The Assistant (sequel to The Beta's Mate)
Time To Retire

Royce watched all of the wolves and humans in his pack mingle and enjoy themselves. The mating ceremony was over and this was the reception. However, what his pack did not know was that he was stepping down as Alpha and allowing his son to take over. He had trained him well and knew that Dylan would make a great Alpha. Elizabeth’s daughter, Miranda was going to be a wonderful, empathetic Luna. Already many of the wolves look to her for certain decisions. The announcement will be made soon. His own mate, Miranda’s mom, Elizabeth, didn’t know. Royce had wanted to surprise her. She had been so disappointed that they would not be able to take a honeymoon. She had looked so hurt by the news that it had weighed on him. He had finally talked to Dylan and Miranda. When they had heard that he was ready to retire they had assured him that they would do their very best to run to pack as well as possible.

Royce talked over to the group of she-wolves that surrounded his beautiful mate. She was holding a glass of champagne in one hand and gesturing animatedly with the other. He loved that about her. She was a very expressive person. While she was not wolf, he would bet that somewhere down the line, she had wolf ancestors. There was just too much about her that fit in here with his pack. Putting his arm around her, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. He also whispered in her ear. “We have some announcements to make, love. You and I are needed on the stage.”

Turning with her mate, she realized that her daughter and her mate were already standing on the stage. “Royce, is something wrong?”

Hugging her closely, “No, love. Everything is just right.” As they walked up on the stage the pack become quiet. Turning, Royce addressed the crowd gathered.

“As many of you know, our old Luna, was not my true-mate. While that’s true, I still loved her and losing her devastated me. Also as you know, my son went behind my back and hired me a human assistant. I knew the moment we met that she was mine. However, she , like myself, had been through a terrible lose. I had to give her time. Time to grieve and recover. Time to get to know me. Time to realize that I would never leave her. Tonight we were mated and if she will let me, I would love to mark her as mine.” Turning to Elizabeth, Royce looked at her with not a little apprehension. They had never discussed this part of the mating ceremony.

Elizabeth being herself, looked at him and smiled a beautiful smile. “I would love for you to mark me.” Turning to him, she placed her hand on his cheek and pulled him in for a kiss. Breaking apart, Royce began to kiss down the side of her face and down her neck to the juncture of her neck and shoulder. She shivered as Royce licked her once, then twice. She tensed, but did not scream in pain as he bit her. Just as suddenly as the bite began, it was over. Royce licked the wound clean to stop the blood and to help it heal. The sensations that came from that lick caused her to moan. Looking up at him with passion- glazed eyes, she smiled and asked him something that almost brought him to his knees. “When do I get to mark you?”

It was Royce’s turn to shiver with pleasure. “Soon, love, very soon. Now, let’s finish up here. I have one or two more surprises for you tonight and then we can leave the festivities.” She merely smiled up at him and turned back to the crowd to listen to her mate make the necessary announcements. “As many of you know, my son, Dylan, also recently found his mate. She just happens to be my mates daughter, Miranda. Because of this, I think it is time for me to retire. I would like to spend time with my new mate and not be dragged away by pack business. It’s not that I don’t love you. I’m ready to hand the reins over to Dylan and love my mate in private.”

Elizabeth looked over at her mate, stunned. This had not been discussed at all. While she was pleased with his decision, she hoped that they didn’t move away. As if feeling here hesitancy, Royce looked down at her and gave her a gentle smile. Leaning over, he again kissed her cheek and pulled her in close to his side. “No love. We’re not moving away. Just going on a honeymoon. How does a cabin out in the woods sound?”

She was vaguely aware of her daughter and Dylan addressing the pack, telling them to enjoy the rest of the evening. Royce took Elizabeth by the hand and led her off of the stage into her home. They would stay there tonight and leave in the morning for a month long stay in a cabin out in the woods where on one would disturb them. He knew that she had questions and he would answer them, one by one.

As he closed the door, Elizabeth rounded on Royce.

"What happens when I die? You’ll be alone again. What if you go feral? Who’s going to help you stay sane. I’m human Royce. You’re a wolf. You love hundreds of years. My life is finite.” Royce could see where this was headed and put a stop before she worked herself into an anxiety attack.

“Don’t worry, little mate. I talked to the elder about that yesterday. It seems that because you are human and my true mate, that once we have exchanged bites, the real miracle happens. Your life is tied to mine and mine to yours. We will always be together. You will stop aging and only grow old as I do. There were many things that she was telling me. Including the fact that we can start a family if you want. It seems that you will be going into heat as soon as you mark me. During your heat you can get pregnant if we chose not to use birth control. Any other questions, little mate?” Royce replied with a smile.

“Just one.” She replied.

“Oh? And that would be?”

“When can we get started?” Royce picked up Elizabeth and swung her around before cradling her bridal style and carrying her up to their bedroom to start their new life together.

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I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS READ, VOTED AND COMMENTED ON THIS BOOK. I’M SORRY THAT IT HAS TAKEN ME SO LONG TO FINISH IT. THIS WAS THE VERY LAST CHAPTER. I WANTED ALL OF THE LOOSE ENDS TIED UP. IF I MISSED ANY, FEEL FREE TO INBOX ME AND LET E KNOW.