamb still in her mouth, Gillian slid the wine glass across the table to Merrick with her fingertips

“Merrick, can you drink it for me?”

Sweetness brightened Gillian’s whole face. She tore into the lamb without missing a beat, the gesture as natural as breathing.

She’d called him Merrick. Not “husband.”

Merrick’s eyes settled on the glass. He didn’t say whether he’d drink it or not.

Gillian acted as if nothing had happened. She let out a soft laugh, set down the lamb, and reached for the glass herself.

Her rounded fingertips glistened with grease but still looked carved from cream. Merrick’s throat tightened. He beat her to the glass.

“Trying to get me drunk?”

His long fingers closed around the stem. His tone carried just enough confusion to give nothing away about his mood, and every person at the table held their breath.

George and the rest suddenly remembered. The mood had been so warm they’d all forgotten exactly who Merrick was. Nobody in their right mind would pressure a man like Merrick into drinks.

If Merrick called Gillian out in front of everyone, Gillian would die of mortification on the spot.

Vivienne could tell Gillian genuinely loved wine but had ducked it twice now. Was she feeling unwell? Vivienne pressed her hand down on her still-jittery husband and leaned in to grumble under her breath.

“George, where’s mine? A ten-year vintage and I don’t get a glass? Gillian’s been starving all day. At least let her get some food in before you start pushing drinks on her.”

George had only wanted to share his prized wine with Gillian. After watching her push it away twice, he got the picture. She couldn’t drink.

1/3

O

<

Chapter 56 A Quiet Word

10 Free Coms

He immediately filled Vivienne’s glass. “Look at me, forgetting my own wife. I’ll punish myself. Three glasses, in a row.”

Vivienne picked up her glass and rose to her feet to toast Merrick. “Thank you, Commander, for hosting us. This one I’ll finish.”

Merrick didn’t stand up. As a rule, others toasted him, and whether he drank back was up to his mood

Tonight, though, he was the easiest version of himself.

His long fingers swirled the wine. The mellow blackpine aroma rolled out into the room.

He lifted the glass toward Vivienne, tipped it back, and drank it all down in one smooth motion.

The sharp, warm bite of the wine brought a faint flush to Merrick’s normally cool features.

The dark, purpling wine clung to his lips with the soft beauty of a flower about to open.

His burning gaze drifted to Gillian beside him, the one whose very name meant wine, and he smiled.

“Mrs. Parker, this wine is excellent.”

It wasn’t the wine he meant. He had his eye on Gillian and wasn’t letting go.

Vivienne and George exchanged a glance. Merrick had it bad for her.

Everyone at the housewarming nursed their own private thoughts.

Lucian, Merrick, and George kept drinking, glass after glass.

Freya squirmed in her seat like the cushion was needles. Every bite came with a frown. She kept tossing little remarks at Vivienne and Clara.

Number Two, Number Three, and Sylas sat as if invisible, silent enough to drive themselves crazy.

Mabel was the busiest of all, fussing over plates, adding broth, never sitting still.

Gillian, on the other hand, was genuinely starving.

Eight years of drifting through Wasteland City was no joke. At the lowest points, Gillian, Asher, and Elias couldn’t find food. Three or four days could pass with no water, no meat, nothing.

So Merrick’s carefully prepared spread hit every one of her cravings.

By the end, she was nearly stuffed past her limit.

When Vivienne stood to leave, she caught Gillian’s hand in a warm grip. “Gillian, I feel like I’ve known you forever. Walk me out, would you?”

“I’d love to.”

2/3

10:54 Wed, Jun 3

Chapter 56 A Quiet Word

Words couldn’t carry what Gillian owed Vivienne.

+10 Free ComS

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify