8.

Later that day Angelo sat in his office at home thinking of that almost kiss with his mate, he didn't see Elise he saw her, he saw Amelia. Her scent was intoxicating, the feel of her soft pale skin, those full pouty pink lips were all like a beacon dragging him closer to her. At that moment he had clarity, no conflicted thoughts, no doubting all he wanted to do was kiss her senselessly.

And it scared him. Though after the talk with his uncle, his mind has been at a better place slowly giving in to the bond but he was still hesitant. His dreams of Elise haven't surfaced since the day he met Amelia, Angelo combed his mind for a memory of Elise and held on to it. That was what he was afraid of. He was afraid of losing his first love forever.

'I know you're scared, so am I but I get what our family has been saying and trying to do. Amelia... Amelia is our future and Elise is our past. I don't want to give her up and I won't but the mate bond is stronger now. You saw it in action this morning. It took my all to control you,' he said to his wolf.

'I understand, my friend,' Lykos said wistfully supporting his human's decision.

Opening the drawer of his desk he pulled out the picture he had framed of her, sadly he traced her features remembering the feel of her skin. "I won't forget you, my Elise" he whispered to the picture before placing it back in its place.

Someone knocked on his office door then barged in, the only person who does this would be his friend Josiah. He looked at his friend who was dressed in a steel gray suit with a white shirt and no tie. Josiah also sported a diamond stud in his ear and was wearing his vintage Cartier watch with a matching ring and necklace.

"Going out?" Angelo asked in a bored tone.

"Actually we are. The charity ball is tonight and strict orders from you know who says you must be present to at least one event. Why not this one." he said tucking his hands in his slacks. Josiah knew his friend would never defy his parents, he always wanted to please them even when they were already proud of him. Though his reasons for the prince to come to this ball were different, it would be nice for Angelo to be seen out in public, show people he wasn't that seclusive.

"How about the next one? I'm not ready for it."

Josiah raised an eyebrow at him then cleared his throat in stepped both of his uncles already dressed in full identical black evening attire. The ladies would have a hard time keeping their composure for the twins were both identical now due to Noah's hair was grown out along with the neatly kept facial hair.

"What were you saying, kid?" Jonah asked while smirking at his young nephew.

Growling below his breath he stalked past them and went to his room to get ready reluctantly.



"This will work I'm sure of it. You guys need to chill" Josiah said to the twin uncles and sentinels. They all wanted this human's plan to work to push Angelo and Amelia closer. Tonight was the night to do it, his wolf needs to be calmed and Amelia was the one to do that.

"We would enter from the back. I kind of told her Angelo won't be coming and neither would I" Josiah said dusting off some invisible lint. They all raised their eyebrows at him then shook their heads.

"Okay. Let's get this over with" Angelo grumbled walking by them and heading out the door.

Jace gave Josiah a stern look. "It will work" he snapped at the sentinel and followed his friend.



*****

Amelia and Leah stepped out of the car at the entrance of the most luxurious hotel in New York. Cameras flashed in their faces as paparazzi and reporters threw questions at the guests of the Saville Charity Ball. A smile was pasted on Amelia's face as she was uncomfortable with all this glitz and glamour. Elite members of the city slowly made their way in, stopping for pictures and answering questions.

A question caught Amelia's ear as a reporter asked the mayor himself, "Do you think Mr. Angelo Saville will attend his own event tonight?" Her heart began to race thinking he would be here but remembered what Mr. Court said earlier, Angelo hated these things.

She smiled to a photographer who was calling out at her then slipped into the lobby pulling her friend along.

"That was so fun." Leah squealed. Amelia rolled her eyes and found the ballroom where the event was being held.

"Wow" they both exclaimed as they stepped on to the balcony looking over the whole ballroom. Two staircases on either side led down to the most elegant party they have ever seen in real life and television. It had an 18th Century theme with crystal chandeliers on the mural painted ceiling of some Greek mythology. A live band was at the far end of the room as waiters dressed in all while circulated through the patrons. The music was dreamy and romantic as they noticed a few couples were on the brown hardwood floor. On either side of the room, tables were lined up with beautiful table settings where people were talking animatedly among themselves.

"This is so beautiful Amelia," Leah gushed.

"So not us" she muttered smoothing out her red chiffon evening dress. Her hair was done in a beautiful braided updo while her only jewelry was a diamond-studded earring. The top section of her semi flowy chiffon dress was diamond crusted in an intricate design giving attention to her cleavage elegantly as she walked down the stairs you can catch a slight glimpse of her long pale legs thanks to the risque design of the dress.

"You just caught the attention of every man in here," Leah whispered in her friend's ear who was surely oblivious to it all.

"I think you are the one my dear friend," Amelia said smiling at her gorgeous friend dressed in a beige off-shoulder chiffon gown with a dark brown band at the waist.

Leah shrugged and took her friend's arm as they walked through the crowds. Amelia spotted a few of her co-workers and conversed with them before Corrine and her sidekick Sarah made themselves known. "Here on the boss' expense, I see" Corrine sneered looking down at Amelia. Corrine felt jilted after she specifically asked Mr. Court to be Mr. Saville's assistant when they were informed of his arrival, now this human got the spot she always wanted. To be connected to a royal as powerful as Prince Angelo.

"Actually yes. Didn't you? Mr. Court practically begged me to attend," Amelia returned in the same tone. She didn't like this woman one bit, her attitude stunk and she had a very obnoxious air about her. Corrine was about to retort when Leah excused both of them from the little group. "What a bitch" Leah grumbled.



******

Angelo stood in the corner covering by poor lighting as he watched on as both humans, wolves, and vamps mingled among each other. It was a wonderful sight, a sight his parents fought for all those years ago which he was truly proud of.

"Everything good here, batman," Josiah teased as he stood beside his silent friend who insisted to stay in the dark of the room.

"It is. I'm happy to see this," Angelo said gesturing to the crowd. "What do you mean?" his friend asked.

"A long time ago before my siblings and I were born, our banished great-uncle tried to dominate both mythical and human world. He wanted all purebred wolves like him to be dominant and keep vamps and humans under his thumb probably use them as slaves. My parents and uncle Caleb were able to stop him, killing him for good. Stopping the rebellion that was against the crown. Now seeing everyone having a great time together makes me feel proud that my family helped make this happen"

Josiah looked at the crowd again, he may not be able to tell who was a wolf or vamp but from his friendship with Angelo and knowing the Saville clan they weren't so different after all. Genetics may say different but their love for one another was the same.

"That's great, man. I guess if it wasn't for your parents we wouldn't have met in more ways than one" Josiah said to his friend.

Angelo smiled at him and nodded in response. "You're alright for a human," he said.

'Mate is here' Lykos alerted his human.

Angelo stood to his full height and unconsciously stepped out into the open looking for Amelia. Why was she here? Who was she with? Questions flowed through his mind as he looked through the crowd. A few patrons recognized him and exclaimed loudly that he was there. A buzz surrounded the room 'Angelo Saville was actually here'. He didn't care about them he only cared about one person in particular and he found her. She stood looking so beautiful in red at the edge of the dance floor, her bright blue eyes found him, her drink still in her hand dramatically pausing by her red lips. Angelo swallowed nervously, he looked to his uncles in the corner, his eyes held uncertainty in, silently asking them what to do. They gestured for him to go to her, his eyes flitted to Jace then to Josiah who joined them. They all gave him the go-ahead to make that step.

A step towards a new life.

A new mate.

His heart began to race he knew every supernatural that was there heard.

'Go on. You can do this. Both of you.' The words of his Uncle Jonah came to him calmly, easing his fears.

People began to come towards him hoping they can have a few moments with the reclusive millionaire but none got far as his sentinels prevented them from coming close.

'Ready?' Angelo asked his wolf. '

Ready. Let's claim our mate' Lykos said with confidence.

He took one step forward and released a deep breath he didn't know he held. Confidently, he walked towards her, their eyes saw no other, everyone wanted to know who was this woman who caught his attention. Angelo stood before Amelia taking in her scent and her beauty, her lips again teasing him.

Amelia looked up at the man who hasn't left her thoughts since this morning. She noticed the simple changes he made, he removed his facial hair which made him look like the young twenty-two old, his hair was still lengthy which he let loose. Oh, how she longed to run her fingers through it.

His suit fitted perfectly on him and you can actually see how muscular he was under the shirt and jacket.

He stretched forth his hand for her in which she placed hers without hesitation. Amelia knew right then and there, it was her he saw not this Elise as he held her hand much firmer. His emerald eyes never left hers as he walked back onto the dance floor with much practice.

Does he want to dance? With me? were Amelia's frantic thoughts as he placed his hand on her waist while she placed hers on his shoulder, feeling his muscle instinctively react to her touch. They both felt the underlying current flow through them and neither denied it they both welcomed it. They both were going into something that they denied for a long time but tonight changed it all.

The band began a tune both of them recognized and they began to sway to the sultry music as the female singer began to sing Amelia blushed at the words of the song.

Angelo smiled at her and kept them moving to the now sexual yet beautiful music. He only saw his blonde beauty, his mate. She moved effortlessly with him following him in his unknowing sensual moves. The singer met the bridge into the song he pulled her closer just as the tempo changed. Their bodies were molded together, his left leg was now placed between her legs as they moved in a sensual circle. Amelia's grip on his shoulder tightened a soft moan escaped her lips. Her curves were perfectly pressed against his body, he moved his hand to the lower part of her back, her breathing hitched as the warmth spread through her body. They brought their faces closer to each other lost in their own world, they each took that moment to memorize each little feature on each other's face.

Heart racing, blood flowing, heavy breathing was all that was heard from them. The singer reached another intense part in the song Angelo spun her away from him and brought her back in quickly. Her body once again on his, her hands caught between his rock hard chest and her cleavage. Angelo's both arms held her in a tight embrace, she felt safe, wanted, she was meant to be in his arms. One of his hands trailed up her spine onto the nape of her neck, his fingers reached her blonde locks that curled there he gripped onto her waist and continued their sensual dance to Beyonce's Crazy in love remix.

Not caring about the audience, he lowered his lips to hers gently he began to coax her lips with his. He didn't want to rush their first kiss he wanted her to remember it, wanted her to know that she broke him down unknowingly he was now hers. They stopped dancing as the music faded into the background. His tongue teased her lips begging for entrance, she gave in to this sexy man who had her in his hold. He was like a drug and she wouldn't mind being high off of him every day every minute every hour. He put more urgency in the kiss like he was proving something to the world, both his hands now were cupping her face as he slowly ended the kiss.

Both Angelo and Amelia held each other's gaze, breathing heavily, to Amelia he was everything she was running from, how can she get mixed up with another. Angelo hoped deep in his heart that he would have a future with her, that she won't be taken away from him. He will always have Elise in his mind and heart as his first love and mate but Amelia was the one who's here - to save him from himself.

"I'm scared, Angelo" she said voicing it out loud.

He stroked her cheek lovingly, loving the way how his name sounded on her lips, his wolf was howling in delight.

"I'm scared too," he said truthfully.

She began to laugh with teary eyes while running her fingers through his hair. "You're talking. To me" she said between laughs.

A blush covered his cheeks which Amelia found very adorable on this powerful CEO. "My Amelia" he whispered before kissing her lips gently. She heard what he said but was too shocked to respond. A cocky smile lit up his face but was replaced by a frown.

Their moment was broken as he got word from his uncles of an attack by a nearby pack, duty calls he thought bitterly.

"I-I gotta go. Urgent business. C-Can... I call you when I'm through?" he asked shyly.

"Yes you can," she said giggling at his awkwardness for that simple question. A wide grin took over his face. "We have much to talk about Amelia," he said kissing her soundly on her lips then forehead. He was reluctant to leave but had to. Angelo left her in the middle of the dance floor whispers took over the room as she was the main topic. She felt her face turn red as she retraced her steps to where Leah was standing with a silly grin on her face.

"What?" Amelia said hiding her face.

"Oh nothing. You're gonna find out soon," her friend said literally bouncing on her toes.

"Let's go home my feet are killing me and my head is pounding."

Leah looked at her friend with concern and got them out of the ballroom away from eyes and mouth.





Amelia stood beside her friend waiting when a sharp pain lanced her stomach. She didn't know how loud she screamed out till she heard Leah and the valet ask her if she was alright.

"Probably that time," she said blushing as the valet coughed uncomfortably but helped her into the car either way.

Leah calmly merged into the traffic as Amelia began to feel sweaty and hot another sharp pain coursed through her body. Tears were in her eyes as another came in a minute later.

"Fuck." Leah cursed breaking a few traffic laws to turn to the direction of Central Park while calling her brother.

"Liam Its time I'm heading to Central Park" she said into the phone.

"H-hos....pit....al" Amelia bit out.

"Oh, sweetie the kind of hospital we need New York doesn't have one" Leah said overtaking a cabbie.

Amelia was in too much pain to argue with her, another scream tore through the confines of the car, Leah cringed tears welling up in her eyes. She didn't want her friend to suffer this much. She wished she can make it easier for her.

After too many turns they reached the park, kicking off her heels, she rushed out of the car then around to the passenger side. Amelia turned to her, her eyes were now darker changing from blue to black.

Asking her wolf and vampire for strength, Leah got to pick up her friend in a fireman's hold. "Le..... it hurts" her friend cried. "I know sweetie it would be over soon I promise," she said with her voice breaking. She headed west of the park hoping no late-night joggers were around and away from humans. Luck was on their side as it was deserted. Leah went farther in letting the darkness cover them, gently she lay Amelia onto the cool grass who curled into a fetal position.

From what she learned from wolf history it may take hours for the first shift to complete according to the wolf's bloodline.

"It'll be okay. I promise" she said stroking her blonde friend's hair.

'Relax Amelia. You would be fine' a familiar voice said to Amelia within her mind.

'Who are you? What is happening' she asked.

'I'm your wolf, your spiritual half. Our mate accepted us that's why I'm now present' her wolf said calmly to her.

'Wolf? mate? who's my mate?' Amelia asked before another wave of pain came rolling in.

'Prince Angelo' the wolf answered proudly.





It didn't take long for Liam to find them he sat beside his sister as they watched Amelia writhed in pain. They tried their best to keep her comfortable after an hour of heat flashes and pain they heard the first cracking of bone. They both quickly shifted into their hybrid form and watched each bone contort and shift into it's desired place.

"You're doing well sweetie. Just let your wolf do what she has to, she will guide you on this transformation," Leah said.

Amelia looked at the strange creatures that were now crouching beside her, she ought to be afraid but she wasn't she felt....... calm and trusting of these too. She followed their instructions and gave in. It took another 45minutes for her wolf to take over. In place of her human side, a large silver-gray wolf stood in her place. She looked majestic as she looked at her new body.

Amelia felt stronger, her vision and hearing were sharper, "Leah" she tried to say but a bark replaced her words.

"You can't talk to us in wolf form" Liam explained. Leah was now stroking her now wolf friend's lovely fur."You look so beautiful. Your mate is going to flip," Leah rambled on.

Amelia's mind was filled with questions about all of this but was tired. She plopped down on the grass and immediately blacked out.

"Poor thing all tired out" Leah said watching her friend.

"Should we call him now?" Liam asked. Both were looking at their friend and knew the answer straight away.