Darkness of the basement was unable to engulf the shine of silver dagger placed on the table before Alpha Eric. It was his father's gift on his eighteenth birthday and first Mating Ceremony, a token of his wishing for abundance and happiness. Currently, it was Eric's only bosom buddy, he was sharing his misery with it.

Three bottles down, he was emptying the fourth bottle of whiskey like a mad man, an ominous thought was turning into a resolute decision in his mind. Being intoxicated by alcohol was not subsiding the fire in his heart, only elevating it further. On the quest to find something stronger than this, he got up with that dagger in his hand, staggering towards the other corner of the large room.


'Fuck!"

Eric hardly moved a step or two forward and fell on the ground. He took deep breaths and rubbed his blurry eyes, his extraordinary vision was hazy due to Rick's blackout.

Right after the first bottle, Rick hid himself in the darkness, ignoring Eric's wretchedness. Having no support from his feral side resulted in an emotional breakdown, he tried to shift his weight on his hands and get up, but his wobbly arms failed to do so. Lying on the stomach, Eric banged his fist on the dirty floor,


'Why?"

The night he always dreamed of turned out to be a disaster, leaving a permanent scar on his soul. He never anticipated that Charlotte's hatred would be greater than her love, ruining everything they had once. It was a moment of realization for him that he was living in the past, waiting for the little one he saved before.


But now, time had changed and their relationship too. Getting hate from your soulmate was more agonizing than anything else. Their incomplete bond was a blow to his Alpha ego, he hardly controlled himself from going to the point of no return. What was the use of power if your own partner was not safe from its destruction?

Melinda's death was something he thought of no match, like nothing could be more bad than that. But Charlotte's hatred proved it otherwise. Losing someone you love was heart-rending, but being treated like dirt by your love was more hurtful. In the moment of sheer helplessness, tears escaped from his burning eyes,

'I loved you, little one."

And finally, Eric decided to free her.

'I'll kill myself. You'll be free to leave."

He raised his dagger and aimed at his heart, using his blood as the sacrifice for his love's happiness.

'Goodbye, little one!"

…

Right after giving her the lesson of her life, Milly bid farewell to Angie.

'My mate is calling me to come back. It's my first child, so Andrew is worrying about our well-being.

I can only beg you to give my brother a chance, mates are hard to be found."

After locking every single door and window, Noah left with Milly. His countless warnings and threats were accompanied by throaty growls, he still considered it not enough to instruct her.

Two hour ride was a nightmare for him. He drove carefully with Milly, but the way back was a scene from the fast and furious series. Noah didn't even lock the car and barged into the house, the strong scent of Angie instantly calmed him down.

Taking deep breaths to relax his overzealous wolf, he made his way to the room, thinking about appropriate words to apologize.

Milly's emotional lecture forced him to realize his mistake, now facing his own mate was a challenge for him.

'Offer her something to eat."

Vicky (Noah's wolf) recommended a solid solution and he acted upon it, as something was better than nothing. In a normal situation, he just had to hunt a deer and present it to his mate and phew! Problem solved. His human mate would be more sacred to see such kind of display, so he ordered a pizza, the most loved snack by humans (he searched it on Google).

Noah literally fixed his ears for any kind of movement in his room for the next twenty minutes, only Angie's uneven breathing greeted him there

'Mate is frightened!"

Vicky's report about the obvious was not helping a bit. Pacing back and forth, he prayed to Moon Goddess for a miracle in such a short time. Noah basically stormed into the room after receiving Pizza.

'Food…"

His died down in his mouth, the pizza box slipped from his hands.

'Really?"

Dressed in a gown bought by Noah, Angie was waiting for him. Her tensed muscles and uneven breathing was explaining the nervousness behind her gesture of peace.

'Mate!"

Vicky and Noah both growled at her, but for entirely opposite reasons.

'What is this?"

Vicky was electrified with the revolution, ready to proceed with the arrangement. On the other hand, Noah was suspicious over this change.

'I, I am, sorry."

Without raising her head, Angie started with a heartfelt apology. Fidgeting with her yellow (Noah's favorite color) gown, she confessed.

'I was a fool to think about becoming a sired vampire. I ran away and made you worry. Please forgive me, it'll never happen again."

Silence followed by her statement vexed her more. She tugged on the sheets beside her. Angie's eyes welled up, she got up and looked at him.

Noah's bulging eyes were staring at her, a shaky, disbelieving voice responded after half a day.

'Are you serious?"

A sudden wave of dread hit her mind, as she processed Noah's question. She took a step back and placed her hand on her mouth, fear evaded her mind.

Noah immediately grabbed her arm,

'I am asking you something. You are not joking, right?"

Blinking her eyes repeatedly, Angie nodded, a small yelp escaped from her mouth.

'I, I am…"

Angie didn't get a chance to complete the sentence as Noah clutched her to his chest.

'There's no need of explanation, mate. I just wanted you to realize your stupidity of death wish. I am not angry with you."

Angie withdrew herself from Noah's embrace and placed her hand on his cheek.

'Sister Milly's demonstration was enough for me. Do you still want me?"

Overpowered by elation, Noah pulled her into a passionate kiss, as he found that words were not suitable to express his emotions. Angie also didn't disappoint him this time and reciprocated his affection, flooding his heart with joy.

'I am sorry that I lied about your savior. Prince Casper is alive. Alpha Eric didn't kill him."

Shortly after their first kiss, Noah clarified the truth about the previous battle.

'Why did you lie to me?"

Angie yelled in disbelief.

'I didn't like your gratitude towards him. I cannot stand with any man's presence in your life."

Angie laughed at Noah's innocence and placed her head on his chest.

'I wanted to repay his favor, silly. For your possessiveness, l will never contact him again."

'So, can I mark you?"

Involuntarily, his deepest desire slipped from his tongue.

'Sure, I'd love to wear your mark!"

Angie's genuine reply cleared the haze of ifs and buts, Noah picked her up, the light of their love illuminated the whole surrounding…