Chapter 61

**Allister POV**

The car disappeared into the distance, while Nerissa still stood there in a place where the cars had left from, a moment ago.
Standing on the top of the stairs, I looked up towards the road, taking in a deep breath as I took the steps down and walked towards Nerissa.
Gently, I placed my hands on her shoulders, making her half turn and look up at me, smiling slightly as she turned back towards the road.
I could see she was worried, and I understood that, so trying to comfort her, I gently pulled her into my embrace as I hugged her from behind, saying, “Don’t worry, kitten, he will be ok.”
She looked up at me and gave me the sweetest smile.
The next moment I felt her turn in my embrace, wrapping her arms around my waist, she placed her head onto my chest, exhaling deeply, she asked, “So, what happens now?”
Placing my chin onto her head, I said, “I promised you a date.”
Pulling slightly away from me, she looked me in the eyes and said, “You were serious?”
Smiling softly at her, I reached my hand up and gently caressed her cheek, saying, “I’m always serious when it comes to you, kitten.”
We stayed silent, observing each other’s eyes, when she asked, “Where are we going?”
Feeling slightly relieved that she accepted, smiling at her I said, “It’s a surprise.”
Arching her eyebrow, she looked at me and I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped my lips as I said, pulling gently away from her, “You better go and get ready unless you're planning to go dressed like this?”
She looked down at her clothes then back up at me, asking, “Is something wrong with my outfit?”
Chuckling, I said, “No, just suggested if that was your desire to do that you are free to go and change while I’ll wait for you.”
“Oh…” she said, blushing slightly, making it so hard for me to control myself at that moment.
Taking a step closer, she raised on her tiptoes, kissing my cheek as she said, “I’ll be right back.”
No one ever made me feel speechless like this female right now did.
Taking in a deep breath as I looked up into the sky, I heard footsteps on the gravel approaching me.
Turning around, I saw Warit, so I walked towards him, meeting him halfway.
“You look disturbed. Is something wrong?” I asked him.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he looked at me and said, “Just silly stuff but nothing serious.”
“You sure?” I asked him as he gave me a simple nod of his head.
“So what are you up to?” Warit asked me, changing the subject.
“Going to spend some time with Nerissa,” I said with a smile.
He looked at me smiling as he asked, “Are you taking her out on a date?”
“Yes.” I simply replied.
“That’s great. Where are you taking her?” He asked, feeling curious.
“It’s a surprise… and you don’t need to know everything.” Smiling, I answered.
“Fine, hope you two will have fun.” Wait said and before I could thank him, Rhea walked over, looking at us, she said, “Sorry to interrupt you two but Warit can we talk for a moment?”
He looked at her, nodding his head silently, saying to me before he left, “Well, seems I am needed. Have fun cousin.”
I watched after them as they walked inside the packhouse and couldn’t help but wonder what is up with them.
The front door opened, and I saw Nerissa walking down the stairs to meet me.
My eyes lingered on her, taking her in as she took my breath away the moment I saw her.
Smiling widely, she twirled in front of me, asking, “Is this ok?”
Smiling at her, I said, “You look breathtaking.”
Giggling, she thanked me as I extended my hand for her, and she placed hers in mine. I walked her over to one of the cars that Alexander borrowed to me, opening the passenger door for her to sit in.
Soon as she was seated, I rushed to the driver’s side and started the engine.
She looked at me, asking, “You still won’t tell me where are we going?”
Chuckling at her question, I glanced at her for a moment as I was driving, I said, “It wouldn’t be a surprise then now would it?”
Sitting back in her seat, she looked through the window while we drove in silence.
It was a long drive, but it was not uncomfortable.
At one moment, Nerissa fell asleep and I couldn’t help myself but to look at her sleeping form through our ride.
Finally, I pulled the car to a stop, parking it and turning off the engine. Gently, I caressed her cheek, saying, “Wake up, kitten. We are here.”
Her eyes slowly opened, smiling when she saw me.
We walked out of the car as I took her hand and led her forward towards the water.
Noticing where I was taking her, she looked around and asked, “Where are we going?”
Stopping, I pointed my finger ahead and said, “There.”
She looked where I was pointing, seeing a small boat. A grin appeared on her face as she pulled on my hand, urging me to hurry up as she said, “Oh Goddess, I love boats. Come on, Allister!”
Chuckling, I followed her until we reached the boat and she jumped inside it while I pushed it into the water and joined her in it.
Taking the oars, I started to paddle while Nerissa looked around, feeling excited.
The day was already ending, bringing crickets, fireflies and other animals, to walk out soon as the night came.
Taking a rest as we sat in the boat in the middle of the large lake, Nerissa looked over at me as she asked me, “Can I ask you something?”
I looked her in the eyes, saying, “Of course.”
I could see she was nervous about the question, so I waited patiently until she was ready.
“Are you really ok with my decision?” Her question came out as a whisper, but I heard her still.
Taking in a deep breath, exhaling slowly, I looked at her and my breath got caught at the sight of moonlight that was shining above, illuminating her in its light.
I could feel my heart beating fast at the sight of her while I was thinking about her question.
Deciding the best approach is honesty, I answered, “Nerissa… I won’t lie to you. Yes, I’m ok with your wishes and I will do anything and everything for your happiness even if that means learning to accept this situation where it’s not just you and me but Alexander too. Before I didn’t like it but now I learned to accept it… for you, and for you I would do anything.”
She looked at me and asked, “When you say before, what do you mean?”
Looking up at the moon, I said, “Before I even met you…” Glancing at her, I saw she was about to ask more so I just continued because she deserved to know, “When I came of age to find a mate, there was a celebration where a Shaman predicted my future, a future I did not like or even wanted.”
Her eyes never leaving me, she asked, “W-what are you saying?”
“I was told that my mate is not only mine, because she is special. When I asked more, I was told that my mate will have multiple mates and anyone she accepts and accepts her and the bond, her mates will grow stronger and powerful.” I said slowly.
She looked at me silently while I continued, “When I said I will not lie to you Nerissa, I meant it. At first, my goal was to find my mate and make her mine only, to gain the power and strength and do whatever I wished.”
She swallowed thickly, hearing my words, so I lean closer to her, taking her hands into my own, and looking her in her eyes, hoping she will hear and see I’m honest with every word I am about to say.
I said, “Nerissa, that was before I even met you and got to know you. You are who matters to me the most and not the power or strength. Your happiness is everything to me. And if accepting to live and have you in my life by accepting Alex be a part as well, if that is your wish, your heart’s desire, I will do it just for you.”
She looked at me silently, asking, “And what if I picked Alex, what would you do then?”
It felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest, but I looked at her and answered her honestly, “If that is your wish and if that would make you happy, I would accept it even if it kills me as long as you are happy.”
The boat floated on the surface, slowly taking us towards a smaller hidden cave.
The songs of the night animals flooded the air around us as we silently looked at each other, feeling the pull so strong and electrifying in between us.
 Looking into her eyes, feeling insecure and bared for the first time in my life, I asked her, trying to hide in my voice the pain of possible rejection.
I asked, “Is that what you want?” 
She looked at me in confusion so I tried again, “Do you wish to be with Alexander only?”
Her silence was like my worst nightmare while I waited for her answer, for the final decision, like a thirsty man in a desert.
I saw her getting on her knees, moving closer to me. Standing in between my legs, I felt her hand press onto my cheek making me lean into her touch as she said, “I could never reject you Allister but I could never reject Alexander as well. You are mine as much as I am yours and I know it is unfair to both of you because you have to share but I can’t go against my heart, I love you both equally.”
Silently, I listened to her words when I saw her come even closer, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her lips onto mine.