Knowing my security detail was outside, I entered the bathroom to take a quick shower so I could get ready for my date with Anthony. Shower done. After drying off, I wrapped my towel around my body and head so I could retrieve my items to finish getting ready when a knock came at my door.
Noah declared, “It’s a messenger from the Alpha King. He wants to see you in his office post haste.”
I opened the door so I could reply to the messenger. “Hello? What can I do for you?” I inquired of the messenger.
The messenger blushed as I stood there in my towel. “The Alpha King requires your presence post haste in his office Delta heir Melanie. I will let him know that you are just getting out of the shower and will be a few minutes. I am to escort you to his office. I will wait outside for you,” announced the escort.
“Thank you. I will get dressed as quickly as I can,” I replied to the escort and closed the door. I immediately went to my suitcase to get a business casual outfit since the Alpha King required my presence.
‘Dad, the Alpha King has asked for me to report to his office, post haste. Know anything about that?’ I asked my Dad in our link.
‘No, I don’t. Let me ask Alpha Richard. It might have something to do with the government surveillance job. Hey, aren’t you supposed to go on a date with Anthony soon?’ asked my Dad.
‘Yes, I am. After I get dressed, I will send him a quick text telling him what’s up,” I explained to my Dad.
‘Alpha Richard says he doesn’t know anything either so it has to be about the government surveillance job. Do you want me to come along as well?’ questioned my Dad.
‘No, I can always open a link for you to hear what’s going on or call you on the phone. Thanks anyway Dad. I’m almost ready, so let me finish. Love you,’ I reassured him as I was trying to bring this conversation to an end so I could finish getting ready.
‘Love you too, Mellie,’ Dad cheered in the link.
Outfit on, now it was time to fix my wet hair and make-up. I needed to be presentable for the Alpha King. I told Noah I was almost ready through our link. I just had to dry and fix my hair. Noah and Anderson knew it didn’t take me very long to get ready in the mornings especially if I am being rushed in an instance such as this.
In under ten minutes, I was walking out of my room to go see the Alpha King. The escort took a different route than before to the Alpha King’s office. I was pretty sure we weren’t heading to his office so I asked Anderson and Noah in our link if they knew where we were going and they replied with a ‘No.’
I was curious about where we were going but kept my mouth shut. I learned a long time ago when dealing with Alphas and the Alpha King, you just go with the flow until they want you to know what is going on. We kept walking until we wound up outside a room.
The escort knocked and when he heard ‘come in,’ he opened the door for us to proceed into the room. I was taken aback when I entered. I was expecting to see a desk or a conference table with people sitting down, not a single dining table within a romantic setting. My father, Alpha Richard, Alpha King Matthew, and Anthony were waiting for me in the room.
“Melanie, welcome. Come in, please. I’m sorry for the deception but I felt it was necessary,” explained the Alpha King. “When I heard Anthony say he wanted to take you out on a date tonight, I knew I needed to step into action quickly. I believe, as does your Alpha and your Father, that it would be in your best interest if you did not leave the pack grounds tonight. Therefore, we created this special treat for you and your mate,” revealed the Alpha King.
I was still stunned at what I was looking at as well as having Anthony holding me around my waist while in the presence of the Alpha King.
“Melanie, you know I hold you in high regard. You are a special person and I was devastated when you know who rejected you. I was thrilled when the two of you recognized each other as mates the first night here. You deserve a second chance, mate. I am delighted to make this romantic evening for you and your mate happen,” exclaimed the Alpha King.
“Mellie, we’ve talked it over and we believe that tonight would be a good night for you two to mate and mark each other. Anthony is scheduled to fight Clark tomorrow. We want to make sure that he couldn’t use the fight as a challenge to get you back,” explained Dad as he watched me to gauge my expression.
“Could he do that? Really? I mean, could he use tomorrow’s match like that?” I asked to no one in particular.
“I’d like to see him try. I’m not giving you up. You ARE MY FATED MATE. He’s not going to get you. You’re MINE! Now and forever,” professed Anthony as he tightened his hold on my waist. Then, he kissed me below my ear as if to emphasize his point.
“To answer your question, yes, he could. Alpha King Matthew has already stated that he would block that if he tries but it would be moot if you were already mated and marked,” explained Alpha Richard.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He could challenge Anthony for me. If he won the match, I would be his but if we mated tonight he couldn’t do that. Was I ready to mate with Anthony? I felt comfortable in his arms and when he kissed me, I wanted more from him. His touch was so addictive. Everywhere he touched me, it sent pleasurable sensations up and down my body. I had a hard time controlling myself around him especially when others were around us.
Was I ready to mate with Anthony? I think I am but am I worthy of his love? That’s the real question. I’m damaged goods. I was rejected and tossed aside like trash. Why would he even want me?
“Hey, what’s wrong? Huh?” Anthony whispered in my ear. He turned me so I was facing him and looking him in his eyes. He saw my tears starting to trickle down my cheeks. “Why are you upset? Talk to me. Help me to understand what’s wrong so I can fix it,” he pleaded with me.
“Why do you want me? I’m damaged. I’m broken because of him. I …” I didn’t get to finish my sentence before Anthony interrupted me.
“I WANT YOU because YOU are MY FATED MATE. You feel damaged because he rejected you. I want nothing more than to cherish and love you every day of my life. I want to prove to you that you deserve nothing but love and happiness every day of your life. He didn’t deserve you. I don’t want you to ever doubt your worth. You were made for me and I for you. Please, let me love you. Let me show how much I care for you,” begged Anthony as he caressed my right cheek with his left hand while maintaining eye contact so I could discern his honesty.
I was mesmerized by his eyes. I was struck by the sincerity of his words. I couldn’t form a sentence even if I tried. I shook my head ‘yes’ to let him know I was on board with him showing me how much he cared for me.
“Come, let’s sit down and enjoy our dinner. Then, we will enjoy the rest of our evening. Hmm?”
“Alpha King Matthew, thank you … for arranging this for us,” I complimented him before Anthony moved me toward the table and before everyone left.
“Melanie, it was my pleasure. Also, I have provided a new room for the two of you. Your guards know where it is located and will take you there when you are finished with dinner,” announced Alpha King Matthew.
“A new room? Thank you again, Alpha King Matthew. Yes, I believe it would be necessary to have some privacy. It was very thoughtful of you,” I professed as I held Anthony’s arms tightly.
“Thank you, Alpha King, for providing us with another room. It was very thoughtful of you,” praised Anthony as he held me tightly.
“Well, we will leave you two to your romantic dinner for two. Enjoy your dinner and evening. Do let us know if you need anything else. Hmm?” advised the Alpha King.
“Yes Alpha King,” we chorused together.
“We’ll be leaving as well. Enjoy your evening Melanie and Anthony. If you need anything, let us know, okay?” advised Alpha Richard.
“Yes, Alpha,” we chorused together again.
“Good night Melanie. Call if you need me. Anthony, take good care of my girl,” warned my Dad.
“Yes, sir I will. You have my word,” reassured Anthony.
“Good night, Dad. Give my love to Mom. Tell her I’ll talk with her later,” I advised as I hugged and kissed my Dad.
“I’ll do that,” replied Dad as he walked out the door.
Anthony walked me over to the table and held my chair out for me. The server brought the menus so we could order our meals. Before he disappeared, he lit the candle in the middle of the table and turned the lights down low. The waiter brought our drinks and salads out so we could begin our meal.
We started talking about what we thought we wanted our future to look like. So, I explained what our pack life was like, how we operated, and how our family business contributed to it all. He liked how we worked with the pack to make it stronger and better for everyone, not just us because we employed pack members.
When we finally finished dinner, Anthony came over to my chair and pulled it out for me. He held his hand out for me to take so he could escort me to our new room.
“May I escort you to our new room Melanie? I would like to spend some quality time with my new mate. Maybe getting to know you a little bit better? What’ll you say? Hmm?” Anthony inquired with a wolfish grin on his handsome face.
“I’d like that. I like that a lot. Lead the way,” I purred as he wrapped his right arm around my waist. I snuggled into his side feeling the warmth of his body. I couldn’t get enough of his smell. The smell of cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla-yummy goodness.