My hand rests on her waist as I pull her closer and capture her lips. Her scent is alluring. I don’t know how my mate would have smelled, and I will never know, but it doesn’t matter to me anymore. Rose’s scent captivates me, the way she tastes captivates me, how she talks and smiles. Rose’s hands are on my arms. She leans into the kiss, but not hugging me yet, or touching me. I guess it will take a while for her to feel fully comfortable with me, and I want to make sure to do things at her pace.
Rose’s fingers touch my cheek when we draw apart. “You are worried about something, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but kissing you helped me.”
She looks flustered, yet she smiles. “I will help you anytime.”
That was an invitation,Darien says.It obviously was! She is telling us we can kiss her whenever we want.
I don’t think that’s exactly what she said,I chuckle.But I guess it’s pretty close to it.
She and Alora are amazing,he says.
So, you like her wolf, huh?I ask the obvious. The way he approached her last night was proof of how much he respects her.
She is amazing. So fearless and strong.Darien beams.I approve of them as our chosen mates!
Good, because there is no way I would let Rose leave us.
It’s not like I want to have Alora leave us either,he retorts.
I smile, happy that he is on the same page as I am. It gives me the push to be honest with Rose about what’s bothering me. “The alpha meeting is today,” I tell her.
She nods. “We’ll be leaving in an hour, won’t we?”
“Yeah, and I need to apologize in advance. I am not good at these.”
“I think you never truly gave yourself a chance,” she tells me. “Lissa was always with you, and your parents pushed you in a certain direction, but now you can choose your own allies to talk to. No need to focus on Jordan or any of the other losers.”
“You are right,” I say. “Still nervous. And I always look horrible at such events, too.”
She looks surprised. “I doubt that. You are incredibly handsome, Forest.”
Her words make my heart skip a beat, but I also know that dressing for these events is my weakness. “I look dressed up every time,” I admit. “Whenever I go to one of these events, I feel like I am playing the role of an alpha.”
“What would you normally wear?” I ask.
I sigh, barely able to look at her. This is embarrassing to admit. “Just some suit and dress pants, something that fits the occasion, you know.”
“No, whatwouldyou wear if you could pick your wardrobe?” she asks.
“You will laugh.”
“I won’t,” she tells me. “Just go to your wardrobe and pick an outfit you would feel comfortable in. Forget that it’s for a meeting. Think like both of us are going on a date in a fancy restaurant.”
“Okay, I guess I can try,” I say. “It’s probably good to practice, anyway.”
“Exactly,” Rose nods. “This is a small event, and we can both test the grounds a little. Jordan won’t be there, fortunately, but we need to be at our full strength for the next big gala.”
“You’ve convinced me.” I straighten my back. “To take it up with Jordan, I need to be myself and confident in who I am.”
What better way than to practice now, for an event where the stakes are much lower?
*ROSEA*
I watch Forest retreat to our bedroom, my heart suddenly beating faster at the realization that we might just be a couple now. I don’t want to say it out loud, too scared the second shoe will drop and something bad will happen.
But Alora is pretty sold on Darien by now, and as for Forest… he looks committed. I know he isn’t the type to say the things he said without meaning them. But it’s hard for me to believe it, and even harder to trust.
