"Where are you going?" Dev yawns before opening his one eye as he feels Ariel move away from him.

"To wash up, the sun is already up. You can sleep if you want to" Ariel whispers before pulling his covers up.

"How can I sleep when you won't be in my arms?" he whines trying to pull her back but she gets away.

"Dev, don't be like that. I need to go help out around here, you decide whether to wake up or not" she smiles before walking away from him while he keeps shouting her name in vain.

Ariel smiles shaking her head as she gets out of the room, she walks to the kitchen and finds her mother already fussing for the day.

"Mom" she calls as she stands at the door.

"Ho Ariel, did you sleep well?" Scar asks with a smile as she turns the pancakes.

"Yes, did you?" she asks in return walking inside and helping her plate it all.

"Uh-huh, I need to go check on Jasmine can you serve the men for today?" she asks as she holds a tray ready for jasmine.

"Of course I can, you go and check on her," Ariel agrees letting her mother move away.

"Thank you" Scar smiles as she walks out of the kitchen.

Even after all these years, the men in the pack join the Alpha's house for heir breakfast, lunch and dinner. Like the first time Scar served these men, she continues to do the same even after all these years.

As the men make their way one by one into the kitchen Ariel serves them the breakfast while she gets some greetings from the pack members and some nods her way in acknowledgement.

"Air, what are you doing in here?" her father voice makes her turn to see him watching her in surprise.

"Mom took breakfast up to Jasmine so I am here in her place" Ariel smiles as she informs him while serving a plate to him.

"Really, well this definitely is a surprise" he smiles thanking her for the plate before taking a seat.

"Sweetie, if you don't feel like being here, you know you can leave" Adrian suggests but she shakes her head no.

"Why would she leave, she can't now that I am here. Air feed me," Dev orders as he joins the men in the house for breakfast.

All of the men in the room stop eating and stare at him stunned.

"What are you going to feed me anyway?" he asks looking at the plates of the men while Ariel pushes him away from her.

"What?" he asks as she keeps pushing him.

"I get it that you have spent the night in this house but don't you think it's too much for you to parade it as well?" Adrian asks gravely.

"Huh, what?" he asks looking around the table realizing everyone was watching him so he looks at himself from up to down and realizing his almost naked state.

"I came directly from the bed following her, why is there some rule in this house to not have breakfast in your boxers?

I mean I am sure every one of you have a pair of boxers with you" Dev shrugs his shoulder as he stares back at the men who shakes their head before going back to eating.

"Dev go put on some clothes, as you can see there are women in this house as well and you cannot walk around in such state" this time Warren speaks seeing Adrian was busy throwing daggers Dev's way.

"Why, I am sure when you all turn into a wolf you get naked, I am sure the women won't mind seeing my perfect body" dev grins arrogantly.

"Just go and change will you," Ariel whispers awkwardly.

"Uh-why, you have seen me like this already, we even shared the same bed last night so why will I? Anyway, I have my breakfast like this, so just feed me" Dev argues pulling a seat out.

The table quiets down as soon as Dev speaks those words and the men at the table slowly make their way out of the room taking their plate along with them.

*******

"What?" Dev asks as he sees the men walking out of the dinning area.

"A word after you dress up properly and feed yourself with your own hands" Adrian grits through his teeth before he too takes his plate along with him leaving the room.

"What the fuck?" Dev asks not knowing what was so bad about sitting in his boxer.

"You just announced that we are sleeping together in front of my father and his whole pack," Ariel groans face palming herself.

"So, what's so wrong in it, we are sleeping together" Dev states not understanding the big deal on it.

"When I asked you to not hold back and be yourself in front me, I did not mean this way, it is okay for you to be sleeping in a bed together with me, as I have been doing it every time I had a nightmare when we were kids but...

It is not same now as we are not kids anymore" Ariel slowly replies to him.

"Why is it not the same when we have not done anything wrong, it's not like we are fucking like bunnies in the bed...

You hardly let me touch you or kiss you; I don't know what all of this fuss is about" Dev pouts before getting up from his chair and walking back to Ariel's room to change.

*******

Ariel slowly opens the door to her room to find Dev putting on his shirt, she puts the tray she brought for him down before turning to face him.

"I brought you breakfast" she informs when he makes no move to eat it.

"I need to see your father, he ordered me specifically" Dev whines as he buttons his shirt.

"Yes and he also said once you feed yourself" Ariel states trying hard not to laugh at his behavior.

"Yes, yes with my own bloody hands. I remember clearly," Dev states as he glares her way.

"You are such a kid, now stop pouting and finish your food. I am sure you will need it before you face my father"

"If he acts this way when I have done nothing I wonder what will happen when I do something with you," Dev complains before he digs into his food.

After having his breakfast, he makes his way to the room Ariel told him her father would be in, with a knock on the door he walks inside to find the man sitting behind his desk.

"I am here," he announces once he takes his seat but Adrian just stares his way.

"Are you really going to keep staring at me or say something, I don't have the whole day you know" Dev speaks which brings a sigh from Adrian's mouth.

"Earlier...what you said, I have been thinking about it" he starts but before Dev could answer Adrian continues.

"I know Ariel has always been seeking comfort from you when she does not feel okay before today I had no problem with it, but...

I do not know what it is but something seems off between you two, a bit different. First, I thought it was just her, then I saw you and then after a while I saw both of you...

So, tell me Dev what have I been missing between you two?" Adrian asks once he gets his thoughts out.

"You are spot on; it's true that our relation has changed. What you noticed is all-true, the relation she shared with the Dev before is different from what she shares with me now...

I realized the feelings I hold back for her and want to try it; I don't want to say things that are between us right now to anyone because I don't want anyone or even herself to have some doubt...

I know she just came back from the man she thought was her mate but I am not here to play with her feelings or take advantage of her confusion as I am sure what I feel for her is nothing compared to what she felt for that man" Dev states in all his seriousness.

"Do you know if your feelings that you suddenly feel for my daughter are to change in time what the consequences will be?" Adrian asks the boy.

"My feelings will not waver or change according to time"

"And how are you sure as I know just a few weeks ago your feelings for my daughter was nothing but as a brotherly love" Adrian points out to him.

"And I also know that as soon as I heard that Eric tried to hurt her I wanted nothing but to make her mine whether anyone likes it or not" Dev growls in frustration.

"There is a difference, your protective instinct always comes out when you hear she is in trouble that is not enough, not enough for me to give my daughter to you and not enough for her to be happy...

I trust you with my daughter's life Dev but not so now that she is starting to have some real feelings for you...

Have you ever thought what happens when you find your mate or if Eric is not her mate what will happen when she finds her real mate?" Adrian asks the boy calmly.

"Eric is not her mate," Dev answers gritting through his teeth.

"But we both know none of us are so sure about it" Adrian counters.

"What is so wrong with us being together as mates, I mean Scar is not your real mate as well so...?"

"Do not even go there Dev, this is different. Yours and mine situations are different. My mate had already chosen to mate with someone else and leave me before I even mated with Scar but you two...

You two have possibilities, my mate; she had betrayed me by choosing someone for her benefit. I had already lost the bond way before I even thought of Scar, but you two...

It is not just the two of your lives that is attached together if you go along this path then four lives will be destroyed...

I will not sit and let you and Ariel throw your lives away or hurt someone else for your happiness, what you two feel chances are that it will fade away then what...

One day, you will meet your mate and then what, have you ever thought about it?" Adrian asks not knowing what else to say to him.

"You just said that your mate chose someone else against you and that you lost the bond between you two before you even met Scar....

Therefore, there are possibilities, possibilities that if we mate our mates will forget the bond as well" Dev speaks stunning Adrian with his words.

"What is wrong with you? Did you just hear what you said? How can you be so cruel to hurt someone else and not just anyone but your own mate just so you can be with someone who is not even your mate!" Adrian shouts at him, as he cannot believe what just came out of the boy's mouth.

"It's not just me who feels the pull you can ask Ariel if you want, I know she feels it too" Dev stubbornly speaks.

"I don't know how to make you understand, I don't care what pull you two feel but this is not happening...

I am not letting you do such a thing. I don't even know what you are even thinking but if this madness does not stop I will have to take some actions of my own"

"Is it a threat?"

"Think whatever you want to but I will not let this madness occur, no one is mating anyone until and unless they are mates...

I say from experience Dev, I know first hand how painful it is to be rejected to know the only person made for you betray you in worst way possible to find she is carrying a child which is not yours...

I have to live with that pain for decades and I will not let anyone else live that same pain. Even if I have Scar, I know what happens when you go through that pain and loneliness...

So, I suggest you do not make any rash decisions and mistakes you can never undo" Adrian suggest to him as well as warn him about the consequences.

"So are you saying you are not so happy with having Scar in your life and that you miss your mate?" Dev asks with a scoff while Adrian closes his eyes pinching his temple to control his rage.

"We both know that is not what I am saying" Adrian grits through his teeth.

"In that case you are a hypocrite, I could understand if this came from anyone else but from you...

I don't think so, I know how and what I feel for Ariel and I don't have to explain it to anyone nor do I need anyone's permission as for you, I think you should look within yourself what do you want...

Are you sure you truly moved on from the rejection or are you trying to hide it behind your wife?

From where I stand, I can see clearly that you have not forgotten your mate, who left you," Dev smirks before he turns and leaves the room leaving Adrian with his rage.

*******

Adrian takes deep breathes to calm his anger, as he knows if he let the words Dev said through him he would loose it.

"Rain" Scar soothing voice calms his immediately and he opens his arms for her.

"I am sorry," he whispers as soon as she is in his lap.

"It's okay; I was with our grand daughter when I felt your emotions through our bond. Whatever he said must have made you really angry," she whispers as she slowly runs her hands through his hair.

"He said I sill have some feelings for my mate and I am just using you to hide it" Adrian explains holding her tight to him.

"Ho...is that so?" she hums

"What you are not angry?" Adrian asks once her pulls his head away from her neck.

"Why would I? I mean we both know it is not true and even if it was it is too late, Aria she is dead so no chances of you two ever being together...

And I am sure no one will doubt the love we have when they see the number of kids we have, then again I am the only one giving you nightly treats so there is no need for me to feel insecure or mad at anyone" Scar grins nodding her head thoughtfully.

"Wow, you are really something else," Adrian whispers not believing what she just said.

"I know" Scar wiggles her brows before palming both his cheeks.

"So, dear husband don't loose your control on things that is not true and focus on what is. It does not matter to me what others think or see between us but what matters to me is your happiness and smile that I know comes with me" Scar states melting his heart.

"Of course baby" he smiles kissing on her forehead.

"But honey, I cannot let him mate with Ariel, this won't end well" Adrian sighs once again getting back on the topic.

"Why don't you talk with Dante about it, even if he always wanted our Ariel to be his daughter-in-law I know for sure that he will never let anyone break their mate's heart...

He is not so cruel to let his son mate our daughter when they have different mates" she suggests him.

"Have I told you that you are the best?" Adrian grins kissing her cheeks.

"No, not as of today" she giggles as he pampers her with his little kisses before she leaves him to talk with Dante.

*******

Ariel once again finds Dev storming out of the house in anger so before he destroys any of her mother's plant she rushes towards him.

"Dev" she calls to stop him and he does.

"Do you trust me?" he asks at once when he stops after her calling.

"Huh...what happened?" she asks him.

"Do you or not?" he asks her again.

"Of course I do, but what is this all about?" she asks him not sure why was he acting in such a way.

"If you trust me, let me ask you something, if I ask you to mate me right now will you let me?" he asks which makes her stumble a bit.

"Dev" she whispers in shock.

"It's just a simple question Air, will you or will you not mate with me if I ask of you?" he asks once again.

"Dev you know how I feel about it, you know the thought of..."

"I am not saying we have to do this right now but..."

"But if I say yes you will want to do it now Dev, when we both know I am not ready, when you know how hard it is for me" Ariel finishes for him.

"Guess, it won't be so hard for your father to stop me from claiming you huh?" Dev chuckles darkly before she sighs.

"I am sorry, Air. I did not mean to pressure you or anything; it is just that the thought of you not being around me or with anyone else kills me...

I do not know why I never made the move before or why I did not do it before but I just cannot stop my heart from beating for you anymore...

It's suffocating to even think that you will leave me and I don't think I can go through it" Dev confesses as he sighs and rubs his face tiredly.

"Dev, give me sometime, this is all new to me as well. I do not want to fall all the way and get my heart broken...

I just cannot, so please" Ariel requests him.

"I am sorry to worry you so much. I just...your father made me so mad...I am sorry, don't worry I will never pressure you for anything I swear" Dev apologizes as he pulls her into his arms.

"I guess you will be going then" Ariel whisper asks him.

"Yes, I don't think it is such a good idea to be together when I literally insulted your father and pointed my finger at him calling him out on his relation with your mother...

I bet he hates the sight of me, I just was so angry that words just flew out of my mouth," Dev chuckles before letting her go.

"What is wrong, Dev you know you can talk with me. You are acting so differently lately" she asks him as she puts her palm in his cheek.

"It's nothing; I am just fulfilling your requests of not hiding away. Therefore, I decided not to hide who I am, and do as I think is right, but whatever I do always turns out wrong...

Anyway, I will leave now you take care and call me whenever you need me. I will see you later" he smiles before driving away.

*******

Ariel walks back inside once Dev leaves, when she gets in she finds her mother waiting for her in front of her room's door.

"Mom" Ariel asks surprised to see her there.

Scar smiles before she patiently waits for her to open the door, they both walk inside the room and sit on the side of the bed.

"Is there something you wanted to talk about?" Ariel asks her mother not knowing why she was waiting for her.

"Talk yes, that's what I thought I was coming in here for but as soon as I saw you I realized it's better to let you do the talking" Scar smiles sweetly.

"What does that mean?"

"I guess Dev must have told you about him and your father's tiff, I just came from calming your father, even if it is not Dev's place to judge the relation between your father and I...

Likewise, it is not our place to judge both of yours relation, this whole mate thing to be truthful even I do not understand...

Your father he did not even show up when we were to be married, I did not get to do the whole wedding fuss, no guests, no wedding dress, and no groom for me...

Just a ring and a seal on the paper and I was married to your father, the first time I stepped my foot on your father's grounds I was so excited to meet him, thinking he would be there but he was not. I know there are things Adrian regrets when it comes to us but I do not...

I never regret what happened between us because if those things did not happen then we would not be here standing strong together. I have lived most of my life sheltered from things I should have known, from people I should have met may be that is why I lack on a few things...

Like, what to tell Advin when he has doubts or how to handle your father when he is upset, how to look after you and calm you when you are scared or how to handle the twins when they do something wrong...

However, what I can do is just love you all with everything I am and that is what I have been doing from the moment I knew what the word love meant...

I loved you father when he had doubts between us, I loved him when his doubts went away, I loved him when he gave me my kids and it grew each day more and more and now that I see you all growing up so well, I love you all even more than I loved you all yesterday...

The world we live in its different werewolves, vampires, witches and so much more, this life gets lonely once you reach a point when nothing matters to you, the name, fame because you have a eternity to live your life, it is bound to get lonely...