Chapter 2

Dante:

I looked at Aurora whose eyes were wide in surprise as she clearly processed the mating bond. Her brown hair, which was messy last night, was tied in a bun, and I couldn’t help but catch sight of the love bite that was on her neck.

Being drunk last night, her calling herself tipsy was just some stupid excuse as not to admit that she went a little overboard with the number of drinks she had. 

“How do you know my name? I never mentioned…”

“Dante, is my son, Aurora, and one of the reasons I called you here today was for you to meet him” Giovanni, my father, said, stopping her. She frowned in confusion, and turning to face him, taking her attention off me, I could tell that the last thing she expected to hear was that “I am retiring, Aurora, and I know that you are not bound by blood with the pack; however, I want you…”

“Wait, wait, what?” Aurora asked, stopping Giovanni “why are you retiring?” 

“I have grown, Aurora, and I need to rest. My son Dante would be taking my place, and this is one of the reasons why I called you here” he said, looking at me. He knew that I didn’t want this, but seeing as he was insisting that she was the best at what she did, his one request was for me to give her a chance; I found myself forced to listen, FOR NOW.

“I am your new Alpha, Aurora. You have two options, either to submit, or get out of that door” I said, glaring at her. Giovanni let out a low growl of disapproval. Aurora looked from me to dad, then to me again, either too shocked to speak, or still processing what I was saying.

“Alpha Giovanni, he can’t be serious?” She asked, looking at Giovanni who smiled at her.

“If I trust anyone with anything, it is you, and that is why I want you to be by his side while he takes charge as Alpha. You would help him expand, especially since he’s lived out of the city…”

“I don’t need her help. If I am agreeing to work with her, it is simply because you recommended it. I can find my own men to do their dirty work instead of sending a woman…” Giovanni banged the table with his fist, stopping me from completing my sentence.

“I did not ask. I will not allow you to ruin what we have worked hard to build; therefore, you are going to have her by your side for at least a year. Three-hundred, and sixty-five days. If the two of you can’t find a mutual deal to work on, then you are more than free to fire her” Giovanni said, completely ignoring that the woman could have a different choice or idea about this.

“Alpha, with all due respect, I am not his wife, nor am I a slave for you to enforce me to do something that I don’t want to take part of. You didn’t even bother considering that I might not want to work with him and are just enforcing an opinion on me” Aurora said, looking down at her lap “my respect for you is infinite, and you know that I would give my life for you; but…”

“If I mean anything to you, Aurora, you are going to do this. I know that I have put you in a tough position, but if I am trusting you with this, I do not expect you to let me down” he said, stopping her. She looked down at her lap, avoiding his eyes. I took a deep breath, shaking my head at her behavior before looking at Giovanni.

“One year is all she gets. Then she is out of my sight and I do not want to see her, or any of YOUR men around MY pack, do you understand me? The pack members would live their lives as they please, and I give you my word that I would ensure their safety and stability as their Alpha, but that is ALL you would get from me as a promise” I said, getting up from my chair. I could hear Aurora hold her breath as her wolf let out a low whimper, one that had me fighting my own wolf from howling in pain. 

“Where do you think you are going? We’re yet to discuss anything related to what you would be working on” Giovanni asked, glaring at me.

“There is nothing to be discussed with you. I have other important things, and I believe that your little Aurora and I can have our discussion over dinner later tonight, in private. You needn’t worry, I won’t be trying to take your place until you’ve decided to let it go; therefore, take your small time” I said, looking at him, and turning to face Aurora, the woman’s eyes were wide in surprise as she processed what I said.

“My number is in a small paper that I put in your left back pocket. Next time I say that you are not supposed to be out by yourself, being drunk, or in other words, ‘tipsy’, I suggest that you stay inside” I said, winking at her. I walked out the door before she could answer, my chest aching with each step I took away from her.

Leaving the building, I caught sight of my best friend who was waiting for me upfront. I smirked at the sight of him, and nodding, I watched as he got in the passenger seat while I got in the driver’s seat, starting the car.

“I take it that things didn’t go too well?” Leonardo asked, raising an amused eyebrow. 

“Don’t even ask, Leo. We are in for more than just a little challenge” I said, shaking my head “just be sure that they don’t find Elena and mom while we’re doing this. I’ll be sure to end things my way this time”