288
Peter
The anticipation bubbled within me as Vasil navigated the streets, heading towards the Blood Moon Estate. Tonight was another chance to be with her, to learn more about her, to make her smile. It amazed me how each moment with her felt like a cherished memory in the making. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I knew that Michelle was waiting for me. I was happy to see her, but my mind was preoccupied with the situation involving Matt and Tony, let alone Oren's theft of the Spear. Vasil whistled as he drove.
"You're not looking like a man heading to a date."
"I'm thinking."
"Too much," Vasil said, his voice low and serious. "We'll keep an eye on them, but we won't make it any more obvious than we need to. Matt already knows he's being watched, and I already told you about Tony's situation."
I nodded. Matt wasn't employed, but Tony was working at an affiliate's company. I still wasn't sure what they were doing here. I had to be careful, but at the same time, I couldn't let my guard down. Not with the Festival coming so near.
As we pulled up to the front of the estate, I saw Michelle coming out the door. She looked stunning, wearing a simple yet elegant dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. My heart skipped a beat as I saw her, and I knew that tonight was going to be special.
I got out of the car and walked over to her, taking her hand as we started to walk towards the car. As we walked to the car, our hands remained firmly entwined. The heat of her hands, the warmth of her nearby, set my whole body alight. I felt like a kid with his first crush all over again.
"You look beautiful, Michelle," I said, my voice low and husky.
She blushed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Thank you, Peter. You look pretty sharp yourself."
We got into the car, and Vasil drove us to a secluded spot where we could have some privacy. As we drove, I couldn't help but think about the situation with Matt and Tony. I knew that I had to be careful, but I also knew that I couldn't let my guard down around Michelle. She was my mate, and I needed to be honest with her about everything.
As we arrived at our destination, a beautiful restaurant on a false lake where fireflies gathered. We got out of the car and walked hand in hand to the host. She led us to a table on the patio.
"This is beautiful, Peter," Michelle said, her eyes wide with wonder. "I've never seen anything like it."
I smiled, feeling a sense of pride. "I thought you might like it. It's got great reviews… and marinara by the ton."
Her jaw dropped. "Is this the place? The new one?"
I nodded. "It is."
She squealed and bounced in her chair, opening her menu. "I've heard such good things. I wanted to try squid ink pasta."
I smiled as the waiter poured us water. I ordered a bottle of wine. Her eyes were glued to the menu, giving me plenty of time to admire the way her hair caught the dim evening light and how her eyes sparkled with excitement.
The patio was quiet around us. The waiter was attentive, bringing bread and our appetizers quickly. As we ate, we talked about our day and the things that we were dealing with. I could feel Michelle's concern for me in the way she kept glancing at me, biting her lip as if she wanted to ask.
"You're not going to have much of a lip left if you keep gnawing on it. What is it?"
She flushed and peeked over the edge of her menu.
"Peter, are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle. "You're… You look a little better, but your hair's…"
"The overly distinguished look isn't doing it for you?"
She scowled at me. "A book told me that only happens so suddenly due to shock. Are they treating… whatever happened to you?"
I took a deep breath, knowing that I had to be honest with her. "They are, but that's not what's weighing on my mind right now. And I apologize. I should be able to put these sorts of things aside when in such delightful company."
She smiled. "Tell me. You always listen to my problems… Let me hear yours."
I hesitated before smiling at her. "Very well… You've heard of Matt and Tony Chance?"
She went still. "Those jerks who had Lucy?"
I nodded. "Yes. They're in my capital, and I have no idea why… Given that their father orchestrated and pulled off a theft from my territory's museum, it's troubling."
Her eyes widened in shock, and she looked at me with concern. "Are they a threat to you, Peter? To your territory? Your family?"
I shook my head, trying to reassure her. "I don't think so, but I can't be too careful. I have a plan, and I'm going to keep an eye on them until I know what they're up to. They could simply be getting away from their father, and there is nothing to worry about, but there is no guarantee that is the case."
She nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. "I trust you, Peter. Just be careful, okay?"
"Of course, darling," I said, leaning forward to take her hand. "I'm looking forward to… years of this with you."
She flushed, soft, and pretty. "Me too… The healers… think you'll be okay?"
"My new healer has a course of treatment and hope that I'll be more than fine. I start magical training if you can believe it to help."
"David attends the Academy, and so do Lucy and Duke," she said as she looked down at her menu. "They mentioned something about hunters in Hecate?"
"Ah… with the Festival coming up, that makes sense. I have the Black Moon campus being swept, but Hecate is a little trickier to sweep as they have a lot of magical technology."
"I hope everything will be alright… though David seemed like they had it all under control."
"They most likely do," I said. "Blood Moon… has a distinct advantage over Black Moon, and by extension Blue Moon."
"Like what?"
"Money? Power? Connections?" I smiled, swirling my wine. "Black Moon comes in second place in terms of development."
Her eyes widened. "Lucy's… going to have her hands full."
"Lucy?"
She smiled. "They're so cute together. They're out on a date tonight, too."
I smiled. Oddly charmed and relieved that I felt charmed by it. The maddening obsession and bizarre interest had been grating.
"Let us hope their young love blossoms then."
She scoffed. "You're not that old. What about our young love?"
I caught her gaze and lifted my glass. "To our young love as well."
She clinked her glass to mine, and a pang of agony shot through me. I clenched my jaw. She went still.
Her eyes filled with concern. "Peter, are you okay?"
I forced a smile, trying to hide the pain that was starting to throb in my chest. "I'm fine, Michelle. Just a little tired, that's all."
She didn't look convinced, but she didn't press the issue.
"How about ice cream after dinner? From the shop you mentioned?"
She eyed me suspiciously, but she nodded. "Okay, just don't push yourself, okay?"
"I won't. I swear it."
We walked from the restaurant to the small, cozy place with a rustic charm a few blocks away.
When we arrived at the ice cream shop, the bell above the door jingled as we stepped inside. The place was bustling with activity, the sweet aroma of ice cream filling the air. We ordered our cones and found a small table in the corner where we could enjoy our ice cream in peace.
As we sat there, savoring the rich, creamy flavors of our ice cream, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching us.
Then, I saw her. A woman I was certain I had seen before but wasn't really there.
"Enjoy this while you can," she said, her eyes narrowing at me. "It won't last much longer."
I swallowed. A shiver of dread and pure animal fear went through me. I tore my gaze away. As I looked at Michelle, her eyes sparkling with happiness, I took a deep breath.
Even if it didn't last much longer, I would enjoy it as much as I could. As we finished our ice cream and prepared to leave, I took Michelle's hand, squeezing it gently. "Thank you for tonight, Michelle. It was much needed."
She smiled at me, her eyes filled with warmth and affection. "Anytime, Peter. Just remember to take care of yourself, okay?"
I nodded. As we walked back to the car, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination. I may not have all the answers yet, but I would get them, and whoever that woman was would never get the satisfaction of seeing me just lay down and die.
A horn sounded in the distance, like from some faraway dream.
It felt like a call to battle.
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