Phayu took him to where his friends were waiting, all of them smirking. "I will pick you up at 8," Phayu said, desperately wanting to touch his mate, but not wanting him to feel threatened. Rain nodded and left, his gang in tow. Phayu stared after him, knowing that he was surely staring at him with hearts in his eyes. His doubt was confirmed when his brother snapped his finger in front of his eyes. "You look like you are so gone Phi Chaai!" Saifah said, being as gremlin as ever. "Did you see him?" Phayu asked. Saifah shook his head. "But seeing how you are staring at the doors, hoping someone will materialise, gave me enough clues," he said.

"Fah, he is so young. And everyone taking care of him is also so young. How are they making a living and getting through college?" Phayu asked, worried about his mate. "Ye of little faith! Yu, he has been alone for a while before you turned up. So give him time. I am sure he will tell you when he trusts you enough," Saifah said. Phayu nodded, sighing. "He and his pack are worried about what my family might think of having a mate who is already pregnant," he said. "Although I have complete faith in Mae and Phaw, I understand where Nong is coming from. Can't really blame him, right?" Fah said, trying to be the voice of reason. "I know Fah. But don't I have the right to get worried?" Phayu asked. "Of course you do! And take some time with him. Understand him, be there for him. The boy obviously needs you. Then you can introduce them to Mae and Phaw," Saifah said. Phayu nodded, hoping everything would work out well.

"You are not going to wear that when you go out for the first time with your Alpha!" Ple said, looking grossed out. "Why? What is wrong with it?" Rain asked, looking put out. He was wearing ripped jeans in black, and a pale blue t-shirt with a collar. "Nope! Won't do! Listen to the resident fashionista," Por said, shaking his head. Ple dragged him back inside. She picked out a pant and blazer set with a white vest. "Put this on quickly and sit. I will do your make-up," she said, her tone brooking no-nonsense. Rain came back, and Ple made him sit, keeping him turned away from the mirror. She did some stuff to his face, then to his hair, making Rain dread what he would see at the end of it all. "Boys!!" she called out. They traipsed in, and stopped short in shock, just as Ple turned him around to the mirror. Rain was sure his mouth was just as shocked when he looked at himself.

"Ple, this is just a dinner love," he said, looking at her. "Baby, it's not just a dinner! This is your dinner with your Alpha! And that too for the first time! No dressing like a peasant, okay?" Ple said, hands on her hips. Rain sighed. When Ple was in 'Mama mode on', there was no way any of them could get away. And plus, it was not like any of them could ever refuse her. She was the only girl in their pack, and while she was tough as nails, they knew how much hurt she had been through in her young life. They would never want to put her through that again. He stood up, and Por handed him the shoes that Ple had picked out beforehand. He put it on just as his phone pinged with a message. "Your Alpha is at least nothing but punctual," Sig snickered. "All the best Rainy," they said in unison, as they saw him to the door.

Ple sighed. "Do you think he will be okay?" she asked. Sky put an arm around her shoulder. "If P'Phayu tries something, we know where to find him," Sig said. The others turned around and looked at him. "What? As if you were not thinking the same," he shrugged nonchalantly. "Well.. he is not wrong. But I seriously hope that P'Phayu is a good man. Rainy is going through something so eventful, and he definitely needs someone in his corner," Por said. "Are you saying we are not enough for our Rainy?" Sky asked belligerently. "You know that's not what I meant. I just feel that even though all of us have gone through a lot of shit in our life, Rainy had it the worst. The last one year was worse than hell. I just think that having a loving mate can change a lot of things for him," Por said. "Sky, you know Por is right. He has always had us, and he always will, just like we have him. He will always be our home, our true north. But he is pregnant, and having his fated mate by his side will definitely make things easier for him na?" Ple said, looking up at Sky. Sky nodded, knowing they were right, but could not stop the worry in his heart and mind.

"This is..," Rain trailed off when Phayu stopped at the banks of the Chao Phraya river. He immediately came around and helped Rain down just as he had helped him into the Range Rover. He spanned Rain's waist and looked down into his mate's eyes, not wanting to let go for a moment. From the time Rain had stepped out of his house, Phayu had been spellbound, unable to take his eyes off the beautiful Omega. He was still having a hard time believing that this was his mate. He had many options as to where to take Rain, but he wanted this first date to be just them, surrounded by peace. So he had asked his best friend Prapai, to give him suggestions. Pai did one better. He arranged everything on his family yacht, including a private chef, who would prepare a healthy meal for his best friend's omega. Phayu was grateful for that.

He finally stepped back, holding out his hand for Rain to take. Rain slipped his hand into Phayu's, missing the warmth from the Alpha's hands on his waist. He shook his head internally. 20 minutes in, and he was already going gaga over his man. 'His man? Now where did that come from?' Rain sighed and Phayu stopped immediately and turned around. "Are you okay? We can go somewhere else if you are not," he asked, immediately solicitous. "No Phi. All this looks so..," Rain was not sure what to say. He was probably feeling a little overwhelmed, and maybe Phayu understood, because he immediately stepped in front of his Omega.

"Rain, if there is anything making you uncomfortable, there is nothing more I would want than you being honest with me. We are mates, and that means we should be open with each other about anything and everything under the sun. That includes telling your Alpha off you don't want to do something and I am too thick-headed to see it," Phayu said. "The only reason we are here is because I wanted some privacy for our first official date." Seeing Phayu looking so crestfallen did something terrible to Rain's insides. The man was making a genuine effort and he wouldn't know if he was okay with it until he tried it, right? He could hear Ple chiding him and see Sky rolling his eyes. Somehow the thought gave him strength and he looked up at Phayu.

"It just feels strange to have someone spend so much money on me. It is a first, maybe that's why I feel a little weird?" Rain phrased it as a question so that Phayu would not feel bad. But he need not have worried. Phayu lifted the hand he was holding and kissed the knuckles, making Rain blush. "I am so glad you are being honest with me sweet boy. And I would like to tell you to get used to it as well. Because I plan to thoroughly pamper you, come what may!" Phayu said, making Rain feel butterflies in his stomach. He nodded and allowed Phayu to lead him to the yacht, where they were greeted by the staff.

"Khun Prapai instructed us to help you until the meal was served. We will not disturb you any more than that Khun Phayu," the boat's steward stepped forward. "My name is Ananda and I am the steward on board. The chef is almost ready with the food that you asked him to prepare," the man added, waiing deeply, as both Phayu and Rain waiied back to him. "Thank you Khun," Phayu said, as Ananda let them to a candlelit table set for two in a little alcove. Rain was impressed with the arrangements, until the fruit plate came. "No pineapple and papaya as per instructions. And fresh apple juice," Ananda said, before leaving them alone.

"Okay, dig in," Phayu said, finding Rain's disgusted look at the fruits hilarious. "Why fruits?" Rain asked. "Because they are good for you?" Phayu said. Rain sighed. He was pretty sure the entire meal was going to be filled with healthy things. First of all, he was at dinner with his Alpha. Second, he was pregnant. And to top it all, the big reason; his Alpha happened to be his gynaecologist. So it would not be a big shocker if he was plied with fruits and vegetables for this dinner. The two men talked and Phayu asked Rain all about himself. He discussed his own interests and also told him why he had chosen to become a gynaecologist. "I had no clue that being an Alpha and being a gynaecologist did not too well here in Bangkok," Phayu said, irony lacing his tone. "Does it bother you Phi?" Rain asked. "Well, let's just say, you are the first patient that I have met in the last 6 months who has not asked me if I am really a gynaecologist. 'But you are an Alpha!'," Phayu said, as he mimicked some of his patients, making Rain laugh.

Rain was pleasantly surprised as the next course that was served; a delicious chicken and cheese salad, with a hint of tangerines and olives. Its flavour burst on Rain's tongue and he moaned, his eyes snapping open at the clatter of the cutlery from opposite him. He then realised what he had done, his mouth open on an 'o'. His Alpha was staring at him, his pupils blown wide, his arousal clinging to the air. Rain stared at him, feeling his own tinge the air. Phayu cleared his throat and adjusted himself, making Rain extremely flustered. He hadn't really thought about it, but this man was his mate. There should have been no awkwardness, right? Right? Rain was at a loss on how to proceed, but Phayu quickly changed the topic, asking him questions about his chosen field. Rain was grateful, because he was not entirely sure if he wanted to think about this particular situation right now.

The main course was lightly grilled fish in lemon butter sauce, with lightly roasted herbed vegetables. It was again delicious, and Rain could find no fault with it. The desert was a light chocolate soufflé and Rain was in culinary heaven. "Are you going to feed me like this every time we go on a date Phi?" Rain asked, as he dug into the dessert. His head snapped up at the sudden silence. "Does that mean you are willing to come on more dates with me?" Phayu asked, a soft vulnerability in his tone. Rain's heart went plop, right at his mate's feet. How could he resist this wonderful man? He nodded. "Of course Phi. But I must say, you have spoilt me with such a fantastic first date, so I hope you will keep up my expectations," Rain said, trying to lighten the mood. Phayu nodded happily. Rain was enamoured despite himself. He now felt what a real mate bond entailed, and he knew that it was going to be very hard to give up this man!

Phayu soon dropped him off and bid him a sweet goodbye. "Please take of yourself. And please let me know if you need anything. I will also share the location of the house I am living in right now. You can drop in anytime, if you don't want to come to the clinic," Phayu said. Rain looked at him in surprise. He had thought that as an Alpha, Phayu would be hovering over him, trying to force the bond. And he said as much to Phayu. "Rain, I am well aware that your previous relationship was not 'all that', and I refuse to be the inconsiderate ass who you want to run away from. I want you to learn to accept me at your own pace, especially since you are pregnant. Your happiness and comfort are my priority, okay?" Phayu said. Rain stared at the Alpha for a few minutes. "I apologise in advance if I am crossing a line," he said, before he stood on his tiptoes and kissed the older man's cheek. Phayu was shocked, putting his hand to his cheek, looking dazed. "Goodnight Phi," Rain said, skipping away, even before Phayu had a chance to untangle his tongue.