Chapter 41

**Justin’s POV**

Fuck, she is adorable. I loved watching her facial expressions during the musical. I loved it even more when she hummed her favorite songs or lip synced some of the lines. What is worse, I do not think she understands the effect that she is having on me.

I asked Tyson when I asked about the possibility of getting tickets about maybe doing a meet and greet for her. Of course, he was ecstatic about it. He told me while a good portion of the cast were human, there were also quite a number that were werewolves, so they would understand the importance and gravity of a fated mate.

I was incredibly lucky that the tour for Hamilton that was in the nearest city to us just happened to be the one that Tyson was a part of, so I could pull some strings and get my girl tickets to see her favorite musical. Michael had told me her favorite plays included Hamilton, Wicked, Six, and Heathers. I was just lucky that Hamilton was actually playing near us.

Now, for the next part of my plans. I had made reservations at an expensive new French restaurant in town. I don’t know how I got lucky enough for them to have a reservation available for this evening because usually they book out months in advance.

I pulled into the restaurant as she gasped at the sign on the restaurant.

“La Note Bleue? How did you manage a reservation here, Justin?”

“I had gotten lucky. I called for a reservation and they told me that they just had an opening, so I jumped at the opportunity. I knew that you liked foreign cuisine and I knew that this restaurant was popular and served French food. I was hoping you would enjoy it.”

“I love it. Thank you.”

I got out of the car and walked to the passenger side, opening the door, and holding my hand out to her. She grabbed my hand and I helped her get out of the car. My car did sit slightly low on the ground and while I did not doubt that she could get out on her own, I liked the idea of being able to help her out. We made our way inside the restaurant and I stopped at the hostess stand.

The hostess looked me up and down, but I paid her no mind. When Kataleya noticed, she growled under her breath. Hmmm…it seems someone is territorial. Seems only fitting though. Most she-wolves are territorial when it comes to their mates…Alpha males tend to be worse, so I can only imagine Kataleya is going to be like that, since she is an Alpha Female.

“Reservation?” the hostess asked us in a nasally voice.

“Warner.”

“Your table is now ready and, just as requested, you have a private room. Follow me.”

We began to walk to our table when I heard Kataleya growl under her breath again.

“What’s wrong, love?”

She looked at me, annoyed, “You cannot tell me you do not see this woman flirting with you? She is sashaying her hips as she walks and she paid me no attention, instead she was checking you out.”

“Love, are you jealous? I think I enjoy you being jealous. It means you care. Do you really think I could notice her when I have you by my side? You are absolutely stunning. You are perfect and everything and everyone melts away when you are near me. I could never be entranced by another female. You are it for me, love. You will be it for me for the rest of my days,” I whispered to her.

The hostess finally stopped at our private dining area before she flirtingly told me that our waitress would be with us soon.

“Please make sure that we have a male waiter please. No female.”

The hostess looked taken aback, but she nodded her head. “Yes, Mr. Warner.”

I pulled out Kataleya’s chair for her and she took her seat. I sat across from her and reached my hand out to grab hers.

The waiter came and as soon as he noticed Kataleya, he was looking her up and down and I could make out the smallest hint of his eyes darkening. I growled low in my throat. My wolf was not pleased. He does not like others checking out what his is. To my wolf, this was worse than the female because the female was a human, but this boy was a wolf, so he was extraterritorial.

The waiter heard my growl and jumped at it.

“If you are done ogling my mate, you can take our drink orders.”

“Yes, sir. I am sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. What can I get you started with to drink?”

‘Trust me.’ I linked Kataleya.

She hesitated for a moment before nodding her head yes.

“Let us have a bottle of your Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion and some water on the side.” I ordered for us. “How hungry are you love?”

“Ravenous,” she responded.

“We would also like to try your Smoked Salmon and Rye Canapes.”

“Of course, sir. I will grab your drinks from the bar and get your appetizer in immediately.”

I nodded my head at him and turned my full attention back to Kataleya.

“Was someone a little jealous?” she asked.

“Of course, I was. He was checking out what I hope you will let be mine. Regardless, he should have sensed that we were, also, wolves and kept his eyes to himself. I could practically sense his thoughts when he looked at you. His eyes lingered on your chest and legs longer than necessary. At least the hostess was human, so she doesn’t understand the idea of fated mates or what we are to each other. At least, what I hope you will let us be to each other.”

She laughed and Goddess, her laughter was magical. I smiled at her, just as the waiter brought out our water, the bottle of wine, and two wine glasses.

“Are you ready to place your order?”

“No,” I responded in a clipped tone, “We need a little bit more time.”

He nodded and walked off. Kataleya still had an amused glint in her eyes.

“Go easy on the poor boy, Justin. He looked no older than 16. He probably did not know we were fated. I am not marked, so it isn’t something that may have crossed his mind. For all he knew, we are friends.”

For her, I would cut the boy a break, but he had better keep his eyes to himself. I will not put up with him checking out my mate, even if it is harmless. Alpha’s may be territorial and protective, but I am too, even though I was not born with Alpha blood.

I smiled at her softly. “For you, I would do anything, including cut the boy a break.”

She gave me a soft smile before thanking me.

She started looking at the menu and I swear I could see her eyes bugging out of her head.

The waiter came back with our appetizer and asked us if we were ready to order. We both nodded our heads and he looked at me expectantly.

“What would you like, love?”

“Hmmm…I would like the stuffed pork tenderloins with bacon and apple-Riesling sauce with a salad with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.”

The waiter looked at me, “I would like the croque monsieur with a side of French onion soup.”

“Of course. I will put your order in for you. Enjoy your appetizer.”

Kataleya and I were silent for a minute while we each tried the appetizer. Usually, I do not eat French cuisine when I go out. Since my mom had French roots, French cuisine was something that we often had at home when I was younger, so I usually liked to try new foods from other countries.

“How about we play a game of twenty questions?” Kataleya asked me. “I want to use this time to better get to know you.”

“I want to get to know you better too. You can go first.”

“What is your happiest memory?” she asked me.

I stared into her eyes as I began to answer her question. “Starting with the hard questions. Hmm…I have several happy memories…one of them was when it was announced that I could come to your pack and train as a warrior. After the rogue attack, I envied being a warrior and I strived to do my best to get to be a warrior and, of course, your pack has the best of the best when it comes to warriors. However, all of my happier memories recently and they all involve you. The happiest being just the other day when you agreed to give us a chance. When you agreed to give me the chance to show you that I could be just what you need and I won’t hurt you as some of the others have. I think that is what made me the happiest. Another happy moment was the first time that I kissed you. And then when you agreed to go on this date with me, I loved seeing your smile tonight and hearing your laughter. What is your happiest memory?”

“My happiest was probably when Michael asked me to take his role as Alpha and my father accepted it, no questions asked. I never knew what I was going to do once I hit the “legal age” because my brother was going to become Alpha and the only part of the legacy that I was going to receive was part of my family’s business, but I have always wanted more. I used to envy Michael that he was going to be the next Alpha, but I never questioned it because he was the oldest, so I accepted it. Plus, I was a girl. No one would follow a female Alpha.”

“There are plenty that would follow a female Alpha, love. I would follow you, even if you were not my mate. I have seen the way that you interact with pack members. You are loved. You are respected. You are going to make a wonderful Alpha.”

She smiled at me and I could see the tears in her eyes. She swiped at them quickly before speaking again. “What is your greatest fear?”

I laughed. Of course, she would ask me this. “I hadn’t acknowledged any fears that I had until the rogue attack hit my old pack and I realized that I feared losing my family and pack. Now, while I still fear something happening to them, I realized my greatest fear the other day when you started to reject me. My greatest fear is losing you. I don’t know what I would do if I ended up losing you, love. In just a matter of weeks, losing you has become my greatest fear. What is your greatest fear?”

Just as she was about to answer me, the waiter came in with our food.

“Is there anything else that I can get for you?”

I shook my head no and waited for him to leave.

Kataleya was quiet for a moment as she began to nibble on her salad. “I am not sure you want to hear my greatest fear.” She said quietly.

“Of course, I want to hear it. I want to know everything about you, Kat. I want to know your greatest joys, your deepest fears, your wishes, your regrets. Everything.” I smiled at her softly, encouraging her to tell me.

She was quiet for a moment more before she quietly stated, “I fear failing as an Alpha and letting everyone down. I fear what I am starting to feel for you. I fear falling for you. Most of all, I fear those guys that raped me finding me and finishing the job…I fear what more they would have done to me if Oliver and Michael hadn’t shown when they did. I fear encountering them again and freezing up.” Tears started streaming down her face.

I got out of my chair and walked over to her. I pushed her chair back slightly and kneeled in front of her. I placed my fingers under her chin and gently raised it to look me in the eyes.

“I will never let them get to you again. I will go to the ends of the world to protect you. They will never get the chance to hurt you again. I know you are scared of what the bond makes you feel for me…Just know, I will be whatever you need me to be. Anything you need, my love. We will move however fast or slow you would like. I will wait as long as you need me to. I love you, Kataleya.”

I wrapped my arms around her as she calmed down. I could feel her heart start returning to a normal beat. I am glad to know that my touch and scent is enough for her to calm down.

We ate the rest of our meal and continued playing our game. We both steered away from any deep questions or anything that could be construed as serious. I loved it every time she would giggle at something I said.

Goddess, she was quickly becoming my everything. I used to think my father was exaggerating or trying to be romantic when he would say that your mate would be your everything and you would do anything for them…I now realize how right he was. I would very much do anything for her. I truly love her, even if she isn’t ready to love me back.