Damon’s POV:
“Should we get out of bed?” Sherry asked softly as I shook my head.
“No,” I answered simply.
I loved that we were trying a lot of things that made both of us comfortable in bed.
The sad part was that I didn’t want to stop touching her or step out of the bedroom to work.
“Damon, we have been in here for days,” she whined, making me laugh.
“I know, but I don’t want to get into the office and look at the files. I’m sure by now they must have piled up. My warriors record almost every important detail, from training to posts,” I answered.
“Get up now, you have to look at them. Remember the Beta isn’t back yet,” she pointed out.
I grabbed her by the waist and moved her closer, kissing her head gently.
“I know,” I whispered, then froze when I heard a car loudly honk.
“I’m back, Alpha,” Alec mind-linked me.
I quickly got out of bed and put on my boxers and trousers.
“Get up, honey. Alec has returned,” I announced, then went to the wardrobe and grabbed a shirt, putting it on.
“He sure did take his time. I even began to get concerned,” she said as she sat upright.
“Not me,” I answered with a smirk.
“Meet me outside, okay?” I said after I had put on my shoes, then rushed out of the bedroom.
When I came out of the pack house, I rushed straight to his car but slowed down my pace when I saw a woman behind him.
By her scent, I knew she was human.
“I’m back, Damon,” he said happily when I stood in front of him.
I smiled and gave him a light hug, then pulled back.
“I was beginning to think you would never return, Alec,” I answered playfully, then looked at the lady with a raised brow.
“Olivia, can you please step forward,” he asked her.
She hesitated but slowly did and looked at me. I widened my eyes upon seeing the child in her arms, who was asleep.
“Is that your child? Did you impregnate a human when you were away from the pack in the past?” I asked through our mind-link as he smiled widely.
Many pack members were gathering afar, looking at her because they too could pick up her human scent.
“This here is Damon. He is the leader of our village and my stepbrother,” he introduced as I glared at him.
Stepbrother?
“Hi, I’m Olivia,” she greeted politely, then raised her free hand to greet me.
“Alpha, everyone, this right here is my mate, and the child she’s carrying is her late sister’s child,” he said in the pack’s mind-link as loud gasps broke out.
Olivia quickly dropped her hand and took a step back in fear.
“I’m sorry if it isn’t allowed to greet you,” she said in a low tone.
I was about to respond when Sherry came out of the pack house with Maggie by her side.
“Where is she?” She asked happily.
“Here,” I answered and then extended my hand to Olivia.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, dear. I’m called Damon, and this is my village,” I said.
She smiled as she took a step forward and shook my hand.
When Sherry reached where we were, she leaned forward and kissed Olivia’s cheeks in greeting.
“Hi, dear. My name is Sherry, and I’m Damon’s wife. We are glad to have you in our pack. Welcome,” she said as Alec shook his head.
“What?” I asked through our mind-link.
“She doesn’t know what we are,” he answered as we all looked at him seriously.
“Maggie, can you please show our guest to her room? Alec and I need to have a word,” I ordered.
“Yes, Alpha. Miss, please come with me,” she said, then turned as Olivia followed behind.
“Explain,” I demanded.
“Well, she is my mate. I met her at the beach house and chose to bring her with me,” he answered calmly.
“Does she not have a family?” I asked seriously.
“No, she had her late sister and mother. Now she only has her niece. Also, she agreed to come with me because her boyfriend was abusive, and I stepped in to save her,” he answered.
“Why do I feel like you are deliberately leaving out important information?” I asked.
“That’s because I am Alpha,” he answered.
“So when are you planning on telling her?” Sherry asked.
“Soon,” he answered.
“How soon?” I asked.
“Um… I really don’t know,” he answered.
“You should know and decide on that because it won’t be long until she sees someone shift or growl right in front of her. I wouldn’t want her to reject you, but I also know that keeping secrets from a mate is not worth it. It leads to misunderstandings and quarrels,” I advised.
He nodded, then walked past me with a glare.
“Do you think he is upset with me?” I asked Sherry seriously.
“I don’t think so,” she answered softly.
I grabbed her hand, linking it to mine, then smiled.
“Truth be told, I feel happy that Alec has finally found his mate. Did you know that I was somehow worried about him? I even thought that the Moon Goddess was being unfair. But I guess she had a plan all along to make them meet in another country,” I said softly.
“The Moon Goddess is always fair and just,” she answered.
“I guess,” I whispered, then leaned in and kissed her head.
“Should we ask everyone to treat her well?” she asked.
“Yes, of course,” I answered.
“Listen, everyone. Alec’s mate is human, and by now you should have noticed. She lacks knowledge about our kind, so I ask all of you to be discreet in how you talk to her or act in front of her. Also, keep in mind that she’s very fragile, and she would feel lonely if you segregated her. So please be gentle and kind to her,” Sherry announced through the pack’s mind-link.
“That should do it, right?” she asked.
“It’s an order from your Luna and Alpha. Scare her in any way, and you will answer to us,” I concluded.
“Now, that is enough,” I said as she laughed softly.
“It sure is,” she muttered.
We both turned and went back to the pack house.