My Mate Chose My Best Friend, So His Uncle Claimed Me novel Chapter 34

The By Morrent

Chapter 34: The Right Moment

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Lucretius‘ smile widened as soon as I came out, his expression pressing a pride on it the moment I was in front of him.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe when his striking hazel eyes traced the gown he had tailored for me as he offered his hand to me.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, breathless.

I inhaled slowly at his compliment the moment I accepted his hand. “Thank you, hubby,” I replied, calling him to an endearment that was suitable for my husband, and it was enough for him to carve a surprised expression on his face.

Since he had been calling me as wifey as one of his endearments to me, I could have at least shown that I was smitten over him. So, our cover wouldn’t call it a fraud.

It took him a few seconds to snap back to reality before his lips curled into a lopsided smile as he faced the crowds, his chin up. “Everyone,” he said, his arm circling my waist to draw me closer to his body. “This is my beloved wife, Lady Euphyllia Ivara Ruinart–Franciosa, and the Luna of the Golden Eclipse Pack.”

When my eyes turned to the crowds, their reaction wasn’t what I wanted to see. Immediately, my eyes found the two people who had the most interesting reactions I had ever seen.

Redmund and Lilith.

Both of them had the look of utter disbelief etched upon their faces.

Redmund’s expression faltered first. His shoulders were slumping while flickering his eyes between me and Lucretius as if he was trying to make sense of what he had just heard.

On the other hand, Lilith, who was standing beside him, was worse. Her hands, clinging to Redmund’s arm, had now loosened. Her brows were furrowing as she turned to Redmund, who had the same reaction as hers.

Lorenzo and Romina, who were just beside their son, blinked in disbelief before they both exchanged glances. It was evident in their expressions that they were questioning how it had happened.

And the rest of the crowds began murmuring. Some were in surprise, others in hushed excitement.

“Lord Franciosa is really married…”

“Isn’t she his assistant?”

“She’s wearing the heirloom ring.”

“She’s beautiful… They look good together…”

The murmurs gave way to a round of applause and speculation. Their gazes carried a mix of emotions, and I could feel every one of them sinking into my skin.

Lucretius only smiled. His hold gently squeezed my waist, holding me as if daring anyone to question his claim. When I dared glance up at him, his expression was calm. Too calm, as if he knew that things would go well.

Lucretius tilted his head slightly, lowering his gaze to me. “Shall we, my wife?”

Before I could even answer, the musicians began to play a slow, graceful tune. Then, he took my hand and gently dragged me to the dance floor as the crowds made space, forming a wide circle in the center.

I swallowed, forcing a smile as he led me forward. His other hand slid down to my waist, gently pulling me closer to him, guiding me into the rhythm.

Feeling unconfident in the eyes watching us, Lucretius smoothly steered my hands to cling around his neck while he

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Chapter 34 The Right Moment

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possessively snaked his arms around my waist.

A slight surprise was written on my face at his action before I finally understood his action. His warmth gradually calmed my nerves, allowing me to gently rest my head against the side of his chest.

“You’re trembling,” he whispered low enough for only me to hear.

“I’m not,” I lied, slightly pouting. How dare he say that? That only made me feel worse than before.

I was trying to ignore their stares because the attention was so hard to endure, and I felt like being melted. I didn’t know how Lucretius had been managing this, but it seemed like I had to get used to it from now on.

He chuckled, tightening his hold on me. “You are not really a good liar, wifey.”

My hands tightened as I raised my head to glare at him, but Lucretius instantly covered my reaction by claiming my lips, making my eyes widen in surprise.

For a moment, everything stopped.

The music. The murmurs. The gasps. Even my thoughts.

His lips were warm and inviting for someone who had just caught me off guard. But even so, I couldn’t find myself to push him away. Instead, the moment he was coaxing me to respond to him, my body moved on its own accord by following his lead, my eyes closing in submission.

I could feel him smiling through our kiss. It was slow and… passionate. It almost felt like… romantic.

My heart was beating so fast, and I was afraid that Lucretius could be able to hear it as our kiss started to get sweeter than before.

The kiss we had right now was far different from before. The way he was kissing me with so much passion was enough to make me feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I could even feel our bodies molding to each other as if they didn’t want to let go of one another.

When he finally pulled away, I slowly peeled my eyes open. His hand remained at the small of my back, his thumb brushing circles there, making my breath hitch.

“Perfect,” he murmured against my ear, making me gulp and needy. “Now they’ll never doubt you’re mine.”

I could have sworn I felt the heat on my cheeks when he said that.

This man… I swore… He was always full of surprises!

As if an instinct, my gaze flew towards where Redmund and the others stood.

He was pale, his fists clenched tight at his sides. Lilith, on the other hand, had her face darkened in our direction. Romina was covering her mouth in silence before tugging Lorenzo’s sleeves as she whispered something to him.

The applause had made me snap back to reality. At the same time, I could hear the wild rhythm of my heartbeat.

Lucretius didn’t seem affected at all. He just nodded to the guests, his hand never leaving mine, and more like he didn’t want to let go of me.

“Shall we greet our guests, wifey?” he asked, the corner of his lips lifting in a meaningful smile.

I nodded. “Let’s,” I replied, gathering myself as he led me away from the dance floor.

There, everywhere we passed, people greeted and congratulated us. We were being showered with compliments and praises, even though some of them whispered in disbelief.

I followed his lead when we had to offer smiles, short greetings, and the occasional nods. But even throughout the night, he never once released my hand.

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Chapter 34 The Right Moment

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I almost laughed because in the very corner of my eyes, I could see the ladies, who had been eyeing Lucretius since the beginning of the party, had a look of disappointment upon learning that he was married.

“What’s funny?” he asked when we were finished with our business and were about to approach his immediate relatives.

I slightly leaned towards him, my lips drawing out an amused smile. “I’m afraid your fans hate me,” I whispered, chuckling as I glanced in their direction again to see them glaring at me.

Lucretius creased his forehead at my words before following my gaze. The ladies, who had been glaring earlier, had flinched and averted their gazes in an instant when his attention fell on them. But some of them dared to meet his eyes and fluttered their eyelids as if they were seducing him.

He scoffed and just shook his head. “Let them glare all they want,” he murmured, his tone laced with amusement. “They’ll get used to it soon enough.”

I playfully arched my eyebrow, couldn’t believe the confident aura expelling from him. “You sound so confident,” I teased.

“Of course,” he replied smoothly. Then, his head lowered to my ear and whispered, “Now, be a good wife for me.”

I almost creased my forehead from saying it out of nowhere, but then, before I could even react, we had already reached the group I had to meet again.

His immediate family.

Lorenzo, Romina, Redmund… and the newest member to be added, Lilith.

Lucretius‘ hand remained firmly on my waist. He exuded an effortless command that seemed to fill every corner of the room.

Lorenzo was the first to acknowledge us. “Brother,” he greeted calmly, but his tone was laced with curiosity “You certainly took us all by surprise tonight.” Then, he exchanged glances with us. “So, that’s why she’s here. And you have dared to introduce her to us as your assistant.”

Lucretius grinned. “Surprises make events memorable, don’t they?” he replied amusingly. “I really want to formally introduce her to everyone as my wife, as much as I wanted to tell you yesterday, but it’s much better to announce it here at my birthday party.”

Romina’s lips parted, her eyes darting from Lucretius to me. “Now, we know that you’re really talking about her this morning. Lady Euphyllia indeed caught your heart.” She giggled with a polite smile that didn’t hide her shock. “I really thought you were jesting, but now that I see Euphyllia wearing the family heirloom ring, I must say I am truly surprised and delighted for both of

you.”

“Thank you, Romina.”

“Thank you, Lady Romina.”

Lucretius and I jumped as we both spoke in unison. We exchanged glances before his lips curled into a sheepish smile while I chuckled.

That was truly incredible. Never would I have thought that he and I would be in sync from talking.

“You’re candidly radiant,” she added. “I must say, the Luna of the Golden Eclipse Pack suits you perfectly.”

“Thank you, Lady Romina,” I said softly, bowing my head. “I am honored to be part of the Franciosa family.”

“My, my, call me by my name, sister–in–law!” She hushed me and playfully rolled her eyes. “Enough of the formalities. Don’t you think?” She winked.

Smiling, I nodded, agreeing with her.

And then, there were Redmund and Lilith.

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Redmund still looked struck. His lips were parting, but no words came out. His eyes flicked between Lucretius and me while his emotions were readable.

There was confusion, followed by disbelief, and finally, anger, before he immediately hid them behind his strained smile.

“Uncle…” he began, his voice shook a little. “You never mentioned you were… married.”

Lucretius‘ expression remained calm, and unlike Redmund, he looked composed and unreadable, befitting of his military and Alpha role.

“There are some things worth keeping private until the right moment, my dear nephew,” he said smoothly. “And tonight seemed fitting. Isn’t that right, wifey?”

I felt his simple squeeze on my waist from his question. And I understood what he meant. My lips drew out a bright smile as I nodded.

“I agree with you, hubby,” I replied, sweetening my voice as I lovingly looked at Lucretius while Redmund was watching.” Tonight is the perfect moment we can never forget.” Then, I turned at Redmund and Lilith to emphasize my words.

Lilith’s eye twitched, her fan trembling in her grip. “So… it’s true,” she said, her voice tinged with a faint bitterness that she quickly masked by brightening her tone. “How… lovely.”

I almost smiled from ear to ear at their reaction. The satisfaction I felt upon seeing their reaction made me tremble in excitement, but it was soon cut off when Lorenzo interjected.

“Indeed.” He nodded. “Well then, congratulations, brother. May this union bring prosperity to our pack.”

“It already has,” Lucretius replied in a boastful tone. He glanced down at me then, and for a brief second, I saw something almost tender in his expression. Then, he faced them again, his chin lifting. “We’ll take our leave now.”

“Already?” Romina asked in a disappointed tone.

Lorenzo even chimed in. “The two of you have certainly stolen everyone’s attention tonight,” he said. “But surely, you’ll stay for another round of celebration? What can you say, brother, sister–in–law? The night is still young.”

Lucretius chuckled lowly. “Ah, brother,” he drawled, slightly tilting his head. “As much as I would love to, I think I’ve

entertained the crowd enough for one night.”

His answer brought me relief. It seemed like we were about to excuse ourselves, which was favorable to me. My feet were already tired for this evening.

I almost drifted off my thoughts when I noticed Lucretius stole a glance in my direction. His eyes were glinting with mischief as I felt his hand going lower on my back, not inappropriate, but possessive enough to make my heart skip a beat.

I didn’t know why, but I could almost read his mind at this moment.

“Besides, I’d rather spend the rest of the evening with my wife,” he said, his voice husky enough for the nearby guests to hear. Then, all of a sudden, I felt myself being lifted, causing me to gasp and realize that I was already in his arms. “Alone,” he added.

“L–Lucretius…!” I was startled, clinging to his neck. I even lost my composure from acting so well.

Gasps and muffled laughter echoed around us. Even I had the same reaction as them, and it caught me off guard.

Lorenzo raised his brows but only smiled knowingly. “Brother…” he said, almost teasing.

“Enjoy the rest of the night, everyone,” Lucretius said with a sly smirk, already turning away. “My wife and I will take our leave.

The murmurs swelled behind us. The mix of shock, envy, and suppressed amusement was evident on their faces. When I turned to the two people I hated the most, I almost forgot I was being carried by Lucretius upon seeing their reactions.

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