The Quiet Giant's Mate Chapter 19 - Ivan

I don’t care how open that family is about sex. I always knew André was a weirdo. And that ‘gift,’ if that’s what you want to call it, he left in Regina’s guest room proves it. That gift was not appropriate. It was also needlessly complicated.

Why would I want to have her hanging off me by ropes? Ropes that would dig into my skin, not that I’d feel it, but still. It was far easier just to pick her up and fuck her. It’s not like I’m some weak wolf that can’t hold his mate for any time—given that I could hold her from start to finish, that ‘gift’ from André is worthless.

Of the things André has given us, the ropes thing is something I can’t see us ever using. The condoms, however… are something we should stop forgetting. I grimaced as we lay in the bed, and my brain could think enough to say, ‘You forgot the condom, dumbass.’ Regina must have had a similar thought, but her reaction was different. Instead of grimacing, she giggled and moved to straddle me.

“We probably should start using condoms. Though unless you are against or concerned with the idea of a family, I’m okay with not using them.” She shrugged as her fingers absently traced my muscles.

“You want a family? With me?” I arched my eyebrow.

“Of course I do.” Regina laughed softly. “You’re my mate. Who else would I want a family with?”

“But…” As I started to counter, she pressed her finger to my lips.

“I already know your worries. You’re big, I’m small, and pups are bigger than average in your family.” She smiled and lifted my hands to her hips.

“Why do you think the Goddess saw fit to give me these?” She chuckled. “I was made to be with you, Ivan.” She smiled as she leaned down and kissed me sweetly.

“If I can handle your cock, I can handle birthing your children. And I’m the daughter of a doctor. If I needed a cesarean, I’d be under the care of the best doctor in Sicily and possibly the world with the most incentive to ensure mine and our pup’s safety.” She giggled.

“I…” I sighed, not even sure what to say to that.

It wasn’t only the hope of finding a mate I gave up on when the war started, but of having a family. In less than twenty-four hours, I’ve found my mate, and she’s talking about wanting to have a family with me. That’s a lot to take in.

“I’m not against a family.” I finally answered.

“But?” Regina arched her brow.

“But maybe we should figure out the logistics of our relationship. Such as where we are going to live.” I shrugged, absently rubbing her hips.

“Okay, that’s fair. Obviously, we must live in Incubi as the future Betas.” She nodded.

“Don’t you live at home?” I questioned.

“Well, yes. I still live with my parents. But now that I have you, we can get our place.” She blushed at being reminded of her living situation.

“And till then?” I asked.

“We could live with them.” She shrugged, fighting a smile so I knew she was messing with me.

“No.” I shook my head and rolled, so she was trapped under me.

I was, of course, mindful not to put my weight on her. She is far too delicate to handle my weight. I don’t care how strong she says she is or that we’ve had sex twice. She didn’t seem to mind that she was trapped, though, wiggling in what space she had to get comfortable.

“I was only teasing. We can stay in your villa or at the Night Haven till our home is ready.” She smiled as she stroked my cheek.

“As much as I like my villa, I’m not attached to it. And it is too far from Incubi.” I frowned.

“What is the Night Haven?” I asked.

“It’s a secluded one-bedroom house that my cousins and siblings used for casual sex before the war,” Regina explained.

I don’t know if there is enough disinfectant to make me forget that the elder D’Amore twins and Petridis Betas have all had sex on Goddess knows what surfaces. And there went any sexual desire I felt rejuvenating under her touch. I’m not sure I want to stay anywhere that her cousins let alone siblings, have fornicated.

“Okay, we won’t stay at Night Haven. I can find a temporary apartment in town until our place is ready.” She assured me with a snicker.

“Actually, I know the perfect home for us. It may need some modifications for you, but I think it’ll be just what we need.” She smiled that glimmer in her eyes.

“And that is?” I cocked my head.

“The original Petridis villa.” She grinned.

“Isn’t that where your parents live?” I asked.

“No. When Zio Alec built his villa, my papa and the others followed suit. So, the four houses in the gated community are newer. But the original Petridis villa has remained vacant. I think Alexander planned to live there when he was still going to be Beta of Incubi.” She explained.

“I see. Well, we can look at it. If your family allows us to use it.” I agreed.

I didn’t understand why Alpha Alec would have moved his villa from the original location and had his other ranked wolves move from their ancestral homes. I’m not going to voice that question. It’s not my place. I don’t know Alpha Alec and probably will never know him well enough that I’d want to ask why he’d move like that.

“I’ll bring it up when we call Papa.” Regina smiled. “Speaking of, unless we plan to go for round two… and I’m willing though still sore… we should get dressed, get your things from Amelia’s, and inform my family that we are mated.”

I sighed, knowing she was right. André certainly would if she didn’t tell her family about us. And I think finding out their youngest is mated to me would be easier to accept from her directly. I find some subjects are best delivered from the source rather than secondhand. I found it difficult to accept that Amelia was mated to Stephen when André and Darren told me rather than hearing it from Amelia.

“Fine.” I conceded and rolled off her, falling off the bed in the process, having miscalculated how close I was to the edge.

“Oh… my… goddess…” Regina laughed between each word as she crawled to the side of the bed and looked down at me.

“Are you okay?” She asked, still giggling.

I landed on my back, hard enough to shake the nightstand and knock an alarm clock inches from my head. I’m sure for anyone else, that would hurt like hell. I, however, don’t feel pain like most people. I shrugged and sat up, and put the clock back in place.

“Fine,” I assured her as I got to my feet.

“Amazing. It’s like you’re indestructible. My very own man of steel.” Regina winked as she started to get dressed.

I shrugged, dressed, and helped her pack what she’d brought from Incubi. With her belongings packed, we left the Alpha villa, which thankfully wasn’t too far of a walk to my family’s ancestral home. I wasn’t sure if Amelia or Stephen would be home. They both have their Gamma duties. But I knew Grace would probably be home with her nanny Tasha. My suspicion was right as I led Regina inside and heard the squeal of my niece before she latched onto my leg.

“ZIO!!!” Grace squealed in delight as she clung to my leg.

Not far behind her, Tasha stood with a disapproving expression. She’s in her fifties, and it shows. The war was hard on her. Her mate and sons died during the war. They weren’t warriors, and Ignazio used them as cannon fodder when we attacked Nebrodi. She agreed to be the nanny for Amelia and Stephen because, once upon a time, she was friends with my mother and was mine and Amelia’s nanny. She was a strict but pleasant nanny when I was a boy, but all that pleasantness died when with her mate. Or at least pleasantness directed at me.

“Ivan.” Tasha curtly nodded her head. “I dare not ask what debauchery you were up to that kept you out all night. Little Grace is too young to hear such filth.” She wrinkled her nose.

“You better mind your tone and choice of words,” Regina growled, making her presence known as she stepped around me.

Tasha blinked, obviously taken aback by Regina’s presence. I could see the gears turning in her mind. As amusing as this playing out would be, I decided to circumvent it. Lifting Grace into my arm, I wrapped my other arm around Regina, turning her slightly away from Tasha.

“Gracie, meet my mate, Regina.” I introduced my niece to Regina.

Tasha’s mouth hung open at my introduction. Regina must have picked up on what I was doing. The last thing I wanted was to have any confrontation, least of all, in front of Grace. I won’t expose my niece to such situations. Regina smiled brightly at Grace.

“Good morning, Grace.” Regina greeted. “It’s been a while since I last saw you, so I won’t expect you to remember me. I’m Alexander’s little sister.”

She threw that last part in for emphasis. It was faint, but I could hear Tasha gulp.

‘That’s right, you old bitch. We have a mate, and she’s a Beta heir.’ Cain scoffed.

Grace remained unfazed by any tension and smiled brightly. “I have a Zia!” Grace exclaimed as she wiggled in my arm to get closer to Regina.

I sighed and passed my niece over. Regina was happy to take her, hugging and kissing on the cheek.

“And I have a niece. A first for both of us.” Regina chuckled, ignoring Tasha.

“You’re very pretty,” Grace said, touching Regina’s hair. “You have nicer hair than me. It’s normal.”

“Not nearly as pretty as you. Normal is very overrated. And your hair is gorgeous. Your purple streaks set you apart. They prove how special you are. Like my cousin André’s blue streak and my other cousin Katrina’s red streaks. You are in excellent company, little one.” Regina assured Grace as she rubbed her nose to hers.

“Thank you.” Grace giggled and blushed.

Tasha cleared her throat, reminding us of her presence. Regina sighed and turned in her direction, Grace on her hip.

“Do you need a lozenge for your throat… I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name while you were rude to my mate.” Regina smiled as her eyes narrowed on Tasha.

“Tasha, signorina. My name is Tasha. I am Grace’s nanny.” She introduced herself.

‘She was mine and Amelia’s nanny. A friend of my mama’s that came from Darkmoon.’ I explained in our mate link.

“I see.” Regina nodded.

“We don’t want to interfere in Grace’s routine. I know how important keeping a routine is for little ones. Princesses Gwen and Christina get very cranky when thrown off schedule.” She sighed and kissed Grace’s cheek before setting her down.

“Your Zio and I were just here to get his things. But don’t worry, now that I’m in his life, you’ll see plenty of us.” Regina reassured my niece.

“Visit soon.” Grace pouted as she hugged Regina before she held her arms up to me.

I chuckled and picked her up and hugged and kissed her. “See you soon,” I promised.

We stood silently as Tasha took Grace’s hand and led her deeper into the house to do whatever activity or lesson was planned.

“That woman is lucky Grace was around, and you’re so nice. Otherwise, she’d be a statue.” Regina snorted. “Now let’s get your things, and then you can show me your villa before I Facetime my family.”