“Good.”
She climbed into the car and he rounded the vehicle, getting behind the wheel.
“Do you ever find it strange that our grandparents originally started out in the forest and came to the city to dominate it?” she asked.
“I … don’t think of it.”
“Oh.”
“I’ve always been trained to accept city life, and it means controlling the wolf.”
“Until the wolf controls you,” she said.
“Do you turn into a wolf?”
She shook her head.
He looked away, focusing on the road.
“I will understand if you don’t want to see me again. To many, I’m faulty, and that’s not even without the ability to talk to open spaces, and with the hair.”
He grabbed her hand, locking their fingers together.
Mine!
“You’re not faulty, and all those fuckers who didn’t give you a chance, it’s on them. Not on you. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re absolutely perfect.”
Glancing over at her, he saw her gentle smile again.
“Have you been on many dates?” he asked.
“No. No one wants to be … around me. The car door thing would freak a lot of people out. I’ve never been on a date. I don’t need to ask you about your life, Liam Wolf. Your reputation precedes you.”
“All who came before you mean nothing.”
****
Once they arrived at the restaurant, Jenny knew she was completely underdressed. It was a nice place, one her father had tried to get a table at many times. Clearly, this restaurant was on the Wolfs’ payroll. She’d never liked the war that waged between their families. Often, when there had been a bloodbath between them, her life had gotten chaotic.
Whenever that happened, with how angry her father got about her abilities, she’d often shut herself away in her room, claiming a headache.
She didn’t get headaches, she was trying to reason with the people who came to visit her. Most of the dead were rather selfish and sometimes cruel. They only cared about their own needs. Her grandmother and mother had told her many times to always be patient, that they were afraid. Having your family scared of you or hating you hurt more than anything else.
No one stopped Liam as he led her to a small booth. He was tall, muscular, and completely filled the booth. It was odd to see such a large man in tight spaces, but it was even stranger that he actually seemed to fit. The suits, the lifestyle; Liam had clearly been raised with the intention of taking over completely.
She pushed some hair out of her eyes and offered him a smile. This was her first date and already, Liam had surprised her. She knew of his reputation with the ladies. Women talked and certainly when there was a rare gathering beneath the full moon out in the forest, his name came up often. Not once did she join in, but she listened.
At twenty-one years old, she had to be the oldest virgin wolf in the pack. More often than not, during the full moon, it was a full-on fuck fest. She didn’t turn into a wolf but she had needs similar to one. Most of the time, she could control them. None of the wolves within her father’s pack appealed to her. Her talents certainly helped her to find the good and the bad in all.
“This is a nice place,” she said.
“I see you’re evading my statement.”
“I don’t know what to say to it.” She licked her lips. “What’s good here?”
“Everything.”
She nodded but continued to look at the menu. Her appetite was long gone. Her grandmother’s visits always left her a little unnerved. She’d been reminded again not to tell Liam about her curse. It was the curse her mother had fallen to, as well as her grandmother. The line of being able to see and speak to the dead ran deep. They hadn’t been able to turn into wolves either. Before her grandmother, it was an uncle who had the gift, but he hadn’t lasted too long with it.
To some, seeing spirits that were not there was too difficult to comprehend.
“Would you like me to order for you?” he asked.
She nodded and smiled, grateful for the help. She closed her menu and watched as he clicked his fingers, taking complete and utter control. It was rather sexy. When it came to her father and brothers, she hated it, but Liam had a way about himself that called power.
The fact he was also an Alpha probably played a giant role in it. The waiter took their menus and seconds later, he came back with wine, but she covered her glass.
“Just water for me, please.”
“You don’t want to drink?”
“I … I can’t lose control. I know that doesn’t sound sophisticated.”
“Don’t worry about the way it sounds, babe, I don’t mind at all.” He reached across the table and she liked the way he called her babe.