Chapter Five: Getting Acquainted 

Avon's POV

Upon returning to my estate, I found Carolina still peacefully asleep, her gentle breathing a soothing rhythm in the quiet room. The doctor's words echoed in my mind, she needed proper rest, especially in her condition. 

Despite my desire to stay and watch over her, I decided to retreat to my study, attempting to catch up on some pressing work matters.

I had barely opened my laptop when the sharp ring of the doorbell pierced the silence, followed immediately by the thunderous entrance of Reino. 

That insufferable man burst through my door as if he owned the place, his presence filling the room with his usual overwhelming energy. 

If he weren't my childhood friend and closest confidant, I would have ended his existence long ago for such presumptuous behavior.

"Care to explain why your assistant practically said you've cancelled your appointments for the week?" Reino demanded, his voice echoing off the walls. "Since when did the Lycan King become this irresponsible?"

"Lower your voice," I hissed, casting a worried glance toward the stairs. But it was too late – the damage was done.

Carolina appeared in the doorway, looking incredibly alluring in nothing but my white dress shirt, her hair slightly tousled from sleep. 

The sight of her made my heart skip a beat, though I maintained my stoic expression. Reino's eyes widened comically as he took in the scene before him.

"Well, hello there," Reino recovered quickly, offering his most charming smile. "I'm Reino Romello, this brute's best friend and voice of reason."

"Carolina Ambers," she replied with a small smile, clearly amused by his dramatic introduction. "Though I'm curious why you look so shocked to find someone here."

"Our dear King here doesn't exactly have a reputation for... entertaining guests in his private residence," Reino explained, his eyes darting between us with growing interest.

"She's not a guest," I interjected firmly, pride coloring my voice. "She's my mate, and she's carrying my child."

Reino's jaw dropped, and for once in his life, he seemed genuinely speechless. "When... how... what?" he sputtered, looking as though I'd just told him the moon was made of cheese.

Carolina rolled her eyes at the familiar reaction and quietly excused herself to the kitchen, likely growing weary of the repeated tellings of our unconventional meeting. Perhaps she was also still embarrassed by the circumstances.

Once she was out of earshot, I leaned closer to Reino. "Remember that night in Los Angeles? When Sylvester slipped through our fingers?" I watched understanding dawn on his face. 

"Well, I found something far more valuable that night than our target."

"Wait," Reino's eyes widened further. "You mean your mysterious one-night stand turned out to be your destined mate?" He let out a low whistle. 

"And now I'm going to be an uncle!" He chuckled.

"You're not going to be any such thing," I growled, though there was no real heat behind it.

Reino grinned, completely unfazed. "Oh you can't help it, Avon. You know you can't deny me this joy even if you wanted to."

Our banter was interrupted by Carolina's return. "Avon," she said softly, "would it be alright if my cousin Dahlia came to visit? She's eager to see me." She asked.

I inclined my head in agreement. Then Carolina disappeared down the hallway, her footsteps fading as she went to make her call. 

Reino and I walked out to the sitting room to have a drink, the familiar atmosphere allowing us to discuss the incredible changes that had transpired in such a short time.

"I have to admit," Reino mused, swirling the glass of scotch I'd poured him, "I never thought I'd see the day when the mighty Lycan King would be discussing impending fatherhood." His eyes held a mixture of amusement and genuine happiness for me. 

"From dedicating every waking moment to your duties, to suddenly having a mate and a child on the way, it's quite the transformation."

I found myself smiling despite my usual stoic demeanor. "Carolina..." I paused, searching for the right words. 

"She fills a void I wasn't even aware existed. It's as if a piece of myself I never knew was missing has finally clicked into place." I confessed.

Then the melodious chime of the doorbell interrupted our conversation, and Reino, displaying an unexpected burst of enthusiasm, practically leaped from his chair. 

"I'll get it," he announced, already striding toward the door with purpose. I watched him go, bemused by his sudden eagerness to play doorman.

When he returned, Dahlia was by his side, and I observed with increasing interest how Reino had somehow transformed from his usual roguish self into the perfect gentleman. 

He offered her to sit on the couch, his hand hovering near her elbow as she sat, and his usual sardonic smile had been replaced by something far more genuine.

Carolina descended the grand staircase with measured steps, her medical training evident in her composed demeanor despite the extraordinary circumstances. 

I watched as she joined us in the foyer, noting how she unconsciously positioned herself slightly apart from me.

"Dahlia," she said warmly, embracing her cousin. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Of course I came," Dahlia replied, her blue eyes sparkling with concern. "Though I must say, your new accommodation is quite impressive."

Reino cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Allow me to properly introduce myself. Reino Romello." He took Dahlia's offered hand, holding it perhaps a moment longer than strictly necessary. 

"I'm this brooding fellow's oldest friend." He murmured.

"Dahlia Granville," she responded with a hint of amusement. "I own the Crystal Palace Hotel in Manhattan, among other ventures."

"The Crystal Palace?" Reino's eyes lit up. "I was just considering it for our next corporate retreat. Perhaps we could discuss the possibilities over dinner sometime?"

I noticed Carolina hid a smile behind her hand as she watched the exchange. The notorious Reino Romello, who could make hardened businessmen tremble with a single phone call, was practically stammering like a schoolboy.

"Well," Carolina interjected, sharing a meaningful look with her cousin, "Dahlia and I have some catching up to do. If you'll excuse us?"

"Of course," I said, though my eyes remained fixed on Carolina. "We'll discuss dinner arrangements later."

"We'll see about that," Carolina replied with a challenging lift of her chin before leading Dahlia away.

Once they were out of earshot, I turned to Reino, who was still staring after Dahlia's retreating form.

"Really?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. "The mighty Reino Romello, reduced to awkward dinner invitations?"

Reino ran a hand through his hair, looking uncharacteristically flustered. "Shut up, Avon. You're one to talk, at least I didn't get my mate pregnant before knowing her name."

"Fair point," I conceded with a slight grimace. "Though I notice you didn't deny the attraction."

"There's something about her," Reino admitted quietly. "Did you know she built that hotel empire herself? No family money involved. And the way she carries herself..."

"Careful, old friend," I warned, though I couldn't help but smirk. "You're starting to sound dangerously close to smitten."

"Says the man who's been staring at his mate like a lost puppy since she walked in," Reino shot back. "At least Dahlia seems willing to have dinner with me. Your mate's still trying to flee the country."

I sobered at that. "She'll come around. She has to – she's carrying my child."

"That's not the way to win her over, and you know it," Reino said, suddenly serious. "You can't command her love like you command the packs."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Maybe try asking instead of ordering for once in your life?" Reino shrugged. "It seems to work better with strong-willed women. Not that I'm an expert," he added, his eyes drifting toward the direction Dahlia had gone.

"We're both rather hopeless, aren't we?" I mused.

"Speak for yourself," Reino straightened his tie. "I have a dinner reservation to arrange."

I couldn't help laughing at that, the irony of our situation not lost on me. 

"Sit your sorry ass back. They've barely started talking yet." I glared at him, but he was already leaving.

That bastard!

Indeed, it seemed that both the Lycan King and his most trusted advisor had found themselves unexpectedly caught in Cupid's crosshairs.