It has been a blast.

There are no words to describe the joy that was to have my parents back by my side after I was forced to flee my pack in a desperate attempt to escape Richard's grasp, who wants to force my son to live with him and his mate, raising him as if he didn't have a father. An Omega father like me.

I have missed them a lot for these two weeks that we spent apart, but Charlie missed them even more if I could hazard a guess. My parents raised him with me and always kept him company when he was growing up and I had to work.

Charlie absolutely adores my parents, who acted as parents to him as well, especially as a first time father doing it all alone. Richard's parents participated too but I didn't have the same relationship with them that I had with my mom and dad. There is no comparison.

My parents stayed with us until Wednesday morning, then it was time to take the long journey back home to avoid raising any suspicion. The less people who ask why they were away the better. Two warriors showed up at the pack house ready to go, so they put their bags in the trunk and left but not without a promise to return when things cool down.

Yeah, to be honest, I am not entirely sure if things will ever cool down. Still, it was great to see them and the comfort that their presence brought to my son and I cannot be explained by no other word except for love. An immense amount of love that Charlie and I feel for them.

I was emotional when I said goodbye to them. Charlie left for school today against his wishes because he wanted to stay back and see granny and pops off. Unfortunately, I feel that he already lost plenty of classes when we escaped the Dark Moon pack and now it's time to catch up.

This is not only a different school district, it's a whole different state with its own curriculum. I may have to end up taking Stephano's offer to hire him a private tutor, though for now I am hoping my son's intelligence can save him from having to do this.

In any case, I have a mate ready and willing to support me and my son. What more could I ask of him? What more could I ask of a mate? I didn't need to be mated to a handsome man, but I was. I didn't require to be mated to a rich man, but I was. And I certainly did not request to be mated to a powerful Beta of the most respected pack in the South, but I was anyway.

Stephano is all those things and more. Besides, his physique is ridiculously hot. Oh my Goddess!

Speaking of which, I have spent the last two nights by his side, sleeping with him in his house. I did so incognito without telling Charlie or my parents. Not that they would care either way. This is everything they always wished for me, to have a mate to share my life with.

I did not tell my son because I was ashamed of it, no. I wanted to sit him down to explain to him what mates are all about. I have told him about the concept of finding mates, he grew up seeing my mated parents, but he is yet to fully comprehend the topic.

Yeah, the conversation around bond completion is going to be awkward, but I need to tell him about it before he figures it out for himself or from a classmate. He is at that age when everything is new and exciting and at the same time he is trying to distance himself from me as he enters adolescence.

It is a convoluted period, especially with Richard's threat looming over us, but I need to tell it like it is and not keep my son in the dark. It's time. I never kept secrets from Charlie and I am not about to start now.

Back to my mate, I spent two glorious nights with him where we were free to explore our bodies and desires. It's been a while since I had some adult fun, if you catch my drift, so this was more than a welcomed release to relieve stress and flood my body with endorphins.

We did not have any sex because it would trigger the bond completion, but we had our fun. My mate is an excellent lover, not that I had any doubts about it. Not when a man looks like that. I am going to leave it there and let you ponder over it for a minute... *wink*

Stephano held me together after my parents left and I was feeling all the emotional charge of having to say goodbye to them. In normal circumstances, they could have stayed for a week or more. They are both retired and the pack house is not short of rooms available.

We stayed inside the living room for a while and he took the time to really be there for me until I was calmer and accepted their departure, hoping that we'd be reunited again soon. Then he left for his house but not without asking me out on a lunch date.

"It is too late to give notice to the kitchen that I am not eating here and they cook according to a roster of guests. It seems unfair to waste food, but I'll take you up on it tomorrow. Today we can have an afternoon date. It's been ages since I went to the movies." I countered his proposal, feeling bad to miss lunch here today.

You have to give notice to the kitchen ahead of time if you are going to skip a meal because they cook according to a list of guests staying in the pack house. Though not all guests have lunch during the week, they follow a strict schedule and I am a part of it now.

"Oh... That could work. I love your suggestion. I am going to leave now and then can we reconvene after lunch? This way it'll give time for us to leave the movie theater and still have some time before picking up Charlie." He suggested, to which I happily agreed.

We have such good chemistry together. I think I will be very happy next to my mate.

We went to the movies as planned and watched a blockbuster that ran for nearly two hours. My mind escaped into an imaginary world filled with adventures and I forgot about my life for some time.

It was great to have some good clean fun with Stephano, who by the way, was delighted to spend time with me. Afterwards, we stopped by a coffee shop in the mall and drank some fancy coffees that I loved.

We had a close call to pick up my son, but he didn't have to wait more than two minutes until our arrival. He was surprised to see the both of us in my car, but not so much that it is completely unexpected. He knows we are mates, of course.

I told my son about our afternoon at the movies and he demanded that I take him on Saturday to watch the film too. Stephano was quick to reply that he would be happy to do it.

"Maybe we can invite Clary too." Charlie spoke with excitement, referring to Iris' daughter Clarissa.

I looked over at my mate while I was driving with a look on my face.

"I can ask her mother, but I make no promises, buddy. Maybe they have something else planned for the weekend." Stephano told him with some dread in his tone. It's not that it would be a bother to take her, but we have to keep in mind that her parents could have other plans.

"They don't have any plans, but it's okay. Maybe her mother doesn't allow her to go out with strangers." Charlie muttered, disappointed.

"I am not a stranger, buddy. I have known Clarissa's mother for a decade though we haven't become close until the last two years. I am sure she would have no problem letting me take her to the mall, but I just wanted you to be aware that she might have other plans for the weekend. I don't want you to get your hopes up, but of course I'll ask her. Anything for you, Charlie." Stephano argued after he let out a breathy laugh.

"Thank you, Stephano." My son smiled at my mate from the back seat and I melted into a puddle. The way he is with my boy, I know he tries too hard but it's far better than not trying at all. Trust me, I know. *eye roll*

"I am so beyond in awe of you that sometimes I think you got the short end of the stick with me as your mate." I whispered to my mate in such a low tone that only he could hear.

"Yes, it's terrible to have been mated to the most beautiful man I have ever seen. Honestly, it's a drag how much more handsome than me you actually are. Your eyes, I could look at them forever and get lost in a pool of desire." He retorted, causing me to hold back a chuckle at his words.

"Am I really the most beautiful man you have ever seen?" I turned to him as I parked the car inside the pack house indoor garage.

"Yes, you are. And I work with more than one hundred men. Literally." He declared with firm conviction and I swooned. Come on... you are killing me, mate!

Once we were inside, Stephano got into his car parked in front of the pack house and left. I held Charlie from going to the playroom because I wanted to sit him down for a heart to heart. We had plenty of time before dinner was served.

I explained to him our situation a bit better and why we stayed over here out of all the towns we passed by on our way out of Oklahoma. Then, I took the time to explain to him about the mate bond and all that it entails.

I was flustered to have to tell my son about bond completion, but we have already had the sex talk prior to this date. This isn't any less uncomfortable than when I had to learn it from my own parents. I think the most important part is to open the lines of communication and leave the door open for whenever he has any doubts.

Oh yeah... there were a lot of questions asked today, but I faced them with the same ease my parents had when they talked to me. Though I might be wishful thinking. But I made sure to answer all his questions without judgment or malice.

After all was said and done, we proceeded to wash up for dinner.

On Thursday, my mate had invited me to go with him to the training center to get to know his place of work. I was intimidated at first, but if he invited me to come along then it can only mean that it is okay for partners to visit the place.

Back in the Dark Moon pack, it was forbidden for outside members to enter the training center. But of course my father brought me there on many occasions when I was still hoping to become the next Beta.

To be honest, this issue is a little triggering to me but I cannot refuse such a gallant invitation from the man who has gone above and beyond for me so far in the short time that we have been mated.

As scheduled, when I returned from dropping my son at school, he was there by his car waiting for me to arrive. I hopped into his beautiful red corvette and he drove us to the center, sounding excited about taking me.

We arrived at a massive two story building that could easily pass as any sort of commercial establishment from outside. It was painted with white ink, embellished with strokes of red and the crust of Regency Falls adorning the top of the building.

Stephano spent some time talking about the exterior and the date of construction, going on about all the renovations his father and grandfather had done during their tenure as Betas. He really seemed excited about this place. I think he takes pride in being a third generation Beta, which is something I can relate to. If only I was allowed to be one.

As soon as we opened the door, I could hear the voices of a lot of people speaking at the same time. But one voice sounded louder than others. It also sounded closer to our location. My mate grimaced as we overheard someone being called out.

"... third time you're late for a shift..."

"... if this was a patrol shift you would have already been cut off from the force..."

My mate seemed embarrassed that we were overhearing this discussion as was I for him, but I am no stranger to being reprimanded by a boss. I get it.

Stephano kept his hand on the door handle for a moment, waiting for it to pass but what happened next really messed with him.

"You're not the 'Beta's pet' anymore. He's mated now and he's not going to protect you."

Now my mate is really pissed off at hearing this.

"What is 'the Beta's pet'?" I questioned him, intrigued by this.

Stephano stormed off inside the training center and the two men were caught by his rage, one very young and the other at least twice his age. Both of them were surprised to see him standing there, though I fail to see why. It's not a surprise that he was returning today from vacation. Unless warriors are bad at math... *joke*

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" He shouted at the man berating the young warrior, who got flustered. He was immobile, frozen in place fearful of my mate's reaction.

"The next time someone says the words 'Beta's pet' it better be because I decided to adopt a puppy. Do you have any idea how incredibly disrespectful this is to me? I never had any pets in my life, least of all I kept grown men." He continued shouting at the older man, who was red with embarrassment.

"I cannot believe I brought my mate to work only for him to be forced to hear this. Are you fucking kidding me right now?!" He was beside himself angry, but from the looks of it, he is mostly embarrassed about it. I can feel it.

"I'm sorry, Beta. I didn't know–" The older man was trying to justify himself before he was interrupted by a loud voice.

"Clarkson!" He yelled at a man on the far side of the center, who came quickly as he was called. Needless to say, the entire floor was quiet as the Beta was screaming at the top of his lungs, watching this scene play out.

"Yes, Beta." A tall, muscular, black man appeared in front of Stephano, startled by the yelling.

"Take Wilkins to the conference room and teach him about proper manners for a man in his position. If he doesn't want to be team leader, I have fifty men ready to take his job." He commanded the man, who gestured for the other gentleman to go with him to the private room.

Stephano then turned to the so-called "Beta's pet", who looked positively scared.

"Michaels, if you show up late for work one more time you're fired." He declared, angrily.

"Yes, Beta." He replied, frightfully.

Stephano took my hand and pulled me ahead with him in the direction where Iris was. At least there was one familiar face in the mix of dozens of strangers gawking at me in curiosity.

"I left for ten days and this place turned into a circus? What the hell, Carpenter?" He reprimanded her, impatiently. She was not pleased at that display, I can tell from her face.

"Good morning, Beta. Welcome back! I was going to talk to Wilkins in private later, but you beat me to it." She said, low key mad at him for all the yelling.

"I'm sorry that you had to witness that. I promise you I am not always this hot headed." He turned to me to apologize, looking mortified by all this.

"It's fine, mate. You wouldn't believe the judging stares I got from my old pack sometimes. I get it. We are not supposed to last this long being unmated." I tried to put him at ease.

Stephano smiled at me and I greeted Iris who welcomed me with a smile.

"I hope you squash this 'Beta's pet' business once and for all. If I hear this again, I'll not be this nice." Stephano told Iris with a threatening tone.

"Consider it dead and buried in the pet cemetery." She replied, annoyed at this line of conversation. But she knew what she had to do to placate her boss.

Woof. My man is not to be played with.

https://youtu.be/HJWFsZ_YUc4

A|N: Wow. If ever there was a song on Earth that I never thought would be included in any of my books is this one.

Next comes a twist unlike anything you have ever read before in any of my books!

It's called "Livin' La Vida Loca".

Love,

Léo.