Chapter 11

Viola decided that it was no use talking to Daniela about her fears and what she wanted for her future. Daniela would never understand, besides she was the mother of the man she was to marry, why would she mention or say anything that would confuse Viola or that would cause her from not marrying her son?

She did ask Daniela to tell her more about the pack hierarchy and supernaturals in general, and she was able to get as much information as she needed.

When they got to the Durante mansion, she was welcomed by Selena and Leonardo's father Giorgio. They were very sweet people and did everything to make Viola feel comfortable.

There was no sign of Leonardo yet but his father mentioned that he would be back in time before the engagement party.

They showed her to her room. It was nothing short of pretty but it was so different from Viola's previous rooms.

Daniela proudly commented that she decorated the room and Viola seemed to understand why it looked like something out of a princess movie. There was an overwhelming amount of pink, blush and roses. Even the room smelled like sweet vanilla and roses. Not that she didn't love pink, but it was too much. So much so that it became nauseating.

She would tolerate it, it was after all for a few days. She didn't think her grandfather planned on her staying at their place forever.

Selena was lovely, She had her mother's looks but her father's height and eyes. She was tall, slim and looked athletic, her hair was a long chestnut brown and she was dressed in shorts and a tank top. She looked really relaxed.

They got along well

"So how was it like living in America?"

Selena asked as she helped Viola unpack and Viola shrugged.

"Not as glamorous as it sounds."

Viola replied and Selena sighed.

"My parents wouldn't let me go there to study. They were like anywhere but there!"

Viola chuckled.

"I'm actually still surprised my grandfather let me go there, but then, I still, I had the usual bodyguards and friends who were spies so I guess I didn't get that much of the full experience."

"That must have been hell for you. Being under intense scrutiny and control."

Selena sympathized and Viola nodded.

"I guess it was. But I had my ways."

She said as she winked at Selena and Selena's eyes widened.

"Oh! You did? I'm sure you have some pretty wild stories to tell."

Viola nodded and then smiled.

"I do actually."

She said in a small voice as she remembered how she used to sneak out of her apartment.

She had a place to herself while in school but her bodyguard then rarely left her side. Viola didn't know until her third year in school that he lived right across from her apartment, that was why he always knew when she left or was going out. Most of her phones and devices she also got from her grandfather were always bugged, anytime she removed the spyware on those devices her grandfather would gift her with a new one. She learned to bend the rule by getting a phone herself. He never found out.

She always felt so fulfilled and accomplished whenever she managed to outsmart her grandfather and his bodyguard.

"So? Are you not going to tell me?"

Selena pressured and Viola rolled her eyes.

"Fine! I'll tell you one."

"So, I have this friend, her name is Lyra. Fortunately for me, she wasn't one of those friends that my grandfather had implanted as a spy so she was good. She told me about this group her boyfriend was in and how they travel about giving shows and all."

"They happened to be coming to our city then and she wanted me to come, she also had free tickets."

Selena nodded.

She was so engulfed in the story and Viola chuckled, wondering if she should even be telling the young girl anything about it.

"So, we went to the show. Best show I've ever been to by the way."

Viola said as she smiled, she had not told anyone the story, not even Alessandra or her other friends she had in Milan for fear of it somehow reaching her grandfather.

"What was the show about?"

She asked and Viola looked around and pulled Selena closer.

"Well, you know how there are shows with female dancers dancing seductively to men in clubs?"

Selena nodded.

"You mean strippers?"

She asked and Viola nodded.

"Yes. Strippers."

"Well, imagine that but with men, instead of women."

Viola said and Selena gasped.

"OH my God! Are you serious?"

Viola nodded as she started laughing.

"Yes. It was quite fun."

She didn't mention how she had gotten a private dance from one of the men or how it had been the night she had lost her virginity but she thought it was best she kept that bit private.

Only Lyra knew that.

There was an urgent knock on the door before they could both say anything more and Viola went to open the door and found Leonardo waiting outside.

She had seen him before, she had, but something about seeing him now felt different.

Like something had finally snapped into place.

The look on Leonardo's eyes told her everything she needed to know, he had felt the same thing.

Her eyes widened, was this the mating bond that Daniela had been talking about?

She thought as she subconsciously reached out to touch him to confirm.

She felt sparks!

Actual sparks, like the one single touch had jolted kilowatts of electricity inside her for what seemed to be a brief millisecond.

She jolted back.

"Is that my brother?"

Selena asked as she started walking towards them, Viola nodded and walked away from the door. She was suddenly self conscious about her hair, what she was wearing and how she looked.

That was unusual

"Selena! Hey!"

"Leonardo said as he hugged and kissed his sister.

"Can you give Viola and I a minute? We have to talk about something."

He said and with that he ushered Selena out of the room.

Selena closed the door gently behind her and left Viola and Leonardo in the room alone.

Suddenly the large room felt claustrophobic to Viola.

She turned to Leonardo slowly.

His raven black hair seemed to have bene cut a little shorter since she had last seen him and he was clad in casual clothing.

H e smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the corner.

"You felt that? Didn't you?"

He asked and she nodded her head.

"Was that the mating bond?"

She asked and Leonardo nodded as he walked up to her. He was tall, and huge, so much so that he towered above her small frame. Viola moved back nervously.

"So that means we're mates?"

She asked and he nodded.

"Usually, yes."

There was another long silence and Leonardo cleared his throat, remembering why he was even in her room the first place. He came to give her the ring and remind her about some thimgs. That was all, he was barely out of the plane when his mother had called and told him with excitement that Viola was at their place amd she would be staying with them for a few days. For some reason after she had told him he had become anxious.

"I wanted to apologise about that day. I shouldn't have stood you up, I had work.."

Vioala nodded.

"It's okay. Let's hope it desnt happen again."

She said and he nodded.

"I promise it won't."

"So, my mother told me what hapoened. You know everything now?"

Viola shrugged.

"I wouldn't say I know everything, but yes. I know you're a werewolf."

Leonado nodded.

"And you know that I'm an Alpha King."

He said and Viola reisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Yes, I think that bit was mentioned too."

"Is that why you're here?"

She asked and Leonardo raised his eyebrow.

"Are you that eager to get rid of me."

"It's obvious you don't want to be here and you're just forcing small talk so just get on with it."

She replied and Leonardo looked taken aback for a second but he shook it off.

He reached for his pocket and pulled ou a box.

"You're right. I am here for something."

He opened the box and showed her the ring. Viola resisted the urge to gasp. It was beautful. Exactly what she would have wanted if she needed to pick out a ring. It was completely gorgeous.

"It's beautiful."

She said and Leonardo nodded.

"And it's all yours."

He said as he watched her quietly. She was completely taken with the ring and he couldn't blame her, it was a pretty little thing.

Do I give it to her or put it on for her?

He asked himself but he knew the option that he was supposed to take.

He sighed and removed the ring from the box, beckoned for her hand and slipped it on her thrid finger.

"There."

He said gently and she smiled.

"I guess we're now officialy engaged."