9

Dieter's POV

"What is it, son?" My father's voice boomed as he walked into my office. My mother was behind him. They sat across my desk hand in hand, with a smile on their face.

My conversation with Crispin from last night was on repeat in my head all day. His face when I told him...I could see it in his eyes he was scared. Though his saying he wouldn't reject me eased some fears that I had, there was still underlying thought: what is our sacrifice?

"I have to tell you something." I kept my voice steady though on the inside I was quite nervous to tell them.

"Go on." I got the deepness of my voice from my father. Mine might have rumbled, but his caused earthquakes.

"I met my mate."

I knew I wouldn't be met with congratulations or a pat on the back. Not because they weren't happy for me, but because of the reality of what it would mean for me. My parents also believed that my sacrifice was my mate. And I had spent years coming to terms with it, and I was sort of okay with it. But now...now I'm at a loss.

"Oh. Okay... Well--" My mother began to speak as her eyes held worry. Not just for me but for the family. There was always a fear that these sacrifices would become worse over time, that one would result in death. In one of us.

"How do you feel?" She asked, her voice soothing me.

"I told him, about the sacrifice. He was fine with it. Or so it seems. Right now, it's all hypothetical until it is revealed with the sacrifice is there is no way of dealing with it." I told her truthfully.

"Perhaps, you don't have one?" My father groaned at my mother's optimism. Even after all these years, and all this time, she still believed that this deal could be broken.

"He has one. We all do." My father's voice was stern in rough. Not towards my mother, but the topic at hand. "It'd be foolish and unwise to think otherwise." He squeezed my mother's hand and she nodded, tears brimming her eyes.

"What do you think it is, Pooh?" The term of endearment that my mother called me always warmed my heart. It made me believe there was something more to life than violence and sacrifices.

"I don't know. But I don't want to stall my life to find out. I'm planning a visit to go see Crispin for a week. And during that time we are going to figure things out."

"Why not have him come here?" My father asked, raising an eyebrow. He hated when I left the pack for too long.

"He has a son, Carter. And it would be easier if I go to them. Plus he is the Alpha of his pack and since they are smaller, he doesn't have much outside help like we do." My father nodded and my mother's face bloomed with a smile.

"Oh, he has a kid? That's wonderful, pooh! We would love to meet them." Her voice was light and airy, excitement evident in her tone.

"Of course, mom. Soon." Father cleared his throat as he stood, mother followed ensuite.

"Protect yourself, Dieter. Your mate might not be your sacrifice, but there still is one." I nodded and my parents left the room a moment after. The door was held open and I saw Danielle peaking around. She slid in the door after them, to some her face would look vacant and distant of emotion. But to me, I can tell she was worried.

"That was intense." She spoke as she sat in the chairs across from me.

"As is every encounter with our father." My eyes went to the computer as a bunch of unknown numbers and words stared back at me.

During this time away from Crispin I found it hard to get any work done. My mind wandered back to him time and time again.

"I have to tell Rena, I fear that--" Her voice softened as the words caught in her throat. I knew what she meant, and I could see the uncertainty on her face.

"It's better sooner than later. Before you are in love and are mated."

"But then that's giving her a choice to leave me." Danielle was confident most of the time, but she had her moments of insecurity, this time being one of them.

"That risk was there for me as I spoke with Crispin. But I could not in good conscious continue forward without him knowing what plagued our potential future." Danielle scoffed and rolled her eyes then bit the inside of her cheek. Which is what she does whenever I saw something that is true.

"If only the pack knew you were in here giving your little sister advice, I'm sure they would not call you 'Stone'."

I knew what was said about me, here and in other packs. That I was cold, heartless, and mean. That violence was my first nature and that there was nothing that I wouldn't do to protect. And to some true degree, I have adapted to the names given to me. But that is not who I am. It's what was given to me, from the deal. My father was called those same names, as well as Danielle and my grandfather.

We are forever plagued by being unknown for who we truly are and are forced to be what we are told. The only people in this life that would ever truly know us is our mates.

Something I will now and forever not take advantage of.

"Anyways, I heard you are visiting Crispin next month." Her face held amusement and I did my best to keep mine flat. I didn't want her to know just how excited I was to see him. Knowing that if she did see my cheeks heat up, even for a moment she would tease me endlessly about it.

"Yes, for a week."

"A week! So you're telling me when you come back you are going to be mated and marked." She smirked and I scoffed at her.

"No, that's not what that means,"

"Yes, it is. You both have gone years without a mate and you in particular have gone years without sex--"

"Danielle!"

"I'm just saying... should I start preparation on a room here for Carter?" She crossed her arms as she stared at me, and I wanted to disagree, but a part of me knew she was right. "You think after spending a week together, uninterrupted time, is going to make it easier for you to come back here?"

She was right.

"I'll tell them to start preparing the house for our luna and your son. Seeing as they are mostly moving here very soon." She let out a soft chuckle before she got up and left the office. Leaving to my now overwhelming thoughts.

I had thought that this trip would be a time for us to learn about one another, and what we already have been doing over the phone. But that was foolish of me.

By the time I visit, we would have known each other for almost two months. And seeing as we talk all the time now...I'm almost certain there would be no talking once I was there. Each day my attraction toward Crispin flooded my every sense. It swallowed me whole and it made me yearn for him in a way I never had before.

His voice was heaven on earth, and his face was sculpted to perfection. After every conversation, I'm left laying on my bed with a hard, thick, and aching rod between my legs. Needing to be touched by him. He looked at me in a way that made me want to give myself to him. Something I hadn't done...since Alcander. Now I find myself wanting to do that again.

My thumb absentmindedly rubbed over the scar that sat down my face. Given to me by him, even though he was long gone, the anger was still deeply rooted. I know Crispin would ask about it someday, and I would of course tell him the truth, I just hope he understands. I know no mate would want to hear about past lovers and be reminded of the fact they were there.

Though excitement was all I felt at the thought of seeing him again, there was this underlying fear. And I knew it would only get louder as time progressed. What was our sacrifice? I knew men could have children, especially alpha males. So perhaps it could be that we cannot have anymore. Or would it be about Crispin's pack?

I tried to think of every possibility but nothing came about it.

'Perhaps we should stay focused on the good.' Carlisle spoke, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

'You? Focusing on the good? I would have never thought you would say such things.'

'I am full of surprises. But I say that because we have a mate. We spent many years believing we didn't and it's here in front of us now. Let's enjoy this bliss while it lasts.'

'You're right, I agree.'

'And when it comes to you...neediness--' I rolled my eyes at him and waited for him to continue. 'Perhaps a little arrangement over the phone could be beneficial for you both.'

My eyes went wide at the idea. I didn't hate it, but it felt too sudden. We needed more time. Plus there was no way I could casually bring that up between us. I don't even know if that is something Crispin would enjoy. Phone sex.

Though I know I needed something. My body was craving Crispin in a way it's never craved anyone before. Maybe one day soon I will be man enough to suggest something of the sort, but as of now...I can wait a bit longer.