Audrey

We arrived at Luisa's- which was apparently a french restaurant. "Luisette was a rogue- a wonderful woman. Her nickname was Luisa. She passed away last year, and her family kept her restaurant open" Thomas informed me as we walked to the entrance. Hand in hand, we entered the restaurant.

Immediately, a man came up to us. "Thomas" he greeted my mate, giving him one of those guy hugs. "This must be your mate" he guessed as he smiled at me. "I'm Christian. That's my name, not my religion" he joked.

I laughed, shaking his hand. But he pulled me closer and placed a kiss on each cheek. Faire la bise. I think that's what they call it in France. I pulled away. "I'm Audrey. It's nice to meet you" I introduced myself.

"Come. You guys get the special room" Christian told us. We followed him through the restaurant. Most people were older and posh-looking. They sent us questioning glances as if we didn't belong here. I ignored them and instead observed the restaurant.

There were christmas lights strung along the walls. A few bouquets of flowers were in some vases and placed in the corners. There was a small bar in the center of the restaurant with five workers tending to all the customers. Christian led us through french door and into a private room with only a few tables scattered about. It was completely empty.

He motioned for us to sit. Thomas pulled out a chair for me. I thanked him before sitting down. "What will it be?" Christian asked, pulling out a notepad and pen.

We didn't even have menus. "I came here a lot. I know everything on the menu" Thomas explained. I nodded in understanding. Thomas whispered something in Christian's ear and he started writing on his notepad. I guess Thomas is ordering for the both of us. It's a good thing that I'm not allergic to anything.

Christian laughed as he wrote some more down. "Tout suite" Christian said in a chipper voice before exiting the room. He gently closed the doors behind him.

"I have no idea what he just said"

Thomas chuckled. "The exact translation is right now. So it's basically saying right away" he explained. "Do you like the restaurant?" Thomas asked, changing the subject.

I quickly nodded my head. "It's gorgeous" I said in awe. I flipped my cup right side up and placed my napkin on my lap. That's what people do in nice restaurants, right? "When my mom told us to go out tonight, I did not expect you to go all out like this" I admitted.

He shrugged. "I've been wanting to. But we've never had the right time. Now isn't the ideal time either. But my mom said that she would keep everyone from bothering us for the next couple of days" he explained. I wanted to ask what else he had planned, but I knew he wouldn't tell me. I stayed quiet, toying with the table cloth.

I was slightly scared. Surprises are fun and all. But there's always that possibility that the surprise won't be fulfilling. I would enjoy anything that Thomas gives me, but what if he expects something in return. I'm not good with these types of things. "You're nervous" Thomas pointed out. "Why?"

Mustering up a smile, I shook my head as Christian came into the private room. Perfect timing. "You're café- or coffee in English" he placed mugs in front of Thomas and I. Christian let out a little laugh as he saw me sip my coffee. I raised an eyebrow. "In France, coffee is usually the last thing we serve. But we'll make an exception for you two"

I smiled, thanking him. He nodded before leaving once again. "So how long are we going to be gone?" I asked Thomas.

He shook his head at me. "You can't change the subject" he said sternly. I frowned at the fact that I got caught. "Why are you scared?" he questioned.

I bit my lip, debating on whether or not to tell him. It might offend him. It's not that I didn't want to do stuff with him. I just didn't know how to. "It's just me being dumb" I said, giving him a small smile. Thomas gave me a look. He didn't believe me. "I promise. It's nothing to worry about. We'll figure it out later" I assured him.

That answer he accepted. "Tomorrow for sure. Maybe the day after too. It's up to you" Thomas informed me. I nodded, telling him that I'll keep that in mind.

I liked the idea of a getaway. But I still wanted to know what was going on at the castle. What if Dr. Nale performed more tests on Keith? I wasn't there. Something might happen to him, and I'm not there. Something could happen to Riley. Sure, she has David, Lila, Gardenia, my parents, and other people. Okay, she has a lot of people to look after her. But I still want to be with her. There are so many things that could go wrong while I'm away. And I won't be there to help if something did go wrong.

"Everything is fine at the castle. There are enough people looking after everyone. They'll be fine" Thomas said softly, grabbing my hand from across the table. I nodded in agreement, giving him a smile. "What's your favorite show?" he questioned randomly.

I shrugged. "I don't really have a favorite. But I like all of those crime shows- Law and Order, Criminal Minds; CSI" I answered. Anthony and Keith always thought it was creepy how I liked those types of shows. They didn't enjoy the shows as much as I did.

Thomas smiled. "Your mom loves Criminal Minds" he stated. I nodded, thinking that watching the show could be good bonding time. "You both like waffles" Thomas continued.

I smiled at him. "It's great to learn more about my mom. But you said it was us time. Tell me something about you" I suggested. If we were going to go out on some getaway date. We should make it an actual date where we actually learn about each other.

"Well, what do you want to know?"

"Everything" I blurted. He gave me a look, making me sigh. "Fine" I drawled out. "What's a life-long dream you have?" I asked.

He took a few moments to think. "Being able to create a family with my mate and be a good dad" he answered, smiling tenderly at me. Thomas lifted up our hands and pressed a kiss to the back of mine. "What about you?"

I used my free hand to pick up my coffee and sip it. "I want to connect with the family I should've been with as well as the new additions to the packs and our whole pack. But I still want to be involved in my family's lives- the ones that I grew up with" I explained.

Thomas smiled and nodded his head. "Everyone gets along great. I doubt that it will be difficult for you to connect with them all at the same time" Thomas informed me. "Christian heard us talking so he's kinda standing outside the door as we speak" he said sheepishly. I laughed as Thomas called Christian into the room.

A plate was placed in front of each of us along with a glass of water. Waiters are extremely talented to be able to carry all those dishes at once. "Thanks Christian" I said before he walked away. He half-turned to give me a smile and salute. "You ask something" I suggested as I began twirling my fork in whatever pasta Thomas had ordered.

He hesitated. "What was life like with Anthony?" he asked quickly,not giving himself time to change his question.

My breath hitched as I slowly brought a bite of pasta to my mouth. I chewed slowly, giving myself time to form an answer. "It wasn't bad. He was a good father. He gave me everything I needed and more. He really provided for me. No matter what his original intentions were; at the end, he loved me like I was actually his daughter" I took a deep breath, swallowing down the lump in my throat- and it wasn't pasta.

"My childhood actually consisted of learning Alpha stuff, finding you, and finding you" he changed the subject from my childhood to his. But he said finding me twice. I raised an eyebrow at him. "My father was very involved in the search for the lost Royal baby. So I was helping find you. And as I got older, I started looking for my mate too. So I was unknowingly looking for you while I was looking for you" he explained.

I let out a small laugh. "Well, you found me" I said light-heartedly. Thomas nodded in confirmation and we paused our talking to eat our food.

Thoughts were swarming around me head. There were so many possibilites of what we could do. "Are you gonna tell me anything about this getaway?" I asked after Christian had cleared our plates from the table.

Thomas smirked at me, wiping his face with the napkin. "There is a surprise waiting for you at the hotel" My heart skipped a beat and I almost jumped out of my seat. I was anxious for the surprise and wondered what it could even be. "You have to wait. Christian is bringing out dessert" Thomas informed me with a chuckle.

I pouted and stared at the door, waiting for Christian to come so I could devour the desert then we can leave. "Staring won't make him come faster" Thomas laughed. I sighed and continued to play with his fingers from across the table. It was slightly uncomfortable because of my short arms. Standing up, I dragged my chair to his side and placed it next to him. "Do your t-rex arms hurt?" he teased.

I narrowed my eyes at him, but I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face when I laid eyes on his grin. "Just a little" I confessed.

Thomas smirked. "I guess you can't drive back to the hotel then" I gasped, wiggling my arms around to show that I was fine. "I was-" Thomas was cut off by the sound of his phone.

He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at me. "It's fine" I said, giving him permission to answer his call. He pressed a quick kiss to my cheek before taking his phone call out the room. The private room was complete silence. I picked up my mug of coffee, but realized that it was empty. So I grabbed Thomas' mug and finished the rest of his.

"He didn't ditch you here, did he?" Christian asked, bringing a plate into the room. It was cheesecake. I had my eyes on the delicious looking dessert, practically drooling over it. Christian placed the plate in front of me and I managed to refrain from scarfing it down. "Want some company?" he asked.

Smiling, I motioned for him to sit. He stole a chair from another table and placed it across from me before straddling the chair. "So do you get paid for working here?" I attempted to make conversation.

Christian shook his head. "No. But I don't mind. I don't work here all the time. I have another job that actually pays" he explained.

I nodded in understanding. "Do you have a mate?" I questioned as I began to eat the cheesecake. Christian nodded his head and began telling me about his mate. I adored listening to people talk about their mates. Their voices were always filled with love. They became in a trance, as if they were daydreaming about their mate. "How long have you've been together?" I asked after his finished describing her.

"We were best friends growing up. I went to a human school, so I didn't tell her about werewolves. Then last year, she came to my birthday party. And it just clicked. I knew that I was always drawn to her. She was my only friend. And I didn't like other guys around her- which worked out nicely because she rejected all those guys. Or I threatened them a little" he admitted with a laugh. I smiled. "The day after my birthday, I confessed to her- told her everything. She just accepted it all. Apparently, the reason she rejected them was because she liked me" a smile was gracing his lips as he had the faraway look on his face.

I guess a part of you will always recognize your mate even before it's time. "Hey. Sorry that took so long" Thomas apologized, walking in the room but texting on his phone. I frowned, but shook away my thoughts. It might be important. "Hey?" he said slowly, looking at Christian.

Softly smiling at Christian, I watched him stand up and return the chair. "He was just keeping me company as you took that call. We were talking about his mate" I explained. I purposefully added the part about his mate, so Thomas wouldn't get all Alpha male possessive. Christian slipped out of the room after I thanked him. "What's the call about?" I asked as Thomas plopped onto the chair next to me and finally slid his phone back into his pocket.

Thomas shrugged. "Just some stuff" he responded vaguely. "Is this good?" he questioned, picking up a fork and taking a bite of the cheesecake. I watched him eat, not being able to stomach any more food. I was worried about the phone call. Thomas glanced at me, swallowing down his food. "It's nothing bad. Don't stress" he assured me, pressing a kiss to my temple.

I mustered up a smile, allowing him to finish the rest of dessert.

__________

"Blood makes you related. Loyalty makes you family"

-Jax Teller

People say that you can count on your family, referring to your relatives, no matter what. But for some of us. That isn't true. For some of us, the only people we count on are ourselves and our friends. Maybe not even our friends.

But I want you guys to know that I'll be loyal to each and every one of you. I'll be here if you need to talk or just rant. My phone is glued to me 24/7. I'll try to respond as soon as possible. Just know that I'm always an option if you need someone.

Kayyyzzz Byeeeezzz

~A.J.