Him & I

chapter 17

Mario's POV

after leaving lucians office , I organized myself another vehicle cause no doubt Lucian would want to take the one we came on. I couldn't help but chuckle at Ana. Lucian was right she was pretty amazing, not just her powers, but always the way she holds her self. like a true Luna and she doesn't even know it.

I had made an oath to myself to always look out for her, for some reason I felt like she was a younger sister to me.

it takes me back to my family. my parents were once beloved members of the mountain view pack. I was a boy when it happened, but something about a war. anyway, long story short,

my family were killed, along with my baby sister, and Lucians dad found me hiding in a bush. Lucian doesn't know, but his dad put me into a family in his pack, they raised me as their own and I'll forever be grateful for them. but some days. my heart yearns my real family.

Ana reminds me of them. her witty attitude and humor. I must protect her at all cost. I nodded to myself while standing in the elevator.

I got to the front entrance when Amanda came running towards me

"hey, Mario...I was hoping to catch you" she smiled a sweet smile, a genuine one, making me wonder what the hell Ana did to her

"I was just heading out, another time?" I half to figure out a way out of this.

"oh. okay yeah course that's fine" disappointment laced her words.

I felt a bit bad. damn you Ana.

"what's your number I'll give you a call yeah??" I grinned at her and she blushed.

I handed her my phone and she typed in her number and handed it back with a huge smile. a smile that could have almost taken my breath.....

what was I thinking. I need to get laid asap.

"cool, I'll text you my number see you around Mandy" I winked at her making her blush harder and she wiggled her fingers at me as if to say good bye

this was actually pretty cool having some one woo over you. I laughed at myself. it's been a long time. I have s*x with random girls at clubs to get my fill. but something about this girl...that I had never noticed about her before.

I got to my car and parked up behind lucians out front. I see him and Ana, walking out hand in hand with huge smiles on their faces. will I ever get the pleasure of having that in my life? finding my mate? instead of sleeping with cheap girls. my mind floated back to Amanda. the annoying assistant. I shook my head. I doubt it....I waited patiently and followed lucians car till we got to one of his restaurants.

I got out and waited for them. Ana came to me and whispered.

"I saw you get Amanda's number" she winked her eye and walked towards the restaurant entrance. I rolled my eyes at her and followed them both.. bloody nosey carry on Ana is.

******************************************

Ana's POV

as we entered the restaurant, everyone's eyes were on us in an instant. a waiter came straight to us, and he was a nervous wreck.

"sir, I'm sorry I didn't know you were coming in otherwise I would have started prepping your dishes" the waiter was nervous and it showed. I raised an eyebrow at Lucian. was my mate a bully?

he was about to say something, and I could tell it wasn't anything nice so I stepped forward.

"that's okay, we're here now, so lead the way" I smiled at him and waved my hand and the waiter sighed a sigh of relief.

"thank you miss umm..." the waiter started to stress again

"Ana will do thanks, and what's your name Mr waiter?" I asked as we followed him to a quiet corner

"I'm Jake, I'll be your waiter for the night miss Ana" Jake was more comfortable by this time. I'm guessing Lucian makes him feel some type of way.

Jake hands us our menus and I look at it not knowing what any of these dishes are. Lucian leans my way and ask if everythings okay.

"I don't know what these are" I whispered to him and he smiled

"order whatever you feel like eating my love they'll make it" he was still looking at his own menu

"I don't wanna order something you don't have here" I didn't wanna bother anyone.

I looked over at Jake and asked

"Jake, what would you order? all this is new to me so, you choose for me" I know I put him on the spot in front of his boss, but I really had no clue

"ummm I ahhhh" he was a nervous wreck

"don't worry about him Jake, it's not his food your ordering" I glared at Lucian, cause it was like he was waiting for Jake to take one wrong step against me.

lucians eyes diverted back to his menu and I looked back at Jake. sweat started to bead his forehead as he looked through the menu.

"I actually don't know how to say any of these words, but this here" he points at one of the meals

"this is like a surf n turf, and this one, is like Mac n cheese with a side of garlic bread, but this one" he pointed to one with a huge grin on his face

"my all time favorite...just a burger and French fries..I've never tried the others but they all seem pretty good

I smiled widely at Jake. I.loved me a good burger and fries. I'm glad I asked him, cause he forgot all about Lucian and we got to see his true nature. I looked over to Lucian who was grinning at the boy. like he had a plan.

"I'll take the burger and fries!" I said without hesitation

"Mac n cheese for me" mario raised a hand at Jake and Jake noted all our meals down. still waiting for lucians

"I'll also have the burgers n fries" he nodded at Jake, and Jake noted it down

"anything to drink?" Jake placed a menu of drinks in front of us

"I'm good with water" Lucian said

"bottle of coke for me pls Jake, can't have a burger without a fizzing beverage" I shrugged and smiled.

"exactly!" Jake nodded, all of a sudden this shy nervous kid, well not kid, he looked my age...but all of a sudden he had loosened up, and it was nice to see.

"beer for me pls" mario said and I looked at him

"don't you have to drive?" I looked at him with a concerned look

"don't worry about me, someone will come n get me" he winked making me sigh with relief.

Lucian held my hand and I could see so much love in his eyes, and through our bond.

"I'll be right back" Jake nodded and smiled at us turning on his heel back to kitchen. long gone was that shy nervous wreck. I snapped my head at Lucian

"Lucian, do you make all your workers feel like that" I raised an eyebrow at him and Mario burst out laughing

"he makes ALL people feel like that" mario laughed again

I'm sure I saw Lucian kick his leg under the table, and Mario let out a hiss as he sat back quietly.

Lucian sighed.

"I have alot to tell you my love, to you, I'm a big teddy bear, to the world, I am ruthless and cold." I didn't know ow whether to smile or not

I held his hand and he kissed the back of it

"like I said, you'll be the death of me" he kissed each of my knuckles

I still hadn't said anything and thank God our food was ready

"lunch is ready" Jake handed us each of our meals. these meals were actually looked really great!

Jake came back with our drinks and also a bottle of what looks like sauce?? he handed our drinks and turned to me

"I'm not sure if you'll like this, but I always put it on my burger when I order it" he smiled handing me a bottle.

I opened it and it smelt like the sauce from a McDonald's big Mac. I shrugged and put a bit in my burger bun and took a bite. oh my life. what is this sauce. I paused and looked at my burger then back to Jake who was nodding g his head in approval

"pretty good right??? yeah??" this kids was getting excited

"dude what is that sauce?? it's amazing, I have to get some for myself" I munched on my burger, that sauce was delicious.

"you'll never find it sorry Ana, I make that myself" he was wiggling his eyebrows at me holding his tray

"yourself? you could be a chef one day" I probably looked like ampug asking with my mouth full

"that's the plan Ana, we'll if yous need anything just sing out, you can have that bottle, I'll make more at home"

"thanks Jake"

he waved us off and returned to the kitchen.

"you've got to try this sauce, it's amaze balls" I looked up and noticed Lucian was thinking

i turned his chin towards me

"everything okay?" I whispered and stoked his chin with my thumb and he leant into my hand.

"he wants to be a chef? I'll make him one, call for him my love" my eyes widened

"you srent gonna sack him for having dreams are you?" I'd slap his face if that's what he was doing. Lucian laughed.

"no nothing like that, just call hom for me pls" he started eating his burger, and also put some of Jake's sauce on it. he liked it too.

Jake looked our way and waved him over, without fail he came over

"everything good sir?" he asked Lucian and Lucian out his burger down to speak.

"so, Jake, you wanna be a chef huh?" instantly Jake went into a panic

"eventually sir, once...once I get enough funds for the school, but my job here will always be my first priority sir" he got nervous with lucians intense stares. but Lucian was looking for something. and I think he found it.

"I want to pay for your schooling" all our heads snapped at him and a smile on my face.

Jake's head snapped up to him and then to me and back at Lucian.

"sir you don't have to do that, I can pick up more shifts here n there, but thank you for the offer sir" he nodded with a look of small disappointment that he refused.

"it's not up for discussion Jake, pick a school, you'll still work here as well as train with Pierre" Lucian didn't skip a beat. Pierre was the current chef and the best in the city I hear.

Jake's eyes filled with tears and I handed him a tissue. he nodded in thanks.

"you don't realize how much this means to me sir" he tried to hold back his tears but a few loose ones fell.

"pull up a chair Jake. eat with us" Lucian motioned another waitress to get a chair . Jake's eyes were widened at what was happening right now. a waitress also brought out a fresh paste of burger n fries. this must be what the boy lives off.

"I'll need to get your parents permission for the school right?" Jake's eyes diverted to the floor

"I ummm that's ahhh not necessary" he said to the floor and we all raised an eyebrow

"it definitely is, you need their permission to even sign up at any school" Lucian was right. but this seemed strange. Jake's eyes filled with tears and he went running off back to the kitchen.

we all looked puzzled at one another

"what was that about?" mario asked. the guys been glued to his phone since we got here. Lucian shrugged and looked at me

"I'm going to check, something feels off"

I didn't even wsit to hear their replies and walked to the kitchen, a girl stopped me and said I can't go back there. I looked at luciand and he nodded at her making me smirk at her then pushed past her. it was a rush of workers in there. I started calling out for Jake but couldn't see him anywhere.

I saw a door that said "staffroom" and I opened the door. and there was Jake. a crying mess.

he got a shock to see me and stood up from the floor fixing his uniform

"I'm sorry about that, I ca get another waiter for your table" he said wiping his nose and tears

"is everything OK? you gave us a fright when you ran off like that, are you okay?"

I don't know why but he felt like a young brother to me.

"I'm fine, I'm sorry I'll get someone else to tend to yous" he tried to walk past me when I closed the door shut with my foot.

"don't even think about it mister. sit" I ordered himself and he sat instantly looking down.

"now tell me, what's going on" I asked him in the most concerning way.

he cried again. and I let him. I hugged him and whispered soothing words to him. after 5mins he wiped his eyes and spoke.

"my home life is s**t, my dad is super controlling, and I can't leave home till I'm 18, that's why I tried to refuse sir paying for my schooling" a few loose tears fell from his face. my heart stung. wait how old was this kid?? I was almost 19, he looked my age

"how old are you Jake?" I put my hand on his shoulder and he looked up at me

"I'm 15" I gasped. where are his parents? it's normal for 15 year old to work, but not in an adult setting like this, more like a paper boy, or a doing lawns and stuff.

"and your parents?" I felt like I was intruding.

"separated, my mom left us when I was 5, it's always just been me and my dad, but my dad is a drunk and very abusive" my eyes widened in horror and I'm sure they were turning silver I had to look away. I couldn't sense a wolf from him, not that I knew what I was trying to sense anyway.

"I work here to pay our dues, I stopped going to school last semester to provide, but it's getting really heavy for me now Ana I know we've just met, so I'm sorry for unloading life's problems onto you" you could tell this kis had to grow up fast.

"do you wanna stay with your dad?"

"NO" he replied in an instant. he then pulled his work shirt up exposing so many bruises and cuts along his body. I covered my mouth holding in tears.

"I have no place else though" he said with a sad expression. I minklinked Lucian

Ana

get in here NOW!! BOTH OF YOU!!

within a minute lucian and mario were both standing at the door panting like they were ready for war.

"get in and close the door" mario closed the door behind them

"what's going on Ana?" Lucian was confused.

"show them Jake" I looked at him with tears brimming my eyes, and he shook his head no

"let us help you Jake, they can be trusted" I nodded at him reassuring him

he nodded at me and closed his eyes, lifting his shirt.

"what the f**k" is what I heard mario say

"who done this?" Lucian asked Jake but he didn't reply

"his father done this Lucian, he doesn't want to return home, he is stuck" I looked at Lucian with my sad hurt eyes and he cupped my face. he knew what I was thinking.

"your coming with me" Lucian nodded at Jake and I smiled at Jake who was still in a panic

"you don't need to sir it's..." Lucian turned to Jake.

"no chance kiddo, let's go get your things" I smiled at Jake to hurry and he grabbed a back pack hanging on the wall and followed us out

Jake's supervisor called out for him

"your tables are waiting Jake. get out there!"

"he's coming with us, find someone else for today, Jake come" I said and his boss glared at me toll Lucian stepped into view.

"is that a problem Gordan?" Lucian asked him and he shook his head quickly

"not at all sir have a great day"

as Lucian walked off both Jake and I turned to Gordan and pulled the middle finger to him behind lucians back

we both looked at each other trying to contain our laughter. Lucian pulled me to his side and kissed my temple. that's when Jake really realized who I was.

"are you n boss?" he was pointing fingers between us

"just call me Lucian" Lucian softened up once we were away from the world's eyes.

"but yes Ana is my beloved" he opened the door on the passengers side for me. Mario got in his own car and Jake slid into the back seat.

"nice ride" Jake was nodding his head in approval making us chuckle.

"that's what I said too" I looked back at him smiling.

Lucian started up the car and we drove off "I want to see your father Jake" and Jake's eyes went wide, he was terrified

"do we need to? you can just drop me off out front" he was really scared

"no chance. I'm not leaving you there if you dont want to be"

jakob didn't reply but we could tell he didn't wanna be there.

he sighed and spoke

"27 alfristen place is my address" he was still looking at the floor.

Lucian knew where to go as he put his foot down. the rest of the ride there was silent. Jake looked out the window scared as s**t.

"it'll be okay Jake" I reassured him and nodded at him

we pulled up outside and old looking home. the lawns were high, and the place looked like it hadn't been cleared in years.

"home sweet home" I heard Jake mumble and sigh

Lucian got out and opened the door for me. Jake got out and stayed hidden behind lucians gigantic build. we got the door and could already hear yelling and glasses breaking. I looked at Jake and he was breathing hard

I knocked on the door and almost instantly Jake's father answered. he was built, for someone that was drunk, he didn't have a beer gut, but he reeked like a brewery. he noticed Lucian straight away. and his eyes widened while lucians turned to rage.

"Clark Steele is your father?" Lucian asked Jake without taking his eyes off him.

"son? why did you bring this man here?" he was trying to grab Jake from behind us, but Jake wouldn't budge

Lucian stepped towards him slowly

"it's like history repeats itself don't you think clark?" venom laced lucians words.

"you know my father?" Jake asked from behind me

"very well kiddo...the choice is yours Jake, you can come with us or stay here" he gave Jake an option, cause we all know kids love their parents, it doesn't matter what they do to them sometimes.

"what's this little s**t been saying now? more bullshit lies?" Clark rubbed his head and put his hands on his hips.

"I've never touched the kid" Clark sparked up at cigarette inside making Lucian and I cringe.

lucian laughed at Clark

"still the same huh? he didn't tell me anything, he showed me" he turned to Jake "lift your shirt"

Jake done as he was told and Lucian grabbed him by his throat stunning both me and Jake.

"all those years ago, I told you Clark, you lay your hands on anyone again I'll have you thrown out of my city" Clark was trying to rip lucians hand of his throat but nodded in aggreeance. luciand dropped him on the floor and he chocked for air

Jake didn't even bother to help his dad. but I could see a glimpse of happiness on his face.

"pack your things kiddo, your coming with us, Ana go and help him, I'll wait here with Clark" he didn't take his eyes of Clark.

I followed Jake down the hall, the house was a mess but atleast Jake's space was clean n clear.

"sorry about my home, it's a mess" he was embarrassed

"that's fine, we aren't here to look at your home, grab necessities only, the rest we can get on the way" I wanted to get the hell outta here

"I don't have money for more things sorry I'll have to bring everything" he looked at the ground when I thought crossed my mind. I reached in my pocket to find lucians card still there.

"no worries, I have this, taadaa!" I flashed the card in front of him.

"ooh I wouldn't want to get you in trouble Ana" I laughed at that

"it'll be fine, I'll even tell him myself, just take what you need cause I wanna get outta here" I quickly realized what I said and looked at Jake. who by my surprise took no offense in my remarks.

"sorry Jake I didn't mean it like...." he cut me off

"dont worry about it, do you know jowls long I've been waiting to get outta here, your doing me a favor here." we both laughed and swung bags over our shoulders. Jake plucked a photo off his mirror and kissed it.

"told ya I'd make it outta here mom" I heard him whisper and my eyes started to water. this poor kid.

we got back to the lounge room and Lucian still sat there glaring at Clark.

he looked at us and back at Clark

"you guys ready?" his eyes still fixated on Clark like he was waiting for him to make 1 wrong move.

"ready" Jake n I both said at the same time and we looked at one another. thus kid was my brother from now on.

"I'll meet yous in the car, Jake, anything you wanna say to your dad? by all means, your always welcome to come and visit whenever you like, isn't that right Clark?" Lucian tilted his head, what's going on with these 2. Jake stepped forward to his dad

"I'm sorry dad, I'm sorry I wasn't good enough for you, I'm sorry I looked like mom so much it made you want to beat me everyday. I'll always love you dad" Jake's eyes brimmed with tears as did mine. his father sat there grunting and waved his hand off to Jake as if to say get the hell outta here. Jake's tears fell at no response from his dad. I put my arm around him and walked him out.

I put Jake into the back seat and sat in the front with Lucian. Lucian looked at me sympathetically as we drove off.

"where to now?" I asked Lucian

"home my love" he smiled and rested his hand on leg rubbing his thumb in circles. I looked at the back and Jake was asleep. I wondered how Lucian would feel if I asked if he could stay with us, we do have the room. it's like he read my mind. he grabbed my face to turn towards him

"you don't need my permission to do anything okay my love, what feels right with you, will always feel right with me"

"I want to keep him with us Lucian" I hold my breath for his reaction.

"as you wish, my love" I looked at him and he was smiling at me with nothing but love. I friken love this guy.