An Evening Stroll

Octavia’s POV

My heart beats insanely hard as I walk beside my mate, fumbling my fingers and silently praying to the moon goddess that I don’t *embarrass* myself. I’ve always been a clumsy mess, or rather a *hot* mess. I always end up humiliating myself, and it always ends with me making an attempt to hide for all of eternity.

*’What are you doing, say something!’* My wolf barks in the back of my mind, ushering me to talk to Leon.

I glance at him from the corner of my eye, burning his sexy jawline and wispy black locks into my memory. *’He is so damn handsome…’* My thoughts trail off as I eat up the man-candy walking next to me.

Just before he notices me looking, I look down again and softly hold my breath.

*’What do I say?! What if I say something stupid and make a fool of myself?’* I emphasize to Lucia, huffing out the breath I held softly.

*’Ask him if he wants to **mate**! I want to meet his wolf!’* Lucia whines, impatient as ever.

*’What! No! We just met! Let me get to know him first!’* I blush, my heart feels like it would burst at even *the thought* of having sex with my newfound mate. Besides! Im a virgin, and completely inexperienced in the love-making field. I would *most definitely* humiliate myself.

*’That isn’t fair. We met your mate, I want to meet mine!’* She attempts to push her consciousness forward, but I fight her down.

*’I know, but we should be patient. He may not want to jump into it immediately.’* I bite my lip nervously, tucking some of my brown hair away from my face. I have to get her relaxed so I have time to process this, and decide what todo.

*’The sooner you mate him, the sooner you unlock your hidden strengths. And even better… the sooner you can get away from your parents and the pack.’*

*’Lucia-‘* I begin to reply, but due to my inattention I trip over something below me and I am *graciously* interrupted.

As I see the ground growing closer to me, I brace my hands out and close my eyes.

But to my surprise, I land on my *handsome* mates chest instead of concrete. My mind feels like it's floating, as I inhale Leon's scruffy earthy scent.

My mouth gapes open, embarrassed by my clumsiness, but no words come out. I gaze into his bright emerald eyes, drowning in the green that shook my world only a few days ago.

*’See? You want him… and he wants you’* Lucia growls at me, aggressively jolting our body closer in his embrace. I get a whiff of a sharp unfamiliar scent, unconsciously looking right at his large pink lips that are a few *mere inches* from mine. *’Don't tell me you can’t sense his **arousal**.’*

With her words the flames arise in the pit of my stomach, making me warm and ticklish. I can feel the heat from my face steaming away.

His eyes bore into my soul, his features so clean and cut. His Jet black hair blew around in the breeze, a few locks tickling the tip of my nose. He had the vibe of a rugged punk, a *sexy badboy*.

He leans closer to me, and just as our lips are about to meet Lucia purrs *’Just mate him already!’*

“But I’m not ready..” I accidentally said out loud, not realizing he heard me or that the words had even slipped through my lips.

“You’re.. not ready?” He tilts his head at me, confused. He turns bright red, hurt and sadness flash through his eyes. “Oh..”

He stands me upright once more, sadly continuing our walk as I try to wrap my head around the misunderstanding that just occured.

*’You idiot! Now he thinks you don’t want to accept him!’* Lucia howls angrily, *’Get over there and **fix** this NOW!*’

I scatter, attempting to catch up with him before he gets too far ahead of me. “Wait! Leon.” I follow him, “I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I was linking with my wolf, she keeps saying *crazy* things.”

“Crazy things? Like what?” He rubs his neck with his back still turned to me, I could hear the confusion and pain in his voice.

“Like…” I trail off, madly blushing and looking away from him. “U-uh she thinks.. that we should- y-you know...”

I bury my face in my shoulder, and force myself to walk forward with him. He suddenly stops, and stares at me, and I do the same. Realization hits him and he blushes softly, his green eyes growing larger.

“Do you.. *not* want to complete the mating process?” He asks surprised sadness poisoning his voice.

*’Now this misunderstanding is getting out of control, let me-‘* Lucia begins to push her way out, but I push her back as far as I can.

“I DO.” I yelp, quickly interrupting her sentence without giving it a thought.

“I-I… I mean,” I clear my throat and look at him with a more serious expression. “I *definitely* want to, you are my mate. But I think it would be better if we get to know each other better first.” I tilt my head to the side and smile softly, connecting my hands behind my back.

He freezes, shock written all over his face.

“Of course I want to, how could I not?” He visibly relaxes, becoming more expressive than before.

“I agree though, we should wait. Until *you* are ready.” He grabs my hand softly, interlocking his fingers with mine. A satisfying warmth takes over my palms, electricity dancing in my fingertips.

“So where should we begin our first *date*? Are you hungry?” He sighs, a big smile plastered on his face and exposing his *perfect* white canines.

“Actually, I am.” I giggle under my breath, turning to him with a wink. “I would like a drink though. Are you treating me?”

His cheeks flush pink, and he tousels his hair and chuckles.

“Of course, I would *never* make a lady pay.” He lifts the back of my hand to his lips, where his warm breath briefly teases my skin before planting a soft kiss.

My skin tingles and the pit of my stomach burns up like a million flames. Who knew my body could react in such a way? The moon goddess truly is a creative being…

“Well… I really like this little ramen place down the road buuut..” I look at him, playing like I’m sad. “They don’t serve alcohol.”

He takes a brief moment to tap his chin like he is deep in thought, still holding my hand in his.

“Well then… why don’t we pick it up and have a picnic under the stars?” He tucks his hand into his pocket and cockily looks down at me.

“That sounds *lovely.*” I smile up at Leon, my heart fluttering along with his insanely beautiful lashes.

We make our way through town, laughing and walking along the sidewalks towards the nearest beverage store. As we approach the door of the local liquor shop, the closest cashier asks us for our ID’s to prove our age.

We wander around the liquor isles, looking at all of our options and getting to know each of our favorite drinks.

“I like any good draft beer, but since we aren’t at a bar I would have to say my favorite beer is dos equis.” He points to the six pack sitting in the fridge in front of us. I make a bleh face and stick out my tongue playfully.

“Gross! I can't believe you like beer.” I giggle and hip bump him. “I like sweeter drinks. Like red wine and mixed stuff, sometimes hard lemonades and seltzers are good too.”

“Well then hows about we settle for a nice lemonade. You pick the flavor.” He taps a knuckle on the glass, pointing to the mikes and truly.

“Do you like *blackberry*?” I smile, poking his cheek as I question him.

“Of course, of course.” He flicks his keys out of his pocket, swinging them around by the silver bottle opener with his finger. “And guess what? I have my lucky bottle opener with me.”

“You keep a bottle opener *on* you?” I raise an eyebrow, and put my free hand on my hip. “*How often do you do this*?”

“Do what?” He leans on the fridge door beside him trying to look innocent, but to no surprise it fails when he slips.

“Buy drinks with pretty girls.” I roll my eyes and force a giggle, trying to swallow my stressed thoughts of him taking girls on outings like this. “Or take them out on late night strolls and picnics.”

*’Brush it off, and try to keep this moment special.’* I think to myself, brushing away the pain in my chest.

“Actually.. this is my *first* time.” He blushes and turns away, shaking up his shaggy black locks in the process.

For a moment everything is awkwardly silent, since I am not sure what to say.

“Hmm… so how long have you been drinking exactly?” He breaks the silence and cocks his head to the side while rubbing his chin.

“Well… legally or actually?” I chuckle, opening one of the refrigerator doors, and grabbing a six pack of blackberry mikes hard lemonade.

“Uh, both?” He swiftly grabs the six pack from me, and links his empty fingers with mine. Again the tingles spread from my palms up to my shoulders, relaxing my previous tensions.

“I turn twenty two at the end of next month, so… *four years*?” I squeak, expecting him to be disgusted that I was underage when I started drinking.

“*Damn*, you got started around the same time I did. I just turned twenty two last month.” He sighs, placing the beverages on the counter for the cashier to scan. She asks for his ID again, and finishes checking us out.

As we leave the liquor store he politely carries the bag, and links his fingers with mine. The same feeling as every time before lingers, clouding my mind.

“To the restaurant next!” He exclaims with a smile, pecking my cheek and making me melt in one move.