Beta Xavier Costa.

Eleanor Amato - POV

“Should we go inside?” I asked Erica as I looked around my surroundings. This place is crowded with humans and rogues alike, and if something goes wrong, I don't want to end up dead.

“I am there for you, Ellie. Let's go inside.” Erica persuaded me, so I took a deep breath and took a few steps before I came to a screeching halt. I looked down at myself to see that I might just expose my identity if I walked inside that diner looking like this.

I looked around the street when I saw an antique shop that sells clothes and other accessories.

Just the place I was looking for.

I quickly walked towards that shop. After looking around all the fancy clothes, I chose a pastel pink floor-length gown and a black wig that had a short haircut in a pixie style.

“Is that all you need, ma'am?” the cashier asked me in a bored tone as she billed my items.

“Do you have bright red lipstick?” I asked her, and she nodded her head.

“I will have one of those.”

“What shade would you like?” she asked.

“Give me the brightest red,” I told her, and she nodded her head and went to the back to get it for me. After I paid for everything, I looked around the store when I saw the changing room. “Can I use the changing room?”

“Sure,” she said, and I quickly walked inside. After wearing all the clothes I bought, I walked out of the changing room looking like a completely different person.

“Thank you,” I told her, and she nodded her head. I walked out of there and made my way to my car again. After keeping all my things inside, I put on my sunglasses and walked to the diner. Taking a deep breath, I walked inside the noisy diner. My eyes quickly landed on Ivan, who was sitting with a woman.

I made my way inside and took a seat at a table that was one table away from them, making sure that they were in earshot. “Would you like to eat something, dear?” a waitress came to take my order.

“I will have a chocolate milkshake and some French fries,” I said, and she wrote down my order and left.

“How long should I stay in here, Ivan?” the voice sounded angry, and this question confused me.

“Try to understand, darling. The situation is not very desirable back at the pack.”

“You know I am not safe in here either, right?”

“I know, and that is why I told you I would come to stay at your apartment tonight.”

“Ivan, he is after me. Do you understand that or not?”

“I know, but I tried talking to Alpha Derek about taking in harmless rogues into the pack, but he does not want to take anyone inside right now after what happened to Eleanor.”

“I know, rogues are not to be trusted.” the woman’s voice held sadness.

“I don't think he is plotting anything against the pack.” Erica chimed in, and I had the same thought as well.

“Madam.” I looked up to see that the waitress had brought my order. She placed my food in front of me.

“Thank you,” I told her, and she nodded her head and walked away. “I guess we were too soon to judge him,” I mumbled, my heart filling with guilt and regret. I should have at least trusted him.

I abruptly got up from my place and made my way to their table. “…I will…” Ivan stopped midway when he saw me standing in front of him. “Hello?” Ivan greeted with a doubtful look on his face.

“Ivan, it's me.”

“Uh, I am sorry, I don't think I know you, Miss,” he said, and that was when I remembered my costume. I quickly removed the wig I was wearing along with the sunglasses. “Eleanor?” Ivan got up from his place. “What are you doing in here?” he asked me as the woman who was with him got up from her place as well.

“I…I…I am sorry, Ivan.” I blurted out, and a puzzled look appeared on his face. “I shouldn't have doubted you.”

“What are you talking about, Eleanor?”

“Why don't you please take a seat, Miss. Amato.” the woman spoke with a smile on her face, and I nodded my head and took a seat next to her.

“Who are you?” I asked the woman.

“I am Rebecca, Ivan’s mate.” she introduced herself.

“You are a rogue?” I asked her, and she nodded her head. “Then how did you meet?” I asked her, and a mischievous smile formed on her face, when I looked at Ivan, he had the same smile as well.

“Do you remember when you saw me walk into the pack from the no man’s territory when you were on patrol alone?” Ivan asked me, and I nodded my head. “That night, Rebecca was passing by when I got a whiff of her scent, and I instantly knew that she was my mate.

“So you crossed the border to go and meet her?” I asked him, and he nodded his head.

“If she is your mate, then why don't you bring her home, Ivan?”

“You know why, Eleanor. The tension in the pack is stressful, and I don't think Samuel would accept her into the pack.” Ivan said, and he sounded hopeless.

“I will speak to him,” I said, and this made both of them look at me.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I said and got up from my place.

“Where are you going?” Ivan asked me.

“Let's go back to the pack,” I said in a duh tone, and even though Ivan looked hesitant, Rebecca quickly got up from her place, eager to leave.

“Let's go.”

“But Becca…”

“No buts, Ivan. The beta female is calling us to the pack, so I don't think I can decline that offer.” Rebecca said.

“Fine, let's go,” Ivan said and got up from his place. After paying the bills, we left the diner, and when I was about to walk back to my car, Ivan held my hand.

“Come with us, Ellie.”

“But the car.”

“I don't want to let you drive back alone, Ellie. I will send a warrior to bring the car back home.”