I Rejected the Alpha

Chapter 13: Don't let go

As Carmen shoved me towards the door, I could feel my hear pounding rapidly in my chest. I could feel the room spinning a hundred miles per hour and I felt a little lightheaded. I cracked open the door to see a nervous Zander with a single Dahlia in his hand. He was dressed in a nice, toned down suit, to my relief and offered me the flower. I took it and gently touched the silk like petals.

"It's beautiful." I said staring at it.
"If only it were as beautiful as you." He shyly replied.
I held the flower in my hand and wondered how he knew it was my favorite.
"Dahlias are my favorite. How did you know?" I asked. A look I fear flashed across his face but was immediately replaced my a smile.
"Just a hunch I guess." He shrugged.
"Shall we go?" He extended his arm towards me.
I took his arm and have a small way to Carmen as I walked away.
"Be back before 11:00!" She shouted down the hall.
Zander waved her off and held my hand all the way to the car. He opened the passengers door for me and gestured inside. I stepped into his modest but sleek car and shut the door behind me. He climbed in next to me and started up the car.

"Where are we going?" I asked.
"If you must know," he smiled "we are going to my favorite restaurant in the whole wide world."
He continued driving down the main road but turned into an unmarked one.

"You aren't takin me to the woods to murder are you?" I laughed
"Nah" he shrugged "Why would I want to kill you when you're the one taking my breath away?"

I blushed and laughed it off. Closing my eyes, I let this moment sink in when a flash, a faint image of a similar laugh to the one in harmony with mine paired with a blurry image. I blink a couple times and I could feel myself becoming dizzy.

"Are you okay Zoe?" Zander stopped the car and took my hand.
"I'm fine just a little lightheaded. You remind me of someone but I can't remember who..."
He paused and felt my forehead. "No fever so you should be fine."
"You didn't have to stop the car for me." I said ashamed to cause a hold-up. "No worries." He replied. "We walk from here."
He opened the car door and stepped out, brushing invisible flecks from his suit. He took my hand and helped my out of the car and never let go.

I could only see a faint light in the distance and in all my years, I couldn't image where he could be taking me. The walk remained silent, but not the sad, awkward silence but a beautiful, blissful one filled with thoughts of what to come.

As we approached the now visible building, I could heard classy music, and could smell the spice-filled aroma of Italian food.
"You took me ballroom dancing?" I couldn't believe it. Though the room seemed like a place that would attract droves, there was almost no one there. It's a strange date I admit but I couldn't help thinking how hopelessly romantic everything was. Zander smiled and led me in.

The building had a vintage look to it and it captivated me. The ageless look to made me feel as if I had been sent back in time to an era where all that mattered was the affairs of the heart and where dancing was affection. I began to sway gently to the music, unable to resist the soothing rhythm. I could see Zander watching me from the corner of his eye while arranging seating for us.

As we took our booth seats, the elegantly set table was something out of a dream. I could tell that this was about to cost a fortune when the delicate looking menus were place it front of us. I opened it, and to my surprise, everything was almost at an impossibly inexpensive price for high class dished. Wide-eyed I looked up at Zander, only to receive a wink. I glanced back at the menu and place my order for linguine pasta with Alfredo sauce and a glass of water. Zander order a classic spaghetti and meatball dish.

I looked up for an explanation ad Zander explained, "Almost no one knows about this place. An elegant place on the side of a road in the middle of the woods would not attract many people, but those who actually care enough to come inside would see the treasure it actually is. That's why it's name is so appropriate. "Hidden Villa is the name of it and I have been coming to it for as long as I remember. My father took my mother here on their first date and 6 months later proposed in the same booth. Coming here became a family tradition since."
I gawked in amazement and soaked in the beauty of it all.
"Why did you take me here then? If this place is so specially then why me? You barley know me!"
He laughed a little and shook his head. "I have a feeling you're a little more than specially Zoe." He took my hand from across the table just as our meal arrive. We released hands and began to eat the deliciously smelling dishes.

After an astoundingly awesome dinner, I asked the older waitress if she needed any help taking the place back. She at first denied the service but as I watched her elderly hands shake with the plates, I took one for her and followed her back to the kitchen. As I set the plates down, I heard a rattle at the ground desk. Staying behind, I watched as one of the other employees, a young man, approached the chaos. A few teens had found their way in and sadly I recognized one. I could feel my wolf, Alexa, whimpering at the sight of him and I was paralyzed. Jace stood at the front door and I could tell he was looking for me. His eyes searched the open room for any sight of me and I panicked. I grabbed the nearest waitress and told her to find Zander and casually tell him to meet me in the kitchen and that it was an emergency.

Zander was by my side in an instant.
"What happened?!" A look of confusion and fear was enough to send my into a panic.
"Jace, the mate I rejected." I took a shaky breath, my voice trembling. "He's here, and I think he's after me." I began to shake uncontrollably.
"I'll take care of him."
Zander began to walk toward the kitchen exit and a single tear escaped from my eye.
"Zander please." I whispered.
He stopped in his tracks and turned back to me. He took me into his arms as tears began to make their way down my cheeks. I buried my face in his chest and cried softly so no one on the outside would hear. I was still fully aware of Jace just outside the walls.
"Why can I do?" Zander spoke softly.
I took a small breath.
"Don't let go."