Chapter Twelve
Striker
I had asked Wulf three times if he was sure. Spending time together at the club was one thing and having appointments for physical therapy was another.
But asking me on a proper date? We were diving into relationship water and damn it all I wanted it. All of it.
He was sure. And he was about to pick me up.
Eli was late for training but insisted on meeting this mystery alpha. He opened the door and crossed his arms over his chest. The smile on his face was priceless. “Be careful with Striker. He’s my best friend.”
I snorted from behind Eli. “You have to stop.”
Wulf chuckled. “Yes, sir. I will do my best.”
“And if you hurt him, I have a shovel and I know people that would help us and places no one would ever find you.”
All of us cracked up. Eli was a mess. Honestly, I’d never seen this side of him but was grateful for a protective friend. Something had clicked the other night since we talked in the gym and we were closer than ever.
Wulf was changing everything in my life.
“I swear I’ll take care of him. Can we go now?”
Eli moved aside. “Call me if you need me,” he said and I nodded. I would not need him. Wulf would take care of me in all kinds of ways. An omega could hope.
We went to a restaurant in the city that I’d been eyeing but didn’t want to go to alone. The atmosphere was somewhere in between casual and elegant. Each wall was painted a different color and the artwork was all local and all bright and wild and I could’ve spent an hour checking out each piece.
“This place is great,” I said as we were seated.
The chair across the table was for Wulf but he moved it to sit next to me instead. “It is. I’ve been a couple of times but not at night. Only for lunch.”
I was nervous. I hadn’t been this nervous since the beginning of a competition and I had to admit, this was worse.
Wulf noticed immediately. He slid his hand over to rest on my thigh and squeezed. “You’re safe with me, omega.”
I nodded as his soothing power seeped its way through our budding bond. “I know. I’m just nervous. It’s been a while.”
“A while since you dated?”
“Yes.”
He winked at me. “It’s been a while for me too. A very long while. Stay close to me, and we’ll help each other through it, okay?”
“Okay. Why has it been a long time for you?”
“Because my mate died.” He let out a half laugh, half sigh. “It still hurts to say that. He was my chosen omega, and we were happy.”
Wulf told the whole story, tearing up a time or two. He paused to order food, and we ate while he told me everything. My story and my problems seemed so small in comparison.
“I’m sorry you lost him. I can tell how much you loved him. It’s oozing from your stories.”
“I did love him. I still do. But lately, I’m feeling like maybe there’s a chance to love more than one omega.
Especially if that other omega is your fated mate.
” Wulf reached over to take my hand in his.
The food was fantastic and so was the restaurant and the service but right then and there, there was nothing else but him. The whole world stilled.
There was no more wondering. No more hiding from it or trying to suppress what my wolf already knew.
“I’ve known since the day I met you.”
He smiled at me. “So have I. I hope I didn’t scare you off with my widow story.”
“Not at all. Those who have experienced true love are most likely to have it again. My alpha father passed and my omega father found love again. They are very happy together.”
Wulf stared at me. “I was thinking about a late night stroll around the lake on the edge of the city, but now I’m thinking maybe we could get dessert to go and get out of here. What do you think?”
“That depends on where you want to go.” A light sweat broke out on the back of my neck. My core tightened and all of a sudden this place was the last place I wanted to be.
“I know this is our first date but I really, really want to take you home, omega.”
Maybe I nodded. Maybe I said yes. I couldn’t remember. My brain was hazy from the lust drilling through my veins but a few things happened within minutes. Wulf ordered two lava cakes and two tiramisus to go. He paid the check then took my hand and led me out of there.
We drove to his condo in minutes, and he put the car in park and turned to face me. I was overpowered by the scent of his need. Musky, heady earthiness and passion that could never be bottled. That plus the smell of the dessert and I was one needy omega.
“Striker, are you sure about this? Because once I have you, I’m not sure I can ever let you go.”
“You promise?” I asked.
“I promise, baby. Tonight, I’m going to mate you and mark you and I might make you miss work tomorrow. Are you good with that?”
I fisted the front of his shirt and leaned forward and pressed my lips to his. “Time for you to make good on that promise, alpha mine.”