Chapter Eight
Idris
I’d always been up before the sun, but I didn’t recall waking up with such a burst of energy as I did this morning. I threw my legs over the side of the bed and bounced my knees with absolute joy.
The alpha, Rook, my fated mate, had kissed me good night. No other kiss compared. He was commanding and yet tender. The man knew how to kiss.
I put on my best jeans and a light sweater and, after tending to my hygiene needs, I bounced down the stairs. Already, I could smell breakfast. Franklin had created a feast for us the night before; even the leftovers from the fridge had been delicious. My stomach gurgled in anticipation.
At the bottom of the stairs, I caught my reflection in one of Franklin’s mirrors.
My smile was wide, a blush spreading over my cheeks.
I’d all but given up on finding a mate, choosing to follow my career dreams instead of pursuing my mate, but now he was here—right here in the same house as me.
Not my house but for this moment, it was good enough.
“Good morning,” I announced myself as I walked into the dining area. Franklin had gone all out again. The table was filled with breakfast delights. Pumpkin biscuits. A quiche with vegetables and ham. Maple sausage. And an apple-cherry coffee cake.
“Good morning.” Rook stepped toward me then glanced at Franklin and ended up sitting across from me.
I wouldn’t have opposed it if he came over and kissed me good morning, but I supposed some level of decorum was needed.
I had no idea why, though. Franklin was the one who asked us to come here for the sole purpose of mating.
This was new territory for us both.
Franklin looked between us. He really knew what he was doing. “It was a lovely night last night. I had my windows open, letting in the fresh air. Good for the lungs.”
“It was quite the night,” I agreed, feeling Rook’s stare.
My face filled with heat. I hadn’t blushed like this since I was in the vicinity of my first crush.
Franklin didn’t miss a beat. If he noticed my blush, he didn’t say anything about it. “I set up a day date of sorts for you. There will be a car to pick you up in a few hours. After the activity, you’ll be taken to a restaurant. Reservation is already made.”
“What’s the activity?” I asked Franklin.
“A corn maze. And the pumpkin-pie tour.”
Rook reached for my plate. He could’ve easily passed the serving dish to me but instead, he put some on my plate. An alpha with manners who kissed me senseless. “What is a pumpkin-pie tour? I’ve never heard of that,” he asked.
Franklin chuckled. “There’s a bit of a competitive nature in town this time of year.
Everyone claiming to make the best pumpkin pie or pumpkin pie-ish dessert.
So, they came up with the tour. You will go around to the various businesses and restaurants and get a small piece of pie.
There’s a scoring card. It’s all very organized and serious. ”
I laughed. “Pumpkin pie is serious business.”
“Agreed, Idris. You’ll also have lunch provided as a picnic at the corn maze.”
“Sounds like a great day. Thank you for planning all of this. I didn’t know what to expect but this is above and beyond.”
Franklin paused. “My mate planned the best dates. It’s only fitting that I do the same for the couples who come here. Love deserves a beginning to remember.”
While we finished breakfast, Franklin talked more about his late mate. How he designed the house and they intended to live there for the rest of their lives. His chin quivered at several points in the story. He truly loved his mate. I wished that Fate would smile on him the way it had on me.
We helped Franklin clean up, even though he fussed about it, then hung out on the porch until our ride arrived.
I took in everything I could about my mate.
He took his coffee black, which was offensive, but I would learn to forgive him.
Well-traveled, he spoke of places I wished I could visit, many of them noted in my journal.
His clothes were high-end, and his shoes likely cost more than my rent.
But there was no hint of snobbiness about him.
Not even a whisper. He was down-to-earth and asked about my work.
I told him some things but left out the boring details.
He expressed concern about me overworking, but what else could I do?
Times were tough, and I had dreams to follow and a career to build.
It was nice of him to be worried. Cute too.
“The car is here,” Franklin said, popping his head out of the screen door.
“Thank you,” we both answered at the same time.
“Ready for a fun date?” I asked.
“Absolutely, omega.”
Oh, damn it. Now I couldn’t move my legs again.