Past Sins

Chapter 18: Matteo

After I asked her on a date I expected her to be happy but she was mostly just shocked. I wonder why she would be… Obviously she’s been asked out before or Blake wouldn’t be in the picture. Either way I plan to make good on my promises- Tomorrow night I'll make sure it’s the best date she’s ever had. Hopefully I can get her to forget that her family will have gone home. Last night she left my office so sad after I mentioned her family leaving. I wanted to kick my own ass for mentioning it. It’s almost 7 am now and Mrs. Jefferson is making a farewell breakfast for her family and their warriors. I promised that I'd be on time so I got up earlier to finish the remaining paperwork from last night. Last signature and…. Done! Finally I can head downstairs! The smell of waffles, sausage, and hash browns has been wafting up here from the kitchen. I could swear Mrs. Jefferson had Kara holding a plate of food near the vent, waving the smell up here to get me to come down to breakfast on time. I shrugged on my suit jacket and headed downstairs. In the dining room sat the warriors from Silver Fang, my mother, David and his family, Barret, and Asher. Good everyone is already here…. Wait. 1.2.3.4…. David has a family member missing. As if she could read my mind, Valerie popped into the dining room looking radiant as ever in her grey dress and sandals. Her hair was put into a half up half down do. She looked absolutely beautiful and delectable. If there weren’t people in here I would take her on the table. Down boy! She’s nowhere near ready for that yet. “Good morning Val. I trust you slept well?” I asked, getting my mind off of the things I wanted to do to her. “I did. I hope you did as well.” she responded. I nodded and gestured for her to go ahead in front of me and grab a plate. We both grabbed a plate and loaded them up with food before going our separate ways. At the head table was David, Laura, Robert, Me, and My mother- since I don’t have a Luna yet she sits in what would be my mates spot. “Before we eat I would like to say a toast to the members of Silver Fang. Thank you for fighting with us and protecting our pack from the rogues. I know that you all had your own reasons for fighting that night. Your own people to protect but we truly appreciate it. It has been our honor to host you and we hope that you find your way back soon and that your journey home be safe. Now please, Enjoy!” Applause rang through the dining hall as I took my seat.

Breakfast was done and it was time for David and his family to get on the road to the air strip. The other Alpha’s and wolves had said their farewells and gone on their way. Her family stayed behind to be able to say goodbye in private and to have a bit more time with her. I checked in with the guard wolves while their things were loaded into their SUVS. We posted wolves out there overnight to ensure that nothing would hinder them from getting home. All reports came back free and clear. I stood with Barrett and Asher on the front steps of the house as the SUVS were finished being loaded up and ready to take them home. David, Robert, and Laura came out just as the final car was packed up. Blake and Valerie trailing not too far behind them. “Thank you for everything Alpha Matteo and please keep in touch. We’d very much like to keep tabs on if anything happens after we’ve gone. You have our full support if you need us.” David said. “Thank you, Alpha David. That means a lot to us. We will keep in touch and if you are to need us for any reason please reach out.” I handed him a business card with my numbers and email on it. He smiled and shook my hand then Barrett and Asher's. His smile faded when he looked over my shoulder at Valerie walking out of the house beside Blake. The eyes truly are the window to the soul and David’s were laying everything out on the table. Leaving his sister behind must be hard when you’ve been the one in charge of her safety for years. “We’ll take good care of her, David. No harm will come to her, I swear.” I reassured him. He gave me a half smile and I can’t say I blame him. Valerie came around and stopped in front of her brother. “So this is it” she said, her eyes beginning to fill with tears. I looked away, not being able to stomach seeing her cry. “Yes,” David responded. “I expect you to reach out to me daily, okay?” he asked. She nodded and hugged her brother. They embraced for a bit and she let go to say goodbye to her father and sister in law. Robert held onto her the longest. He must be realizing that this is the first time that his daughter will be out of his sight for more than a couple of hours since his mate died. She turned to say goodbye to Blake but he put his hand up to stop her. “I’m not going anywhere.” he said with such disdain. Seems like he hasn’t yet forgiven her for last night. I should punch him in the face again for speaking to her that way but I'll let it go. “I don’t understand.” she said. “Blakes staying.” David responded. She stood there looking between David, Blake, and myself. “Yes, mi amor. It’s been decided that Blake should stay behind with you. You have a habit of flying the coop and it would be easier to find you if I had a head start on where I should probably look.” I said, hoping to lighten the mood. Everyone laughed but my little joke brought a scowl to her beautiful face. I’ll be paying for that later. “We should get going.” David stated. Valerie nodded, tears filling her eyes again. I went to stand beside her, wrapped my arm around her waist, and pulled her into my side. I know I can’t make the hurt go away completely but I can try to lessen it. She smiled up at me and I pulled her a little closer and smiled back in return. Her family loaded themselves into the SUVS and drove off. We stayed on the porch until they were no longer in view. “Well… I guess that’s that.” she sighed, turning to walk into the house. Blake went to follow behind her and I stepped into his path. She must not have noticed because she kept walking and started to ascend the stairs. Once she was out of ear shot I turned my attention back on Blake. “Let’s make something clear. David and I were in agreement that you stay behind with Valerie. It’s going to be hard enough for her being away from her family and I'd like to make it easier on her in any way I can. That doesn’t mean that I trust you around her alone.” he huffed. “I know you don’t trust me and that’s fine. I’m here to protect Valerie. So you not trusting me alone with her is something that you’ll have to live with.” Before my mind could register what I was doing I grabbed him by the throat and pushed him into the wall. "Test me if you want, it won't end well." I let him go and watched him dust himself off and walk away- a smirk playing on his face. This is going to be a long three months. Focusing on tonight is going to be my lifeline to get through this day.