Abbie's POV
"I can't wait till you see this place. It hasn't changed one bit." Hunter smiles, making me feel the butterflies in my stomach as I see the side of his eyes crease with his smile. There's just something about him... his smile always makes my stomach flutter and my heart race.
Is it strange to say I feel nervous about walking in to eat in this place? I haven't been here in so long. It was like a special treat to get away from Armand and be able to eat here. All my obligations back in Armand's home always kept me so busy, that I was surprised I even finished my homework. I still had the best grades, though! If I can boast that proudly.
But Alpha Black would unexpectedly send guards for me, and Armand would feel too embarrassed to say no. He'd try to play it off as if we were all doing something, and he'd say, "Abbie, honey. That's enough help for today. Why don't you go and have some fun? Get cleaned up, the Blacks would like you to join them for dinner." he'd say smiling as the guards looked at us but sent an evil look as soon as they'd turn.
Then he'd burst into the bathroom while I cleaned my face and hands, pull on my hair, and make me look at him, "Listen here, you little runt! Say anything about what goes on in this family, and I swear I will beat the shit out of you worse than last time. Understood?" he'd growl, making me nod as I cried through tearful whimpers.
It didn't matter though. Seeing Hunter's family always boosted me. They were the family I longed to have one day. They were loved, respected, and looked up to by everyone. That's probably why my old alpha hated him. He was jealous of him.
"Ooh, can't wait." I smile, leaning forward and kissing him. I cup his cheek, right over his scar, and nudge his nose with mine, making him smile. "I love you, beautiful," he says, making my smile widen, earning another kiss.
"And I love you."
We walk inside, and my eyes widen seeing this place intact. Nothing had changed, besides the fresh color paint, the same shade, though.
I sat across Hunter, looking at the menu. It hadn't changed a bit. It was the same menu as before, plus a few new things in the dessert.
My eyes widened as I saw a new item on the menu, "Acai bowls?" I ask, with wide eyes, making Hunter chuckle.
"I know those were your favorites when we were in middle school. I remember you eating them almost every Tuesday and Thursday after you were done tutoring the kids in our elementary school," he says, making my stomach flutter. I didn't think he'd remember that.
I was in the advanced program, and I was so ahead of classes that the principal asked me to tutor kids in our elementary next door. "Of course, I would remember. I was a tutor for the science kids, too," he says, making me chuckle. I covered my face slightly with the menu, feeling a bit embarrassed.
I do remember him being a tutor. I'd drool over him even then, looking at him teach the small kids about science and the history of werewolves.
"Why did you like those so much?" he asks, making me look up. "Uh... I," I couldn't tell him why... he'd think I'm nuts!
"Well, uh."
He chuckles, making my cheeks more red. My face felt hot with embarrassment. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I just thought it was odd. I mean, we had such a large variety of desserts, from chocolate cake, cupcakes, puddings, but... you always wanted those acai bowls."
"Extra dragon fruit!" we both say in unison, laughing afterward.
"If I'm being honest... it's because they reminded me of you." I say making him smile, not saying a word, just looking at me.
"Do tell!" he says, making me chuckle.
"Your scent. It's just like those Dragon fruits they put on them." his eyes turned from his honey brown to a darker color, letting me know he was either flattered or his wolf was trying to merge. I chuckle, biting my bottom lip as I believe by now I am as red as a tomato.
I take a sip of my water, trying to cover up my embarrassment as he stares widely at me.
"Look at you, being all sincere and shit with your man!" Merida says, making me choke on my water and causing Hunter to chuckle.
"Really? Is that how I smell to you?" he asks, biting his bottom lip.
"Yeah," I say proudly. "You smell like..." I say, squinting my eyes, looking heavenward, "Fresh dragon fruit and morning rain.
"Nice!" he nods his head thoughtfully. "Do you know what you smell like to me?" he gets closer, making me nervous as my heart speeds up and my stomach flutters. At this rate, I'll either have a heart attack if my heart speeds up more, or I'll go straight into a panic attack; either way, I'm losing my shit, and it's all Hunter's fault. Goddess, why did you get even sexier than when we were younger? You dumb, sexy devil!
"On most days, you smell like a freshly bloomed cherry tree. But when you... get turned on, you smell like cherry blossoms and peonies. I love it. But it makes me want to lose control." he says, standing beside me. I look at him; my nerves are going wild.
"It makes me want to rip your clothes off and make you mine again," he whispers in my ear, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me against him as he sucks on my mark, making our spark surge through me wildly. Holy shit, yes! That sounds great... more than great.
I wonder if they still have takeout? Maybe we can make it to go and have dessert first... if you know what I mean?
I can feel the pressure between my legs mounting, making me fist my hand and suppress a moan as he licks my mark and bites down softly, sucking on my skin as he pulls away for a second and does it again.
Oh-My-Goddess, I'm definitely going to lose it here. If he doesn't stop, I'm going to...
"Hi. My name is Analise, I'll be your waitress for this eve..." I hear a voice call behind him, making us pull away for a second. She was a pretty girl with long blonde hair and fair skin. Her face was round, and a bed of light freckles aligned her nose and cheekbones, making her look so pretty.
"Hunter," she says, almost as if she was shocked to see him here... and why the hell did she say it in that tone? Who is this girl?
"And why did she just call him by his name? It's alpha Black, bitch." Merida says, making me close my eyes and grunt inwardly. "Merida, stop. Can you... Please! Control your temper?" I say to her through our mind link.
"Alpha Black, Miss. And this is my mate and Luna, Abigail Black." he introduces me to her, using his last name as if I was already married to him, and making my cheeks heat in embarrassment again.
"Oh, right. My apologies. My... my name is Analise. Can I start you off with a drink? An appetizer, maybe?" she asks, trying to keep her eyes on me, but can't help but look at Hunter. "I'll have a hot tea, please."
"Make that two," Hunter says, staring at me like Analise was not before us.
"Ok. I'll... go ahead and get those for you. Are you... ready to order."
"No. Not yet. Please give us a few more minutes. Thank you." he says, not once looking at her.
I look at her and smile politely, and she smiles back. I could feel the awkwardness in the air, but Hunter seemed unconcerned.
"Right... I'll... be right back." she stutters, looking between us and leaving quickly.
Hunter is ready to cup my face and continue kissing me, but I clear my throat and smack him on his chest, making his eyes widen in shock as he gasps sarcastically.
"What was that for?"
I point toward the girl and nod, "Why were you so rude to the girl? And how do you know her?"
He grunts, hanging his head. "She's a Hunter groupie, ok. Last year... my mom held a ball to try and make me choose a mate. She was an attendee. She followed me for days; everywhere I turned, there she was. It was crazy until," he says, looking back and grunting annoyingly.
"Until what?" I asked, curious. Merida asked the same question in my head, making him chuckle.
"Until I had no choice but to confront her. I told her to back off. I wanted nothing to do with her or any other girl. I guess she thought since many werewolves who haven't found their mate go around sleeping with unmated she-wolves, I would be no exception. But she was wrong. I knew you were out there, Abbie, and if you were meant for me, I'd find you sooner or later." he says, making me feel bad for the girl.
"The worst thing is, I had to do it publicly. She left me no choice. She tried kissing me in front of my sister, so I pushed her and yelled at her without thinking. I felt horrible; she left crying and running out of the pack house. I... Honestly hadn't seen her since." he says, making me look toward Analise and feel sorry for her. I mean, I was proud of Hunter.... He waited for me after all.
But I feel her.
A public rejection must feel awful, and I hope I never get to experience something like that.
"Here you go, please, let me know when you're ready to order. Enjoy your tea," she says politely, lowering her head and crossing her fingers in front of her waist.
"Thank you," I reply and nudge Hunter on his arm, making him clear his throat.
"Uh, right... thanks," he says, making me roll my eyes as she walks away without another word.