6.

Dimitri had yet to return home.

He was at the beach again chasing the solace he needed. Sitting on the sand staring out into the semi-darkness, listening to the crashing of the waves he waited to let the peace wash over him. Dante was quiet but he didn't mind. They were in wolf form, finally. After the panic attack earlier in the day and his refusal to go back to the others, he spent the rest of the day in the forest then the beach when it turned dark.

Looking up to the night sky he silently mapped the stars of the Greek gods and kept watch of the moon. 'This plan. Are you sure?' he asked Dante.

No answer.

'Second thoughts?'

'I... To keep her safe we must do this but...' Dante's voice faltered a sad whimper escaped him.

'I understand my friend. I understand.'

Dimitri began thinking of his mate out there. Was she tall? Short? Bright blue eyes or dark mysterious ones? Would her smile be one to rival the sun? Curvy? Slender? What was her position in the modern world? So many questions he had of her and it pained him because of the plan they agreed on.

They sent out the call earlier today putting their plan in effect. It was a chance they were taking. If their mate was in the same town it will be easier to get the plan done with and if not they will have to be on the lookout for her.

A sharp bark brought him out of his musings. Slowly he turned his head to the newcomer. Dante grew restless. The bark became excited and louder as it drew closer, his body began to get extremely hot and uncomfortable. His heart was racing, the tug was there getting stronger by the second. With the little moonlight, he can see a blur of tan brown fur coming towards him from the woods.

Mate.

She's here. She was here all along. His heart was racing in anticipation and fear. Can they do it?

Going to all fours, they slowly made their way to her. Goddess above she was majestic. As she drew closer he can see how her eyes shone with happiness. Her brown fur was being rustled by the wind as she ran through the surf looking so beautiful. Excitement with this meeting had him lost in the moment. He ran towards her wanting to have her scent on him, feel her next to him. Playfully he tackled her to the ground, nipping at her neck and paws, licking her face lovingly. His Queen. His gorgeous she-wolf. Standing over her with her panting in happiness, her green eyes shining up at him. They reminded him of emeralds. She nuzzled her snout into his neck growling in pleasure. He knew how she felt. Dante whimpered bringing Dimitri back to the plan. Still, over her, he whimpered in sadness. They had to do it. They had to protect her. Having her so close made everything so real. Her paw gently touched their mouth. Leaning into the small gesture made the attachment grow faster.

Huffing harshly to rid of themselves of being in the daze, they stepped back and barked at her, commanding her to shift. Her eyes dulled upon the harsh bark, they knew she can see the coldness in their eyes. It was killing them inside to treat her this way, to see the happiness die in her eyes. Dimitri retreated watching through Dante's eyes as their mate came to her feet eyeing them carefully.

'I-I....' This was the first time he heard Dante so unsure of himself and he knew why. Again they barked at her to shift forcing the harshness in the command. She whimpered keeping her head low as she took a step back. Their heart ached to see the confusion and disappointment in her eyes.

Before them, the large tan she-wolf slowly shifted back to her human form. Their breathing hitched upon seeing the flawless naturally tanned skin showcasing long slender limbs. She stayed in a crouched position, dark bouncing curls brushed her shoulders and blocked her face. Dante barked once more. The scent of honeysuckle and lilies reached them, distracting them for a second. Keeping her in their view, she raised her head and looked at them directly.

Shit.

She was breathtaking. Her emerald eyes were framed by thick lashes, pink full lips, and a dainty nose.

"Mate. Did I offend you? If I did, I'm sorry. I'm just so happy to find you. I've waited for you since I was sixteen," she voiced out loud. The honesty and devotion coated each word that tumbled out of those lips. Guilt racked through both Dimitri and Dante. Taking in her scent they found traces of a dominant gene. She was of alpha blood. A strong she-wolf.

"Are you going to shift? I would love to see you. My name is Elena." she continued. Her voice was musical, he can listen to her speak constantly.

'Elena! A perfectly suited name for her', Dimitri said.

A whimper escaped them, she was reaching out to touch them but they stepped back. A sharp gasp escaped her, her hand began to shake, she figured it out.

"Did I..." She began to ask but shook her head, releasing a humorless laugh.

Dante couldn't find it in him to allow Dimitri back in human form. Doing that will mean hurting her but they had to. She was already precious to them.

"We can talk before you.... you know." she continued. They took another step back. Something snapped between them, her eyes were wild with tears. "Please don't do this. J-just tell me why. Please. Do you want another mate? Are you in love with someone else?"

Her tearful question snapped them out of their daze. 'No. Don't let her think that,' Dante said frantically pushing his human to return.

Taking back the reigns Dimitri returned to his human form, his original form not the form of Damian Saville.

"NO!" He was on his knees, the wet sand sticking to his body. "No my love. There's no one else."

"Then why? Why are you pulling away from us? Please tell me," Her eyes were begging him to tell the truth but he was frozen on spot. He was so close to touching her. So close to pulling her into his arms. How he longed for that. He pictured her sitting beside him leading their people side by side, he wished......

'We have to protect her,' Dante said sadly. Goddess above knew he wanted to do it but his tongue wasn't cooperating. He just had to say one spell and she will forget about him and weaken their bond till everything is cleared up.

"M-my love, m-my heart..." A sob escaped Elena as the words tumbled out of his mouth, she bowed her head in shame, waiting on the rejection.

"I can't do this. I'm sorry, my love," Dimitri's voice broke, he turned away from her shifting back into his wolf and ran.

He ran away from his mate. His beautiful mate.

"Wait!" Her shout reached their ears but they didn't stop. They couldn't. If they do then she will be locked in their arms till the morning sun hit their bodies.

A pleading bark sounded behind them, she was following them. Please don't do this love. Stay back. He begged her to do so in his mind. The forest was coming closer, he pushed Dante to go faster running atop wet sand, the water soaking his fur. When his paw touched the cool grass he hastily created a shield unseen by the naked eye. It only meant to stop her but by the painful yelp behind him he knew something was wrong. Looking over his shoulder he was able to capture the moment Elena's body hitting the ground harshly rolling to a stop.

She wasn't moving.

Why wasn't she moving?

No. No. No.

'What have I done?' Dimitri was screaming in guilt, panicking but Dante still in wolf form was calling out to his mate, trying his best to keep calm. He whimpered loudly, barking in desperation for her to move. Breath deeply. Bark.

DO SOMETHING!!!

They had to go to her. This was all their fault.

Approaching the shield they saw what went wrong. In panic, they created an electrified shield. That type was usually used in defense mode. Taking it down immediately and shifting back to the human form they rushed to her side. She was still in wolf form. The rise and fall of her chest were too fast, on the side of her face were scorch marks. Tears of regret filled Dimitri's eyes, he messed up. He messed up real bad.

'Shia! Jakobe! I need your help.' He called the two people who he can trust.

"Love! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he cried pulling her into his arms. Her fur was damp and matted with sand. The scent of the sea mixed with her own scent calmed him somewhat. "Wake up, please. I didn't mean to hurt you, I just wanted you to stop,"Kissing her furry head, he held her close regretting everything he planned to do. He knew he couldn't do it but protecting her was on his mind. Seeing her changed everything.

"I've longed for you too since I was sixteen," he confided to her. Jakobe contacted him in panic, he relayed his location as best as he could. Wanting to be out of the open, he stood with her and rushed to the cover of the trees. Elena whimpered then slowly returned to her human form but she didn't wake up. That worried Dimitri greatly.

'Can't let her go. Can't make her forget us,' Dante said still in panic mode.

"No, we can't."