18

Crispin's POV

I checked myself over in the mirror one last time making sure I looked perfect. I wore black slacks as usual and a button-up but I left a few at the top open. Tonight was the night of Dieter's and I's date and I was nervous but also extremely ecstatic. Plus it would be nice to get out of the house and talk.

Not saying we don't when we are here, but from what I can tell we can't keep our hands off one another. And I don't know how much more I can take without fully taking Dieter. I want him everywhere possible. Which I never thought was possible.

But when he was lined up with my entrance, rutting into me. I couldn't help but feel excited and curious to know what that would feel like.

Dieter was already downstairs waiting for me. I made him get ready in Carter's room. I wanted it to feel like a real and true date. Seeing as it was our first. I grabbed the rest of my things and headed downstairs and my breath caught in my throat as I looked at the most dashing man ever.

His hair was pulled back into a slick bun, his usual go-to style. But what surprised me was what he was wearing. Never in a million years did I think I would see Dieter Romanoff in dress pants and a button-up shirt. But goddess does he look as handsome as ever?

"You got all dressed up for me?" I questioned. He connected with mine and a giant smile covered his face. It was blinding in the best way. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

"You look as handsome as always."

I'll never get used to that voice. He walked forward and pulled me into him by my waist and I lifted my head to look at him.

He leaned forward and set a gentle kiss on my lips. I hummed in delight still not used to the sparks that shot through my lips every time. I don't think I ever will either.

"Come, before we are late." I grabbed his hand and we were out of the house shortly after.

I led him to my car, and he hopped in the passenger seat. It wasn't anything new or exciting, but it did the job. Plus not many drove in our pack anyway, seeing how everything was so close together.

But there was no way I would be having my man walk around my pack. Especially seeing as he doesn't like others in his space and when they are he no longer speaks. He turns into an animal and just grunts and nods. Which I still find quite funny.

Dieter's heavy hand sat in mine perfectly as I drove. His eyes were glued to the outside as I drove past a few houses of my pack members. I was hoping he liked what he saw, I know it must be very different than his.

It did not take long as I pulled in front of the only nice restaurants that we had here in the pack. It still wasn't much, but I did have it rented out so it was just he and I tonight. No ears or stares from my other packmates.

The building was small, with an almost cottage-looking aesthetic. It held only ten tables but that was more than enough for my pack. We got out of the car and I could feel nerves bubbling within me. Dieter got out and immediately reached for my hand. We can no longer not touch each other so it seems.

We walked through the smell of steak hit my nose, my stomach already growling. There was one girl and two men who were going to be working tonight, both a part of my pack. Their family has owned this restaurant for many years.

"Hello, Alpha Crispin." Her name was Anna and she was also very kind. Her mate and her son worked in the kitchen while she worked the floor. I saw a small kid in the back corner booth, and I recognized that as Anna's daughter.

Anna reached over and grabbed the two menus and we followed behind her till we were in the most private area of the restaurant.

"I will be back shortly." She smiled and quickly left us.

I turned to look at Dieter who sat before me and his eyes traced the decor that littered the restaurant. There were fairy lights that covered the ceiling to give a nice glow. Each table or booth is covered in a white tablecloth with candles in the middle. There are many paintings from the artist Aka in our pack, he is very talented.

"Do you like it?" I asked him, my hands sweating. "I debated whether or not to take you into the human city, but I knew you would hate that. So this is the next best thing. No one else will be in here for the night." I spat out quickly. My nerves made me speak a lot faster than I intended. Dieter's eyes met mine once again and a soft smile sat perfectly on his face.

"This is perfect." He grabbed my hand and placed it softly to his lips. "I am happy you chose this. I don't know if I would have been good company around the humans." I chuckled at him and leaned back into the chair.

"Yes, I realized if I wanted you to talk, I had to get you alone." I teased him. "Is this how your pack sees you? Or do they also get 'grunting' Dieter?"

"Well--" He cleared his throat and readjusted himself in his seat. "They mostly see 'grunting' Dieter. But that is part of the deal." He avoided my eyes for a moment I understand what he meant by deal.

He meant the deal with the moon goddess and his grandparents. I had a lot more questions and I wanted to ask them, but I was afraid that I would ruin our time together. I can tell it is a sensitive topic for him.

Anna walked over with a tray full of appetizers. She poured our wine and sat down before us so bruschetta and calamari.

"Care to elaborate?" I asked him once Anna was no longer in earshot.

"Part of the deal was that I would be known as ruthless, cold, and mean. To those under me and those around me. Well, all our family really. So many of my members do not know who I am, nor do will they ever."

I supposed I must have had a look of worry or sorrow on my face as Dieter looked me over.

"Do not feel sorry for me, I promise. I have accepted the role and I am more than okay with the words placed on me. It's the life I have been raised to live." I looked deep into his eyes and I believed that he was okay, but I still couldn't fully process it all.

"How have you become okay with the idea of a sacrifice? Have you truly not tried to find a way out?"

"It's not that I am 'okay' with it, more so I have accepted and found peace." He leaned forward and grabbed his hand and mine and began to rub his fingers across mine. "There is no way out."

"So, when we have children does it affect them? Will it affect Carter?" The question tumbles out of my mouth quickly. Worry begins to fill my veins and regret. This is why I avoided such topics. I didn't want to ruin our bubble with real-life worries. Not just yet.

"Carter is your son, yes. But I have accepted him as my own." The words warmed my heart, and I wish I could relish the fact that Dieter loves Carter as much as me. "But because of that, he is our firstborn. If he were to take the alpha title then I am sure it would attach to him in some way."

"What if Carter rejects it?"

"Then it won't get it. But it won't be likely, he is born of Alpha blood. He will feel the urge to lead a pack. As well as his lycan will feel the need to lead as well."

Anna came back and asked us if we were ready to order. Neither of us had looked at the menu so I told her to give us her best meal and she smiled brightly. Leaving us alone again.

"Do you think Koa would help me with Carter? I feel out of my league, especially with everything going on..." My voice trailed off as memories of Carter crying in his room. Did he think I hated him?

"Of course, he would! Koa and Tino would love it. Plus, they have a little boy of their own, Ezra who is Carter's age."

"Oh! That's perfect." Carter doesn't have many kids his age in the pack. And I've always felt somewhat guilty about it. I could tell he was lonely, and all we had was each other. Not anymore though.

"I was there the day he was born, Koa froze and I had to help Tino and get the doctor and everything. It was quite funny." His eyes lit up as he talked about his friends, it only made the urge to meet them even more strong. "Tino is pregnant again with a boy. A tiger."

My eyes felt like they were going to pop out of my head. Dieter kept surprising me with more and more information. So much so it was overwhelming. But THIS took the cake.

"A t-tiger?" I stuttered.

"Yes, I know it is extremely rare, but it happens." Dieter shrugged as if the news no longer bothered him. But this is my first time hearing anything about a tiger shifter. I didn't know they existed. "Crispin?"

"There are tiger shifters?"

"Oh! I see, I'm sorry I didn't realize you didn't know." Dieter let out a deep laugh that shook the table and I just stared blankly at him. "It happens when a lycan and werewolf are mated. The genes mutate together rather than be separate. And they create a tiger."

"Is Tino not terrified?" I can't even imagine how overwhelming it all must be for him.

"Trust me, he is. But he is not one to step down from a challenge." Now I must meet these wolves. They seem to live such an interesting life.

"Is Danielle your only sister?"

"Yes, only one. My family is quite small. I have my father and mother, and then my grandparents but that is it."

"Your grandparents are alive and well?" I asked as I took a bite of my appetizer.

"I wouldn't say well. They have become grumpy old Russians. But yes they are well." We both laughed at the comment.

"You don't talk about your family much." I knew it wasn't a question, but I wondered why. If I had a family still I would never stop talking about them.

"There's not much to say. Danielle and I are close, though she yearns to be an alpha. My father is cold and cruel and has fully accepted that in all parts of his life. My mother is still the sun, but there is always a dark cloud that follows her. And my grandparents are sad as well. But their sadness turns to anger and they lash out."

My heartached for him. I wanted nothing more than to give Dieter a loving and full family. He deserved it. He was too kind. Too good to be forced into such a life. And if that meant I would hold and carry his pups then so be it.

"How many kids do you want?" I asked changing the subject to something lighter.

"Three. Three would be perfect." Our hands were still attached. Playing with each other's fingers. the sparks becoming a comfort.

"Well, we already have one." I smiled at him and he smiled back. "I can do two more. I think." Even though the thought of another child was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

"We should talk about--" I knew what he was wanting to say, but he was interrupted by Anna.

Anna came back with our plates which were steaming with heat. The smell of the garlic potatoes made my tongue water and I wanted to dive in. The steak was juicy and thick, and the vegetables looked perfectly buttered.

I was so grateful for her in this moment and for being able to avoid such a hard conversation. I can't think about Dieter not being close to me. I can't think about him not being in my home anymore. I wanted to think about us, right now, together. I needed it.

"Does it all look good, Alpha?" She asked looking very nervous.

"It looks wonderful," I spoke and she let out a deep sigh of relief. Her eyes flicked to Dieter and he just nodded agreeing with me. She soon realized that was the most interaction she would get from him.

Dieter and I began eating, and the conversation changed from heavy and intense to light and flirty. Dieter made me laugh like no other, and he made me feel so peaceful. Though the thought of a sacrifice still sat idly in the back of my mind, I believed whatever it may be we would handle it together.

There is nothing in this life that could break Dieter and me apart. Nothing.

I will stay forever by his side, protecting, loving, and cherishing him.

No sacrifice would ever make me leave Dieter...

Or so I thought...