Chapter 39: Do We Keep Her?

Dante stormed out of the room.

Selene stepped forward to go after him, but he slammed the door shut in her face.

She staggered back.

Her shoulders rose and fell in heavy breathing.

"Bastard!"

Turning around, she stalked back to the bed and sat down.

Her teeth dug deeply into her bottom lip as she began thinking.

This was unexpected, a problem she had not seen coming.

She couldn’t be with Dante.

They were from different packs. Accepting this mate bond with him would mean mixing of packs and that would spell trouble.

Between her pack and Dante’s, which would be willing to bow down and assimilate into the other?

This was near impossible.

She didn’t even want to know how her father would react if he found out that the Dante Baris was her mate.

He’d never accept it.

They weren’t friends.

This act of peace on the surface was merely for the peace and goodness of both their packs.

Otherwise they’d truly be at each other’s throat.

Biting down on her fingers, she picked up her phone.

The call went through.

[Selene?]

"Papa."

[Why are you calling this early in the morning? Did something happen? Are you alright?]

She was quiet.

[Selene? Did Dante do anything to you?]

"No, none of that." She shook her head. "You know me, Papa. I’m not a pushover. Who could possibly bully me?"

[That is true]

The deep older male voice on the other side of the phone chuckled.

[So tell me then, what is it?]

Selene sighed. "It’s nothing. Everything is fine."

Telling her father about this mate bond thing would only cause chaos. This wasn’t the time.

She needed to allow the peace treaty to come to an end, and then leave this place first before saying anything.

"I just missed you and I was calling to hear from my papa."

[Is that really it?]

"Yes!"

[When have you ever called me just to say you miss me, Selene?]

Selene’s expression fell. "Can I not miss my own father now?"

[That’s not what I’m saying. I just know you too well, Selene] He said [Even if you miss me, there is still a reason why you called. Tell me, what is it? Do you want something? You can ask me for anything and I’ll provide it for you]

She shook her head. "It’s really nothing, Papa. I truly just missed you and that is why I called. I haven’t spoken to you in a while."

[Is that so?]

"Yes."

Mr. Tobias sighed.

[Don’t worry. There is only a 4 weeks left and you will return home]

"I know."

[Call me if anything happens]

She was just about to end the call when he spoke again. [One more thing]

"What is it, Pa?"

[Do you know Dante Baris sent me a golden card invitation?]

"A golden card invitation?"

[Yes. He is a hosting a manifestation gala for the upcoming alphas, omegas and betas off his pack]

"Why are you invited?"

[Because of you]

"Me?" Selene blinked in confusion.

[He thinks you miss your father. This is a good time for you to see me until the peace treaty term is up]

She scoffed. "Since when is he that generous? Are you sure this isn’t some trap?"

[Dante Baris isn’t that reckless. Upholding a peace treaty with me, yet setting a trap for me like that?]

He chuckled.

[He’d never go that far. That’s basically asking for a war]

Her father made sense.

She slowly nodded. "Be careful, papa. I’d never trust..."

"...Dante Baris."

....

Within his office in the manor, Dante sat.

Elbows rested on the desk, he lowered his forehead against his interlocked hands, eyes shut close.

[We must keep her, Dante] his wolf spoke.

"She’s from another pack." Dante breathed. "I can’t have her. We can’t keep her."

[Dante!]

"Mixing packs. If we kept her, which would be willing to assimilate? Do you think that old man will be willing to join his pack with mine just because his daughter is my mate?"

[But—]

"Tobias and I aren’t friends. This peace thing is solely for the sake of our people. But that is where it ends."

[What then? Are you going to reject her? Are we going to toss her? Is that what you’re insinuating, Dante?]

"What does an animal like you know?!"

[You are the dominant one between us. You have all control. But I say we keep her. She is our mate. The bond between her and us is strong]

"It isn’t that easy."

[Then what? Are wet going to keep that imposter?]

"She—"

A knock came at the door.

Dante lifted his head.

He looked at the door, watching as it was pushed open. Someone stepped in, and the moment he saw her, his expression fell, darkening.

"Dante!" It was Meris.

She carried a huge smile on her face.

He stared at her.

She shut the door behind her and slowly approached the table, eyes fluttering cutely.

Her white hair was dolled up into a bun, her dress, pink and knee length.

She held a blooming smile.

[Days ago, why was she covered in someone else’s pheromones?]

Dante continued gazing at Meris even as his wolf spoke.

[Where had she gone to?] The distaste in the tone of his wolf was evident.

"Why are you here?" Dante questioned.

Meris blinked.

Her smile switched from a bright blooming one to an awkward one.

She tried to maintain her composure. "I don’t understand."

"Why are you in my office?" he repeated.

"Have I done something wrong, Dante?" she asked, confused. "You have never asked me questions like this when I come to your office before. Why not? Did I make you upset? Tell me, Dante."

Dante pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You have done nothing wrong. But I need to be alone right now. Could you step outside?" He lifted his hand, gesturing to the door.

But Meris stood there, blinking in confusion.

"You have been so different towards me, Dante. Something is definitely wrong. Why aren’t you telling me?"

She hurried her way to his desk.

"Why won’t you tell me? You used to love me so much, but you’re so different now. Can you tell me what’s...what I’ve done wrong?"