Asra growled, his fingers tightening on my thigh as he glared at the males before us. "What are you doing here?"

The owner of the voice snorted. "Last I checked, this was human territory."

"Yes, it may be so. But I am Continental Alpha now, so it is my land." Asra snarled.

I heard a few gasps come from customers and heard a small apology come from Ella as she slid in beside me and placed my pancakes down. Her worried eyes caught my frightened gaze, flickering up to the towering men surrounding our table. I still refused to look, taking Asra's caution to heart.

"Is there a problem here?" Ella asked, crossing her arms.

"No, no problem here, human." The male tutted.

Ella scoffed. "Derogatory terms are not welcome in this establishment. If you cannot keep civil, I will have no choice but to escort you out."

I could almost imagine the looks she must get from the men and internally cringed in pity for her.

"I understand, Miss." Another spoke. "I will keep him in check."

She tutted. "You better."

I heard the disappearance of her footsteps, but kept my gaze on my melting ice cream. Once she was gone, Asra's knee knocked back into mine, causing my eyes to flicker to his face. It was a hard mask as he set his heavy gaze on whoever's shadows surrounded our table.

"You need to leave." He warned them.

"Why is that? Afraid we will scare your little pet?" The man teased.

I winced, dropping my eyes to Asra's throat. His jaw was tense, muscles working beneath his skin as he clenched it to calm down.

"I own this place. I have the right to kick you out."

"You haven't visited here in years." The lead male scoffed. "I make my deals in here. It's a fancy place, no one even realises."

Deals?

"You should be careful who you mess with, Theo." Asra snapped.

"Please, you?" The man, Theo, chortled. "I am surprised you even got the Continental Alpha spot after your father went bat shit crazy and tore down your original pack."

Original pack?

"Leave." His jaw ticked, claws brushing the bare skin on my thigh.

Asra growled and Theo huffed, the shuffle of clothing coming from his direction.

"We were leaving anyway." Theo's other friend grunted. "Let's not start anything, Theo."

"But he never introduced us to his pet," Theo faux-whined. "Didn't know you were into humans, Alpha? Isn't that the whole reason you lost your parents?"

Asra shot up from his seat, causing me to lose my composure as his claws dug into my flesh. My head shot down to watch as blood trickled from a barely felt wound.

Wow, his claws were damn sharp.

My head fuzzy with wine, I turned to find what the commotion was. My eyes immediately locked onto a medium-sized male, one who I guessed was wolf going by the conversation. Asra didn't like him, so I knew to keep myself guarded.

His brown eyes met mine, a smirk similar to one of Blake. His hair was dark black, skin rather tan, yet the large scar the ran across his neck had my mind whirling with a million thoughts. It looked like someone had slit his throat.

"Ah, such a unique colouring." He cocked his head, studying me.

Asra's arm came to block me, pushing my body into the sofa as he snarled. I fell willingly, a small grunt of disapproval escaping my lips as my face smacked into the leather. Everything felt fuzzy and jellylike, and I gripped onto Asra's trouser leg and the sofa as he guarded me.

"Leave." Asra warned. "Unless you want to end up like your brother."

Theo clicked his tongue before there was a silent agreement, and he left with his friend. Only when they had gone did Asra shift his weight and help me back upright. His eyes were black, canines extended as he ran his eyes along my body.

It shook me up, but I wasn't that scared. I smiled weakly at him as his grip tightened on my shoulders before he released it.

"Are you okay?"

"Peachy." I nodded.

He frowned before his nose twitched and his eyes dropped to my lap. I gasped in surprised when he pulled my thigh upwards, grumbling as he found the three two-inch claw marks in my skin. He apologised softly, but I was having a hard time staying upright on the seat as he hitched my thigh higher. His tongue came out, running along the cut.

I gasped, my body shivering as goosebumps rose on my flesh. His tongue was wet and warm, making my skin tingle and core instantly ache with want. His eyes flickered to stare into my own and I had to bite my lip to suppress the moan that so desperately wanted to escape. I ached deeply for his tongue to go a little higher... Just... some... more.

Ugh. This man was so hot.

Everything he fucking did...

"Settle, Tulip, I am just trying to heal your wound." He hummed, his eyes softening slightly.

My eyes shot open, to find I was clutching at the back of his shirt with an iron grip. I cleared my throat, releasing him without looking him in the eyes. He licked the length of my thigh one more time, going a little high than necessary before he pulled away with a sharp inhale.

Wolves could smell everything, right? So I should feel awkward right now... But why didn't I? Why did I feel so invigorated by the glimmer in his eyes and the sharp smirk of his lips?

He slowly dropped my leg, so it draped over my other, my foot resting along his calf. His hand stayed on top, and the other grabbed at his glass to take a sip. I swallowed nervously as he kept his eyes on me, the twinkle in his gaze never leaving.

"What?" I breathed.

"Nothing." He chuckled, looking away as he set his mug down.

I grunted, glancing back to the table when I suddenly remembered my pancake. I grabbed my cutlery and hoped it still had some warmth within the centre. It was gooey, chocolaty, and creamy... everything a girl could wish for.

I hummed with satisfaction, continuing to eat without disturbing Asra's... whatever he was doing with his eyeballs. By the time I finished successfully scraping my fork along my tongue, I sat back into the booth and looked towards him. He was on edge still, his back rigid as he watched his surroundings.

"What is it?" I wondered. "Who were those guys?"

His jaw rippled with frustration. "They are from Blake's Continent."

"Oh?" I cocked my head.

"It seems they are aware of their leader's capture."

I frowned. "That doesn't explain why they irritated you."

He scoffed a laugh, cocking his head as he looked at me through his lashes. "Irritate me?"

"Well, yeah. Why rile you up just to leave?" I rolled my eyes.

"There is a bad rivalry between packs. I am higher ranked than their alpha, but now I have taken him down... They're unguided."

"Don't they have a beta for that?"

He smirked. "A beta can be a temporary fix, not a permanent one."

My lips parted with an understanding, waiting to see if he would explore the topic. He watched me, watching him, and said nothing. I sighed, running my hand through my hair.

"You mentioned his brother..."

"Theo is Blake's brother." Asra interrupted. "Theo has not been involved in his pack in many years. He sells weaponry and drugs to those who require it. He is grouchy because he did not get the alpha gene, but he makes quite a good living now, I believe."

"He sells in your restaurant?" I cocked my head.

"So it seems..."

"You didn't know?"

He shook his head. "I have not been here in many... many years."

"Since your mother passed?"

"Yes."

"What happened to the restaurant after she passed?"

He tensed, a small grumble erupting in his throat. "You have a lot of questions tonight."

I grinned, unaffected. "Just trying to understand you, mister wolf."

"It's Alpha." He quirked a brow.

"You wish." I scoffed, grabbing my wine.

He chuckled before exhaling loudly, his head falling back against the booth. My eyes ran along the length of his jaw, watching the ripple of his Adam's apple as he swallowed back a laugh.

"After she... passed, father wanted nothing to do with it. But we found a legal document stating that it goes to me or my brother." He sighed, and I continued to watch his exposed throat. "Neither of us wanted it, so I gave her business partner the reins."

"Business partner?" I wondered. "Human?"

"She is. I can smell her... she is here tonight, I am surprised she has not come out yet." He hummed, dropping his head.

His hand moved from my thigh to wrap around my back, hand resting on my lower hip. His face moved to breathe in my scent, my hair blowing with his heavy breath.

"Everything okay over here?"

I jumped slightly at Ella's voice, a blush coating my face at the interruption. She was grinning, eyes flashing to Asra, who was still half-nuzzled into my neck. I felt him cock his head, looking toward Ella.

"Y-Yes, it was great. Thank you." I nodded.

With a grin, she took the empty dishes and left when nothing else was requested. My chest heaved for breath, shaky hands resting in my lap. Asra chuckled, pulling away slightly.

"I was correct."

"About?"

"I do affect you."

I scowled, nudging him with my elbow. "That's just the wine."

"Drunken thoughts are happy thoughts?" He suggested, winking as his face was centimetres from my own.

I flushed, my breath becoming shaky. I couldn't tell him how much I wished for his hands to wander, for his tongue to touch my skin again. For his mouth, his plump, pink, luscious god-damn lips to just...

"Asra?"

I groaned softly, turning my head to the new intruder. Is that what it was like to dine with the King? Did everybody want a piece of him?

Asra moved lazily, only to fall rigid when he caught sight of the plump elder female stood opposite us. Her greying-black hair was tied back in crazy spirals, her eyes a dark brown. Upon seeing my mate, her hand rose to her mouth, exhaling loudly. Her eyes were wrinkled in the corners, her cheeks plump with a soft yet stern look to her rosy cheeks.

"Miss Rosa..." Asra muttered.

She shook her head, smiling softly as her voice flowed with an elegant Italian accent. "Please, how many times have I said to call me just Rosa?"

Asra's laugh was shaky as his hand moved from my body. "More than I can count."

She blew out a loud breath, running her eyes along him. "Wow. You have not changed for a minute. It's been, what? Eighteen years?"

My eyes widened, watching the encounter. Eighteen years? That was weird, right? He was nearly double my age, and yet I was his chosen mate? Why had I not thought of that before...

I mean, Eve did say wolves aged weird...

Shaking my head, I drove myself away from that topic.

But also, was Rosa the business partner? Why did I expect a youthful, glowing werewolf? She was so... human. So full of breath and a well-lived life. I loved it.

"About that." Asra nodded, smiling sadly.

Rosa's brown eyes flickered to me. "And you brought a date?"

"My mate." Asra nodded.

Her eyes widened, running over my face with a shock akin to admiration. "Your mate? That's... great, right? You thought you'd never find yours!"

He chuckled, nodding. "I did say that."

He did?

How cute.

Wait.

Cute?

Asra wasn't cute.

"Ailia, meet Rosa. She is the woman who helped guide my own to build this very restaurant."

"It's very nice to meet you." I smiled politely, trying to hide how tipsy I was feeling.

She grinned, shaking her head. "Pleasure is all mine. Asra's mate, wow, that is the end of, right?"

I felt Asra shrug from beside me and cast my eyes away. I felt tense at her question.

"Ailia is human, Rosa. She doesn't feel the bond." Asra explained.

If possible, Rosa's smile broadened, the elder woman's face about to crack. "Even better, keeping him on his toes, hey?"

I blushed at the Italian woman's teasing, shrugging my shoulders. "I try."

"Good. That is just what the boy needs."

Asra grunted. "I am no boy, Rosa."

She tutted, crossing her arms. "I helped your mother raise you when I did not have my own children, so the least you can do is to entertain the idea, boy."

He grumbled, dropping his gaze. I found it amusing, watching the alpha male be told off by an old human lady. A small giggle escaped me and his knee moved to nudge me in return.

"I am glad to see you back." Rosa changed the topic. "There is a lot of riff-raff in here, as of late. They are peaceful, but I dislike their presence."

Asra's lips pursed. "I will see what I can do."

She nodded before suddenly realising another important point and exclaiming loudly. "I hear you are continental now. What does that mean? I assume it is why you do not show your face anymore, too busy with work..."

"It means I am in charge of the entire continent." Asra drawled.

She scoffed. "Don't make me out to be dumb. I may be in my eighties, but I will have you in a time out."

Asra grinned wickedly at her, but she did not drop her glare. "Yes, ma'am."

"Good." She nodded, huffing, before someone shouted for her from the kitchen. "I am going back to work. You better not run and hide for another eighteen years, boy."

"I won't. You have my word, Rosa." He vowed.

She beamed, dropping her scowl. "Molto bene."

He stood to wrap his arm around her and they kissed each other on the cheek before she rubbed his back and told him something in Italian. I quirked an eyebrow with interest. But Asra didn't react when they pulled away, murmuring something softly back to her in another language.

She moved to me next, pulling me by the hand so I rose to my feet. Her eyes draped along my taller body when her head only came to my shoulder.

She embraced me, kissing both my cheeks before squeezing them. "He will treat you right, or I will kick his ass. You come tell me as soon as he tries anything stupid."

I nodded, knowing there was no room for complaint. Her wide grin erupted on her face before she patted my cheeks and walked away without another word. I watched her go, still shocked by her entire presence, before I lowered myself back into the booth.

I glanced at Asra, finding him downing the rest of his wine as he ran his hand down the front of his shirt. He was smiling to himself, shaking his head as he got lost in his own thoughts for a moment. He seemed so much more... attractive when he was like this, and maybe it was the wine talking, but... I would not complain if those lips met mine just one more time...

Instead, I admired him. The way his eyes lightened, and his lips curved... How his shoulders relaxed when he seemed more at ease having the brief conversation with Rosa.

Asra's father had been harsh and obviously not present. If two women raised him, I could only assume most about his mother. But, if that was his mother's best friend, I wondered what his mother was like? Was she as quirky and demanding? Or was she soft hearted and gentle?

I sneaked a glance at him from over the rim of my glass and found him watching me with a small smile and a soft expression.

Definitely gentle.