Chapter Eighteen
CHEV
MY RANGE OF movement is shit, and I squat to loosen my pants as I wait for Vanessa. I don’t have to wait long. I timed her departure well, and I straighten up as the facility doors open and Vanessa comes strolling out.
Her gait changes when she notices Silas lounging in her golf cart, the demon shielding his eyes with one hand while he plays on his phone with the other. He sets the device down when he notices my mate, his lips curling into a kind smile before he stands and greets her.
“Are you ready for our date?” I ask, nudging him to the side so Vanessa puts her eyes on me instead.
She cocks a brow as she scans me, her mouth twitching.
“You’re wearing normal clothing today?”
Silas sucks in a laugh. Leathers are normal clothing, but I won’t scold my mate like I do the Wrath trio. At least, not right away. She doesn’t understand because she’s never worn leathers and discovered how beneficial they are, but someday, she’ll realize.
“The restaurant I’ve picked out is prejudiced,” I say, trying and failing to hide my annoyance. “They don’t allow leathers.”
Aziel’s shirt digs into my armpits, and I grimace and wiggle to try to stretch the fabric. He should bulk up. We’re the same height, but his clothing would fit me better if he were wider. I’ll have to discuss this with him later tonight.
“Where are we going?” Vanessa asks, glancing at her outfit.
She looks perfect in her bright-blue dress, and my chest puffs up as I realize I’ll have the most attractive date there tonight. All the males will be jealous of me and what’s mine.
I look to Silas to provide the restaurant’s name, the demonic word nearly impossible to pronounce. Vanessa doesn’t seem to recognize the place, which is good, and I rock back on my heels as I gesture for her to come closer so Silas can teleport us.
He’s not thrilled about being our mode of transportation, but we came up with an agreement that suits both our needs. I’ll babysit his children for one weekend if he provides Vanessa and me with two round-trip excursions within Wrath. I used up the first when we went to the lava fields, and this will be the second.
It’s a good deal, especially since I would’ve watched the children for free. Shifters love kids, and the tiny demons have a great time wreaking havoc within my pack. I’ll take this time to teach them how to hunt. It’s about time the twins learn. They’re almost six.
Vanessa approaches, and I place my hand on her waist. She touches the fabric of my shirt, her fingers toying with it before she looks up at me and grins.
“I prefer you in leathers,” she says.
I gulp. I want to see her in leathers so badly, but I won’t voice my desires. Vanessa wears modest clothing, her fabric lacking shape and covering most of her body. Shifter women show much more skin, and I don’t want my mate to feel she needs to dress the same to make me happy.
“Down, Bear,” Silas says, grabbing Vanessa’s and my shoulders.
I don’t enjoy his teasing, but I’m too busy stabilizing Vanessa to comment on it. She wobbles as we’re teleported, and I hold her tightly until the world has re-materialized around us. We’re standing outside, right next to the large, wooden restaurant doors. The dark-red paint is chipping in the corners, but the cobblestone beneath our feet is new.
“Thanks,” Vanessa says, grabbing my arm.
I beam. “Happy to help.”
I curl my fingers around hers, interlocking them before leading her inside. Silas follows, and he sits at the bar while Vanessa and I are brought to our table. I requested a booth next to the tree trunk, and I’m happy to see they accommodated.
Vanessa doesn’t say anything as we sit. She’s too busy staring at the giant tree sprouting out of the center of the restaurant. It’s one of the oldest in Wrath, almost ten thousand years old, and this building has been built around its base.
I’ve heard the food here isn’t great, but the ambiance makes up for it. Vanessa feels an affinity to trees, and I hope this one gives her plenty of good feelings.
Her cheeks flush, and my heart pounds as she reaches out and slides her palm down the trunk. Her throat bobs as she swallows, and I find much pleasure in how she shuts her eyes so she can better feel.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispers.
That’s music to my ears.
“I’m glad you like it.”
This makes wearing uncomfortable pants more than worth it. Vanessa is so distracted by the tree that she doesn’t even look at the menu, and I happily pick out and order food for us both as she pokes and prods at the trunk.
I’m sure people are taking photos of us, but I don’t care who sees me admiring my mate. I want everybody to see us together and know we’re happy. More importantly, though, I want them to know Vanessa has chosen me.
She’s mine.
“The shifter lands are full of trees this old,” I say, unable to hold back any longer. “Many are even larger.”
That captures Vanessa’s attention, and I sit up straighter.
“How old?” she asks. “And how big?”
“Twice as old and twice as big.” I’m bragging, but I don’t care. “There are forests full of them. Hundreds, thousands of them as far as the eye can see.”
Vanessa looks like she’s going to jump out of her skin, and I’m sure I look the same as she begins hammering me with questions about my lands. She looks so excited, and I desperately hope she’ll be open to visiting soon. I’d love to show her my pack and my home.
“My father is helping me expand my home,” I eventually admit. “I’m making my kitchen larger and adding an island.”
Vanessa sucks her lips into her mouth, her cheeks reddening. We haven’t discussed the possibility of her moving to the shifter realm. There’s never been a good opportunity to bring it up, and I don’t want her feeling rushed. She’s only just agreed to give our relationship a chance, and I won’t risk ruining it.
But I can’t resist telling her about my home.
“Do you miss your pack?” she asks.
I shrug. “Yes, but I’d rather be with you. My father is overseeing things in my absence.”
Vanessa hums. “I’ve read a lot about your father.”
I frown, the reaction automatic, before forcing my face into a softer emotion. People know what happened between my dad and Charlie, and many have condemned him for his desires. The blessed breeds consider him a traitor to matehood, and no explanation from my mother has helped.
I too was angry with my dad for touching a woman who wasn’t my mom, but I let it go. My mom’s a succubus, and as much as I don’t enjoy thinking about it, I understand she has needs and wants that don’t necessarily align with shifter beliefs.
I shiver, wishing I didn’t know the things I know.
Dad still worships the ground she walks on, and as long as he makes her happy, I’ll keep my judgments to myself. My father has never been anything less than a loving parent, and that counts for something.
“What have you heard?” I ask.
Vanessa cocks her head to the side. She’s trying to read me just as much as I’m trying to read her. It’s a dance I enjoy.
“I read that he was the bear alpha before you, and he helped with the female rescue before you stepped in,” she says.
I nod, and Vanessa leans against the back cushion of the booth.
“I’ve read much about you, too,” she continues.
Oh?This interests me greatly, and I prop my elbows onto the table and lean closer.My female has researched me, and I’m eager to hear her thoughts. Most people like me. I don’t make women uncomfortable, and I’m friendly to almost everybody I meet. I hope that means she’s read good things.
There was a brief period of negative press when word got out that I met and frightened away my mate, but interest in my wrongdoings has diminished. People no longer care, which I personally think is ideal. I hate when people think poorly of me.
“What have you read?” I ask.
Vanessa shoots me a coy smile. She’s growing comfortable around me, and I decide not to bring up the images of my penis. I don’t want to make our conversation sexual.
I want to learn everything there is to know about my mate, and sex will only distract from that.
Vanessa lowers her gaze to the table, her cheeks turning pink. I continue to stare at her, desperate to know her thoughts. What has she read about me? I need to know, especially when I see how it’s making her flush.
“Tell me what you’ve read, my mate,” I tease her.
I’m flirting with her, and I’m enjoying every second of it.
Vanessa clears her throat, meeting my eye. “I read that you’re scared of birds.”
I stiffen. “Most shifters don’t like flying animals,” I say. “We cannot easily fight something attacking us from the sky.”
Vanessa laughs, the noise high-pitched and light as the server brings over our food. My mate thinks she’s so funny, but if she keeps it up, I’ll be forced to do something she doesn’t like. I’m unsure how to frustrate her without causing fear or stress, but I have some ideas.
She likes seeing my erections, and I’m not above hiding mine until she apologizes. Yes. I think that’s exactly what I’ll do.
We eat our food in comfortable silence, and I admire Vanessa admiring the tree. I have a feeling she would sit here for days if she could, and I’m so happy she’s pleased with my choice of restaurant.
Hours pass, and tables around us fill and empty. Eventually, a server brings over a check and politely urges us to leave. Vanessa pouts. I love it, and I can’t stop smiling as I pay our bill and guide her toward Silas. He’s still sitting at the bar.
“I hope this was a good date,” I admit. “I’m new to this.”
Vanessa grabs my arm, her hand resting in the crook of my elbow.
“I had a good time.” She gives me a tight squeeze. “Thank you, Chev.”
Silas stands as we near, capturing my attention. I pull Vanessa away from him a second later, my nose crinkling. He smells like alcohol.
“Are you two finished?” he asks. “Long meal.”
“Absolutely not.” I grunt, reaching for my phone.
Aziel picks up on the third ring, and he’s here a minute later to bring Vanessa and me back to the facility. Silas is clearly annoyed, but he’s a fool if he thinks I’d let him teleport us when he’s been drinking.
Vanessa finds the entire thing humorous. She laughs and labels me a drama queen. She also calls me a tattletale, but I don’t know what that means, and I don’t care.Her insults don’t bother me.
I will always protect her from getting teleported by a drunken fool.
Aziel brings us to Vanessa’s house, and he disappears a second later. I walk Vanessa up her porch, my hands clasped behind my back. Would it be inappropriate to kiss her? I’ve been wanting to do it all day.
Vanessa unlocks her door before spinning to face me. Her lips are so close to mine.
“You know,” she starts, “I trust you, and I don’t think it’s necessary for you to bring a chaperone to our dates anymore.”
Those words are music to my ears, and I excitedly pull her against my chest before pressing my lips against hers. She squeals, and as realization washes over me, I panic and release her. Fuck. I shouldn’t grab my female.
Vanessa peers up at me, but she doesn’t look upset. I feel horrible, and I remain rigid as she presses herself against me.
“It’s okay, Chev,” she whispers.
I think I’m going to puke, and I hold my breath as she wraps her arms around me. Then she kisses me, letting her hands wander underneath my shirt. She’s not scared.
“I love you,” I blurt out.
Vanessa pinches my forearm, but I don’t mind.
Someday, she’ll say it back.