15.

Amelia



"Okay take a break. Great job, goldilocks."

I rolled my eyes playfully at the nickname Jonah had given me when we first met, I wasn't offended by it, it was welcoming. I never had an older brother or uncle so to have someone beside Angelo giving me a pet name. To me it was acceptance.

Tired to the bone I plopped down on the mat taking fast deep breaths, we've been going at it for hours and not once did I complain. Jonah said it's all due to my wolf's pent up energy coming in to play. Layla was very strong and had a lot of stamina, she was even giving me tips for running in human form with her given strength. I have been running laps, practicing kicks and punches learning basic self dense techniques and the disadvantages of wolves.
It was an eye-opener as to how self preserved they were because of their background. Learning to defend themselves in any situation was vital and somehow I can relate. When my mother died I fought for survival in my own way against my stepfather and Bryan. Though people who would have looked into my past if I let them know, would have told me I should have reported it or actually fight back, sad to say, I did try. It only ended with an immense array of torture that no kid should go through when they knew of my intentions. Now I'm here with this new life that I know I would love.

I have a family now.

Turning my head to the left there he was the reason why my life made a turn for the better. He was talking to Noah with the phone by his ear, his face was void of any expression he probably sensed me watching him and stopped talking to his uncle instantly. He hung up his phone and made it over to me, I was about to say something but was cut off by a soft yet demanding kiss. That kiss stirred all kinds of emotions in me but the ones that I felt from him caused my eyes to prick with tears. His kiss was possessive and calming at the same time. In that one passionate kiss, he told me how much he cared for me and won't let me go. I haven't realized he was kneeling beside me till he was hovering over me brushing my cheeks with his knuckles.

'Mate is worried about something.' Layla said whimpering as his gaze took me in carefully.

"When we get back there will be some changes," he said cautiously.

I sat up trying to decipher his tone. "Babe? what is it?" I asked my brows furrowing in confusion.

"Bryan was at Leah's place" was all he said. Layla growled in anger while I bolted upright in fear by the mention of his name I quickly asked about Leah knowing the lengths he would go to just to get the perfect answer.

"She's fine. After all, she is a hybrid sentinel" he said way too smugly.

I scoffed and playfully pushed him, a playful smile lit up his face, lost in his gaze I ran my fingers through his hair and tugging on it. I loved to see his smiles. It made him look so adorable and relaxed.

"Sweetheart when we go back I would like you to move in.... with me," he said quietly.

"Move in? With you?" I said slowly. Saying it out loud sounded unrealistic but in my head, it sounded.... good?

"For your safety that is. Not that I don't want you near me all the time but it makes sense for you to be close to me when this threat called Bryan is in New York. I hope this isn't too much sweetheart. I just want to keep you safe. Please don't be mad. Uncle Jonah and Noah said it's for a good reason."

I had to bite my lips to refrain from laughing, Angelo's rambling was too cute when he suggested I move in with him I knew the reason was due to Bryan. If Bryan wasn't the problem I know he would want us to take our time in our new relationship.

I ended his ramblings with a quick kiss to his lips then forehead and smiled up at him, "It's okay. I understand what I'm worried about though, is work. Are you okay with this? I mean we practically made out in front of the whole company."

"Actually the whole world," he muttered darkly.

"What now?"

"Guests have posted our pictures online and it has been circulating since that night. Though no one has said a bad word about you. Thank goddess for that. The point is I didn't want you in the spotlight so soon. I should have had control at the ball but you looked so enchanting." This time I did release a giggle, his ramblings were too cute.

He stopped his rambling and actually pouted while folding his arms across his chest. "Love, this is serious. We had our first kiss and the whole world is now poking their nose in our new relationship. I don't like it at all. I don't want them to analyze every part of our life. Nor do I want them following us around waiting for us to fuck up."

My shoulders slumped as I listened to his statement, he was worried. Truly worried that the media hounds would destroy what we have, scared that they would hurt me, could he be any sweeter. Here we are in the middle of handling a pest situation and he was worried about our future.

"Angelo. Look at me" I said softly while grabbing his hands. He clutched onto them like a lifeline, some of his tension fell away as he gave me a somewhat shy smile.

'Isn't he cute?' Layla said in a sing-song voice.

"When I came to work for Saville Inc. I didn't expect to find out that I'm a wolf and to be the mate of my handsome, quiet, millionaire boss. Our first kiss could have been anywhere but it happened when both of us decided to take a step up in our lives. Agreeing to be with you I understood the disadvantages but that isn't stopping me from looking forward to our future. You came into this relationship with glitz and glamour I came in with a broken past and trust issues but we accepted each other. We can do this, baby. We are a team now. You and I. Angelo and Amelia" I told him this truthfully, it may be the mate bond but this was it for me. Angelo and I would make it.

"Yeah. A team. I like that." he said cheerfully his eyes shining with new hope. Hope that we will make it. It made me realize that I always want to see my Angelo happy and I would make sure of that.

"So..... I think I should ask Leah to send over my stuff" I started to say while getting up.

"Ummmmmmmm..... I kind of did that already also I had Maureen order some new clothes to add to your present ones and fixed up a room for you just in case you may need some space. Mama told me to make that last part happen."

My jaw literally dropped in surprise and disbelief to think he already done all of this before telling me his plans of our new living arrangements. I was pleased that he thought of it but he should have come to me earlier about this what if I wasn't okay with all of this.

"Babe I appreciate all of that but please come to me first before doing anything rash that pertains to me. From now we talk things out okay?!" I said still trying to wrap my mind around him buying me new things and making space for me in his home.

"I promise," he said with a silly grin on his face.

"Oye. Let's get back to work. Then you can have time with ya precious mate" Jonah called out from beside his brother.

"Don't forget our picnic when you're through. I'm going back to the house to do some work. Come find me okay" he said pulling me into his arms.

"I will" I mumbled against his chest and took in his scent of fresh earth and sandalwood before he reluctantly left.

"Punching bag time" was all Jonah said with a grin. The next two hours are going to be torture.







Angelo



"Yes, dad. She's the exact replica of uncle Nikolai. I'm sure you saw her picture"

I was currently on the phone with my father discussing Amelia and my duties to my territory. I also wanted his help with Nikolai since they have been friends for a long time. He will be surprised that his only daughter is my mate but I doubt he will want to spoil his newfound daddy-daughter relationship to tear us apart.

To say I have confidence in our relationship now would be an understatement. She took the whole moving in thing great, she understood the reason at hand but not once did she ask for an alternative. Amelia surprised me back there in the gym with her understanding of the media and my crazy life.

'A team. It is something great, Angelo. We have a very supportive mate' Lykos said with pride.

'We sure do buddy' I responded with the same pride.

"I sure did son. The whole palace did" dad said over the phone with laughter in his voice.

"Angie she's so beautiful. You must bring her home. Everyone wants to meet her." A silly grin took over my face as I pictured my mom leaning into the phone shouting her input.

"Mama. I just got her. Can't you wait till I actually mark her?" I asked her while laughing.

"Dude knowing you that may take some months" I heard my brother said in the background.

"Dad. You have me on speaker" I shouted wondering who was listening in to our conversation.

"Actually your mother saw your call and put it on speaker while getting everyone into my office. Since you left she had no one else to fawn over. Ow!! Emmy!!" From that painful cry and the smack, I knew the back of my father's head would be stinging now.

Uncle Noah laughed out loud in the corner as I also had my father on speaker.

My face actually heated up at dad's last statement it was no secret after Caiden left for Seattle mom and I grew closer but her maternal care was overboard from making sure I eat every meal to giving my wolf a run every day.

"Angie sweetie. I'm sorry it's just that I hardly hear from you anymore. You've only talked to Caiden and your dad. What am I chopped liver? I bet the girls have heard from you since you been out in New York" she huffed.

"Mama." was all I said calmly.

"Oh fine" she sighed accompanied by the creaking of a chair.

"Anyway brother, we have tried to reach Nikolai but no luck. With the hybrid I know you can handle him by yourself but I've notified Damian and Dimitri. Hybrid sentinels have been sent out to New York, you need to be prepared. Dad and I won't be by your side this time, unfortunately. What I saw isn't to the magnitude of our past fights but it's crucial. Exposure and innocent lives may be at stake. When you get back to the penthouse a few of your new sentinels would be there. Dad sort of took the liberty to take over the six floors below yours for them." Caiden said.

"DAD!!!" I shouted in disbelief. My father and Cay have been my protectors through every step of my life, even my mother well let's say, everyone. Though I've been trained excessively it didn't cause them to pull back on their protective reins. Guards have been always at my side since I first started to walk, in college it was a bit awkward to walk around with four men heavily armed following you to every class. They never told me why when I asked and compared my life to Rebecca's. Hell, she was the only princess and she didn't have so much protection. It was my decision to come back to New York, they promise to ease up.

"It's not that bad. You won't even know they are there. " Dad said in a nonchalant tone.

Someone cleared their throat in the background then a strange cough. "Michael," my mother harshly whispered.

"Fine," dad snapped then took a deep breath.

"What is it, dad? Please don't tell me you have upped the security in my company over a stupid untrained hybrid" I said leaning back into the comfortable leather chair.

The silence was my reply from him.

"Mama?" I called out. No answer.

"Cay. Micah, please don't tell me he did that?" I asked in disbelief.

"I am doing this for your own protection son" he started to say.

I was beyond calm at the moment and was trying my best to rein in my temper.

"Cancel. Their. Arrival. Now." I bit out.

"Angelo. Your father is doing this for your own safety. After Caiden's vision, we got worried now you tell us that your mate is Nikolai's daughter. We all know how ruthless he can be. Friend or not," Mom was always the voice of reason but they went too far.

"I don't care what Caiden's vision was. The fact that every single one of you treats me like fine china is getting old. I have my own fucking company. My own territory. My own sentinels who have been under me since I first shifted what else do I have to do or say to make you understand I can take care of myself. You two never put so much protection on Becca and she's the only crown princess. Tell me now why you keep going overboard in protection detail" I all but shouted at them.

Uncle Noah was now standing keeping his distance from me, my brows furrowed in confusion as to why he was acting weird that's when he gestured to the room. Stationery, chairs, and picture frames were floating in the air dangerously around me, I never got this worked up because of that. My telepathic gifts get stronger when my anxiety or anger kicks in. "Fuck!" I spat out and carefully replaced everything to its right spot.

"Angie?" I heard my mother call out to me.

"Mama?" was all I said.

"Angelo do you ever wonder why Becca and I need your help with most of our gifts. Or why our mates' powers are stronger when you are near." It was Caiden who now spoke to me.

I thought back at times where I had to be with Caiden to vision share or to project something to a public eye and with my little sister, I always have to be near her when she needs to create a full-scale illusion and for her to mind walk into people's minds.

"Sibling bond. Right mama? That's what you said."

She didn't respond but I heard her sniff then the rattling of the phone and closing of the door.

"Do you remember the night of Elise's birthday?" I heard Caiden said.

"Caiden. Please leave that night out" I grounded out not wanting to re-hash those memories.

"I have to Angie.... just listen please" he begged. My big brother never begged nor did he ever sound so pained.

"Go on"

"With you out of the picture our bond would no longer exist. It seems like all three of us are linked beside a blood bond but on the supernatural plane. Angelo a bounty was put out on your head since you were born."

I stayed quiet trying to understand his statement.

"So with me dead, you and Becca would be weak? " I asked tugging at my hair.

"The night of Elise's birthday their first attack was then. Elise wasn't the one to die that night. You were."