Alpha's Mate (Completed)

Chapter 48

First of all, I'm very.. very... VERY sorry for the very.. very.. very late update... Forgive me? x)

~Brinleys POV~

We walk into the restaurant and.. mmm. The first thing I notice is the extremely attractive blonde waiter, ready to guide us to a table. I send him an appreciative wink, which he quickly returns. Decker rapidly interferes with a growl.

''Stop it.'' I hiss. Rather than annoyance, his expression is one of hurt, and that bothers me. It's much easier to reject him when he puts up the though guy façade, complete with his annoyingly cocky attitude. But when he flashes those expressive orbs... I tear my eyes away. 

''Brinley, we're following the hot waiter now.'' This statement is followed by a growl that is distinctly Ryker's. ''Oh, hush up, you know nobody compares to you.'' She scowls, almost making the adorable comment sound like a scolding. I try to ignore the fact that his whole 'mate bond' thing ended up turning out rather well for Kim. I follow, not really paying attention.

''Did I mention, that you really look good?'' Decker asks, hand on my arm to guide me to the table.

''No.'' I reply flatly, shrugging of his hand. I shoulder Kim out of the way to slide into the booth, then drag her in after me so that Decker and I can't sit next to each other. He looks away, obediently sliding in to sit across from me, causing me to feel a slight twinge of guilt. 

Very tiny. 

Hardly worth mentioning.

''I can take your drink orders if you're ready?'' Blondie smiles flirtatiously.

''I'll have a water.'' I begin,  smiling. I grab Decker's hand to punch it so he doesn't growl. I see him tighten his lips in pain, but he makes no sound. Good.

''Root beer, please.'' Kim smiles, but only with the intention of being polite. Ryker orders the same as Kim. He stares the guy down, possessive hand on Kim's forearm. Blondie takes the message.

''Water's fine, thanks.'' Decker mutters, not offering up any sort of smile. It's more of a stare-down type of thing. 

''Be back in a minute.'' He turns, and, with one last smile to me, he leaves. Decker clenches his fists, knuckles white. 

I narrow my eyes at him, but he isn't paying attention. I follow his gaze to... Blondie. 

''Here's your drinks.'' He sets them down on the table, and slips me a piece of paper as well.I rapidily hide it, but it doesn't escape Decker's attention. He begins to convulse, and I've seen an angry Ryker enough times to know what this means.

''Brinley. Grab him!'' Kimbriella states firmly. I hesitate. ''NOW!'' My hand shoots out, calming, stroking Decker's arm. If lunch and try to look disgusted, but Blondie isn't having any of it. He takes our food orders and stalks away. 

'''Bree, you ruined my chances with Blondie!'' I pout. She sneaks a glance at Decker, who stands up. 

''I'll be right back.'' He excuses himself, leaving.

''It would be a good idea to follow him.'' Kimbriella suggests.

''No.'' I shake my head. ''It wouldn't.''

Her glare doesn't leave much room for argument, but neither does mine. We silently communicate our facial expressions. 

I sigh. ''Fine.''

I stand up and head outside, instead of into the restroom area. Decker leans against the wall, eyes closed, breathing in and out slowly. His hands are contained in his pockets as he holds himself up with one leg, the other casually bent and resting against the wall.

''H-hey..'' I mentally curse myself for my audible weakness. 

''What are you doing here? Thought your precious Blonde had come outside?'' He asks, tone scathing.

''No, I came.. to..'' I clear my throat. Oh, how I despise apologies. ''I came to say sorry. For flirting, it wasn't exactly considerate, and I was just trying to make you mad.''

''Well..'' He chuckles. ''You succeeded.'' The dim evening light shadowing one half of his attractive face. I ignore how his light pink lips curl up seductively at just one side of his mouth, creating an adorable, sexy, half smirk. 

Okay, so mayby I'm not ignoring, or at least not having any success.

''Yeah..'' I murmur, voice breathy. He stares at me, eyes scanning my face.

''Um.. we'd better head back inside.'' He says.

The pang of disappointment inside surprises me. What had I been expecting? For him.. to kiss me? No way. I took another sneaky glace at those soft lips of his before tearing my eyes away. He opens the door for me. 

Kimbriella and Ryker are ready to leave, and are waiting for us.

Decker grabs my shoulders, as we walk to the car. I focus on not melting at this touch, I pour so much focus to this, in fact, that I neglect to notice him open my car door for me and gently push me in. If this is how it feels to be with your mate, no wonder Kim had a hard time being stubborn.

~~~~

''I'm tired..'' I moan as I get out of the car, leaning against it for support.  Ryker opens his mouth to say something but is cut off abruptly when Kimbriella kisses him. Decker and I make eye contact. ''Well.. this is awkward.''  I drawl, grinning.

Apparently that's some sort of invitation, because Decker moves closer. I know, I know, that I should push him away. So why am I not doing it? He places one hand on each side of me, successfully trapping me inside his arm. 

''You.. just had to look so gorgeous tonight, didn't you?'' He breathes. ''You make it.. incredibly difficult.. not to mark you..''

Mark you? These words help my brain the revive itself from its state of muddled and to actually function again. 

''Uh, not to ruin the moment, but I'm definitely not ready for that.'' I interrupt helpfully, finally finding my voice.

''Of course.'' He is silence for a while.  I duck out of the lovely prison formed by his arms.

''Brinley?''

''Yes?'' I respond hesitantly, not turning around.

''I don't know what I did, in fact I don't think it's something I did. Whatever this mystery person did.. I don't want you to feel pressured to tell me, or to do anything. Just feel free to tell my when you're ready okay?''

The tender caring words take me entirely by surprise, and I suddenly find it hard to breath. The last two sentences, almost words for word, are exactly what I have always dreamed my future husband to say to me. I swallow.

''Uh-huh.'' I nod. ''Okay, thanks.'' Abruptly, I go into the house, leaving him standing outside while struggle to control my emotions.