Nikolai eyed the man who was his daughter's mate. A strong and capable man of that Nikolai can see but a part of him could see how tortured the man was. Who wouldn't be? An ugly scar on his neck was clear indication that something horrible had happened to him.

After dinner, the two found themselves walking around outside to clear their minds. It was an awkward situation to be honest. Nikolai didn't think to meet anyone this late at night. Nikolai prided himself to be a good judge of character. After meeting his Roza and almost losing her, it was like a veil has been lifted. He became a little wiser. He was not as hasty as he used to be.

"Good evening to take a stroll." Nikolai started the conversation.

Constantin nodded before turning his gaze back to the woods again. The moon was hovering just above the trees. The stars are yet still hidden in the night.

There was something about this man that Nikolai trusted. Constantin's eyes had an honest and straight forwardness to it that Nikolai knew his daughter will never get hurt. However, that doesn't mean that Nikolai is positive the man will make a bad decision.

"Natalya is a stubborn woman." Nikolai started and slightly gave a short disbelief laugh. "To be honest she is very much like me."

Constantin's ears twitched and his head tilted slightly towards Nikolai. He knew that Constantin was listening. Constantin sat on the ground with one hand propped on his knee and his back against a tree. Nikolai shoved his hands in his pocket as he stared into nowhere.

"I don't know what is going on between you and my daughter." Nikolai spoke his observation so far.

Constantin stiffened but didn't say anything.

"There are many things I have learned through my course of life." Nikolai continued without missing a beat. "I met my mate to whom I rejected years ago. It was the biggest mistake of my life. I lost the one person that meant everything to me. I was a lucky person to even earned her forgiveness."

Nikolai remembered everything regarding his relationship with his mate. The hurt and pain that he had caused her. The heartache he lived for years until he saw her again. That face at the Alpha games, he could never forget. Roza was his life.

"Don't make this complicated, son. I learned everything the hard way." Nikolai said. Constantin looked up at him confused.

"Love is not complicated. It is simple. We are the ones that make it complicated. All you need to do is open your heart and learn to embrace what the Moon Goddess has given you." He stated before sighing. He removed his hands from his pocket and crossed on his chest.

"I don't know your past but I know my daughter's. I am going to go out on a whim here and say that the scar on your neck almost killed you." Nikolai didn't mind speaking his mind. Constantin didn't say a single world. He simply nodded his answer to his mate's father.

"I am going to assume this happened two years ago." He also pointed out and Constantin's eyebrows crinkled in confusion confirming Nikolai's suspicions immediately.

"Two years ago, Natalya experienced the severing of the mate bond. It was a painful process for her. Many werewolves who experienced this either die or turn into something a lot more dangerous than our society can handle." Nikolai continued. Something flashed across his eyes that Constantin noticed immediately it was pain.

"Natalya became dangerous and very quickly too. She was always a happy and bright child. She was well known for her ability to brighten anyone's day up and I think that had to do with the fact that she had never experienced loss before in her life. That was until the severing of the mate bond."

"She turned into a different person. I saw the child that I saw growing up who wore a smile even when she was teased become something I was afraid of." Nikolai sighed and ran a hand through his hair before glancing down at Constantin.

"It is important that you treat her right." It sounded like a plea but the threatening look in Nikolai's eyes told Constantin differently.

Constantin saw Natalya in a new light. He never knew this about her. He never knew she experienced the loss of the bond at time he received the scar on his neck.

His fingernails dug into his palms. It seemed his past demons have dug themselves into his life more than he liked. Natalya's words flashed through his mind. The torment he saw in her eyes.

The rage and disbelief that she revealed in the woods the other day.

It was then he realized just how broken his mate was. A new emotion scattered in his chest. It blossomed and spread through his upper body. He knew immediately what he was feeling. He was protective and possessive of her. His wolf wanted to heal her pain and apologize profusely for what happened a couple of years ago even if they weren't the cause of it. They still didn't like the idea that she was also suffering along with them at the time that they got injured.

He nodded his answer to Nikolai's threat. He will never hurt her and if he did it will never be on purpose. Nikolai decided to move and sit down next to Constantin. It felt a little awkward only because Constantin viewed Nikolai with the upmost respect as a father and a leader.

As a werewolf, you are not blind to Alpha leaders. Everyone have ears and eyes. There are gossips and rumors that spread about their leadership style. Nikolai ruled with fairness and with cleverness - reminded him so much of Natalya.

"Women are simple creatures." Nikolai sighed and looked up at the sky.

Constantin scoffed and Nikolai laughed at his reaction. "I'm serious, Constantin. I had the same mind set as you when I was young like you. I thought female were complicated creatures but they are very much like us. They like honesty and truth. Loyalty means everything to them."

A movement out from the corner of their eyes caught their attention and Roza walked out. She smiled when both men turned to meet her.

"A rendez-vous?" Roza's eyebrow raised up questionably. "And I wasn't invited?"

Nikolai chuckled and opened his arm to his mate. Roza accepted his welcoming gesture immediately before turning to Constantin.

"How are you doing? I just came back from visiting Nat and she looks like she is healing quickly." Roza asked him.

I am doing fine. I am relieved to see that she is. He signed.

Her smile grew. "She was asking for you."

I came out for some fresh air but I will be heading back in to stay with her.

"Good to hear. What were you two talking about?" She questioned.

"We were just have a serious talk." Nikolai shrugged.

Roza eyed her mate suspiciously before turning to Constantin. She nodded her head for him to speak up. "Tell me what did my dear mate threaten you with?"

Nikolai sputtered a bunch of nonsense at his mate's accusations. "I was not threatening him. I just wanted a word with him. It is a manly talk."

Roza scoffed. "I doubt it, Nick. I know you and I know how much you love our pups."

Nikolai scratched at his temple in silence. His mate knew him so well. Constantin watched the interaction between the two. He wondered if him and Natalya bicker like that or if they would ever bicker like that. A smile appeared on his face when he knew the answer already. Natalya was very much like her parents.

I believe I should go in and check on her. He signed into the air. Roza nodded in understanding before he stood up. Just thinking about her was already making him anxious to be by her side again.

~~~

He left her parents and headed back inside the pack house. Natalya was reading a book when he appeared in her room. Her eyes snapped up the minute he opened the door. He couldn't stop himself scanning her body just to make sure she was okay before entering.

Walking inside and seeing her, he remembered Nikolai's words. Every last one of them. So, instead of sitting in the chair next to the bed. He moved to sit on the edge of her bed where he immediately took hold of her hand and wrapped it safely in his.

There were different ways werewolves handle the mate bond. There were many who defied it to the very end. There were others who could care less if they ever met their mate, there were those who craved it every day, and there were those who believed they were not worthy of it.

In the end though?

They all give in.

Because why not? Something so beautiful is so hard to resist. Something so pure, is so hard to find.

Constantin was starting to understand the bond he had with Natalya. He could denied it all he want but his heart and mind had already made up their mind. Some werewolves don't immediately fall in love but there were those who were just so perfectly made for each other, it doesn't take much for them to see who was the center of their world.

That right there was what Constantin was feeling. He brought her hand up to his lips where he brushed a kiss lightly behind her hand.

"What is it? You seem different tonight." She questioned warily. She was right. Constantin was different tonight. He had come to a full conclusion and saw what he wanted in life. It was her.

It is nothing. I just had a long and thoughtful day. I just want to be next to you. He signed to her before leaning in and kissing her forehead softly.

That night, Natalya slept safely cuddled in Constantin's arms. He held her and listened to her slow breathing. In his heart it was filling up with so much emotions, he had never experienced it before but it was achingly beautiful. He hugged her tighter and ran his nose through her hair gently.

I promise to be your better half. I promise to protect you from now on.

A silent promise he made to her. One she might not ever hear but one that was most sacred.

Author's Note:

Hi everyone!

It has been a long time (I updated last Monday) Either way it seemed like forever. I thank you for patiently waiting and I hope you like this chapter. Constantin has finally accepted everything completely. His wolf and him are finally on the same term and that is to fully love and take care of Natalya.

I hope you like this chapter and I don't know when I will update again but I am working as hard as I can in reality to make room to update for you.

Let me know your thoughts and today I will spend my day in replying to all your dear comments <3

Your support is greatly appreciated!! <3 <3

Leila Vy