Chapter 79 Chapter 79:

Chapter 79 Chapter 79:
Gia:

It’s been a week and to be honest, everything is going back to normal, everyone is back to their work, and it’s almost as if our pack didn’t almost got destroyed. Nixie, Elva and Anna are heading to the academy in like a month's time, Enrique’s parents have gone back to their vacation home, trusting we are capable of defeating Dante. Irene is back to her photography set, working twice as hard as she was before.

The weight of everyone depending on me to catch Dante is pressing hard on me, it takes time and I just feel this pending doom that I might face if I don’t track down Dante’s location. Enrique and Tyler have told me that it’s no problem at all, and that no one is putting any pressure on me but this feels like the least I can do for the pack.

Currently, We are all huddled in Chiara’s coffee shop, Chiara, Iris, Rowena, Linda, Naya, Irene and I all clutching a mug of steaming coffee, giggling and laughing over English muffins.

“Do you feel scared?” Irene asks me, inching closer. Iris tries to sneak an English muffin into her mouth but Naya swats her hand away.

“Don’t do that! It’s for the children of the school downtown.” Naya scolds, out of all us, she’s like the no nonsense woman.

“Whatever,” Iris mutters something under her breath, while smiling at me mischievously, between her and I, I know she’s definitely going to sneak some in before Naya takes them away.

Now, everyone is concentrating on me. Irene asked me whether I was scared, well. How could I not be scared? After many thoughts, I have decided to tell Dom to mark me tonight. I am sitting in front of ladies who have all been marked by their man. It seems like I am the only one but the idea of getting marked by Dom tonight makes me feel so giddy and excited, like a teenager.

“Don’t worry. At first, it’s painful but then it will explode into this amazing pleasure.” Rowena explains, she has just been marked recently by Red and her mate mark is a beautiful butterfly, I think that symbolizes peace or something, I am really not that current in mate marks and their meanings.

“You’re going to love it.” Iris gushes and everyone swivels their eyes to her, especially Naya who’s watching her like she’s going to pull a dangerous move or something. “I am serious, followed by the intense love making session of your life. Trust me; you are going to wake up the next day feeling fulfilled as fuck.”

Honestly, I can’t wait to experience this. It’s almost six in the evening and I stand up. “Sorry to cut our girl’s conversation short, but I got to get back home, try to see if I can track down Dante’s location and also await my husband.” They all fawn over me and it’s so amazing to have these kinds of friends, the kind that always have your back, the kind that will run over any idiot that breaks your heart.

When everything is over and Dante has been defeated, I’m going to miss them since I am following Dominic to his pack to rule as his Luna. Irene already told me that this pack runs in my veins and that I am always welcome here anytime, of course, I know that. Who’s going to keep an eye on my brother?

It takes a drive of fifteen minutes before I reach Dom’s house, the guards all greet me with so much respect and to be honest, it is really overwhelming. I have been trying to get them to call me by name but they wouldn’t have it.

I stay on my laptop for a little while awaiting Dominic, and then I get bored and decide to make dinner- herb crusted lamb with wild rice and red wine. Everything is just right, I have an urge to message Dom and ask where he is. Irene was right, being mates literally means being obsessed with each other and I wonder if he’s thinking about me too.

Two hours later, Dominic walks into the room, wearing a navy suit. The moment he sees me, his eyes brighten as I run into his arms. He catches me immediately, burying his face in the crook of my neck.

“Hey, angel. Did you miss me?” He asks me, leaning down to kiss me on the lips.

“I missed you a lot. I was thinking about you. I think the mate stuff is making me so freaking attached to you.” I whisper, staring into his eyes.

He raises a brow, amused. “Oh really? It’s quite good to know that I have such an effect on my mate.”

I smack his chest playfully and take his hand, leading him towards the dining room. Candles flicker low, casting golden light over the meals I made, steak, roasted potatoes and the berry pie I nearly ruined twice.

He whistles low. “You made this all for me?”

“No,” I tease, “it’s for the wolf that lives in the attic.”

He chuckles dryly, clearly impressed by my crude sense of humour. We both settle down. Between bites and jokes, I watch as he relaxes and his shoulder loosens. He looks....human. And heartbreakingly beautiful.

“I like this,” he says quietly. “You. Me. This.”

My chest tightens, this is exactly the moment.

“I want more.” I whisper.

“More?” Dominic pauses. Fork mid-air.

“I want to be marked by you.” I nod slowly, heartbeat thudding in my ears.

The air shifts, his wolf rises behind his eyes, dark and intense. “Are you sure about this, angel?”

I stand up, walking towards him, climbing onto his lap like I have done a million times. “I’ve never been sure of anything.”

He doesn’t move, he just stares at me and for a second, I wonder if I just fucked everything up.

“Did I do something wrong?” I ask suddenly.

“No, you did everything perfectly.” He grips my waist, trailing kisses down my neck until he finds the spot. “It might hurt for a while, okay?”

“I am ready.” I brace myself and when his fangs contact my skin, the pain is sharp and I let out a tiny gasp. Dominic steadies me in place, like he’s trying to tell me everything will be okay.

He pulls back and at that moment, I see it.

I am his.

And he is mine.

Forever.

“I love you, angel.” Dominic says, kissing me gently on the lips.

“I love you too, Dominic Rafael Ricci.” I kiss him back.

\--

Enrique:

One week later,

“I did it!” Gia bursts into my office, Dominic trailing behind her. She’s gripping her laptop so tight. “I found Dante’s address!” she’s particularly skipping in excitement.

“Who knows?” I ask, standing up. The rush of euphoria is kicking in, my wolf is clawing at every possible end, screaming ‘let’s go end that bastard’

“Everyone’s in the living room as we speak. She had to tell them first before informing you.”

I chuckle, before walking out of the office. Shockingly, everyone is already assembled in the living room; I can spot everybody here, Red, Rowena, Agnar, Chiara, Naya, Chase, Tyler, Iris, Elva, Nixie, Anna and my beautiful Irene.

Agnar walks towards me. “Just say the word and we will release all the soldiers immediately.”

“No, Agnar. That won’t be necessary.” They all stare at me like I’ve gone mad, including Irene who rushes to me.

“What’s wrong? They are supposed to blow him to death.” She furrows her brows and damn does she look cute. Elva nods in response.

“I want to do this alone, defeat Dante, I mean.” Everyone in the room pauses, and it’s like time is frozen for a second before Irene shakes her head, protesting.

“No way, I can’t lose you again.” Irene glares hard at me, having someone to worry about you really feels so damn good. “You are still recovering, you have to stay.”

“Irene is right.” Chase steps forward, oh look who’s talking. “Maybe you and I can go-” His wife Naya shoots him a not so nice glare and he shuts up that instant. Wives can be scary sometimes.

“This is my battle.” As much as I don’t want to admit it, it’s the truth. Dante and I have been in this game for far too long, it’s time we end it all.

“I am not letting you die.” She smacks my chest, her forest green eyes blazing with fire. “You can’t do this to me, Enrique.” Her voice is tiny, scared, and I feel very shitty for going alone but like I said before, this is my battle.

“I won’t leave you.” It doesn’t occur to me that everyone has already dispersed, leaving Irene and I alone in the room. “I promise,” if anybody is killing who, I am killing Dante, this is for sure.

“Say you love me,” Irene is vulnerable, staring up at me with those sad, sad eyes. I don’t want to do any of this to her, but I have no choice.

“I love you so much it terrifies me.” I say and she wraps her hands around me, resting her head on my chest.

“Then you better not die.” She sternly says, sniffing. “Goddess, I don’t know why I am acting like such a baby, it’s not like you’re going to war or something.”

“It’s going to be okay, Irene.” I say, and she releases me from the hug.

Later on, Gia sends me the address of Dante; apparently, he’s hiding in a motel, tucked away like a little baby in the border of my pack, just to think that the bastard is still laying low in my pack makes my blood boil in rage. Doesn’t he think I am going to come get him?

I take Tyler’s truck, even though I received a lot of threat warnings not to make it have a single scratch or dent. It takes almost two hours to get to the old rusty motel hanging in the border. I played some romantic music on the drive, thinking about Irene while I sing along. Who knew I could be like this?

I park in the driveway, slamming the door of the truck as I come out, staring ahead at the motel with the fading sign; this place looks like it has been abandoned for many years. After all, only a primordial wolf can kill a primordial wolf. 

I walk into the dim room, there’s a receptionist in her seat, chewing gum like she has nothing better to do. “What?” she doesn’t even look seventeen, it looks like she’s bored as hell. Maybe this is her punishment for doing something and it looks like she doesn’t recognize me as the Alpha, because if she does, she doesn’t show it.

“I am looking for Dante...I know you aren’t supposed to hand out keys to other’s rooms, but I really-” she pauses me by handing over the key to them, not even smiling.

“He’s the only lodger here.” She says lamely.

“Thanks.” Hurriedly, I walk to his room upstairs, knocking on the door.

“Who’s there?” Someone barks from inside the room and the familiarity of Dante’s voice makes me shudder in rage. I can feel my wolf slamming inside me, desperate for blood.

“It’s room service.” The words come out in a blur.

“Finally, for fuck’s sake. Did you get that chicken sandwich I want?” He growls, I hear the creaking of wood as he approaches the door. The moment the door swings open, I land a heavy punch straight to his face.

He recoils back, holding his already broken nose. I made sure to aim well.

“How in the hell is that room service treatment?” He stares up, shock freezing his whole face as he stares at me. Damn, I love that look.

“Surprised to see me?” I ask, stepping into the room. Dante saunters backwards, his back almost knocking out the wardrobe. “You probably think I was dead and you probably think you can stay in my pack and lay low. Your death is today.” I stare at him cold straight.

“Fuck you, Enrique.” It has been long since I’ve seen Dante; he looks weak now, almost pathetic. He doesn’t even look like someone who can throw a punch. “You can’t kill me. I promise you.” He laughs like a maniac. Damn it.

“I have been working with Elva, and guess what we have been working on? A single bullet that can end a primordial wolf.” Working with my sister-in-law these past few days has come in handy, turns out she’s really good with stuff like that.

I pull out the gun from my pocket and point it at his damn forehead. He raises his hand up, staring at me in shock, of course only Elva and I know about this.

“This is called justice, Dante. You have killed so many people; did you know the pain you caused people? You killed Hunter’s sister; did you know what that shit did to him? So fuck you.” I chuckle bitterly, “And just to remind you. Rot in hell.”

“How dare you-” Of course, I didn’t come here to have a petty conversation with him. Immediately, I pull the trigger and watch as he comes crashing to the floor, he parts his mouth in shock, gurgling out blood.

“Don’t ruin the carpet with your blood.” Rolling my eyes, I tuck the now empty gun back into my pocket. I go on one knee, staring at his face. Goddess, he looks so fucking helpless. “I hope that all your life decisions are flashing in your eyes right now.” He’s still choking out blood, the bullet messed with his insides, and since he is a primordial wolf, it might take a few minutes before he bleeds out completely.

“You lived a very horrible life.” I sigh, shaking my head. His eyes are open as he keeps staring at me, choking and gurgling out blood from his mouth. If anything, I feel sick to my stomach just watching this scene, but I feel fulfilled. “I am going to do you a favour and wait till you bleed out. Isn’t that nice? I get to be the last person you see before you fucking die.”

We stay there together, and I watch as life gradually leaves him. He finally slumps to the floor, eyes wide open, his hand clutching his chest.

That’s it.

Everything is over.

Dante is dead. It really is hard just thinking that he’s never coming back to haunt us anymore, and now, we can finally come in peace. As I leave the motel, I tell the receptionist. “My men are coming to clean out the garbage later, and also, don’t go anywhere near his room, okay?” The least I can do for Dante is give him a proper burial and besides, I don’t want this teenager getting traumatized by seeing his dead body.

“Whatever, gramps.” She pops the gum loudly and I leave the motel, feeling accomplished.

I drive back to the motel, just savouring the moment, admiring the trees and then the whole pack. I don’t deserve the full credit for the successful running of the pack, Chase, Hunter, Agnar and Tyler deserves it too. Without them by my side, I probably would have quit a long time ago.

I think we all deserve a vacation with our wives.

When I reach the pack-house, the sun is already starting to set. I walk in, I will update the rest later, firstly. I need to see my wife.

“Irene!” I yell, looking for her. I check the kitchen, she’s not there. I then proceed to check her personal photography studio in the pack and she’s not there either. Finally, I opt for our bedroom where I see her engrossed in a book, sitting by the window.

She hasn't noticed me yet. Good, I want to savour the moment for a little longer. Goddess, she is beautiful, how in the hell did I get so lucky? She is everything I wanted but didn’t think I would have. Who would have known that the goddess’ gift to me was a feisty ginger curled hair woman? I can’t thank the goddess enough.

Irene looks up, sighting me. The book slips down as she rushes towards me. I open my arms wide, because they’re made only for her. She collides into me, wrapping herself around my chest. I hold her tight because I sure would fall apart if she’s apart.

“You didn’t die.” She says with a smirk. “I love you, Enrique De Luca.”

“Of course I didn’t die. I can’t afford to lose my queen.” I tip her chin, staring at her smiling face. Goddess, I live for that smile. “I love you more, Irene De Luca.”

This feels right, this feels complete. Me. Her. Together. 

I used to be the monster in every story. The cold, untouchable Alpha with nothing to live for but control and revenge. Then she walked in, soft and stubborn and shattered everything I thought I was. She didn’t tame the beast inside of me, she chose him, and in doing so, she gave him a soul.

And if I have to bleed for her, burn the world for her, fall on my knees for her, I will because in the end I wasn’t saved by fate, I was saved by a woman with fire in her eyes and a home in her arms.

“You are my happy ending.” I say, leaning down to kiss her. And that’s the end, because with her by my side, I’ll always feel complete.