Chapter 10: Mates
I waited outside the bookstore, anxiously looking around for Luke’s car to pull up. When I saw the familiar sleek black car turn the corner, I felt my heart race in my chest. As he pulled up, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement mixed with a hint of nervousness.
He got out of his car. Our eyes met, and a jolt of recognition shot through me. Something was different this time. As if a primal instinct within me had been awakened.
Luke’s eyes sparkled with delight as he approached me. He straightened up and took a step towards me, a smile spreading across his face. I felt my heart race, my breath catching in my throat.
“Luke,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
The distance between us closed, and our bodies gravitated towards each other as if pulled by an invisible force. We came to stop, standing mere inches apart, our eyes locked in an intense gaze.
Luke looked at me with awe and his gaze was filled with tenderness. He spoke softly, his voice carrying the weight of his words.
"I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you, Kiara," Luke said, his voice filled with wonder. "It was like a bolt of lightning, an undeniable instinct that told me you were my mate. I've never felt anything like it before."
Mate? I wasn’t really sure what he meant by that, but I understood everything else he said.
“I felt it too,” I whispered. “The connection, I mean. It was like a pull, a magnetic force that drew me to you. I couldn’t resist it, and I didn’t want to.”
“Have you eaten today?” he suddenly asked.
“No, I haven’t.”
With a nod of his head, he led me to the car and opened the door for me.
“We can talk more about this, once you’ve had some food in your system.”
He walked around to his side and drove to a nearby restaurant. As we walked into the restaurant, we were greeted by a hostess who led us to our table.
The interior of the restaurant was modern and chic, with dim lighting and soft jazz music playing in the background. The walls were painted in a warm cream color and adorned with tasteful abstract paintings. The tables were covered in crisp white linens and set with gleaming silverware and crystal glassware.
The ambiance was cozy yet sophisticated, with a pleasant hum of chatter from the other diners. The restaurant had a beautiful view of the city skyline, and I could see the twinkling lights of the buildings in the distance.
We sat down for dinner, I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. I wasn't sure how to approach the topic, but I knew I needed to understand what was going on.
“I’m a Lycan,” I blurted out.
I stared at him, trying to gauge his reaction. More for myself than for him. He most likely had his whole life to come to terms with the fact of what we are.
“I know.” His eyes never once left mine.
“Your obsession about my thoughts on the supernatural world makes a lot more sense now.”
He let out a boisterous laugh. My ears tingled at the sound and the butterflies returned full force.
“I knew from the first moment I saw you,” Luke said, sobering his laughter. “You are my mate.”
"Can you tell me more about us being mates?" I asked, trying to sound casual. I was in fact the complete opposite.
"Being mates means that we are connected on a soul-deep level," Luke explained softly. "It's a bond that goes beyond mere physical attraction or emotional attachment. It's a profound connection that transcends time and space, and it's something that's unique to our kind."
“But we met a few weeks ago, how is that possible?”
He continued, "As mates, we are destined to be together, to share our lives, our hearts, and our souls. It means that we are bound to each other in a way that is unbreakable. We are meant to complement and support each other, to be there for each other through thick and thin, and to love each other unconditionally."
“Well, who am I to challenge destiny?” I asked, resting my chin on the palm of my hand.
Luke laughed, watching me try to wrap my head around everything.
"And what about your position in the human world? How do you manage that?"
Luke chuckled softly. "I have a team of lawyers and PR specialists who help me manage that. It's not easy, but we make it work. I have a pack to look after."
“A pack?” I asked, nearly choking on my drink.
“I am the Alpha of the White Moon pack,” Luke said.
“Firstly, that is the coolest name I have ever heard,” I said, shifting in my seat. “Secondly, you’re an Alpha?”
Luke nodded.
“Oh, I thought you would follow my train of thought and explain what exactly that is.”
As if, only hearing that I had no idea what our world was like, for the first time. He cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed.
Luke took a sip of his wine before answering. "Being an Alpha comes with a lot of responsibilities, Kiara. I have to make sure my pack is safe, that they have enough food, and that they follow the rules and laws of our kind.I have to make sure my pack is happy. But at the same time, I have to protect them from other packs who may want to take over our territory.”
I listened intently, feeling a sense of admiration for Luke's dedication and hard work. "That's amazing, Luke. I had no idea."
Luke smiled warmly at me. "I'm glad we can talk about this, Kiara. I want to be honest with you about who I am and what I do."
I smiled back, feeling grateful for Luke's honesty. I fidgeted with my fingers nervously as I sat across from Luke. “So, mates, huh?” I said, changing the topic so that he wouldn’t notice my flushed cheeks.
He rolled his eyes, clearly catching on to my elite evading skills. No wonder he was an Alpha, there’s no way a normal person would notice my tactics.
"So, what happens now?” I asked, fidgeting with the end of my sleeve.
Luke chuckled softly. "Well, we are mates, but it's up to us to decide how we want to proceed. I don't want to rush you into anything, Kiara. I just want you to be comfortable with everything that's happening."
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at his words. "Thank you. I appreciate that. And I do feel comfortable with you, more than I ever have with anyone else."
Luke's eyes softened as he reached across the table to take my hand. "I'm glad to hear that. I care about you deeply and I want to do everything I can to make sure you're happy and safe."
My heart skipped a beat at his words, feeling a rush of affection for the man in front of me.
We left the restaurant hand in hand, enjoying the warm summer night. We walked a few blocks to the car and drove to Luke’s apartment building, which was an impressive glass tower with sleek lines and a modern design. The lobby was bright and airy, with high ceilings and minimalist furnishings. Luke greeted the doorman with a nod, and we took the elevator up to his penthouse apartment on the top floor.
When we stepped out of the elevator, I was struck by the spaciousness of the apartment. The living room was filled with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. The furniture was sleek and modern, with clean lines and neutral colors. A large flatscreen TV was mounted on the wall, and there was a state-of-the-art sound system.
As Luke led me around, I noticed the kitchen was fully equipped with stainless steel appliances, and there was a marble island in the centre of the room with bar stools. He led me to the balcony and I stared in awe at the city lights. I felt his presence behind me, and I slowly turned to meet his gaze.
“Being a CEO definitely pays well,” I joked.
But he wasn’t looking at my eyes. His gaze was focused on my mouth. I felt a shiver run down myspine as Luke's lips met mine on the balcony of his luxurious apartment. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as he deepened the kiss. The city lights twinkled in the background, and the cool night breeze made me feel alive.
When we finally broke the kiss, I couldn't help but feel a little lightheaded. "Wow," I breathed, my heart racing. “Does being a CEO make you a good kisser too?”
Luke chuckled, pulling me closer. “You’re an idiot.”
"I can't believe this is happening."
Luke chuckled, pulling me in for a warm embrace. "Believe it," he said softly, kissing my forehead. "You're my mate, Kiara."
I felt a warm glow spreading through my body at the sound of those words. "I don't know what to say," I admitted, feeling a little overwhelmed. "I mean, I knew we had a connection, but I had no idea it was this strong."
Luke smiled, stroking my hair. "It's always been there, Kiara."
I leaned into him, feeling safe and protected in his arms. "So, what now?" I asked, looking up at him.
Luke kissed my forehead again, his eyes meeting mine. "Now, we explore this connection," he said softly.
I smiled, feeling a sense of excitement mixed with a little fear. This was all so new to me, and I wasn't sure what to expect. But I knew one thing for sure, I wanted to see where this journey with Luke would take me.
Could I handle it?