Two Princes and a Princess

The Date

Lisa POV

 I ran to my room crying.  My brother and mother followed behind me.  I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I paced the floor in my room. I had to call Gray to make sure he was safe. My father’s creepy laugh put me on edge. Gray answered on the fourth ring.  

“Hey, honey. Miss me already.” Gray jokingly said.

I put my hand on my head in relief that he answered the phone.  I was still trying to calm down. I didn’t realize I was shaking until my mother grabbed my hand.

“Lisa, are you okay? Lisa, talk to me.” I could hear the panic in his voice. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I finally found my voice though it was shaky.

“Yes, I am okay now.  I had to make sure that you were safe.  My father is determined to make me marry Collin. He doesn’t care that I have your mark.  He threatened to harm you if I didn’t go on a date with him.” I said agitated. 

There was a brief pause before anyone said a word. My mother and brother were rubbing my shoulders to console me. 

“I don’t want to say this but go on the date. It will keep your father from doing something underhandedly. I trust you. You are my mate and our bond will not be broken.  I will be there in a few days. I will get our pack prepared for possible war. Let Collin know that I will kill him if he tries something.” Gray saids as I heard the anger growing in his voice. He was growling by the end of our conversation. I hung up with Gray to face my mother and brother.  

“Gray said I should go on the date to keep father from doing something underhandedly.” 

“That’s smart and we will work on the bonding ceremony for when Gray arrives,” said my brother. The evening came quickly.  I spent most of the day worrying about the date.

Collin arrived at the palace to pick me up.  I was not happy, and I let him know. He was dressed   in all white. A white short sleeve shirt and pants. In the car, Collin tried to make small talk. I responded with head nods and shoulder shrugs. He took us to a restaurant that had a private room where we could look out into the North Sea.  The atmosphere was romantic for couples that wanted to enjoy the view. I, on the other hand, was counting the minutes until I could go home. My wolf wanted to rip his head off.  It took all my strength to keep her in control.

“Would you like some wine, Lisa? 

“No, this water is just fine.” I said with too much attitude.  I was trying to be civil knowing that Collin is not to blame for this situation.  I decided to make the best of the situation.

“I apologize. I don’t mean to snap at you. I have had a long day and going on a date with you was not part of my plan.”

A smile formed on Collin’s handsome face. He was easy on the eyes. Any female would be happy to have him on their arm.

“I accept your apology.”

The waiter came as Collin was about to say something else.

“Collin has already arranged the entrees. For your first course, we have stuffed mushrooms in a creamy cheese sauce.” I will be back with the blackened salmon with asparagus tips.The waiter poured each of us a glass of wine before he left.  

“It looks good. Shall we did in,” Collin asked as he grabbed a small saucer to place the stuffed mushrooms on.  The grumbling in my stomach signaled me that I hadn’t eaten earlier. Collin chuckled, “hungry?”  I giggled a little before responding “maybe a little.” He handed me the saucer, and I placed it in front of me. I took one of the mushrooms into my mouth. It had a buttery flavor. The taste of shrimp and crab was tantalizing to my tastebuds. Before I knew it, I had eaten all three that Collin put on my saucer. The waiter came back with our main entree. I excused myself to go to the ladies room.  I had to gather myself together because I was enjoying the date. I stared at myself in the mirror.  “Get yourself together. You belong to Gray,” my wolf said. “I know but we can be friends,” I said. I texted a message to Gray letting him know how much I missed him. He texted me back right back with hearts. I left the ladies room smiling. I returned to the private dining room to find Collin had eaten most of his meal. 

“Hungry?”

He laughed, “Maybe a little. Let’s make a toast.”

“A toast to what?” I asked skeptical.

“Getting to know each other,” he said, raising his wine glass. 

“No, thank you. We will not be seeing each other after this.”

“Okay, then to friends,” he said, still holding up his glass.

“Fine,” I reluctantly raised my wine glass to clink it with Collin’s glass. I took a small sip of red wine and sat the glass down. I began eating my blackened salmon. I felt a little lightheaded. Collin had finished his meal and was staring at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing. You are just so beautiful.”

I shook my head to try to clear my mind. I took several sips of water. I felt like my brain was foggy. I felt strange, but I couldn’t explain what was happening. I could feel my wolf fighting.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I said, drinking more water. 

“Maybe if you drink the wine. You will feel better.” He suggested.

“Wine is not what I need. I think I need to go home. I have a headache.” I said putting my hand to my head. I stood feeling a little off balance. I tried to walk. Collin quickly caught me so I wouldn’t fall.  When I looked at him, I felt love.