The White Wolf Chapter 139: You Could Stay With Me

He led her away from the chaos, scheming, and debauchery of the palace. Careful to avoid prying eyes he chose his path wisely. 

Through the doors to the garden, he made his way to the greenhouse. “Close your eyes.” He said and she obeyed. 

Gently he led her through the doors “Okay now open.”

When she opened her eyes she gasped. The space was filled with daisies and candles that gave off light. Every surface had been covered except in the middle was a picnic blanket with pillows. Stepping over flowers he led her to the blanket. 

“What is all this?” she said gesturing around the room. 

“Your field of daisies.” He said softly. 

It surpassed her wildest imagination. Never had anyone gone out of their way to something small for her let alone something so magnificent. The smell of the daises reminded her of her home. The home that was long gone and she would never return to. Deep breaths filled her lungs. It wasn’t real it couldn’t be. How could anyone do something like this for her?

She looked around the room and then put her head in her hands “What are we doing?”

He pulled her to him “Look at me.” 

Slowly she dropped her hands he tilted her chin up till their eyes met. Tears filled her eyes threatening to spill over. 

“I've been waiting my whole life to meet you and now that I have, I don’t think I can let you go.” His eyes held her as much as his arms did. 

“But we can't be together, if I don't go through with the mating my family will be destitute.” It was barely audible as she said the words. 

“Why? Why does everything depend on you?”

She took a deep breath but Enzo interrupted her before she could begin. “Here sit down.”

He helped down to the ground reclining on to the pillows then bringing her into his embrace. She laid her head on his chest and she prepared herself to tell her tale. 

“My father always believed himself to be a shrewd businessman.” Her voice was very careful, political almost. It was ingrained in her to never speak ill of her father no matter the mistake he made. 

“But he was not?” Enzo raised a brow reading between the lines. 

“He was not indeed. He inherited the money that had been passed down from generation to generation. When I was young he was approached with a business proposal. He invested a little money and then made twice what he had initially invested. So he gave them more. And more. And more. All the while he believed he was making this insane amount of money. At least that's what they told him.” She told her family’s dirty laundry. The part she wished she could bury and never think about again. 

“It was a scam.” The quiet part he spoke out loud. 

“Yes.”

“What proof did he have of the investment?”Enzo asked. 

Cynthia laughed a humorless laugh. “They gave him printouts that they probably made on their computer.”

“So they took your family's money?” His hand gently moved up and down her arm trying to comfort her in any way he could. 

“Almost down to the last penny. We had to sell our family home and move into the palace full-time. We've been living off the sale ever since but the money is almost gone.” Her eyes were far away as she remembered the life she used to know. 

“What does this have to do with you?” He got to the question he cared most about. 

“There is an older alpha in our kingdom whose mate died without an heir. Even though he has no heirs he is one of the richest in the kingdom. The only females available have what he deems as unsuitable bloodlines. My father struck up a deal. My family’s finances were restored in exchange for me.” She said as if she were recounting the weather. 

Enzo’s entire body went still. The way a father could just auction off his daughter did not sit well with him. It made him angry. She was sold like cattle by her own flesh and blood. Looking at her sweet face and innocent eyes, he knew she deserved a better fate than that.

His arms tightened around her. “I won’t let them do that to you?”

“What choice do I have?” Years of her father teaching her that her duty was to serve the family was not easily broken. 

“You can stay here with me?” He stated the obvious. 

“And what? Even if doesn’t cause strife between the kingdoms, should I just abandon my family?” It was a thought that she refused to take hold of in her mind. If she did, she would want it. 

“It’s your job to pay for your father's mistakes.” He tried releasing her from the bonds her father had placed on her. 

Cynthia paused, unsure of what to say. 

“I’ll speak to your brother myself,” Enzo said causing Cynthia to sit up. 

“I don’t know how he would take it.” She was the dutiful daughter. Obedient sister. Never a contrary opinion always doing as she was told. She had never asked for anything and now could she ask to allow the destruction of her family?

“If he’s deserving of his position then he would want you to be happy.” Enzo’s patience for her brother was near nonexistent. 

Her hands grabbed her dress as she nervously wrung it through her hands. 

“Is that the life you want?” Enzo asked needing to hear the words from her lips. 

“Of course not.” She replied as if the question was absurd. 

“Then I won’t let them take you.” The wolf in him told him to grab her and take her away from it all. As much as he wanted to he resisted. 

“And if it starts a war?” She tried to think of every possibility. 

“If it starts a war then I fight them all till my body gives out.” His eyes left no room for argument. 

They stared into each other's eyes. Cynthia searched him to see if what he said was true and he searched hers to see if she would stay. 

Her mouth parted and Enzo could no longer contain himself. His mouth crushed to hers. Every emotion he had he put into one kiss. Begging. Pleading. Hoping. He wanted her. 

He did not push her further. Ending the kiss he touched her face as their breaths danced together between them. It was his mission to win her heart. 

They spent the evening talking and learning about each other. Childhood stories and favorite colors. The greenhouse was their fairytale world. 

Laughter filled the air in a way neither had ever felt. It was easy. It was freeing. For the night they indulged in each other's company forgetting their responsibilities. They saw what life could be like and it was more than they could hope for. 

A mate was a complete pair coming together perfectly and they did. The more they talked the more into step they fell into with one another. 

The sky began to brighten and they knew it was time to go. Hand in hand Enzo led her through the palace avoiding prying eyes. When they arrived at her door he gave her one of the bouquets of daisies and one last kiss.