Melody
"Are you okay, Mel?" Dorian's gruff voice sent relief through me. He looked worried, totally different from how he was outside.
"I'm fine," I smiled.
He hugged me and stayed glued to me for a while. "I thought....." He paused. "I thought I'd lose you."
I cupped his cheek and looked in his eyes. He was indeed frightened. My heart thumped in my chest.
I was sharing his feelings. I smiled at the realization. Looks like we are indeed mated. I am Dorian's second chance mate.
"I thought you would give in to Derek's will," his voice cracked.
I could feel his pain.
"I thought you'd leave me."
He thinned his lips and looked away from me. Probably to hide his coming tears. It wouldn't look good to see the great Alpha of Dark Flame Pack weeping.
"I thought I would never be able to hold you anymore."
He looked in the direction of my kids and looked down immediately. "I thought I would never see them again."
"Of course not," I managed to reply.
"And we're going nowhere too," Aaron jumped forward and fell into Dorian's arms.
Gio scoffed and shook his head. "I thought... We aren't supposed to show our weakness."
"Well... Uh..." Dorian cleared his throat and scratched his head. "You can show your weakness to the one you love."
"Oh," Gio nodded knowingly. "So, I'm allowed to show my weakness too?"
"No..." Dorian shook his head disapprovingly. "Not you," He placed his hand on Gio's head and squatted to his height. "You can't have a weakness." He paused and looked at me. "....And if you do, no one must find out."
"But why?" Gio was confused. So was I.
"Show the world your weakness and they'll walk on you." He sighed. "You've shown them the way to hold you captive."
"I don't want to be a captive," Aaron protested with a pout.
"Then never show your weakness." Dorian replied.
Though the response was for Aaron, his eyes were on Giovanni.
"Okay?" Gio nodded in understanding.
He looked at me and returned his gaze to Dorian. "So, you'll be held captive now?"
Dorian chuckled and shook his head. "I probably would," he smiled. "But I won't give up without a fight."
"Fight huh?" Gio sighed.
I watched as the trio communicated like best friends. Dorian is more of a father to my kids than Derek would ever be.
"We probably won't have to," Dorian replied immediately.
The way he interacted with them was more like he is speaking with people of his age. He believes so much in them.
"Momma, already won us the first battle."
He returned to my side and kissed my head, hugging me tight as if I would disappear if he didn't hold me.
"Really?" Aaron frowned. "But she didn't fight. She was too hurt to fight."
"Oh dear," Dorian motioned Aaron closer and placed him on his lap. "Trust me, she did a lot more than fight."
"Aww, I can't believe that I missed all that," Aaron's voice was heavy with complaint.
"So, when do we leave?" Gio couldn't wait to leave.
"At dawn," Dorian ascertained.
He knew that the young man was restless and didn't like it here.
"Better," Gio nodded and returned to sit beside me.
"We'll go back home and have that wedding, okay?"
I smiled, hearing Dorian's voice. He was giving no room for negotiation and I also wasn't planning to take back my words, I will marry Dorian and be the Luna of Dark Flame Pack.
"We will," I replied with determination.
Dorian kissed me as soon as I said that. Holding me in a bone crushing hug as he sucked my lips.
He didn't give a damn if the kids were present or not.
Aaron jumped into the hug, sending us apart in a jiffy.
"I want a hug too."
He pulled Gio and they both joined the hug. I couldn't help the line tear trickling down my cheek as I watched the scene unfold.
This is my real family.
My kids and Dorian. They are all I need to keep going. I can survive the toughest hurdle with them by my side.
I watched as they all chatted and Dorian tickled them, making them giggle. Behind the door of our borrowed chamber, we had totally forgotten that we had a problem in the name of Derek.
I rescued Giovanni from Dorian and he came right after me. My legs weren't trembling anymore and my body had returned to how it was before. All I felt in me was pure bliss.
A knock came on the door, making us stop to listen. A guard came in and bowed.
"The Viscount has called for Miss Melody."
What?
My eyes widened and I looked behind me in search of the Melody he was referring to because even though my name is Melody, I am not the kind that gets her father's attention, so I definitely can't be the one he's referring to.
"Mel?" Even Dorian was surprised.
Who wouldn't be?
My father never spares me a glance and now he's interested in me?
"Yes," the guard affirmed before turning to look at the side. "And the Princes too."
"Prince.....?"
I can't believe everyone already knows that my kids are the Princes. It's surprising how fast news travels so fast in the Palace.
"We'll be there," Dorian replied.
He must have noticed the sheer look of surprise which was sitting on my face. I find it hard to believe that it was me. There's probably a mix up somewhere.
"Come on, Mel, Let's go."
Dorian took my hands and kissed them, silently sending a wave of reassurance through me.
I am not alone anymore.
"You have to face him at some point, you know?"
I knew he was right. I just wasn't expecting that time to be now. But since he's summoned, why don't I go listen to what he has to say.
"Are you ready?" Gio took my other hand and winked.
I smiled and replied with a nod.
"I'm ready."