Chosen By My Mate's Father-in-law
Chapter 54: Fake It

Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Fake It

Damn it.

My heart pounded, and beads of sweat ran down my face, smearing the makeup I spent all that time on.

How could I have been so foolish? I should have realized that everyone would know that Gareth Laken was single. He was the Lycan King. If he had gotten married, it would have been big news.

The receptionist raised one of her eyebrows, probably waiting for me to explain myself.

How could I convince her that I was Michelle’s mother? I didn’t have any identification or proof. My first instinct was just to sprint out of the office and back to the safety of my car. But I pictured Michelle’s forlorn face when she asked me to do this because she didn’t want her dad to be disappointed in her.

I raised my chin, and determination coursed through me.

Fake it till you make it, I told myself.

I clutched the red designer bag that Michelle lent me and narrowed my eyes at the secretary as if I were offended that she would question me.

“I’m Michelle’s mother.” I was proud of the sincerity ringing through my voice. “That’s why I’m here. How else would I know that Michelle had a parent-teacher conference today at this time?”

Hopefully, this logic would convince her.

But the receptionist leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and scoffed loudly.

“You’re not Michelle’s mother,” she snapped. “All you are is a teenager playing dress up. You may have on the right clothes and makeup, but that doesn’t make you a woman worthy of Gareth Laken.”

My hands clenched into tight fists. Who was this woman to tell me I wasn’t worthy of someone? She knew nothing about me.

“Our king would never choose a wife who is a weak, pathetic liar,” the nasty woman continued. “Now, get out of my sight, or I’ll call the cops.” Her tone was threatening. “Trespassing is a crime, and you’ll get into even more trouble when I tell them you’re lying about your identity. If you don’t want to be thrown into jail, I suggest you leave.”

A vindictive grin crossed her face. What was this lady’s problem with me?

I opened my mouth to reply—even though I had no idea how to further argue my case—when the office door swung open and a gray-haired man in a tweed jacket walked out. Michelle had told me that her principal’s name was Mr. Thompson.

I smiled at the man whom I was supposed to be meeting with. Maybe there was a way I could get this man on my side since his receptionist seemed like a lost cause at this point. Besides, it was really the principal I needed to convince. Not his receptionist.

“Is there a problem out here?” Principal Thompson pushed up his black-framed glasses that were sliding down the bridge of his long nose.

Before I could say anything, his receptionist beat me to it.

“No, sir. I can handle this strange woman.” She gestured to me as if I weren’t close enough to hear the insult. “She’s claiming to be married to Gareth Laken. As if the king would marry a little girl like her!” she guffawed. Then, she lowered her voice, but I could still hear her perfectly. “Isn’t that so pathetic of her?”

Principal Thompson gazed at me, his eyes slowly traveling from my wavy, honey-colored hair to the expensive shoes that Michelle gave me. He took his time as he stared at my breasts and legs.

I shifted uncomfortably. Why did it feel like Michelle’s principal was checking me out? That was so unprofessional.

“Are you claiming to be Gareth Laken’s new wife?” Principal Thompson asked me with an unreadable expression. “My receptionist’s suspicion is valid because it’s common knowledge that Alpha Gareth doesn’t like to settle down with one woman ever since his fated mate died ten years ago.”

I had to keep this facade up. I already lied about my identity to the receptionist. There was no going back now.

I squared my shoulders and looked directly into the principal’s eye.

“I’m not sure why your receptionist is being so rude,” I said. “I’m Michelle’s mother, Gareth Laken’s wife.”

For some reason, an image of Gareth and me kissing popped into my head. Remembering the feeling of his strong yet soft lips on mine and his warm, confident touch made a humiliated flush creep over my face.

The secretary noticed this, and her brown eyes went wide, and she pointed at my blushing cheeks.

“Look at that embarrassed blush!” She laughed cruelly. “She’s obviously lying, sir. Gareth Laken would never marry someone like her. I’ve never seen her, have you? It’s apparent that she’s of low status and has average looks. Why would our Lycan King waste his time with someone like her?”

The principal stepped closer to me and openly leered at me. His light blue eyes scanned over my body creepily. The older man smelled like overpowering cologne and coffee.

“I don’t know about that, Maureen,” he mused to his secretary. “Her looks aren’t average. Not at all. She’s quite the looker, actually.”

I swallowed nervously as Principal Thompson continued to study me like I was a prized cattle he wanted to purchase. Disgust crawled over me, and when he winked, nausea made my head spin.

The creepy man came even closer to me until he was inches away. His sharp aftershave assaulted my nose.

“We both know that you’re lying about being Michelle’s mother. I don’t know who you really are, and honestly, I don’t care. I’m sure you’re aware that impersonating someone else is illegal, young lady,” he said while staring at my breasts. “You could go to jail. A pretty girl like you wouldn’t want to spend the rest of her life locked up, would she?” He trailed one finger down my arm, making me shiver with revulsion. “I can forget about this whole incident if you just make it worth my while.” He winked again.

How could this man run a school? He was such a creep!

I looked to the receptionist for help. Even though she didn’t like me, she couldn’t stand for what her boss was doing, could she? We women had to stick together.

The secretary shrugged. “Girls like you are only good for spreading their legs for powerful men. You might as well get some practice now.”

My eyes widened with horror.

How could they say such awful things to me? These people shouldn’t even be allowed near children, let alone running a school!

Principal Thompson trailed his hand up my arm and tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear.

My blood boiled with rage, and my first instinct was to slap that leering grin off his face. He was an awful man and deserved to be taught a lesson.

But this was Michelle’s principal, and I was technically breaking the law. Slapping this creep would just get me into more trouble.

Principal Thompson grabbed my hand with his clammy one. “If you come into my office...” He looked at my breasts. “And give me a happy ending, I won’t call the cops, and I’ll make sure Michelle doesn’t get into any trouble.” He tugged on my hand, leading me into his office. “What do you say, sweetheart?”