The Viking Alpha

Challenge accepted

(James POV)

He was starting to wonder if she had any spirit. He found it adorable yet erotic that she was standing up to him. His wolf was pawing and panting at the challenge her eyes held while she glared at him on the street. Had never had a woman refuse him before. Definitely never had one argue with him.

lt was fascinating but infuriating. Once he heard her stomach growl he seized the opportunity to feed her. After her flustered argument she walked into the resturant. He smiled at her defiant stance. He saw the way she immediately became unsure of herself once she was in the lobby. He did love this resturant. It was a piece of home away from home in away. Most of the guests eating here were from the fae world. Sylvia was behind the podium. Her fire red hair was long and curled to her waist. Her porcelain skin shown against the black dress. When she saw him she went straight to him. It pissed him off to see her brush past Cassi as if she wasn't there. Sylvia and him would indulge in eachother from time to time over the centuries. He actually helped create the establishment. With a few spells on her end and gold on his, it became a thriving buisness fir the past ten years. Sylvia of course didnt look like she aged a day. Witchcraft could do wonders. Of course to fool the human guest they would see an aging woman. But to the fae she remained the same. He wrapped an arm around Cassabdra before introducing her. His wolf was soothed by the light contact.

'This is Cassandra. My very special guest.' He felt her stiffen then cursed himself. He used her full first name. As if that hadn't slipped he went on.

'If you'd please show us to the table. Also have your finest wine brought please.'

'Of course. If you'll follow me please.' She had two menus in hand while taking them in the back before walking up a flight of stairs. There was a table set in front of a window that looked out into the street below. a single candlestick was burning casting the china and cutlery in a gleam of shimmers. James pulled out her chair for her before seating himself. A basket of warm bread was brought along with wine.

'Is there anything else I can bring you?' Sylvia asked.

'No thank you.'

'Alright then. you're waiter will be with you shortly.' With that she left. But not before she sent Cassi a bitchy smile.

'So.' Cassi said while shaking out her napkin. 'Is she going to spit in my food?'

'Pardon?'

'Is your ex going to spit in my food?'

Hevwas bewildered at that statement.

'Don't you think my choice of women would be a bit younger?'

He saw her brow furrow. She looked back at where Sylvia had just departed.

'She looked middle age maybe. Forty five would be my highest guess but she didn't look haggard and old.'

He was stumped. Sylvia always kept the spell going. Cassandra should see an old women. Sylvia looked as young as late twenties. He mentally shrugged. Maybe Cassandra was showing compassion even to a woman who was rude to her. He

smiled wryly. 'No. Sylvia wouldn't dare. And she is not my ex.'

Cassi shrugged. 'It's not my buisness. But if I'm about to be poisoned of some kind then I'd like a warning.'

She took a piece of bread and buttered it. The single flame from the candle sent a glow over her face. She look exquisite. He was about to make a remark when she called him out.

'How did you know my name was Cassandra? I never tell people my real name. So I know I didn't tell you.'

Without blinking he quickly thought if an answer.

'I assumed with a name like Cassi it had to be short for your given name. For a couple generations now I've noticed that you all dont usually like to use your birth name.'

She paused before looking up at him.

'Genetations, huh? You dont look a day over thirty at most. You must tell me your secret. Whatever it is I'm sure you'll make good money with cosmetic companies.'

He laughed. 'You're just full of fire aren't you?'

She shrugged. 'I dont like being teased or laughed at.'

'I'm not.'

An akward tense silence fell between them. An idea came to him. He stood and plucked a rose from a nearby empty table before giving it to her.

'Forgive me. I did not intend to upset you.'

She took the rose slowly before he saw a small sweet smile form on her lips. It was more beautiful then anything he saw.

'It's just a couple red flags have come up this evening with you.'

He seated himself back down. He flicked his napkin open. He was happy the one thing Sylvia agreed on with him was the stainless steel cutlery. If she thought there was red flags now. It be interesting to see what her reaction would be at his hand burning at the touch of silver.

'Like what?' He asked.

She took a small bite if the bread. Chewed while thinking then wiped her mouth with the green cloth napkin.

'Well one, you showed up three times in one day and two you seemed pushy at the club until now.'

He leaned back in his chair. He took her in. The glow if the candleight making her look more like a godess. Her long light hair loose and curling around her face and past her shoulders. The blue fabric of her dress clinging to her breasts. Showing a deep valley between them to above her navel. His woman was beautiful and observant.

'And with you acting like a gentleman you cant help yourself by looking at my breasts.'

His eyes went back to her face.

'You're beautiful. It's like looking at a work of art. I apologize if that makes you uncomfortable.'

He could see the blush on her face. He could also see she was thinking of what to say. He saw her lips part before a waiter came over to take their orders. She ordered roasted chicken with stuffed garlic and herbed tomatoes. Medium rare steak for him with a side order of pasta.

'So why were you auditing my class?'

She questioned while as she toyed with her wine glass.

Again he had to think fast. 'I invest and donate to companies, schools, police departments, other areas that the world strives on. But I like to look before a sign a check.'

He watched her shift in her seat. 'Your thoughts on my school?'

He smiled. 'Besides the fact you have an overzealous chief of executive, and a scorned professor, I thought it was a good one. But it needs funds. Badly.' He paused to take a drink. 'I noticed the interior had not been done for at least thirty years. So I can imagine the maintenance. But as for your professor teaching you with wrong facts it made me wonder if I should bother.'

He watched as she straightened. A look of determination in her eyes.

'It's a good school. I was just happy they accepted me.'

He leaned in with his arms resting on the table. 'Why wouldn't they?'

She sighed. 'When I was in high school I could have graduated early but instead I took college courses for the last two years. I didnt want to regret skipping out on my junior and senior year. I also wanted to stay with my mother until I was eighteen. But when she...' She trailed off. He knew she was about to mention her mother's death. She cleared her throat and blinked rapidly. 'But instead I took some time off and ended up postponing my scholarship. I went to Australia for a bit. When I got here I was worried they'd see me as a slacker for not taking the scholarship immediately and taking a year off.'

He sat back in his seat. The look of sadness in her eyes wounded him. He was usually so cold and buisness like with anyone else. But she stirred up memories he had not felt since his parents were alive.

'Well don't lots of children take time off before college?'

'Yes. But I dont think ones that had two years of college credit and a full scholarship to university do.'

He couldn't help but smile at her.

'You're unique and from the look on your face when you mentioned your mother I'm assuming you had your reasons.'

She shifted her eyes to his face.

'Guess I never thought if it that way.'

They were interrupted when the food arrived. They ate in almost silence. Still glancing at eachother across the table. Some times they'd make small talk about the weather. The club they were at and the restaurant they were in now.

'So what is it you do exactly?' She finally asked. He stilled. He knew she had to know something about him if she was to go away with him in three days. He wanted her to come willingly but he knew if he told her everything she'd run. So the best solution was to ease her In for now.

'I own my own company. Here I have a lot of investments. For instance this restaurant I'm part owner.'

She nearly choked. He was about to get up and assist her when she hurriedly drank from her glass.

'Really?' She squeaked.

He smiled at her. Meaning to sooth.

'Yes. But back home I have my own...company. I work with other companies. I lend or trade property or resources to others in exchange for the other's supplies and resources.'

She fixed him with a look that said he just earned another red flag.

'Are you a gangster or part of the mob?'

He laughed at that. He couldn't help it. The vision was too funny.

'No. I'm more like a ceo or...king. My people...my employees. My land my resources.'

'What's it called?' She asked.

'Pardon?'

'What's your company called?'

He took a breath and went on.

'Vikings. You'd love it I'm sure.'