Let's begin!" Iris heard Dom say but her mind quickly ran away with thoughts of doubt and a long list of 'What ifs'. Only when Gideon Powers, Sussane's father, mentioned Y, did Iris register the conversation going on. "He is an old and powerful foe. No one can defeat Y in his fortress, that island is impenetrable unless he wishes otherwise. We only stand a chance with two options." "Either we lure him out by implanting our spies on the island or simply go Dragon." The Beta, Freddie concluded. Iris noted a frown at Mr. Powers' brow but remained quiet to know the end result of the meeting. It took two hours to get to some common ground. Iris was asked to provide her insight and opinion, which was surprisingly taken well. Acceptance was new. Even though Mr. Powers and Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Black seemed a little hesitant, no one could question the alpha or the decisions involving his mate. Once the meeting was done and only ones with pack duties were asked to remain, Sussane perked up,

The next few days passed uneventfully as everyone was waiting for the storm to come. The castle was unusually quiet, it was clear that everyone was waiting for some bad news. Alpha McBlaze had waged a war between dragons and werewolves. Dom had taken Y's foster sister, who happened to be his favorite plaything to torture over the centuries, and declared her under his protection. Dom knew the consequences but he couldn't let his mate be ruined like that anymore. Iris had her own room but now she was unable to have that peace of mind as she did when she had slept cocooned in Dom's arms. He was a man capable of turning her on, scaring her into running away, and calming her down. He had control over her that she blamed the mate bond for, but deep down she knew it was her own developing feelings for the one man in her long life whom she could shelter herself under. His presence made her feel safe, she felt like nothing could harm her anymore. It had been only a few days in the castle and

Iris woke up to a smiling Liliana. She remembered the events from before blacking out and sat up straight panicking and wide-eyed only to see Lady Marie smiling unusually happily at her. Then Sussane entered with a broad grin on her face, pushing a mouthwatering meal trolly into the room. The former jumped at the sight of an awake Iris and left the trolly to make a speedy beeline to Iris and gave her a joyously tight hug, "IRIS!" Her smile widened even more as did her enthusiasm, "O, Iris, I am so happy for you!" Iris forgot her panic and looked confused at the three happy women in the room, which she now noticed wasn't her own. When did she get transferred back to Dom's bedroom, then the question rose, Where was he? Finally, due to lack of any explanation, she asked, frustrated and sarcastically, "Will somebody tell me what is making everyone so happy? Cuz I am quite tense and want to be happy too!" Liliana answered her fondly, "No need to be tense ever again, our future Alpha-qu

Iris had never had to prepare for a date before. Her last real relationship was nine centuries ago and that was the reason for all her misery. During that relationship, she never needed to dress up or get formal. It was an ordinary relationship of accepting each other the way they are, with no pretense and no superficial effort needed to keep it going, that is, until Y found out about it. Now there was no Y to worry about. The feeling was surreal as Iris sat patiently for Liliana to curl her long brunette locks and Sussane did her nails while Clara hustled around the room to gather things that were needed and made sure every necessary pin and brush was available. The girls had spent hours finding The perfect dress for Iris that was according to the occasion and still allowed her to be herself, yet made Dom swoon, which Iris wasn't sure was possibly made, but she didn't say. Iris had so many things going on in her head as she sat there becoming perfect by her friends, who had been mor

Standing on the balcony of the Palace-like restaurant, Dom and Iris forgot the troubles of the past or planning for the future. All that remained was the present moment. The moment, where under the Milkyway, in front of the distant city lights, they tasted the nectar of each other's lips that they had been yearning for since their first intimate encounter. All Iris could think about was how Dom's strong arms enveloped her and held her delicately like some porcelain doll. All Dom could focus on was how his mate's plump lips tasted and how she allowed herself this moment. This intimate dance of lips and slight tongue was what their respective dragon and wolf had been yearning for since their first encounter. Iris felt her wolf howl just as Dom felt his dragon sigh in pleasure. When Dom and Iris had heard people talk about mates and the sense of completion it gave, they never truly realized it until now. Waiting for a mate and rejecting one were the emotions they had suffered respective