Chapter 29 We're Closed

*Diana*

Ethan and I were in the car, driving to the diner, both deep in our thoughts. I took a sideways glance at him and I saw he had a worried look on his face.

I turned my head to look out my window. A moment ago, the sun was out and it felt good to feel its warmth on my face. However, clusters of dark clouds threatened the sky and once again, the sun was hidden from my view.

We turned into the parking space of the diner. Parked at the jalopy's usual spot was a black SUV with a red bow on top of it. I shook my head and rubbed my eyes thinking I was imagining the new car. I got a new car for my birthday!

Ethan chuckled when he saw my reaction to the brand new SUV parked at my spot. "Your dad wanted to surprise you."

"And he did. Oh my gosh! I can't believe he got me an SUV. I've always wanted one." I jumped out of Ethan's truck after he had parked, excited to see my new wheels. I caressed the car lovingly and hugged it, "I'm going to call you, Wolf." Ethan raised his eyebrows questioning my choice of name.

"Why call it that?"

"My life seems to have centered itself around wolves. I think I should name something of mine "Wolf". At least when I say, 'I'm speaking with my wolf,' they'll think it's my car." I giggled and clapped my hands. "Let's go inside and grab the keys so I can take my baby out for a spin. Well, after we've met whom I'm suppose to meet, of course." To Ethan's surprise, I grab his hand to pull him to the diner then I intertwine my arm into his. I happily walked with him at my side. I looked at up at him and the sun suddenly peeked through the dark clouds making him look like a shiny god. He smiled at me, his grey eyes warm and dreamy. It felt like the world had drifted away and it was just the two of us. The sun ducked back into the clouds, but I just kept on smiling. Whoever I had to meet wasn't going to ruin the happiness I was feeling. I had a new car, my family and a man I liked by my side. I felt my world was somewhat complete.

"You like the new car your dad got you, Diana?", Didi asked when we entered the diner. She was busy serving a few customers with their bill. I guess the diner is closing early. I noticed the "Sorry, we're closed" sign when Ethan opened the door.

"Oh definitely. Where's my dad? I want to take the car for a drive."

"He's in his office. Knock before you enter. He's discussing business with a number of people." Didi kisses my cheek and takes off her apron. "By the way, I'll be headed home soon. I need to get my things and Harley's things prepared. Ethan? What about you?" Didi asks Ethan like he was staying with her. I raised one my eyebrows to her question, confused.

"My things are already in my bags, Aunt Daisy," he replied.

"Didi's your aunt? Wow, I didn't know that. So that means Didi, you're a ..." I was going to say wolf when Uncle Mike butted in.

"Ahem. Diana, your father is waiting for you in his office." He had a big smile on his face. All the apprehension I felt about meeting this mystery person melted away.

"Thanks, Uncle Mike."

"That means you too, Ethan." Uncle Mike puts on his coat and stuffs the envelope he was holding into his coat pocket. "I have a few errands to do. Don't worry, the diner is closing early today. Now, scoot. People are waiting." I nod my head at him and start walking to my dad's office with Ethan behind me. When I got to the door, I heaved a sigh and quietly knocked on the door.

A tall man I didn't know opened it. He was clean shaven, sporting a crew cut and had hazel eyes. He looked at me and smiled warmly and opened the door further.

"Here she is. Diana, Ethan come in," my dad said cheerily. He was seated at his desk, with a smile on his face. Seated in front of him were two women. One was old, her white hair cut short, with dainty pearl earrings. She was wearing a long sleeve white blouse and beige slacks. She had a tired look on her pale worn out face, her eyebrow make-up was fading and her red lipstick was smudged.

The other woman looked like a girl version of my dad except for the eyes. She didn't have my father's green eyes, rather she had light blue ones. She was wearing a gray track suit, sneakers and all, like she was about to run the marathon.

"This is my daughter, Diana and the man with her is Alpha Ethan Crowne of Sacred Moon Pack. Diana, Ethan, I want you to meet, Athena, my sister." I had an aunt!

My Aunt Athena stood up and took me into her arms and gave me a hug. "Oh my gosh, you look exactly like your mother except for the eyes. You have the Lockwood greens." She rubbed my back and pulled away, her hands on my shoulders. I'm so happy to finally meet you. Now let me take a look at you." She looks me up and down, smiling. "You're tall, another Lockwood trait and you're wolf is strong. I can sense it." She moves my hair away from my face, her nicely polished red long fingernails grazing my forehead. "You are beautiful." She whispered. I couldn't find the words to express my gratitude so I gave her a big smile instead. She smiled back, her eyes twinkling.

"Diana, Ethan, this is my former teacher. Her name is Minerva Allen. Ethan, I know you know she is an Elder in the Council of the Association of Wolves." Ethan nods his head at my dad and bows at the old woman. I follow suit and bow to her, too, thinking it was the proper way to address her. "While the man who opened the door, is a member of my pack, Jonathan." I nodded my head in acknowledgement to Jonathan. He smiled warmly again and I instantly felt I could trust him. Wow. I didn't know their was a council of wolves. Minerva Allen must be a Senator or maybe a Congresswoman to the wolves. She was someone very important.

"Now that everyone has been introduced, Diana, Ethan, please take a seat." My dad points to the sofa where Jonathan was already seated at one end. "We need to discuss business as quickly as possible." My dad was taking charge. I knew he was a bossy type of person, but somehow, now, he was different. He was acting like a leader.

"First, Ethan, I guess you already know your father is flying into Maine. Didi, your aunt, had sent a postcard with her address. It's safe to assume he will be here later tonight if the weather permits." Ethan nodded to my father's statement, confirming that he already knew.

"Yes, I called my Beta and he informed me my father will be taking our private jet here to Maine after he has finished conducting business with the Johnson's of the Midwest. I have instructed some of my men to come to Boston for our security. In secret, of course." My dad nods his head to Ethan. Ethan's family is rich. They have a private jet. He must be worth millions.

"Secondly, Elder Allen is here to help you Diana with your first shift that will be happening on your 18th birthday. We have all agreed to meet in Boston tomorrow morning. From there I will disclose the venue for your 18th birthday."

"Thirdly, we will all be leaving Maine tonight. When I say we, I mean, you and I, Michael, Didi, Harley and Ethan. We will not directly go to Boston yet, but we will be in the general area of Massachusetts. This is for safety purposes." I raise my hand to my dad and he laughs. I blush, feeling small among the big people inside the office. "Yes, pumpkin?" Thanks a lot, Dad. People had to hear you call me that.

"Dad, why do we have to leave so suddenly?"

"Ethan's father knows my father. If Ethan's father finds out who we are, when we wake up in the morning, this town will be swarming with wolves with only one intent. And that is to kill you and me. I would fight, but I need an army and as you can see Diana, I do not have one." My dad sighed.

"May I speak?" The old woman cleared her throat. "Diana, you are a special young wolf. You have no idea how special you are. The wolves who want to kill you know they need to kill you before you reach your 18th birthday. For now, for the protection of the people you hold dearly in your life, and I am not speaking just of your family, but also the humans who you call friends as well, it is better if you leave. No harm shall come to the people here if no one sees you. Edward Crowne is someone we should not take lightly. If he can not find Alpha Ethan, he will surely find out who Ethan has spoken to and that will lead to you and your father." She then pointed her fingers at me and Ethan. "I believe you and Alpha Ethan are fated mates?" She smiles widely. "Alpha Ethan, the Moon Goddess has blessed you with a special mate. Fated mates at this day and age are rare. I will officiate your mating once the mate bond is secure."

"No wonder Edward Crowne is coming here. I read in the paper..." My aunt stops and laughs and suddenly turns red in the face. "Never mind what I had read. Congratulations to the both of you." She looks at my dad who we all caught rolling his eyes. We all laughed except for Elder Minerva Allen.

"Alpha Ethan, please tell Diana and the rest of people here why your father is looking for you. As your fated mate, she has the right to know." Ethan rubbed his forehead and looked at me.

"Ah, uhm, ah...You see, Diana, I come from one of the wealthiest packs of the Pacific coast. My father thought it would be wise if I mated with a rich wolf heiress. He made an agreement with the wealthiest pack of the midwest. I was to mate with Sophia Johnson of the wealthy and influential Moon River Pack." Ethan took my hands into his. " You see, Diana, I didn't want to live like that so I ran off, vowing I will return with my fated mate by my side. I have been gone for several months, almost giving up my search for my mate. On the day I was about to give up, Aunt Daisy's name flashed in my head while I was driving and it led me to you." He raised one of my hands to his face. "You complete me and I will not allow anyone to hurt you." His grey eyes looked into mine and I caught a glimpse of my future with him. We were seated in a meadow full of flowers and I was hugging him from behind, a crown made of flowers on my head. I moved my face closer to his, wanting to see more, but my father coughed loudly breaking me from my vision. I let go of Ethan's hands and sank back into the sofa while Jonathan chuckled sensing my embarrassment.

"Diana, what was that?" My dad said sternly.

"I'm sorry, Dad, but it's not what you think. I saw something when I looked into Ethan's eyes. It was like something from the future." I hurriedly try to explain, my face turning beet red.

"Her powers are already developing, Lucas. She already has the gift of foresight." Elder Allen stands up from her chair and looks at her watch. "We need to leave now." She looks at my aunt and Jonathan. "Lucas, you have our numbers as we have yours. I expect to see you tomorrow. I will have everything arranged for my absence. Athena, as for you, you need to go back to New York. It is better if they do not suspect anything." Elder Allen gestures for me to come to her. "Come here, child. I need to take a look at you. Purely, for educational purposes." I get up and walk to her and she clasps both my hands into hers and looks me in my eyes. We stay like that for a moment then, she lets go. "I'll see you soon, Diana. Keep safe, my child. Alpha Ethan, make sure she's safe. Jonathan, let's go. Good day, Alpha Lucas." Jonathan opens the door and escorts Elder Allen out of the office.

"Sorry, Diana. I want to stay and get to know you, but duty interferes. I will see you soon, though. Take care, my dear." Aunt Athena kisses my cheek and blows a kiss to my dad. My dad stands up and gives her a hug.

"I'll see you, Athena. Make sure everything is ready." She nods and follows Elder Allen and Jonathan out the office.

"Diana, honey, we need to go home and pack. Call John and tell him we are going to The Bahamas for your birthday."

"No problem, Dad. Now can I have the keys to my new car?"

He chuckled, but his laughter didn't erase the worry lines on his forehead.