I groan and pull Acacia closer to me as I begin to stir. I smile as she rolls over in my arms before resting her head on my chest.

Last night was perfect.

My smile shifts into a grin as I recount the past night. I begin to rub my hand up and down her back, quickly realising that she isn't wearing any clothes.

God, she's so sexy.

My hand slowly finds its way to her ass and I give it a gentle squeeze, causing her to gasp in surprise.

Dante chuckles in my head and I open my eyes.

I look down and staring back at me is a wide-eyed Acacia, looking absolutely stunning even though she's just woken up. She smiles at me and I gently kiss her lips.

"Good morning," I say, mind linking her, my voice super husky.

"Good morning" she replies, biting her lip as she stares up at me. I grin and kiss her again before scooping her up in my arms and carrying her to the bathroom, a giggle escaping her lips.

I set her down on the floor in front of the bath before turning on the tap. With my arms wrapped around her waist. holding her from behind, we stand in silence as we watch the tub fill up.

Once full, I pick her up again and get in. She snuggles into me as the water washes over our bodies.

"How are you feeling today, Princess?" I mind link as I begin to wash her.

I carefully run a cloth over her scarred and uneven skin. So much pain. Most of her bruises have disappeared, however, and she's starting to look more healthy which is good.

I look up to find her watching me, a small smile painted on her pink lips.

Her deep emerald eyes sparkle back at me, enchanting my soul with every second she stares at me.

She's stunning. Like something out of a goddamn painting.

"Loads better. I feel like I might actually have some energy for once" she replies softly, pulling me out of my trance.

"That's good. What would you like to do today?"

"Ummm, I don't mind. Do you have any Alpha duties today?"

Oh yeah. I forgot about that.

"Unfortunately, I do. I still have loads of paperwork to get through and then I have training."

"Training?" she asks, her interest piqued.

"Yeah. Combat and fitness and stuff."

"Oh right. Sorry, I forgot that was a thing. It's been so long since I've thought about pack things like that."

"It's okay, Princess. You don't have to apologise. I doubt it was something on your mind when you were eight anyways."

"Actually, I think it was" she replies with a strange smile of recognition.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Now that I think about it, my father used to do it with his pack and I remember sneaking out to go and watch all the warriors train."

"Wow, Princess. Who would have thought you were the type to sneak around behind your parents' backs" I reply chuckling as I finish washing her body.

She grins and splashes some water at me.

I smirk and splash some water back at her before planting a kiss on her lips.

"Do you think I could come and watch your training today?" Acacia mind links as we break away from our kiss.

"Sure, Princess" I reply as I begin to wash my own body.

"Yay. Maybe if I'm up to it I could join in too."

"Woah. I'm not so sure about that, Princess. You're only just starting to get your strength back. I don't want you to accidentally hurt yourself."

"I know, but I've got to start learning how to protect myself."

"But that's my job" I reply frowning.

"It is, but sometimes you aren't always around to be able to protect me."

Sadly, she's right. As much as I hate the idea of it.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"I promise that I'll stop if it gets too much though."

"Good" I reply with a grin as I scoop her into my arms and carry her out of the bath.

She shivers slightly as I gently set her on the bath mat and wrap her in a towel before grabbing my own and drying myself off.

Within a few moments, I'm dry and I look up to find Acacia checking me out as I wrap my towel around my waist.

"Enjoying yourself there, Princess?" I mind link her, amused.

She blushes and proceeds to hid her face in her towel.

"I'll take that as a yes then."

She squeaks and runs out of the room, disappearing around the corner into the wardrobe.

I chuckle as I exit the bathroom and follow her in.

However, I am caught in my tracks as I watch her begin to dress. She's facing away from me, sliding on a pair of matching undergarments.

Goddammit, she has a serious effect on me.

I lean against the door frame as I continue to watch her. She clearly hasn't noticed me yet as she continues, putting on a pair of high-waisted leggings and a crop top.

She quickly pulls her hair up into a ponytail before spinning around to face me, jumping a little at the sight of me.

"Grayson" she signs shocked, blush rising to her cheek again.

"Yes?"

"How long were you standing there?"

"A while" I reply with a grin as I make my way over to her.

I pull her into me, wrapping my arms around her as I lift her up by the waist so she is at eye level with me.

"You're stunning, Acacia" I mind link softly.

She stares at me for a moment and then gently places a kiss on my lips.

I grin and hungrily kiss her back, my cock stiffening against the towel slightly.

I feel it brush against her leg causing her to giggle and break our kiss.

"I'll be in the bedroom" she mind-links with a grin.

I nod and put her down, watching her as she walks out of the room.

"And to think you never even wanted a mate," Dante smirks.

"Shut up, dickhead" I reply, running my hands through my hair.

"So are we cool now?"

"I guess so. Please just try to keep your anger in check when we are around her from now on"

"No promises..."

"Dante!"

"Fine! I'll try my hardest" he whines.

Shaking my head, I proceed to get dressed before heading back out into my bedroom.

Acacia watches me as she sits cross-legged on the bed.

"You got your hearing aids on, Princess?" I sign to her with a smile.

She nods, turning her head to the side to show me.

"Who's going to be at this training today?" she signs, biting her lip.

"Just the twins and my beta and gamma wolves."

"Oh, okay"

"Is that okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine. I was just worried your entire pack would be there" she signs with a sheepish look on her face.

"No, not today. However, at some point, I would like for you to meet the rest of my family and my pack."

"I know..." she signs, trailing off to fiddle with her fingers.

"Only when you're ready though"

"Thank you, Grayson. Maybe we could just start with the rest of your family, seeing as I would have met everyone else important at training today?"

"Sure, Princess. We can do that."

She nods, thinking for a moment.

"What about if I invite them around for dinner tonight?"

"That sounds okay. I think I can manage that" she replies with a small smile.

"Good," I say, grinning back at her.

Within seconds, my lips are on hers, kissing her hungrily as she lays back on the bed and I crawl on top of her.

She begins to rake her hands through my hair and down my back as I kiss my way along her jawline and down her neck to her mark.

I suck on it gently, causing her to gasp before a quiet moan escapes her lips.

"Grayson" she mind-links me breathlessly.

"Mm?"

"Don't you have paperwork you need to get through?"

Ughhhhhhh. Goddammit.

"Way to spoil the fun, Princess" I smirk, looking down at her.

"Sorry. I just... You said earlier..."

"I know. I've got stuff to do today" I reply chuckling as I roll off her.

"I'm sorry, Grayson," she says, frowning.

"Acacia, it's okay. I promise."

I pull her off the bed and into my arms.

She looks up at me nervously and I gently rub her back in an effort to calm her down.

"Why don't you watch a movie or read a book or something while I do some work and then in a little bit, I'll come get you and we can go to training," I say aloud, looking down at her.

A smile creeps back onto her face as she nods at the idea.

"Come on then," I say grinning as I lace my fingers into hers before walking us out of the room.

I groan as I sift through the piles of paperwork stacked like a tiny mountain range on my desk. Sometimes I don't understand why we have so much paperwork.

I sigh and look at the time.

Crap.

It's ten to eleven. I'm going to be late for training.

I stand up and make my way into my bedroom to change quickly before heading downstairs. I find Acacia watching a movie on the TV and I instantly forget about what I'm supposed to be doing.

I make my way over and plonk myself down next to her. She smiles and gently kisses me before snuggling into my side.

"Grayson?" she says, mind linking after a while.

"Yeah, Princess?" I reply turning to look at her.

"Don't we have somewhere to be?" she signs with a small smile

Oh, right.

I quickly stand, pulling Acacia up with me before walking to the door. She intertwines her hand in mine and smiles up at me. I wink and kiss her gently before we make our way outside.

Within a few minutes, we reach our training grounds and I sit Acacia down on the grass so she can watch.

"Are you okay?" I sign to her.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just a little nervous" she sighs back with a small smile. I nod and crouch down to gently kiss her.

"Well, you already know the twins so that's a start."

She nods, watching me as she fidgets.

"And then the only other people who are coming are my Beta wolf, Levi, and my Gamma wolf, Bentley. They were there the day we found you."

"Oh, right."

"I promise you they aren't as scary as they probably were that day. They've been my best friends for as long as I can remember and they are both giant teddy bears of men."

She giggles at my statement, relaxing a little. However, it doesn't last long as the air shifts and she tenses up.

The gang is here.

She looks nervously around my shoulder at the people walking towards us as I give her hand a squeeze.

I stand up and turn to face them, grinning.

"Grayson!" Levi yells cheerfully as he pulls me into a bear hug.

"Long time no see!"

"Dude, you literally saw me the other day" I laugh, as Bentley thumps me in the back.

"Yeah but Bentley and I missed you. The dream team wasn't together."

I chuckle and roll my eyes at him as Bella walks up and gives me a quick hug followed by Beckett giving me a fist bump.

"Hey, Acacia!" Bella says aloud cheerfully.

I look down at Acacia who's sitting at my feet, biting her lip nervously.

"Hi, Bella" she signs back carefully.

"Levi, Bentley, this is my mate, Acacia," I say smiling.

They nod before signing a hello to Acacia, whose face lights up.

"They know sign language too?" she signs to me grinning.

"Yeah. They know a little because of being around my Grandma" I reply happily.

She nods and looks back at them.

"Hello, we didn't officially get to meet that day in the clearing, for obvious reasons, but Grayson has told me a little bit about you guys and it's nice to finally meet you two" she signs with a small smile.

"I hope he's only told you good things?" Bentley smirks aloud.

Acacia's smile turns into a grin and she glances up at me for a moment.

I wink at her and she giggles before looking back at them.

"Something like that" she signs back, still grinning.

Levi and Bentley proceed to shoot me glares and I hold my hands up in surrender, grinning innocently at them.

"Anyways, shall we get to training then?" I ask aloud, looking at everyone.

"Sounds like a plan," Beckett says grinning.

"Will you be joining in, Acacia?" Bella signs, looking hopeful.

I look down at her as she contemplates for a moment.

"It's up to you, Princess. I'm not going to stop you if it's something you really want to do. Please just be careful if you are going to though" I mind-link to her quietly.

"I know. Thank you, Grayson."

She thinks for another moment before looking up at Bella.

"Yes, I'll give it a go" she signs back with a small smile.

"Yay!" Bella yells as she runs over and pulls Acacia up to a standing position.

Acacia giggles before looking over at me.

"Looks like you have a new best friend" I mind-link smirking.

Acacia beams at my statement and my insides turn to mush.

God, this woman is going to be the death of me.

"Right, well seeing as Acacia is joining in, we will change things up a bit" I start aloud as Bella links her arm with Acacia's.

"She's quite weak so for the first little while, we'll have to take it easy on her. She hasn't shifted since her wolf came back so that will be something she needs to practice."

They all nod smiling and I look over at Acacia.

"You ready?" I sign, raising an eyebrow at her.

She nods as everyone begins to spread out and Bella pulls her into the middle.

"So I think we'll start with defence first because then you'll be able to protect yourself... if someone were to attack you" I sign to her carefully, frowning.

God, even just thinking about Zane makes my blood boil.

Her face flashes with concern and I know she knows what I meant by that.

"It's going to be okay, Grayson. I know he's looking for me but we have time" she signs as she walks over before wrapping her arms around my waist. I instantly calm down and kiss the top of her head.

"I know. I'm just trying to protect you princess" I say, mind linking her.

"I know" she replies softly.

"Anyway, did you learn any defence moves from when you used to watch your old pack train? I know it's been a while" I ask curiously.

"I think I might be able to remember a few things."

"Good" I reply before letting her go. She looks up at me and I smile back at her.

"Beckett," I say aloud, turning my attention back to the group.

"Yeah?" he says curiously.

"I want you to attack Acacia."

"What?!" he replies, shocked, his eyes having practically jumped out of his head.

"Relax, man. I just want to see if she remembers anything from when she was little" I reply, chuckling.

"Ohhhhh right. Okay."

We watch as he walks away from us, Acacia in tow so that they are both standing out in the open ground.

Nerves become present on her face as Beckett eyes her up.

"Try letting your wolf take over" I mind link to her quietly.

She gives me a quick glance and I grin as I see her eyes shift colour. She's getting the hang of it.

Suddenly, Bentley runs at her. As if in slow motion, we watch as she grabs Beckett by the throat and slams him to the ground before sitting on him and pulling his arms behind his back so he can't get up.

She grins at us triumphantly and I laugh. I watch as she gets off him and he gets up, looking annoyed.

"I thought Grayson said you were weak?" Beckett signs to her, visibly pissed off.

"I am but I let my wolf take over because she is stronger than me" she signs back grinning cheekily.

He huffs and stomps back to me. I try not to laugh as the others fall to pieces around me, laughing in hysterics.

"Shut up," Beckett says annoyed, glaring at everyone. I smirk and thump him on the back as he sulks over to Bella.

"Okay Levi, you're up next" I grin, turning to look at him.

"What?! No! Why me?!"

"Everyone is going to have a turn."

"Well, then I want you to go first."

"Okay, wuss" I reply, smirking as I walk up to Acacia.

"I'll go easy on you princess, don't worry" I sign to her sweetly. She raises her eyebrow and smirks.

"Why?"

"Because you're still weak princess, I don't want to hurt you."

Suddenly her eyes shift again, changing from her deep emerald green to bright shiny chartreuse green colour, and I know Elliott has taken over.

"Don't go half-ass Grayson. I want it like it's the real thing" she signs, a small growl escaping her throat.

Shocked, I stare at her for a moment before letting Dante take over. She grins at me, green eyes twinkling.

"You ready?" I sign smirking.

"Show me your teeth," Elliot mind links, her tone like liquid silk.

Fuck.

Why does she have to turn me on like this? I snap out of it and let my canines come through.

I wink at her before running at her.

This is going to be fun.

___________________________

Hey Guys,

So I hope you enjoyed that chapter! Acacia is getting stronger! 

Thanks for sticking by me through all this and feel free to vote and leave me a comment below letting me know whether you liked this chapter!!

If you feel so inclined, go follow me on my Instagram account @allamy_duffell for a look into my life outside of writing!

Thanks,

- Allamy xx