11.

Angelo



'He will take her away Angelo. We can lose her for good. We need to claim her.'

Lykos was surging with anger after Leah announced that our mate was Nikolai's daughter. We all knew of his search for his daughter and mate but was never close to finding them. Nikolai was family I'm hoping that our bond to him would let me keep Amelia in the states. I knew it was wishful thinking she was now the heiress of the Starkov company and next in line to take over the packs in Russia she had her own people to take care of just as I have my own people to take care of also.

I was outside on the penthouse balcony trying to calm down, trying to get the images of Amelia choosing to leave with her father than staying with me which were turning in to images of Elise lying dead in my arms. I let out a bitter laugh and went to sit in the corner of the balcony.

"If she loves us she would stay, right? All we gotta do is make her love us before Nikolai finds out she's alive. She has to stay. She has to" I said out loud.

Listen to me now, at first I didn't want her now I want to keep her, I wanted a life with her now. I don't know what changed my mind but I wasn't going to deny it. Not anymore.

Someone opened the door and stepped out I knew who it was before they sat beside me, "I'm not letting her go uncle" I said softly.

"I know, kid and I won't allow it"

Uncle Jonah has been there for me numerous times always at my beck and calls even by my side when I don't need it. He taught me how to fight, teaching me moves the sentinels nor my brother knew of, giving me advice on the most mundane things and the complicated things that's why I felt guilty for not telling him of Elise initially. He understood why I didn't and like always he will always be my protector.

"So how do I make her love me? How do I make her see that I will protect her, care for her? Be there for her," I asked keeping my head low. I was new to all of this. I've never dated, never spent time alone with a female besides my sisters and mom. Caiden and I made it a promise to be faithful and intimate with one woman only -our mates, so I am still a virgin. I think I'm the only one left in the family.

I groaned in exasperation she's going to find it so funny that the feared prince is a virgin.

'No, she won't. We will solely be hers and only hers' Lykos said forcefully. He was getting wound up he wanted to be near her but I wasn't ready to go back in there.

"Remember the story your father used to tell you, kids ... well, he still does," uncle said from our silence.

"The story of him and mom? yeah."

"Your father thought he didn't deserve your mother. When I went in search of him he was injured by hunters, on our way back he told me that if he dies before he sees Emma again he would ask the goddess to give your mother a mate who didn't have a dirty past and would love her unconditionally. A love outside of the mate bond. Thank goddess he made it because I know your mother would love no other wolf.
He came to us wanting to please her, he still comes to us after all these years. Michael finds it too good to be true that Emma loves him despite his past. They found love outside of the bond. Forget about the mate bond and focus solely on her. You're a great kid she's going to see the same just talk more, open up and be free. Stop putting up those walls."

I remembered the story clearly of how mom stayed by dad's side not letting him go even when he resisted her love, only to fully give in as they made their journey to the crown. No one would have thought that Dad rejected mom after marking her, everyone can see how much she means to him. Caiden and I admired them from small at how easy they loved each other and never once raised their voice at each other in anger. We wanted what they had but Becca was the lucky one, I guess.

"Thanks, uncle. I'll try my best. Head the search for this Bryan when you do bring him to me," I said rising to my feet.

"Sure thing boss" he teased as I left him on the balcony.

My steps were slow as I made it back to my room my thoughts were on how to make the first move with her. When to do it. Where to do it.

All those things went out the window when I opened my room door forgetting to knock to see her sitting on the couch looking out the window. Her blonde hair flowed over her shoulders as she rested her head on her knees, she was dressed in fitted jeans and a flowing white top matched with a tan brown anklet boot. She was so breathtaking, her natural beauty pulled me to her before I knew it, I was kneeling beside her whispering her name.

She turned to look at me, a slight smile on her pouty pink lips, her blue eyes shone so brightly as she peered down at me.

"Angelo" was all she said before I reached up to claim her lips. I couldn't resist any longer. I savored every touch, every lick every bite she gave to me, my body felt alive and Lykos was ecstatic. I sat on the couch and allowed her to straddle my hips, my fingers combing through her hair, loving how soft it felt through my fingers. She trailed kisses from my lips then my jawline to my neck, I growled in anticipation wanting more from her but I know its too soon reluctantly I pulled back and took in the sight before me.

Amelia's blue eyes were filled with lust then a hint of disappointment. "I-I want to do this right with you," I stuttered out.

She giggled at my nervousness and brushed back my hair before cupping my cheek, "So do I" Her eyes began to get dark before she pulled me back towards her. I chuckled against her lips and asked, "What's your name my gorgeous she-wolf?" between kisses.

"My human named me Layla, my prince," she said stopping completely. Her voice was so seductive like a siren Lykos was going crazy.

"Wonderful name. You want Lykos don't you?" I asked smirking as she blushed. She nodded her head yes while passing her hand past my chest down to my toned abs, her touch made it hard to breathe. Lykos pushed pass my barriers and took over completely. We carried her over to the bed and claimed her lips once more, I felt myself harden and slowly moved against her core. She groaned lustily against my lips pushing her hips thrusting against my member.

This wasn't what I wanted. I didn't want her to think sex was all I wanted from her it took me a while to get Lykos to stand down. "Layla. Give me back Amelia, my sweet. We need to help her into all of this. I know you've been waiting for us but this is new to your human. Come on sweetheart give me Amelia" I said softly in her ear while nibbling on it.

"Yes my prince," she said letting out a long moan clutching unto my arms.

A moment later Amelia's hold on me loosen, gazing up at me was those blue eyes. "Your wolf wanted to be with my wolf. They wanted to speed up the mating process," I explained.

"Is that a bad thing?" she asked softly.

"No it isn't sweetheart but you deserve my heart first before I take you as my own. I want to go on dates with you, get to know you more just be a couple before our commitment as mates is confirmed"

"You want me to be your girlfriend?" she asked incredulously.

"uh... yes. I didn't ask you properly didn't I?" My cheeks warmed up at how stupid I must have sounded to her.

I felt her fingers run through my hair that's when I realized I was still atop of her but she didn't complain at all. Our position was both intimate and natural and neither of us minded at all.

"You did and yes I'll love to be your girlfriend. I never was asked before," she added quietly. My brows furrowed in confusion didn't Leah mention that she had an ex-boyfriend?

"Never? So who's this Bryan to you" I asked. Her hand stilled at the crown of my head, her body visibly tensed beneath me. "Just someone I wish to forget," she said giving me a slight smile.

"Why is he following you? He's not taking you away from me" I said harshly before claiming her lips once more. Having her with me felt so right, no one will take away my chance at happiness. She let out a moan as I deepened the kiss asking for entrance with my tongue she immediately gave in, softly biting her lips and tongue I ended the kiss.

"I don't want to leave you either," she said while trying to catch her breath.

A silly grin took over my face, it fully registered to me that she accepted to be my mate, my girlfriend, my princess. "Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me."

"Same here for me. I just want to start over. I can't be afraid anymore," she said stroking my cheek. I closed my eyes loving the unmistakable tingles flowing through my body, I placed a kiss in the middle of her palm, with that simple gesture I heard her sharp intake of breath.

"I will protect you, Amelia. You are my world now" I said trying to reassure her. Her words said one thing but her heart and eyes said another. She was scared of something maybe this Bryan person I just asked her about.

Moving from atop of her I opted to lie beside her with her in my arms as she caressed my back unconsciously. We both stayed in silence not saying a word, I don't know what she was thinking but ways of showing her how I felt for her bombarded my mind.

Things are going to be different now, not only behind closed doors but in the public's eye. I don't know if I want her caught up in the spotlight as yet. One photo of us together and Nikolai will be on the first flight to New York.

"Angelo?" she called out to me. I pulled her closer, I loved the way my name rolled off her tongue.

"Yes, sweetheart?" I answered placing a kiss on her head.

"If my past isn't one full of butterflies and rainbows would you still accept me as yours?" she asked lowering her gaze. I had to pull back and watch her, confused as to why she asked such a question.

"Amelia..... look at me"

She refused but clutched my tshirt tighter. "Look at me, sweetheart. Let me see those beautiful eyes of yours" I said much softer. Slowly she looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, " I, Angelo accept you as mine, body heart and soul no matter what messy or complicated past you may have. I accepted you as my mate to have a future, a wonderful future together. We are not going back to the past, do you hear me, sweetheart?"

"Yes," she said with a shaky voice.

Pulling her into my arms I listened to her soft sobs, I don't know what changed her mood so drastically but I promise to keep her away from that dark path. She doesn't know it but her presence in my life has slowly brought me out of my dark past and I would do the same for her.

"Maybe one day you will tell me but for now I promise to give you better memories. Happy ones" I murmured against her hair. That's what mates do, make each other happy no matter the cost.







I was contented in our little bubble in my room but reality had to come and burst it. After a late breakfast with Amelia, we had to fly over to Brentwood for the weekend to give her wolf some basic training. Everyone gave us space during breakfast which I was grateful for, I couldn't keep my hands to myself. I stole small kisses from her, holding her hand, touching her lovely pale skin, my wolf and I needed to keep in contact with her. To us, it was a dream, blink and our connection would go away like a distant memory. Lykos and I were happy, this is what we were refusing but a small ounce of guilt clouded our mind of replacing Elise. Was it bad that we still thought of her?

Our heart still aches at the thought of her. "Are you okay?" Amelia asked squeezing my hand bringing me back to the present.

"I'm fine, sweetheart," I reassured her bringing her fingers to my lips. I had to tell her about Elise I need to get it off my chest, be honest with her. I wonder if she remembered that moment in the car when I called her Elise. How did it affect her? I wanted to know but was too scared to ask, I didn't want to ruin our time now.

"Come on eat up. We gotta get moving. We will be spending the weekend in Brentwood then back here on Sunday night. Ummm......" I continued.

"Yeah?" she pushed for me to continue as she got up to clear our table.

"What are you doing?" I asked distracted by her movements.

"Clearing the table" she answered slowly as if she was talking to a child.

"Leave it be. Maureen does that. Come now" I said motioning her towards the exit.

"Do you have servants for everything?"Her condescending tone was one I've heard too many times before in college and it still rubbed me the wrong way.

"Helpers." I simply corrected trying not to make my tone of voice cold and pausing by the entryway of the living area where Jace was coming towards us with my weekend bag and work bag in his hands.

"Uhh... ya," she said gesturing to Jace in a very irritated tone.

"Jace is my sentinel. Maureen is my housekeeper. The castle has helpers, my siblings and I grew up with being waited on hand and foot but we do know how to take care of our selves. We are not obnoxious brats people tend to deduct us as because we are wealthy. The people around us do these things on their own will, we do not force anyone to serve us because we are royalty. Please do not think of us in that light. I have enough of that from the public I don't expect it from my mate," I snapped clenching my jaw tightly. I didn't mean to sound so harsh towards her but I refused to be measured by my wealth.

She looked around the room holding her midsection then watched my sentinels closely who were standing at ease by the doorway. "Sorry I didn't mean to. I mean I did think of you that way a few days ago but I was wrong. I'm sorry Angelo"

I said nothing but simply pulled her in my arms kissing the crown of her head. "This is your world now sweetheart in more ways than you know," I said softly in her ear before leading us out of the penthouse onto the rooftop. Our hands were still linked together neither of us wanting to let go even when we boarded the helicopter. My uncles along with her protectors were already seated waiting for us. "Amelia these are my uncles. Delta Noah and Delta Jonah," I said introducing them to her. Noah the quiet one between the two murmured a greeting while shaking her hand. Jonah the unpredictable one pulled her into a tight hug before ruffling her hair. "Welcome to the fam, goldilocks," he said grinning. Amelia blushed at the nickname my uncle gave her in which I simply rolled my eyes leave it to him to nickname people he just met. I didn't mind, all that matters was that my family will accept her. With her, in the Saville family fold, we may have a chance in convincing Nikolai to leave her here with us.

I hope.

First, I must get rid of this Bryan guy. It's now on top of my to-do list, if he can strike so much fear in my girl then he deserves to be removed.

Indefinitely.