Winter Rose

Chapter 6: It's a Date

“So how was your date?” Crystal asked as I crossed the treeline into our yard. 

“Were you waiting to ambush me?” I asked. 

“No. Of course not. We would never do that.” Brittany said approaching from my other side. “We were just taking the pups out for a run, right Crys?” 

“Yeah, they needed to burn off some energy.” Crystal nodded her head in the direction of the seven pups wrestling in the field. 

“Oh I’m sure they needed to run off energy after their training.” I said rolling my eyes. They were both my height and weighed about fifty pounds less than me due to inheriting their mother’s fast metabolisms. They could pass for twins with their wide hips, narrow waists, and delicate features. Britt’s eyes and hair were darker than Crystal, which was the only real difference. But if I really wanted to I could most likely take both of them in a fight to escape their nosey questions. 

“So?” Crystal asked, nudging my arm slightly. 

“It wasn’t a date I said sitting on a nearby stump. We ate a couple sandwiches and talked. He is picking me up at seven for an actual date though, and I may need your help getting ready.” 

“You mean you actually want to look like a girl?” Brittany asked feigning shock. 

“Don’t blow it!” Crystal slapped her arm, “She doesn’t ask us to do this often.” 

“Exactly.” I nodded my head in agreement, “and if you two make a big deal of it I can always just ask Emily. She watches all those youtube videos.”

“No. We will do it.” Crystal interrupted.

“Where are you going?” Britt cut in.

“I don’t know.” I answered. 

“Well did he give you a dress code at least?” Crystal asked.

“He said he liked the sundress I wore the other day.” I said shrugging, “And something about makeup and a shower.” 

“Yes a shower is most definitely needed.” Brittany said wrinkling her nose. “You smell like a locker room.” 

“Make up is also needed, I can cover the bruises and scratch from training earlier.” Crystal added.

“Great. What time should we start?” I asked, “After evening training?” 

“No. You need to shower now. We will talk with your grandmother to get you excused from evening training tonight.” Brittany said. 

“But we can only probably get out of training this one time.” Crystal added, “So you need to explain on your date what our schedule looks like and that your dates can’t conflict.” 

“Got it.” I said. 

“Oh and thank Emily for washing your sheets while we trained so no one would notice all the smells. Your grandfather and our dads could only tell he was in the house last night, not the full extent.” Brittany said with a wink. 

“Oh. My. Goddess. It did not get that far.” I groaned. 

“Meh. Whatever happened is your business, just remember to keep it your business and not advertise scents all over the house.” Brittany said with a shrug. 

I nodded as I began walking back into the house, Britt and Crystal whistled to their children who made a beeline for the door with Fae in the lead. I headed straight to my room and began stripping off my sweaty clothes as soon as the door was closed. I saw my mom’s plaque hanging above my closet door, no doubt thanks to Em as she was cleaning up my room. 

I turned on my shower letting the hot water run as I brushed the matts out of my curly black hair. I closely inspected the cut from my grandmother. It was just on the outside corner of my right eye. The whites of that eye were bloodshot around my blue iris. I groaned wondering how I could make that look less swollen for my date. Finally, enough steam had escaped the shower for me to know it was hot enough. I scrubbed the sweat off of my body and shaved followed by an exfoliating cream Em probably brought over. Smelling more like myself I exited the shower and began towel drying. I heard a knock at the bathroom door. 

“Hey Alex, is it okay if I come in?” Em asked from the other side of the door. 

“Of course.” I answered as she let herself in. “Thanks for hanging up my mom’s plaque and taking care of the sheets.” I said as I towel dried my hair. 

“No problem” she answered, flipping her dark blonde hair over her shoulder as she propped herself on my sink. 

“Seriously Em, I don’t know what I’m going to do without you when your family moves out.” I said as I started using my acne face wipes and moisturizers. 

“Really it’s no big deal.” She laughed. “I don’t think anyone will be moving anytime soon. So hopefully you’ll just get married and I can stay here.” 

“You’d get to move into this room.” I said, “As beta. At least until I have my own pups.” 

“I’d rather have Damien’s suite.” She said twirling a strand of her hair around her finger.

“Done.” I said, as I made my way towards the closet and clean clothes. My dirty ones were already picked up and placed in the hamper by Em. “I seriously hope Theo’s not as much of a neat freak as you.” I added.

“Goddess I hope he is,” She said, “someone needs to clean up after you.” she followed me out of the bathroom. 

“Is there anything you need?” I asked her as I stood in my bra and underwear. 

“No just figured I would check in on you. Damn, it’s not fair you’re so much bigger than me.” She said staring down at her own chest.

“Hey you have a flatter stomach, and just as big of an ass.” I said smiling. 

“I know” she grumbled. “It’s just not fair you’re the only one who got Mimi’s curvy genetics. While Steph and I are built slimmer like our mom.” 

“Hey you got Mimi’s hips, and you look exactly like pictures of her from high school with your blonde hair, and blue eyes, you even got her heart shaped face and button nose!” I pointed out. 

“Yeah, plus I don’t bump into nearly as many things as you.” 

“Well that’s just because I inherited Mimi’s clumsiness.” I laughed. 

“I heard she kicked your ass today.” Em laughed as well. 

“Yeah! She nearly took out my eye! See?!” I said, shoving my eye into her face while pointing out the scratch. Em started squeaking from laughing so hard, “Now I have to hope Crystal can do magic with makeup to cover it up.” I said tying the knot of my fluffy robe around my waist.

“Oh that’s no problem. Here” Em said motioning to my vanity, “Sit. I’ll do your foundation.” 

I did as she commanded and tied my hair back while she rummaged in my drawers for my makeup and brushes. Which she had organized. She began dabbing and painting at my face. My back was to the mirror and I kept my eyes closed as she worked her magic. The scratch by my eye stung a bit as she covered it up. 

“I see the party started without us.” Britt said in greeting as she and Crystal entered my room. Britt went straight into my closet as Crystal started digging through my eye and lip make up. 

As Emily finished Crystal took over applying makeup to my eyes. Em started to blow dry my hair making sure not to pull my hair too much. 

“You’re so lucky.” Crystal murmured, “You have the perfect eye shape for cat eyeliner, and your lips are full so you don’t need lip liner like me.”

“You forgot to compliment her long eyelashes” Britt said laying a dress on my bed. “Em, be a dear and plug the curling iron in for me will ya?” 

“Sure thing Britt.” Em answered. 

After an hour of primping and prepping I was ready. I slipped on the light purple sundress Brittney had picked out, my dark hair was curled and pinned around my face, and Crystal brushed a light, nude, pink lip gloss on my lips. Em sprayed setting spray at my face while Brittany attacked my hair with hair spray. Crystal applied my perfume to my wrists and neck, and I slipped on my brown boots right as the doorbell rang. 

I came down the stairs and saw my entire pack surrounding Theodore. “Ah you look so lovely my dear.” My grandmother said as I stepped onto the main floor. 

“Thank you Mimi. I hope you guys aren’t giving him too much hassle?” I asked Brad and Damien hopefully. They only laughed. Their brown eyes sparkling with mischief. Uncle Francis only shrugged. His blue eyes and dirty blonde hair matched Em’s. “Alright well we will be going now.” I said shoving Theo out the door. He only laughed and waved bye to everyone over his shoulder. 

“Remember to have her home by ten!” my grandfather shouted after us. 

“Yes sir.” Theo said as he closed my door on his truck. We bumped down the driveway and headed towards town, “Why is everyone in your pack so short?” He asked. 

“Excuse me?” 

“They’re all like five foot.” He laughed. 

“Francis and Brad are both as tall as you.” I claimed. 

“Yeah but everyone else is super short. Like you.” He flashed me a quick smile. 

“Excuse you. I am five four and a half thank you very much.” I said very indignantly. 

“Yeah, I’m a full foot taller than you, shorty.” He said ruffling my hair. I considered his statement and had to agree. Aside from Francis, Brad, and the children everyone else was between five foot three and five nine at the most. “I’m just teasing you.” 

“I know, I just never thought of my family as short. We’re normal size down state, not my fault everyone up here is a giant.” 

“Oh I’m a giant now am I? Bigger than all those city boys you’ve seen before?” He waggled his eyebrows implying more than just his height. 

I rolled my eyes, “Alright Sasquatch where are we going for dinner?” I asked. Noting his button up shirt and khaki pants. 

“Somewhere you’ll like my little corgi.” He patted my head again and I ground my teeth in frustration. He was so annoying. 

“I’m not a corgi.” I growled. 

“Sure you are. You’re my little corgi with your short little legs, short little arms, and that nice big butt.” He smiled at me as he put the car into park. I wanted to smack the smug look off his face. He got out and opened my door offering to help me down. I huffed and put my nose in the air. Then paid attention as I grabbed the “oh s**t” handle and jumped down myself. “Oh what an independent little corgi you are too.” He said kissing my cheek and taking my hand. I glowered at him, but let him lead me inside the restaurant as I was hungry. 

The hostess sat us at a back table for two and gave us our menus. It was a small tavern with a bar and the menus shared the history of speakeasies during prohibition. Apparently the large duct work had a purpose that wasn’t increased air flow. The waitress asked Theo if he would be having the usual as she served us our pop. He informed her that his order would be the same but mine would be something new. I ordered the pulled pork mac burger with waffle fries. 

As our food came out I took a bite into the sandwich and moaned with pure joy. Who knew that combining pulled pork with mac n cheese would be so good. I had carbs stuffed in carbs with a side of carbs and was loving every bite of it. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so quiet.” Theo mused as he took a bite of his fish sandwich. I only nodded in response pointing to my food and giving him a thumbs up. “I’m glad you approve,” he laughed. 

“Really?” A high pitched nasally voice exclaimed, “You’ve got to be kidding me. You brought her here?!” I took a sip of my pop as I turned to see Jessica storming across the restaurant. “This is our place.” She continued to yell as she glared in my direction. Noticing the barbeque sauce on my nose she sneered, “Look at her she can’t even eat properly.” 

I wiped my face but before I could tell her food was meant to be enjoyed not thrown up Theo stood. “You can’t claim a place Jessica. I brought Lexie here because it’s the best food in town, and I thought it would be only polite to show her the finest parts of our home. Now I told you I would see you Friday night, so I suggest you simmer down if you’re going to stay. If not you know where the door is.” 

She growled at his rejection and went back to her table to continue picking at a chicken salad with a red headed girl. “Sorry about her,” Theo said. I shrugged and finished my sandwich taking a long drag of my root beer before answering. 

“It’s no big deal. Things like this will continue to happen until the challenge is over.” I answered. The waitress brought our bill, and Theo laid the money on the table. “I appreciate you standing up for me though.” I added as we left the restaurant and I let him help me up into his truck. 

“Well I didn’t want you to have to take a break from eating” he said with a smile. And I decided that all his teasing aside he wasn’t a bad guy. Of course he’s not bad. My wolf sneered. He’s our mate. How could our mate be bad? 

“You know this whole courtship thing would go a lot easier if you would just let me tell her you’re my mate.” He said shifting gears.

Oh Goddess not this again I thought. “Do you not like her?” I asked instead.

“Of course I like her. We grew up together and were good friends.” He answered. 

“Then why do you have such a big problem continuing to date her?” I asked. “Most guys would be excited to date two girls at once.” I pointed out. 

“Yeah, well I’m not most guys.” He growled. “Do you want to date other guys?” He asked me suddenly. “Is that what this is about? You want me to continue dating her so you don’t feel guilty if you date someone else as well?”

“What? No! Of course not. I’ve already dated other people, and I’m not interested in that. I’m only interested in you.” 

“Because I’m your mate right?” 

“Even if you weren’t my mate I’d only be interested in you. But if I weren’t your mate could you say the same?” I asked. He hesitated. “See?” I pushed on, “You still care for her. How would you be reacting right now if we weren’t mates?” I asked, “Would you still be fighting me on continuing a relationship with her until the contest was one?” 

“No. I would be fighting to not fall for you.” he answered. “Mate or not, I like you. As a person, I meant what I said before. You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met before. You’re tough and I like it. But you’re right if you weren’t my mate I would be taking the competition more seriously. I wouldn’t feel right abandoning Jessica and would be fighting my feelings for you.” 

“See? This is why it’s so important you continue things as usual. Relax and have fun, that's what High School is for right?” I nudged his arm gently. 

“You better win this competition.” was all he said. “If you lose I won’t be able to stop myself from claiming you as my mate right there in front of everyone.” 

“If I lose, I’d be gone before you had the chance.” I said quietly. He gripped my hand tight.

“Losing is not an option.” He said as he put the truck in park and turned my face to his. His green eyes were intense, “I won’t lose you.” 

“I’m going to do my best. I’m training every day now. Oh that reminds me, what’s your email address?” 

“What?” He asked.

“Your email address. I need to share my calendar with you. It was made very clear to me that our dates can’t interfere with training.” 

“Oh. Right. Here give me your phone.” I handed it to him and he added himself to my contacts then texted himself so he’d have my number. 

He looked at his phone for a couple minutes before saying, “Alright we are all set. I’ll link you to my calendar after the competition ends so you don’t have to see my other appointments.” my wolf growled knowing he meant Jessica. “I’ll also be considerate and only take her out when I know you’ll be busy and not in town.” 

“So you only want to flaunt our dates in her face and not the other way around?” I asked. He rolled his eyes at me. 

“I’d prefer avoiding the awkwardness of running into either of you when I’m with the other if I have to do this.” He answered as he grabbed a blanket and got out of the truck. This time I let him help me down. 

“Where are we?” I asked looking around. 

“You’ll see.” He smiled leading me down a small path to a lookout tower. We weren’t far from the nearest town, but we were high enough up that the lights looked distant.

“It looks like a blanket of stars” I whispered. 

“This is my favorite spot.” He explained as he led me up the many steps of the tower. 

“Just yours?” I asked. 

“I’ve never brought anyone else here.” He laid the blanket down on the dusty floor. We sat and stared out at the small town below. He put his arm around me and I leaned my head on his chest. “We don’t have long tonight, but maybe another day we can come out when we have longer.” He said glancing at his watch. I nodded sleepily against his chest. We stayed for a few minutes longer before we descended the tower stairs and got back in the truck. We rode home in comfortable silence as he held my hand in between shifting gears. 

The clock turned to ten right as we pulled up to the house. My grandfather was sitting on the front porch swing whittling. He gave a brief nod indicating his appreciation of me being home on time before he went back into the house. All the lights were on and I could see the shadows of my family pressed against the window as we said our goodbyes. There really was no way of getting around them seeing us kiss goodnight so I made sure it was only a quick peck on the lips before I hopped out of the truck.