Warm breath tickled my neck as I opened my eyes. Looking down, I noticed I was naked, with just the sheets covering me. A large arm was draped around my waist tightly, pushing me to a hard chest. Turning around, I noticed Drew’s face, only inches from mine. A small smile was displayed on his face, and his eyes were closed. Smiling softly, I brushed back some hair from his forehead and kissed him lightly on the nose. 

Now, to get this arm off of me, I thought. Slowly, I inched myself further away from Drew, prying his fingers off one by one, and lifted his heavy arm off of me. I was practically out of breath by the time I was free from his hold. Grabbing Drew’s button up shirt off the ground, I slid it on and went into the bathroom. 

After I cleaned myself up a bit, and fixed my rat’s nest I called hair, I walked out to see Drew getting up. Even with bed hair, he looked extremely sexy. I was glad he was at least wearing some boxers or I don’t know if I could hold myself from repeating last night’s events. My cheeks reddened at the thought. Snapping myself out of my daze, I called out to him.

“Morning,” I smiled at him.

“Morning to you too” he smiled back and walked over to me. His large arms encircled me into a hug, and he kissed my temple softly. 

“Did you sleep well?” he smirked at me.

“Shut up,” I slapped his chest playfully before squirming out of his hold. 

“Aw, babe don’t be like that,” he smirked at me, before grabbing me from behind and hoisting me in the air.

“Drew, put me down now!” I argued, slapping his back. Suddenly, I felt Drew slap my ass and give out a loud chuckle.

“Drew!” I screamed, which only caused him to laugh. He none too gracefully plopped me down onto the bed and pinned my arms up above my head. 

Just as I was about to scream my head off at him for picking me up and slapping my ass, he clamped his lips over mine, leaving my thoughts a jumbled mess.

His kiss started slow and sensual, softly sucking on my lips. Pressing harder, he turned the kiss from passionate to evocative. My arms slid down his chest, resting on his perfect abs, as I deepened the kiss. A low growl came from Drew, as he began unbuttoning his shirt I was wearing. My hands slid lower, brushing the edge of his boxers. I felt Drew stiffen, and I smiled inwardly.

“Oh no you don’t,” Drew growled huskily, flipping us over so he was underneath. My shirt, which was now completely unbuttoned, hung limply, displaying my breasts and stomach. I blushed, quickly trying to cover myself, but Drew’s hands stopped me.

“Arianna, never hide yourself from me,” he growled, kissing down my neck, across my collar bone, and continuing downward to my breasts. He began kneading one of them, while the other he sucked on. I moaned loudly, while I felt Drew smirk against my skin.

Slowly, I pulled down his boxers and began placing kisses down his chest. Reaching all the way down, I abruptly pulled myself away and planted a passionate kiss on his lips. 

Heaving heavily, I collapsed onto the bed beside Drew. After our mind blowing foreplay and another intense love making, I found myself completely content.

Curling up to Drew, I sighed, enjoying his body warmth against mine. His arm wrapped around my shoulders, playing with my hair softly.

“Arianna?”

“Hmm?” I muttered, snuggling closer to his side.

“Why?,” he whispered.

I sat up abruptly, turning my body to face him. 

“Why what?”

“I know I’ve said this before, but I want to know why you would forgive me so easily? I was a jerk. I screwed up. What I did was wrong, and I wanna know why you still forgave me,” he unwrapped his arm from me and sat up as well, staring at the wall ahead.

“Because you’re my mate Drew. You may have done those things to me, but that doesn’t change how I feel about you. I know it was wrong, but people make mistakes, it’s normal. The important thing is that you said sorry, you accepted your faults. That’s all I need to know. You’re my other half, Drew, and I love you. There’s no way I can’t forgive you,” I smiled at him, intertwining our fingers. Drew’s eyes met mine, full of warmth and love, and I couldn’t help but kiss him softly.

“You don’t know how glad I am to have you, right?” he muttered, snuggling his head into my hair. I giggled softly, before pulling away and placing my hand against his cheek. 

“Oh shit!” Drew cursed at the clock. I looked over and noticed the time, 12:30 P.M. We’d been up here that long? I was completely shocked.

Drew scrambled off the bed, pulling on his clothes quickly.

“Baby girl, I’m sorry. I have an important alpha meeting I need to get too soon,” he placed a quick kiss on my lips.

“Oh, almost forgot,” he grabbed a small box off the dresser. 

Opening the box, I gasped at the gift. I couldn’t possibly accept this, it was too beautiful and looked just as expensive. 

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed out, staring at the stunning necklace. It was a pendant, shaped like a sword, with two wolves on either end facing out. It’s intricate designs, and beautiful silvery coating looked antique, almost priceless.

“This was my great grandmother’s, and was passed down all the way to me for my mate. So, I’m giving it to you,” he said, while turning me around and clasping the necklace onto my neck. Its cool exterior brushed against my skin. 

Placing a soft kiss onto my shoulder, Drew turned me around to face him. 

“Wear this tonight, because I’m taking you out somewhere,” he grinned, before kissing my head and leaving the room.

I was too shocked to even realize he had left. My mind was whirring at everything that had happened. How did I go from being a nobody, to getting an ancient necklace, mating with Drew, and going out with him? 

Sighing, I pulled myself out of my thoughts, and dressed. If I was going on a date, I would need all the help I could get.

*******

“Aw, my little Ari’s growing up!” Mel shouted for the billionth time, as she curled my hair.

“Mel, how many times do I have to tell you, it’s just a date,” I rolled my eyes at her.

“Hey!” she pouted into the mirror, looking at my reflection, “I can’t help it if I’m so excited for my best friend to finally go on a date! At least give me some credit!” she huffed, crossing her arms.

“I know Mel, but I’m just nervous. I’ve never been on a date before, I don’t know what it’s gonna be like?” I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. Just the thought of going on date frightened me. What if I overdressed, or underdressed? What if people looked at me and wondered how I could get with a guy like Drew?

“Just relax. I already picked the perfect outfit for you, and you’re hair and makeup look great, thanks to me,” she giggled at the mirror. I couldn’t help but grin back at her. 

“Mel, thanks, for everything,” 

“Hey, what are friends for?” she grinned.

After finishing my hair and makeup, I pulled on my outfit. Mel had picked out a white summer dress, with lace embroidery on the skirt. The dress was a little above my knees, and was paired with a light grey blazer. I pulled on some brown wedges. 

“Ari, you look amazing!” Mel giggled, satisfied with her makeover. I turned towards the mirror, and gasped at my reflection. My brown hair hung in large light curls, spilling over my shoulders. My outfit made me look like an innocent, yet beautiful girl and my eyes were framed with eyeliner and mascara, making them pop. My face looked flawless, and perfect.

Turning around, I hugged Mel tightly, thanking her over and over for helping me.

“Alright, alright. Now let go of me and go impress your man!” she beamed.

I hugged her once again and walked out of Mel’s room, heading for my own. 

My anxiety kept creeping up, as I paced back and forth in my room, clutching the pendant Drew gave me in my hand. I double checked everything: breath, teeth, makeup, outfit, perfume, pendant, till I was completely satisfied. However, the nerves in my stomach were multiplying. Never in my life would I have thought I’d be nervous for a date like some giddy high school teenager, even if I was a teen myself. 

A knock sounded on the door, that pulled me from my thoughts. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to the door and opened it up. Standing in front of me was Drew, dressed in a light grey t-shirt, jeans, a leather jacket. I sucked in a breath, acknowledging how handsome he looked.

Drew’s eyes widened as he looked me over. I blushed, clearly happy with his response.

“You look...beautiful” he smiled at me, taking my hand.

“Well you don’t look so bad yourself,” I grinned back.

We descended the steps and out the door, jumping into Drew’s Mercedes SLS AMG. My mouth literally dropped at the sight of it. 

“So, where are you taking me?” I questioned Drew. He gave me a sideways glance before answering.

“It’s a surprise,” 

I wanted to pout and cross my arms like a kid. My excitement was too much, and I didn’t think I would be able to hold it in if Drew didn’t tell me where we were going.

Finally, we arrived at lake side resort. It was large building, with a beautiful lake behind it. I was at awe, the place was breathtaking.

Drew led me up the steps, and into a large restaurant. I thought we’d be dining here, but Drew led me past the room, and outside. We walked down a cobblestoned pathway, till we reached a large gazebo that overlooked the lake. Around us, brushed filled with colorful flowers warmed the air with a light scent. Inside the gazebo, a table with two chairs sat. The candles in the middle of the table lit the gazebo, making it look romantic and cozy. Just over the table was the sight of the lake. The water looked dark and pristine. 

“Wow,” was all I could say. 

Drew helped me into my seat before sitting himself in his own.

“Drew, this is amazing,” I exclaimed once again, looking at the scenery.

“I knew you’d like it,” he grinned.

Soon after, our food arrived and we ate and chatted.

“Thank you, Drew. For everything,” I smiled at him.

“Sweetheart, I would do anything to see you smile,” he said.

I laughed softly, “Wow, I didn’t know the big bad Alpha Drew could be so romantic,” 

“Oh you have no idea babe,” he smirked at me. 

After our dinner, Drew took my hand, and we strolled leisurely through the garden.

“Drew, tell me something nobody knows,” I asked.

“Well, when I was six, I would run around the house naked screaming ‘you can’t catch me’ to my parents when they tried giving me a bath,” he chuckled, while I noticed his cheeks tinge pink.

Chuckling, I kissed his cheek.

“What about you?” Drew inquired.

“What about me?” I teased.

“You know, what’s something you never told anyone?” 

I thought about what I could say, my mind temporarily flashing to my mom’s murderer. Drew stopped walking, and I looked back at him, confused.

“How do you know that rogue?” Drew questioned me quietly. I was confused, at how he knew I was thinking about that, until I realized that we were fully mated, and he could probably see the image of that rogue in my mind. I needed to be more careful and put up my mental walls next time, I thought.

“He, uh,” I took a deep breath and decided to tell him everything about my past.

“My mom’s accident wasn’t an accident. The rogue you caught, he was after my mom. I don’t know why, but he was the reason she died. Just before she-“ I choked on a sob, “-died, she told me to get out of there, not because she didn’t want me to save her, but instead, to make sure that I could be safe. That’s how I know him. He’s been in my dreams lately, and i-I don’t know what to do,” I cried silently, letting tears flow down my face.

Drew wiped away the tears gently, kissing a few that still leaked out. Placing a gentle kiss on my forehead, he embraced me in a hug. I clung onto his shirt, and snuggled against him.

“Drew, I’m scared,” I whispered.

“I know baby, but trust me, I will not let him get to you, okay? Do you trust me?”

I nodded.

“Good, now let’s forget about all of this and focus on our date,” he smiled at me and wiped away a few more tears. I grinned up at him and kissed his cheek. 

But throughout the walk, all I could think about was the rogue. I just hoped Drew was right.