Chapter 7: From a Snack to A Meal

Two Days Later

Kano jolted from bed, the smell of vanilla in his nose. Opening the door, he caught Essence in mid-knock and stuck out his tongue. He laughed as she glared at him.

“I’m going to sneak up on you, eventually,” she said. He shook his head, and she crawled under his arm, entering his room. She looked at him. “Are you wearing cologne?” Nodding, he looked at the ceiling as she leaned in and smelled him. She smiled. “It’s nice. I like it, though you always smell nice, anyway.” Her face flushed as he stared at her, processing her words.

Essence cleared her throat. “Anyway, today is the big day! We’re going out, and I had Cayden pull some strings. Everything is in one building, secluded, and no one will be there but us and the staff.” Kano rubbed the back of his neck and she stomped her foot. “You promised!” she shouted. He groaned before rolling his eyes. She huffed. “Okay. I understand. I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to. We can just hang out here for a bit.”

Kano was nervous, but a part of him really wanted to go. For the last two days, he’d looked at himself in his new mirror, realizing he also wanted a new look. He grabbed her hand and ushered her to the door, and she jumped up and down with glee. “Yay! I’m spoiled, and I got my way!” she yelled, and he scoffed before nodding his head in agreement.

“Rafael, I thought you could make anyone beautiful. Are you telling me I was wrong?”

Rafael looked at the enormous man, whose beard was as unkempt as the hair on his head. He cocked his head back. “You know I love you, E, but this—you don’t bring me this. I style ‘em and profile ‘em, but I am not a damn miracle worker.” Kano cut his eyes at Rafael hard, and he hid behind Essence. “He’s a cranky one, isn’t he?” he asked, terrified.

She laughed. “This is actually him being nice.” Clasping her hands together in a begging manner, she pouted. “Okay, before you say no, look inside the bag.” Handing Rafael a bag with the royal crest on it, Essence smirked seeing his eyes widened.

“Holy fuck, look at all this money!” he said, shocked.

“There’s $100,000 in there and that’s not including the commission for the clothes and everything else. Caysen is the alpha from… well, I can’t tell you exactly where, just know he’s loaded, and close friends with Alpha Cayden, who specifically requested that you handle such a delicate manner.”

She was lying through her teeth. She had wanted Rafael. She’d stumbled onto him while looking for a place to get her hair and nails done in the urban part of the city. She liked that he was discreet, fun, and didn’t play with the business of making others look good. He had a full staff that did everything and he was well versed himself. They’d hit it off, and if he did well with Kano, she planned to hire him for Anastasia’s wedding.

Rafael walked around the gigantic wolf. “Well, first thing first, we’re going to have to get rid of the shoulder pads. Nobody has worn those in forever.” Kano looked at him in confusion as Rafael patted his shoulders. Removing his hands, he placed one over his chest in surprise. “Oh, wait, that’s all you? I couldn’t tell under the Lord of the Rings getup,” he said. He looked Kano up and down. “Alright, E, for 100k and commission, I’ll try my best, but again, I already know I’m in for a fight. He hasn’t said one word since you two came in here. If he has a problem with me because I’m—”

Kano shook his head, mortified, and Essence whispered, “I should have explained. They call him the Silent Alpha. He feels words don’t correlate with action, and because he’s so respected, nobody bats an eye.”

Rafael nodded. “The strong silent type. I get it. If those broad shoulders are any sign of what’s under that car cover he’s wearing, I’m sure I’ll be in for a wonderfully, deliciously pleasant surprise.”

Remembering Kano naked, Essence’s face flushed, but she remained quiet. Reaching out, Kano grabbed her hands and pulled her to him. His pale eyes showed his discomfort and fear at all the surrounding people. She caressed his fingers. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t let anything crazy happen to you, and I totally would let you kill everyone here, starting with Rafael.”

Rafael’s eyes widened. “H-he wouldn’t really maul me if I pissed him off, would he?”

Giving him a serious look, Kano nodded slowly.

Laying in the sauna, Kano and Essence enjoyed a face mask. She looked at him smugly. “Now lie and say you don’t feel amazing. We got pedis and manis, and now we’re taking care of our skin. I say we do this every two weeks.” Kano tilted his head up and nodded dramatically. She laughed. “Oh, look at Captain Fancy Pants.”

He put his pinky finger up and sipped his mimosa. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was having a great time with Essence, and even Rafael. He found Rafael to be kind, understanding, and patient. He differed completely from the people Kano had known when he was younger. If Rafael was any sign of what his pack was like now, he could see himself considering coming out more. He looked at Essence who laid on the bench, relaxed in nothing but the sauna towel, and he tapped her, pointing to her earphone.

“You want to listen?” she asked, and he nodded.

Handing him one, she watched him as his eyes widened. “Her name is Sade,” she said. Kano thought the woman’s soulful voice was one of the most beautiful things he’d ever heard. Essence sat pensively for a moment before her thoughts got the best of her. “Actually, her real name is Helen; the group name is Sade, but few people know that and—” Seeing Kano cut his eyes, she folded her lips. “Messing up the vibes, got it, my bad.”

Three hours later, Essence paced the floor back and forth. “Are we done yet? I’m hungry as hell, and tired as fuck! I know he was a lot of work, but three hours?! I’m sliding into hangry, and nobody wants to see the kid hangry!” she screamed.

Exiting from the back, Rafael rolled his eyes. “Relax, Mr. Silent is done.” He snapped his fingers. “And honey, that is one beautiful man.” Shouting to the back, he called to Kano, “Silent Alpha, come out here so she can see how fabulous I am at what I do! Essence darling, may I present to you the snack that has officially become a meal.”

Kano walked out from the back, and Essence’s mouth dropped to the floor. His long shaggy hair was now trimmed shorter with the sides shaved and the middle raked to the back. She could see the scar that laid above and below his eye clearly now, but it only seemed to add to his gorgeous face. His caveman beard was now trimmed and neatly laid, and he wore a simple red t-shirt that left not one muscle unseen. As Essence eyed him over, she could hardly maintain her composure. The blue jeans that sat nicely on his waist made her face flush again, knowing what was underneath.

Kano tilted his head in confusion and embarrassment, worried that she wasn’t pleased. Finally catching her breath, Essence blurted loudly, “You look like a sexy fucking lumberjack!” Kano’s face reddened to the color of his shirt, and she quickly covered her mouth. “Fucking hell. I never say the right thing,” she mumbled. He could see her embarrassment matching his, and he walked over to her, raised her head with his finger, and locked their eyes. Her throat dried. “You look, um… really nice,” she stammered.

He smiled his smile that always made her heart flip. Essence pulled away and turned to Rafael. “Uh, thank you, Rafael, you did an amazing job,” she said.

Rafael looked from one to the other, noting that Kano was still intensely looking at her. He smirked. Well, I was right. They’re mates. He thought to himself, but remained quiet.

“You look great!” Cayden shouted in shock, seeing his brother. “Who is this man that did this to you?! I fear if Stasia sees you, she won’t want to marry me anymore.” The brothers shared a laugh before Kano shook his head. Hugging Essence, Cayden whispered, “Thank you so much for doing this for him. I can tell he really appreciates it.”

She hugged him back. “I just took a diamond in the ruff and polished it a bit,” she said

Releasing her, he linked to Kano, “I suggest you figure out how to keep her because without your hair, your feelings can be seen all over your face.”

Kano reddened, and huffed before surprising his brother by linking back, “I’m going to try.”

After Essence and he entered his room, Kano put away his new stuff and paced back and forth. He didn’t know what to say to her after the look she’d given him. He couldn’t be sure what it meant, but he also couldn’t help but notice that she’d been looking at him a lot. She’d given him the look even before his makeover, and each time it made him slightly embarrassed, but also curious.

She sighed, pulling him from his thoughts. “Are you okay? You’re burning a trail into your carpet.” He stopped and slowly nodded, watching the scrunch of her face. “You’re lying. What’s wrong? You don’t like how you look? I’m sorry. I pushed you too far, didn’t I? I should have gone back there with you. I like it, and Cayden likes it, but I should have asked if you like it because that’s the only thing that really matters.”

He did like it. If he was honest, he had no clue that it was what he truly looked like. It was like looking at a familiar stranger, but one that he wanted to get to know. The problem was the beautiful woman sitting on his bed. He knew it was getting late, and he wanted her to stay, but he was afraid to ask. Walking to his desk, he pulled out something he’d communicated to Cayden to get for him. He showed her, and Essence tilted her head.

“When did you get a phone?” He threw his hand over his shoulder. “Yesterday?” He nodded and toyed with the item anxiously. She chuckled. “Are you trying to ask me for my digits, Kano?” Saucer-eyed, he froze, watching as she put her hands on her hips. “Well, are you, or aren’t you? Make up your mind so I can respond.” Inhaling deep, he nodded, and she smiled. “Okay. We can text and stuff! Ohhh and send memes and things like that.” He looked at her, confused. “Oh, memes… funny pictures, hang on.” Calling her phone from his, she stored the numbers in both. Essence handed Kano the phone back, and then he heard a ping. Opening the new message, he saw a picture of Jerome from Martin, with the caption that read,

What’s wrong with your phone? You can’t text nobody?

Kano laughed, making her laugh as well. Standing, she yawned. “Well, I’m beat, and I need to get back to Ani. She narrowed down the venue for the wedding and wants me to see them tomorrow.” She saw him fidget with his fingers before giving her a nod. “I’ll text you when I get there, okay?” He smiled, and she saw him look at her lips before his eyes darted back up.

Turning to leave, Essence stopped and inhaled deeply. “Fuck it,” she said, then turned back and walked over to him. He stilled as she grabbed his shirt, unsure of what to do until he felt her lips on his. His wolf instantly reacted, causing his eyes to tinge gold. He grabbed her to him, and he heard her groan as he deepened their kiss.

Essence pulled away, breathless. “Where the hell did that come from?” she asked. He didn’t know himself, and he closed his eyes, opening them when they returned to their normal hue. He gave her an apologetic look, and she shook her head. “No, it was nice, really nice. It just caught me off guard, but I did like it.” Hugging him, she walked to the door, still slightly confused. As he watched her leave, Kano heard his wolf’s growl to him.

“She’s ours, Kano, and I want to keep her forever.”