MR. & MRS.

"BE CAREFUL..." Joaquin gingerly laid his hand on Penelope's waist. The peaceful morning was once again disturbed by his own father, Joachim. The man visit them four times a week. It was not unreasonable building a room for him inside the Crystal Lake's pack territory.


It has been three months since the incident where Irlan killed Beatrix. The kid should take the right to rule by himself but instead, he took a step back and declared that Penelope has to make her decision because she is his benefactor.

Penelope asked Joaquin's opinion about the matter. He, just like Irlan, also declined and said that Penelope should have the opportunity and show how a beta can take over a large territory.

Joaquin makes sure that no alpha can challenge Penelope in her seat. And to ensure the people, they picked several worthy officials to create an assembly of Pen's advisors.


Compared to Beatrix' management of the territory before, Penelope is more reliable. Every problem gets addressed in order.

"You can always change your surname to mine. When the wedding is over, you can never change it anymore."


Joaquin shook his head no. He chose the surname 'De Villa' out of nowhere and it stick to him. Even Adarmus had another last name. That was something that truly belongs to him. His father didn't force him to pick that.

"Fine. Anyways... aren't you going to visit Adarmus?" Joaquin could not get used to his father's blunt questions. His mere presence reminded Joaquin of his status. Now that Joaquin got the chance to know him better, he couldn't understand why Adarmus chose to betray him.

"No," he said, "I don't think I can right at the moment."

"Ah..." His thin lips pressed into a frown. He seemed pensive for a second before he chuckled without mirth. "You know... I am at fault too. Adarmus turned the way he is right now because I lacked giving him the assurance that he needed."

"I can't get over the fact that he hated me." Joaquin felt like he lost half of his life living with the anxiety and disappointment whenever he gets ignored by Adarmus.

"Hated you? I guess there must have been a few times that he genuinely did. But you have to understand that he raised you too... and he raised you well than the rogues who were driven to exile by their own parents. Adarmus shared his life to Lance so you can have a lifelong friend. He knows everything that happens to you through Lance's yes. You may think that Adarmus knows nothing about you but... you're wrong."

"He hid your existence to me. He doesn't like Penelope for me and even asked her to go away. I... can't help but think that maybe, he never really cared enough to ask before deciding for me."

Joachim held the cup of tea in his hand. "I have no plans of letting him out, just for you to know. I want you to have a grand wedding— one where you won't have anything in your mind other than Penelope and your baby. It's not wrong to have closure, Joaquin."

At the mention of his child, Joaquin's expression softened. "I'll need more time to think about it, father."

"Just know that I'm not forcing you."

"I know..." Joaquin heard of his father's plan. He wants to transfer Adarmus' cell into an unknown location. That means that he can no longer have the chance to see him after. "Have you finished all of your errands here?"

"Yes, thankfully nothing major happened while I was away. Humans got more tolerant than before, right? It's quite amusing to watch them now."

"You can find a partner again, Dad."

Joachim paused. His eyes widened in mockery. "No way. After what happened to my last engagement? Nah. I'd rather wait for my grandchild than search meaningless around."

Joaquin understood his decision. It was indeed hard to forget how Adarmus sealed him for more than two decades.

"That kid Irlan... he can always ask for your blood if he wants to erase that vampire's impurities in him. I already explained it to him— he still refused your help. I can't understand it."

"He..." Joaquin avoided his father's inquiring eyes. "Well, he has always been a mystery for me too. I think... he didn't want to get Horan's blood out of him. That kid has always been lonely. And Horan is a pole opposite from him. We may not know what's going on inside his mind, I know and I personally believe in him. He won't do anything that will harm anyone. I promise to check on him every now and then, father."

"Huh... the truth is, I do see myself in him. His gaze on Horan was like the first time I saw your father. It was appreciation."

Joaquin coughed. 'I won't go that far.' He felt as though Irlan had it in his mind a plan which involves Horan in the end. Their relationship doesn't really have to go over the romantic sense.

"By the way, Lance has awoken from his deep sleep. Seems like he badly wanted to see you guys again, hmn? That man clearly knows how to anger the fates without even trying. He was supposed to sleep more."

Relief flooded Joaquin's chest. The heaviness in his shoulder lifted upon hearing that news. He swallowed before excitedly asking for more details. "When did he wake up?"

"Just yesterday. Well, the former queen of the Lyre kept praying everyday and every night for him to finally wake up. It wasn't that hard to conquer the fates' empathy after all."

"The queen? Who?"

Joachim squinted. "The only living relative of Lance, son. He calls her 'aunt'. You can't possibly miss her!"

His mouth slacked open. Lance never told him this. He should ask him when they meet each other.

"He should go at the next wedding rehearsal. I have to ask him a lot of questions."

They talked for about an hour before his Dad finally bid his goodbye. With just a swish of his hand, he vanished to the air.

"Why do I feel like there's something unusual with Dad lately?" Penelope finished off a plate of cookie and is now reaching out for the next one. Joaquin snatched it even before she could touch it.

"Tone down with the sweets. We still have dinner. You're going to lose your appetite."

"It's fine. Last one. Just one."

Joaquin gave in and placed one cookie in her mouth. "You really liked this?"

"Yes... they got chocolate chips so..."

He sighed. "I think he's moving dad to his place."

Penelope's second cookie fell to the floor. She stuttered, "Huh... what?"

"Joachim might seemed like a strict man but we know that he's lenient with dad before. He spoiled him rotten. I don't think he can continue playing deaf with my dad's pleas and sorry everytime he visits him."

"Makes sense. Maybe that's why he's persistent on convincing you to visit dad."

"Maybe." Joaquin smiled. "I'd like to visit dad. I missed him even though we never really talked everyday when he's still outside. He's my dad— no one knows how much he sacrificed to raise me but myself. He's not the most evil out there."

"Then why did you refuse?"

"I want them to grumble more. We never get to have a family dinner or a family discussion. I needed them to be always available now that we're getting married."

Penelope smiled. Her man has become crafty after all these months that they have been together. "Okay. We'll do it at your own pace."

"I don't want to worry you about anything." Joaquin caressed her stomach. "How's my princess today?"

"I've invited all the kids..." Penelope clicked her tongue. "Michael must be taller than the last time we've seen him. The princess is doing fine, by the way. She's getting heavier."

"Miracle and Ymar should go to school. I'll ask my men to enroll them to the nearest school in their place."

"We should handle the fees for them. Lance's aunt shouldn't be troubled with that matter."

Joaquin nodded. "That will do. Although Lance is not short of money in any way. He can always sell his expensive clothes to get by when the time comes."

Pen laughed. "You still hold a grudge against his suits?"

He was glad that he can now see Penelope's face up close. Joachim did his promise and healed his eyes when his power got back altogether. If only Adarmus had set aside all his misgivings and gave Joachim the chance to explain himself then Joaquin wouldn't have to endure the hardship of losing his eyesight.

He was now all aware of what had happened before. Joaquin's eyes was compromised in a riot once. Chemicals was splashed onto his face. Adarmus restored his burnt skin but his sight was bad. His pupils were scalded hence he couldn't see anything clearly.

Adarmus couldn't do anything about it, and an eye transplant may affect his wolf. Without no other choice to lean on, he decided to remove Joaquin's capability to see in his human form in exchange of creating a stronger array for Joachim.

It was not like Adarmus personally dug his eyes out.

"You're thinking of bad things again." Penelope covered Joaquin's face with both of her palm. "I can see it with the way you frown."

Joaquin expressed his sorry with a kiss on her forehead. "Am I making you anxious?"

"A little." Penelope shrug. "I have a lot of papers to review this evening. The enforcers has a lot of proposal—I have to keep up with them."

"Remember your curfew."

"Yes, sir." She answered with resolution. "No more than eight thirty p.m!"

A knock halted their conversation. Joaquin sat up and walked to the door. "What is it?"

"Hello, Sir Joaquin! The women decided to knit these baby clothes for madame. Are we allowed to bring this box in?"

Penelope followed Joaquin. The woman opened the box and revealed several colorful hand-knitted baby clothes and accessories. It made her heat swell with gratitude. "That's... oh my..."

"Everyone is excited to meet her. We can't focus solely on the wedding!"

Joaquin watched while Penelope thanked the woman relentlessly. It was clear that she never expected that the pack members would voluntarily do this for her as a gift.

"The pack territory has never been this prosperous and peaceful as before. Only you, madame, can suppress the pressure from the outcome of Beatrix' stumped plans. We were worried that the powerful clans in the city will target this pack once the threat was over. We're glad that you found a way to severe the troubles before it reached us."

Penelope smiled. "That was not all because of me. Joaquin helped me a lot throughout that. His father too didn't lack with his influence and power. I wouldn't have achieved all what I had done without their help."

"That was another thing to admire about you, Ms. Pen. You got the only surviving blue wolf working under you and the ghost king of underworld listening to your commands. You have the resources and the connection to make us feel safe!"

"Her decision-making skills and her competitiveness is a great attitude for a leader. She can communicate properly and her empathy does not limit to race, species, color and age. I know with all of those traits alone she can shine without me." Joaquin added without feeling any shame.

Penelope swallowed the heaviness in her throat. All of her pack members can create rumors about her and dislike her for all she cares. They can all think that she's only effective because she has Joaquin and his father to her side. Everyone can think little of her.

That will be okay as long as those who are important to her personally witnessed all of her strengths. Only a few can fully understand her anyway.

She let go of the baby clothes and reminded the woman, "'Ms.pen' should be changed 'Mrs. De Villa.' You guys have to get used to that from now on."

Joaquin's eyes twinkled. Penelope winked at him, just like the time when she tried to convince him to be her mate.

'No one regretted it after all.'

She mouthed, 'I love you.'

He chuckled before ducking his head to her ears. "I love you too, Mrs. De Villa."