Past Sins

Chapter 20: Matteo (2 months later)

As promised I’ve taken Valerie out every night since her family left. I’ve been trying to top our first date but watching her favorite movie under the stars is kind of hard to beat. So far we’ve done things like going on a hike, to a movie, to dinner, dancing, and a midnight boat ride. Though, I’ve noticed that we’ve had the most fun just doing simple things. A knock at the door pulls my attention. “Yes?” I answer. I see Valerie’s head poke through making sure I wasn’t doing anything too important before walking in. “Hey!” she said excitedly. “Please just wait here?” she said to someone outside the door. Must be one of her guards. We started her detail and it’s safe to say she wasn’t a fan. Within a week they were instructed that she only needs one guard while in the house. Getting her way she turned back to me and flashed me a mischievous smile. What is she thinking? The last time she had that smile I ended up trying sushi and getting sick for half the night. I shuddered thinking about it. Training the next day was a b***h! Garrett, our lead trainer, was not sympathetic to my condition. “What’s going on mi amor? Did you need something?” If it’s possible her smile got bigger. “Yeah. I just wanted to cash in.” She’s being vague.. This isn’t going to bode well for me. I’m gonna start having sushi flashbacks. “Cash in? What do you mean?” She walked over to my desk and I pushed back, giving her room to stand directly in front of me. She leaned against my desk, and my hands went out to grab her waist. Keeping my hands to myself when she’s this close is next to impossible. “Yes, cash in. Before our first date I said that I reserved the right to take over date night.” That’s right. I forgot about that. Thank the goddess, no more sushi… I hope. I would do anything for this woman but I'm not eating anymore of that crap. I’d break the chef's hands before letting another piece of raw fish pass my lips. With my initial worry somewhat gone it brought on a new curiosity. She wants to take over date night, this is a first. “Okay. Can I get a hint as to what you have planned for me?” She rose from my desk and sat in my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck. I stiffened. We’ve been on a ton of dates but this is the first time we’ve been this intimate since our first. I’ve been careful not to rush things since Madelyn saved us the first time. The mate bond is one way street as of right now and I don’t want to take advantage of it. “Nope.” She bent down and kissed my cheek then got up and walked towards the door. “See you at 8,” she said on her way out the door. How the hell am I supposed to focus on pack duties now?

Valerie left me in a state of suspense about tonight's events. I can’t wait to see her but pack duties are calling my name. I’ve had two conference calls- one with Alpha Rajesh of the Northern Ridge pack and the other Alpha Rio of the Kumori pack. When those were done I had two back to back meetings with Garrett and Kira. Taking care of the Alpha duties as well as the Lunas is keeping me busier than I'd normally like. I’ve had to cut it close countless times for my date night with Val. I’d just finalized the construction of the new daycare center when Barrett and Asher walked in. In their typical fashion, they didn’t knock. Mental note: TEACH THEM TO f*****g KNOCK! The last thing I need is to be in the middle of something with Valerie and have these two idiots walk in. “Hey man!” Asher said, sitting in one of the leather seats in front of my desk. Barrett took the couch as usual, “Hey dude.” he said casually. “It’s almost 7. Don’t you have plans with V?” He questioned, using the nickname for Val that he decided only he could use. As I've gotten closer to Valerie so has Barr and Ash. She’s managed to bring out the soft side of my two best friends and formed a friendship with them. They each have their own unique kind of friendship with her. Asher is her confidant while Barrett makes her smile and laugh. They both make her feel safe and protected though. Which I'll always be grateful for. That little nickname is one of the many things to come from their friendship. The countless stories that they’ve told her about me when I was younger is another. We shared our pasts with each other early on to break the ice but I purposely left things out. My friends did not. They let her know all the times I'd embarrassed myself, how I did it, and everything. Points to them for being thorough, I guess. When those bastards find their mates I'll be returning the favor. “Yeah I do. I’m gonna go get ready.. Unless there was a reason for your visit?” I looked between both of them. “We just wanted to update you on the team you sent out looking for Kol.” Not long after Robert told me what he’s been keeping from his kids, I sent a team out for Kol. I promised him, Alpha to Former Alpha, that I would give him the chance to tell them. He’s failed to do so and I'm running out of patience. I can’t keep this from Valerie much longer. She has a right to know that her brother hasn’t checked in for over a month. “Okay.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “What’s the update?” Asher sat forward and Barrett stiffened. “Don’t tell me he’s dead.” I said. There’s no way Val will recover from it if her brother was killed. “No.” Barrett said in a tone that didn’t offer much solace. “Okay.. then what?” They lingered in their response. “They can’t find him, Teo.” Asher said, then cleared his throat. “They’ve been searching for over a month. There’s no sign of him at the last known location that Robert gave.” He didn't say it but I knew what was on their minds. I’ve had a team of my best sent out to bring Kol home. They’ve been away from their families for over a month. I was doing this for Valerie but I knew it was cruel to keep them away any longer. As Alpha I can order them to stay out there until they bring him back safely but that’s not how I choose to run things. “Bring them in…” I sighed. Barr and Ash looked at me with shocked expressions. “Bring them in?” Barrett asked, confused. “Yes. I won’t keep them from their families any longer. We’ll send another team when possible but for now.. Pull them in.” I vowed to Robert I would keep his secret and help find his son. I planned to keep it but right now I need to think about my pack members. They deserved some rest and relaxation. “Yes Alpha.” Asher said, eyes glazing over as he informed the team leader of my decision. “Was that all?” I asked, looking at the time on my desktop. 6:45 pm. “Yes. Go have fun with your girl while the rest of us sit around here bored.” Barrett grumbled. I laughed. “Aye Aye Captain.” Saluting him, I got up and walked out of my office.

At 8 pm on the dot, Valerie met me at the front door with a blindfold in hand. The hell? “Uh.. What’s this for?” I asked, taking the blindfold from her. “To help with the surprise.” When I didn’t answer she pouted. “Please? I promise not to push you off a cliff or anything.” She crossed her heart and held up her right hand. “Alright.” I chuckled. She took the blindfold from me and got to work putting it over my eyes. When she was satisfied that I couldn't see anything, she proceeded with the rest of her plans. The drive to wherever she was taking me wasn’t long but it was bumpy. She obviously planned for something outdoorsy and I was perfectly fine with that. I’ve been cramped in an office all day and I’m dying to stretch my legs. Doesn’t explain all the secrecy though.

The car came to a stop and I could hear her seat belt unbuckle and her door open. I reached for my door handle but she was already pulling it open. I got out and she shut the door for me. “ Okay. We’re here.” Anxious to see where my little minx has taken me I reached up to take the blindfold off. She swatted my hand. “Not yet. Come on” She grabbed my hand and guided me to her desired destination. When we finally stopped I asked, “Can I finally take this off?” She laughed. “Yes, go ahead.” The moon light streamed through and my eyes had to adjust. When they could finally focus I took a look around. “You brought me to the lake.?” I asked. “Yeah. On our third date you took me on a hike and from the cliff I could see this lake. You told me about how you guys used to come with your dad here and swim. Then on your own when you guys were older. Seems like a lot of memories were made here.” I nodded thinking back on all the fun times we had at this lake as kids. “Well… I want to make some memories too.” I looked down and noticed that she had taken her clothes off. She ran over to the dock and cast a glance back at me then jumped in. Guess we’re going swimming. Hurriedly I took off my clothes, ran down the dock, and jumped in behind her. I came up and wiped my face to see that a wave of water splashed her directly in the face when I jumped in. She was wiping the water away from her eyes with a smile on her face. That same mischievous smile from earlier. “You’re gonna get it!” she yelled. All I could do was smile. “Bring it!” I retorted.

After hours of splashing and chasing each other up and down the lake- we floated right beside each other looking up at the stars. They were shining brightly and reflecting off the lake. I could hear her breathing returning to normal beside me. “Thank you for tonight. I needed this.” It was the truth. With the weight of the secret I was keeping from her and Alpha duties, I was getting stressed. Barrett and Asher helped as much as they could, which I appreciated. It’s safe to say that our nightly dates have kept me from going insane. “Of course but the night isn’t over.” “What do you mean?”

She righted herself and I followed suit. “I’ve got more surprises for you tonight.”

“Okay.. I’m intrigued.”

She put her hands on my shoulders and pulled herself close to me. Instinctively I put my arms around her and she wrapped her legs around my waist. Under the glow of the moon I could see her beautiful green eyes shining. Her black hair clinging to her and billowing out like a veil behind her in the water. A single drop off water rolled down her face and I reached up to swipe it away. I knew more would follow but I couldn’t resist the urge to touch her smooth skin. I swiped my thumb across her bottom lip. She gasped at the sensation. “I don’t want to do anything you don’t want, Val. You’re in control here.” I said. She nodded but didn’t move. She also didn’t back away so it’s better than nothing. I can be content holding her. “You look so beautiful and I…” Before I knew what was going on, she leaned forward pressing her lips to mine. It was a soft and sweet kiss but filled with such urgency, as if she felt like if she didn’t do it then she’d lose her nerve. I ran my hand up her back until it was nestled in her hair and intensified the kiss. It felt so good to kiss her.