My Holiday Mate

Having John Watched

Daniel POV

The holiday period I spent with Sarah was truly exceptional, and having her stay with me made it even more memorable. Although she had the option to remain at her own apartment, I insisted on bringing her to my place because I believed her environment there was unsafe. My strong desire to make her my mate convinced me I couldn't let her stay alone, especially with John threatening her. Additionally, it provided a perfect opportunity to keep her close, increasing my chances of winning her heart.

I repeatedly asked Sarah how she was feeling after discovering her boyfriend's infidelity. From my perspective, she appeared to be managing well and not suffering much, likely because of our intense mate bond, which kept her close to me. I saw her proximity as an opportunity to alleviate her pain, but my intention was never to manipulate or exploit her. My primary concern was her safety and well-being, and I wanted to demonstrate how much I cared for her. I also wished to show her the possibilities for a different life—one where she was with me, free from heartbreak and betrayal.

Luca and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease as the holiday season came to an end and we faced the familiar routine of returning to work. After helping Sarah settle back at her place, I decided to stay a little longer to ensure she was truly okay alone. The lingering worry kept me awake that night, and even after I finally managed to fall asleep, I couldn't shake the restless feeling. My apartment felt strangely empty without her presence, and I was acutely aware of her absence, especially the subtle scent of her that lingered in the air, making the silence all the more profound.

On the first day back at work after the holidays, I woke up with the idea of picking Sarah up to go to work together. I thought this would be a good chance to keep an eye on her, at least temporarily, until I can find a more reliable way to ensure her safety from John.

The plan was to handle her transportation to and from work for the time being. Perhaps Sarah will agree to let me arrange for her to have a private driver. One of my main reasons for wanting to drive Sarah myself was to ensure she arrived at work on time and returned home at a reasonable hour, since I planned to take her out on a date. Sarah is not yet aware of our upcoming date, but I am confident she will love the idea of spending time with me.

After I picked up Sarah and took her to work, I made sure to inform her about our upcoming date. Once I arrived at my office, I contacted Erik to monitor John Henderson in the science and technology department for any irregularities or issues related to his work. I had previously watched John during the time he was still in a relationship with Sarah, but that was only because I was trying to gather dirt to justify making him look bad in Sarah's eyes.

Now, my objective toward John has changed. He has threatened both Sarah and me, which has severely damaged my trust in his work. Despite this, I can't fire him yet because he hasn't yet committed any transgressions I am fully aware of. I just have to wait until Erik comes up with something or see what John is trying to do.

My workday was quite slow, especially after a series of back-to-back meetings with clients. They were trying to obtain updates on the renewal of their contracts earlier than usual due to the office being closed for the recent holiday.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me as the day finally drew to a close. It meant I could unwind and enjoy some peaceful moments with Sarah for the rest of the night. I had been planning a special evening for us—taking her to a private dinner at a charming Italian restaurant that offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire city skyline. This idea was actually suggested by Rick, my Beta, who knew the place and thought it would be perfect for us. I quickly sent Sarah a message to let her know that I had just finished work and that I was now on my way to pick her up, eager for the evening ahead.

Rick was filled with excitement when I finally found my mate, but soon a wave of guilt washed over him as he considered my situation and the fact that I couldn't have her. Rick wasn't just my Beta; he was also my closest friend, someone I confided in about everything. He and his mate, Samantha, are both eager and looking forward to meeting Sarah.

I finally arrived at Sarah's workplace, feeling a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. As I approached, I noticed several women passing by glancing in my direction, but I chose to ignore their looks, focusing instead on the reason why I'm here. Soon, Sarah appeared through the doors of her office building, looking stunning as always, her presence captivating everyone around her. Watching her, Luca couldn't help but think, "Sarah is finally ours. We need to tell her about us soon; the pack has gone too long without a Luna," Luca said with a sense of urgency and hope.

After I dropped Sarah off at her office, I went directly home to prepare myself. I made a quick call to Mark to keep him updated on the recent developments. He has been an enormous help in managing the pack business while I have been away. I quickly got ready and then headed back to Sarah's place to pick her up. Before I could even step out of the car, Sarah stepped outside to meet me. The dress she was wearing complemented her skin beautifully, accentuating her curves in all the right places. I had to remind myself to stay focused, Daniel, or I might not make it to the restaurant without losing my composure.

We arrived at the Italian restaurant, and immediately, Sarah appeared visibly excited. The waitress led us to a private table that offered a beautiful view overlooking the city skyline. I carefully pulled out a chair for Sarah to sit down before taking a seat myself across from her. As Sarah began to peruse the menu, I already knew what I wanted to order. I signaled to the waiter to come over. "Are you ready to order?" he asked. "Yes," I replied. "I'd like the table to have some fresh bread and a bottle of avocado oil for dipping. For my meal, I would like to order the Rome-style Carbonara and Cacio e pepe. For Sarah, I’ve chosen a Southern Italy Specialty—Orecchiette with broccoli rabe—along with a side of white wine to complement the dishes.

Our meal arrived promptly, and as we began eating, Sarah started with some questions. "Where did you grow up?" she asked. I responded that I grew up in a small town not far from here. Sarah continued to ask me a series of questions, and I answered each one honestly. I didn't mention that I am a wolf, but I explained the things I have done and continue to do as an Alpha without telling her that I am an Alpha. She was genuinely surprised by how much responsibility I carry. We became so engrossed in our conversation that we didn't notice how close the restaurant was to closing.

We concluded the evening with a gentle, lingering kiss goodnight before carefully dropping her off at her home. Throughout the month, Sarah and I had planned several more outing, and when the last Friday night of the month came, we went out again. This time, I took her to a lively hibachi restaurant, where we shared more about ourselves, revealing things that no one else knew. Our conversation flowed easily, and the evening felt special.

However, our date was cut short unexpectedly. I received an urgent call from Erik, who told me to return to the office immediately. Our computer system had been hacked, and it was critical to address the issue immediately. Because of the urgency, I didn't have time to take Sarah home, so I had no choice but to bring her with me. I gently held Sarah's hand, gazing into her warm, trusting eyes. "Sorry about this, Sarah," I said softly, "but it's urgent that I get back to the office. I promise I'll make it up to you soon."