Beloved

16

Florian's sudden entry into the room quelled all potential conversation. He held the door open for the staff to take their leave, before locking the door and crossing the room to sit with his family.

The alpha's actions didn't go amiss, his audience riveted their attention on him.

Florian studied the girl sitting beside his son with her feet tucked under her knees. He knew she was intelligent, but certain information wasn't readily available to the public. "Gaia, do you understand the significance of your wolf?"

"In the legends she's a healer."

"Well yes, she is known as a healer. Gray star is the goddess' most beloved handmaiden, the beacon light of unconditional love, the physical aspect of the soul at its purest, patroness of the mate bond, pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Yes, she can heal, but understand saying she's a healer is an understatement of her overall ability that healing is merely an aspect of."

Florian studied the young couple sitting opposite him, watching comprehension dawn across his son's features.

"The handmaiden all shifter kind are called upon to protect." Dante felt the weight of his duty as mate to the gentlest handmaiden settle in his bones. He studied Gaia as she listened intently.

"Yes, the handmaiden the Goddess explicitly demands to punish any who attack her by death." Florian paused to make certain he was understood.

Gaia gasped, her eyes wide with horror, "Those girls who attacked me-"

"They attacked you before your wolf was known, therefore they won't be sentenced to death, but their sentencing will be harsher as a consequence."

Gaia drooped with sadness for a moment, then nodded her head and met Florian's gaze once more. "Okay, so why did you lock the door?"

"The appearance of your wolf marks a great change is upon us. The kind of change that is impossible to predict and can affect the entire world. We of course have no idea what form of change your wolf will bring, but we do know there has been an unprecedented number of handmaidens reported over the past several years, which has had many in the council concerned as it is, but your wolf adds an entirely different layer of concerns and questions."

"What kind of concerns," Dante pressed, "What are you saying?"

"One of Gray-star's powers is the ability to channel the combined power of all living handmaidens around the world for a singular purpose. This makes her potentially the strongest of all the handmaidens alive should she use that particular gift, it also potentially makes her a target of anyone who is of a mind to coerce her use of it.

"Her wolf is also capable of mating true with other species, which adds to the potential of her being targeted."

A deep growl rumbled from Dante's chest.

Gaia felt a chill shiver down her back. All of what Florian was saying frightened her. She wanted desperately to climb into Dante's lap and burrow into his embrace, but nibbled on her lip instead.

Florian tapped the table between them, punctuating, "I urge you to mark each other. The sooner the better."

Gaia balked.

Arianna protested they could hold off, she was planning an entire ceremony.

Dante said, "Father, she's too young, and she only just got her wolf."

"Her wolf is a handmaiden, Dante. They're equipped to support their humans through anything. She's not glass."

Arianna said, "Allowing for a few months to adjust is normal for a case such as this."

Florian stood, punctuating his words with gestures, "The sooner she's marked, the sooner she has the added protections that come -"

"Enough," Gaia leaned forward, raising her palm in surrender, "Actually, this is a bit much. I need a break."

"Young lady-"

Gaia met the alpha's gaze, saying, "Alpha Florian, I appreciate the lengths you're willing to pursue to guarantee the safety of our pack, but right now I literally need a break, and a bit of help to get to the bathroom. Please."

"Oh," Arianna stood, smoothing her pants, "yes, Dante, if you can help her to the bathroom, I'll flag a nurse to help her in there."

"Sure," Dante patiently waited for Gaia to unfold herself and stand, then he stood and supported her to the bathroom door. Once the door was closed Dante turned to face his father, who was still standing, looking perplexed.

"Your mate interrupted me. Twice."

Dante nodded, slipping his hands in his pockets, "She is a feisty little thing."

Florian harrumphed for another moment before shoving his hands in his pockets and changing the subject. "Your mother and I spoke with your principal, the councilors, and the school board. The two of you are exemplary students, and you were both on track to pass all your classes and graduate with honors before the unfortunate events on Friday. Everyone agreed to waive these final weeks of school remaining, and you will both graduate with high honors, with your class in three weeks. You are still valedictorian, so I expect you to have a speech prepared."

"Thank you. Yes, I have a speech written, however I am considering some revisioning."

"I saw the letter that you'll be attending the local college in the fall."

"I'm in correspondence with Professor Gray in the Business department."

Florian grunted approval. "Gather together everything that belongs to the school, your mother and I will make certain it gets returned to the school."

"Oh, sure. I'll do that now." Dante crossed the room and quickly created two stacks of books, neatly condensing their kept materials. He made a note of the books she was reading for pleasure before adding them to the textbook pile.

By the time he was finished, his father was immersed in some business emails, and Gaia was emerging from the bathroom with the assistance of his mother and the nurse. He rose and watched her cross the room to the couch, admiring the soft pink that rose in her cheeks when she looked up at him. In two strides he was beside her at the couch, taking her hand back in his.

He asked her if she was feeling better.

Sinking onto the couch and tucking her legs up, she said she was feeling peckish and asked if they could eat soon.

Arianna said, "It is about lunchtime, what would you like?"

Dante watched Gaia ponder the question as he took the seat beside her.

Gaia rolled her lips between her teeth in thought for a few minutes, then asked, "Can we have tacos?"

"Of course." Arianna began scrolling on her phone, turning away from them. Florian joined her, watching over her shoulder.

Dante chuckled.

Gaia side-eyed him, asking, "Something funny?"

"You're decisive for someone who doesn't like to make choices. It's impressive, actually, and you're adorable." He kissed her forehead as he swept her hand up in his.

Gaia felt her breath catch in her throat. His mouth pressing against her skin had been entirely unexpected, the tingles reverberating through her body, soothing every sore muscle and tense nerve, his lips leaving a lingering imprint.

"Ooh, Gorditos is close, and they deliver!"

Gaia blinked at Dante, then turned to Arianna, saying, "Um, sure." The warmth and tingles of Dante's hand felt reassuring. She'd never been to Gorditos, but had heard good food was to be had there.

Dante side-eyed Gaia, astutely aware the likelihood of her ever visiting the restaurant to be slim. "I'll have my usual mom, but make it the full size nachos. Gaia's going to share them." Then he murmured, "do you want just tacos, or would you like to mix it up with a burrito or enchilada?"

Gaia's eyes widened, her gaze flickering to Dante's parents before panic furrowed her brow, tightened the skin around her eyes and raised her heartbeat.

"Oh, um...I'm not sure. I've actually never been there before."

He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, hoping to calm her. "How many tacos do you usually get?"

Her gaze dropped to their hands, saying softly, "Two."

Dante studied her. He knew full well two fast food tacos were hardly a snack for any werewolf older than six. Either that's all she herself ever had the money for, or that was all she felt comfortable asking for when someone else was paying.

Still watching her, he said aloud, "Gaia will have a burrito and two super tacos, beef and chicken on both." Seeing a fire flare in her eyes, his mouth curved into a smirk. She was adorable when she tried to appear indignant.

Gaia whisper demanded, "How do you know what I'd want?"

"Because you like everything, you just don't like to have to choose."

She pouted a moment, then asked, "What's your usual?"

"I usually get the enchilada and fajita plates, and a half order of the nachos."

She thought quietly a moment before saying, "I've never had chicken on a taco."

"You'll like it. And when we go there, where you have the menu in front of you, you can make up your mind what to have based on this experience."

She studied his face, not certain she'd heard him correctly. "You'll take me to this restaurant?" Goodness, she could stare into his pretty blue eyes forever. And the way his hair curled over his forehead made her hands itch to touch it, see if it was as silky as it looked.

"Yeah."

"Like ... on a date?"

Dante's lips curve into a grin, "Sure, I can take you on a date. I'd love to take you on a date." His eyes caught movement, his gaze zeroing in on her lip rolling between her teeth before she turned her head, her cheeks flushed.

Gaia felt her cheeks warm and turned her head. She noticed the textbook towers Dante had created and gestured toward them, "Are those my textbooks?"

"Our textbooks. My parents are going to be returning them to the school."

"Don't we need them?"

"No. My parents conferred with the school board and staff on our behalf since we're missing the last weeks leading up to finals. We're both on track to graduate cum laude, and missing a few tests and projects in two weeks wouldn't change that." He watched the various emotions play across her face as she processed the information. "We still graduate with the class, but we get to just focus on preparing for your first shift, which is going to be hard enough on you."

"Do we have to return the library books? I was really enjoying them."

Dante reached for her chin, coaxing her to meet his eyes. "I noted down the titles and authors, and one of them I know is in our library at home."

"Oh, okay."

"Our food will be delivered in about twenty minutes," Arianna announced. "I'll go alert the nurse's station." She slipped out the door.

Florian sat in the chair across from his son. "And your mother ordered extra in case either of you need a snack later." He reached for his laptop, opening it on his lap.

"We'll be sure to thank her."

Gaia said, "Thank you for talking to the school on my behalf, alpha."

Florian looked up, and closed his laptop, setting it back on the table. "You're an excellent student. Your teachers hold you in high regard. I saw you applied to several different schools, and you've been offered a few scholarships." Florian gave her a moment to process the news, then continued, "Are you still tied to leaving the territory?"

Gaia felt her heart skip a beat and her gaze snapped to Dante. He looked so tense and hurt her gut clenched.

Months ago when she'd been applying to colleges she'd thought it would be fun to live somewhere else for awhile. Months ago she hadn't given a thought to the possibility of finding her mate before she left for college. The thought of leaving him, of putting miles between her and Dante, made her nauseous and achy.

"No." She breathed a sigh of relief to see the tension in Dante's features soften and the corners of his mouth lift.

"Do you have a field of study you're planning?"

"I've been wanting to go into medicine... which now seems a little redundant, given my wolf is a healer."

Dante tilted his head, observing the conversation between his father and his mate.

"You can still pursue a medical field if you really want to, but it's always good to have a backup plan. Do you have any other interests you've given thought to?"

"Not really. I have time to think about it, though."

Florian nodded, "Of course."

Their attention was drawn to the door as Arianna returned to the room, chuckling softly. She smiled warmly at the looks of curiosity from her family, and said, "Nurse Agnes was sharing photos and stories of her grandpup. He is a busy little tyke." She crossed the room to sit beside Florian.

Florian asked dryly, "Already bringing up grandpup fever, are we?"

Dante sighed wearily, pressing a fingertip to his forehead and closed his eyes while Gaia's eyes widened and she felt the color rise to her cheeks.

"Oh, pfft, I know we won't get grandpups for a little while yet, but I won't deny I'm looking forward to it. What have you three been chatting about?"

"We've been discussing Gaia's plans for continuing her education."

"Oh?" Arianna turned her head, her gaze appraising Gaia. "And what are your plans, dear?"

"I-I-um, my plans are not what I thought they would be, and I'm going to take some time to think about my options."

Arianna smiled warmly, "Of course. In the meantime I'll mentor you on your role as Luna."

"Oh, um, okay."

Florian harrumphed and lifted his laptop back to his lap. Arianna side-eyed her mate, a knowing smirk forming at her mouth.

Dante chuckled.

"Um, thank you for ordering food, Luna."

"Yeah, thanks mom."

"Oh, sweetheart, there's no need for you to be formal with us. You can call me mom or Ari, whichever you're comfortable with. And Florian prefers his full name or dad."

"Oh, okay. Thank you."

The smell of food wafted into the room moments before a knock at the door riveted everyone's attention. Dante and Arianna rose to accept the bags, and thank the delivery person.

Florian closed his laptop and settled it into his briefcase.

Dante settled two bags filled with platters on the tables, then turned around to fill the pitcher with water.

Arianna set a third bag on the table and began to sort the platters, napkins and plasticware, neatly stowing hers and Florian's portions back in the bags.

Gaia carefully opened one of the platters that had been placed in front of her, amazed to find a burrito longer than her forearm, and two of the largest flour tortilla tacos she'd ever seen in the other, both with rice, beans, and chopped lettuce and tomatoes.

Dante watched Gaia's reaction as she understood how much food was in front of her. He scooped up a chip filled with meat, beans and gooey cheese, and held it up to her mouth saying, "Don't forget you're going to help me eat the nachos."

His heart skipped a beat when her eyes met his, and her teeth and mouth delicately plucked the morsel from his fingers. Then her eyes fluttered and the tip of her tongue darted out to moisten her lips.

"Mmm, that's the nachos?"

He murmured, "Mhm, start with the tacos. They have a hard corn shell under the flour tortilla, and won't be as good reheated."

He tackled his own meal, watching her lift the taco platter to her lap and analyze the meal he'd ordered for her. When she moaned around her first bite, he grinned, knowing he'd chosen well.

Gaia was unprepared for the delightful mix of textures and flavors that met her mouth when she bit into the taco, and a soft moan escaped her lips, "This is so good." She leaned toward him, tapping her head on his shoulder, "Thank you for ordering it for me."

Dante kissed her temple, "Any time."

Across from them, Arianna and Florian watched their son interacting with his mate. Mind-linking, together they agreed that the young couple didn't require their presence and they could eat at home. They quietly packed their portions and bid Gaia and Dante a good day.

Gaia and Dante watched his parents leave the room. As soon as the door closed, Dante asked, "What are your favorite colors?"

"Oof you go for the hard ones. I don't think I really have a favorite. I've heard light purple looks the best on me, but all colors are pretty when they're used right." Having finished both tacos, she decided to set the burrito aside and dig into the nachos.

Dante nodded, "I can see that about you. My favorite color is purple." He popped a bite of nacho in his mouth.

Gaia side-eyed him, her lips curving into a small smile. "What's the craziest experience you've had or witnessed?"

Dante paused mid-chew, before chuckling softly. He finished chewing and swallowing before saying, "I have to ask the hard ones because you ask the interesting ones. All the ranked families in the upper northwest greater community send their pups between ages eight to fifteen to a camp every summer, lasts a month, activities center around fighting styles and duties pertinent to rank."

"Sounds exciting." Gaia's brow twitched as she scooped a bite of nacho into her mouth.

"So the summer after my fifteenth was my final camp, and final year they relax the rules. No curfew, we could roam the grounds as we want, so long as we show up for training on time and sober anything goes. Colton, Brent, Adrian and I did a lot of exploring, staying out to sleep under the stars, put the survival skills we learned the previous couple of years to some use.

"Our last week we were exploring near a good sized lake, which bordered a human town. On the human's side was a pier with a number of different sized boats, one was a small yacht."

Gaia turned to face him and guessed, "You took a joyride in the yacht."

Dante bobbed his head in agreement."Yes. We were just going to putter around the lake a bit, but Brent and Colton found a full bar and that's how we learned the lake was actually a spring that emptied to a river that led to a waterfall."

"You went over the waterfall?"

"Yep. The last thing I remember before waking up on a sandbar was plunging over the edge. We made it back to camp three days later. My parents were already there waiting. We were in so much trouble. We had community service for two years to pay that off." Dante shook his head, chuckling under his breath, "What about you? What's the craziest thing you've ever done or witnessed?"

"Mm, now I sort of regret asking the question. My crazy thing is I had a tussle with a waterfall, too, but your's was a lot more fun than mine. The pack I was born to there's a clearing near the river everyone uses. It's nice for picnics and the Alpha and Luna set up play equipment for the pups. When I was six mom and dad and I went there, we were going to picnic. Dad had just spread the blanket and I was helping mom set out the food we'd packed. Smelled them before we saw them, rogues, five of them, coming right for us through the trees."

All humor left Dante as he realized what her story might be about. He turned to face her, "Gaia-"

"Dad told mom to take me and run. She jumped into the river with me. Neither of us knew how to swim."

Dante set his food down. "Gaia you don't have -"

"The last thing I saw was dad's head ripped clean off. I woke up in the hospital a few days later. Then we moved to your pack."

"Gaia, I'm so sorry." He wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her head.

"It's okay. It happened eleven years ago. Anyway, that's the craziest thing I've ever witnessed."

"Wanna watch something?"

"Sure," she answered immediately. She scooped guacamole onto her bean laden nacho, watching him retrieve his laptop and open an entertainment library. "What do you have in mind?"

"You like fantasy, I like action, how about the new Marvel movie, I think it's a Spiderman."

"Oh, yeah, sure, I like Marvel."

Dante found the movie and pressed play, then set his laptop on the table so they could watch comfortably while they shared the nachos.

Halfway through the movie they both had their fill of food. Dante paused the movie and cleared the empty containers into the bin and put the leftovers into the fridge for later while Gaia relieved herself in the bathroom. Fifteen minutes after sitting back down and pressing play, Gaia fell asleep, slumping against Dante's shoulder.

Dante paused the movie and turned to study her for a moment before settling them both so he was propped against a few pillows and she was laying beside him, wedged against the couch back with his chest as her pillow, and a light blanket draping them.

He then picked up his phone to text his beta and scroll through his social media until he dozed off.