Thor's POV
"Oh, my goodness!... Oh my god!" I happily watch as Ash exclaims and marvels over the view we can see from our new beach house
We are on the terrace and I must confess that the view from here is indeed awesome.
Eyes open wide in wonder and mouth half-agape. She exclaims again as she takes some steps forward, walking like she's in a trance.
"Babe! This is breathtaking! So, so amazing!"
I chuckle. I'm happy to see how she loves my surprise. I look at Eric when he pats me on the back.
"She loves your surprise. Congratulations!..." He says and I nod.
"Yeah. I'm happy she's happy, man."
"Good for you!... Three is a crowd so let me leave you guys to enjoy the rest of your night together. Oh, and dinner is nothing fancy, hope you don't mind. It's Chinese takeout. I left the packages on your kitchen island. Help yourselves."
"Yeah. Thanks, man. You've done enough but I can't wait for you to leave already." I say and we both laugh
"Okay, so everything is ready for you guys. It's amazing what you can achieve within a short time when you have the resources. There are also groceries, the fridge and pantry are full of any and everything you can think of.
You'll love the bedroom especially..." He moves closer and lowers his head, speaking in a low tone. "You know, I think Anders is stupid. The two weeks he gave you guys is wack and unfair. Ignore the idiot and enjoy your night, bro." He pats my shoulder lightly before turning to leave.
"I'll be in my villa. Unless someone is dying, please do not disturb me! I met a nice human girl and she's coming over. Good night and see you guys in the morning." He says as he walks away
I chuckle
"Yeah, enjoy your night man."
After Eric leaves, while Ash still walks around in awe, staring at the view of the sun setting, I bring out my phone and call Anders.
He picks on the first ring.
"Thor..."
I go straight to the point
"How do you expect me to wait for two weeks before mating with my woman? I'm not sure I'll be able to do that so what do you suggest we do?"
"Oh yes! About that... I didn't know she was a Lycan when I said that. Actually, it's okay for you guys to mate since she would have totally healed herself by now. I'm sorry I should have updated you when I found out about her. It totally slipped my mind..."
"I should fire your ass right now for making me worry for nothing!" I growl but smile with relief
"Alpha, I didn't..."
"Good night, Anders!" I cut him off mid-sentence. I don't have the time to listen to his excuses.
After I end the call, I walk to where Ash is standing and hug her from behind. She immediately turns in my arms to face me the moment she feels my touch, wrapping her arms around my waist.
"It's beautiful out here. I love it so much. I love you so much, Thor. Thank you, baby."
"I'm happy you love it. I'm happy to see you laugh and smile in happiness. I'm happy that you can still say you love me despite everything we've been through, babe. I'm happy you're happy. I love you so much."
We stand in each other's arms, watching from our terrace as the sun sets and the sea crashes onto the beach
"Why don't we go down to the beach? I'm sure you're dying to feel the water and sand like you've always wanted." I say after a while
She chuckles
"Yes I'm dying to feel the sand but right now, I'm more happy to stay like this in your arms..."
What she said surprised me. Hasn't she wanted this since like forever? It doesn't matter as I'm happy to oblige her in whatever she wants.
"Me too, babe..." I reply and we continue to stay like that in silence, enjoying the view and each other's closeness.
"Thor..." She calls after a while of silence has passed by
"Yes, babe."
"I'm happy and afraid at the same time"
"You're afraid? Why?"
"I don't know... Despite what Uncle Leif said and what the witch told me about the future. I'm still afraid...
This seems like paradise. I want to shut the door on the rest of the world and stay like this with you for as long as we live. I don't want this day to ever end. I don't want us to step out of this place. I'm afraid something bad will happen if we do. I'm afraid of what tomorrow holds for us. You understand?"
"I do– but you don't have to be afraid of anything, babe. I know we have responsibilities to our Houses but I'm not afraid to turn my back on it all to make you happy. I'll do anything for you, Ash. I'll do anything to make you happy. To continue to see you happy.
If we're going to do this then you should know we have nothing to worry about because we're lucky to be surrounded by good people. Our family and friends are with us to support us and make our journey into tomorrow easier.
Eric, my dad, Uncle Leif, Uncle Elias, Ella, Ivar, Henrik, Bear, and the rest of my men. They're all here to support our journey. We really have nothing to be afraid of."
She nods and pulls away from me, walking to the edge of the terrace.
As long as the weather is not severe and our wolf is not dead, werewolves don't feel cold in our human form, but it strangely feels cold the moment she walks away from me. It kinda feels empty without her in my arms.
"Ash..." I call after her and she swiftly turns back to me
"I know you have good family and friends that love you fiercely, Thor but do I? My real family, do they feel for me what yours feel for you? You find them but do you think they want me? Do they care about me? Do they love me the way your family loves me?
I saw the look in your eyes when I asked about the House I belong to. Something about my family makes you feel uneasy. Tell me, what is it? Are they such terrible people!?" She looks worried as she asks.
I want to pull her into my arms then but I can't do that, so it won't feel as if I'm blowing her off again.
"No! In all fairness, your parents are not terrible people.'' I say and she heaves a huge sigh of relief
"Come, let's walk on the beach as we talk." I close the gap between us to hold her hand. Leading her down the stairs and towards the small gate that opens to the beach.
"You're from House Howel. Just like me, your mom is the Original. She's a first-generation Original werewolf. I have never met your mom but Pops told me you look exactly like her. She was a beauty queen when she was younger. Won the most beautiful woman, not just in North America but in the world...
Pops, your dad, and Uncle Drew, Eric's dad, are best of friends. Your dad is a good man. A good Alpha to his pack members. He has his shortcomings but he's a good man no doubt. I never knew he was related to my mate until when I found you and Eric told me everything he found out about your parents.
"How did they lose me? How did I get to be separated from them?" She asks
"According to Eric, they trusted the wrong people. The staff working with them. It was a conspiracy that dated back to way before you and I were born. A conspiracy that was aimed to prevent you and me from meeting.
We don't know how many of your dad's staff House Denton have control over. According to what we know, your mother's maid somehow managed to exchange you with another baby.``
"I was exchanged at birth?... But how did she manage to do that? Where did she get the baby she exchanged me with?" She asks with a deep frown etched into her beautiful face
"She was pregnant about the same time as your mother. She gave birth to a girl two days before your mom gave birth but lied to your dad, her Alpha, that her baby was a boy and died at birth. When your mom gives birth, she exchanged her daughter with you."
Who are they, Thor!? Who are my parents? Where's their pack?"
It's the Night Howlers Pack. Your parents are the Alpha and Luna of the Night Howlers Pack."