It was late into the evening when Constantin eventually got away from Maksim and Nikolai. He had tried multiple times that night to escape but eventually got dragged back. His mind was numb from the several drinks that he was handed but could still walk straight. His eyes roamed the party crowd for his mate instantly but came to a complete disappointment when he couldn't find her at all.

He wandered around the field and valley before entering the pack house. He headed up the steps, taking two at a time. As he got closer and closer to their bedroom, her scent grew stronger and stronger. She was here.

He let out a sigh of relief before opening the door. "Nat-"

She was sound asleep in bed already. He should have known. She had just recovered earlier this morning. He walked over to where she was sleeping on top of the covers. She was still fully dressed.

He contemplated on what to do. Should he leave her dressed like this or change her? A part of him didn't know if she will be okay with it but a large part of him told him he already saw everything. Why not?

He gave a short laugh and ran his hand through his hair. He was really going insane. He wanted to rip those clothes off her and remark every inch of her body. He has every right to if he really thinks about it. The love bites on her body were now almost completely gone; a mixture of yellow and green. 

He could feel his canines lengthening just seeing the marks on her skin. Turning away he inhaled deeply to control his wolf that was scratching and clawing through his skin. He wanted out. Feeling frustration growing inside of him he ran his hand through his now messy hair.

Constantin walked to the closet and pulled out one of his t-shirt. He held it in his hands tightly before stepping back out. Walking over to bed tonight seemed more painful than any other night.

Could it be because his heart was on the same path as his wolf?

Could it be that his love for his mate was pulling him in faster than a burning forest?

It was an inferno burn--slow and torturous but enough to know that at first glance it is as beautiful as can be. Constantin constantly felt like when he is around Natalya his oxygen is constantly leaving him. It was hard to breathe around her because she was so damn beautiful. She was his fire, taking his breath away.

He didn't realize he was standing on the edge of the bed staring at her for the longest time until she softly sighed and turned onto her back. He blinked and looked back down at his shirt. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he gathered the last amount of his will and began undressing her.

He could call a maid servant to come and help. However, he wanted to be the one to touch her skin only. He slipped off her cropped top smoothly with his hands only grazing her skin only a handful of times. Constantin was clenching his teeth so hard he might just lock his jaw.

Quickly before he could lose any of his will left, he slipped the shirt on over her body. His eyes only briefly but hungrily eyeing what was his; the bountiful breasts that were hidden behind a soft ivory colored bra.

Licking his lips, he scooted down and pulled down her skirt. Constantin silently cursed as he watched how it revealed her creamy skin colored thighs. Once he had the damn skirt off from her, he placed the outfit on a sofa nearby. After, he pulled the blanket over her body. She snuggled further into the sheets.

He stared at her again for the longest time, a slow smile gracing his face. She was a strong Alpha but in this moment she looked innocent. Those violet colored eyes are not opened for him to fall over his feet for. Those violet colored eyes are not opened for him to see how her wisdom goes beyond her years.

He reached out to touch her cheek but stopped when he heard a knock on the door. He glanced away from her towards the door before standing up.

When he opened the door he was met with an elderly maid servant. She bowed her head before speaking to Constantin.

"There is a caller on the line he would like to speak with Alpha Natalya." The maid spoke.

"She's asleep. Can you tell the caller to call back tomorrow?" Constantin asked. His vocal cords felt strained and different. It has been a years since he used them.

"I told him that but he refuses to listen. He demands to speak to her." She looked a little nervous. Constantin sighed before glancing back at his mate. She was asleep. He didn't want to wake her up.

"I'll take the call. Is it in her office?" He asked.

The maid servant nodded. Constantin closed the door behind him softly before walking towards the office. He walked in and noticed the receiver was on the table. He walked over and picked it up.

"Hello? This is Alpha Constantin speaking. Alpha Natalya is currently asleep. Is there an important matter that I can help you with?" He started.

There was a moment of silence before he heard someone breathing.

"Constantin, dear cousin, so it is true that you can speak now." Viktor's voice came on the other end.

The grip on the receiver tightened immediately. He closed his eyes tightly as flood of memories came rushing back. His dark past was like a ghost that haunted him and hearing the one person who made his life hell had his heart beating almost rapidly in his chest.

Viktor didn't seem to notice the silence that came on the other end or didn't care about it because he continued talking.

"Listen, I was wondering if your mate can lend me another six hundred pounds of what she gave me last time." Viktor said casually. "You think you can ask her? You know a favor for your cousin?"

The receiver was ripped from Constantin's hand. His eyes flickered up to see Natalya looking at him. Her eyes held so much anger but her features seemed to prove differently. She took a deep breath to steady her voice and lifted a hand to touch his cheek.

She placed the receiver by her ear before speaking. "I told you, Viktor. That our deal has ended."

Constantin could still hear Viktor's response. He wanted more and attempted to use Constantin again as leverage. He saw how his mate's fingers whitened as she gripped the receiver tighter.

"Do not use my mate as my weakness, Viktor. I can assure you that he isn't. Your threat means nothing to me. If you attempt to retrieve what you so graciously tortured I can assure you I will be waiting." She shot back. Her hand that cupped his cheek dropped and she turned away from him. He could see how tense her shoulders were after she slammed the receiver down ending the phone call.

She turned to look at him. Her violet eyes held a splinter of gold. She was furious. He saw that look before. It was when she was looking at Misha after he took the liquid in the vial. She looked every bit as dangerous and predatory as the wolf she harbors inside of her.

He needed to calm her. He took a step toward her and cupped her cheeks. His forehead came down onto hers. She placed her hands on the side of his hips.

"It is okay." He whispered.

"The bastard thought to threaten me. If he was here, I will rip his heart out and then chop it to fine pieces before burning it to ashes." Her voice was thick and hard.

He laughed at her threat. He knew she could do if she wanted to. He wouldn't doubt it a bit but it was funny to hear her describe it in details.

"You have an evil mind. Who would have known?" He teased.

"Tell me you don't want to kill the bastard?" She questioned him. They were still in the same embrace as they talked; content in having the closeness of their mate by.

"Every damn day." He admitted.

"Are you scared of him?" She looked up at him. Their foreheads were still touching. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again.

"He tormented me for years. There is a part of me that fears him but there is another part of me that wants to kill him. I know my wolf refuses to back down. He spent his time healing me and fighting with Viktor. The Alpha blood in him demands superiority and in a way it meshes with what I feel." He responded. "I don't know how exactly to explain it."

"I understand." She replied simply. She was ending the conversation here. He knew she didn't want him to think about anything or the threat of Viktor. Her face lifted into a sly smile; gone was the anger and its place was his playful mate.

"So, you undressed me eh?" She teased.

He blushed. "I didn't want anyone to see what is mine."

Her smile grew and with a yank his body collided with hers. He was surprised at her strength. He could feel those bountiful breasts he had seen earlier pressed firmly against his hard chest.

Breathe, Constantin. He glanced down at her and now their lips were almost touching.

"Constantin?" She whispered and her lips grazed his innocently as she spoke.

He nodded, swallowing the lustful lump in his throat.

Her voice dropped a notch as she spoke. "What are you waiting for?"

Constantin looked at her confused. "What do you mean?"

"Why won't you mark me? I want you to make me yours completely." She asked.

And just like that, all his control snapped. Everything he was holding back for her sake came flooding forward like a broken dam. His eyes darkened and instantly he bent down to capture her lips. A breathless moan slipped passed the kiss. 

Author's Note:

Per my decision - Mafia and As White As Snow is on HOLD until further notice. I think I will continue with one book. I just don't have enough time to do multiple updates and I feel like I am disappointing all of you. 

Therefore, Inferno will be my main focus until it is completed.