I nodded, listening to Sunny babble about all the changes she was going to make once Alpha Caelan made her luna. It made me cringe.
I knew that we needed this mating for Thunder Moon’s sake, but I was starting to wonder what kind of damage we’d be doing to Harvest Moon if we succeeded. Sunny was self-centered and dazzled by her own sense of importance. More and more I was convinced she’d be a horrible luna.
When she finally returned to her room, I slumped into a chair, grateful at last for the peace and quiet. I stared at the books on the bookshelf, my mind spinning as I reflected on the day’s events.
Both Deianira and Talulla are out of the running. That leaves only Briggita, Sunny, and me. Could Alpha Caelan be waiting to dismiss me in person during our date tomorrow?
I sighed, not sure if I should be happy or sad about that as I prepared for bed.
The Date
SHADE
There was a knock on my door the next morning. I opened it, expecting to see Taffy standing there. Instead, I found Alpha Caelan on the other side, holding a serving platter.
“Good morning, Alpha,” I greeted, trying to swallow my sudden nerves. “Good morning, Shade. I brought you breakfast,” he announced as he pushed past me to set the tray on my small coffee table.
“That’s not necessary, Alpha,” I said quickly as I followed him. “I can go down to the cafeteria with the rest of the pack.”
“Nonsense,” he chuckled. “I wanted to make sure you got a good meal before our date. I’m bringing some snacks and we can always hunt if we need to, but I don’t know if we’ll have another proper meal until dinner tonight. So, breakfast.”
He said it like that explained everything, and I stood there flabbergasted, not really certain what to say. The alpha was serving me, an omega. None of my training had ever prepared me for what to do in this situation.
“Well, enjoy,” he said with a wink as he headed for the door. “I’ll be back in an hour and a half so we can head out. Will that be enough time for you to eat and get ready?”
“Uh, yeah,” I said hesitantly. “That should be fine. Thank you, Alpha.”
“Great!” he exclaimed with a bright smile. “I’ll see you then! Oh! You should probably wear something comfortable for hiking.”
He waved as he shut the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts.Hiking?
***
Exactly an hour and a half later, Alpha Caelan knocked on my door again, and I opened it to find him standing there with a goofy grin. I could feel his gaze burning across my skin as he looked over my outfit.
I had gone for comfort as he suggested, donning a simple pair of jean shorts and a tank top. It wasn’t really the kind of thing that you wore on a date, at least, it wasn’t the kind of thing that I’d ever seen Sunny wear on one.
“Hi,” he breathed, his voice carrying a strange huskiness that made my stomach flutter.
“Hello, Alpha Caelan,” I offered with a respectful nod. “Please, Shade. Just call me Caelan,” he begged.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. I’d never spoken to an alpha without using their title before. Even my own father made me refer to him by his rank.
Then again, I’ve never spoken to a beta without using their title before Taffy. If I could agree to do that for her and Dillon, then I guess I could honor the same request for Caelan.
“Okay,” I agreed. “But only in private.”
“I can live with that,” he chuckled. “Are you ready for our date?”
“Uh…yes,” I replied as we walked into the hall.
“You look really nice by the way.”
I blushed. I hadn’t expected him to comment on my looks. As far as I was concerned, I was plain, not at all like the other, very beautiful she-wolves he was surrounded by.
Do I say something back? Do I thank him or tell him he also looks nice? What’s the proper protocol for a date?
“I think you’re really going to like this,” he continued, completely unaware of my inner turmoil. “I planned something a little different for us tonight.”
