Beta Xavier Costa.

Eleanor Amato - POV

It's been a week since Karla and Dad visited me, and even though I was happy that my broken bond with them had healed, I was constantly on edge, not knowing what had happened to Avery. Even though she was a brat toward me, she is my younger sister. “Hey,” I greeted Xavier as I walked inside his office.

“Ellie, where were you all this morning?” Xavier asked me as he pulled me to sit on his lap.

“I was at the bakery. We were designing a cake for Becca’s and Ivan’s mating ceremony.” I replied in excitement while Xavier nodded his head, and turned me around to face him.

“Are you happy?” he asked me out of the blue, and this made a frown appear on my face.

“Don't I look happy?”

“You do, but I can still see a look of sadness in them too,” Xavier replied, but I made sure to keep that smile on my face. Even though I was very happy and eagerly waiting to see Ivan’s and Rebecca's mating ceremony, there was still a pag of sadness within me. While my heart was longing to know when I would get to have my own mating ceremony.

“It must be because I am still worried about Avery’s safety. I mean, it's been more than a week that she has been missing, and we haven't still found her.” I replied, and Xavier nodded his head.

“You are right. We have also started looking out of our state, but there is still no trace of her.”

“Will she be alive?” I mumbled, and this made Xavier’s hand around my waist tighten.

“Your parents still feel her bond, Eleanor. So don't lose hope.” Xavier consoled me, and I nodded my head. “Can you do me a favor, sweetheart?”

“Sure, what is it?”

“Can you get me that envelope that is on that bookshelf?” Xavier asked me, pointing towards a red envelope that was placed at the edge of the bookshelf. I nodded my head, climbed out of his lap, and made my way to the envelope. I took the envelope and handed it over to him, but he shook his head. “Why don't you open it and read it out loud for me?” Xavier asked me, so I nodded my head and tore open the envelope.

There was a beautiful pastel-coloured invitation inside. So I took it out to see that it was an invitation for a mating ceremony. “Whose mating ceremony is this?” I asked him with a frown on my face and a smile formed on his face.

“Wasn't the envelope sealed?”

”It was, but…”

“Then how would I know who sent it, Eleanor? Why don't you open it and read it aloud for me.” Xavier said in a duh tone, and this made me glare at him, but nevertheless, I opened the invitation and began reading it.

My mate and I would like to cordially invite you to one of the most awaited mating ceremonies of the Full moon pack on the 8th of August 2024.

My eyes glossed with tears when I saw Xavier’s and my name on the invitation card. “Is this for real, Xavier?” I asked him, and he got up from his place and walked toward me.

“Why do you think I never marked you?” Xavier questioned, and this made a frown appear on my face. “My mom is sort of old school. A person who follows all these traditions. When my dad found my mom, they had their mating ceremony within a week where they marked each other before mating,” he said, and this made a blush form on my face. “But since we had already mated, I felt like we should at least do the marking right. So that is why I arranged this mating ceremony for you.” Xavier explained.

“Thank you so much, Xavier. For a moment, I thought that you would never mark me and that I was going to be dumped after…” he placed his finger On my lips, preventing the words from coming out.

“Don't think about all the negative factors because now you will have to focus on this mating ceremony,” he said, and I nodded my head.

“But isn't this too early? I mean, there is only a week and a half for our ceremony.”

“I know, but I want to mark you soon. But if that is too soon, I can…” I shook my head when he stopped midway.

“I don't mind having it early,” I told him, and he nodded his head.

“Great, the arrangements for the events are being taken care of, so don't stress your pretty head about anything,” he said as he placed a chaste kiss on my lips.

“But what about the dress?” I asked him, and a smirk formed on his face.

“My mom would always tell me that it was my dad who got the mating ceremony dress, and I want to do the same thing to you as well. But if you don't want you can go and…”

“No, you can select the dress,” I told him, and he nodded his head.

“You know I would love to spend more time with my mate, but I am running late for a meeting. So, shall I see you later?” Xavier asked me, so I nodded my head. Xavier placed one more kiss on my lips before he walked out of his office.

I stayed in there, staring at the invitation for a while before I walked out of there as well. As I arrived at our house, I saw someone waiting for me near the door. “Hello?” I called out, which made him turn around to face me. It was the omega that I had seen around.

“Miss. Amato, one of the omegas informed me that you had requested someone to come over to clean the gutters,” he said, and I nodded my head.

“Oh yes, please come in. The gutter at the back needs to be cleaned.” I told him as I walked inside the house.