8.

Monroe's Office

A low and uneasy growl escaped Elias in the confines of his office. His grip on his pen grew tighter as he rolled his neck from side to side to ease the tension building in his shoulders.

'Our pup...' Rage couldn't continue. Mother was calling him to the sanctuary. It was unheard of to call upon the wolf spirits all at once but something was up.

'What of Ellie?!' Elias asked instantly worried for his little girl.

'She's safe. I will return shortly. Our pup is safe,' Rage said letting his human feel his assurance. Elias breathed out a frustrated sigh, 'Okay.'

Within the hour of Rage's absence, neighboring alphas surrounding the town contacted him of the weird situation of their wolves also. Their patrol has been beefed up due to their vulnerability, the witches within the packs were recruited to help out in protection detail. It was moving on to the afternoon and Elias was becoming worried, Rage hasn't returned and his daughter hasn't visited him nor called. Since his mate passed away he always grew anxious when he's not in contact with her. She was his last lifeline to this world.

Worries of a father and fear for his sanity he called her phone. Checking the time he knew she will either be at the coffee shop selflessly helping Helen or leaving the library.

"Hi, daddy!"

Those two words calmed him instantly. "Ellie! Are you okay honey?" he asked leaning back slightly in his chair.

"More than okay. I have great news daddy. I found him. I found my mate." Her excitement was infectious, pride and contentment bloomed in his chest. In his mind, he told himself that she will be taken care of when he leaves this world. Elias laughed heartily listening to her adorable rantings. She paused for a moment then continued.

"Daddy? Can you have dinner with us tonight? I will love for you to meet him. He also wants to meet you," she asked shyly.

"Of course Ellie. Usual time?" he asked.

"Yup. Don't be late. Love you, daddy,"

"Love you too sweetie. " With a huge shit eating grin on his face he ended the call, excited to meet his daughter's mate. Checking the time once more, he knew he had to call his wife. Like an overplayed record he knew each word that will escape her mouth. She hated when he spent time with Elena and kept on forcing Rachel on him. He acknowledged the girl as his stepdaughter, be that father figure for her but she had a vile demeanor just like her mother. A demeanor that was well hidden behind their beauty.

Dialing Helen's number he leaned back heavily on his chair with his feet propped on the desk.

"Hello," Her answer was abrupt and filled with annoyance. The loud chatter of customers and the hissing of coffee machines filtered through the phone.

"Dear, I won't be home for dinner tonight. Terribly sorry. Please give Mrs. Charles my apologies," he returned.

"Who is she? You have been missing dinners and coming home late. I no longer believe that crap you spew with spending time with Elena. So who is she?" She was practically screeching by now, earning looks from her customers.

"Darling. If there was another woman then there will be a new Mrs. Monroe. Don't wait up," Without anything further to say he ended the call.

Her accusation had him thinking along with Elena's question a while back. Is his second mate out there? Is it too late? Can he love that deeply once more? Scrubbing his face tiredly he returned to his work with his thoughts on his daughter.

Elena's Home

He was still in disbelief. She was right there. Right in front of him with that bright smile of hers. His mate. Goddess above he was stupid and too hasty with that plan. Dimitri didn't give her feelings much thought. To discover that she was brave and confident to face this battle with him. Looking at her now as she flitted around her cozy kitchen, the smile on his face was permanent. Currently, he was eating a quick meal she made for both of them after a blissful nap. Sleeping beside her took away the nightmares and fear that crippled at night. Dante was at ease also for the first time in months. "Did you contact your beta?" she asked looking over her shoulder.

"Yes and he says Jessaline is looking forward to spending some time with you," he said. It came as a pleasant surprise that Jakobe and Jessaline knew his mate, she was already welcomed into their family before him meeting her. Their meeting was set in stone already but it seemed Mother was growing impatient.

Dimitri frowned, Elena's words resonated in his head. It was unlikely for the goddess to speed up the mating process. Maybe things are much more serious than he thought.

"I will love that. She seems so mature for a nineteen-year-old," Elena commented.

"She took the role of female beta quite effortlessly. You should see her fight. Lena?"

"Yes Mikael?" she answered waiting for him to speak. Dimitri's heart lifted hearing his name on her lips. She loved the name Mikael and even commented that he looked more like a Mikael than Dimitri.

"Are you willing to accept a guard? As tradition in most packs and the royal packs, a female from either three of the ranks below you will be your guard. Do you wish for Jessaline to fill that spot? My Delta haven't found his mate yet." His explanation was an eyeopener to Elena. Growing up as a nomad had its certain freedom but with a pack the concept of family was evident.

"I will like that. She says she's going to college how will that work out?"

"We shall all talk about it soon," he reassured her taking his dirty dish to the sink. She was about to stop him from doing the dishes but he simply nudged her hand away and began. A blush took over her cheeks as she returned to chopping her vegetables. Dimitri couldn't help it he quickly placed a kiss on her cheek then temple before resuming his chore. It felt good to be doing things on his own. All that came with his title used to suffocate him but now he felt at ease. He felt even more so standing beside his mate in the kitchen.

Their silence wasn't uncomfortable. They were both quiet souls and easy to anger if provoked.

A low growl escaped Dimitri, piercing their silence. He stood still with his eyes closed listening to what Dante had to say. A small hand was placed on his lower back, her touch was a balm to their brewing anger. Elena felt her mate relax but continued on to wrap her arms around his torso.

"Sweet Lena," he murmured holding her in his arms tightly.

"Everything alright?" she asked.

He opened his eyes and gaze at his beauty. "Word has been spread of your homecoming, my love. Mother only informed each alpha of every pack. She's being cautious now," he relayed. Elena nodded releasing a shuddering breath.

"We can do this," she said looking up at him with a beaming smile.

"We sure can," Her smile was infectious. In one lift he had her on his waist with her legs wrapped around his body. Teasingly he brushed his lips against hers, savoring the softness of them and the scent of her soft curls. "Thank you for staying with me," he whispered against her lips.

"Thank you for trusting me," she replied. Elena didn't wait for him to reply. She pressed her lips to his and moaned in delight. Playfully she bit his lip, gaining a low hum of chuckle sending goosebumps throughout her body. One arm secured around her waist and the other in her hair, Dimitri's kiss grew more passionate from feeling her body moving against his. His mind was saying all sorts of things that he wants to tell her to describe her beauty but the only word that came out was, "MINE!"

Moving to a bare counter he placed her there and plundered her mouth erotically with his tongue eliciting more moans from her. Her hands were branding him with each touch, they fiddled with his hoodie before it was taken off completely. Elena stopped and leaned backward, taking in the defined body of her man. His breathing was labored, his chest muscle moving in sync with his breathing. Using one finger she traced each abdominal muscles, pleasing herself immensely when his body tense and shiver with each trace.

He was so beautifully sculpted.

"Elena!" Her name was whispered but she heard the lust behind them, she felt powerful. He was putty in her hands. This 6 foot muscled, grey-eyed alpha male was submitting to her. Looking at his eyes, she smiled when his wolf surfaced. "Dante," she whispered as he lowered his head, his fangs elongated, teasingly he glided his mouth along her shoulder then the column of her throat. "My mark will be so lovely on your skin," he said, his fangs grazing against her skin making her moan loudly. His voice was deeper and much more sinful. Her body trembled in delight. They both wanted more but wasn't particularly ready.

'We are here your majesty,' The voice of his guard cut through the sexual haze. Growling in annoyance he placed his head on her shoulder taking in her scent. "They're here. I will be back in a few," he told her kissing her neck.

"I'll be waiting," she said kissing him once more.

"Now I get the motive to learn to drive," he growled lowly placing another kiss on her lips before he detangled himself from her. The look in her green eyes will be one image he saves and there will be more all because of her.