Prince Meliorn

CHAPTER FOUR

Layla‘s POV

“Wow, who would have thought that you would finally go on a date again. And that also spontaneously with a stranger. This is very unusual for you. Especially not after that douche bag Chad,” Emely said excitedly. Damn! Why did she have to remind me of that i***t. Chad and I dated for two years before I found out three months ago that he was cheating on me with some girl from his neighborhood. Since then I had withdrawn and never let a new man get too close to me. Somehow I always knew that Chad and I wouldn't last long. Still, it hurt to catch his cheating a*s red-handed. He didn't even have enough respect for me to remain faithful for the time we were together.

"I'm not even sure if I'm really ready to date anyone again. Especially a complete stranger. But there was something about him that attracted me. There was this feeling of familiarity that he triggered in me. Like I've known him forever. He's nothing compared to Chad,” I told her.

"This guy is so hot. And something mysterious seems to emanate from him. He's definitely a big improvement to Chad,” Emely said with a wink. I opened my closet and thought about what to wear to the meeting with the mysterious man. I wanted to keep the first date simple, so I suggested my favorite diner instead of an expensive restaurant. Wearing a fancy dress would be a bit too overdressed so I chose black skinny jeans and a nice blue blouse. "How do you like this?" I asked Emely, who had made herself comfortable on my bed. "Looks good. I'm so curious how it will go. You'll have to tell me every single detail afterwards. Don't leave anything out,” she admonished me. I laughed. "Yes I will. Don't you actually have a date with Nico now?"

"Oh right. He'll pick me up. We are going to the cinema. Have to go. Have fun and don't do anything what I wouldn't do,” she said before scooting out of the room.

*****

Two hours later I was standing in front of the diner and I was getting nervous. What if that man, Meliorn, didn't show up. What if he forgot me? The date came very suddenly and we hadn't even exchanged numbers. And was I even ready to get involved with someone new? After the disappointment with Chad, I became very cautious and didn't get involved with anyone that easily. But there was something about this Meliorn guy that intrigued me and drew me to him like a moth to a flame. It was unusual for me that I felt something like that after just a brief encounter. It usually took me forever to warm up to someone. Sometimes I wish I was a little more outgoing like Emely and less shy and reserved. That's why I got in trouble less often than she did. I mean, this guy could be a serial killer for all I know despite the fact that he was probably the most handsome and hottest man I've ever met. It was almost as if the situation were reversed. Emely was in a happy relationship while I was dating complete strangers. Oh come relax Layla! I thought to myself. I took a deep breath and entered the diner. I looked around to see if he was already there. And indeed. After a few seconds I found him sitting in a quiet corner where there was some privacy. He was wearing white pants and a black shirt that stretched perfectly around his defined arm muscles.

"Hmm he's so yummy, our mate," a voice suddenly said in my head that wasn't mine.

"What? Who said that?” I asked in my head, but got no answer. What was going on? Now I heard voices. Am I going insane? I took another deep breath and went to Meliorn. "Hi," I greeted him with a smile. He looked up and smiled back.

"Hi, nice to see you again.,“ he said with a gentle voice.

"It's not often that I go on a date that quickly,” I joked. The corners of his mouth twitched up. Something told me he was glad to hear that. "Oh, does that mean I'm special?" he teased.

"That’s quite possible. I'm still in the process of figuring that out. Remember I'm not easy to impress,” I countered.

"I already know you're something special, Layla," Meliorn said while looking at me intently.

"Hi, I'm Kaylee, I will serve you tonight. Can I already get you something?“ we were interrupted by the waitress. I looked up to see the waitress blushing and shamelessly doting on Meliorn. Oh how I hated that. As if there wasn't a possibility that I could be his girlfriend. However, Meliorn paid her no attention as he continued to stare deep into my eyes. After we had ordered sweet potato fries for me and fries and bacon cheeseburger for him and a coke for each of us, the waitress went away. "That happens to you a lot, doesn't it?" I asked

, who then gave me a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"That women are constantly flirting with you and trying to get your attention," I replied.

"There's only one woman who has my full attention right now," he said with a teasing grin but honesty in his voice. There was something in his eyes when he looked at me that reminded me of hunger and longing but also something tender that I couldn't quite interpret yet.

"Where are you from? Have you always lived in New York?” I finally asked him after our food arrived. He seemed nervous for some reason. But answered anyway.

"The place where I come from is called Idris and is let's say very far away from here."

"Uh, how mysterious and sounds interesting. Where exactly is it? And was it nice growing up there? What about your family? Do they still live there?” I asked curiously.

“Unfortunately, I can't tell you much about it yet, but yes, it's very beautiful there with lots of fantastic landscapes. My family is very influential in Idris. I promise to tell you more about it in due time,” he explained while I was practically hanging on his every word. I wanted to know almost everything about him.

"But enough about me. Tell me something about yourself," he said, probably with the same curiosity I was projecting. Hmm where should I start without boring him. My life wasn't very exciting.

Meliorn‘s POV

Nervous but excited and full of anticipation I had waited all day for my date with Layla. I got there a few minutes early and then Layla finally showed up. She looked amazing in skintight black jeans that flattered her beautiful long legs perfectly and a pretty silky blue blouse. Her hair fell in soft curls over her shoulders. She is so beautiful. My wolf was stirring in my subconscious and I was having trouble keeping him under control. I hoped Atlas wouldn't go completely insane otherwise it would have happened to me too. The date went well so far. I got a little nervous when she questioned me about me and my origins as I could only give her vague answers at the moment. I promised to tell her more about it at a later date. I hated keeping secrets from my mate, but there was no other choice right now. I haven't been able to tell her much about Idris and nothing at all about werewolves and the other magical beings. I still enjoyed spending time with her and didn't want the evening to end. I couldn't help but notice again that the aura she was radiating wasn't human. However, I wasn't sure if she wasn’t at least part mortal. She's not only a werewolf either. There was also something else. Maybe she was half witch. I had to learn more about her parents to confirm that she is half werewolf and half witch. "But enough about me. Tell me something about yourself,” I finally steered the conversation from me to her.

"Well, I grew up in a foster family. I was fortunate that they were loving people. Unfortunately, I didn't know my birth parents. They died in a car accident when I was a baby. I love to draw and paint and started an art degree a few months after graduating from high school,” she shared. Hmm that meant I was right. She doesn't know herself that she is a magical being and has been raised like a normal mortal by her foster parents who were mortals. But didn't she get her wolf? I had to find out if she could transform. We talked for a while about everything and nothing and got to know each other more. Layla was perfect for me. I couldn't wait to complete the Mate bond, but something told me it was going to be a while to get to it. Eventually we left the diner and I walked Layla to her apartment, which she shared with her friend. In front of her apartment door, I suddenly felt the irresistible urge to kiss her. I could see that she wanted it too. I didn't know if she or I was initiating it but suddenly our mouths crashed and I kissed her hungrily. Layla returned the kiss with equal passion. I c****d my head and deepened the kiss as our tongues explored each other. I bit her lower lip softly and she let out a small moan. That sound made my already half-erect c**k harder and her enticing scant was driving me crazy. I felt the tingles of the mate bond strongly. After breaking away we were both breathing heavily.

"I, ehm, have to go in now," she stammered. I smiled.

"Good night, Layla. I have your number. I'll get in touch. Can't wait to see you again,” I said goodbye and turned on my heel with a huge grin on my face.