30.1

Sienna looked over discreetly at Nikolai as they walked through the halls of the castle, they were on their way to take a stroll around the garden, in lieu to strengthen her body. It was her fourth day out and about in her new home and he insisted to be by her side every morning before and after work. He made it his duty to show her around when simply Zarif or Mina could have shown her but she gave in to his silent demand. In his own way, it was dubbed their daily couple walks, Nikolai was excited to show her his home, every little thing. The secret passages, his office, his favorite garden, and where he liked to 'hideout'. Within those past three days, she never felt so alive, so complete. Talking to her parents was bittersweet but she was assured that it was normal, she missed being with them but was happy being with Nikolai.

A new life, her father said.

Both Nikolai and Sienna were seated in the breakfast room after their visit to the gardens awaiting their meal when Jay came strolling in. She was told of him but they haven't met since she got up, he was in St. Peters burg on business for Nikolai, it took more than a day so he had to stay and wrap everything up or deal with a brooding alpha.

"Well hello. You're gorgeous." was his initial greeting while slowing his steps sending her a lazy smile. A low growl was heard by her side, Sienna bit her lips to muffle the laughter bubbling in her throat. By the twinkle in his eye, she knew he was teasing Nikolai.

"Thank you. You must be Jay. You look awfully a lot like my trainer when I was back home," she said looking at him closely. Jay's smile grew, "Oh that's my Uncle Jonah. My father is his twin brother." he explained sitting next to her.

"Jay." was Nikolai's calm warning.

"Shhhh. So, Sienna. Do you have any siblings? Preferably a female."

"Nope."

"How 'bout cousins? Maybe closely beautiful as you." he pressed.

"Go away" Nikolai cut in getting annoyed. Jay waved him away like a fly and continued his questioning.

"Hmmm. All two were mated," she answered trying her best not to laugh as a deep frown was shown on his face with the mischief still in his eyes.

"What about friends. I must be lucky there?" he said with puppy dog eyes.

"Sienna is not looking for a mate for you. Go away." Nikolai snapped at his cousin. Jay rolled his eyes and sat squarely when their meal was brought in. "I was being nice Niko. You have no time for me anymore" he said with the most realistic sad little boy voice.

It was then Sienna couldn't keep in any longer as her mate pinched the bridge of his nose, "Ho about we go for a run later," Nikolai suggested regretting it already.

"Yayyyy! We gonna go for a run then play some video games maybe we can ask Sienna to join," all of this was said in a very high girl voice while checking it off on his fingers. "Yeah sure," Nikolai mumbled handing Sienna her coffee. Jay chatted excitedly with grumbles of response came from her mate. She knew he wasn't really annoyed with his dear cousin, she saw the small smiles and that familial love in his eyes as Jay included her in their talk.



As they began to eat, Mina ran in following by a more composed Zarif looking at his slightly panicked mate, fondly. "Thank Goddess you are still here. The elders have been asking for you. You haven't been allowing them in." she said with a pointed stare. "Eh. Been busy. I'm not a prince alone" he said nonchalantly while eating. In truth, he was ignoring them, he knew what they wanted to talk about and he wasn't sure if his mate was ready for it.

Mina kept her gaze on her brother till he began to get restless in his seat, 'What is it?' she asked.

'I..... She's not ready' he said with an unsure tone.

'She's not ready or you're not ready?' Mina pushed.

He shut her out and reached for his mate's hand, Sienna didn't hesitate in giving him a comforting squeeze him. His sister was right. Anyone can see with just one glance that his mate can take on anything even a pack that was fifty percent of Russia give or take. He was the one who wasn't ready. Crowds still scare him, he laughed to himself finding the irony of the Russian Prince afraid of crowds, a crowd in which he has to address and answer silly questions. Also, it would determine if his people would accept her as their Luna and she would be there.

'The ceremony is in four days. Tell Luna.' Zarif said to his friend. He knew he had to whether he liked it or not.
He didn't respond, he quietly finished his breakfast then left the room. "Nicky?" he paused in the middle of the hallway and slowly he turned to her. Her hair flowed behind her as she jogged up to him, dressed in jeans and flowered flowing top she looked so relaxed and happy. "Hi," he simply said giving her a weak smile. Sienna released a deep sigh, she saw the uncertainty in his eyes before he hid it.

"What is it?" she simply asked. Nikolai didn't answer the way she expected but his way was great either way. He answered with a desperate kiss, holding her close as it got more intense he lifted her as she wrapped her legs around his waist. It took everything in her not to suggest he take the day home and took her fill of his loving, heated kisses. Pulling away, he kept her gaze and gave her a weak smile, "Mina shall take you shopping. Have fun. We'll go out for dinner tonight," he said holding her tighter.

"Nikolai, that's all great and everything but something is bothering you, what is it? I felt it all through breakfast."

"I am fine. I have to go, I'll miss you." He evaded her question by kissing her once more before letting her down easy. She was about to ask again when he backed away from her, avoiding her eyes. Sienna never felt so useless, she sensed his nervousness and apprehension.

"Bye."

"Bye, angel" he returned walking away. Even though she respected his need for privacy and his way of dealing with things, his brush off sent a pang of hurt to her heart. Something is bothering her mate.







The day went by quickly for Sienna and Mina, shopping and sightseeing were amazing. The mention of the Saville name opened up a lot at the high-end fashion stores. The clerks were falling over their feet for the girls, getting everything they needed. She really felt like the title she now held.

Sienna was seated by the dressing rooms waiting on Mina as she was trying on the umpteen dress for the day. "Mina? Is something wrong with Nikolai?" she asked. It has been bugging her throughout their whole trip around the capital city. Her calls from him were just polite, she was beginning to think that he regrets having her.

"I don't think so" Mina answered coming out to reach Sienna. "He's been so distant today. I know something is bothering him it kind of hurts that he won't be open with me."

"Don't be. Knowing my brother he is probably prepping himself to talk to you. He is learning to be open. Just be patient. You will soon know the mystery that is my brother." Mina explained sitting beside her. Sienna simply nodded then walked with her to the cashier. "Let's head back home. Need to get you ready for tonight."

"Our first actual date."





Sienna was standing in her walk-in closet taking in herself in the full-length mirror. Her hair was curled then styled in an intricate up-do; her dress was a black and beige lace halter dress with a detachable trail and black peep-toe pumps. "You look gorgeous, Sienna," Mina said in awe standing behind her sister in law. Her makeup was natural with her lips blood red, the only jewelry she wore was a diamond teardrop earrings from her personal royal jewelry. When she was first shown it, her heart stopped for a millisecond. "Why am I so nervous?" Sienna asked and began pacing.

"Chill it's just Nikolai. The man who lo-likes you. You're both mates. It will all go well." her friend reassured her. Twirling in her dress one more time, she went out to her sitting area and waited for her date. After Mina left, she idly paced the floor, a few minutes passed when she felt his presence. "I am a lucky man," he said. Slowly she turned around and face him, he was now clean-shaven, sadly no more beard. His hair was neatly trimmed; his blue eyes were bright as the light shone in his eyes. She stepped forward placing her hand in his outstretched one, he was dressed in black dress pants and a white dress shirt with a beige tie. He looked every way the handsome and mysterious prince she has heard rumors about him, around the castle and in some wolf owned shops.

"My Enna," he breathed out kissing her knuckles. It was torture being away from her, even worse when he came to a decision to tell her everything. She was the most amazing, smart, fierce, and gorgeous woman he ever met and she was his. "Nikolai" she responded going closer to him. His warmth cocooned her body making her feel safe and protected; his heart was racing giving away how he reacted whenever she was near. Kissing her temple, he reluctantly led her out of her room before he took her then and there.

The restaurant Nikolai chose was his grandfather's favorite; since his death, he hasn't dined there in years. From thinking all day as to where to start all over again the restaurant came to mind initially. It was where his grandfather told him of being the next high alpha and what was expected of him. Nikolai and Vadim agreed that here was the place to start the next chapter in his life. "Starkov." was all he said to the hostess when they arrived. Her head shot up, her eyes widen in surprise, her body was frozen in shock as she looked him over thoroughly, not giving the woman on his arm a second look.

"Да. Да сэр. Ваша личная столовая комната готова. Все по своему вкусу." (Yes. Yes sir. Your private dining room is ready. All to your liking.) she said quickly dropping the menus through all her nerves. "Следуйте за мной, пожалуйста, сэр." (Follow me please sir.) She continued staring at him in pure amazement.

Nikolai's eyebrow rose in utter disapproval as he took notice of how she blatantly ignored his mate. "Я только один здесь?" (Am I the only one here?) He asked coldly. The hostess glanced to Sienna on his arms, she couldn't disagree that the woman who captured the great Nikolai Starkov was indeed beautiful but couldn't help feeling jealous of her.

"Добрый вечер, мисс. Добро пожаловат." (Good evening miss. Welcome.) She finally said with a tight-lipped smile. Sienna simply nodded and gave her a small smile; Nikolai kissed her temple then motioned for the girl to show him to their dining area. Walking through the middle path among the other diners, Nikolai and Sienna were on show for everyone to see. Few recognized him, the whispers began low then it became louder as they began to question his presence in the restaurant, questioning who's the girl with him. He placed his hand over Sienna's that was on his arm, the further they walked the tighter his hold got. "Don't mind them. Just silly gossipers" she whispered for only his ears. Her few words gave him a bit more confidence as they neared their private dining room.

He seated Sienna then ordered at once for both of them, sending away the hostess. Sienna looked around the room and was truly enthralled by the simple yet extraordinary design of it. The room had its own balcony, the double doors were covered by thin gold muslin curtains, the walls have the vintage flowered design of red and gold, wall scones, and other designs were gold. The only furniture that the room held was the table for two, a love seat and a sidebar. "It's beautiful, Nicky" she complimented.

Nikolai said nothing as he stood by the door watching her closely. 'It's only her. No one else' Vadim said pushing his human to go to their mate. Quickly he went and sat opposite her; nervously he placed his hands on the table, drank a sip of water then placed them at his sides. He fixed his jacket and tie three times under close scrutiny of his mate. Sienna noticed this and felt at ease, this was the Nikolai his sister told her about. Without his family's close presence he was a shy, nervous, vulnerable man, it was somewhat refreshing to see this side of any man. To put him out of his misery, she recounted her day and made it into a fascinating story as Nikolai listened closely and laughing at her silly slip-ups when trying to speak Russian. During her story, their meals were brought in, her heart fluttered as she saw the meal that was placed in front of her, Penne Pasta, her favorite. They ate in silence, Nikolai shared with her two of his favorite dishes, Pelmini and Rassolnik, if he didn't stop her she would have eaten his whole dinner. Blushing with embarrassment she went back to her own dinner. As their plates were taken away he ordered Knish for their dessert, as they waited his nerves came back into play, he avoided eye contact and found the design on table cloth very interesting.

'This is our mate who stayed after the kidnapping. You tell her how we feel' Vadim pressed. Nikolai practically jumped when Sienna took his hand into hers. "Are you okay Nicky?" she asked. Her voice washed over him like a warm blanket, her eyes always captured him in a blissful gaze, and her touch aside from the familiar mate tingles always made him feel that he wasn't alone.

"You are my second girlfriend and I'm happy you are my mate. You are completely different from Anya. I see it every day." he started finally looking at her. The mention of the name Anya made Sienna feel cheated somehow of not being the first to see the real Nikolai but she couldn't be a hypocrite when she was with his younger cousin.

"Anya was the first person outside of the family I brought home. She was human but knew of my true nature. She was sweet, caring attentive, and pretty but I found out after months that side was only for me. I ignored little one's comments even Zarif and Jay. I was happy, I thought they did not like seeing me happy then Anya started to be demanding of expensive stuff and money, I gave her because I want her to be happy. We made a year together when my company started to lose major clients and the designs I made was missing. What I was shown made me untrustworthy of people outside of the family. Zarif had a video of Anya stealing designs from my private office. I was stupid to believe she wanted me. She said I was half a man because I was too quiet and not assertive." Throughout the story, Sienna felt all different kinds of emotions, she didn't realize that her hand no longer was on Nikolai's, looking over at him he looked very broken. That woman made him not see how wonderful he truly was. Being an introvert wasn't bad, she loved how he held himself, allowed few people to see his weakness, loyal to them, and always thought things through.

"Words do not define people. Actions do." she firmly said looking at him. "My actions sometimes tell people that I am arrogant, self-centered, and unfeeling" he mumbled with his head still low.

"Do you care what people think of you?"

"No." he spat sitting up, "I only care what family and you think of me"

Sienna rolled her eyes and gave him a cheeky smile. The waiter interrupted them to deliver their desserts then professionally went back out after refilling their wine glasses.

"As far as I learned from being around you. You are a 'whole' lot of man. You being quiet is awfully sexy." she lightly mentioned as they ate their dessert. Recognizing her sexual innuendo a slight blush covered his cheek, he bent his head and became quite focus on his dessert. Shifting in his seat, he wondered if his mate knew what she just caused by her words and that sinful smile.