Two weeks had passed since the night Mia confronted Kade after he rescued Alec and took revenge for him. She observed her brother as time went on and he was an enraged tyrant. He was constantly irritated at everyone around him and was easily angered, he even snapped at a chair he himself clumsily bumped into today. On top of that, he was simmering with a burning tension at all times like he couldn't come to terms with his own thoughts.

Mia tried to talk to him but he wouldn't hear her out and gave an excuse about being busy with work. Dario and Niko both sensed his bad moods as well and were concerned for him just like her. But unlike those two, she knew the reason her bother was angry. He was battling his feelings that were against his own plans and whatever else excuse he held his life on. She wondered when he'd come in terms with the fact that he really was in love with Alec and that they were mates.

Sitting in the kitchen, Mia was eating a croissant with her coffee while watching Kade pacing in the living-room discussing business with Dario about a party that was coming up. Her phone pinged and she looked down at the screen thinking that she missed an appointment today with Freya. But it wasn't from Freya, it was Vadik.

She almost choked on the mouthful of croissant. She carefully swallowed with some coffee and picked up her phone to read the message.

Good morning, he texted. Are you busy today?

Mia didn't know what to say to him. He fingers lingered over the screen. Good Morning and No. She boldly hit send.

Good. Spend the day with me.

Mia's eyes widened. My brother would never allow that.

Your brother doesn't control me nor you, he messaged back instantly. I'll pick you up in an hour.

No! She quickly messaged. I'll meet you, just tell me where.

He didn't message for a while and she wondered if she angered him. But then an address pinged on her phone and she realized that he gave in to her request.

After agreeing to meet, suddenly, the nerves spiked in her body. She couldn't sit still. This was her first time going out to meet someone without her brother's permission. Mia didn't know how to even sneak out of the house. What was she going to do about the guards that always followed her?

"I'm starving," Niko entered the kitchen. "What's for lunch?"

Mia got an idea. A bold one but it was better than nothing. "I can cook you something," she offered. "Anything you'd like?"

Niko's eyes lit up. "A frittata," he said.

"Sure," she ushered him to take a seat before she got cooking.

In a matter of time, she cooked a perfectly crisp and golden frittata with eggs and loads of herbs and pepper before laying it in front of Nikolai. He grabbed a fork and took the first bite that was steaming hot.

"I had a favour to ask," Mia started as she sat beside him.

"Anything for you," Niko said as he was lost in the fluffy cloud of goodness.

"I'm so glad you think that way," she mumbled because what she was thinking they might actually die by her brother's hands. "I wanted to visit a bookstore. Can you come with me?"

Niko demeanour immediately changed. The charming, light-hearted man flipped into the man who had a duty to his work and brother. Nikolai took his job to protect this family very seriously. "What's wrong with the guards assigned to you already?" He said putting his fork down and staring at her with his intimidating grey eyes.

"Nothing," she said. "I just want to spend some time with you."

Nikolai raised a brow. "You're a horrible liar," he remarked.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm meeting Vadik today," she blurted out because there was no choice.

"What?" he shouted garnering everyone's attention, even Kade's.

"Shhh!" she warned.

"I told him to stay away from you," he growled like he was imagining slicing Vadik's head from his neck.

"Vadik's my mate," she confessed.

Niko's eyes widened. "How-" he couldn't even form words as he processed what she just told him. "Kade's going to kill us." He dropped his head in his palms and completely forgot about the food.

"Then maybe I shouldn't tell you that Alec is Kade's mate also," she added.

Nikolai froze as stiffly as a statue. "Why'd you tell me this?"

"I need your help so I can visit Vadik today," she said.

"Oh no, no, no, no, nope, not happening," he shook his head and pulled away from her.

"Come on, Niko," Mia begged. "I need to see Vadik and figure out what I feel for him."

"Oh god," he didn't know what to do with himself as panic set in. "You should not have told me this. I am a terrible secret keeper. You know, I can't lie to Dario, even if my life depends on it."

"You two," Dario appeared and Nikolai's face dropped. "What are you whispering about?"

"Nothing," Nikolai blurted out awkwardly.

Dario raised a brow. "What's wrong with you?"

Mia didn't know what to do, except release the clip to her brace. "Oh no!" she astounded. Dario's attention immediately came off his brother and onto her. He saw that her brace came off and reached to assist her. She kept him occupied long enough for Nikolai to compose himself.

"Dario, can I take Nikolai today to go to the bookstore?" she asked making sure to flash him that smile that always swayed his decisions in her favour.

He sighed shaking his head. "Fine," he said.

Nikolai jerked to attention. "What?"

"You're going with her," Dario commanded and after that Niko couldn't say anything otherwise.

Mia clapped her hands together. "Great. Thanks, Dario." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Quickly eat, Niko. I'm going to get dressed."

She dashed off wondering what she should wear. Shutting the door behind her, she walked into her closet and looked over the rows of clothes, dresses and other apparels completely lost. She didn't want to dress too fancy to appear as if she was trying too hard. But in fact, she was trying a bit too hard.

Ignoring the voice in her head, she grabbed the soft pink dress off the hanger and paired it with white shoes. She quickly put it on and sat in front of the mirror to curl her hair. She was going to leave it straight but then it wouldn't sit right angering her further. She brushed through the ringlets of curls loosening them a bit. She grabbed the perfume bottle spraying her favourite lily scent onto her neck. She made sure to grab her watch off the table and then got up to assess her work.

Damn it, she should have worn the blue dress, she thought.

Looking down at her watch, she knew she didn't have enough time to change. She grabbed her purse and left the room because she knew she'd spend all day fixing her look if she had the chance.

Mia was climbing down the stairs when she saw Nikolai standing by the door. He wore a crisp black suit and sunglasses on his face, which was more of his bodyguard attire when going to work with Kade. She wished he could've worn something to blend in.

"Mia," Niko astounded.

"What?" she said. "Do I look horrible?"

"No, you- you're-" he stared at her and she sensed his eyes were wide open like his mouth.

Mia looked down and noticed that she was walking down the stairs and hadn't fallen over. How was this possible? she wondered. Right when her mind steered to the brace on her leg, it stiffened and couldn't support her weight. Nikolai must have saw her struggle and rushed to her side. But it wasn't him that caught her.

"What are you doing?" Kade's domineering voice roared in her ear as he held her by the waist.

She breathed out in relief from not falling over on her face. All her makeup and efforts would've gone to waste. "Thanks, Kade," she smiled at him but he was glaring down at her.

"Where are you going?" he asked curtly.

"The bookstore," she answered. "I have Niko with me." Kade's glare lifted from Mia and onto Nikolai who was standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"I allowed them to go," Dario spoke from the top of the stairs.

Kade clenched his jaw as if he was ready to kill one of them. Or maybe, all of them. "Fine," he agreed then let Niko help her down the stairs. "Be home by two o'clock."

"Two!" she astounded. "It's already noon, brother."

"I know," he threw her a cocky glower then joined Dario leaving them.

Mia sighed at her brother and left with Nikolai to the address that Vadik texted her. After driving through the city, they arrived at the hospital. She wondered why in the world Vadik would invite her here. Nikolai parked on the private sector and they both stepped out of the car.

"Some idea of a date," Niko remarked while taking his sunglasses off.

"Hush," she nudged his arm. But she was also curious over Vadik's motives.

They walked through the double doors and she took her phone to call Vadik. Softly, a hand touched her waist. She jolted in surprise but then saw Vadik towering behind her with a charming smirk on his face. Her heart leaped out of her chest as she stared at his blue and green eyes. He wore a rugged leather jacket over a dark black t-shirt and jeans. She loved the way his dark tousled hair fell over his forehead and he used his fingers to rake them away.

"Hi," his deep but cool voice melted her body. He knew that she was staring at him and it definitely pleased him.

"Hi," she responded breathlessly as she turned in his arm to face him.

"Why'd you call us here?" Nikolai spoke behind them.

Vadik lifted his attention off her, she noticed how his eyes darkened when they landed on Niko. "You can wait here," he retorted with an icy tone.

"Like hell I will," Nikolai said irately.

"Let's not fight here," Mia warned them as she saw nurses and doctors staring at them.

"I want to get your leg checked by Justin," Vadik told her privately. "He's a really good doctor and he helped one of my other friend when he was in a bad accident too."

"I already have a doctor though," she said.

"Can you just give him a chance?" he asked.

"Sure," she complied.

Vadik laced his hand with Mia's and escorted her down the hallway towards a handsome doctor who was Korean. He was tall, built like he exercised more than he slept. He wrote navy-blue scrubs and a white lab-coat but it didn't cover the tattoos peeking around his chest. His dark black hair was neatly raked back and he held a sweet smile that reached his black eyes.

"Justin," Vadik called out.

Dr. Kim Justin turned to attention. "Hey, Vadik, you're here," he said greeting him. "This must be Mia."

She looked at him with a smile. "Hi," she said.

"Vadik told me all about you," he said cheerfully before he leaned in and whispered to Vadik; "Who is the one glaring at us?"

"Her bodyguard," Nikolai answered snippily.

"Alright then," Justin chuckled like he was used to this type of behaviour. "Let's talk in my office." He pointed them to a separate room with a spacious office space, that had shelves full of files and a table that was messy in an orderly way. Three cups of coffee also sat on the counter that looked empty.

The three men standing in the office definitely crowded it. Mia was used to being at a hospital for all her therapy sessions and other check-ups. But she never came with Vadik and Nikolai, so it was a bit unnerving.

"Okay, you two, wait outside," Justin said.

"No, I'm staying right here," Nikolai said crossing his arms.

Justin smiled like a professional. "This is my hospital and this office also belongs to me," he said. "You will wait outside the door or I will have security remove you."

"They won't be able to," Nikolai said.

"It'll definitely be fun to watch," Justin remarked.

"It's okay, Nikolai," Mia said. "You two just wait outside."

Vadik was the one to grab Nikolai by the arm and take him outside the room and Justin shut the door. He returned to his seat and sat in front of his computer clicking away at the screen.

"I have the X-rays for your leg here," he said as the charm fell off his face and a sudden tension surrounded him. She realized that he was in doctor mode. Justin pushed from the chair that had wheels on it and came around the table to her. "Do you give me consent to give you treatment, Mia?"

"Yes," she answered.

He took her brace off and put it on the side. Gently, he felt around her knee and down her shin to her ankle. He took her shoe off and felt the ligaments on the back of her ankle as well.

"Freya did an amazing job," he said.

Mia's eyes widened. "You know Freya?".

"Yeah," he smiled. "We went to school together." Justin grabbed the computer screen and flipped it around to show her. "From what I'm seeing your leg healed perfectly. Except for the last damaged part in the knee that causes the limp."

Mia knew that well. "The brace is for that limp," she told him.

"That's what I think the problem is," Justin said. "You don't need the brace anymore."

Mia titled her head. "What do you mean?"

"Since we're not human, our wolf powers can heal pretty much any wound known to existence," he said. "You need to take this brace off and let your wolf heal your knee for you."

"I've tried, it doesn't work," she said.

"You don't trust her enough," Justin said. "And I don't blame you. Many patients of mine lose their trust in their wolves and find themselves rely on a crutch more."

"So, what do I do?" she asked nervously.

"You need to take this brace off and walk on your own," Justin answered. "Vadik told me that he's seen you walk perfectly fine a few times. The problem's not here-" he pointed to her knee and then her head- "it's here. Can I ask how you got hurt?"

Mia's blood drained from her face and she felt sick to her stomach. "Er- I," she looked away from him.

"Hey, it's okay," his voice hushed the panic in her.

"I'm sorry," Mia looked down at her hands.

"Don't be, I know what it's like," he said. "I was injured once and I was in a similar position like yours." Mia looked at him surprised and he laughed. "It was before I became a doctor. I was in high school when I went to this nightclub out of curiosity and I got in some trouble with some thugs. They beat me up and threw me down a series of stairs. I got hurt really badly and everyone was sure I wouldn't recover. Until, this one doctor gave me a shot and saved my life and my limbs. I recovered, got into med school and he was my mentor. I learned everything from him."

Mia smiled unknowingly. "That's amazing," she shared. "But I'm sure you read my report already."

Justin's eyes told her that he had. "It's hard being thrown into the mercy of another," he said as something haunted his eyes. "I know what it feels like to be beaten to death, Mia."

Mia closed her eyes. "There were so many of them," her throat choked her words. "All their hands and feet breaking every part of me until they were done. I can still feel their touch and their eyes." Her leg throbbed painfully from all the memories.

"Their scent," Justin added grimly.

Mia remembered the scent of greed mixed with cheap cologne, it was etched into her memory like a horrid scar. No matter how many sessions of therapy, it never helped her overcome this trauma. She could never forget who did this to her, she simply learned how to live with it every single day.

"Would you be able to walk for me?" Justin asked as he was standing in front of her now.

"Sure," she agreed reluctantly.

Without the brace on her leg, she felt light as a feather. She placed her foot down and was reluctant to put pressure on it, but she knew she had to do it now otherwise she'd be stuck as a limp forever. Justin guided her to the hand-rail on the side of the office and let her place a hand on it. He went over and stood on the other end waiting for her to reach him.

Mia's hand gripped the wooden rail that was softly cushioned with some foam. She looked down at her feet and wondered if she would be able to walk without the brace. Her limp would slow her down and probably drop her face first on the floor, which was what always happened. Mia took a deep breath and claimed her first step forward. The broken knee ached slightly and she limped ahead knowing that the brace was the only thing that would help her. She forced herself to walk despite the limp. Keep going, she told herself. You can't be a limp forever.

"So, you and Vadik are mates," Justin prompted.

Mia's eyes shot up to Justin. "Wh-what?"

"It's obvious to anyone with eyes," Justin jested.

Mia's cheeked reddened. "Er- is it?" she asked. No one in her family noticed and they were always with her.

Justin laughed at her expression. "You haven't noticed the way Vadik looks at you?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" she asked remembering his beautiful different coloured eyes that held that dangerous allure.

"I've known him for a while now," Justin said, "and he's never been protective over anything apart from his brother."

Mia's lips peeked a smile. "He's kind and thoughtful," she shared. "I never thought I'd meet someone like him, especially since he's a Waldorf."

"Don't hold that name against them," Justin said. "He's been a great friend and I'm sure he'll make a better mate."

"Are you mated?" she asked.

"Not yet," he answered. "Good job. You did it."

Mia blinked and stared at him confused. Until, she noticed that she was standing right in front of him now. She looked back where she was standing a few moments ago but wasn't anymore. How was this possible? she thought.

"It seems Vadik took your mind off things," Justin remarked.

Mia was standing perfectly on her own and she even walked without a limp. Perhaps, the key to her recovery was her mate. "Thank you, Justin," she beamed before she moved too hastily and lost balance. Justin caught her but she knocked over the cups on the table.

The door slammed open and Vadik stormed inside with Nikolai not too far behind him. Both of them concerned for her. Vadik helped Mia get to her seat again as Nikolai hounded Justin for how dangerous that could've been. Mia was just astounded how Justin wasn't scared of Nikolai.

"Relax, buddy," Justin said. "I caught her."

"That doesn't matter," Nikolai snapped. "If there's even a scratch on her, you're dead meat."

"I'm fine, Niko. Stop yelling at him," Mia intervened.

"Why don't you take a look at this?" Justin said as he turned his phone around.

All three of them stared at the screen where Mia was walking perfectly on the mat. Thankfully, the video was muted, so no one heard their conversation. The anger of Nikolai face changed and he went quiet. Nikolai must have felt guilty for yelling at him, so he stepped out of the room.

"You can take the brace with you, Mia, but you don't need it anymore," Justin said as he put his phone away. "Although, if you're walking around a lot and your leg starts to ache, just put some ice on it. If the condition worsens, give me a call. I'll come take a look right away."

"Thank you, Justin," Mia said as she stared hesitantly at the brace.

"Here," Justin grabbed a smaller brace off the shelf. "Wear this instead. It's a lot lighter and won't control your movements as much as the other one." He bent down and slid a black sleeve onto her knee and then a small metal cap hooked around and locked tightly. It was definitely a lot more comfortable then the other one.

"It is lighter," Mia said. "Thanks!"

"No problem," he smiled at her.

They quickly exchanged numbers and he sent the video to her phone. She saved it immediately because she wanted this memory of her accomplishing something for once.

"Hungry?" Vadik asked.

Mia looked down at her watch and saw there was still time before her curfew that her stubborn brother put on her head. "Sure," she said. "Nikolai-" she looked over but Niko was talking privately with Justin. They shook hands after they were done and joined them again.

"Let's go," he said.

"Are you hungry?" Vadik asked him.

Nikolai contemplated before putting his sunglasses on. "Let's have pizza," he suggested.

They all left the hospital and went to their cars.

Vadik laced their hands together. "Mia's with me," he announced.

Nikolai didn't raise any objections and let them leave together. Mia went up to the truck that was a bit too high for her. Vadik unlocked the car and opened the door.

"Maybe, I should go with Nikolai," she said while eyeing the height of the truck.

Vadik stared down at her. "Why?" She gestured to her brace wondered how she'd get it. The wicked streak appeared in his eyes. "Come on, baby, you have me." His smirk sent a storm of butterflies loose in her stomach. He wrapped his massive tattooed hands around her waist, she put hers on his broad shoulders instinctively. The tantalizing touch sank into her and she felt set aflame from his dangerous heat. He lifted her off the ground and put her down on the seat easily.

She let out a little laugh from excitement. "Thank you," she saw the way his gaze lifted from her eyes over to her lips. She quickly averted and sat properly on the seat. He pulled the belt over her torso and clipped it in place. She didn't know why he did that when she could do that much herself. He walked away satisfied and closed the door before getting in himself.

Mia watched as Vadik drove skillfully. "Who taught you to drive?" she asked.

"Alec," Vadik shared with a smile. "He was a horrible teacher."

Mia laughed. "I never got to learn how to drive," she told him.

"We can fix that," Vadik added.

The drove down to Brooklyn where there was a pizza shop that Nikolai visited often. This shop accommodated the Guerriero's all the time. The owner had their table reserved in the back as well. All three of them walked in together and sat at their table ordering a small pizza each. Nikolai took his pizza in a box and let them sit alone.

"I'll be at the bar," he saluted off.

Mia found herself alone with Vadik. "How is Alec?" she asked.

"He's in one of his moods," Vadik said grimly. "I left him alone so he can snap out of it."

"Kade's also been on edge lately," Mia shared. "I'm sure it's because of what happened between them."

"It's surprising that they are older than us," Vadik remarked making her laugh because it was true. Those two were acting like children.

"Thank you for bringing me to Justin," she said.

"You're welcome," Vadik said.

She took a bite of her mozzarella pizza slice that was packed with flavour from the herbs and spices. "Why are you doing all of this?" she asked then.

Vadik's eyes that never left her softened. "I'm trying to get you to fall in love with me," he said.

Mia laughed thinking it was a joke until she saw his stern expression.

"Is it working?" he asked then with that wicked gleam in his eyes.

Mia didn't answer him because her wolf howled from within answering that it was working. But she kept that to herself. Well, she thought she did. Her wolf wasn't hiding from Vadik's wolf at all. His wolf was as dominating as the man himself. Both of them had their predatory eyes locked onto her like they'd never let her out of their sight. She didn't understand how a connection could be so powerful. She barely knew him yet her body yearned to be held in his arms. She found herself surrendering pierces of herself at every moment she was with him. Was this love? she wondered. Was falling in love supposed to be this easy, that she didn't even notice when it happened.

On top of that, the key to curing her leg was Vadik too. Before at the hospital, she completely forgot her pain and the past when she spoke about Vadik to Justin. Perhaps, Maya was the one who broke Mia first but sent the one who'd cure her as well.

After finishing off their pizza, they left to return home since it was almost two o'clock.

Mia walked around to the truck, her limp back like it was never gone. She wondered if she had walked perfectly before or if it was a dream. Vadik helped her into the truck again and Nikolai was in his own car as well. Vadik got in and shut the door. They drove out of the city onto a highway when Vadik stopped the car on the side and shut the gas off.

"Want to drive?" He said.

She frowned. "I don't know how," she answered.

Vadik who was already in his seat on the driver's side leaned over towards her. His arms wrapped around her waist as he swiftly lifted her off the seat and brought her over to his side. She gasped as he placed her firmly on his lap in front of the steering wheel.

"Vadik, we'll get in trouble," she said hastily.

"No, we won't," he said.

"But the police-"

"Will run the plates of this truck and find out who it belongs to-" Vadik interrupted. "Now, take these." He held the keys in front of her. She grabbed them hesitantly and put them in the ignition hole like she'd seen done many times. "Just turn it all the way." She did that and the truck roared alive bringing a beaming smile on her face. "Hands on the wheel, sweetheart," he said.

"What about the pedals?" she asked as she wrapped her hands around the wheel. "I can't reach them."

"I'll keep my feet on the gas," he said softly by her ear. "You just guide the way."

"This is crazy," she said.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," she replied.

Sitting on the driver's side added this power and exhilaration that she never felt before. Vadik pressed his foot down on the gas and she felt his strong thigh flex beneath hers. She shifted uncomfortably as the car drove ahead. She held the steering wheel, but Vadik's hand held the wheel from below, so he guided her perfectly out onto the road. She drove straight ahead without stopping or anything in her way. The truck picked up speed and it was thrilling for her. She had a feeling this truck wasn't a normal car either, it revved up speed more and more after Vadik pressed this button on the side.

Mia stared at the road ahead and wondered how this was even possible. But she knew the answer. It was because of Vadik. He didn't see her as a person with a limp. He saw her for truly who she was. She wasn't broken. She just needed a bit of guidance.

"Keep your eyes on the road," Vadik warned, his lips touching her ear and his arm holding her waist.

"Thank you for believing in me," she shared.

"Always," he told her.

Vadik pressed his foot down on the gas again taking them even faster. They managed to overtake Nikolai's Ferrari as well as so many other cars. Mia squirmed in excitement and knew she had to fix her leg so she could really learn to drive a car.

"Careful, angel," Vadik held her waist in his hard grip, "otherwise we're going to have difficult problem."

Mia stiffened on his lap. "Sorry," she said regretfully as she eased a bit of her weight off him.

They reached the outskirt of her brother's territory and Nikolai told them to separate from here for their own safety. She let go of the steering-wheel and Vadik took over as she remained on his lap, it was comfortable.

He parked the car on the side of the road in the town. But both of them were reluctant to part. She texted Nikolai to wait a few moments for her. She bribed him with food again, so he'd listen.

Mia tried to get off Vadik's lap but he didn't let her. Thankfully, the car was spacious, so there was enough room for both of them.

"You made the impossible come true today," Mia said. "Twice, actually."

Vadik stared up at her with those piercing eyes. "That's what I'm here for," he said.

"Thank you, truly," she said before leaning down and leaving the softest kiss on his cheek. Every muscle in his body hardened and his grip on her waist tightened its hold. She noticed that held himself back when he was with her. She knew it was because he didn't want to scare her or pressure her. "Is there anything I can do for you?" she asked daringly.

Vadik's eyes darkened. "Don't ask me that," his tone was bone chilling.

Mia touched his cheek. "Why?" she asked with their lips inches apart.

"I might not make an innocent request," his growled.

"I was hoping that you wouldn't either," she whispered.

"Then can you kiss me?" he challenged.

"How?" she asked because she had never kissed before.

"Do whatever you want with me," he answered gruffly as his eyes locked onto her mouth.

Turning a bit more, she tried to find a proper position, when suddenly, Vadik pulled a lever and the seat moved back giving them more room and he lifted her leg over his waist, so she straddled him.

Stiffened and shy, she never kissed someone before, so she was a bit out of her element. She read many books, so it couldn't be that hard. The cold buckle of his jeans pressed against her warm stomach as she leaned closer onto this powerfully, masculine man. Her hands trembled as she ran her fingers down the sharp curve of his jawline to his corded throat. She studied the dark ink that was a mixture of Russian scripture with a snake, that slithering down his neck and hid beneath his shirt.

Mia inched closer, pressing herself onto him. He waited patiently as she took her time memorizing this moment. Tempted by the call of his lips, she gently laid hers on them. The touch was soft yet it pierced through both of them. He stiffened beneath her, she felt it under her legs and arms. She softly caressed her mouth on his own and he let her. The moment she ran her tongue on his lower lip, he opened his mouth to let her venture into this dark but beastly desire. However, Mia lifted her lips off his letting him reach for her.

She heard the groan from him that was the remnant of his control that was being tested. She put her hand on his shoulder before she laid her lips on his again. This time she explored him a bit longer, but never too close that he'd deepen the kiss.

Abruptly, she pulled away when he had pushed her for more. He knew what she was doing but didn't raise any objections. She wondered if he'd force her or perhaps get angry at her. His rough hands that gripped her waist told her everything about his temper. He was holding himself back for her.

"You said I could do what I wanted," she remarked.

"I know," his tone carnal.

She felt his voice glide down her body and towards the juncture between her legs. No one did this to her before. But she understood why Vadik brought this nature out of her. She felt safe with him. There was this world he morphed around her where she didn't remember her past anymore. She was only with him, all alone, to be free together.

Mia kissed him softly once more. "When can I see you again?" she asked innocently.

"Whenever you want," he answered with an unsteady breath. "Call me and I'll be there."

Mia chuckled. "Even at my house," she jested.

Vadik's tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Nothing can stop me from coming to you," he assured.

Apart from her brother, she believed. But something told her that Vadik only stayed away because she told him to. He followed her every word. He was quite the gentleman despite looking like a dangerously seductive predator.

"I should go," Mia said.

Vadik's eyes hardened as he removed his hands from her. He unlocked the door and helped her out of the truck. He stood by himself as she joined Nikolai's side. Something ached inside her as she left him there all alone. Getting in the car, they drove away from Vadik and returned home just on time to meet their curfew.

As soon as they entered, Kade and Dario were already deep in conversation in the living-room. Mia thought she'd sneak away, but they saw them.

"Wait," Kade's stern tone made her wary.

Mia feigned a smile. "Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Be ready tomorrow," Kade said.

"For what?" she wondered.

"There's a party and we will all be attending," Kade said as he stood to his feet and walked away with his phone against his ear.

Mia sighed in relief that he didn't figure anything out, but also grew concerned that she had to go to a party with them. She usually sat these events out and stayed home to read or watch movies. Feeling the tingling ache of her leg again, she didn't know if the new brace on her leg would help her tomorrow.

"Thanks, Niko, for today," she smiled at him and they were about to part ways.

"Hold on, you two," Dario stopped them. "Where were you?

"What do you mean?" Mia asked him.

"You said you were going to the bookstore, but the tracker on Niko says otherwise," Dario said.

"You put a tracker on me!" Niko astounded as he looked all over his jacket.

"Of course, I did. You're my little brother," Dario answered. "So?"

"Er- well," Nikolai didn't know what to say.

"And don't lie to me," he warned. "I already covered for you once with Kade today by not telling him about your secret plan."

"I went to visit Vadik because he's my mate," Mia explained.

Dario strained with tension like she'd just shot him in the head.

"Alec is Kade's mate," Niko added to that fire.

Dario pinched the bridge of his nose. "Good god," he grumbled.

"Didn't you know?" Mia asked.

"I had a feeling," Dario admitted. "After Kade didn't kill Alec, I knew something was else was going on. But I didn't know about you and the younger Waldorf. We're in trouble if Kade finds out."

"Don't tell him, Dario," Mia said. "I want to be able to share it with him at the right time."

Dario held doubt in his grey eyes just like she had because they both knew that there was no 'right' time. She was going to have to rip the band-aid off one day and it was going to hurt the only person she never intended to cause any pain. 

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