The Candles Will Protect You

Chapter 15

"Rhea, your first outfit was completely fine."

I was pacing around the bedroom, my clothes scattered everywhere. I was trying on my fifth outfit.

"Fine is not fine, Ares! I want it to be great!"

I took a look at myself in the mirror, but I shook my head, frowning.

"What's wrong with this one?" Ares asked.

"I look like a pregnant woman!" I turned around.

He let out a chuckle, shaking his head.

"It's just a family dinner, love. You shouldn't stress yourself out."

I placed my hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes at him.

"First impressions are important, Ares. I don't want your parents to think wrongly of me."

"Well, first time I saw you, you were wearing a big, old shirt with your hair in a messy bun, so..."

"That's different!" I protested.

He smiled gently, then he stood up from the bed. He walked over to my clothes, looking through them.

"Here," he picked something out, "try this."

I took the dark green material out of his hands, taking it to the bathroom to put it on.

Ares picked out a silky, emerald coloured blouse, which I didn't even remember I had.

I paired it with the black jeans that were chilling on top of the closed toilet. My hair ended up in a high bun with a few strands hanging out at the front to frame my face.

Nodding, I walked out, showing the sixth outfit to Ares.

He looked me over, a smirk growing on his lips.

"Perfect."

"Maybe you should leave all this Alpha stuff behind and become a stylist," I said jokingly.

"What can I say?" He grinned. "Seems like I'm both attractive and fashionable."

"Fashionable? Yes. Attractive? Not so sure..."

He walked over to me, then he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling my body closer to his.

"You're such a little liar," he murmured in my ear huskily.

"Just being honest," I shot back.

Grabbing the back of my neck, he pulled me in for a passionate kiss.

I pulled away, gasping at him.

"You almost ruined my hair," I slapped his arm playfully.

"Just wait until I ruin you," he winked.

"Ugh," I moaned, rolling my eyes.

"Save that for later, sweetheart."

"You're unbelievable," I chuckled.

He grinned down at me, then he pressed a quick kiss on the top of my head.

"Go and finish getting ready, we should be leaving soon."

After he left the room, I put on some black ankle boots to finish my outfit, then after a quick trip to the bathroom, I went downstairs to find him.

"Ready?"

I turned my head to him, my eyes wandering over his body. To be completely honest, he looked rather handsome in his button-up shirt with his hair styled to perfection.

"Yes."

He opened the door for me with a smile, and we went outside to his car.

About ten minutes later, Ares pulled up in front of a big, gorgeous house.

"We're here, darling," he smiled at me sweetly.

Looking at the building, I bit my lip nervously. He hopped out of the jeep, then he walked over to my side, opening the door. Taking his hand, I got out. He locked the car, then the two of us walked up to the front door.

"Don't worry, Rhea," he whispered in my ear, before knocking on the wooden door.

A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing a beautiful woman, who broke out in a huge smile after seeing us.

"Welcome lovelies, come on in!"

Ares squeezed my hand, pulling me inside the house with him.

"I missed you, dear," the woman hugged him after closing the door.

"I missed you too," he hugged her back with a smile.

They pulled away, then he wrapped one of his hands around my waist.

"Mom, this is Rhea, my mate."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," I smiled anxiously.

"Oh, please, none of that formality! You're practically family now. Call me Selene," she smiled kindly.

We walked inside the dining room, where I noticed a man, who was obviously his father, and Eros, who I've already met before.

"Dear, this is my husband, Endymion, and my other son, Eros."

We greeted each other, and I noticed Ares' dad look at him with proudness in his eyes, as he nodded to his older son.

Most of the dinner consisted of Ares catching up with his family on pack things, which I listened to in silence, then after we were done eating, they brought out some tea.

"So, Rhea..." Selene looked at me with a smile. "What do you think about the pack so far?"

I let out a light, nervous chuckle.

"Well, to be honest, it's quite a lot to take in, but I'm getting used to it."

"That's understandable," she smiled.

"What about him?" Eros nodded his head in Ares' direction with a grin. "Are you getting used to him as well?"

I heard Ares let out a quiet growl at his brother. I glanced at him, smiling gently.

"I think I already did, actually."

He snapped his head towards me, then after looking in my eyes, his face softened, the corners of his mouth turning upwards.

"Oh, my!" Selene squealed excitedly. "They're so adorable!"

Her husband chuckled, pressing a kiss on her head.

"They are," he agreed.

I tore my eyes away from Ares after their words, my cheeks heating up a little.

"Rhea, may I ask how old you are?" Endymion looked at me with a gentle smile.

"I'm eighteen."

His smile faded, but his wife rolled her eyes at him.

"Come on, that's not a huge gap. It's not like he could be her father or anything."

"He could be her daddy..." Eros muttered with a smirk on his lips.

The air got stuck in my throat, which caused me to cough hysterically.

Ares put his palm on my back, trying to soothe me.

"Seriously?" He raised an eyebrow at his sibling.

"What? I was just saying," he laughed, then we agreed it was time to go out to the garden to get some fresh air.

A/N:
Quick update, just like promised! Hope you like it!
Thank you so much for reading/voting, I really appreciate it!
Have a lovely day! x