Dmitri

Five days have passed since leaving my villa, both Sky and I finding relief in being back in the environments we knew. By the time we got back, the best security system on the market had been installed in Sky's house, with a live feed available for me to tap into any time. There was no time for me to take advantage of this yet, but I'm sure that would change once things settled down. My men were still assigned rotations watching her house and shop, a precaution I was reluctant to forgo until I was sure Sky was not in danger.

My meeting with the High Council went better than expected. They, surprisingly, had little interest in Sky and assured me that they had no intention of bringing her in for questioning. While I found it odd, I was relieved and left it at that. In the same week came the downfall of the Hunter's headquarters, though not at my hands, unfortunately. But welcomed, nonetheless. The High Council had apparently been anonymously alerted to the location, and upon investigation, over one thousand hunters were found locked up in cells underground, supernatural beings of all kinds having been released to make room for them and allowed to make their way back home.

Some supernaturals that were caged before being released came forward, spewing tales of black shadows being their salvation. Others stated that they saw a cloaked figure roaming the corridors before their cell doors were mysteriously opened. We could not verify claims and found no trace of any mysterious scents or magic in the area. 

No supernatural group came forward to claim the victory, and barring that, it remained a mystery. One the High Council, too, seemed happy to forget. They stated that they had investigated the anonymous tip and had come up empty-handed. With that, everything was swept under the carpet, with unanswered questions still lingering in the air.

Raina sent me everything she had on Gael, but the chances of breaking the curse were slim without leads as to his whereabouts. She would continue looking and let me know if anything was discovered. It didn't really matter to me either way. My feelings for Sky were validation enough that she is mine and that we are meant to be together.

Sky and I had not seen each other since I dropped her off at her place a week ago. With each of us busy catching up on work matters, there just hadn't been time. My craving for her seemed to intensify as the days went by. The need to talk to her, touch her, smell her, and just be near her was physically and mentally draining. I was barely sleeping, which meant that I would find myself outside her place in the black of night, listening to her heartbeat as she slept. When I did sleep, I would have vivid dreams of her and me talking, dancing, and lying under the moonlight watching the stars. Other dreams would be sexual and erotic, leaving me waking up hard. Hard and frustrated.

I worried that settling back into normal life would somehow diminish my feelings for her, but it was quite the opposite. I craved her, and she consumed my thoughts, her laugh being the medicine I seemed to have been missing over the years.

"Are you even listening to me?" Ivan asks me loudly, pulling my thoughts back into my office.

"Sorry, what were you saying?" I take in the annoyed expression on his face. He has had about enough of my mood and lack of concentration.

"I said, the neighboring packs will arrive at seven tonight, so you must be ready." He goes back to looking at the tablet in his hands, reading off the schedule of events taking place as the night progresses. We moved into the newly renovated and built housing bordering the town, and as is customary, we were having a celebration tonight, with neighboring packs invited to the festivities. I would much rather spend the night alone with Sky at my place, but with that not being possible, I would have to be satisfied with her being my date instead.

I was excited to introduce her to my pack members. And while I was not formally introducing her as my mate just yet, I wanted to start integrating her into my life in preparation for that very event.

The day flew by. Planning an evening like this meant extra security and added patrols. Three packs would be in attendance, each bringing over five hundred of their most senior pack members. Alpha Jacobson from the Silver Wood Pack, an unfortunate inclusion, in my opinion, along with Alpha Samuelson from the White River Pack and Alpha Ryan from the Black Moon Pack.

I had just exited the shower when I heard a small knock at the front door. It was half six, giving me ample time to get ready. Anticipation coursed through me as I knew who was at the door. I asked my driver to pick Sky up and bring her here, knowing she would be more comfortable arriving early than arriving when the horde did. I also just wanted her to myself for a moment.

Eagerly, I pull open the door, my mouth watering at the sight and smell of her. While her outfit at the disastrous ball in Spain was sexy as hell, this one was an absolute showstopper.

This olive-green dress has thick straps running over her shoulder, meeting at a cinched waist, the material laying loosely over her breasts. The dress is floor-length at the back and u-shaped in the front, exposing her shapely legs. Legs that lead down to brown leather tasseled boots with a colorful green design on the side. She looks wild and untamed, innocent and free. This outfit encompassed who Sky is better than the black dress ever did.

I briefly wonder if she is wearing anything underneath. I was more than surprised at the Annual Gathering that she decided to go commando. 

Her curly red hair is piled atop her head, with tendrils falling loose here and there, while her locs are adorned with various beads and wraps. Her makeup is simply done with a bit of mascara and eyeliner accentuating her gorgeous hazel eyes. Her lips are covered in a thin layer of red-tinted balm, asking to be devoured like a ripe cherry. She blushes under my scrutiny.

I wanted to ravish her. A similar expression mirrored on Sky's face as her eyes drank in my naked torso.

"You look absolutely magnificent, Skylar." I hold out my hand, which she takes without hesitation, before pulling her inside as I slam the door behind her.

"Thank you. You look really, really good as well," she shoots back, humor in her voice. 

"Is this your outfit for tonight?" Her hand gestures to my naked torso and toweled nether region. If she continues looking at me the way she is, this towel would not be able to hide what lies beneath.

"I'm sure you'd like that," I quip back, a large smile on my face. Her smile and joy are infectious.

I lead her inside, her face transforming into one of awe as she takes in the view of my home. A home I hope not long from now Sky will call her own.

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