PENELOPE PICKED a black jacket with a fitted pink top. She hurriedly dressed up for the night before asking Lance if was it really okay for her to join this evening. She's mated for pete's sake. She doesn't want Joaquin thinking she's out there having fun with other guys.

But what Lance told her made her stop flinching.


"I've already asked Joaquin for what if's like this. He said okay. He said he trusts you. You two can talk about it after we get home. Don't worry." Lance assured her. "No creep will come close to you in my presence. I promise."

Penelope breathed easier. She asked, "Did Joaquin ever experienced parties when he was a kid? With you or anyone?"

"He did when he was young. Adarmus, that old man, is not really concerned with him during that time Joaquin was still intact. When he still got his sight perfectly fine. Joaquin is very likable. A social butterfly, really. He doesn't know how to say no to everyone. Darling of the crowd." He confided. "The first guardian he had had died because of an ambush. That's when he lost his sight forever."


"Don't pity him though. Pen, even if his eyes don't function anymore, his other senses are sharper than a knife. He's been trained since birth."

Penelope frankly told him, "Can't help but be curious about it. Even now, his father didn't seem to care for him that much. Dunno what happened with them in the past but, it just breaks my heart. I just want him safe. At the same time, I want him to have fun with me outside. Be able to dance with me, eat together on a date... watch a movie. It's just that... it's the first time that I've ever done a serious relationship with someone. I've never imagined that it would lack on many things."


"I was surprised to see it was you who was destined to be with him. You are like poles apart from each other." Lance sighed. "You're young, and Joaquin's eyes will never return back to its normal state. I'm sorry, Penelope. There's a huge chance that you won't be able to enjoy the life you are used to."

"No one wanted a tragedy to fall upon him. I feel selfish just by saying the things I deeply wanted inside. Those are just my... immature side wanting to be pampered. I wanted to be responsible for the mark I left on his shoulder."

"No. That's fine. I appreciate your honesty." Lance frowned. "Joaquin, despite his age, never had a serious relationship. He will never know your feelings or sense them unless you tell him directly. I can give him advices too if you want to convince him onto something beneficial for the two of you. Sharing the mating bite is like exchanging life-changing vows. They said, it takes two to tango. You both should reciprocate and not just Joaquin benefitting from you."

Penelope's eyes warmed with genuine appreciation. "You're a great guardian for him, really. Look at what you're doing now, you're even looking out for me."

"That's my job. You're basically his wife now."

That sentence has always been Lance's to go line every time he's being protective of Joaquin. Penelope knew that it's more than that. Ten years of being together. They must consider each other basically like a family. Lance is just too stubborn and in denial about his feelings. Always talking about how taking care of them is a part of his duty and it's a compulsory task and nothing more.

"What if one day, you decided to settle down and start your own family? Joaquin and I wouldn't deny you the right for that."

"Start my own family, you say? Is that even possible?" Lance mocked. "You can never cast me away, Pen. Be angry at me in the future but this face of mine is not going anywhere far from Joaquin. I took an oath to take care of the guy my whole life. So I'd probably build my own mansion beside your cabin. We'll be neighbors by then."

"So you are thinking about settling down somehow, right? You're not getting any younger too, Lance." Penelope doesn't think that Samael is a good option for him though.

"With so many things going on, starting an affair would waste my time and affection. Now that Samael's here, where can I go and have a date?" Lance raised his brow. He unceremoniously shifted the topic. "We need to convince Lesley, Pen, but her faith for your ex-alpha is too strong. She's loyal."

"Samael has seen my photo now. Thank god you thought about altering my appearance." Penelope worriedly tapped her knees. "What if... what if the problem would be too bad and I have no choice but to go back and save them? My friends' family are still living inside that pack."

Sitting uncomfortably on a stool, she looked at Lance as though he got all the answers. "Will you help me alter my appearance that lasts longer?"

"That will leave my magic trail. Every mage is sensitive towards other magic user's power." Lance leaned back towards the door. The room seems larger than it really is. Penelope can't help but be scared towards magus or magic user like Lance. He's half an elf, one that can use magic power and hurt people using the rituals and spells that she couldn't block away. "That might make them alert against you. They would investigate you too. That plan is a bit risky. Altering your face with products will be a bad option. The product's smell will give you away."

When wolves fight, it's all about the hierarchy and the physical aspect in a fight that distinguishes who's more powerful. Mages are not the same. They can curse someone without even knowing their name. Another reason why a pack with a mage member is considered well-protected and blessed.

Under their serene looking robes and pale faces, hides a monster who can kill with just their words.

"I usually know what I had to do when on a mission like this but your situation is something not familiar with me." He swallowed. "We need to get out soon. Or they will think we're having an affair."

"No one will believe that." Penelope is practically reeking the scent of a newly mated she-wolf. And Lance's smells like expensive perfume. No self-respecting wolf would use a strong scented perfume to their person. "Well, except your mate. I think he's getting distant with every five minutes. Did something happened inside the comfort room?"

Samael had a horrified look on his face when both of them came out while Lance had his own shirt wet and dirty. Cussing his way out. It was like Lance had bullied the poor guy.

"Nothing happened. I tripped then the magic stopped. Damn guy for pushing me off like I'm a plague." Lance looked on his white v-neck shirt and tight jeans. It was obscene to look at him.

Lance is used to being 'properly dressed'. And this school-guy frat member vibes that she gets from him is not legal. It was like she violated his right to be expensively handsome.

Now he looked casual and DTF. Down to fuck someone in any minute.

'Blame his face.' The man claimed to be Joaquin's cousin. She understands the resemblance of their aura. Cold but welcoming.

'I wish he's here.' Penelope bit her lips and nodded to Lance. "If you say so."

JOAQUIN PREPARED dinner with the help of Miracle and Ymar. They gossiped about the latest news and magazines. Well, it was them talking and Joaquin full on listening mode, trying to keep up with what's in and what's out for the youngsters these days.

"Lance wanted to install a gaming room here before." Joaquin smiled. "He said he wants to stop working and just play video games his whole life with me by his side sitting still and cheer like a dog for him."

"How did it went? Did you forgive him?"

"I tried to give him a chance but his attention got sweeped out by other materialistic wants. The second time, he wants to cancel the gaming room and make him a large wardrobe instead, all for his exorbitant clothes."

"Wow..." Ymar laughed then continued a scoff. "He seems to be easily inspired by things. He changes his mind like money's nothing."

"Lance had every right though." Joaquin's hand twitched. He missed carressing Penelope's hair. "If he asked me all my money before, I'd give him everything without saying anything."

Miracle harrumphed. "That's not right. You should keep for yourself too."

Joaquin said carefully, "Lance is someone... who tries to be different and hateful. He doesn't want anyone to be emotionally attached to him because he knew, that one day, he will die guarding me."

The two of them knew that the day would eventually come. They didn't talk about it, Lance wouldn't tell him one bit but Joaquin always felt the impeding goodbye every time Lance held his ears before going to sleep whenever he visits him. He felt it whenever he woke up in the middle of the night and Lance never failed to put a glass of water on the bedside table for him.

His last guardian left without saying goodbye. This time, Joaquin will make sure that Lance will live and continues to live. Even after death.