Ariel spends most of her days thinking about the things Eric asked her, she does not know if she should take on his offer or not.

She may be getting excited with the prospect of wandering off with him, but was it a good idea as she has just met him and knows almost nothing about, who or what he is?

"Is something bothering you?" her father voice startles her and she turns to look him.

"Uh..." she hesitates for a bit, Adrian smiles before putting his arms around her shoulder and walking with her.

"You know if there is anything bothering you can always come to me or anyone of us in the house. We will always be there for you" Adrian speaks with a smile on his face.

"I know dad, but it isn't something to be worried about" she informs making him halt on their walk.

"So, you mean you like pacing back and forth in this heat for nothing for almost an hour?" Adrian asks his daughter amused.

Ariel blushes realizing that her father must have seen her doing so from the window of his office.

"I...I"

"Mermaid, I won't be mad" Adrian smiles

"I know, dad. It's just that, I found my mate" she sighs confessing the truth.

Adrian stares at her blankly, blinking a few times and trying to say something but he cannot form any words, as he is too stunned to hear that his little girl found her mate.

After a few moments, he gets a grip on himself and nods her way.

"Well, shall I call your mother?" he asks not knowing whether it was something, he should be hearing.

"Dad, it's okay. We will not need mom for this. I am glad you are here though. You should take a seat for this first," she requests as she pushes him to the bench in the garden.

"Okay, I am listening. But, it's really not too late to call your mom though" he offers again and she shakes her head no.

"Eric, he is my mate also he asked me to go with him" she informs shuffling on her feet.

"Wait, you mean you just came back home after all this time and once again want to leave and go with your mate whose whereabouts most of us doesn't know?" Adrian asks looking incredulous.

"When you put it that way, it does sounds bad, doesn't it?" Ariel asks sheepishly

"Honey, I have never stopped any one of you to do as you want and I don't plan to as well...

I never stopped when Adrian wanted to join the warrior's and go for some missions, I never stopped you when you wanted to move out of the pack and I never stopped the twins to join their version of paradise even if I wanted to...

However, this, this is...I do not even know what to say to you about it. Mate is important I know, I mean who can know it better than us right?

Nevertheless, following him to some place, we have no clue about; it is a bit of reckless move...

I will not stop you from going if that is what you wish but I would like to meet the guy who claims to be my daughter's mate as well as who made my daughter to think of moving to some place we have no clue about" he sighs deeply as soon as he is done speaking.

"I will ask him to come meet with you" Ariel nods as she thinks about what her father said.

"Make sure you know what you are doing, mermaid. To travel all alone with some man you hardly know even If he is your mate, it is somewhat risky...

I am not saying that you should not try to know your mate, but we all know it is different with you. All your life you have had us watching and protecting you but this is a completely different thing to be all out on your own, when we know how you get...

Oh, and before you make any decision make sure Devilin knows about it all, that boy deserves to know the biggest decision of your life as he is after all a major part of your life" Adrian advices as he gets up from the seat and walks out leaving her alone.

*******

Ariel somehow feels better after talking to her father; she walks back to her room while sending a text to Eric informing him about the fact he has to visit her father.

After doing so, she calls Devilin and smiles when she hears his sleepy voice.

"Hey lazy bone" she teases and laughs hearing him grumble.

Ariel yelps, as out of nowhere he appears in front of her sleeping on her bed. She shakes her head, as she knows she can never get used to it.

"Why, what happened?" he asks as he pulls more pillows towards his head.

"Well, its okay, you take rest for a few hours we can always talk about it later" she smiles feeling bad to disturb him while he was taking rest.

"No, I am awake, just tell me already so afterwards I can sleep more peacefully without anything nagging at the back of my mind" he yawns trying to open his eyes but then closes it.

"You see, I found my mate," she slowly states trying hard not to upset him.

"Hmm" he hums, as he already knew about that.

"Eric, he wants me to go with him to see the world" she announces and waits for his reaction.

Devilin just stays still for a while, which makes Ariel believe that he may have fallen asleep and didn't hear her till he bolts out of the bed.

*******

"What?" he shouts at the top of his lungs and Ariel cringes at his reaction.

"See the world...See the world? Are you out of your fuc...freaking mind? When people date or even court their mate, they go to see movies, parks, operas or whatever, not the whole world...

How could you even think I will let you go with any man who comes knocking on the door, saying he is your mate?" he asks her in disbelief as he paces back and forth.

"I already talked with dad," she meekly informs him.

"I don't care if you got permission from god himself, you will not step a foot out of this house with that guy not until I have a detail check him...

Girls these days, wanting to go see the world with anyone" he murmurs the last part to himself.

Ariel giggles seeing him so worked up.

"Will you relax?"

"Relax? Air, seriously, just few nights ago, I lost my sister to the person who wanted to kill me and now you are talking some shi...nonsense about leaving with the same person who was the reason for that whole fight...

Do you have any idea how fu...deep in shi...things I am in right now because of that night? Jane is not talking with me, she is literally attached to that guy, dad is on my wings as I don't have a tail...he is watching me like a hawk, it's really hard to breathe and now you...

I am loosing another sister as well" he sighs pressing his fingers in his forehead before he sits back on the bed and looking her way.

"I didn't mean to stress you but I don't know what else to do, I want to be with him, I never felt this way but at the same time I am scared as well," she confesses kneeling in front of him and holding his hands.

"You do know it's never a stress for me when it comes to you, I don't know about this whole deal everyone makes of having a mate, which I think is strange, actually...

Who announces they are mates in an elevator, a freaking running elevator can you believe it?" he asks with a huff before he clears his throat when she just looks at him in confusion.

"Well, what I meant is let me look in to this guy's profile or talk with him or whatever before you make the decision to go somewhere I cannot reach you" he smiles slowly touching her cheek.

"I will not go anywhere before telling you, you know that" she smiles assuring him.

"Okay, then...I will go take a nap before I have to hunt down your mate" he yawns getting up from the bed and pulling her up, to her feet.

"Dev, what was that about the elevator you were talking about now?" she asks him curiously.

"Nothing, its lack of sleep that is making me say things. You take care, I will see you later, bye" he waves before he disappears from the room.

*******

Ariel smiles in welcome when she finds Eric at the front of the pack house, he smiles in return as he walks to where she was.

"Is this the last of your smiles I am going to be seeing before I walk into the wolf's cave?" he asks her a bit nervous.

"Oh, I didn't know you had a nervous bone within you, but don't worry daddy wasn't mad when I told about your offer" she assures patting his shoulder lightly.

"I will hold on to your words but we both know once I enter the room he will grill me" he winks, lightly kissing on her cheek.

Eric walks up to the study where Ariel informed him, her father is waiting for him. Even if he did not want anyone knowing he was in the town, he could not help himself but to ask Ariel join him.

He was already on the verge, he had given up every ounce of his patience he had waiting on her call, which she did only after two long years.

Now, after seeing her once again and this time getting some positive responses from her, he does not think he can stop himself from not approaching her.

Even if he said he would be here for a few days, he knows he would not have left without taking her with him.

He has traveled all around the world, all alone, for too many years, but he never wanted anyone's company until he met Ariel. Just one time was all it took for her to seek her companionship and every step he took away from him; he was already seeking for her to be by his side.

However, he must give her credit for keeping him waiting for two years, he thought she would be the one giving in between them but it seems he will be the one. Even if she was the one who called first, he knows the only reason he did not call her was, he did not want to scare her off.

Now, he knows she feels the same as him and even if she took so long, she did call him and that means much more than anything, now all that left is to ask for her father's approval.

He does not know what will happen once he meets her father, as he has been invisible as much as possible all through his life.

He is not his father, who is responsible but he is his mother's son, who does what he thinks, at the very moment.

Bracing himself, he knocks on the door before opening it slowing once he hears Adrian's voice.

*******

"Eric" Adrian calls when he gets inside the room.

"Hello Uncle" he smiles politely as he takes a seat.

"Let's cut the chase and get to the point directly. Why am I hearing it now about you being my daughter's mate?" he asks directly as he puts both of his hands under his chin.

"Simple, because I wasn't here" he grins cheekily.

"Don't be smart with me kid," he growls in warning.

"What can I do Uncle; I was born this way, smart, charming, handsome and sexy"

Adrian narrows his eyes not liking the answer; he silently stays staring at Eric.

"Are you really going to stare at me like that? I do have things to do you know" Eric states not affected by Adrian's gaze.

"Do your parents know you are here?" Adrian asks instead

"No" he sheepishly answers.

"How can I trust the safety of my daughter in your hands when you don't have any guts to face your parents?" Adrian asks instead as he still stares at Eric intently.

Eric looses the cool-facade he had on as soon as Adrian calls him out on that one topic he has no answer to

"I understand you being her mate, you will do everything within yourself to protect and care for her, but being a father I cannot just let her walk out of her home she returned back after years...

I have known you from the moment you were born but it still is not enough for me to trust my daughter in your hands Eric...

You left your duties and walked out on us Eric what are the chances that you will not walk out on Ariel. She is not some experiment, even if it pains me to say this but my daughter has scars in her that will not just take time but a lot of your patience...

It will be difficult to handle her at times. She may look, act normal but there will be days where she will want nothing but to stay locked in her room, refuse to talk or see anyone...

Her nightmares...it has never stopped" Adrian sadly sighs as he speaks about it all to Eric.

"I know what she went through..." Eric starts

"I know that you know, but the reasons for me saying all of this are different, if you did something to tick her off she will never be able to trust and accept you. I want you to know that to be her mate; you will first have to be her friend...

Someone who will not give up on her at the first sign of hardship, Ariel has always been living under our protection; we have made sure she is not alone in or out of her home...

She has always had someone as her safety blanket, but what you are asking is for her to leave that safe haven of hers...

I will not be the one to stop you two doing what you want as mates, so consider and think about it, are you ready for this?" Adrian puts all of it in front of him.

*******

"I cannot see my parents until and unless I can figure out the cure for my sister and the reason for leaving my duties behind...

It is simple; I was feeling suffocated with all the rules I had to follow. It was as if I could not eat the food in front of me no matter how hungry I am, I had to push my hunger back and focus and I cannot do that...

It was better for me to leave before I lost myself" Eric speaks the thoughts he never has said to anyone.

"So, did you find yourself then?" Adrian asks interested to hear it.

"No, but I am happy, I don't regret walking out of HP" he smiles confidently about it.

"I know it's not easy for you kids to follow the rules we set and even if we say it's for your own safety, you want to do as you please...

Still, shutting out your parents is not a good thing, call your mother she worries for you, even if she looks happy and carefree she is not happy on the inside...

Enzo does not show it but we all know after Erika if anyone is his weakness it is you and your sister. Being the head of the family, we men are suppose to be strong and not show any weakness so our family feels strong but we do have times we feel weak and that time we need our family as support...

You parents are going through rough times and they need you now more than any other time, do not just cut them out just because you can and are now able to make your own decisions...

As for you and my daughter, I am extremely proud and more than happy that it is you. I could not have wished for anyone better than you for my daughter and now you have her to look after, what step you take affects her as much...

I will not come between the decisions you take whether or not to take her with you but just make sure you both know what you are doing" Adrian gets up from his seat as well as Eric before they both hug each other.

"Thank you Uncle" Eric sighs in relief.

"I will always be here for you, whenever you need my help. Don't forget" Adrian informs patting Eric's shoulder before Eric leaves the room.

"Your habit of spying hasn't gone I see" Adrian states with a chuckle as soon as Eric is out of the room.

*******

Devilin rubs the back of his head, as he appears in front of Adrian, slightly embarrassed.

"How did you know?" he asks with a smile.

"What, you thought only your father can do that? Just because we don't say anything most of the times does not mean, we don't know you are in the room," he teases Devilin before asking him to take a seat.

"Guess, I will have to work harder of my hiding skill then" he grins boyishly.

"You are the only person I have ever come across who thinks nothing but to train; don't you have other things you would like to do?" Adrian asks him with a playful smile on his face.

"Isn't that what we are supposed to do?" Devilin asks narrowing his eyes in confusion.

"Forget about what others want, I want to know what you want to do?" Adrian asks the boy clearly.

"Me? I...I don't know" he answers with a frown.

"Well, you must have any hobbies, right? Something you love?" Adrian asks again.

"I love chocolates if that counts and I love to sleep too" he smiles boyishly making Adrian smile as well.

"Okay, well how about going in search of your mate as you can see Ariel has found her and she will soon leave...

She won't be around for you to worry about anymore that way you can focus on yourself," he suggests hopefully.

"I will always worry about her more so when she is not around as for my mate, haven't thought about her much," he answers sincerely.

"Well, I guess you came to check on Eric, if it makes any difference he is a good boy. I do not think he will do anything to hurt Ariel...

So, just relax" Adrian assures him.

"Still" Devilin smiles as he gets up from his seat and leaves Adrian alone.

*******

Scar slowly gets inside the room where Adrian resides; she smiles as their eyes meet.

"Why are people coming and going in and out of your room?" she asks him curiously walking towards his side.

"You saw?" he asks pulling her on his lap.

Scar nods in answer as she waits for him to explain.

"You remember Enzo's son, Eric right? It seems our Ariel has found her mate in him, he wanted to talk about it as for Devilin he was just checking if the guy was good enough," he explains to her.

"Ho, but why would she want to go she just came back a few weeks ago" she asks him frowning.

"So, you want me to stop them then?" he raises a brow questioning her.

"No, but...anyway he is a good guy right?" she worries about it.

"Of course he is, don't worry. He is perfect for our daughter" he answers assuring her about Eric, as he knows even if Eric was MIA most of the time, Ariel was safe with him.

"In that case, why did Devilin leave with a frown and a lost face?" she asks him once again this time he frowns.

"He did, didn't he?" Adrian smiles in amusement this time.

"Why, what did I miss?"

"I guess, my little talk confused the boy and now he is trying to solve that"

"What talk?"

"Talk about how he should start to search for a mate and have a hobby except just focusing on Ariel and his trainings"

"Ho...hmm...you are right. Dante is a bit strict on him, poor boy all I have seen him do is either training or looking out for Ariel...

Do you think he is okay? I worry about all of these kids" Scar sighs as she thinks of all of the kids she has seen growing.

"Yes, Dante is a bit strict with Devilin. In between his duties, trainings and looking out for our daughter, he has no time left for himself no wonder the boy does not have any hobby ...

It is sad sometimes, seeing how much he gives out, even if he is Dante's son, the only thing common between them is they look alike except that he is quiet the opposite of his father"

"You are right; he doesn't teach me to say bad words as his father so he is definitely different from Dante" Scar nods seriously commenting on it.

"I think you have learned enough bad words for all of your lifetime, so let's not get ahead of us and no more cussing until and unless we are in bed doing bad things" he grins cheekily which turns Scar as red as her hair.

"Even after all these years together you still can blush like this, makes me want to ravish you even more" he growls pulling her close to him for a kiss.