NOAH'S POV
They were welcomed into the house, after minutes of awkwardly staring around his omega moved to sit closer next to Noah. Suddenly the anxiety he felt eased, is Xander this terrified of being here? Was it a good idea to bring him here? He stopped trembling it is good that his fated is not sacred anymore. He shouldn't be not scared because he has someone to protect him time around. Give or take about thirty minutes in Xander's stepfather walks in. Noah got up along with everyone to respectfully greet the alpha of this foreign pack, before taking his seat once more.
"Here is coffee. Xander remember? This is your favorite cake."
He felt Xander's stepfather studying him as his pack focused on getting a piece of the cake with his mother. Noah already planned out his every movement and his every word. He wanted to do things right, if Xander was going to leave he refused to allow it to be as a rouge. Not just that, his mother must have been missing her only biological son. Noah knows even if his mother wrongs him, he knows that he will still love her and she would still be very regretful. His mother might have not been the best or even that good of a mother in the past but now can change that. Xander needs the closure for all the emotions he must be feeling.
"I came along with my mate. To formally and respectfully ask for Xander's hand in marriage. He has my mark, my packs symbol therefore is already classified as mine. Although I found humans have a tradition, my pack and I find very interesting. Marriage. I wish to make my mate mine in every way."
['No. No. No. This will not happen.'] - Parker
"Will you marry under the full moon of the goddess?" (Xander's mother squeals in excitement holding on to her son, he smiled to see his mate smile too.)
He face the alpha once more, face his mate then smiles and shrugged.
"Whatever Xander will decide, besides he will be making all the final decisions. Seeing that I am not good with weddings or planning for them."
['Uncle… Stop the damn man from speaking nonsense. Xander is supposed to be mine.'] - Parker
"You sound like a powerful man in the office?" -Beth
"I am still working towards my qualification. It is my second year. I am an engineer student."
Xander's mother hesitated once more… What is the problem now? If it is because his mate is older than him, age is nothing but a number besides age has nothing to do with his competence or love. He has done a fair job taking care of his mate thus far without any hiccups, he is confident that he is more than capable to taking care of his mate for their lifetime.
"That is good… Still, this is such a big step… Are sure that you are ready for this type of commitment? Will you be able to support our baby boy?"
"Mom."
"Yes. I also work part time at a large company and I make enough to support the both of us. I have already made your son my mate but it is custom for your family that he marries and for mine use marriage as just a celebration, I am all for whatever makes him happy."
His mother was now tearing up giving his son a teary smile, so does that means she approves of him and the wedding?
"At least you have ambitions but why would you want to marry him?"
He nod to the direction of his stepson and Noah looked what he lucked upon, he did not own anyone reasons but his mate was clearly waiting for answer. He put this hand over his fidgeting hands bringing his mate closer so that his anxiety can ease, his mate gave him a grateful smile.
"Xander is my fated not just my beautiful, stubborn mate. His intelligent, talented and one of the strongest people I know. My pack recognizes him. My family adores him. Xander is a mine and I see forever with him and if a mundane ceremony will ensure that, so be it."
He kissed the back of his hand and faced his mate's parents. This was just a formality, this would happen whether they wanted to be a part of it or not and they knew that.
"Honey do you see? Our son is getting married! We will have grad babies visiting us soon."
His mom smiled truly happy. Noah nodded enthusiastically but Xander interjected giving him a challenging glare.
"No. No. The furthest thing from soon."
Noah laughs at the look directed at him, he understands they spoke about this and he promised to wait until his mate is ready.
.
"Really? I'm getting married and I did not even say 'yes' yet."
Xander pouts because Noah went over his head and asked his family before the person who he was planning to ask. He hooked his arms around his perfect figure and kissed his forehead because he knew his mate was not really mad at him.
"Don't worry my beautiful beloved, I did my research when you spent your free time babying and humoring Ora… It is human custom to ask for permission before bothering the bride... Right? Or did that stupid Logan lie to me?"
"When will you not be jealous of Ora? Wait a minute, who is the bride? How much research did you do?"
"The day he gives me my mate back beside I also want to spent time with my future bride. Mate I did lot of research. My favorite is the honeymoon, I will plan that one."
He was rewarded by being struck in the chest but that did not deter his plans. He laughed, they are going to spend the night here and then leave in the morning.
"Then I will take the wedding ceremony but I will make sure we share in the stress."
"I have stayed up with you every night before finals, just tell me where and how to help you and I will."
"I love you."
He blurted
"Never more than I, you."
The shared a kiss.
****
XANDER'S P. O. V
"Okay mother. Thank you for the delicious meal. Uh Noah and I will go to bed now."
His mother of course guilt them to spend a night here I the house he hated for so long and the worst part Parker is hovering around here like an evil spirit. During dinner they spoke about their mess up pack that was trying to change to accompany the new generation because they leave once they old enough to see the pack as what it really is, a nightmare. Personally he was glad that no one wanted to stand of be obligated to this backward thinking shit so he said nothing and he let his mate do all the talking. Thankfully it is over now, his mother nodded her approval and he led them to his old room.
"Haha. Aww. You looked so cute as a child."
They did not change his room? What is wrong with them? When he left here he told them that he would rather parish in the unknown than comeback to this hell hole. The point is he did not leave on a good note, he did not expect everything to be as is and did not expect to be welcomed back here. Even the evil spirit stayed in its dark corner, it did not come out although its negative energy was louder than if he had come out and said something.
"Eww, stand back. Face away from the picture or else I will bite."
His stupid mate leaned in wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, his smile so beautiful, and the glint in his eyes very obvious that he knows what he was thinking.
"Aww. So you don't just have claws... Interesting... Shall we test your threat?"
"No. You shameless, you know that?"
They laughed, Xander warding off his mate from touching him sensuality because he might give into his advances. Memories born from the pain he endured in this room, this bed, this house. It looks like time did not really heal all his wounds.
"I will take the couch... Or can we sleep on the floor?"
Noah must have sensed his trepidation and the fact he refused to even look at the bed.
"Anything that you want will always be done as long as I am by your side, baby."
His sweet mate brought him to his embrace, at this point he didn't need to explain or go deep into any topic…they just got each other. They didn't even need to have conversations, he saw all he needed to in his eyes which were expressive and soft just when gazing at him.
"What about the time I told you to wash dishes?"
"Aww common I told you I forgot and I do remember being forgiven."
"You will be if you promise to hold me tight tonight."
He whispers holding on to the arms that encompassed him, the, opted to sleep on the couch and he has to admit that their bodies have never so close to each other.
"I promise to hold you tight tonight and the many nights after this."
**
***
THIRD P.O.V
"Uncle he dares gets close to my Xander, my Omega."
"Son let it go. You caused the poor boy enough pain already, let him go."
"His mother promised him to me."
"Yeah? Fate promised him to his alpha he adores. Son listen. You made a mistake before, this is your opportunity to fix things between you two. You need to move on and find what make you happy. Son he is finally moving on, I suggest you do the same thing. Find your fated mate that do not belong to anyone else."
"This is so unfair I saw him first (he whines because he felt like no one understood him)."
"Do not go there Parker, cleaning up your mess does not mean I healed the omega from the emotional wounds (trauma). Legally I am his father and I am supposed to protect him as such..."
"I am your blood family."
"Yes. Yes you are, that is why you are not behind bars or dead."
"Dead?"
"You broke pack rules. No alpha can force themselves on an omega. Omegas have rights now, rights that you blatantly took that week. I suggest you do not expect he forgives you, but show him you changed. He does not know the man you have become just the monster you were."
"But what about me uncle? What about my happiness?"
"What about him Parker? What about his happiness? He found his chosen while haunted by the past. Fate came through for him in his darkest time, his fated got him here to reconcile with his mother in extension me. Do you understand the significance of my words? He came here, even spent a night after vowing to never return. He is doing it because he trusts his alpha, because he found his peace, because he is trying to move on. After many years since the mistake of leaving you alone with him."
"But uncle I changed. Can he not love me now?"
"Unfortunately son that is not how the world works. Be happy for him and someday fate will bless you with your own fated, until that day grow up and think about other people before yourself."
"I cannot promise anything but I can try."
"Good. That is literally all I ask."
***
XANDERS P.O.V
"Good morning honey... I made blueberry and strawberry pancakes, your favorite."
"Good morning mom. Uh Noah and I, urr we were planning on hitting the road early but since you mentioned blueberry pancakes..."
It has been a while since he enjoyed his mother's famous pancakes... Even the scent of the sweetness took him back to happier times before everything.
"I literally forgot how good these taste. Here Noah try this. I mixed the blueberry and strawberry together. It tastes good huh?"
Noah pet his head and nodded his agreement. Although he knew Noah would agree to anything he wanted a positive answer to.
"So honey how is school?"
"Great Noah helped me apply for a scholarship. There is a lot to do, the work is not as challenging and I made amazing friends. Everything is cool."
"Lovely. Noah, you know my son is give or take two to three years older than you but I still beg you protect and love his more than everything in this world."
"When it comes to loving and protecting Xander, you need not to worry. Trust me."
Trust me. Trust me. Trust him. He still remembers that childish vow? They have to go now if they going to make it to the farm on time but he want to at least spend some time with his mate just to show him how much he loves him. Which mean they supposed to be gone by now, hell they shouldn't have spent a night here… now they were going to miss having lunch with everybody together.
"Mother, the full moon is coming up and we really have to get going if we going to make it to the farm at Moon on time."
"Why do you not want to shift here? With the rest of your family..."
That requires trust and last time he checked he was really is trying to mend his relationship with his mother not the fuckin community. Hell Xander would sooner rip his arm out of its socket than be valuable in front of his pack again. Besides he acted like he did not notice the scent that attempted to ruin his life around the house, thankfully this time he has his mate here to protect him his entire visit.
"No. I mean, no. No... Noah..."
"Excuse us from this full moon, mam. We already have plans, thank you for your hospitality.... I now understand where Xander gets his fantastic culinary skills from. Xander I will wait for you in the car. Goodbye (he respectfully bows before he leaves but not before assuring his fated mate is fine with his decision.)
"Uhhh Sonnnn... Where did you find him? Son his so charming, handsome and respectful (she says fanning herself.)"
"Mother you are married and his mine."