Dante watched Nadine get dressed, pulling a dress over her head. They found out that when Melora and Draco's mate found out that Dante had found his mate, they filled a trunk full of different styles of dresses. Nadine had laid out a couple of dresses on the bed before picking an all-black dress with long sleeves. The skirt of the dress stopped on the floor.

Dante couldn't help the small, grateful smile that danced across his lips as he leaned against the door. He loved that she didn't hesitate to cover her skin. He knew his thoughts were controlling, but he couldn't help it. He didn't know what he would do if he caught any of the men looking at his mate's skin.

"This is for the time being, Dante," Nadine's musical voice flowed over to him, drawing him out of his thoughts.

Dante's eyes snapped up to her face, catching the small smirk.

Nadine finished pushing her arms through the sleeves and turned around. "Can you help me with the back?"

Dante took two long strides before he stood right behind her. His fingers gripped the fabric and began to lace the fabric into the cut of the dress, pulling it together. He took his time, loving this moment with her. The tips of his fingers brushed against her skin.

Nadine brushed her hair away from her neck, giving him access to the top of her dress. "Dressing like this is only for the time being."

Dante's eyes snapped up momentarily before returning his attention to the lace. "What do you mean?"

Nadine chuckled lightly. "I'm dressing like this for you. I'm covering my skin for you."

Dante finished lacing up her back, connecting the dress together. "If I'm being honest," he started, running his hands down her arms. "I'd like it if you always dressed like this." He bent down and nuzzled her neck, breathing in her scent.

Nadine chuckled again, her hand coming up to tangle in his hair. "You would, huh?"

Dante nodded. "I would." He pressed a soft kiss to the side of her neck. "I wouldn't have to kill any man who looked at you."

Nadine twisted in his arms and placed her palms on his chest. "That comment is why I am wearing this dress right now. You are too possessive now, and I cannot afford you to go on a killing spry because someone looked at me."

Dante sighed as he pressed his forehead against hers. "I cannot help it, Nadine."

Nadine nodded. "I know, Dante." She pressed her hands on either side of his face. "I know. It'll take some time before your possessiveness calms down. Until then, I will be wearing these dresses. Don't get used to them." She pushed herself out of his arms and moved to the door.

Dante stared after her. "No promises, mate." He heard her chuckle before she opened the door. He hurried after her, making sure he closed the door behind him. He steered them both toward Carwel's hut. He kept a hand pressed against her lower back. Dante always wanted to touch her. He always wanted to feel her skin with his.

It was only a short time until they arrived at Carwel's hut. However, by the time they had gotten to the hut, the hand on Nadine's back had turned to him, gripping her hip. He hadn't liked how a few of the men dared to look at his mate.

"Let go of me, Dante," Nadine told him gently. "You need to understand that no one is going to take me away from you."

Dante shook his head as his hand moved to knock on the door. "You don't know the story of Drystan and Melora." He looked down at Nadine and smiled at her raised eyebrows. "I will tell you later."

Nadine's eyes narrowed slightly before she gave him a tight nod.

The door to the hut swung open, revealing Drystan standing with a goofy grin on his face. "Nice of you both to finally join us."

Dante rolled his eyes as he pushed past Drystan, keeping Nadine in front of him. "Shut your mouth." He guided Nadine to the large table in the middle of the hut, giving a quick nod to Draco, Carwel, and Melora.

Melora's eyes were bright as her smile widened. She extended a hand toward Nadine. "My name's Melora," she introduced herself. "I'm so excited to meet you."

Nadine returned her smile as she shook Melora's hand. "It's a pleasure for me as well. Nadine."

Melora nodded. "We'll have to talk more later." Melora took her hand away from Nadine as Drystan wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Time to talk business," Carwel clapped, drawing all of their attention. "Nadine, before I talk about what Draco, Drystan, and I have been planning, were there other vampires with you?"

Nadine nodded slowly. "There were a total of five vampires the family had under their control, not including me. We were all kept on different sides of the estate."

Carwel nodded. "I see. We need your knowledge of the estate and family if we're going to get rid of them." His eyes moved over to Drystan and Melora. "We don't want another repeat of history."

Drystan eyes went hard as his arm tightened around his mate. "I agree."

Carwel looked over at Dante. "We aren't going to wait around and hope that the family who owns her decides they want her back. If other vampires are being kept in their clutches, I believe that we need to go and get them."

Draco crossed his arms over his chest, a small smile across his lips. "Always wanting to be the savior, huh, Carwel?"

Carwel gave Draco a hard look. "Saved your ass, didn't I?" Carwel rolled his eyes as he returned his attention to Dante and Nadine. "Do you think that family is destroyable?"

Dante looked down at Nadine as she bit her lip before nodding. "It'll be hard. They've got plenty of allies that would come to their aid."

"Then we hit them when they aren't expecting it," Dante pipped up.

Drystan nodded. "I agree. They won't be able to call for their allies if we hit them while they're sleeping."