Chapter13
1634 Words
The Date
POV: Serenye
"Hold still," Lyanna commanded, wielding the eyeliner like a weapon. "I'm almost done."
I sat on the edge of my bed, trying not to blink as she worked her magic on my face. My room looked like a bomb had gone off in a clothing store. Rejected outfit options covered every surface, makeup scattered across my vanity, shoes piled in the corner. All for a date I didn't actually want to go on.
"I still can't believe Drake asked you out," Lyanna gushed for the hundredth time. "He's like, perfect boyfriend material. Hot, rich, sweet, and he's clearly obsessed with you."
"He's not obsessed," I protested, though she wasn't entirely wrong.
"Please. The man brought you coffee and pastries just because. That's obsessing." She stepped back, admiring her work. "There. You look absolutely stunning."
I turned to the mirror and barely recognized myself. Lyanna had transformed me into something between elegant and seductive. Smoky eyes that made my hazel irises look mysterious. Lips painted a deep berry color. Hair falling in loose waves down my back.
"Now for the dress," Lyanna announced, retrieving the red number we'd finally agreed on.
The dress was beautiful. Dangerous. A deep crimson that hugged every curve before flaring slightly at the hips. The neckline plunged just enough to be sexy without being trashy. Thin straps showed off my shoulders. It ended mid-thigh, showing off legs that went on for days, especially in the black heels Lyanna had insisted I borrow. I slipped it on, and Lyanna actually gasped.
"Holy s**t, Serenye. Drake is going to lose his mind."
I turned to the full-length mirror, and something in my chest tightened. I looked beautiful, confident and powerful. Everything I'd been trained to be.
But as I stared at my reflection, all I could think about was whether Sebastian would see me leave. Whether he'd care. Whether it would drive him as crazy as watching me with Drake at the party had.
"You're thinking about him, aren't you?" Lyanna asked quietly.
My eyes snapped to hers in the mirror. "What?"
"My father. You're thinking about him."
Shit. How much did she know?
"I don't, I'm not, " I stammered, completely caught off guard.
Lyanna came to stand beside me, her expression gentle but knowing. "It's okay. I've seen the way you look at him. The way he looks at you."
"Lyanna, nothing is happening between me and your father."
"Maybe not yet." She touched my shoulder. "But something is there. I'm not blind."
Panic clawed at my throat. If Lyanna suspected, who else did? This was supposed to be subtle, controlled. I was supposed to be in charge.
"He's just, he's been kind to me," I said carefully. "That's all."
"My father hasn't been 'kind' to anyone since my mother died five years ago." Lyanna's voice was soft, sad. "He's been empty. Going through the motions. But since you arrived, I've seen him actually feel something. Even if it's just frustration."
"I'm going on a date with Drake," I reminded her, desperate to change the subject. "Doesn't that tell you my focus is elsewhere?"
Lyanna smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Maybe. Or maybe you're running from something scary." She squeezed my shoulder. "Just, be careful, okay? My father, he's been through a lot. And Drake, he's a good guy. I don't want to see anyone get hurt."
Too late for that.
A knock on the door saved me from responding.
"Miss Serenye, your date is here," one of the staff called through the door.
"Coming!" I grabbed my clutch, checking one more time that I looked perfect.
Lyanna walked me downstairs, chattering about how romantic the restaurant was, how Drake had made reservations weeks in advance, how this was definitely going to be the first of many dates.
I barely heard her. My senses were on high alert, searching for him. For Sebastian.
We reached the front entrance, and there was Drake, leaning against a sleek black Mercedes, holding a bouquet of red roses. He wore a perfectly tailored navy suit that showed off his athletic build. He looked every inch the gentleman, the perfect date.
When he saw me, his jaw literally dropped.
"Wow," he breathed, straightening up. "Serenye, you're, wow."
I smiled, genuinely touched by his reaction. "You clean up pretty well yourself."
He handed me the roses, his fingers brushing mine. "These don't even come close to how beautiful you are."
Lyanna made a sound that was half squeal, half sigh. "You two are so cute I could die. Have fun! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
As Drake opened the car door for me, I felt it. That prickle on the back of my neck. That awareness that said I was being watched.
I glanced up at the mansion, and there he was. Sebastian stood at his office window, backlit by the warm glow of his desk lamp. Even from this distance, I could feel the intensity of his gaze.
Our eyes locked for just a moment. I couldn't read his expression, couldn't tell if he was angry or indifferent or something else entirely.
Then Drake's hand touched the small of my back, guiding me into the car, and the moment broke.
La Bella Vita was everything Drake had promised. Intimate lighting, soft classical music, the smell of garlic and wine and expensive food. The hostess led us to a private corner table with a view of the city lights.
"This place is incredible," I said, looking around at the elegant décor.
"Only the best for you." Drake pulled out my chair, ever the gentleman. "I've been planning this since the day we met."
Throughout dinner, Drake was perfect. Funny, attentive, genuinely interested in everything I said. He told stories about his travels through Europe, his time studying abroad, the crazy things his friends had done. He asked about my classes, my interests, my dreams for the future.
I found myself laughing. Actually, genuinely laughing. For the first time in weeks, I wasn't thinking about revenge or missions or Sebastian Wolfe. I was just, enjoying myself.
"You have the most amazing laugh," Drake said, his eyes warm. "I don't think I've heard it before tonight. Not really."
"I haven't had much to laugh about lately," I admitted.
"Then I'll make it my mission to change that." He reached across the table, taking my hand. "You deserve to be happy, Serenye. To be with someone who makes you happy."
Something in my chest ached. He was so earnest, so genuine. He really liked me. Not for what I could give him or what I represented. Just me. Or at least, the version of me he thought he knew.
"Drake, I, "
"You don't have to say anything," he interrupted gently. "I know this is just a first date. I'm not expecting anything. I just want you to know that I'm serious about getting to know you. About seeing where this could go."
After dinner, we walked along the waterfront, the night air cool against my skin. Drake draped his jacket over my shoulders without me asking. He pointed out constellations, told me about his childhood, shared secrets and dreams like we'd known each other forever.
We ended up on a bench overlooking the water, the city lights reflecting off the dark surface. Drake turned to me, his expression soft.
"I had an amazing time tonight," he said.
"Me too," I replied, and meant it.
He leaned in slowly, giving me plenty of time to pull away. His hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing my jawline. His eyes asked permission.
I should kiss him. I should let this happen. He was sweet and kind and everything a girl should want.
His lips were inches from mine when it hit me.
Wrongwrongwrong.
My wolf, dormant and silent since the rejection, suddenly surged to life with a violence that stole my breath. She snarled, clawing at my insides, rejecting this with every fiber of her being.
Not him. Not him. NEVER him.
I jerked back so hard I nearly fell off the bench. My stomach churned, nausea rising in my throat. My skin felt wrong, too tight, like something was trying to claw its way out.
"Serenye?" Drake's face filled with concern. "What's wrong?"
"I, I need, " The world spun. I couldn't breathe. "Bathroom. I need the bathroom."
I stumbled to my feet, nearly tripping in my heels. Drake caught my arm, steadying me.
"There's a restaurant right there. Come on, I'll, "
"No!" The word came out harsher than I intended. "I mean, I'm fine. Just, give me a minute. Please."
I practically ran to the restaurant's bathroom, pushing through the door with shaking hands. The fluorescent lights made everything too bright, too sharp. I gripped the sink, staring at my reflection.
My wolf was going crazy, pacing, snarling, absolutely furious. But why? The mate bond with Caius was broken. Damaged at least. She had no claim on anyone.
Unless,
No. That was impossible. Sebastian wasn't, we weren't,
My phone buzzed in my clutch.
I pulled it out with trembling fingers, expecting a text from Lyanna or maybe Drake checking if I was okay. Instead, I saw an unknown number.
The message made my blood run cold.
"Stop playing games or your secret dies with you."
Below the text was a photo. An old photo. One I'd never wanted to see again.
A little girl with dark hair and hazel eyes, wearing a white dress, a golden crown on her head. Standing between two smiling adults in formal pack regalia. Princess Seraphina of the Umbra Claw Pack.
Me. The phone slipped from my fingers
, clattering against the tile floor. Someone knew. Someone knew who I really was
- Writer
