Mated

Fourteen

I was welcomed to a simple black satin, long sleeve dress lying on the bed the next day after we trained. Clear pumps lay next to it in a small pink box that was left open. I walked up to the bed and peered inside. A beautiful silver tennis bracelet lay inside with three gold crystallized rows on each end. A pair of matching earrings were also tucked inside the box. I picked up the jewelry and inspected them in the light.

"This dinner date must be serious then," I said to no one.

When I let my hair out of the towel wrap, it was mostly dry and it's frizzy, wavy pattern had taken its form past my shoulders. I slipped into the dress and looked at myself in the full mirror. The silk material was both fitted and modish. It was better than any of the dresses in the closet. After applying blush and a thick mascara, I slipped on the heels and was just putting on the jewelry when I heard his footsteps approaching and a knock at the door.

James stood on the other side in a short-sleeve button down, slacks, and black ankle boots. The sleeves were rolled up like he wore his T-shirts most of the time, making what was formal look edgy. His hair was in its usual state, hanging down, but one side was in four plaits along the side right side of his head.

"Can you fasten this?" I held up my wrist and held the bracelet with my other hand. He reached up and fumbled with the clasp. His lips sloped down at the corners while he struggled to hold the ends in his big fingers. His hands lingered on the skin of my wrist after he finished, but I cleared my throat and brought my arm down. I stepped into the hall, and he closed the bedroom door behind us.

"Where is everyone?" I peered into the empty living room when we reached it. All was quiet.

"Full moon tonight," he said. We stepped outside and the cooling night's breeze licked at my skin. James held the car door open for me.

When he settled in, I turned to him just as he pushed the start button and the sports car quietly roared to life.

"I haven't seen Evangeline in a while."

"She's been in and out of town." He turned out of the driveway and rolled along the path that led down toward the metal gates of the estate.

"Busy with your research?"

"Yes." After a moment of silence, I leaned forward and fiddled with the radio. I found some soft music and turned the volume up a little more. We drove through Stratton, passing mom and pop shops and lit homes and winding roads. Stratton seemed a quiet town with most people already in their homes by this hour. I watched the few cars turning into their driveways or families through the windows of their homes. The road climbed and turned into a bridge illuminated by white rectangular bulbs that lined the top of the bridge's walls. The city on the other side twinkled in the distance.

"Where are we?"

"Welcome to Pineford," he said, turning down a road at the end of the bridge. Shortly after, he pulled into a dirt parking lot lined with dozens of cars facing a body of water. He stopped the car and got out to open my door. He held onto my hand when he helped me up for a few beats longer before letting go, keeping his eyes planted on the car door. I heard the faint sound of jazz music and laughter at the end of the lot.

"Shall we?" I walked ahead, weaving through the cars until I was standing in front of a dock where a tall boat was anchored in the water. The boat was nearly one-hundred feet tall, a floating restaurant, and decorated with purple fairy lights around its sails and wooden rails. It was beautiful.

'Via Luporum', a plaque on the side of the boat read.

"The Way of the Wolves," James translated. I followed him onto the dock and he led me up the steps to the boat. I wobbled when I stepped onto the plank and his hands grasped my sides to balance me.