Ember

22. Lit the match

Silas**

After my meeting with Remi I thought it would be wise to keep my distance for a while. The feelings that I've felt deep inside would not subside, in order to control my beastly urges distance was very much needed. It has been a while since I have seen her, but I have smelt her inside of my home and around the estate. Which means she has been exploring. The past few weeks have been difficult. Her sweet scent wraps around me like a warm embrace and infiltrates my mind. She has not let her shield down yet. That will be a discussion for when I get back since that is a stipulation. For now I will leave her to do as she sees fit.

Many conversations later with my parents and my beta we came to the conclusion that there were some answers that were needed from Stiles himself. While he was on my land when being questioned he was out of his mind, no straight answers and everything was about Remi. Although I do not want to talk to that asshole it is necessary. It is a bit of a journey to get to where he is being held, everything is packed and ready to go. All that is left is to say my goodbyes and make sure my instructions are followed.

3 weeks of preparation. The travel to the secure facility will be a long one, but necessary. The pack will be in great hands with my parents in charge, yet I still had to make sure Remi and her small pack had everything they needed as well as the rest of the pack. Winter is here for a few more weeks, which means supplies must be taken care of with great attention to detail to make sure we last until spring. After many tasks are completed it is time for me to take the long trip to Stiles.

Walking by the cottage that holds Remi I feel like I'm being watched. I find a pair of ocean blue eyes watching me out the living room window. My breath hitches as I take her in. She could take the air from any males lungs. I quickened my pace so that she does not catch me lingering longer than I should be, making her uncomfortable in any way is not my goal.

Smiling inside I laugh to myself and continue to the entry gates. Upon arrival my parents are waiting.

" All will be well my son. I'll see to it Remi and her family are cared for and the rest of the pack." My mother hugs me close.

Looking over her shoulder my father is behind her looking at me. I nod in silent agreement. With Killian accompanying me for this visit there is no one I trust more to keep my pack safe.

My father speaks up " we still have to discuss mate arrangements when you return son. We may be so close to immortal, but we still need a Luna for balance. If one was here the pack would be at easy with you leaving"

"I don't need a weakness. My mate doesn't exist. I am not bedding whoever you choose to provide children, I am still trying to figure out how the fuck my father thinks he has say over my future when I hold the throne." My tone was threatening. This topic grates on my nerves and to be honest I'm not having it.

Father holds eye contact with me before saying "This will be resolved. You have no problem sleeping with women on your travels, still you won't take one as an equal. Angel came all this way"

I laugh so loud my mother jumps from the surprise.

"I was hoping to wait to have this conversation. You brought me a fully trained Luna, turns out her mate arrived shortly after she did. Not that it is really any of your concern what happens around this pack, but it is frowned upon to sleep with or become mates with someone else's mate" I smile wide watching the color leave his face.

"What are you rambling about!" Father yells with a growl.

Taking a breath to stop my laughter.

"When I went to visit the female Alpha in the cabin to discuss her fate I came across her beta and Angel fully engulfed in the mate bond. Not only can she not be my Luna, she is already a female beta to another pack. I do not wish to have a mate, I spent so long searching and wanting to come up empty handed, I no longer want to be mated. All I strive for is to have a thriving healthy pack along with all the other packs that are under our protection. Now if you will excuse me I have a trip to get to we can discuss this when I get home"