I did not know how many days passed as we spent our time with Oliver and Yadira.

They welcomed us into their small little two-bedroom cottage in the middle of the greenest grassland, a few miles away from their pack house.

Yadira told me stories of her life growing up in Morocco.

She recalled the memories of her life with her family with a smile on her face.

But whenever we would speak of her life with Amir, she would scowl and frown constantly, causing me to change subject.

Yadira glowed when she was happy. And I liked her glow.

As time passed spending it with her, she created a space in my heart that only she could call home... She became a friend for life.

As for Oliver, he glowed when Yadira was around.

She was the sun, and he was the moon, and together they created their own little universe.

Much like Stephan and I.

I did for Stephan what snow did in winter.

I fell...

And hard.

I was currently cuddled up to him in the Marx’s spare bedroom, curling his soft locks around my fingers as he laid with his head on my chest while I hummed my favourite song.

“I could just stay like this forever.” he breathed, peering up at me.

“Let’s.” I whispered, bending over to kiss his head, “but we can’t right now... You promised me we’d pay my mother a visit.” I grinned.

I was both excited and nervous to see my mother.

Excited because I’ve missed her.

Nervous because I feared my father being there.

“I’ll take you tomorrow... For now, I want you all to myself.” he sighed ever so dramatically.

“And what do you plan on doing while you have me all to yourself?” I questioned, curiosity getting the best of me.

Suddenly Stephan jumped up, a massive grin plastered on his face “We’re going on a date!”

“Uh... No we’re not.”

“Why would you say that?” his smile fading as a frown took its face.

“Cause you didn’t ask me!” I teased, grinning.

“Oh, thank Goddess... Thought I did something wrong.”

“You kind of did.” I chuckled.

“What? When? Where?”

“Your first wrongdoing was assuming I would go, and the second was not preparing me and the third forgot that I have nothing date-worthy to wear.” I smirked.

“Well first, I just wanted to be spontaneous, secondly spontaneity doesn’t need preparation and third, you would look good in a trash bag so what you wear doesn’t matter.”

“Why do you have to be so charming?” I grunted, getting up off the bed to punch Stephan in the chest.

“I don’t know. Ask the Goddess.” he smirked before placing his hand on my cheek and pulling me into a steamy kiss.
Our kiss was deep, emotional, and warmed me as tingles spread from my lips across my face.

After our little make-out session, Stephan randomly went on a run while I caught up on few snoozes. I think it had something to do with his extra part rubbing against my thigh through the fabric of our clothes that had him looking for a distraction and me somewhat exhausted by the idea of ‘mating’.

✖✖✖

Sighing deeply, I remembered the spontaneous date Stephan planned.
I hated going out.

Back home, I only went out to get a break from my father.

But let’s not go there.

After finally delaying the inevitable, I rolled out of bed, ready to brave the world.

And by the world I was actually referring to selecting an outfit to wear.

As I sorted through my dysfunctional style, I hummed until finally noticing Yadira watching me with a look of humour on her face.

“How long have you been standing there?” I questioned, flustered.

“Long enough to know that you have a poor sense of taste in fashion and that you desperately need an outfit for your date with Stephan.” she chuckled.

“I have nothing date-worthy to wear!” I grunted, plopping done on the bed.

“Don’t worry, I have the perfect outfit for you from Stephan.” Yadira grinned.
“Stephan sent you?” I sighed.

“Of course he did! He knew you would go crazy and by the look of this room, one could say he was spot on. Anyway, we don’t have long, he will be back in an hour.” She smirked.

These shifters are going to be the death of me.

I was grateful for Yadira’s help.
But what I was not grateful for was all the poking, prodding, and waxing!

I’m a person who hardly wore any makeup nor did I wax, but she said I had to look exceptional for this date because of my previous dreadful date.

She dressed me in a gorgeous blue floral sundress and she paired it with a beautiful pair of golden strapped sandals.

Thankfully, I convinced her to let me wear flats, because we all know that I would fall on my face if I had to wear high heels. I hate those things.

As soon as she applied my last layer of lipstick, Stephan walked into the room.
I think I forgot how to breathe; he looked absolutely breathtaking!

Composure, woman!

He wore black denim jeans that hung on his hips and he paired it with a shirt matching the shade of my dress!

I imagined my face would be as red as my lipstick when he caught me ogling him.

“You look breathtaking, Sam.” he mumbled “I can’t believe I am so fortunate to call you mine.”

Stephan was right.

I was his.

I knew it the moment we met in the alley behind Daisy’s Diner.

Words couldn’t seem to find an escape from my mouth and all we did was stare at each other with lust dancing in our eyes.

“Would you two stop eye-fucking each other and get a move on with your date!” Yadira snapped, grinning to where I was afraid her smile would reach right around her head.

Before I could even respond to her comment, Stephan instantly grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the cottage with a few strides, slamming the door on his way out.

I was nearly out of breath, trying to keep up with Stephan’s pace.

It felt like we were running!

He finally noticed me stopping and gasping for air.

“I am really sorry, baby! I didn’t realize what I was doing.” he said, apologising.

“It’s okay.” I wheezed.

“No, it’s not. I am just so nervous about this date because our last date, was well... Let’s just say it was a bloody mess.”

I giggled at his poor yet adorable pun.
“Stephan, don’t worry about it. We have a million more dates that we will go on. It doesn’t matter if the date flops, all that matters is that we are together.” I tried to reassure him.

“You are right! But there is still time to save this date.” He said while scooping me up in his arms.

“Stephan, put me down right now! You are such an imbecile. I am using a dress, these people can see my underwear!”

Instead of responding to me, he just growled and carried on walking with me in his arms like the incorrigible barbarian he was.

Who does he think he is?

I have not a single clue where we are going.

But it’s not like I can ask him since I am giving him the silent treatment!

After roughly 10 minutes, Stephan lifted me off his shoulder and set me on feet.

Gob smacked, I awkwardly stood gawking.

The place was utterly beautiful.

I couldn’t believe he set up a picnic next to a sparkling lake!

He is beyond romantic.

Who would have thought that my beast had a soft side to him?

Without even saying anything, I turned around and hugged him... His arms instinctively wrapping around me in a tight grip.

“Thank you so much for this, Stephan. It’s the sweetest and most thoughtful gesture anyone has every done for me... I love you.” I said, before softly kissing his cheek.

It completely stunned him, his cheeks tinted with pink.

Well, that’s a first, but it won’t be the last.

The date was perfect.

Stephan and I cuddled on the picnic blanket.

We kept on talking about the most random things from my family to Barbie.

Which was quite humorous to experience Stephan trying to impersonate Ken.

Stephan kept on insisting that I eat because he went to town to buy all of my favourite things.

There were skittles, liquorice, soda, and a bunch of other junk food... Not to mention the mouth watering sandwiches he made.

I was completely stuffed.

I was lying in Stephan’s muscular arms contently as he played with the strands of my hair.

“Sammy, are you awake?” he whispered.

“Do you actually think I would fall asleep on a date?” I giggled.

“Well, you fall asleep often.”

“It was one time, and you told me to sleep!” I argued.

“Well, that’s not the point. Do you want to do something fun?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Let’s go skinny dipping.”

My jaw dropped. “Are you serious? The water must be freezing cold and what happens if we get caught? You realise we are in broad daylight?”

“Calm down, sweetheart. Of course I realise that, but what does it matter? Nobody is out here for miles and I can keep you toasty! Let’s live a little woman.” he said, trying to reason with me while he stood to his feet.

He didn’t even wait for my response when suddenly he started striping right in front of me.

“Are you joining me or what?” he asked before he sprinted into the lake.

Why the hell not?

Stephan was right, I should live a little.
As soon as I was undressed, I followed Stephan’s lead.

The water was freaking ice cold though, instantly making me regret my choice to join him.

I am freezing. Why did I even do this?!
Suddenly, warmth seeped into my body.
I was face to face with a smug Stephan, who had his body pressed against mine.

“Didn’t I say that I will keep you warm?”, he said before he smashed his mouth on to mine.

Our lips were a mixture of fire, ice, and electricity.

Destructive.

But constructive at the same time.

He mended all the broken pieces of me every time our worlds collided, and I could not wait to be whole again, so I could love him without fear or doubt.
He was the jar of glue every broken soul needed.

But he was my broken soul’s jar of glue.
Suddenly Stephan pulled away, a snarl erupting from him as he breathed “Fuck.”

“What the fuck do you think you are doing?” snarled a furious Franklin while his tar-coloured eyes roamed over my body, his eyes never wandering as they stayed glued to my body.

Thankfully, Stephan instantly covered me with his own bare body, saving me from the little dignity I had left.

“What the fuck are you looking at?! If I were you, I would leave while I could still breathe! And if I ever, catch you looking or even thinking about my beautiful mate again, you won’t have another chance to see or think of anything else! Get the fuck out of my sight you disgusting excuse for a shifter!” Stephan roared, his entire body shaking in fury while he cracked his knuckles, leaving Franklin to scurry away like the pathetic rat he was.

As soon as he left, Stephan calmed down and walked to the shore before waiting for me.

He hurriedly gave me my clothes for me to put on while he was on the lookout for any intruders.

Once I was dressed, Stephan hurriedly put his clothing on, looking distracted.
When he was done, he grabbed my hand, bringing his lips to it as his eyes lingered up to mine.

“I am sorry that our date got ruined once more. But I am not sorry for threatening that pup, I would have done so much worse to him if you weren’t by my side.”

“Our date wasn’t ruined... It was perfect and I don’t blame you for what you did. I am grateful for you protecting me. Lets just go home and rest. I hope you haven’t forgotten about tomorrow.” I grinned.

“Of course not! It’s not every day that I get to meet my mate’s parents, now is it?” he said before kissing me and carrying me home the way he carried me to the lake.