MY MURDEROUS MATE

PROPOSAL

Devyn POV

Well, here I am once again on my way back to the city that I love. I can see the bright lights ahead for miles before I arrive. The hustle and bustle of the city invigorates my soul. There is never a dull moment. It’s true that nature is limited. When I first arrived, I referred to it as the cement city.

Luckily there are some wooded areas on the outskirts of the city where I can allow Delila to run without fear of another pack’s boundaries. The area is for us wolves but humans sometimes go there because they obviously don't know it's where lots of wolves roam. It’s considered non-territorial. There are occasionally rogues who venture in and cause havoc, so most wolves avoid the area at late night or travel with others. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of friends who are wolves in the city.

I pull up to the parking garage where my loft is located. I notice that Mitch’s BMW is parked in the visitor spot. I smile knowing that he couldn’t wait for me to return. However, I was hoping to freshen up a little before having a visitor. The drive is always tiring and there is nothing better than a nice shower. Speaking of which, I’m so happy to have a bathroom to myself.

Turning the handle on the door, I open to a wonderful dim lit room. There are candles burning releasing a smell of roses I believe. The music is low with piano smooth rhythm filling the air. I turn the corner to the dining area and Mitch has the table set perfectly with more candles and wine glasses.

In the kitchen is this amazing man making his famous manicotti with garlic bread. Just the smell has my taste buds salivating. Not only is Mitch a perfect specimen of a human who knows how to whoa me, but he is a fabulous cook. I see him in my apron and I laugh out loud. The apron is really for decoration as I’d never wear it. He turns and does a little presentation of his fashion attire.

“Mitch, what in the world are you doing? This is too much. I was only gone a few days. Did you really miss me that much?”

He walks over to me and pulls my waist into him as he goes right for my neck nibbling in the most sensitive spot. “Sweetheart, you know I’m lost without you. I can’t stand us being apart.” He then cups my face with his hand and stares into my eyes for a moment before capturing my lips with his own. The kiss is slow and passionate. He pours his heart and soul into our relationship. I feel somewhat guilty about not being able to reciprocate the same. If I were a human, I’m certain that I would be swooning over him like a damsel.

I pull back looking at him intently, “How long before dinner? I’d really like to jump in the shower and change into something more appropriate for dinner. I’ve been sharing a bathroom and I REALLY miss my own space.” I laugh at my own anticipation of getting a shower.

Mitch replies, “It’ll be ready in 30 minutes. You go jump in shower but don’t worry about dinner appropriate attire. I have no other plans for this evening other than dinner and spending time with you darling.” He ends his statement by placing a kiss on my forehead.

Entering my bathroom, I see everything in place. The smell is wonderful, and it is clean to perfection. I reach into the shower and start the water to warm. I’m undressing and stop to look in the mirror. I notice that I look tired. Damn, I’m getting old and worn out. I remember how Bruna looked and vowed to make certain to use more facial moisturizer and hit the gym more often.

The shower flows over my skin engulfing me in delight. Relaxing I drift off to remember the shower with Blayde. It was hot! I’m not fantasizing about him, but I do miss that type of action. Mitch is much too conservative to share a shower. I mean he is amazing in bed but that’s where it stays. He’s not much for adventure.

I exit and wrap the towel around me with another around my hair. I enter my room hoping that Mitch would do something unexpected. But no, I’m in my room alone. I go to my drawer and pull out a pair of panties that are cute but not overly sexy. I decide to wear a sports bra and a lose pair of sweatpants. I know Mitch said not dinner wear so hopefully he doesn’t find this too distasteful.

Mitch, “Sweetheart, dinner is on the table. Can you hurry along please?”

“Coming, I just need to brush my hair out.”

I hurry along and run the brush through my still wet hair and pull it up into a somewhat messy bun. Here goes the moment of truth – will he freak out?

Mitch turns to look at me with a look I’m not certain how to take. He lifts and eyebrow and says, “Wow, you really went casual. Now I feel overdressed.” I hadn’t noticed before, but he still had dress slacks on with his polished business shoes and a button-down shirt that was nicely tucked in enhancing his lean figure.

“I can change. I thought this was …..” I find myself almost stuttering. Why am I worried about what he thinks? I compose myself finally. “Is it that big of an issue? I mean, come on it’s just us two.”

Mitch, “Of course not darling. Come and lets eat. I’m just not used to seeing you so …. casual.”

He pulls out my seat for me and I literally plop into the seat. I’m feeling very offended by his attitude. At the pack house, we have order but no one is ever made to feel that they should act or dress a certain way unless there is pre-planned formal dinner.

Mitch pours a fine wine and places the dish in front of me. He smiles and I can’t stay mad. He sits across from me and motions that we begin. “So, tell me what you can about this oh so important case of yours that is taking you from me.”

“Well, it’s a malpractice suit against a doctor. This chick overdosed and he made the choice to save her child. Apparently, she was already too far gone to be saved. The mother of the girl can’t believe her daughter overdosed and actually thinks it was murder. I’m still not sure if she thinks the doctor murdered her daughter or if someone else did. I guess the other possibility is that she thinks he murdered her by not saving her. Regardless, the child was offered to the grandmother, but she refused because she doesn’t want anything to do with the child.”

Mitch, “What kind of person is this plaintiff? And why would you take such a case? You know that you can always decline a client.”

“It’s a little more complicated. My father was the personal attorney of a family in the area, and this is someone they cared deeply. The girl was apparently very talented and there were high hopes for her. The family just wants to find out for certain what happened to close the door for the mother.”

Mitch, “You know it won’t look good on your record if you lose a case that you shouldn’t have taken to begin.” He says this matter of fact.

I’m not sure if it’s just me or if he is being condescending this evening. “Mitch, what’s going on? It’s unlike you to question me. I feel like I’m being interrogated.”

Mitch, “Devyn, that’s not it. Every year when you visit your hometown, I feel unwanted. You don’t invite me to tag along. You come back looking refreshed and then change somehow. The Devyn who left a few days ago would never have dressed for dinner like you are right now. I don’t mind it, but I just feel like you leave and change into someone I don’t recognize.”

Whoa! That was a lot to process. “Look, you would not like my hometown. There’s a reason I left to come to the city. Me going home once a year is a voyage I make as a remembrance of where I came from and also to remember my mother and father. As far as ‘dressing’ for dinner, I never knew you were so superficial.” I slam down my fork and cross my arms across my chest.

I can see Mitch is thinking and getting frustrated. “Devyn, this is f*****g not how tonight was planned. s**t! I just messed up the romantic night I had planned. Here, if we’re being all upfront and just throwing it out there with one another – here’s an engagement ring.” He slams the ring right in front of me on the table and does the same with his arms crossing his chest.

Well, f**k me! Could tonight get anymore complicated? I sit there with a confused look on my face. I stare at the ring and then look into his face for some type of feelings. But all I can feel right now is anger and frustration about being put into this position. If I don’t want a mate, I sure as hell don’t want a husband.

Mitch, “Are you going to say anything? I still want you to be my wife. I think we make a perfect pair – with the exception of tonight. I mean, we are both rising superstars in the law firm. I’ll be taking over for my father soon and I’ll need a strong woman with me as I excel in the field. You are perfect for the roll. That’s why I’m concerned about you taking on a case like you are. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand perfectly!” I steady myself thinking how I can turn this so I don’t seem like such a coldhearted b***h. “Mitch, you left out something VERY important in that proposal. At no point did you mention that you love me.” I stop to see him come to the realization that what I said is correct.

He begins to speak but I cut him off, “Can you please leave my loft and take the ring with you? The answer is no at this time. I’m not saying it will always be no, but we need a lot of work after what’s transpired tonight.”

I stay seated as he pops up off the seat grabbing his jacket. He starts to leave but returns to snatch up the ring from the table and putting it in his pocket. I hear the door slam as he exits. Taking a deep breath, I look at my unfinished manicotti and dig in. There is no way I'm wasting a delicious meal.

Finishing up with dinner and cleaning the mess Mitch made gave me time for me to collect myself. I had planned to stay a few days in the city but now I’m more determined to meet with my investigators in the morning and then return to the pack to begin my research to bring this doctor and Frostcrest Pack down. My determination keeps getting prodded, so I’m now resolved to give this case my all.