Mated to the Unknown

Being Watched

Mile's POV:

        The sweet smell of Violet, my mate helped calm me down after I had been away from her for just a few hours. The entire time I had been gone my mind kept running wild of worst-case scenarios.

        That poor excuse of a man is lucky Violet hit him and not me. I wouldn't have been able to control myself. And now I was fortunate to have Violet accept my proposed date.

        I could tell she was on edge, most likely concerned Nicholas would find her the moment we stepped out of the hotel. She must know what he is, or at least be suspicious.

        What she didn't know was I was just as dangerous and I'd die before I let him lay another finger on her.

        "Why don't you go back to the room and get ready? I just have a few things I have to take care of," I said as I guided her to the elevator.

        What happened next surprised me. As the elevator door dinged open, my mate spun me in. Pressing me against the back wall of the elevator as she pulled me in for a kiss. My body practically purred as she showed her strong desire for me with every kiss she gifted me.

        Until she pulled away and a look of shock graced her face. Her hand shook as she covered her mouth, "I... I'm so sorry, I don't know what took over me."

        I tugged her hand away from her face, closing the space between us. "Never apologize for kissing me." I gave her a soft peck on her forehead. "I'll be up in a bit."

        She nodded, still in shock as I turned away from her and headed back to the lobby.

        All employees had their heads down, I could smell their fear from my mere presence. Good.

        I walked up to the main desk. "There was an altercation at the poolside bar earlier with one of the businessmen here for their convention. He had said his name was Keith. I want him kicked off the premises. Amp up security for the girl I'm with."

        "Yes Mr. Moonwood," the man said, making the bare minimum contact.

        "Good, see to it immediately," I said turning on my heels.

        I dialed my Beta to ensure guards would be tactically placed around for our date. I wasn't going to let my guard down either. I wanted to take her on a real date, possibly her first date since she had mostly known captivity under Nicholas in her late teen and early adulthood. He was not going to get the upper hand.

*

        The night had a chill to it, but Violet seemed content with the windows down even though her outfit was a black spaghetti-strap dress that showed quite a bit of her skin. It was less than when I first met her, but in some way, it taunted me even more. I would have to remember to thank whoever picked it out.

        She looked around, spinning in awe at all the twinkly lights that hung, lighting up the walkway. "This place is beautiful!" She said as she ran back towards me, leaning into me as I wrapped an arm around her. Her small frame fit snugly next to me.

        "This is one of my favorite restaurants, along the river. Le Boeuf Chateau, quite a silly name if you know French, but they have the finest dishes with a romantic atmosphere," I shared. I remember coming to this restaurant as a young child with my mother and father, it was their favorite. And this was my first time ever bringing someone else here.

        The food was delicious just as usual, the subtle piano being played off in the distance set the mood. I couldn't be happier than being in the presence of my beautiful mate.

        "Ya know," she said as she twirled around the fork in her hand. "you were right that this place has the best food!" She said as she took another bite.

        I was mesmerized by her. The way she held herself, her mannerisms, her lavish voice, she was perfect. "And the best view," such a cheesy line that almost made me cringe the minute it rolled off my tongue, but it was true.

        She turned around to look out back, thinking I had meant the outside. It was pitch black out there besides the lights strung on the patio and the moon reflecting off the water. "Some guy is out there," she said, sending me on high alert.

        I scanned outside and sure enough, beyond the restaurant sat a man behind a bush, trying to read in dim light. Stupid of the man, but to each their own. "He's just reading," I reassured her.

        "It's one of Nicholas's men," she said as she took a small sip of her water.

        The mere mention of his name made the small hair's on the back of my neck stand. "And you're sure it's one of his men?"

        She nodded, her eyes showing fear though her voice did not let on. "I recognize him. He's one of his men who would always be on his right or left side. He's high up." She shuddered. "He would hurt some of the girls just as Nicholas..." She didn't finish her sentence.

        "I'll send my men to take care of him. But we must continue on as if we don't suspect anything." I said. And here I was again, quite curious as to how much she knew of Nicholas and his men.

        She grasped onto my arm, tightly with both her fragile hands. "No! You mustn't send your men. He'll kill them."

        "My dear Violet, you underestimate my men."

        She shook her head. "I don't underestimate your men. I just know how unnaturally powerful he is."

        If what she's leading me to believe is true. He's a vampire. Then he'd be able to hear all of our words. It's too late. I looked back out. I had mind linked my men but I knew they wouldn't get here in enough time. And who knew how many extra of Nicholas's men were around? How could I have been so careless? So distracted? "Finish up your meal and I'll get the check. I'm so sorry to have our evening end like this."

        "It's my fault," her voice was quiet.

        I lifted her chin up, making her eye to eye with me. "None of this is your fault." I held my hand up and a waiter quickly came over. "This should be more than enough to cover our meal and the tip."

        "Yes sir," the waiter fumbled on his words as he eyed the hundred dollar bills.

        I took her hand, keeping her with me. I was not going to let her out of my sight. Surely they wouldn't be stupid to do anything with me next to her.

        I was on high alert walking outside. Listening to every branch that blew in the wind, every leaf that ruffled, the sound of waves crashing, anything that sounded off. I could hear him breathing but he kept his distance. Smart man. Violet leaned into me, her grip tightening on my hand. If only she knew just what I'd do to protect her.

        I opened up her car door, "Get in, he's keeping his distance." I hoped to share that but if information would calm her as I quickly ran to the driver's seat once she was safely in.

        I turned on the engine and whipped out of there. My blood boiling at a ruined date. I had plans to take her on my miniature yacht afterward.

        "How did you know he was keeping his distance?" She asked. I could tell her body was slowly beginning to relax the further away we drove.

        "Because he's smart too," I replied. But now he was most likely following. I could go back to the hotel but the smartest would be to take her to the pack.

        "I'm sorry," she said, glancing down, twiddling her thumbs.

        "Quit saying sorry," I growled, gripping the wheel tighter. "It's not your fault. Nicholas and I go way back. Generations of feuding. I'm the one who should be apologizing because how I feel towards you is why he's now going to be coming after you that much harder."