Half

Chapter 3 - The date

The cafeteria was crowded at that time of the day. Most of the people had already got from work. I searched the crowd to find Owen. He was there alone at a small table near the windows. He waved and smiled when he saw me.

"Hi!" - I greeted.

"Hi! I'm glad to see you so soon."

I sit at the table in front of him. He looked nervous.

"I ordered cakes. I hope you don't mind!"

I smiled. How could I mind a cake.

" It's good to know that you keep your promises."

He smiled too. " I didn't know what's your favorite flavor, so I ordered three different I hope you will like at least one. Would you like something to drink. It's crowded here and I don't think the waitress will come here soon, but I can order you a drink at the bar."

"That's not necessary I can wait. Thank you for offering me."

" I'm happy you don't look as scared as you looked yesterday."

" I guess you are not that scary." - I laughed he laughed too. "Thank you for your patience!"

"You don't have to thank me. I didn't know that you can't feel the mate bond... All I wanted when I entered the packhouse was to find you. I smelled that my mate was somewhere there and my wolf got insane. I had to find you."

I felt sorry for him I couldn't return what he was feeling.

"Don't get sad Jessica. It's not your fault."

"Mhm..." - I forced a smile.

The waitress came with three pieces of cakes - chocolate cake, fruits and cream and caramel cake. We ordered our drinks and she left quickly.

"Which one you choose?" - Owen asked.

"I choose the chocolate one but I don't mind if you want it I can have the fruity one."

"It's fine with me. Take the chocolate cake and we can share the fruity one if you are brave enough to eat more than one piece of cake." - he joked.

"Of course I am! It's sounds perfect for me." I never avoided calories, thanks God I had small toned body like my mother.

"I like how brave you are today. Maybe you will be brave enough to tell more about you.

Actually I barely know you. I know that you've just turned sixteen and that you are Nick's daughter but nothing more, also I know that you don't live here but you have some close friends in the pack like that annoying girl Florence and that's all."

"She's not that bad, she has a bit low self-esteem and that's why she's trying to catch everyone's attention." - I protested.

"Fine. I don't wanna argue with you... not today at least. "

"Good. So I can tell you that I used to live in the pack when I was little but my parents separated when I was six and I went to Houston with my mother I go to school there but I visit dad regularly.

Also... my favorite cake is dark chocolate with raspberries".

His smile was genuine, he looked really happy chatting with me or maybe it was the cake that cheered his mood. People always felt happier when they eat desserts.

"What are you thinking about, beauty?"

"I was wandering whether your good mood is because of the cake. People always feel better when day eat cakes." - I answered with a smile.

He laughed.

"I am really happy that I'm here with you and I enjoy the cake of course. Now seriously, I really admire your beauty, Jessica. I never dreamed that someone as beautiful and gentle as you would be my mate. I am so smitten with you, it scares me a little that I would do everything to see you happy."

And that was my cue to panic but I didn't want to show him that.

"Oh... Thank you but... " - my voice trembled.

"Sorry I scared you again! Please don't leave!"

"It's fine Owen. I won't run away from you, it's not like you gonna eat me alive." - I tried my best to sound funny.

"Yeah I am not going to eat you... not now. " - his mischievous look made me feel even more nervous. He is obviously flirting with me and I really appreciated that we are at a crowded caffe so he can't act further more.

"And what about you Owen? I also know almost nothing about you except that you are the beta's son." - I tried to change the mood.

"Where to start... I'm senior year at pack's school, I'm training every day with my father and other warriors in order to get prepared to take the beta position from my father one day. I don't go out much cause I'm really busy."

"And that's why I haven't seen you with my father. I used to know the kids that trained with dad."

"Yeah, I've trained with your father a few times but my father prefer to be my personal trainer, so that we can spend more time together."

"That sounds good. You should be very close. But speaking about fathers I should go, my father will be worried if I'm late."

"Ouch, OK. I'm glad you let me have the chance to talk to you today."

" It was pleasure to me too."

He held my hand as we exited the caffe and walked me home. As we reached my house, he stopped.

"Thank you for today, Jessica! I'm looking forward to see you again...

In fact would be to harsh if I ask you out tomorrow. " - he smiled with pleading eyes like a little child asking for candy.

"Let me think about it. I'll call you later."

"OK. I'll be waiting."

I was ready to hit home but he held my hand a little stronger.

"Do you really have to go now? I wish I could spend some more time with you. " - he said.

"I know Owen but I don't want to worry dad."

"Jess?" - he looked at my eyes. I looked at him and gestures him to continue what he was going to say.

"I really wanna kiss you right now..." - he changed his look from my eyes to my lips. I knew he was going to kiss me. Should I let him do that? Maybe I will feel the sparks or something.

His thumb brushed my lips gently.

"May I kiss you, Jessica?"

I looked into his eyes and slowly nod my head. He moved a little closer and smiled, obviously liking my response. His fingers trailed their way to the back of my head and I felt his lips touching mine gently. His tongue brushed my lower lip asking for entance and I let him explore my mouth. The kiss was sweet and sensual, a first kiss that every teenage girl dreams of, but I did feel nothing through the mate bond. I really enjoyed the kiss but I was extremely disappointed I didn't feel the sparks I waited so desperately.

When I got home my dad was waiting on the couch.

"How was it? You seem so disappointed."

"Ah, dad, it was good... but I couldn't feel the sparks."

"You don't have to push yourself. Come here I will make you a cup of tea and we will talk more if you want".

I spent the evening talking with dad. The more I thought about Owen the more I wanted to know him better. I called mom to inform her that I wanted to stay in the pack a few more days. Dad was happy that I will spend some extra time with him. Owen was happy too. We met every day and started something like a relationship. Yes he is my mate, but now he is more like a normal boyfriend, without rushing things between us and being obsessed with each other, at least I wasn't. We spent the afternoons together with my friends and other teenage wolves in the pack. It was really funny week. We went hiking, visited the local clubs, played board games in the packhouse. My friends liked Owen, he was a real gentleman and had good sense of humor. I think I started to like him too. I was so happy that he was kind and patient. He didn't want to push our relationship. We hugged and held hands and shared a few sweet kisses and it was just the right amount of intesivity I was comfortable with.

The week ended so fast, the summer break was over and I should get home and get prepared for school. I was leaving tomorrow so Owen asked me out on a date just the two of us.

I had no idea where he's taking me so I decided to wear something casual like jeans and crop top. I excitedly waited him outside. He parked his car and opened the front door for me.

"Where are we going?" - I asked.

"You will see" - he answered smirking.

Soon the car leaved the town and took a dirty road to the forest.

"Are we going out of town?"

"Yes, but not so far. We'll still be on a pack territory. "

We reached an wooden barrier and Owen parked the car there.

"We have to walk a little." - he said and reached to the car trunk. He take a picnic basket and a planked from the trunk and showed me the direction we should take.

"So we are having a picnic?" - I asked happily.

"I hope you'll like it." - he said and held my hand leading me through the woods.

Soon we reached a small river and a few meters upwards a magnificent waterfall was in my view.

"Ah!" - I gasped. "It's so beautiful here!"

"I'm glad you like it. " - he said and gently kissed my cheek.

He placed the blanket on the ground and started picking food from the basket. I helped him and sat next to him.

"You made all this for me! Thank you!" - I was amazed. There were different kinds of fruits and vegetables, sandwiches, sweets and homemade lemonade.

"It's not big deal, love!" - he answered. "In fact I should thank you."

"Thank me!? For what?"

"For the happiest week in my life. I'm so grateful you decided to stay and give me a chance to know you better." - he was so sincere that I decided it was the right moment to tell him about my feelings and fears.

" I had a great time with you too and I really like you. " - I started. "But what will happen from now on? I mean I will start school soon and I could see you only in the weekends... would it be enough for you? I really wanna be with you but I don't want to leave my school and settle in the pack and start family, and..." - I couldn't finish my sentence, I was panting. So many questions I had no answers for, so many bad scenarios I've been imaging that I got panicked.

"Wow! Stop it!"- he chuckled. "I've never wanted from you to move here or to leave your school. I would be more than happy if I can spend everyday with you but for now seeing you during the weekends and school breaks will be enough for me."

He lifted my chin and made me look him in the eyes.

"Don't freak out! We are fine. I'm happy with you." - he whispered and kissed me slowly. I couldn't relax I had more questions about our future that I wanted to discuss.

"But what about the mating process? I'm sorry but... I don't think I'll be ready to mark me soon." - I was so embarrassed to tell him such a thing but that matter really bordered me.

"Huh..." - he chuckled again. " Even if I wanna mark you right now I will wait ... till you're ready for it. I will wait you to ask me to mark you even if it means months or years I can wait. I know you're mine and I'm yours and everything else is about time. I want you to be happy. Don't stress yourself with things like this."

" I'm happy we sorted things out. I had so much fears how our relationship will develop in the future. "

"Don't worry my beautiful Jessica. I will leave the things in your hands and when you're ready for something you just have to ask."

I take a deep breath and relaxed.

"Thanks God I have the most kind and patient mate in the world." - I said an kissed him on the cheek. "So for now we will have a normal relationship like humans, right?"

"Yeah, right!" - he laughed. "You're my girlfriend and my mate so no other boys allowed. Now seriously, I will not hesitate to rip some schoolboy apart if he nears you."

"Don't worry I have eyes only for my gorgeous mate." - I said and locked my lips with his.