Settling on the third outfit I tried on, I rushed outside to wait for Dmitri before changing once again. Two and a half weeks since we had been official dating, and it still played havoc on her body; stomach in knots, palms sweating and my nerves frazzled. The waiting was always the hardest part. Ready to jump out of my skin with nervousness, excitement, and still in the back of my mind was the thought of this too good to be true and I waited for it to finally end. Shaking my head, closing my eyes, I took a cleansing breathe to discharge all the negative thoughts. Taking in the smell of fresh cut grass, as the warm breeze brushed against my skin, while I listened to the soft chirps of the birds, letting it all put me in a happy and serene place. Slowly the knots in my stomach loosened, muscles in my shoulders relaxed, and the negative feelings slid out though my toes.

The sound of Dmitri's jeep had my eyes snap open and bouncing in my seat. The nervousness I had felt, now replaced with pure excitement and anticipation. Looking down at the jeans and soft blue fitted blouse, I hoped the choice was going to be appropriate for our date. Dmitri said to dress casual, but refused to tell me where we were going. So far, there dates consisted of meeting at his bar, staying in, or walking through the woods, mostly all by my choice.

Parking his car, I watched Dmitri gracefully step out of his jeep. As always, the world faded leaving only this beautiful man standing in front of me. His black silk hair tied back at the nape of his neck, ocean blue eyes sparkles with the last ruminates of the sun surrounding him in a glow of light. Sharp lines on his face were softened with the cleft in his chin. Wearing washed out jeans and a very well fitted red T that showed every defined muscle. The man was huge; standing at 6'5", I knew why people found him intimidating, but to me, he was my personal teddy bear.

Frozen in the chair, breath caught in my throat, I stared and watched him walk up to the house. That crooked smile, that knowing smile lite his face, the one that said, "I know what you're thinking." The thing was when I did see him, I was not able to think at all. That was one of the problems, I could never think when he was around, everything just went blank, and the rest of the world no longer existed. The more time I spent with him the lower my IQ went. And the more time that passed when we didn't see each other always hit me that much harder. I hadn't seen him since the barbeque on Saturday, once again by my choice.

I was a very independent woman, but around my new friends and the two men I had fallen in love with, made me feel more needy and that was not acceptable in my eyes. So I started to pull back a bit to collect my bearings and to prove to myself that I was still that same strong independent woman that I prided myself to be. The downfall was that the longer I kept myself away from them the harder it was to concentrate. This was something I had to fix soon, but for right now at that very moment nothing mattered except Dmitri.

"Hi," he said. That deep rumble of his voice wrapped around me like a warm soft blanket and seemed to snap me out of my stupor.

With a huge smile, I jumped up with a little too much enthusiasm for my liking and bounded down the stairs where I jumped right into his arms. Dmitri caught me without any problem and held tight. "Hey," I said, voice soft and husky, placing a delicate kiss to those amazing velvety lips.

"I've been waiting for this all day," he purred into my ear, holding me tight, "Are you ready?"

Releasing the death grip, I had around his neck, breathing his soft subtle cologne and natural scent. "Mmm hmm. Where are we going and am I dressed alright?" I asked, sliding down his body back to my feet and locking my rubber knees in place.

Taking my hand he lead us to the passenger side of the jeep. "You look amazing as always and it's a secret," he said with a wink.

I climbed in the raised jeep with as much grace as a child learning how to walk for the first time. Before I was seated, a black piece of material came across my eyes. For a brief second my body tensed and fear ran down my back. "What..." I started.

"Shh. I told you it's a surprised," he whispered along my neck sending a chill over my body. "Please be a good girl and leave the blindfold on for me" he added a kiss to the hollow of my throat. That was all it took for me to sit quietly. "That's my girl. It won't take us long," Dmitri sounding very pleased with himself.

Blindfolded was a new experience and one that was definitely not a favourite of mine. The slam of the car door had me jump, and I began to sweat. I trusted him with my life, but this was almost too much. The effect of the kiss he laid on the hollow of my throat was fading and although I had to admit, the blindfold thing could be a turn on in the bedroom, here was a little unnerving. The click of the driver's side door seemed be louder than it should have been.

"Sam," Dmitri started to rub my leg, "It's just a few minutes, but if it really bothers you I will take it off." The disappointment in his voice could not be mistaken.

Feeling bad, not wanting to ruin this for Dmitri I said, "It's Ok." Moving my head in his direction and leaned over for a much needed kiss before we left. Dmitri met me halfway, this kiss was exactly what I needed and wanted. What started soft and slow turned into passion and need. Reaching for the front of his shirt, I pulled him closer, sliding my tongue to meet with his.

Dmitri was the first to pull away with a chuckle, "We'll pick that back up soon." Holding my hand, both breathing a little heavy, I smiled and nodded my head. Not being able to see was no longer a problem while my mind continued where we left off.

I lost all track of time while fantasizing about Dmitri. What seemed like only minutes past by before the jeeps engine turned off and the click of Dmitri door echoed through the cab.

"Stay here and don't move," he commanded. His door shut then quickly after my side opened.

Before I could turn and jump down, Dmitri had me in his arms. "If you take off the blindfold I can walk," I said with no real conviction. That fact was, no matter how much I fought it, I loved being in his arms even if that meant he was carrying me like a child.

"Nice try," Dmitri said with a smile in his voice. Tightening his grip, he started to run. "We're almost there."

Arms around his neck, head resting in the crock of his shoulder, I enjoyed his scent and the feel of his chest against mine, forgetting about everything else in the world.

"We're here," his voice gentle as he lowered me down on my own two feet, turning me around slightly before removing the blindfold.

Blinking rapidly a few times, letting my eyes adjust to the subtle light. "Oh, Dmitri," I said in ah. The final remains of the sun setting over the horizon, the sky painted with yellows, pinks, purples and orange, and the tops of the trees gave the horizon a jagged look. The river lay still as glass. A blanket with a basket waited on the raised rock formation surrounded by lit torches. "It's beautiful."

Dmitri's arms came around my waist, nuzzling my neck. "I'm glad you like. A perfect backdrop for the perfect picture," he said staring into my eyes. I was speechless. "Come on. I brought us a snack," taking a hold of my hand leading the way over to the blanket.

A bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries followed by the clear night of stargazing awaited us. I had never had such a perfect date. Snuggling up close, head resting on Dmitri's arm, enjoying the silence in each other's arms after sharing the chocolate covered strawberries and a couple of glasses of champagne.

I started to become restless. I decided earlier that day that I wanted and was ready for some answers. The night was so amazing that I had reservation of ruining it by talking. The more I tried to forget the more the questions kept popping into my head.

Rubbing my arm, Dmitri asked, "What's on your mind?"

He was really getting to know me well, which was not always a good thing.

"Umm...nothing," I outright lied and knew he would not let it go. The quilt got to me first. "It's just...I've been avoiding certain questions and I'm ready to ask," I said hesitantly.

He chuckled and what I thought a sigh of relief, "Ask away."

Shifting around, so I could look down at Dmitri, "What is it like to be a wolf? How long have you been a wolf? What does it feel like to be a wolf? Are babies born as babies or cubs?" I rambled off a few.

Dmitri's smile widened. "Its amazing 99% of the time. Our senses are heightened, we're stronger, and the freedom you feel running in our wolf form is beyond words." He had a faraway look in his eyes, reliving the experience as he tells it. The passion in his voice was accelerating. "We're lucky we have a good, strong, and healthy pack that makes a big difference. The strength, love, and unity you feel towards your pack are probably the most important and amazing thing you could ever experience," his voice sounded dreamy and far away.

Stopping with that I coaxed him, "That sounds absolutely amazing." I snuggled up close and started to trace circles over his rock hard stomach. "And the other question?" my voice soft and unsure, not wanting to push him if he was not comfortable.

Grabbing my hand, laying it flat over his heart where I felt the steady beat of his heart. "You need to stop that if you want me continue. Now where was I? The shifting hurts at first, but after a while its second nature and the less you fight it the easier it is. When you finally embrace your wolf he flows right through every muscle, leaving behind a ripple effect, like warm water flowing over your body."

Now it was his turn to shift uncomfortably. He was silent for a few minutes and I thought that was it for the Q and A. "I've been a wolf for a while," he sounded nervous and unsure, and I could not figure out why. "My first Alpha strongly believed that no one under the age of 25 years of age was allowed to be changed. Thankfully, Jack feels the same way, Education, family, and making sure that this decision is right for a person. Even our males look for human females to be their mates if they want to have children. That's one of the downfalls, our females cannot carry children. By some fluke chance they do conceive, which doesn't happen often, they miscarry after the first full moon after they shift. Not that we have a choice to pick are mate, most times we just know. And as far as I know no one has never wanted to be with their distend mate. Why would you. Your mate is your other half. The void you never realized you had until you have met the missing piece. What I do know is that I have seen a few broken hearts because of it. Relationships ending abruptly when one of us find our true mate and leaves the person behind that they had started to share their lives with."

Going through everything, he just said; two things disturb me and only one I would bring up tonight. The other I was too terrified to know the answer. "But Mady, she always wanted children," I was confused for a brief moment before realization hit, "Did your asshole brother not want kids? Did she give up her dream of being a mother for him?" my voice was rising right up with my anger.

Dmitri had the same look in his eyes, as a child caught with his hands in a cookie jar. "Umm...well...you need to talk to Mady about this. It's not my place," he stammered.

"Oh, I will. Right after I rip a new into that so called husband of hers," I started to get up. I was on a mission and Nate's head on a stick was on the agenda.

"Whoa," Dmitri grabbed me and held me tightly against his body. "Shit," he mumbled. "Dammit Sam, I so did not tell you this and you have to promise me that you will not tell Mady I told you any of this," he stared at me. Giving a nod, he continued. He took a deep breath and let it out, "I don't know all the details. What I do know is that they tried and when she didn't become pregnant after a few months they went to see our Doctor. They were told she could not have children."

Laying there in shock, I stared down at Dmitri. Why was it that the good people that would be amazing parents could not conceive? "Why wouldn't she tell me?" I asked herself.

"I don't know," his voice was gentle and soothing. "Anything else you wanted to know?" he asked. Probably to get my mind off what I had no power to change, or even confront Mady about.

Mentally shaking my head, before I said, "Actually yes, I asked, but you never answered. If you don't want to tell me that's Ok, just say so." My heart ,no longer in it anymore, and I tried to hide that fact from him. Hearing about Mady killed all the unanswered questions and the need to find out more.
"That one," he sounded less than thrilled to answer. "We don't stop aging like vampires, but we age slower."

Vampires? That brought me out of my funk. "Vampires are real?" I asked in disbelief, mouth falling open.

My reaction made him laugh, "Yes, vampires. Do you want me to answer the first question or go right into the vamps?"

I had to think about that one. Vampires? Really? "No. I want to know more about you and the aging thing," I decided, there would be more time to find out about the other creatures of the world. To be honest it should not have floored me so much. After all there was proof that shifter's exist so why not vampires and who knows what else.

All amusement gone from his face as he stared up at the stars, "I was changed on my 25th birthday, 3 years after Nate," he paused, "That was 175 years ago," his voice was soft and unsure.

Waiting for the joke or an, "I gotcha," I looked at him dumbfounded when it never came. "You're...you are 200 years old?" my voice was on the squeaky side. He just nodded and I was grateful that we were lying down because there was no doubt my knees would have gave out.