"Where were you Angel?"

Penny sighs knowing how her husband feels about her little trips without any security. She knows he means well but some times she feels like she is suffocated by her guards. Dropping the bag down on the table next to the door, she lifts her gaze to meet her husband. His eyes holding relief. Her heart melting at the sight. She walks forward pulling him down to give him a hug. 

Desmond instinctively places his nose in the crook of her neck inhaling deeply. The scent enveloping him and releasing all previous tension. Her fingers running soothingly through his hair making him almost purr in content. His wife has always been a free spirit. He has learned to never try overpowering her. It ALWAYS ends with him in the dog house and away from his mate. It was a great change to be raised as the Alpha, to learn that even he had someone to answer to. His mate however infuriating she may be is also the only one in this world that can handle him. Meeting Penny was a whirl wind experience. Their love blooming was like a rare flower finding growth even in the harshest conditions. It was easy but he would be damned to find anyone as worthy as her. 

Pulling back, Penny cups his cheeks meeting his piercing gaze before bringing her lips up to meet his. His muscles relaxing from the gesture. She pulls back walking over to the bag by the door and handing her husband the treat she brought. 

"I went out for lunch."

Desmond smells the box and smiles gently. He is aware of the scent since it is one of the few places his wife constantly goes to. 

"You went to Hell's Belles"

"I did" Penny nods with her own smile pulling at her lips. She meets her husband's knowing eyes. 

"And how is your friend?" Penny couldn't suppress her grin at the mention of Grace. 

"She is wonderful as always! Oh honey, I wish you would meet her." 

Desmond could see the joy in his wife's eyes and the grin that shows her beautiful smile. It has been hard for him to come to terms with the fact that his wife has such a close relationship with a witch. His own history playing a big part in why he is so against other kinds. 

"-so tomorrow?"

He snaps back to listening but furrows his eye brows not catching enough to understand. His wife rolls her eyes playfully before repeating herself. 

"I said since you are always so busy, I decided to invite her and her family over."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yep" She says walking past him to the kitchen. Desmond trailing behind her ready to interject but she cuts him off. "And don't say we have plans or you can't host them. First, the Northern Crescent pack will not be here for a few more days and second..." She pauses turning back to her husband to make his eyes lock with her. "She means a great deal, not only to me... but to your son." 

Desmond's confusion showing clearly on his face. He steps to his wife while she makes him a glass of tea. Turning around she can see his confused state. She pats his cheek and shakes her head not willing to explain before walking off. 

Watching his wife's retreating form, he takes the heavenly scenting food over to the bar top and plops down before opening it and inhaling deeply. He may not be fond of witches but he couldn't deny how talented this 'Grace' was. Her food always made his stomach grumble from the aroma. Taking a bite, he was not disappointed. The Manhattan melted on his tongue giving him time to moan in satisfaction. He closed his eyes imagining how well tomorrow nights dinner was going to go.

"Mom, Dad"

"Your mom is upstairs Colton"

Colton walked into the kitchen seeing his father sitting on a stool eating some kind of delicious smelling food. He walked over to the fridge grabbing out a bottle of water before standing opposite to his dad. They haven't really talked since their fight so Colton it was best to break the tension. 

"What are you eating?"

"Your mom snuck out... again." Colton chuckled as his father rolled his eyes. "She brought me home so food from one of her favorite spots." 

"And what would that be?"

"Hell's Belles"

Colton choked on the water while his father's eyes came up to give him a questionable look. Colton couldn't help but internally laugh. The irony. His father is against other species however he is eating food made by them. As if understanding what he is thinking, Desmond continues. 

"Wipe that smirk off your face boy, I know who prepared it."

Colton couldn't help but full on grin egging his dad on. 

"Oh do tell"

"It's your mother's friend, Grace. And yes I am fully aware what she is."

"And that doesn't bother you?" He ask incredulously. 

Desmond grunts before stabbing the food and letting it melt on his taste buds again before answering. "Your mother has invited the witch and her family over tomorrow so I will have to be okay with it."

Hearing this, Colton throws his head back laughing. His mom is a fucking genius. Desmond narrows his eyes feeling as if he is missing something rather large. Colton can't compose himself so he continues laughing while leaving the kitchen to find his mom. Desmond wants to question him but instead drops it realizing he still had food to finish. 

************************************************

"Girls, I have some news."

All the girls stop eating and look to their mother. Grace wipes her mouth glancing between all of them. Placing her hands together in her lap she continues. 

"We have been invited to have dinner at the Southern Crescent Pack tomorrow with the Alpha and his queen."

All eyes turn to Belle as her eyes go wide. Her heart rate accelerating exponentially at the news. She is aware of who this is and what this means. If Colton was here, he would smirk at her nervousness since only a day ago, he met her mother. She feels someone takes her hand and turns to see Kacia squeezing it and giving her a reassuring smile. Her eyes move from Kacia, to her other sisters. He can see that Tara is excited however it's Nessa's expression that worries her. 

Grace watches as her daughter's eyes turn to the eldest sister. He can see that Nessa is struggling with this. As if sensing her eyes, Nessa's dark eyes lock with her as if pleading her to change her mind. A little shake showing she will not be swayed may Nessa relax back in her seat. 

"Nessa, what is-"

"I can't protect you all if something goes wrong..."

Her words were strong but you could hear the worry in her voice. Tara then leans over laying her head against her sister's shoulder. A way of showing her comfort when she is upset. Nessa keeps her eyes locked with her mother's. 

"My dear, listen to me.." She pauses but keeps her eyes locked with her raven beauty. "It will be okay. This is important for your sister." 

Nessa turned her gaze from her mother to her Belle. She could see her sister's eyes down casted. Guilt quickly runs through her. She stands up walking over to kneel by her sister's chair. Taking her free hand in her own, she tugs to make Jezabelle look to her. 

"I am sorry Belle, I didn't mean to react like that. It's just... I just want to keep you safe always." 

Jezabelle nods her head accepting her sister's words and squeezing her hand giving her a shaky smile. 

"I need my sister's with me Nessa."

"I will ALWAYS be there for you Belle. Same for Tara and Kacia." 

Nessa says nodding her head towards each of the sisters. Belle then turns back to her mother. 

"Are you sure mom?"

"Absolutely." 

Grace's voice held finality in it. Leaving no room for argument or discussion. Grace knew how much this will mean for her daughter. She will get a chance to see the pack that one day her daughter will be helping to run. Her concerns for Alpha Desmond were high but she believed her friend. Penny said not to worry and she will hold her to it. 

The following day was much less eventful than the previous day. Davion did not make an appearance leaving Belle to focus solely on the dinner this evening. Her sister's along with her sexy mate trying to reassure her but she has never been introduced to someone else's parents before. 

Colton was mildly amused at his mate's worries. It made his wolf feel pride that she cared so much as to how her parent's would react. He was not too concerned after the conversation he had the previous evening with his mom. His dad is still not aware of who is actually coming but he finds that incredibly amusing. His mother was already excited especially after meeting Nessa. That left him baffled because he knows that out of the sisters, she is the hardest to like. It was just due to the high walls she has made to any outsiders. All his mother said was that she proved her worth in their conversation. 

The school flew by and the pack seem to have really taken a liking to Kacia. She is still watchful around them but Jake has practically glued himself to her. He is like the nagging brother that she never had. Her day spent trying to keep his hands off of Tara and herself. 

Getting ready at home, Belle's mind wanders to all the what ifs making her seemed constantly lost in thought. Nessa sees this and feels she is partially to blame. Laying down her makeup, she walks over to Belle making her sister look to her with worried eyes. She smiles gently and holds out her hand. Kacia and Tara are to busy dancing around to notice the two sister's quiet departure to the balcony. 

Belle allows her eldest sister to lead her out looking onto the star filled sky. She releases a breath she wasn't aware she was holding as Nessa stands to her side doing the same. 

"Nessa, what if they don't like me." 

"Then they're fools." Nessa scoffs but getting no reaction from Belle makes her answer her more seriously. Both their eyes still trained upward. "Do you remember our first day in grade school?"

Belle nods her head but doesn't say anything so Nessa continues. 

"Our teacher attempted to split us up. She stated we weren't meant to be together. Tell me what happened." 

Belle giggles lightly remembering the day. "I told the teacher that if we couldn't be together then we would leave together."

"You did..." Nessa says turning to her sister with a proud smile. "You have so much strength in you Belle. And I'm not referring to you abilities. You stood up for us when no one believed us to be sisters. The same way you do to this day. People who don't like you, don't know you cause if they did, their is not a chance in hell they wouldn't care for you."

Belle could feel her tear ducts swell with the encouragement from her sister. She would never say it, but Nessa's approval means a great deal to her. She can't see Tara ever going against her sister's and Kacia is like a mother hen. That leaves Nessa to be the hardest to win over... But somehow she has done it. 

Belle turned engulfing her sister who chuckled rubbing her back affectionately. 

"I love you Ness"

"Love you too Belles"

They pull back as Kacia pops her head out the door. 

"Mom says it's time to go."

Nessa turns back to her sister squeezing her shoulders. 

"You ready?"

"Let's do this."