Dragon's Wolf

Fathers and Alliances

Aaron's POV

I was confused by father's reaction and it wasn't resolved when I looked at my mate. In fact, her face was shocked with wide blue eyes. She opened and closed her mouth for a moment before quickly crossing over to him, "You knew my father?"

Dad blew out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair, "Yeah, sorry you just looked so much like him standing there. It's like seeing a ghost."

So she looks just like her dad, huh? Must be a strong resemblance for dad to mistake her for her father. He normally never forgets or mixes up a face. I couldn't help but notice how Aeriella's lovely eyes darkened a little and she seemed to flash sadness for a moment before returning to her normal expression. Crossing over to her I now put my arm around her trying to give her the comfort of my touch. I know she feels it just as much as I do but tries to hide it. It's cute in a way.

She shook her head after glancing at me and held out her hand to my father. He took it and introduced himself just like he always had with other alphas and visiting rogues, "I'm Marcus, the alpha before my son. Welcome to our territory."

My lovely mate didn't miss a beat, "I'm Aeriella, the Chief of the Arctic Dragon Tribe. It's a pleasure to be visiting."

The way her chin held high and how her back stayed straight unwilling, maybe even unable, to submit the way lesser ranking individuals did made my heart swell with pride. She's my warrior, my proud, proud beautifully brilliant mate. The air around her radiated calm strength that I'm sure could withstand anything, but I want her to lean on me. I want her to depend on me and not be able to live without me.

I sighed, I'm acting too much like a little love-struck girl. Men shouldn't act this weak towards anything, but here I am. Here I am struggling to retain any of my manly pride or protector title. Hell, with this woman I feel like I'm only some accessory. She doesn't need me to protect her, let alone be her guardian... but I will stay by her side nonetheless.

Father and Aeriella stood in deep conversation discussing her father and his role in their lives. He seemed to have known the man very well, such a small world after all. Turns out they met in the Council Hall just like we had, but instead of tracking down each other out of instinct like us they had literally bumped into each other and ended up going out for drinks after both receiving news of their mates giving birth. It sounds like my little mate is only a few days older than my younger brother who is now sent away with the military after he'd gotten into some trouble.

Aeriella's POV

I couldn't believe it. Dad knew this guy, this werewolf who sired my mate. Father knew the man who'll be my father-in-law. Old feelings came up from the place in my heart surrounding my father, my idol. Dad was and forever will be the kind of leader, parent, and person I strive to be. Just knowing that he was good friends with this man put my heart into a tizzy. Just knowing that my dad and Aaron's father were good friends automatically put my faith in this pack and Aaron's family. My father never made a mistake with someone's character. My father would never believe in bad people.

Tears threatened to well in my eyes at just the mere thought of my father and the wall of emotions that came with him. His unconditional love and faith in everything he did still spurs me on to this day. I smiled at Marcus and looped my arm through my mate's for the comfort his very presence brings. I absolutely do not want to cry in front of anyone, let alone my father's good friend.

Aaron responded to my touch by pulling me close to his side with his strong, reassuring arm and wrapped it around my waist. When he kissed my left temple the feeling of his touch beat back the sadness of losing my father for the moment. It's like the man can cast a magic spell on me or something, kind of comforting but kind of scary too. I'm not sure if I like it or not yet. I'm the Female Chief of the Arctic Dragons, I'm strong enough to face anything alone but here I am bowing to the touch of some male like a little love-struck puppy. Not cool.