Departure

It was insane how close I felt to the man seated beside me. Despite the fact that I had not known him for a long time, my mind and body still yearned for him. I did not know whether it had to do with that bewitching smile or the way he had helped me through the toughest moment of my life. He had become my anchor and I had allowed myself to settle against him.

He found out the truth and yet he didn't lose his shit...He chose to stay beside me...

It was a comforting thought. I welcomed the warmth that came from watching him. He assumed an official demeanor as he spoke to my former Alpha. They had made time, away from the ceremony, to bid us farewell. When I had said I wanted to leave, it seemed that he took me seriously.

He had called my Father instantly who had called the Alpha and Luna for a quick farewell. It would, after all, not be right were he to just take me away.

Though I have a feeling he doesn't really care about that...

"Won't you stay a little longer, Alex? We can have a farewell dinner for you to celebrate finding your mate."

Luna Rosalie Michaels spoke up, seeming genuinely saddened by my quick departure. I could sense the skepticism rolling off of her in waves. She did not trust my mate. She believed the rumors about his darkness and ruthlessness. She thought he was forcing me to leave.

They should know me better than that...Although circumstances have changed, I am still the Alexandra Pierce I have always been. Something within me may have broken but my character still stood, maybe even stronger now.

They also shouldn't judge him just by rumor too...I may not know him well and maybe he did warrant my wariness but I would wait until he gave me reason to be cautious around him.

"I'm sorry, Aunt, but it would be best for Dante and I to leave. We have a long journey ahead of us. Please give everyone else my regards and goodbye."

I stood up, signaling the end of the conversation effectively. The rest stood with me, all including my mate who beheld a small, pleased smirk on his lips. It was a sexy sight, indeed, and elicited feelings of satisfaction within me.

Is he proud of me for standing my ground?

I didn't know why but the very possibility of that made me extremely excited...

"I will. I love you very much, Alex. Please call as often as you can and come visit soon."

Luna Rosalie bundled me into a warm hug that was unexpected but welcome. I didn't know how much I needed it until she wrapped her hands around me. I reciprocated the gesture, owing it to them all for what they had done for my father and I. The woman had brought me up and treated me like her own child.

I had always wondered how it would be like to have her as my mother in law but it seemed I didn't have to anymore.

The thought saddened me somewhat and reminded me of her son's actions.

"I'll try my best."

I responded as I pulled away, refusing to let my heart completely close off from the couple before me. They were not to blame for everything that had happened to me. They were not to blame for the cruelty of fate.

"My daughter is the most precious thing to me, Dante Livorno. Guard her. Protect her. Keep her from any harm and cherish her. She deserves all the happiness in the world. Promise me you will never betray or leave her side, no matter what."

My father stressed, his words cutting right through to my very soul. Although his words seemed like the rantings of an overprotective father, they held way more meaning to those who knew my secret. To those who knew of my brokenness. Tears pricked my eyes at his love for me despite it all.

He was the most important person in my life and I was sad to leave him.

"I give you my word, Beta Avant. I shall keep her safe. No matter what."

Dante responded, truth in his words and his burning gaze that never once broke away from my father's intimidating look. A silent message seemed to be conveyed between the two men before my father turned to me with a loving smile and my mate seemed to contemplate in silence, seeming somewhat impressed.

"I love you, my darling. Stay safe. Protect yourself and call me if you ever need anything."

My father's hug was warm and reassuring and I melted in his warm embrace that seemed to take everything else away. I didn't know why but part of me was sure that he knew what had happened. He was always incredibly attentive to my thoughts and needs. The fact that he had chosen to let me handle it my own way caused the pricking tears to fall before I aggressively wiped them away.

I cannot worry him. I have to be strong.

"I love you too, Papa. I'll visit and call."

I responded, earning a simple nod from him before they each led us down the winding halls of the pack-house that were filled with nostalgic memories.

Memories of him that I wished to forget.

A group of four, sleek, black SUV's awaited us outside with burly men and lethal women standing at the doors, waiting for the departure. It was a show of strength if I had ever seen one. A true escort for an Alpha as revered as Dante.

"Alex! Wait!"

Ana Leticia's voice stopped me in my tracks as I turned away from the opened door and towards my best friend who was running towards me with her mate in tow. They seemed to have abandoned the party which was not very nice of the hosts.

Her hug was tight, her tears wetting my bare shoulder as I kept my own at bay.

"I know you can't speak openly right now and that's okay but please call me. Please don't pull away from me. We're sisters, right? No matter what or who its about, I will ALWAYS be on your side. I love you."

Lucretia's words were warm and reassuring, exactly what I needed to hear to help the band of darkness recede from my heart. She was right. I was doing what I always did when I was a child which was to shut down. She had never let me, though. Her warmth and light had always been there to lead me back to sanity.

Even now, she's still my pillar...the sister I never had but was always there for me...

"Thanks, Letty. I promise I'll call you when I arrive."

I pulled away from her, granting her a reassuring smile that she returned before fixating her gaze on my mate who was still perched beside me and close enough that his reassurance radiated over to me. The two also shared a silent conversation that made Dante chuckle before he turned away.

He seemed clearly amused, his eyes dancing with an incomprehensible emotion once they landed on my own.

"It is time to leave, my beloved. Before I do something I might regret."

The silent threat in his words was sudden, confusing me momentarily before I heard Natalia's voice asking after our departure. Turning to the man I was sure was with her, his eyes beheld so many emotions, chief of them all being guilt.

Guilt, huh?...

"Have a safe trip, Alpha Dante."

Alpha Victor's voice broke through the stare on between Reed and I. I was the first to look away, not caring that Victor seemed to have silently read into the situation. The man was more perceptive than many believed. We got along quite well due to my close relationship with Letty but now that his sister was involved, I wasn't so sure he felt the same way.

My mate simply hummed in agreement before helping me into the car. I never once looked back even as my mate closed my door and turned to Reed with a dark grin that confused the rest and angered my former crush. It was a provocative move. A way of messing with him one last time before we met each other again.

I was afraid for the outcome of that particular meeting.

"What a fucking idiot. It seems I spoke too soon."

Dante muttered once he settled beside me and nodded towards the driver to leave. I was confused by his words and his reaction for instead of irritation, he beheld a wide grin of amusement. Almost as if he was looking forward to what was to come.

And that weirdly sent a shiver of apprehension down my spine...

***

"Are you sure she will be okay, Avant? Dante has quite the reputation. Alexandra is strong but his kind of darkness is a little more unpredictable."

Alpha Darren muttered from beside his Beta as they watched the fleet of cars leave their pack. They were not the only ones who seemed apprehensive. Everyone knew about Dante. Knew of what he was capable of.

He was one of the most dangerous men in their world. And powerful at that.

Who knew what would happen once he found out Alexandra's secret? One that would probably threaten his current position...

"Yes, she will. Apart from the fact that I raised Alexandra to be prepared for whatever was to come, Dante is also a smart man. This may go either way but I pray that the goddess swings the odds to our favor. Its a big gamble but he may be the best and worst person to entrust with my daughter. We will have to wait for the coming events and be prepared."

Avant responded, sending yet another prayer up to their goddess for the protection of his precious young one.

***