This is not part of my fantasy.

In my dream, my mate would show up, fall in love with me then we would complete the bond and live happily ever after. That is what generally happens to us werewolves, though the falling in love part usually only comes after the bond completion, not before.

But I wouldn’t mind flipping the script, just as well I wouldn’t mind the bond completion to come early. At this point, I am game for whatever comes my way. I am a fighter, first and foremost.

I was raised with a clear conscience that though I wouldn’t have to apply for my current job, it would not come to me easily. I had to work hard for it, especially not being Phillip’s choice. Not to dwell on the matter, but the point is I was raised to not take things for granted.

I was a privileged boy growing up, that is not in dispute here. But it was far from a bed of roses. I trained with warriors who were fully aware I was going to be their superior officer, so they put me through the ringer. My dad wouldn’t have it any other way.

I had to demonstrate to everyone that I was the right choice for the position, despite me being younger than the future Alpha. I did what I had to do and did it well. I fulfilled my task and became Beta.

Then it became about maintaining the perfect, solid image I had to maintain to keep my job even if I was the first unmated Beta in the pack’s history. I played it cool, as if that wasn’t affecting me - though of course it was. Only my friends and family knew how bad it got for me.

As Beta, I could not afford to lose the respect of my warriors. To them, I was in my prime. I was focused, dedicated, on the top of my game. The lack of mate became an afterthought. Something so trivial that people forgot sometimes that I hadn’t anyone to show for.

For years, it wouldn’t come up in conversations unless someone else got mated. Then, there were pity stares at me all over again. I dealt with my loneliness as much as I could. I traveled to bigger cities, I fulfilled my urges as much as I was able to.

But now that I am mated, my mind conjured up this fantasy that we would spend my entire vacation in love and harmony, preferably completing the bond, though I am open to other activities as well.

Alas, that is not my reality.

I haven’t even brought up completing the bond or anything intimate to my mate. I didn’t even request him to say the acceptance speech as of yet - when we say our name and that we accept our mate, then state their name. It is a prerequisite for our mating to go forward into completion.

Not that any of that stops the mate bond, no. The link between our souls activates when we discover our mate, it never stops for as long as we live, either we accept or reject our mates. It makes no difference to our inner wolves.

Since Carlisle and Charlie arrived in Regency Falls, I have been focused on doing what was best for the eleven year old. I bought him gifts, I made sure he had everything he needed for now. I may not be a father myself, but I know my mate is worried about his safety.

Not that he is any danger here, but with Richard Lucas, the Alpha of the Dark Moon pack, on the lookout for his progeny, we have to keep an eye open at all times. I agree with that. I don’t think a man who ignored his son for eleven years should have any right to take the kid away from the only parent he has ever known in his life.

That would kill Carlisle. I don’t have to be a father myself to sympathize with him. I get it.

Would I prefer to spend this time getting closer to my mate?

100%.

But it is not about me. There is a child involved, so he takes priority. As it should be.

On Sunday, Carlisle and I talked about his next step for Charlie in which I suggested to him that he should enroll his son in middle school. He has already missed one week of classes since they have been on the run, he shouldn’t miss any more for his sake.

I also offered to hire a private tutor, which I would cover the cost, but he is still resistant to accept my money. Even though I had the most honorable intentions behind it. If I were to be malicious, I’d offer boarding school in Europe. No one would ever find Charlie in another continent, much less his ‘sperm donor’.

My mom is a high school principal, so I offered to call her on his behalf. She got the ball rolling and Charlie was enrolled in school by the end of business day (Monday). She is such a badass, my mother. I have always been in awe of her.

Later that day, Carlisle went out with Charlie to buy some school supplies. Of course, I volunteered to come too, ‘but only in the condition that I would not spend my money’. My mate’s words, not mine.

It’s not my fault I am the ‘fun uncle’. I like to spoil children… sue me. Not that I am calling myself Charlie’s uncle.

In the afternoon, I walked inside the training center to find literally everybody gawking at me. My shocking mating is still on everybody’s lips, I am fully aware of that. Also, I am supposedly on vacation.

“Dude, aren’t you supposed to be all over your hot new mate? What are you even doing here? Are you so shocked that you forgot you are on vacation starting today?” Iris greeted me with an annoyed tone, rolling her eyes at my presence.

I gulped awkwardly, but put on a brave front as always.

“Good afternoon, acting Beta Carpenter. First of all, had I forgotten I was on vacation I would not be showing up here at 4 pm.” I rolled my eyes at her.

“Second, I have a legitimate reason for being here. Two reasons actually. I did not come here just to see your face. I have a life, you know?” I continued, angered by the cold reception.

“Instead of speaking to your superior officer like I was a pesky younger brother, you should be congratulating me on my mating.” I grunted, really annoyed at her.

At this, all the warriors start congratulating me on my mating. All around the massive place, men and (a few) women nodded at me or shook my hand, pretending to be happy for me. Some of them actually were, to be fair.

“I am sorry. Congrats on getting mated. It’s been a long time coming.” She conceded after some time, surrendering to my sulking face.

“Tell me about it!” I muttered, breathing out a sigh.

“Clarkson!” I called him out from across the room as he was talking to men sparring. Iris frowned at me for calling him out like this, but was curious as to why. By my tone alone, he came rushing to greet me.

“Yes, Beta. Congratulations on your mating. May the Goddess bless your union.” He greeted me, surprised at being called out.

“Thanks, acting Delta. The reason why I called you here is that I’d like for you to set up a protection detail at the middle school in the same way we have for the high school. I will explain why later, but right now I just need you to carry it through, starting tomorrow.” I ordered in a stern tone as both he and Iris listened to me with surprised stares.

“Yes, Beta. That will be done. Is that all?” He replied in a respectful manner.

“Actually, no. I also need one man and one woman for an off duty mission. It’s off the books, so I’ll pay for it myself. A thousand dollars each, airfare included.” I informed him in a serious tone. I could hear everybody gasping in shock around me.

“A thousand dollars?”

“Airfare?”

“Can I go?” Iris proposed in a humorous tone.

“No!” I shot her down, short tempered.

“May I ask how long this mission is supposed to take, Beta?” Clarkson inquired, frowning at my surprise request.

“Of course, they would leave in a week from now in the morning towards the airport and return two days later, at the latest. I’ll explain better once you select the two warriors. But it’s strictly volunteer only, it’s off the books as I said earlier.” I explained to him, hoping he would find the candidates shortly after.

As he walked away to carry out my orders, a horde of men approached him to volunteer for the job. It’s a nice payday for a two day work, none of them make that kind of money.

“Look at you acting like a father. I assume the protection detail at my daughter’s school has something to do with your mate’s son.” Iris spoke with admiration in her voice.

“Yes, it does. Speaking of Clarissa, can I ask you a favor?” I turned to her in a pleading tone.

“Do you want me to ask my daughter to help your stepson tomorrow at school?” She inquired with a raised eyebrow. I did not imagine she would guess what I wanted so quickly. She does challenge me as Beta, which is exactly why I picked her in the first place.

“Yes, I do. If it’s not too much to ask.” I confirmed, really hoping she can come through for me. It is daunting to start over in a new school, but I fear it could be even worse for an unmated child in a werewolf town. Though I certainly hope to be proven wrong.

Iris was swooning at me for some reason before she gave me her answer.

“I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.” She said, pleased that I am acting like a father trying to protect his child. She was looking at me with admiration for the first time since she was appointed Delta of the pack.

“I’ll take it. Thank you, Iris. Now I’ll leave you to it. Goodbye.” I told her, feeling accomplished. I walked into the direction of Clarkson to see if he already had the names of the warriors for the job I am orchestrating in secret.

On Tuesday, I woke up early to catch my mate after he dropped off his son at school. He was looking as if a piece of him had just been severed from his body, it was positively heartbreaking.

I hugged him for a moment, trying to console him. We were both sitting on the couch inside the living room of the pack house.

“I promise he is safe at school and nobody can take him away while he is there. I have already arranged for a warrior to keep an eye out for him, just in case.” I tried my best to comfort him in this delicate time.

“You did?” He looked up at me surprised to hear this.

“Of course, I told you I would.” I reaffirm my commitment to his boy’s safety.

“Yes, but I thought it would take time for…”

“There is no time to waste where your son’s safety is concerned. You are both my priority and I’ll stop at nothing to keep you both safe here in this pack.” I declared, confidently.

Carlisle looked at me in awe of my words, feeling emotional at the temporary separation from his son. With misty eyes, he leaned in to kiss me for the first time ever and it was like I was seeing heaven.

An electrifying current coursed through my whole body, jolting me into kissing him back. His lips were so soft, delicious to taste, to savor. I am in heaven right now, by his side is where I want to be. We kissed for a long time, with short breaks to catch our breaths.

“Sorry, I am feeling vulnerable today.” He apologized after we parted lips.

“You have nothing to feel sorry for. It is okay to kiss your mate. As much as it is to take your time and prioritize other things. I am here for you. Today and always.” I put him at ease, at the same time I was elated to have this tender moment with him.

“I know you have expectations towards our mating, I–”

“The only expectation I have is to be allowed to be by your side, mate. Don’t worry about what you are supposed to be doing or even about my personal feelings. I am fully aware you have to concentrate on what’s best for your son. He is the one who is important in your life. He is the one we should protect.” I cut him off, incisively.

He smiled at me for a moment and I melted under his sweet gaze.

“You know, the two aren’t mutually exclusive. I can focus on my son and his safety and still make time to be with you. I can be a father and a mate, I don’t have to choose one or the other.” He clarified with an adorable smirk.

“Yeah… I just didn’t want to overwhelm you with my needs right now. I know you have to do right by Charlie.” I spoke, feeling uneasy.

“I have done right by him. He is back at school, getting his education, being around kids his own age. I can honestly hope everything goes well for him, for us, here. But you don’t need to worry about doing enough for my son. You already did way more than what would be expected of you.” He assured me in a soothing voice.

I breathed out a relieved sigh.

“Thanks, mate. But I only did what I could to guarantee that his stay here is comfortable. I want you both to make a life here. I need you by my side, selfishly.” I admitted, vulnerably.

“It’s not selfish at all, I want to be by your side just as much. Thank you for everything you have done for us so far, it’s not lost on me your efforts to guarantee that Charlie will be okay. As a single father, you are a dream partner.” He complimented me and I melted into a puddle in his presence.

“You aren’t single anymore, mate. You found me. And I can only thank the Goddess that you did. I am already in awe of you.” I flirted, swooning at him.

We kissed for a long time once again, as our souls connected on a deeper level than ever before. Honestly, this was worth all the effort that I employed so far. I genuinely was concerned for Charlie, I had no ulterior motive for the way I acted except to guarantee his safety. I really mean that.

But it is so good to be this close to my mate. It is the culmination of my entire life. I waited 29 years to feel like this, to feel this type of connection to somebody. It feels like a dream, it really does.

But I am wide awake.

I will do everything in my power to guarantee that my mate and his son can have a life here. I’ll divert every single resource at my disposal to make sure they are both safe. I am not kidding around.

Protection is my business, my bread and butter.

I have a distinct feeling that the Goddess paired the two of us together precisely because I could make a difference in his life. I am all for that. Nobody is going to mess with my mate or his son. Not on my watch!

I have dreamed for so long to find my mate, but now I have to remain vigilant. There is no room for dreams anymore, I have to stay wide awake to make sure they are both safe. And I will do just that.

I am playing the long game, eyeing a happy ending for us. Nobody is going to take that away from me. I will do whatever I need to achieve that. I am so in like with Carlisle already.

A|N: It’s on!

What was the secret mission?

You can hardly wait.

Did someone say twist?

(No, he’s not sending assassins to kill Richard. If only it were that easy…)

Love,

Léo.