The silence spread its horizons and captured each nook and cranny of their skin. But the five-minute silence gave Dima time to view his feelings in a different light. He put himself in Chris' shoes and it did not take long for the feeling of betrayal to settle down.

Craning his neck a little, Chris peered at Dima. His lower lip was captured between his teeth, giving away his anxiety. "Dima," he started cautiously.

"Chris, it is okay. I do understand. Really I do. But can you do something for me?"

"Just tell me."

Dima cannot hold in a fond smile at Chris' eagerness to please and do anything and everything for him.

"I want to go home today. Hear me out before you reach any conclusion," Dima added seeing the upturned curve of Chris' mouth. "My security head texted, he informed me that Dad was asking questions about my whereabouts. Somehow he managed to dodge the questions, but he cannot do that for long. I have to return before my dad gets suspicious. As far as I know my father, he already is."

An Alpha of his stature understood the valid concerns his mate held, especially the disaster that would follow if his vampire father-in-law comes to know about their pairing and too from someone else than his son. However, he cannot let his mate go. Alphas are deemed possessive, more so when newly mated.

"I'll go with you."

"With me? And how would you do that, oh-so-intelligent one?"

Instead of giving a verbal answer, Chris brought his phone out of his pocket and started dialing.

After a ring or two, the person on the other end picked up the call. "Hello Lance," Chris greeted and smirked in Dima's direction. Dima's eyes widened dramatically before he facepalmed.

"...."

"Can I send some men over to your house and post them as security?"

"...."

"Because a piece of news has reached my ears from some sources that your son is in danger. I trust his ability to protect himself, still it doesn't mean we can put his life at risk. We will need everyone from our side safe when we face the threat hands-on."

"...."

"Four, noted sir. Yes. Yes...thank you. Have a good day."

Chris hung up the call and wiggled his eyebrows in Dima's direction with a Cheshire cat grin adorning his face.

"What did my dad say?"

"Four people from my pack are allowed at your house as added security."

"How does that help our situation?"

"I am one of the four."

The vampire shook his head while the werewolf smiled mischievously. After having a word with Mitchell, they left for Dima's home.

----------×----------

They entered the mansion where a ginormous chandelier hung in the living room. Chris didn't get time to notice it during his previous visits. The carpet was a beautiful brown with golden color designs carved in it. Surrounded by all these lavish and alluring things was Dima, shining brighter than the chandelier and looking more appealing than anything.

"Dima."

"Hmm?"

"Dima."

"Yes?"

"Dima."

"What, Chris?" Dima uttered exasperatedly. He had been walking ahead of Chris towards his room. Repeated calls of his name but getting no reply in return made him turn and ask in frustration. One look and he knew what the matter was. "Chris, I get it. I understand where you are coming from because I was no better two days ago. Yes, it sting a little but do one thing for me. Trust me, that's all I ask. Know that either I don't commit or I do it fully."

"Still, I am sorry." Chris wasn't only sorry for hiding himself and his past, he was sorry because he was about to hide some more truth.

Dima made a come hither motion. Chris scurried to him and they moved side by side to Dima's room.

Chris didn't waste any time in jumping into Dima's bed and lying spreadeagled. He rolled onto the sheets whilst Dima looked at him curiously. He passed it as 'Chris being Chris.' Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Dima, Chris was inhaling his bedsheet which smelled like its owner. Also, he was busy masking the bed with his own scent.

Dima perched on the wooden chair that was kept in front of the study desk. He sifted through a dozen papers and made a few phone calls while Chris took a nap.

If their life was a movie, then the current scene can be described as homey. You can easily picture Chris and Dima as famous movie actors, their looks weren't less than that of a movie star's. From an onlookers point of view, there was a happily married gay couple who was just spending a lazy holiday in the warming presence of each other.

Dima heard Chris calling his name. Sleeping beauty has awoken, he thought. He half-turned into his chair with his hand taking support on the upper part of the chair.

"What is it with you today? You've been chanting my name like a prayer since morning."

"You aren't my prayer, you are the answer to it."

"Am I ever going to get used to this cheesiness of yours?" Dima couldn't help but ask the rhetorical question and at the same time throwing a paper ball at Chris.

"Come here." Dima got up from his seat, making Chris more than happy to see him oblige. "Lay down beside me." Dima slid into the bed. A heavy arm wrapped itself around his waist as expected. Moments later, he felt a weight on his chest; Chris has kept his head there. Both of them got comfortable.

"I think we should tell your dad."

"Why?"

"So that I can come here anytime and stay with you."

"No."

"No? You don't want me to stay here?"

"No, we are not telling my dad," Dima declared, missing the teasing tone of Chris.

"You want us to sneak around behind your dad's back then?" Chris snickered.

"He hates your type."

"My type? I don't think so. My type is you, how can he hate his own son?"

"Sometimes I hate this language, English."

"I think you are lying and you love it way more than you will ever admit."

"And how do you know that?"

"Because someone who loves poetry cannot hate any language."

"We are not telling my dad."

"Mmm..."

"Chris?"

"Yes?"

"Stop feeling my abs." Chris laughed out loud at that; he didn't stop though.

Dima felt the change in Chris when he stopped tracing line on his stomach. "What is it?" he asked, concerned.

"I want to tell you." Chris didn't have to elaborate for his mate to understand what he was talking about. He was ready to talk about his past and Dima was ready to hear it, and provide any type of emotional support his mate needed.

Dima started sifting his fingers through Chris' hair and massaging his scalp before he could start the story. The soothing touch of his mate helped the wolf relax a bit. Though one thing was troubling him; he didn't know where to start. Dima do not know how but he caught on to the reason of delay.

"Start from your time in Golden Shadows pack. I've heard the name but can't remember exactly where and how."

"You have heard that name because it was around here. I didn't form a home here, it was already my home. Many years ago, I was part of Golden Shadows. I was the son of the pack Beta. Our pack was a quiet one, we were used to do our thing and not meddle with others. Every other coven, pack or group, we all were friendly with each other. One day, there was an attack. In that attack, I lost my parents and my aunt. The only family left were my uncle and my brother, Elio."

"What is his name, your uncle's?"

"Peter." Dima waited patiently for Chris to cue continue. "I was supposed to be the next Beta, but after that attack, I was no longer a Beta's son. I was simply Chris. I was very young, so my uncle made me his responsibility and taught me everything . He trained me, educated me and upskilled me to be a Beta. Elio used to cry a lot for our parents, he was just a pup after all. Whenever I saw him crying his little heart out, my resolve got stronger. I wanted to be the Beta in a pack that could be a safe haven for people like us. After searching through a lot of packs, I realized that a Beta's voice was never going to be heard. Always one into reading and poems, I was praised by my Mom every time I wrote anything that rhymes. She used to tell me quotes from various authors." Talking about his dead mother was difficult - an understatement. Chris stopped to take a breather. "One such quote that stuck with me was 'If you want to read a book that haven't been written yet, then write it yourself.' I applied this on my dream pack. The next thing I did was push myself harder to be more, to be an Alpha. Saving others from having the same fate as us was my motivation and end goal. I wanted be their shield and provide shelter to the lost. What better place than to start at the same one where you lost everything? This is how I became what I am today. And that was my story."

"I wish you didn't have to go through that."

"You do?"

"I care Chris," Dima answered the unspoken question that hung in the air.

Those three words were enough for Chris. Dima was enough for Chris.

👑♥️♥️👑