4

Dieter's POV

'Mate.'

I couldn't ignore this man if I tried.

As he walked in he demanded attention. I could smell him the moment he walked through the front doors. He smelled of roses and oak wood. Something I never thought would bring me to my knees. I also never thought I'd be brought to the knees.

He walked in and commanded attention, all the Alphas smiled as they approached him. A smile covered his face, and his perfect teeth were on display. In each conversation that was held, he made the alpha laugh.

Even as he spoke to Finnick, Finnick held a smile I had never seen before. My mate held strong eye contact and never faltered once in the conversation. He made small talk look...big. Important. I also had never seen a man look so put together.

Not a wrinkle, scratch, or scar in sight and I'm sure he was void of any tattoos as well. Which made me overly conscious of the scar that danced on my face. And the tattoos that littered my body. He was tall, not taller than me but still taller than most of the alphas that surrounded us.

My eyes were glued to the boy in his arms that was clinging to his neck. That boy's eyes were glued to mine as he watched me from across the room. His green eyes burned into mine, but his face was still hidden in my mate's neck.

A sense of protection filled me and Carlisle and I wanted to run and hold the kid in my arms.

Then I noticed the girl hanging onto his arm, and she was staring our way. Well, Danielle's way. She was standing next to me. And a lot more dressed than I was in her dark green pantsuit. Danielle was staring right back.

It was a look of admiration, desire, and longing. And there could only be one reason for such desperation.

Both of us found our mates at the same time, and not only that, they were here together.

He worked the room like he was made for it. He talked to all the alphas as if he knew them for years. His voice struck my core. It wasn't deep like mine, it was light and airy, filled with joy. It brought a comfort I didn't know I needed or wanted. It was music to my ears. And I hated music.

Not so much anymore.

I had still yet to fully process that my mate was here in front of me. That I even had a mate in the first place. I was so determined that I was plagued by the curse of sacrifice and it was my mate. But here he was in front of me.

Living, breathing, smiling.

Laughing.

Which makes me think...if my being mateless is not the sacrifice, then what is?

As he got closer, I felt myself get stiffer. Though he looked completely unaffected by my presence. He did not once look my way, other than the initial look when he walked in. Carlisle and I didn't know what to make of it.

He seemed to look closer to my age, which I was grateful for. But that must mean he lost all hope for a mate as well, or at least I think. Which means I surprised him, just as much as he surprised me. And by the looks of the woman on his arm, he was not expecting a man like me.

James walked beside him as he walked and talked to each alpha. Though he lingered on Finnick a little too long for my liking. I knew Finnick liked men, though he was mateless as well. But the way he was looking at my mate made my stomach churn in jealousy.

Finnick was the most presentable one out of all of us, he looked closer to being my mates 'type' if he had one.

Though my heart began to race with anticipation as he got closer to me. For him to look at me with those green eyes that are now engrained into my brain. But as he neared, James stopped him and introduced me.

"Crispin, Rena, this is Dieter, and his sister Danielle. The alpha from the east coast I had told you about."

Crispin.

His eyes moved from James and settled on mine and I was sucked in. Though his smile never faltered. He looked unmoved and unaffected. But I supposed I looked that way as well. But I wasn't one to smile anyways. My only worry was that the kid was scared of me.

"Hi there, nice to meet you, Dieter." He said my name and I could feel my insides start to burn with lust. I had never loved my name as much as I do now. His smile was wide and genuine, his teeth perfect, fresh, and white.

"Nice to meet you both," Rena spoke, her eyes glued on Danielle.

Danielle was also stiff beside me, her face flat and void of any indication of feeling whatsoever. We didn't do this on purpose, it was the way we were trained from a young age. It's how we train everyone.

I gave a curt nod, while Carlisle was urging me to put my hand out for him to shake. But that seemed oddly out of character for me. And as I sat under the gaze of my mate I found myself nervous. Nervous that he wouldn't he wouldn't like my overly calloused hands.

His looked smooth and taken care of.

"Yeah, they aren't big on talking until after they've eaten," James said as he pushed them away from us. Though my eyes stayed glued to him as he retreated, already missing his attention on me.

Danielle and I let out a deep breath and we slightly relaxed, but the kid's eyes were still on me. Like he was trying to figure me out. Me too, kid.

"What the fuck?" Danielle whispered, I assume Rena heard because her head snapped around and looked at Danielle. But quickly turned away.

I just shrugged, unable to turn my gaze from my mate's strong and wide back.

"Why don't we all sit? Dinner is ready to be served." Ben spoke, and I was already on the move. Crispin and Rena sat in the middle of the long dining table. There was a highchair for the boy and as they slipped him in it, Danielle and I got to the chairs that were right across from them before Finnick could.

But that just made Finnick move to sit right next to him. The look on his smug face made me want to kill him. Literally. Kill him.

I didn't care Finnick and I grew up together, and he was a close friend. He was too close to my mate and that was enough to turn my fondness into hate.

As the kid sat in the chair I was able to get a view of his face. He was mixed, which eased the fear I had that the woman next to him was his mother. But the kid looked exactly like my mate. There was no denying that was his son.

Rena keep her gaze down, rarely looking up at Danielle who was staring at her with intensity. Once Crispin sat, he locked eyes with me yet again, that smile still sitting on his face. I wondered what he was thinking. Though the smile didn't feel like it was towards me, he was smiling just in general.

He cleared his throat and rested his elbows on the table as he turned and spoke to Finnick. Jealousy was eating me, and I could feel my face wanting to snarl at him.

"Daddy, can I walk!" The kid yelled, and I had to hold back my amusement. Crispin turned immediately with a concerned look on his face.

"Carter, what's wrong kid?"

Carter.

"I want to walk. Up, please!" Crispin looked around but avoided eye contact with me as if he was embarrassed at the kid's outburst. He shouldn't be.

"Okay, okay. But no more yelling alright?" Carter nodded as he picked him up and set him on the floor and immediately the kid started running around the table.

Ben watched with a smile on his face, as he yelled asking where he was going, and called him a rugrat. Carter giggled as he kept running. My eyes stayed on him to make sure he was being safe and wouldn't run into anything. But when he round the table to my side I lost track of him.

Until there was a poke in my side, and I looked down and there he was. Staring at me yet again. I heard the conversation between Finnick and Crispin stop and I could feel his gaze on me, watching what I was going to do.

"You have long hair like me!" Carter pointed to my hair and then the braids on his head. I let out a small chuff and the corner of my mouth twitched. Though that didn't seem to suffice. "Do you talk?" He asked with childlike innocence.

I heard Finnick and Danielle laugh, and I had to hold in my chuckle as I responded. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Crispin waiting in anticipation.

"I do." My voice came out and Carter's eyes went wide. I saw Crispin go even more stiff as my deep, raspy voice excited my mouth.

"Whoa, your voice is scary!"

"I tell him that all the time." Danielle chimed in and he looked at her with a smile and then back to me.

"What's your name?"

"Dieter."

"That's a funny name. Deder." My lip quirked as he tried to say it, he was very wrong but I didn't care. He could call me whatever he wanted. "Deder, do you like the movie Cars?"

"I have never seen it," I told him truthfully and it was like I just broke the little boy's heart. His eyes went wide and he looked in shock. Carlisle was yelling at me for upsetting him.

"What!! That's my favwrit movie ever! Daddy, Deder doesn't know cars!" His voice pitched as he exasperated and looked over to his dad. As did I.

He looked at his boy with a smile on his face and then looked at me with confusion, perhaps wondering why I was being so nice to his kid.

"Is he bothering you?" Crispin asked me. How could he ever think his son would bother me?

"No," I said a little too quickly, and Crispin's smile turned from polite to appreciative.

"You gotta watch cars! Limening Mckeen is in it!" I turned my attention back to Carter. I raised an eyebrow confused about who he was talking about.

"Lightening McQueen, he is the main character, his favorite," Rena spoke. I wanted to growl at her and kill her. I hated the fact she knew more about him than I did.

"I will watch it," I reassured Carter and a smile came on his face. Then he did something that left me stunned. He walked closer and climbed his way into my lap. I kept my arms crossed as he did so. I didn't want to overstep by grabbing him or anything so I let him do his thing.

He looked up at me with curiosity as his hand went and poked my scar.

"Your face is weird." Danielle laughed as she looked at the kid and watched our interaction. As well as everyone else at the table.

"Carter," Crispin gritted through his teeth, his cheeks slightly heating up. Carter completely ignored him and stayed studying my face. I didn't want him to be upset with Carter, he was just doing what kids do. Be blunt.

"Yes, I suppose it is."

"A big scratch." He kept poking it, rubbing his finger all over my face. "It hurts?"

"No, not so much anymore."

"Your voice is weird. It's like--" He continued by trying to imitate my voice and the corner of my lip went into a half smirk. This was a kid I could get along with.

"Okay, Carter. That's enough. Come back and sit down. We are about to eat." Crispin said as his eyes flickered between him and me. His lingered on mine with a look of admiration. A look I wanted to keep on his face.

"Okay, Daddy! Bye Deder." He hopped off my lap and ran back around the table. Crispin had his father's face on as he watched Carter run back over.

Okay, Daddy indeed.

"I don't I've never heard Dieter talk so much in one sitting!" James laughed and the others joined in their teasing. I rolled my eyes and readjusted in the chair.

"I've known this guy for years, most he ever does is grunt and nod," Finnick added as he talked with Crispin. I talk. Just not to him. Koa would say the opposite.

He picked Carter up and sat him in the high chair and looked at me with a smile.

"Hi, Deder!" I waved back at him and Crispin turned to me. He looked like he was going to say something, but instead, Finnick interrupted.

"I've only heard stories of mircopacks, but never known one to be true until now."

"Yes, I know. It can seem strange to some, but we are trying to expand and grow, but they do exist."

Crispin being the alpha of a micro pack didn't feel right to me. He had the look the attitude and the personality to lead thousands. To lead mine. With me right beside him.

"Dieter has the biggest one out of all of us here. Pack of what? five or six thousand right?" Alexander chimed in.

I nodded and Crispin's eyes were back on me, wide with wonder and something else.

"That's very impressive Dieter." My chest filled with pride and Carlisle purred at the compliment. I didn't realize how much I needed to hear that from him until now.

"Your pack needs matless females, right? And Crispins pack needs matless males, perhaps this could be an opportunity for the both of you to plan a time to visit each other's packs?" James spoke up, but I went still.

Crispin in my pack would be a dream come true, but a nightmare for him. Because I would never let him leave.

"Yes, we should discuss that more, later this weekend."

Finally, the attention was off of me and everyone went to talking to each other as dinner went on. Though I couldn't help but stare at my mate as he sat across from me.

With each passing moment, the attraction grew and it was overwhelming me. The way his arms flexed in his tight dress shirt. His wide shoulders and perfect posture. The way he slightly tilted his head back as he laughed.

He looked so perfect.

I couldn't help the urge that rose in me to ruin him. See him dirty, and free. Because of my doing.

Danielle seemed to be getting Rena to talk with her with ease. And I was slightly jealous at the fact that they spoke so easily.

I wasn't much of a talker but now I found myself hating that part of me. I wanted to talk to him, but what was I to say?

So I stayed silent for the rest of dinner. Hopefully, during the bonfire, I worked up the courage to say something.

****

I still hadn't said a word to him.

We were now outside behind the Packhouse and the fire was up and going. The sun was still setting so I was able to see. Somehow Danielle got Rena alone and they were still talking away. I on the other hand was now leaning against a tree a distance away from everyone. Watching Finnick still flirt with my mate.

I was miserable.

I had to resist the urge to get my phone out and ask Koa for advice. But I know Tino would have a fit. He is due soon with their third kid, Sloan.

Carlisle was doing everything in his power to get me moving toward him, but I stayed firm. Unable to show him my flaws so soon. One being, I was terrible with small talk.

Crispin looked my way a few times while he spoke with Finnick. Carter was with Ben, no longer curious about me. Which also added to the misery feeling.

But what caught me by surprise was when I saw Crispin walk and grab a drink, though he had one already. And he walked towards me.

"Here," He handed it to me with a smile, and I took it eagerly and took a quick sip.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"I would like to apologize for earlier, Carter can be too curious for his good." The sun hit his green eyes perfectly, and I found myself in awe of him.

"No need." Wow, way to go idiot. Only two fucking words. Though Crispin didn't seem to mind as he let out a soft chuckle and took a step closer, which caused panic inside me. That I of course didn't show.

I could now feel his body heat hit my crossed arms and I could gauge his height perfectly now. I was taller but by only a few inches.

"I can tell you're not much for talking, but we should probably take some time to...you know cause of this?" He motioned between us his eyes still glued to mine and not once wavering in eye contact. I was not used to someone looking at me for so long.

I nodded in agreement, unable to speak. Scared my voice would crack under the intensity of his gaze.

"Wonderful, and I was wondering if--"

"DADDY!" Carter cried as he ran over to us. He quickly turned around to see what was wrong and glared at Ben, who put his hands up in surrender.

"I didn't do anything!" He yelled back, but I kept my focus on the little boy coming towards us.

"Daddy, pick me up." He was now right below Crispin and as he bent over to pick him up, his ass grazed my thigh for a moment. That's how close we were.

My body was immediately filled with lust, and the sparks from the simple touch were enough to set my soul on fire. I clamped my jaw closed and balled my fist to make sure that I didn't do anything to mess this up.

Carter sat perfectly in his arms and leaned his head against his wide shoulders. And his eyes found mine again.

"Hi, Deder." He said through snuffles.

"Hey, little guy."

"It's getting late, and about to be his bedtime." He looked hesitant to leave, and I didn't want him to either. "I should go."

Any hope I had of prolonging his nearness was gone as I saw Carter rub his eyes and yawn.

"Of course. Goodnight Carter." He muttered a little 'night' back. And my eyes met Crispin's green ones again. "Goodnight, Crispin."

His Adams apple bobbed as I said his name, and gave me one last small smile before walking away. Rena noticed them walking to the building and left Danielle and followed them in.

Danielle was in front of me in no time, looking blissfully happy and disappointed at the same time.

"Gorgeous, I mean the most beautiful thing I had ever seen." She exasperated.

"I agree." Though Crispin's face was in my mind

"Fuck, what are we going to do?"

"Watch Cars."

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