Chapter 15 - Stephen

We didn’t stay at Ivan’s cell much longer. He kept giving me this look that said he would rip my head off and use my skull as a coffee mug. It was more than a bit weird to be talking to him for Amelia. 

I was more than a little relieved when Beta Alexander showed up. “Hey, you two. Visiting time is up.” He called out, gesturing for us to leave with him.

Amelia frowned, looking torn as she looked from me to her brother. I sighed and looked at Beta Alexander. I don’t think I have the clout to be asking favors, but if it makes my mate happy, I’ll owe the Beta heir.

“Beta Alexander. I will understand if you deny this request. But I want you to please hear me out. And perhaps listen as a brother rather than a Beta.” I prefaced.

I know he has two sisters, Zoe being older, but I’ve been told he has a little sister. So as a big brother, he has to know how this feels and maybe have some compassion. 

“He’s her big brother… and soon we will be sent back to my pack half a world away. Will you let them say goodbye properly?” I gestured back to Amelia’s sad eyes as she gazed at her brother in chains. 

Alexander closed his eyes, letting out a breath slowly. I’m not sure if this is a good or bad sign. Usually, it’s a frustrated gesture. So anyone’s guess.

“Fine. You get five minutes and know if Ivan does anything that makes me think he will try to escape….” Alexander warned. 

“We understand, Beta Alexander. Thank you.” I smiled, bowing my head, feeling the happiness bubbling in my mate as she heard Alexander’s words.

Ivan raised an eyebrow as Alexander walked over to his cell. 

“You heard me. I’m doing this because I have a little sister too. And if I was possibly never going to see her again, I’d want to say goodbye. No funny business.” Alexander warned as he not only entered a code but used his handprint to open the cell. 

Amelia looked so happy, her eyes lighting up as Alexander unlocked Ivan from his chains so he could say goodbye and not hurt Amelia with the silver. 

“I accepted my fate the moment I was captured. I am not a flight risk, Alexander.” Ivan assured while still managing to not give Beta Alexander the respect his title as an heir is owed. 

I just hope that Alexander will let it slide. I don’t need this turning into a shit show. Captain Darren will have my head if that happens. He did trust us to visit Ivan alone.

Alexander said nothing, just rolled his eyes, and stepped aside. “You have five minutes, Amelia.”

Amelia smiled and rushed past Alexander into the cell, launching herself at her brother hugging him. Even though Amelia thinks she’s too big, something I disagree with, she couldn’t even get her arms around her massive brother.

He’d managed to stand up just in time to catch her, and fuck is he is enormous. Amelia’s description of him didn’t entirely do him justice, and him sitting in the cell hadn’t given me the best idea. 

And to think her father was just as big as Ivan. Some fascinating genetics at work there. 

‘Just imagine how those genetics will blend with ours.’ Conway commented.

I went wide-eyed. Fucking wolf. Why did he have to say that? We’ve barely been mated a full day, and he’s talking pups?

‘We have time to think about starting a family. Amelia and I are both young.’ I shook that thought away. 

Without the silver blinding him, I suppose Amelia and Ivan could talk through their family link. Huh. Actually, without the silver, I can feel the link to Ivan. 

Not that I’ll intrude. I wanted to give Amelia a chance to really say goodbye to him. I don’t know when or if she’ll see him again. And as annoying as Suzie can be, I don’t think I could stand to not hug her goodbye if I was in such a scenario.

“Five minutes are up. Amelia, you need to leave with your mate.” Alexander gently instructed. He at least isn’t cold. He understands this is hard for her.

I could feel her reluctance, but she eventually let Ivan go. His dark eyes locked on mine, narrowing. ‘You better take extremely good care of my sister. If not, I will break out of this cell and find you to kill you.’ Ivan’s menacing deep voice filled my head.

I nodded my head. ‘I will never hurt her.’ I assured him as I wrapped an arm around Amelia. 

“Once again, thank you, Beta Alexander.” I bowed my head to him as he started to chain Ivan up again. 

Amelia sighed, leaning into me. ‘Thank you, Stephen. I didn’t think I’d get to hug him goodbye.’

I smiled, kissing her temple as we walked down the hall. ‘I know how much you wanted to say a proper goodbye. And as a big brother, I couldn’t imagine not getting to say goodbye to Suzie.’

Back at the town hall, I introduced Amelia to my packmates. She wouldn’t tell me why but she was very distant when Tanner brought his mate Zelma to meet us. There was some apparent tension between the two females. 

Feeling Amelia’s unease being near Zelma, I made an excuse it’s been a long day to get out of further interaction. ‘Thank you.’ Amelia sighed as we headed back to our room.

‘Do you want to talk about it?’ I offered as we paused at our door. 

‘Not really. But I suppose I should. Especially since Zelma’s be going to Bloodmoon too.’ Amelia sighed.

‘Zelma used to date Ivan. A total two-faced bitch. She would be sweet as sugar if Ivan was around but as cruel as Gastone and Ignazio when he wasn’t.’ Amelia admitted.

I growled, resisting the urge to go back to the lounge and have some words with Zelma and Tanner. But I also don’t want to be the one to tell Tanner his mate used to date a former Gamma who’s three times his size and was a bully.

‘Leave it. Please.’ Amelia softly pleaded, holding my forearm. 

I was willing to let it go for now. Conway, however, wasn’t. He’s very protective of our new mate. I need to distract him. 

‘Why don’t we go for a run nearby? Let Conway meet Faith officially?’ I offered, gesturing to the exit down the hall.

‘Can we?’ Faith eagerly asked.

I chuckled and nodded. ‘Of course, we can. Come on. I think you and Conway deserve some freedom.’ I smiled, leading Amelia out to the edge of the forest.

‘We shouldn’t go too far as I’m unfamiliar with this area.’ I warned, starting to strip.

Amelia was blushing, looking away slightly, but I caught her stealing glances. ‘You’re my mate. You can look all you want. Now, are you going to undress, or should I undress you?’ I offered.

Her face turned a brighter pink. ‘I… I can do it myself.’ She stammered, turning away from me to undress. 

I raised an eyebrow folding my arms watching. ‘You realize turning around gives me a different but equally beautiful view.’ I teased.

She glanced back, still blushing. ‘Stop teasing me. I’m far from beautiful.’

‘Eyes of the beholder, sweetheart. I think you’re beautiful. To hell with everyone else. Now let’s shift. Conway is getting antsy.’ I smiled, shifting, letting Conway take control.

I hadn’t seen Faith, so I was in awe of her when Amelia shifted. Conway was just as enamored. Dazzling silver eyes sparkled like the stars and golden fur that shined like the sun. 

‘Beautiful…’ Conway was breathless as he circled Faith. She’s actually a little bigger than him, but he wasn’t bothered by that. Especially as she nuzzled her head against him.  

‘Catch me if you can.’ Faith taunted playfully, nipping at his neck before taking off in a run. Conway hurried after her.

They have more than earned spending time together. Even if it’s more than a little awkward to be in my head trying to look away when they got a bit too frisky.

Reminding myself, it’s perfectly normal for wolves to want to mate as well. Once they’d had their, ahem, fun, we returned to the town hall.

Thankfully during dinner, we weren’t seated near Tanner and his mate. I didn’t want Amelia to feel uncomfortable. 

‘Your packmates seem very nice and welcoming.’ Amelia commented as we returned to our room.

‘I know that meeting Clement probably didn’t give the best impression of what my pack is like. But trust me, he’s the anomaly. What you’ve seen tonight during dinner is how most people are.’ I assured her, starting to undress.

There she goes, blushing again. ‘Would you prefer I sleep in clothes? I can wear a t-shirt and shorts to bed.’ I offered.

‘No…I mean, it’s okay. I’m just not used to this, but I’ll get over it in time.’ Amelia assured me as she once again turned away from me to undress.

I sighed, stepping closer, wrapping my arms around her waist, pressing my chest to her bareback. ‘Maybe the first step in getting accustomed to the fact we will be sharing a bed is not hiding from me.’ I suggested pressing a kiss to her shoulder.

‘I can feel your anxiety. And I can’t wave a wand or something to make that disappear. But what I can and will continue to do is remind you multiple times a day that you’re beautiful, gorgeous, and sexy. I’ll remind you as often as necessary that I want, desire, and love you.’

I was still kissing along her shoulder, brushing her hair away as I started kissing up her neck as I spoke through our link. With each kiss, each word I spoke, she shivered. 

‘You can’t mean that.’ Amelia softly refuted. But when I said those last two words for a moment she froze in my arms before melting into me.

‘Can and do. I’ll show you the rest of our lives just how much.’ I promised, kissing her mark as one of my hands moved higher to caress her breasts while the other went lower to dip into her track pants. 

Now that we were fully mated, I felt more confident touching her, giving her pleasure, and making love. The bond is a wonderful thing, allowing me to know what she wants and how without her having to say it or direct me. 

As everyone assembled for breakfast, Collin and Kurt called everyone’s attention the following day. “So, as most of you have realized, our illustrious Captain Darren is missing this morning.” Collin started.

“Shocking, I know. But just wait till you learn why.” Kurt was smirking. 

They are seriously going to out Captain Darren as Alpha André’s mate like this? They’re lucky Captain Darren isn’t here.

“Darren has found his mate here in Incubi.” Collin announced. A few gasps and whispers started as people speculated who it could be.

Kurt held his hands up, gesturing everyone to be quiet. “You’ve all met his mate, many times. And now I’m sure you’re all wracking your brain about the possibilities. So we’ll put you out of your misery.” 

“Darren’s mate is none other than the fabulous Alpha heir André D’Amore.” Kurt was grinning ear to ear as he made the announcement.

Of course, there were a few shocked faces. But not as many as you’d think. Probably given how closely and efficiently Captain Darren and Alpha André worked together during this war.

“Now, before anyone has the low IQ to comment about this being a same-sex mating, shut up, or I’ll knock out all your teeth.” Collin warned, narrowing his eyes as he looked around the room.

“Okay, so with that warning out of the way. We want to celebrate this. Show Darren and André our support and give André a proper Bloodmoon welcome.” Kurt’s eyes had a mischievous grin.

‘What is a proper Bloodmoon welcome?’ Amelia questioned, nudging me.

‘I’m not sure what they have planned, but I’m fairly certain it’s not something the Captain will like. They both look far too happy and mischievous.’ I shrugged. 

And oh, was I right as they started handing out glitter and streamer poppers. I don’t claim to know Captain Darren as well as Collin, does. Collin’s his in-law, after all. But even I am confident he will not like getting shot with glitter.