ETHEREAL

9

Little Rosa perched upon the window seat within the library on the fourth floor as loud noises boomed throughout the pack house. Each year, a couple months after the mating ball, an alpha would host a celebratory dinner to congratulate any leaders who had found their other halves. It seemed only fitting that Dante would be the one to lead this year, after his extraordinary waiting game for the arrival of his mate. A wait that was very much worth it in his opinion.

Rosa knew she should be helping, she should be down in the kitchens checking if the menu was correct, she should be out in the dining room to check if the staff needed anything and she most definitely should be getting ready. Instead, the little flower remained seated, head in a book as always with the scent of her beloved on the jumper she drowned herself in.

Dante also knew he should be dictating and ensuring staff were doing their jobs to the best of their abilities, alas, here he was. Watching his mate from the door of his office as she perched in the new library he had newly refurbished for her. He knew she missed home, to the point where it pained her and her books were her only relief. They brought her comfort, who was he to deny her of such a thing? He had plans to make the reading room extraordinary, to accommodate for her reading needs for the rest of her life yet little Rosa would simply not allow it. "A shelf and couch", as she put it to him, a soft grin forming on his face as he watched her close her eyes and place the book on her chest for a mere moment, getting lost in the love story before her. Once her eyes opened, she turned her head to face him with the same look of pure contentment that had not broken from when she was previously reading. In truth, Dante made her feel the same way the books did. He was home.

"Tired?" He asked in a quiet tone, walking slowly over to her, as though not to disturb her too much although it was clear she had no plans on getting up, evidently comfortable in her spot. Soon enough he had reached her, soft hands touching that of rough ones as she clasped her fingers over his, gently bringing them to her lips to plant a soft kiss. "I should be helping, I'm sorry." She whispered to him as he knelt beside her, so that they were now face to face.

He kissed her head in response, disregarding her apology for it was simply not needed. The pack loved her, a love that could rival that of Dante's itself - they would hardly be upset over a silly dinner that he himself thought was rather frivolous. Alas, tradition was tradition and the world of wolves valued tradition. "My sweet Rosa." He sighed softly, staring at her in a sense of awe. He was a puppy for her, so deep in love it seemed ridiculous, to some a weakness and yet he relished in it. The sides of her mouth slit upwards, smiling at him as she kissed his cheek before shuffling over to the side, making room for him also so that they may sit together properly.

"I'm here for a reason." He finally announced after minutes and minutes of holding one another, him planting kisses to her hands and head whilst she placed pepper kisses to his chest, both of them basking in one another's scent with pride. "I must ask you to stay by my side tonight. With so many alphas in one room,  I want you to be safe." He murmured quietly down at her, whilst she played with his shirt buttons between her fingertips, receiving a nod in response. "Nothing will happen, but safety is key." His tone seemed more serious this time, enough for her to look upwards to stare upon his face. His high cheekbones, his full lips and the brilliance of blue that he used to peer down at her also.  "I'll be next to you, don't worry." She reassured, planting a gentle peck to his lips - so gentle in fact, he wondered if he had felt it at all.

—

"I love this on you!" Ada gushed at Rosa as she adorned the white dress, smoothing it out over her body nervously. Although Rosa looked beautiful, the white complimenting her skin tone nicely, the contrast between her dark features and the light dress being more than pretty - the nervousness was evident. She had anxiety in her body. Most of her guests had arrived but Dante and herself had yet to announce themselves. Of course, it was custom for the hosts to be last to accommodate each and every guest however this only made the process more nerve wracking. "Look at me. You're doing it again." Her friend softly murmured, lifting her chin so she looked into her emerald eyes, her eyebrows furrowed. "Breathe. It's going to be okay, you'll have Dante by your side and me and Lon by the other okay?" Ada reassured, kissing her head.