37.

**Micah**

Sitting next to my best friend as he held a meeting with the five alphas of the neighboring packs I tried my hardest to focus. It would help if my red's presence wasn't near. Though she was on the training grounds outside of our war room I wanted to be close to her but if I dare get closer to her she would avoid me like the plague once more. It's been a week since I revealed my love to her and it hurts that she doesn't believe me. I know she's my beloved, my soul mate but she's just so stubborn. A small smile played on lips because that was one of the reasons why I love her.

Eva was a strong woman who I solely admired for taking on the role of a protector and surviving that horrific past. Her beauty and teasing smile just added to the million reasons why I loved her. My vampire and wolf knew deep down she was ours and I won't let her go.

'It's not looking good that my beta has a scowl on his face while in the company of my most trusted alphas' Caiden's voice broke through my thoughts. I quickly sat upright and focused back on the meeting. Caiden knew I was distracted and ended the meeting when he saw how bad it was.

When everyone left, I turned to him, "You didn't have to do that." Being the trusted brother he was, he would turn away anyone for myself or any other family member.

He shrugged and went over to the large bay window looking over the training field. From his view, I know he can see the whole field and the person who clouded my thoughts.

"She has improved well brother. Strong. Calculative too. Uncle Noah was right she is truly exceptional." he commented unaware of my brooding. I was tempted to go watch her fight but my heart couldn't take it. I love watching her fight, she moves so effortlessly against her opponent.

"You chose well," he continued coming back to the table where I was idly writing up evaluation reports on my men. We stayed in silence with his gaze on me, Caiden was waiting for me to give in and on cue I did.

"I love her" I blurted out.

No response.

"She's my mate but her position as a protector is preventing her to see the truth. I can't be without her Cay. I need to have her in my arms. I can't sleep knowing that she's on the other side of the hallway so close but yet so far. I long to kiss her. Hear her heartbeat but mostly just for her to say my name" I rambled on. I don't know where the tears came from but I hurriedly wipe them away from my eyes, not wanting to look weak in front of my brother, the king.

"How did you know?" he quietly asked.

"My wolf and vampire felt it then I did. From the first day, you sent me to her but I refused to acknowledge it because she's your mate's protector."

"Does she know you love her?" he asked while going to the window once more.

"I told her."

Silence enveloped us once more for a moment before Angelo came striding in, he gave me a slight smile before squeezing my shoulder reassuringly. Even after his broken vow of silence he still refused to talk frequently, our little brother was someone who was very observant and unpredictable. He strode over to his brother who gave him a brotherly hug it would have been strange to outsiders but everyone knew how close the two were they were each other's protector and best friends apart from me of course.

Angelo returned to my side, nudging my shoulder in the process, "How long you knew?" I asked him.

He smiled and motioned to Caiden, in other words, he knew the day Caiden went MIA.

"Do you think we have a chance? What the fuck, I sound like a lovesick puppy" I said catching myself at the question I just asked. Both brothers were laughing at my expense as Caiden came and sat next to our little brother, I literally squirmed in my seat when they focused on me with their intense eyes.

"We want to show you something. It won't be much but only you can figure out what it is. But all we ask is give it time. Give her time." Caiden said.

I looked at both of them, taking in their advice, these men would never let me down I trusted them with my life. I nodded for them to go ahead; they both stood on either side of me and placed a hand on each of my shoulders.

"Close your eyes and breathe" Caiden ordered and I followed. Breathing in and out I calmed myself, no longer the sounds of men fighting and the hum of the air conditioner were my background noise but the laughter of kids and people talking loudly and music playing.

"Micah. It's been too long. Where have you been?" a voice said before me. I opened my eyes and found myself at a party right here at the palace. A petite dark-haired and heavily pregnant woman walked past me and I followed her direction that's when I saw myself dressed in a tux with my hair in a shorter style looked extremely happy at the moment. "Hello, Rosaline. You know me, busy as always. Have you seen my brothers?" I asked her. Her golden eyes lit up and a sly smile crept onto her face. I myself watching the scene and had to smile as both Caiden and Angelo threw their arms around me messing up my hair playfully. Caiden looked the same whereas Angelo has grown out his hair and was held in a loose ponytail.

"Where are my nephews? You promised to bring them to the castle for training" Angelo asked.

Caiden stepped towards his mate kissing her lips softly before doing the same for her stomach.

"There are currently settling in their rooms. Sorry, I'm late my love" a familiar husky feminine voice said. My brothers had wide grins on their faces looking past me, I watched myself as my eyes lit up with love and adoration. A slim feminine hand stretched forth to me donning a beautiful wedding band but when I turned to see who this woman was I was brought back to the present.

Looking around I made sure I was back in the war room, "Eva. I knew she was my mate, but how?" I asked pacing the floor.

I stood near the window and watched my beautiful Red fight against Stephen. My wolf and vampire were never wrong that vision had to be the one that's wrong.

"I love her, Cay. I never knew how much I wanted and needed a mate till I met her," I answered feeling my heart pain once more.

"Visions can change" was all he said unconvincingly.

"I just want her. No one else" They both came and stood on either side of me looking at the person who never left my thoughts.

"Wait, Brother. Just Wait" Angelo said with confidence before leaving us.

"Listen to him. Don't give up on her. Things will be revealed soon" Caiden then said leaving the room. They both knew I needed time to myself after that vision shook me greatly it pained me to believe that woman I was so happy to see wasn't my red.

'We can't depend on the vision. You heard what the king said, It can change. But it has to be her. We just have to wait. Have to be strong for her when she comes around.' my wolf said whimpering.

"I understand," I said out loud.

As if on cue, Eva turned and looked up at the window where I know she can see me. I smiled her way and was surprised also pleased when she returned my smile but it didn't reach her eyes, sadness still clouded them. Some way or the other I'll find a way for us to be together if it takes me years I would do it. She had an opportunity to break that bond if she accepted the Alpha position but she was loyal to Rosaline which I can't be mad at her for. On the plus side of her decision to stay, I can see her anytime and anywhere, she was still within my reach.

I would wait for you my love, I promise.


**********************************





**Angelo**


After showing Micah the vision Caiden had of him a few weeks now I decided to talk to my family about Elise. Though it was still a sore spot after all these years it was time I told them. Caiden and Rebecca have been pushing me to do this since I went into my vow of silence to help me heal but I refused. I was afraid.

Afraid I will lose our few memories, forget how perfect her body was against mine, her smile whenever we chatted even the way she said my name. I didn't want to lose any of those. That's why I refused to take a second mate, I know how it works once I accept this new mate everything would be just a dream.

To anyone, they would think it's unhealthy to keep her alive in memory but to me, its what keeping my wolf and me, alive.

We are not mourning we were just..... living a life she would want us to live I think.

'It's time, Lykos. Time for us to tell our family if we want to move on with our plans.' I told my wolf.

'Fine. It's for the best,' he said whimpering. Just like myself he was reserved and loved to maintain our privacy opening up to even our family was a big step for us but over the years we both have been learning to step outside the family circle. Well sometimes. Actually never. Rosaline. Matt and now Eva are the only three I've started to open up with but it would take time for them to be as close I am with Micah and Caiden.

I released a deep sigh as I sat in the family room looking at the pictures we have taken together growing up, I can't keep them in the dark any longer.

'Everyone I need to speak with y'all in the family room. It's..... important that I do' I said to all of them.

Lykos began to whimper, I went to a nearby mirror and looked at my reflection, he surfaced through my eyes, he was worried about how they would react.

'They love us. We were raised with love and support without that we wouldn't of survive that night' I reminded him.

'You're right. For Elise.' he agreed.

'For Elise' I countered.

I pulled out my phone and went into the gallery of my private files, my heart ached when I opened it. The first picture was a video snapshot of Elise and me, taking a deep breath I was able to hold back the tears. I felt Lykos' sadness which affected me even worse. "We can get through this" I muttered to myself and tried to answer some emails from work. My good friend Josiah was keeping a handle on things in New York at Saville Enterprises Inc. He was my only human friend back in college he knew of our kind and kept it a secret. He earned my trust in my freshman year so giving him the VP position was a no brainer. While Caiden specialty was technology and security, I was in architecture, Rebecca was the interior designer and Marketing expert. With our success, together we were known as one of the most powerful families in the states and the UK and, us as the youngest millionaires. The title meant nothing to us its where our profits go.

"Son?" I heard my dad say as he came in holding my mother's hand. After all these years they still acted like teenagers, I always smile at the way my mother eyes lights up whenever she sees me, it would be hard to believe we saw each other at breakfast.

She came before me and cupped my cheek. "My sweet angel. Is everything alright? The last time one of you asked to see us was when they decided to leave home," she said worriedly.

"Emmy, love, leave the boy alone," Dad said sternly but you can hear the amusement in his voice.

"But Michael it's my little angel he can't leave for good," she said fixing my hair.

"Mama," I said softly. She gasped and brought me closer to her holding me in a tight embrace. I took in her scent and calmed instantly only my mother can put me at ease so quickly.

"I still can't get over hearing your voice."

I felt guilty of taking away a piece of her son I always saw the pain in her eyes when I gave her the stony silence. I first saw it, when my siblings and I came back from our 'vacation' and I didn't talk to her and dad. She went to sit beside dad who gave me a reassuring smile. It didn't take long for my siblings to arrive with their mates. A silly grin always takes over my face when I see Rebecca and Rosaline, tough little brats they are.

My uncles Noah, Jonah, and Mason followed also with Aunt Ariana, Micah, Anais, but not Eva though she isn't officially Micah's mate she was considered family.

I looked at Rosaline with a questioning look, "Eva" was all I stated before she stood up and went for her. Everyone was idly chatting with one another and I took it all in, this was my family. My world. I couldn't lead them on letting them think I would never find a mate or refusing one. They had to know the truth for the sake of my sanity also if Anais pushes another she-wolf to me again I won't hesitate to cut off all her hair in the middle of the night.

The door opened showing an uneasy Eva, she looked at me in confusion as to asking why she was here but I simply smiled and gestured for her to sit. I didn't miss the glance between her and Micah. Soon you two will be free, I thought.

I stood up nervously and looked at my family, meeting each member's gaze, I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I pursed my lips thinking of how to start this.

'Angelo. You don't have to do this' my sister said wistfully. I looked at her she was remembering the night I broke down as tears welled in her eyes. I turned to my older brother the one who was by my side, he has always been by my side, he himself took a deep breath and walked to the window. Micah looked away rubbing his face harshly.

"I-I- do have a mate" I started to say.

I saw the confused looks on Rosaline, Eva, and Matt's face knowing they won't understand why I started off like that.

"That's wonderful, sweetheart. Do we know her?" Aunt Ariana asked excitedly.

"Another she-wolf to the clan this is....." mom started to say but was hushed by my uncle Noah. He saw how I looked away from him.

"Go on, kid," Uncle Jonah said. He too sensed my stubborn attitude to continue.

"I met her.... when I was seventeen.... at Silver Moon Pack... " I began. Dad and mom nodded in memory of the pack their eyes darken as everyone knew what happened two weeks after but they didn't know Caiden and I was there.

"Her name was Elise and she was 15. She was so beautiful, my angel. Long blonde hair and blue eyes that rivaled the sky. She was different from the girls I met at our balls and birthday parties. My Elise was a basketballer a great one too and she was so funny. I couldn't bring her back home because her wolf didn't surface yet." I continued getting lost in the memories.

"She was so nervous for her first shift yet she was anxious to see me later that day. Did you know she was already packed to come back here? It was so cute that she only wanted to be with me as I wanted to be with her too. Caiden and I went to her 16th birthday party, the day I would have brought her home. Everyone was so shocked that we were mates I just couldn't wait to mark her but we thought we would have time. That same night they were attacked. Thank goddess Cay and I was there to help but it wasn't enough......
I lost her that night. I lost the first woman I ever loved after finding her two weeks. Cay tried to save her but her body rejected his blood. I was proud that she held on, both her and her wolf held on for Lykos and me to see them one last time. She died in my arms that night, that was the same night part of me died. She told me she loved me. Those were her last words. It wasn't fair to us.
We covered up our presence that night from outsiders, didn't want anyone to know that the 'young prince lost his mate' I didn't want anyone's pity."

Sobs were heard from the she-wolves in the room, silent tears ran down my face as I looked up at my family. Caiden was still looking out the window while Micah and Rebecca kept their heads low.

"Mama I'm so sorry for keeping this from you. I didn't want to be treated like a fragile child if anyone knew. I-I am coping well. I-I....." I started to say but couldn't. The pain was overwhelming opening back old wounds.

"Baby. We know how private you are but you need to understand that we are always here for you. I don't know how you handle the loss of your Elise all these years but I'm proud of you for staying strong. I wish we could of meet her" my mother said coming towards me while dad followed. She dried my eyes and kissed my head while dad held me in a tight embrace.

"You should have come to us sooner, son. Whatever you want, you will have. I'm truly sorry you had to go through that so young. We both wish for happy mating for our kids," he said in my ear.

"I know dad." He kissed my head and released me. Uncle Noah and Jonah pulled me aside and kept their gaze on me, "You alright?" Noah asked.

"I-I think so" I answered.

"Come here kid," Jonah said opening his arms for me.

"I know how it feels. You just have to live your life knowing she loved you truly. Live on for her" he continued ruffling my hair.

They asked me questions about her and I answered as best as I can. I bravely showed them her picture, my hands were shaking as I did, thanks to Cay he helped me through. My big brother was my protector always there for. I thanked him again for being there for me.

The sadness in their eyes for me didn't make me feel uncomfortable it just made me see how loved I am by my family.

After reminiscing I decided to tell them my other news.

"I think it's time I go back to my company" I announced.

"See. He's leaving too," my mother whined. Dad gave her a few stilted pats of reassurance on her head while trying his best not to laugh.

"Are you sure? I'm sure Josiah won't mind handling it for another month or so." Dad said skeptically.

I shook my head in refusal and took in their now worried looks. It wasn't that they didn't believe I can run my own company. They were worried about my welfare. I don't talk much. Keep to myself. Usually, Caiden does my talking for me because of my now fear of crowds and fear of letting people in.

"I can do this. I'm ready to start my life in New York," I said confidently.

'Are we sure about this?' Lykos asked. He was restless and so was I. This will be a new path we will be taking in our life. New people. New experiences. We will be away from our safe haven, our family.

'Yes. I am sure.'