23.
Heartwarming.
That was the word Nikolai used to describe the scene before him as he sat in one of the cabanas on the outskirts of his family's pool, watching on as he witnessed two families bond along with the people who willingly loved and serve them. Though he wanted to join them, work from his companies back home was piling up even the ones from out of the country. The laughter of his mate brought a smile to his face as he corrected some reports. Her laugh was the sweetest melody to his ear. It reminded him of one of his favorite classical piano pieces he often played when he wanted freedom from it all. Now he found a replacement for that.
His mate.
Nikolai was totally engrossed in his work that he didn't notice his own father came and sat across him with his own work to do. He only noticed when Angelo handed him a document to look over. They worked in silence with only the clicking of the keyboards and shuffling of papers. "Change the design of the office building in Prague. It's too commercial. The building site is in the heart of a tourist area and its chrome material and glass walls are too much. That aside great job in fitting in the daycare center, office space, and other necessities impressive" Angelo commented as he looked over his son's latest design for one of his newest clients. Nikolai followed his father's footsteps in architecture which led Angelo to establish a Russian headquarters where his son now owns. The company his grandfather left him was a manufacturing company with over 800 employees. From useless stationery to the biggest technology Starkov Industries had a hand in it.
"Thank you papa" he returned taking back the report. Angelo sent a brief nod his way and continued on with his work. After a moment of silence, Nikolai broke it. "She took the news very well. Really strong one" he said adjusting his black-rimmed glasses on his nose.
"You told her everything?" he asked while rechecking some of his designs for a client's holiday house.
"Yes papa." he returned but Angelo knew by the tone in his voice he was going to ask another question. "If I lose my mate. What will happen?" he asked softly keeping his head low. Angelo didn't answer; he didn't have to at all. Seeing the dark look on his face gave him his answer, "I am not planning to lose my only son nor his mate," Angelo said finally clearing the dark look on his face wanting to reassure him.
"You would not lose me. The same way I won't lose you. We simply find this person before they find my mate." The words came from Nikolai with a strong promise to himself, his father, his mate, and his family. Angelo nodded and took a moment to look at his son who went back deeply engrossed in his work. Without a doubt, he knew his son will keep his word. After two hours of no interruptions, Sienna made her presence known to her mate as she sat beside his feet, Nikolai was so caught up in his work he didn't realize his mate was looking at him intensely as he typed away furiously on his Mac Book.
Biting her lips, she couldn't deny how sexy her Nicky looked in his glasses and so focused on his work. His white cotton shirt was open showing off his abs which she was tempted to trace. The blue beach shorts he wore made his blue eyes behind his glasses brighter and as usual, he was bare feet. Shaking her head from her wild thoughts, she reached up and took off Nikolai's glasses. He flinched, blinking his eyes as he came back in focus. "Oh. Hello," he said to her shifting his eyes away from her, he didn't know how long she was there and was embarrassed that he was ignoring her. "Hi" she returned.
"I am sorry," he quickly apologized.
"For working? Doing your best for your people? Me, being in your life shouldn't change that. I just came to see if you are hungry or if you want to go for a swim" she said placing his glasses on his mac but kept her gaze on him. Nikolai looked at his father in confusion who simply smiled while gathering up his stuff and leaving. The reason why he was confused because his last and only girlfriend always complained about how he worked too much and she had to always beg for his attention. Sienna telling him what she just said was a shocker and he now respected her even more for that.
"A break should be nice," he finally said helping her up. Looking into his eyes, Sienna slowly took off his shirt, and then idly brushed her fingers along his biceps, across his chest then down his abs. She heard him hiss under his breath then let out a low growl. "You torture me with your touch, ангел (angel)" he breathed out lowering his head closer to capture her lips. Sienna stepped closer moaning as his last word caused her body to blush, "What's ангел?" she asked successfully pronouncing the word in Russian.
"It means angel," he said softly on her ear. "Angel" she repeated and smiled in the crook of his neck as she placed a kiss on his heated skin. "You are my ангел" he said wrapping his arms around her.
Both families spent the next four days getting to know each other and planning safe routes and protection detail for every member of the families. It was decided Alpha Emilio return home with his wife and son while Amelia and Angelo will stay in New York. Angelo was fearful of his wife since she was in the fourth month of her pregnancy with their third child. Being as were-wolf pregnancy was four to six months, her due date was truly near, no one in the family wanted to endanger the new pup so it was all agreed she shall stay on the estate and Angelo will work from home. At the end of the week the two siblings would be headed to Russia with their mates where they know Sienna would be safe entirely.
"Are you ready for this Lirio?" her father asked as they took a walk in the gardens after dinner. It was one more day until she leaves with her mate for a new country. A new life away from her family. Releasing a deep sigh, she pulled her father to a nearby bench and kept their hands joined. "I'm going to miss you so much, papa. I just got you back in my life and now I am the one leaving this time. For my safety and my family's I know I have to go to Russia but on the other hand, I am happy that I am going. I will be with him. Papa, I never knew I needed him in my life so much. Everything seems so much...." she said, in the end, searching for the right word.
"Clearer?" her father offered with a knowing smile.
"Yes," she exclaimed laughing at her excitement. "I felt the same when I met your Madre. I understand how you feel about this current situation. Having you leave here so soon is not only a precaution but the beginning of your path in this new life as a princess. The young prince will protect you along with his people," he said tucking her hair behind her ear. She playfully brushed her father's hand aside laughing at his fake pout.
"This mating is no ordinary mating. As recorded, mates of royals receive their gift upon marking or full mating. The gifts are random and Nikolai is going to be right by your side to guide you. That boy already thinks the world of you and wants to give you anything your heart's desire. Just know that a successful relationship takes two persons, not one. Learn each other. Talk to each other. Most of all your mate is your best friend. Take care of yourself my beautiful Lirio." he said to his little girl.
"I will papa."
Early the next morning, Amelia suggested a family outing as the last day together before they part ways. Tensions were high with the threat hanging over their heads. Being cooped up wasn't ideal for them or their wolves, the need to have a bit of freedom was a need. There was a huge debate as to where they should spend it in the city, Nikolai stood back amused as they all argued the best spots in New York. His best friend's weapon was google as he debated the most tourist loved spots, Sienna and Mina wanted to go shopping in which the guys shot down immediately. Their parents thought the normal tourist trail would be best but everyone wasn't too excited about being on a ferry going to see the statue of liberty. Listening to them go at it for the next fifteen minutes, it gave him enough time to look up something he always looked forward to back home in Russia and a place he didn't get to visit back at his family's home. Finding what he wanted he brought up the picture, easing his way through the group he simply placed his Ipad on the coffee table and stepped back.
Scratching the back of his head nervously he explained softly. "I missed the spring fair in Russia and back at the castle. We all missed it. This is the best way to relax and still be protected."
They all stayed quiet musing over Nikolai's idea and agreed immediately, a sigh of relief escaped him as they all got excited about what to wear and how much guards and cars to facilitate. It's a thirty-minute drive to the city where the Annual Spring Fair was held so they all went their different ways to get ready.
"They are leaving the estate."
"Follow them. When you get close, take the girl." their boss ordered. The men were going to argue that they didn't know where they were headed but decided not to. Their boss wasn't that understanding.
"I really don't care where they go. Just get the fucking girl," he shouted ending the call.
"'Get the fucking girl'. He's not the one about to commit suicide. I'm only twenty-three. I haven't got high in Dubai yet. Shit, I haven't got high in Amsterdam. I had a boring life" The man monologuing more to himself than his friends in the van. He slumped over the wheel waiting to give the convoy that just left a good five feet distance. Throwing the phone at the back he sat upright, "Alright boys. To our death." he said dripping with fake enthusiasm.
"Yayyyy" they all grumbled as their team leader started the van.