The Quiet Giant's Mate Chapter 10 - Regina

I didn’t buy for a second that the couple sincerely apologized. We only got it because of my rank and whom we were related to, which is bullshit. Being a Beta heir, being related to an Alpha, or in Ivan’s case, being related to a Gamma shouldn’t be why someone apologizes. They should apologize because what they did was cruel and unnecessary.

But whatever, I’ll let it go. Ivan doesn’t want to hold a grudge about it, so I won’t either. Not like we’ll probably ever see them again. And now everyone at this ball knows what happens if they mess with me or my mate. That will save us trouble. And for those from Sicily, it will quickly get out that we are mates and to keep their mouths shut about my mate.

I don’t think his sister was upset or offended that we are mates. I’d have to ask Ivan if she said anything in their link. I doubt she’d be displeased that he found his mate, no matter who she was. While it being me has the drawback of him having to change packs, he won’t be far. I’ve never had a bad interaction with Amelia, so I think we’ll be fine.

I was not surprised at my cousin’s reaction. It would take a lot to make André hold a grudge against someone. And no matter what Ivan did in the war, André knew there was more to him. And as a brother, André knows the lengths he’d go to protect his sister, so he couldn’t fault Ivan for what he did to protect Amelia. His approval is nice, but I’m still miffed at him for letting Ivan live in exile all these years.

“Now I understand why Valter has spent the party in a closet in vines.” André chuckled as he turned his attention to Ivan and me.

“Now, aren’t you happy your sister strong-armed you into coming tonight?” He smiled at my mate.

“Don’t tell my other cousins I said this, but you did get the best, Petridis.” He stage-whispered as if my sister and brother could hear him from whatever distant pack they were visiting tonight.

Ivan grunted and rolled his eyes. I didn’t expect him to say more than that. I sighed and leaned into his side. I know. I’m glad Amelia convinced him to come tonight. But thinking about that reminded me of how Ivan stayed in exile for years.

“You know, if you’d done your jobs, we would likely have found each other sooner,” I commented.

“Huh?” André arched his brow.

“You let Ivan live in exile believing he was still under house arrest and let your pack treat him like a pariah when he did try to exert the freedom my brother told him he was supposed to have,” I stated.

“And that is on me?” André still didn’t see my point.

“Drop it.” Ivan sighed.

“I’m not dropping it.” I shook my head.

“As the Alpha, yes, that is on you. I know you can’t control people and what they do or don’t do. But you should have had an official document given to Ivan as proof that what my smirking dumbass brother told him wasn’t a ploy.” I snorted.

“What do you mean I should have sent the official paperwork? I did.” André frowned. “Darren, didn’t I? You wrote it up, and we signed it, notarized it, and sealed it. Alexander was supposed to deliver it since we had another event.”

“I have our copy archived in both physical and digital.” Darren nodded as he took his phone out.

With a few quick clicks on his phone and Ivan’s pocket buzzed. He frowned and took out his phone, and checked it. He shrugged and handed it to me. And there it was, a digital copy of the official discharge certificate, signed and dated. So why didn’t Alexander deliver the paper?

“Amelia told us you didn’t feel comfortable leaving the property, and she suspected people made you unwelcomed.” André sighed.

“As Regina said, I can’t control the actions of our people. But you have my sincerest apologies that you ever truly believed you were still under house arrest.” He apologized, placing his hand on Ivan’s arm.

“We’ll investigate the location of the original document, as you should have it for your records. I’ll call Alexander in the morning and have Nicolao give his bedroom and car a deep clean to see if it turns up.” Darren promised.

“Oh, I’ll call my brother. He will get more than a piece of my mind for his carelessness.” I scoffed.

“Regina, drop it. Not worth it.” Ivan sighed as he returned his phone and put it in his pocket.

“Either way, we will still talk with him about this and make sure to find your physical copy and otherwise have a new one printed for your records,” Darren assured Ivan.

“Now it’s nearly midnight. I’ve got to go make the announcement.” André sighed as he glanced at his phone.

“I will assume you aren’t coming back to our villa tonight. Feel free to use the old Alpha suite here. Now one is staying there tonight. I’d offer you some climbing gear, but you’re a resourceful girl.” He laughed and kissed my cheek.

Darren sighed, shook his head as they linked arms, and headed toward the stage. I should be embarrassed, not after growing up with André always being like this. Yet I’m left here blushing brightly at his words and hiding my face against Ivan. At least he gave us an alternate venue so we don’t have to consider where to go after the party.

“We don’t need to.” Ivan tried to reassure me like getting him alone wasn’t something I wanted.

I leaned back and looked up at him. It was hard to read his face from here. The angle was wrong for me to see his eyes behind the mask.

‘It isn’t your comfort, per se, he’s worried about. Remember his list.’ Gioia reminded me.

“Ivan.” I crooked my finger to ask him to come closer to my level.

He grunted in question, and instead of leaning down to me, his meaty hand gripped my hips and lifted me so we were at eye level. I gasped, thrown off by being picked up like some little girl, and I forgot what I planned to say.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now midnight! I am so happy to see all the new mates found here tonight! Now you may remove your masks and go wherever you stay tonight.” André announced.

“There’s my handsome mate.” I smiled as I carefully removed Ivan’s mask and got a good look at him for the first time in years.

“Debatable.” Ivan rolled his eyes at the compliment.

“No one else’s opinion matters. If they don’t think you’re handsome, that’s fine. Less bitches’ eyes that I need to turn to stone.” I smirked.

“I know you are worried about our size difference. And I don’t want to dismiss your feelings, so if you don’t want to do anything sexual tonight, I won’t push the issue.” I promised.

“Thank you.” He looked relieved as he set me down.

“Oh, don’t thank me just yet. I would still like to take the old Alpha suite my cousin offered us. To give us more time together, even if only to talk and spend time alone.” I explained, and I took my mask off.

“As long as your expectations are low.” He conceded.

“My expectations are never low, Ivan.” I chuckled as I looped my arm with his. “All I want is time with you. The physical stuff we can take at the pace we both agree to.”

“I don’t want to disappoint you.” Ivan sighed as we made our way out of the ballroom.

“You could never disappoint me,” I assured him that as we took an exit, few others did.

The Madonie packhouse did have several open rooms that people were staying in, but there was a large ball, so several people were staying in the Madonie capital, Castellagno. And those from the local packs would take their new mates home for the night.

We were heading upstairs to the bedrooms when Nicolao hurried to catch up.

“Signorina Petridis, Signor Furlan.” He said, catching his breath and holding up a key. “Alpha instructed me to give you the key to your suite.”

“Thank you, Nicolao.” I smiled as I took the key.

“Have a good night. Tell your mate I said hello and congratulations. I heard your son and his mate welcomed a healthy baby girl last month.” I smiled as I waved goodbye.

“Goodnight, Signorina, and thank you.” He smiled and hurried to go home and not handle the cleanup, hopefully.

“You know his family?” Ivan asked as he led the way up the stairs.

“Of course I do. My cousin has been Alpha here for five years, and my brother lives in the pack house.” I shrugged.

“Did you not know how family? I thought he worked here even under Alpha Ugo. So you would have known him during your time as an heir.” I cocked my head.

“Yes. Didn’t get close. I am not very approachable nor a talker.” Ivan shrugged, taking the key from me as we reached the unused Alpha suite.

The space has been unused since my cousin became the Alpha. I can at least feel secure that Icky Iggy or Melania never touched anything in this room. André gutted the room as simply throwing out the furniture wasn’t enough. He was adamant he could still smell them and wouldn’t stay in the room. So as we walked in, everything was probably different from what Ivan may remember.

“I’d heard Alpha André gutted the suite,” Ivan commented as he took off his suit jacket and hung it on the back of the white tufted sofa in the sitting area.

“Yes, my cousin has a very delicate sense of smell. He couldn’t stand a faint smell of Icky Iggy and Melania.” I shrugged as I set our masks on the coffee table.

“Icky Iggy?” Ivan arched his brow as he loosened his tie.

I should focus on what he asked, but it was hard to concentrate on anything but that he was undressing or at least getting comfortable. His tie and waistcoat joined his jacket on the back of the sofa. He had no idea how delectable he was. And wow, I knew the suit had to be custom fit, but that dress shirt is snug, and I can see his muscles stretching the material.

“It’s um… it’s what we’ve always called him. Sorry if it offended you. He was your… I don’t know what he was to you. A friend? A peer? Either way, I don’t want to be offensive.” I blinked and looked back at his face when I answered.

“It fits. He was icky.” Ivan nodded. “He was no friend of mine.” He added as he growled as he struggled to deal with his cufflinks.

“Here. Let me help you.” I offered.

A chance to help him undress? Hell yes, I’m in! He sighed and offered his arms, and I smiled as I looked at the gold cufflinks. I traced the wolf symbol and recognized it. It’s part of the mark Amelia and Stephen share. This must be the Furlan mark, meaning these belonged to his father and possibly generations before him.

“These are beautiful,” I commented as I placed them on the coffee table.

“Do you want help with the buttons?” I asked, lightly touching his shirt buttons.

There was a moment of silence, well, not silence. I heard Ivan take a sharp breath and hold it. Am I making him nervous? He had a girlfriend before the war. Zelma, if memory serves. I’m sure he has more experience than me with all this.

“Remember, nothing sexual has to happen.” I reminded him.