"Zane, Mercedes' parents have arrived."

Jace entered my office, where I wanted to get some work done while my mate was asleep. I nod and get up from my chair. Together we enter the elevator to the Alpha floor. When we step into my bedroom, we see Mercedes sleeping like an angel on my bed. Seeing her like this fills my heart with so much love for her. I immediately swear to myself that I will always protect her and make her happiness my number one priority.

Elise has fallen asleep next to her but is up as soon as we arrive.

"She was drained. While bathing her, she was already falling asleep," my sister whispered, not to wake Mercedes right away. She's slept for about two hours, probably not nearly enough to rest fully. But her parents are waiting, I have to convince them that their daughter is unharmed. I am well aware that I am under strict surveillance, everyone will want to know how I maintain the relationship with my mate.

Carefully I sit down next to her.

"Little one, you have to wake up now", I said softly, stroking her face lightly. Slowly her eyes open and a happy smile crosses her lips. "Zane". She sits up and wraps her arms around my neck. My wolf purrs with pleasure to have his mate so close.

"Did you sleep well? Go wash your face so we can meet your parents." I picked her up and put her on her feet. We wait for her to finish in the bathroom and then walk out of the room. Much to my surprise, she grabs my hand on her own and stands next to me in the elevator as we zip down. "Are you still hungry, shall I ask the cook to bring you some more?" I ask her to hide my joy at her innocent act. She nods furiously, making us all laugh. Everyone knows by now that eating is her favorite activity.

I see Jace go straight into the mind link. "Well, the cook has counted on you to be hungry and has already prepared your Cereals," he told her. Immediately her face lights up as she looks happily at me.

When we are on the ground floor, we go straight to my office. There is a sitting area where Mercedes can entertain her Cereals while I talk to her parents. When we are all seated, a servant brings the food. Immediately afterward, the Head Warrior enters with the parents. We all get on our feet, I walk with outstretched hand to the Beta and his mate.

"Welcome to Midnight Moon, Beta", I greeted them. "As you can see, your daughter is safe here in my pack." I take them to the table where Mercedes is feasting on her meal. But when she sees her parents, she jumps around their necks in a joint embrace.

"Daddy, Alpha Zane is so sweet to me. He says I can stay here when I'm on vacation at school", she exclaimed enthusiastically. "I told him I would ask you first."

Her parents nod but remain silent. "Why don't you stay here finishing your meal while we talk to the Alpha, sweetie?" said her father. "Then we can go home." Mercedes gives me a furtive look before returning to her food. The couple returns to my desk where I offer each a chair.

"Beta Marc, Selin. We found your daughter at our pack site. We don't know how she got here, but I detected the scent of Silver Moon pack members on my land," I informed them. "I cannot confirm any connection to your daughter's disappearance. We are still investigating."

Beta Marc looks at me intently and I resist his gaze.

"Alpha Ahri suggested that you kidnapped her and brought her here. And now you're claiming she's your fated mate," he declared in a high tone. His mate immediately takes his hand to calm him down. "Yes, as soon as my Beta informed me of his discovery, I went to the site. Never before has anything like this happened, at least I've never heard of a pup being found miles from home on its own."

I deliberately ignore the Beta's subtle accusation. He knows it is not his place to make such a comment, but he now has the advantage of being my father-in-law. Any other lower-ranking who had made such a comment in my presence would be already on their way to the morgue.

"And I confirm that she is my fated mate. My wolf Jax recognized her as such. I hope he can convince your wolf too", I stated. "So, I have a proposal. You know that mates need to be together to strengthen their bond. Especially for me, it is important as an Alpha. My mate will not only strengthens me but also takes my pack into a better mental balance".

"And what's your suggestion, Alpha? My daughter is just a pup. The mating is only possible when she is eighteen," her mother now said with concern. Mercedes is a miniature of the woman sitting in front of me now, albeit with a conspicuous birthmark near one ear. She is probably of Alpha descent, from a different pack than Silver Moon. It is common for sisters of Alphas to mate with Betas on their own or from another pack.

"I know that too. I don't have any plans to claim Mercedes before she's eighteen. Again, I'm a healthy man, not a pervert," I declared dryly. "I propose to have Mercedes in Midnight Moon during the school and public holidays whenever there is an opportunity and she wants to. And I will visit her at your house. Until she's eighteen and she accepts me as her mate. Then we will have a grand Luna ceremony here in my pack".

My thoughts drift to that moment. An adult Mercedes comes on stage, our hands intertwined, and is greeted enthusiastically by my pack as their Luna. In the meantime, we already have each other's marks. My heart is already beating at the prospect.

I hear someone laughing softly and when I look up, I see a smiling Beta female Selin.

"Alpha, my wolf is convinced. And the look on your face at the prospect of my daughter accepting you at eighteen is priceless," she claimed, before turning to her mate. "Honey, the Alpha's proposal is acceptable. If the Moon Goddess has arranged for them to meet this way, we shouldn't keep them apart. I do trust the Alpha." Beta Marc looks at his mate doubtfully.

"Indeed, I've never heard negative reports about Midnight Moon with minors," he admitted reluctantly. "Let's let her come here on weekends first before she goes out for long periods," he offers. Yes, that can do. I stare happily at my new in-laws. I stand up and shake hands with them both.

"I assure you that you will never regret this. I will be in your pack in a week to confirm our agreement with Alpha Ahri." In the mind link, I instruct Jace to prepare appropriate gifts for my in-laws while I have a meal with them in the dining room.

"Beta, I insist you have the meal here with me. You would want to know more about me, know who your daughter's mate is," I suggested.

Gratefully they accept my offer...