African Wolf

Chapter 16

Andre

I used my wolf speed to head towards the kitchen,  I needed her, I needed her more than I needed anything.  I turned the corner and was blessed with the most wonderful sight.  Chris was jumping up and down, eagerly showing his mum what he had learned with Cassie, his eyes were shining in delight.  I had never seen him so excited about work before.  Cassie was standing there, giggling, enjoying his enthusiasm, I have to say I froze, she was so beautiful, kind, sweet, it radiated off her.  She must’ve noticed me, she started walking towards me, her smile allowing her green orbs to sparkle.  She threw her arms around my neck pulling me closer for a quick peck, something appropriate for the public, well at least young children, she then snuggled into my chest.  I pulled her in, breathing in her scent, allowing it to calm me down.  What did I do before?  What was my life like before she arrived here?

“Are you ready to go?” I whispered in her ear.  She looked up at me confused.  

“Are you sure you still want to go, Hettie said you had a hard morning?” Concern was etched on her face.  I held her chin, keeping eye contact.  

“I need this time alone with you, please.” She looked me straight in the eye.  

“Anything for you,” a smile creeping onto her face.  “I will just grab my bag and then we can go.  She took her bag from the table and placed her hand in my open one.  We walked to the car in a comfortable silence.  I opened the door for her, as werewolves we are taught the importance of chivalry in a relationship.  She smiled at me as I closed the door.  

“So where are we going to, I’m starving!” her face lighting up as she spoke.

“It’s a surprise!” I couldn’t help the smile on my face, I don’t think I have ever smiled like this before.  I took her hand in mine and we fell into a comfortable silence as we drove.  

“Do you want to talk about what happened this morning?”  Her voice was sweet and gentle.  I knew she was concerned, she was also my mate, I needed to share everything with her, secrets were not going to do us any good.  

“I do, but let’s talk over lunch, when I can stare at you as much as I like.”  She giggled as I finished my sentence.  She pulled my hand to her lips, they were warm and soft, she placed a delicate kiss on them.  It sent shivers down my spine.  

We pulled into a parking lot that lead to a small restaurant owned by one of the pack members.  He is my Head Warrior, David, but his mate was an italian woman, a chef, they met when she came on safari to one of our reserves.  They decided to open a restaurant as it was her passion, she is an amazing Chef, her food is mouth watering, we often send our guests here.  It was small, cozy and romantic. She also had private dining rooms that she kept for pack members who wanted a more intimate eating place.  

I jumped out the car to make sure that I opened the door for Cassie, she was surprised at how quickly I got there.  I held out my hand to her and intertwined our fingers as we walked into the restaurant.  A new hostess was at the entrance, she never knew who I was and did nothing to hide her flirtatious attitude.  She was leaning in, touching my arm lightly, completely ignoring the fact that I was with Cassie.  I could feel the anger rising, I knew that Cassie was feeling uncomfortable as well, she was trying to calm me but Thane was pushing through wanting to rip this woman apart.  

“Can you not see that we are together, or are you blind?” I heard Cassie speaking, I didn’t know that she could be so firm.  

“Can’t you see how uncomfortable you are making us both feel, I suggest if you want to keep your job you will keep your hands to yourself and get someone else to show us to our table!”

I could hear the anger in Cassie’s voice, my wolf began to calm down as our mate was trying to protect us.

“If he didn’t want me to touch him he would let me know, like you could keep a man like this.!” The sickening voice of the hostess continued to talk.  I felt Thane pushing through, a low growl forming at the bottom of my throat, the hostess stopped and everyone in the restaurant went silent.  Did she just insult my mate??? I pulled Cassie behind me and was about to rip her throat out when Anastasia, the chef, appeared.  

She stepped between us, her hands up in the air.  “GO TO MY OFFICE NOW!” Her teeth were grinding together and she shouted at the hostess. 

“But but….”

“I said NOW!” her voice was like death.

She then turned towards me, “I am so sorry Alpha, she is new, I never realised what kind of person she is.  Please accept my apologies.” Her head was bowed as she spoke.  

“No harm done,” the sweet voice of my mate, starting to calm my nerves.  “I am Cassie, Andre’s mate, nice to meet you.” Cassie reached out her hand for Anastasia to take.  

Anastatia looked up slowly, “You’re the Alpha’s mate, I am so sorry Luna, I will make sure that the hostess is fired and never allowed back on our land.”

Cassie just smiled at her, taking her hand in hers.  “It’s ok, I understand, What's your name?”

“Anastasia, Luna, this is my restaurant, I am mated to Tom, the head warrior of the pack.”

“It’s so lovely to meet you Anastasia, your restaurant looks beautiful, please could you show us to our table, I am starving and it smells so delicious here.” Her voice was so gentle that Anastasia immediately relaxed, she nodded her head and lead us to one of the private dining areas overlooking a lake.  There was a small fireplace as it was a chilly day.  I was still clinging to Cassie as Anastasia left the room promising to send someone else to serve us.  

Cassie immediately threw her arms around my waist, holding me as tightly as she could.  We just stood there while my breathing got back under control.  When I felt like I could breath properly again I gently released her, pulling her face up to look at mine.  I leaned in and gave a gentle small kiss, “Thank you”, she nodded her head, let me go and went to sit down.  

She was staring out of the window.  “Does this happen often?” she questioned, keeping her eyes fixed on the lake.  

“Sometimes, some of the girls do not understand our ways, they think that by flirting they will get our attention, we try to get their employers to explain that it is not allowed here, but a few just don’t get it.  I explained to her what happened with Caroline, Lucy and Mia, she listened intently to each word, but I knew she was shocked that girls could sink to that level to drug Peter.  

“Poor Peter, he must’ve been so worried that he would lose Hettie.” How was she so sympathetic and understanding?  An elderly waiter walked in to take our order, he had been with our pack for a long time and was very excited to hear that I had found my mate.  He took our order and gave us our privacy.  

“So, do you want to share what made you so upset this morning.” her hand was on mine drawing little circles, I reached out to her and placed her on my lap, I needed her close while I told her everything.  She allowed me to hold her as I explained what had happened to the girls and the threat that Raikon was.  She just listened and held me.  

“Do you think that when he finds out you have a mate, he might come after me?” I growled so loudly that Cassie actually flinched.  I held her close and apologized.  I knew she was right, the way Raiken could hurt me would be through Cassie.  I eventually calmed down and we changed the topic, focusing on getting to know each other.  I loved hearing everything about her, Josh had shared snippets as well earlier, but just sitting there and listening to her talk was wonderful.  I was mesmerized by her beauty, her kindness, her empathy, not to mention dam sexy.  I could not stop thinking s****l thoughts about her, I could not wait to have her.  As most of the girls who are mated to wolves grow up in a pack, the s****l part of a relationship moves pretty quickly.  By now they would've already mated.  Jacob had already marked and mated Josh, marking has to take place during s****l intercourse in order to ensure that the bond is fully created.  Cassie must’ve noticed I had zoned out.  

“Are you ok?”  her gentle, sexy voice bringing me back to reality, I leaned over, grabbing her and pulling her so that she was straddling me.  She shrieked a bit at the swiftness of my movements, which made me laugh.  I stared into her beautiful green eyes and smashed my lips onto hers, I placed my hand on her neck, deepening the kiss, trying to show her how much I needed her.  She rubbed her core against me, both of us being swept up in the physically lust we were feeling for each other.  She slipped her hands under my shirt, dragging her fingers along the muscles of my chest, the feeling was indescribable.  Thane was pushing through, I felt myself beginning to snap.  I grabbed her hands to stop them from moving.  She pulled back, hurt etched on her face.

“III’m, sssorry, did I do something wrong? I am new to this, did I hurt you?” She was trying to apologise, she had completely misunderstood what was happening.  I tried to catch my breath and pulled her face to look at me.  

“You have no idea,” My voice was raspy, “You did everything right, you are amazing, It’s just… if you carried on I was going to take you right here, right now!” I could feel my eyes turning black.  The idea of mating making Thane stronger.  

A smile was forming on her lips. “So I did it right?” OMG if she did not stop looking at me or moving on me she is going to be naked in two seconds.  I quickly took her off me and moved towards the window, trying to focus on anything but her. I could hear her trying to hold back a giggle, I turned around to look at her.  

“What’s so funny?”  I tried not to sound harsh but my hormones were running wild.  

“Nothing, I just like the fact that I make you lose control, you seem like you are always in control.” She was right, I was always calm, collected and never making any judgments from hormones or wild thoughts.  I was an Alpha, nothing was rushed, each decision made on logic.  But one look, one touch from Cassie and every bit of control I had was gone.  She walked over to me, hugging from behind.  

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly.  

“For What?” I asked.  

“For laughing at you, in this situation, it must be difficult for you.  Hettie told me that with any other girl you would have marked and mated her already.  I am sorry you have to wait for me.”  Her voice was soft, full of concern.  “Jacob has already marked and mated Josh. It must be difficult knowing you met us at the same time.” 

I turned around to face her, cupping her small face in my hands.  “Cassie, I would wait forever for you, I love you!” it just popped out, I have no idea from where.  She looked at me in shock, a small smile forming on her face.  

“You love me? How do you know?” her smile made me smile too. 

“I think I have loved you from before I knew you, now that I am getting to know you, your bravery, kindness, the way you give everything, the way you love your brothers. I love everything about you, the more I get to know you the stronger the feeling gets.” her smile widened, she leaned forward to give me a gentle kiss on the lips.  

“I think I am falling in love with you too.” She said it in between kisses.  What? She loves me, accepts me, my world is so complete.  I stopped the kisses before I lost it again, asked for the bill, paid and left.  We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping, hanging out and spending time together.  Finding someone you love and knowing they love you too, nothing could make my world better.