My Guardian Married My Sister But I’m His Alpha Chapter 23
*Where?*
His reply was swift.
*Not dinner. Your grandfather invited me to the Pack estate in his capacity as a Nightfall elder. You’re coming with me.*
So it wasn’t a date.
Chiara stared at the screen, a wave of foolishness washing over her.
What had she been thinking?
Sterling was helping her because of a debt he felt he owed from three years ago.
From beginning to end, this was a performance, a staged courtship to get her out of a corner.
Once the curtain fell, he would still be the Alpha of Ironwood.
And she would still be Chiara, a pawn to be moved around by the Morettis, the Nightfall elders, and any Pack looking for an alliance.
At seven sharp, the black Bentley pulled up to the hotel.
Sterling had changed into a navy suit, the Ironwood insignia pinned to his lapel. He was leaning against the car, looking at his phone.
When he saw Chiara emerge, he glanced at the black dress she wore and gave a small, approving nod.
“Let’s go.”
In the car, he was blunt.
“Your grandfather called this afternoon. He wants to know if this courtship is real.”
“What are you going to say?” Chiara asked.
“The truth.” Sterling looked at her. “You’re my fiancée. We’ve known each other for a long time. We just never made it official.”
He said it so matter-of-factly, as if there was no other possible version of the story.
He was doing her a massive favor, and yet he hadn’t asked a single question.
He hadn’t asked why she was in this position.
He hadn’t asked what had happened between her and Griffin.
For Chiara, that lack of prying was a kindness in itself.
The car turned into the tree-lined drive of the Pack estate.
The iron gates opened slowly, the two bronze lamps at the entrance glowing warmly. The Nightfall Guardians on duty recognized the Ironwood insignia and stepped aside at once.
It was just like three days ago, when Arthur had come to collect her.
Only this time, she wasn’t alone.
Sterling parked, came around, and opened the passenger door.
He held out his hand.
Chiara hesitated for only a second before placing hers in his.
His fingers closed around hers, a warm, solid shield against the prying eyes around them.
“Don’t be nervous,” he said quietly. “As long as I’m here, they don’t get to speak for you.”