The Alpha's Siren Song

Chapter 24

Despite the rough and awkward bits, I personally thought that our first real date went wonderfully. He pestered me to tell him what I had planned for our date. When I was adamant that I was keeping my plan a surprise he accused me of not having a plan at all. I gave him a smile I could only consider bashful and ate the remaining food, include his cookies and creme dessert.

We drove back home in a comfortable silence and the next moment of tension came when we pulled up to his house again, our little adventure behind us. I was almost tempted to ask him to drive me back out there despite the fact that I was covered in bug bites and the temperatures had dropped considerably already.

We sat in the truck for a while and he asked me a dozen more times about the date I was planning. I was thrilled to see that the unbridled joy that I had once chased away now seemed to be here to stay. And it didn't leave when I still refused to tell him my plans.

Then he took my hands in his and warmth ran up my arms, as if he had pulled me in for a full hug and squeezed me just the way I liked. Green eyes flickered over my face and up to his blue accent door.

"Would you like to come in? I know it's late, but you could stay the night if you wanted. We can watch another musical," he offered, bowing his head.

And I wanted to. God, I wanted him to hold my hand all night and feed me his food. I wanted to lay my head on his shoulder as I sang along with songs I had heard a million times. But something in me still felt so afraid, so reserved. I couldn't cut the tether on the paranoia and fear that had kept me safe all these years.

"I think it would be best if I went to the cabin. I'm not used to sharing my space," I lied. "Besides, if we are going to act like a normal couple going out on dates, it might be best if we slept apart."

"Right, of course," Easton replied, but I heard how much he wished I would just tumble into his arms. His hands released mine and went back to the steering wheel. My heart ached in my chest, knowing that I was the one who had upset him, but also knowing that I couldn't betray my own need for safety.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and propped myself up on the console, leaning towards him. Before I knew what I was doing my fingers curled around his jaw, steering face towards me. 

I had kissed boys before, plenty of them. After I freed myself from the underground hell, I had become something of a rebellious teen, doing what and who I wanted. Kissing someone seemed like such a tiny hurdle.

But when I saw the widening of his eyes, like just touching Easton had set his soul aflame, I didn't feel so bold. Could I really kiss him? It felt like I was taking away a chunk of his innocence and replacing it with all of my darkness and loathing.

I dove for his cheek instead, pressing my lips against the soft stubble there.

When I pulled away after only a fraction of a second his cheeks and the tips of his ears were burning like a forest fire. And I was panting like a love sick virgin.

"Wear something warm and comfortable, we are going to be outside. I'll pick you up in the morning. I don't have many clocks so I can't promise a time. Just be kind of ready to go."

I slipped out of the car, darting to Eddy's SUV with keys in my hand. When I got in my car and put it in reverse, I glanced over at Easton to see his head tipped back, staring at the roof of his car. The radiant smile on his mouth outshone the lights gleaming on his porch.

I ducked my head, hiding my own grin as I drove away.

That night, I tossed and turned, feeling as lonely as I ever had. The bed felt empty, as if I was so used to sleeping beside someone, when, in reality, my most committed relationship was usually a one night stand. Was it possible to miss someone you hardly knew? I didn't really think so. Eventually I managed to fall asleep.

The next morning I was wrestling with barely contained excitement. Sure, I had been on a couple of dates, but most of them came from my rebellious period when I had no issues stealing cute dresses from department stores, using my powers to smuggle makeup, and letting horny men buy me all the food I could eat at five star restaurants in the hopes they could sleep with me. It had been what made me feel okay then, something that I tied my selfworth to. And it had kept me alive in more ways than one.

I didn't have those options now that my ethics had tightened up and I had seen more than one cashier or bank teller get fired for my entitled behavior. I needed to love myself enough not to be a criminal, not to let men use me for sex, and not to lower my standards of living. 

All I had was limited funds in my account and Eddy's stash that I would not use unless absolutely necessary. If I deducted the amount that the date should cost, roughly, and keeping a little extra, just in case, I was left with about thirty bucks to buy myself something nice.

I drove to the nearest town, knowing that it had a decent thrift store and drugstore that would provide everything I needed. 

Unfortunately, my usual thrift store was not nearly as stocked as I thought it would be. I was willing to settle for anything cute that held at least a little bit of heat. Normally, this place was packed to the brim with almost new stuff, like rich people wore something twice then got tired of it. I was more than willing to take the spoils. It was cheaper and better for the planet, after all. 

I spent ten minutes in the change room, disgruntled that the one nice pair of skinny jeans were so short they exposed my ankles and an unholy amount of my lower back and beyond. I ended up settling for a pair of boyfriend jeans that hung a little looser and a stormcloud grey sweater that I could tuck in. 

Afterwards, I hit up the drugstore. I snagged a good tube of mascara that was heavily discounted due to damaged packaging and a cheap athletic head band that would do the trick.

I was so excited about my outfit and my date that I had forgot about my dwindling food supply at home. Luckily I had managed to come ten dollars under budget so I was able to purchase a veggie tray and come canned soup, though I seriously hoped I wouldn't have to eat anymore processed food. 

After I gave my new clothes a quick wash in the stream and washed my hair and body, I began prepping for the day to come. I let my hair air dry while reading a book, then, while it was still a little damp, I put on the headband and began twisting and twirling my hair, wrapping it around the back, tucking in all the loose ends.

I slept with the headband in, but it took a few hours of reading before my eyes started to close, too excited about the day ahead.

~~~Question of the Day~~~

How would you decorate your dream home? What would your style be? Do you have any pieces that would have to be in your house?