Winterlust (COMPLETE)

Dinner

Violet

In her dream, Violet is running. The moon is high in the sky, and the faceless man is chasing her. Werewolves are all around them, gnashing and snarling as she runs harder. Just as the faceless man catches up to her, there’s a knock at the door. Violet bolts upright in her bed, wide awake and covered in sweat. Again, there’s a knock at the door.

Violet gets out of bed and stumbles to the door and cracks it open an inch. “Hi”, Travis says softly. “Hi”, Violet says, opening the door to allow him in. “I can feel your fear. Did you want to talk about it?”, he asks. Violet shakes her head. “Okay, how about I run you a bath then. Can I hug you for a minute?”, Travis takes a step toward her. Violet throws herself into his arms and starts to cry softly. Travis strokes her hair, “Sssshhhh, I’m here. I won’t leave you”. Violet is almost immediately soothed by contact with Travis. Inexplicably, she feels the urge to smother him in kisses. Travis puts his finger under Violet’s chin and tilts her head up to him and lowers his face to hers. When their lips touch, Violet is jolted by the electricity in their kiss. Whoa. Travis lets out a little laugh, “Soon, Peanut. But yes, this is what it’s like to be with your mate chosen by Moon Goddess. I’ll go run that bath for you, now”.

Travis

Travis is absolutely exhausted, having been up all night and then running warrior training this morning. After visiting Katherine in the office, he heads straight up to his suite. Once inside, he collapses on the bed in hopes of getting some shuteye.

Four hours into his nap, Travis is jolted awake by waves of terror. He shoots up off of the bed and bolts for Violet’s suite down the hall. He knocks a couple of times before she cracks the door open and inch. “Hi”, he says softly.

Travis holds Violet in his arms, willing her fear to subside. Being this close to Violet, Shadow is going absolutely berserk. Travis tries to shift his hips a little, to provide some relief to his rock hard c**k. This is going to be a long six days.

After running a bath for Violet, he makes his way to the door. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours, Peanut”, he promises.

Evelyn

Evelyn awakens to the late afternoon sun beaming across her in bed. She stretches and looks at the time. Throwing the covers off, she makes her way to the bathroom where she brushes her teeth and splashes some water on her face.

As she walks by the door, she sees an envelope has been slipped into her room.

Evelyn,

Please accept these as a welcoming gift, as my pack and I are so pleased to have you join the family.

When you’re up and about, please see Omega Katherine Wallace on the first floor in the office. I have an idea that I think you’ll like, and she is awaiting your instructions.

Warmly,

Travis

Evelyn pauses and then opens the door, where she finds a beautiful mixed bouquet of flowers. She smiles ear to ear and reaches down to pick up the bouquet. As she does, she spies a bouquet in front of Muriel’s door, too. How thoughtful. Evelyn sets about readying herself for the evening, grinning.

Violet

When Violet exits the bathroom, she immediately notices the humongous bouquet of flowers at the dinette. The bouquet has a generous smattering of violets throughout, and there’s a pink envelope leaning against the vase. In her towel, Violet opens the card.

Peanut,

Moon Goddess could not have chosen a better mate for me, and I am so thankful that you’re here. You are a perfect picture of beauty, grace and class and I’m thrilled to call you mine. Six days from now can’t come soon enough.

All my love,

Travis

Violet blushes and twirls through the room and lands on her bed. Looking down at herself, she realizes that she has dropped her towel. I may be a virgin, but I know my way around my own body. Six days definitely can’t come soon enough.

Violet gives herself a moment to bask in her bliss. When her heart rate returns to normal, she bounds off the bed and swings open the walk in closet. Can’t go wrong with a little black dress. Violet chooses a body hugging dress that shows off her right shoulder, and pairs it with black knee-high heeled boots. Once she’s dressed, she makes her way to the bathroom to blow dry her hair. She styles her hair into a fauxhawk, twisting tight french braids into the side, and allowing them to fall loose again at the back. Carefully, she creates a smoky eye and lines it with black eyeliner and wings at the outer corners of her eyes. She then applies two layers of mascara, and blood red lipstick on her lips. When she’s finished, she blots the lipstick on a square of toilet paper. Eat your heart out, Alpha.

Travis

Travis can’t remember the last time he was this nervous. He barely knows the girl about to become his Luna, and he’s desperate to make a good impression. They’re so connected already, it’s like nothing he has ever felt before. She seems so… ready. So willing to trust me and take me as her mate without knowing a single thing about me. This mate bond business is something else.

Holding his breath, Travis knocks on the door to Violet’s suite. When she opens the door, his eyes go wide and he lets out his breath in a whistle. Standing before him is the sexiest, most breathtaking girl he has ever seen. Violet blushes and looks down at the floor. Without any warning, Shadow pushes him to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her in close. Travis lets out a low growl as he nuzzles her neck. “Mine”, he breathes.

Violet throws her head back and lets out the cutest laugh. “Are you ready for dinner, Alpha?”, she asks coyly. “Since you aren’t what’s for dinner, get your coat”, he replies slyly. Violet grabs her cream coloured knee length coat with the furry hood from the hook by the door, and her purse. “Shall we?”

Violet

Travis offers Violet his elbow and leads her to the elevator. When it opens, there is a blond woman gaping back at them. She is shooting daggers at Violet with her eyes narrowed. “Where are you going?”, she asks Travis. “Out with my mate”, he replies curtly and pushes past her into the elevator. “Your WHAT!?”, she screeches as the doors close. “Who was that?”, Violet asks hesitantly. “She’s a mistake”, he answers bluntly.

Outside the packhouse, the truck is running. Travis opens the passenger door and scoops Violet up in his arms. “Don’t worry about her, Peanut. You’re my everything”, he coos as he places her gently into her seat. Okay, that was weird. Who was that woman, and what’s her problem? Doesn’t she know about the mate bond? He said she was a mistake… I can’t expect that he’s a virgin, too. Is there any chance he’ll get to know me and decide he likes her better than me? Violet feels her palms get sweaty.

The ride to the restaurant is filled with idle chatter. Is Violet’s room okay, is she finding everything she needs, is her bed comfortable enough. To all of which Violet answers yes. She asks him about his day and his business.

Travis takes her to a steakhouse in Hemlock where they are greeted by the maître d. “Mr. James, your table is ready. Travis places his palm low on Violet’s back and leads her to a cozy booth in the corner by the window. Tingles run up Violet’s spine under the warmth of his touch. “You look incredible”, he smiles at her as they take their seats.

“Would you like a glass of red wine with me?”, he asks her. “Oh, I’m not…”, she begins. “That’s not a problem”, he waves his hand and orders them each a glass of Argentinian Malbec. For appetizers, they order the butternut squash soup and for his entree, Travis will have the prime rib done rare. Violet orders the ribeye, medium rare.

Violet takes a sip of her wine and it’s just like velvet. Full bodied with notes of berries and chocolate, she savours the first sip.

They spend two hours talking and laughing, their conversation comes easy. Travis is charming, funny and gentlemanly. He looks dashing in his black dress shirt, dark blue jeans and violet coloured tie. Nice touch. His black hair curls around his ears and there’s a little curl tickling his forehead. The rugged five o’clock shadow traces along his jawline and up his cheeks. God, is he ever sexy.

Holding hands on the ride home, Travis can’t stop stealing glances at Violet. “Tomorrow, I’d like to announce you at dinner”, Travis says seriously. Violet hesitates a moment, and then nods gently, “Okay.” “Have you heard any more from Ellie, yet?”, he asks, “Shadow is dying to meet her”. “No. I’m dying to meet her too”, she smiles.