How did I not realise she was priming me for a date? Why did I not realise?

As soon as Piper swung the door open, I was taken aback by what was standing behind it, leaving me no time to dwell on it further. Or rather, who stood behind it...

Asra wore a formal black suit and a blue tie. As Asra stepped into the room, his formal black suit and blue tie, tailored perfectly, accentuated every hard plain of his torso and shoulders. He smiled as he thanked Piper, and she giggled as she left the room. An itch started beneath my skin, one that had me begging him to look at me and not Piper. Then, finally, his eyes drifted to mine.

My breath hitched when they wandered my way, my heart hammering in my chest, the blood pounding in my ears. Nerves ate away at my insides. The fact it was my first time being dressed up in so long did not make me feel any more secure. Asra's eyes barely hung onto mine before they were drifting, widening slightly as he ran them along the length of me. I stood awkwardly, still clutching the pendant around my neck as I fought to catch my breath.

Piper was a sneaky fucker.

Asra's eyes only seemed to appraise me, causing a fire to burn within my body that had me shifting my weight and clearing my throat. Those midnight blue eyes locked on mine with such adoration that I swear I forgot how to breathe.

"Ailia..." He began, clearing his throat and stepping closer. "You look stunning."

I flushed, dropping my eyes to stare into the silk tie around his neck. To pass the awkward tension, I dropped the necklace and shifted his tie so it was straight.

"You look great too." I murmured.

He chuckled. "Not as good as you. Piper did... something to you."

"Yeah, the conniving minx." I huffed, pushing some hair behind my ear.

Asra's eyes followed the motion, fingers coming to take the strand from my hair and drift his fingers down its length. I chewed the insides of my cheeks as he watched the strand float from his fingertips and back to its resting place.

"It's a lot longer than earlier." He commented about how straight it was.

I couldn't help but laugh, shrugging. "She turned me into someone else."

"Yes, it seems you look a little different." He mused, settling his hands on my hips.

His eyes drifted down, casting obviously over my cleavage before drifting to my waist and hips. His fingers flexed on my body, a small grumble leaving his throat.

"This dress, however, is something else," He purred.

"Thanks..." I smiled. "Now, since you both have kidnapped me from work, care to tell me where we are going?"

"Nope." He smirked, removing his grip.

The heavy warmth of his hand wrapped around mine and pulled me from the bedroom. I frowned, glaring at him as he walked me down the hallway to the elevator. Once we stopped to wait for its arrival, I squeezed his hand with annoyance.

"Why won't you tell me?"

"You will protest either way, Tulip."

"I will not." I scoffed, causing him to shoot me an amused smirk.

"Enough said."

I grunted as the elevator opened, a passing wolf complimenting our looks as they vacated the death box. Asra's grip tightened on my hand as he pulled me inside, before pulling me closer to him as we rested against the glass wall.

Isn't it crazy how dressing up can get you so many compliments?

"I rather like this, Tulip, but the other one has true beauty." He murmured.

"What?" I breathed.

Can he not start with the romance novel worthy lines just yet? Can I at least sit down first?

He chuckled, and I saw the glimmer of his eyes in the mirror before us. His expression was soft, heartfelt, and I wasn't quite used to this Asra. The staring at my boobs and ass was normal, but the soft smiles and words were already giving me palpitations.

The elevator dinged, Asra pulling me out of it once more. I hadn't even realised the length of the journey, finding us on the lower level of the packhouse. One point to me, zero points to death box!

"Where are we going?" I whined as he took me out of the house.

I took a moment to admire my fairy lights around the porch, the darkening sky letting them shine in all their glory. It was nearing sunset, so I thought wherever we went had lighting because if it was a dark trench for my murder, I'd rather not see my doom.

Asra glanced down at my shoes with a grimace. "I told her no heels."

"Huh?"

"Piper. I told her no heels." He sighed. "Oh well, I will just carry you to the car."

"C-car?" I squeaked.

The distant memory of my last car trip did not make the thought of this one any easier.

"Yeah, we are taking a car." He nodded, looking at me from the bottom step.

My worried eyes met his confused expression. The single step height difference with heels meant I was the same height as him. His nostrils flared as he gazed at me, before he softly sighed and moved closer.

You think it'd be like a princess story, and I'd get bridal swept into his arms, right?

If only that were so true.

A bird-like squawk left my lips as Asra's arms wrapped beneath my hips, lifting me up by the ass like a plank of wood. My hands met his shoulders, gripping onto them as my spine went rigid. Asra only chuckled, my breasts resting at the slope of his nose as he walked forwards blindly. I grunted, slapping him lightly as he nibbled my skin through the tight dress.

"This is not how I imagined you would carry me." I complained, squeezing his shoulders a little too tightly.

It only seemed to spur him on as he nibbled my chest again. "It's okay, Tulip, I like it a little rough."

I grunted a sound of blank agreement. Of course he did.

The soft click of a car door opening had my head spin around to find a driver stood in a black suit, holding the door to a sleek black car. Asra didn't even thank him as he set me inside the car, smirking at my glare. I was quick to adjust my dress as Asra thanked the driver with a pat on the back and climbed in beside, pushing me by the hip until I slid across the seats.

"What even is going on?" I muttered to myself.

Asra's answer was a soft chuckle as he rested his elbow on the now closed door. I watched the driver as he walked around the car, the windows dark and eery. As soon as he sat in his chair and started the engine, I was quick to scramble for my seatbelt. Asra watched me with a quirked eyebrow, pulling the belt around me and clicking it in.

I thanked him softly, taking a moment to appraise him. His strong thighs were straining inside of his trousers, the belt on his crotch creating a noticeable bulge that had my toes curling. His chest was broad, and I just knew how warm it was from mere moments ago. He was just so large, taking up most of the seat on his side of the death trap.

"How long is the journey?" I whispered.

"About fifteen minutes."

I swallowed harshly, nervously gripping the door handle as the car lurched. "Where are we going?"

He entertained me, thankfully noticing my nerves. "I will tell you if you guess correctly."

I scoffed, shaking my head and meeting his dark gaze. "A wager? That isn't a very good one."

"Well, you want to know something, so how are you going to get it?"

I glared at him, wanting to cross my arms defiantly but not wanting to let go of the car door. The road was dirt and gravel and very, very, bumpy.

"Fine, fine." I huffed. "I'll play your guessing game."

"Great. You have three guesses."

I gaped at his amusement, shaking my head. "The village café?"

He narrowed his eyes, shaking his head. "Strike one."

I huffed, crossing my legs. "A picnic in the woods?"

"As pleasant as that sounds, I doubt you'd be able to see a foot in front of you and I'd rather not administer first aid in the middle of the forest." He replied sarcastically.

I scoffed at his teasing. I had to think right, otherwise I'd lose the game. We dressed nicely, taking a nice... Where would I even be going? Dancing? No, he wanted no heels.

"Is it a restaurant?" I wondered after a moment of debating.

He hesitated, cocking his head and pursing his lips. "Okay, I will give you that. It is a restaurant. But not just any restaurant."

"What? That's not fair! You can't just lead me on with more information that I can't guess." I complained.

His laughter filled the car, causing my heart to skip a beat at the pure sound. I even saw the driver glance at his Alpha with shock, his hands tightening on the steering wheel.

"Okay, as payback, I have to guess something." He suggested.

I hummed, faux pondering his idea. "Okay, fine."

"What is the topic?"

I needed something good. I didn't want him to win the game I had already lost.

"Okay, guess my favourite colour." I nodded triumphantly.

He hummed, rubbing the stubble across his chin. "Pink."

I gaped at him. "Pink? Do I look like a pink person to you?"

He smirked, trailing his eyes along my chest and bare legs. "Maybe not."

"Try again." I probed.

"Orange." He cocked his head.

"Nope. Last chance, smarty pants." I poked my tongue out at him.

His eyes blazed as he watched me tease him, his hands moving to grab my cheeks before trailing his thumb along my lower lip. My own eyes widened as the tingles spread down to my core, a shooting star that hit its target. I clenched my legs together, trying to hide the sudden arousal and beating of my heart.

He hummed, cocking his head as his nostrils flared. "Blue?"

"Seems we are at a stalemate, mate." I clicked my tongue, my breath fanning his face.

He groaned, his eyes closing as he took a minute to compose himself. He moved away stiffly, hands adjusting the fabric suffocating his crotch. I grinned with triumph, glad I got an upper hand for once.

I won this game.

"What is our stalemate, Tulip?"

"My favourite colour is blue, but you failed to guess the shade."

"Is it my eyes?" He winked.

It wasn't. Although they were a pretty colour.

"Now, now, you're out of guesses." I teased him right back.

Instead of a glower I expected, or the scoff of disobedience I was used to, Asra's lips pulled back into a toothy grin. I was so distracted by the sign of a small dimple in his right cheek that I barely noticed the car pulling to a stop.

My head spun to look out of the window, curiosity piquing my interest. There were bright lights outside, highlighting the name of the restaurant; The Cal Zone.

Is that a pun?

I feel like that's a pun.

"Where are we?" I asked, turning to look for him, but alas, he wasn't there.

My door clicking and opening had my eyes raise to meet whoever stood the other side. It pleasantly surprised me to find it was Asra, his hand outstretched for me to take. A small 'oh' left my lips before I fumbled with my seatbelt. Taking his hand, he chuckled softly as he pulled me from the car.

His hand never left mine, even after I stood beside him and met his gaze. I wasn't a small woman in the human world, anyway. I really needed to ask him how tall he was.

"Shall we?" He gestured, jerking his head to the golden entrance.

I swallowed nervously but nodded, letting him lead me towards the entrance. A doorman bowed once at us, opening the door for us to enter. We walked down a red carpeted, soft golden hallway until we came to a wooden podium. A blonde woman stood, her hair tightly pinned to her head and adorned in a red blousy dress.

"Reservation?"

"Zenith." Asra clicked his tongue.

I squeezed my disapproval into his hand, not happy with his bluntness.

"Table for two, yes?"

"Yes." Asra grunted before hesitating. "Please."

She smiled, nodding and leading us away. "I will take you to your table, Mister and Mrs Zenith."

My eyes widened, looking up at Asra with shock. "I did not know we were married."

He chuckled, pulling me into his side and wrapping his arm around my waist. "Entertain me, Tulip. It's our first date, after all."