Chapter 13: A Date?

"Cora, why am I doing this? Maybe he wouldn’t mind if you came with me!" Violet said, looking in the mirror as her friend does her hair. "He is just trying to be nice on a job well done. It's not a real date." a hint of sadness in her voice.

"You know nothing of the sort. Did he invite me out for dinner to celebrate? No, he only asked you." Cora said then with a wink she added: "even though we both know I would add a lot of fun to the evening."

Violet laughed and took a deep breath. "You really think it's a date?" she asked, looking unsure.

"You are so dense."

"You act like you know something I don't. So why don't you just spill it." Violet said.

"It's not for me to tell. Sorry, Vi." Cora finishes pinning a curl back so Violet's scarlet curls are out of her face. "Done! You look beautiful."

"That's not fair, you're my best friend and you're keeping something from me." Violet accused turning to look her best friend in the face.

"You kept things from me. You will know soon enough." Cora was then saved by a knock on the door. "He's here," she says with a wiggle of her eyebrows. They both walked to the front door. Violet opened it and was shocked by what she saw. There stood Eli, his dark blond hair combed and styled. He was wearing dark wash jeans, a deep purple button-up shirt and a black leather jacket. He held daisies in his hand.

"Well, you clean up nice Eli," Cora said, nudging her best friend towards him and willing her to speak. "say something," Cora whispered to Violet.

"You look hot, I mean great. Uh, are those for me?" Smooth Violet, real smooth she thought.

"Yes, they are," Eli replied with a grin. "I hope you like daisies."

"They're my favorite actually. Why don't you come in and I will get water for them. " Eli walked in and handed Violet the flowers.

"I like how you have put your own touches on the place already." Eli said. He looked at Cora sitting in a rocking chair and mouthed "How am I doing?" Cora smiles and gives him a thumbs up. “Are those pictures new?” He asked as he went over to the mantle picking up a picture frame with a little redhead in braids holding a fishing pole and a man smiling at her with pride. I wish I would have known her then he thought.

"Umm yes those are from my apartment. That is a picture from a fishing derby the bait shop put on every year. My uncle was so proud of me because I was the only 8 yr old girl competing.” Violet took the picture and put it back on the mantel carefully and turned to look at Eli. “So, where are we headed? I thought we were a ways away from things."

"I have something special planned, don't worry." Eli says with a glint in his eyes.

"Have her home before midnight and no funny business you understand," Cora said in mock authority. As the couple headed towards the door.

"Yes ma'am," Eli said with a small salute. He opened the door and put his hand on the small of Violet's back. Tingles shot up his arm. Violet leaned in slightly. I wonder if she realizes that she did that? Eli thought.

Violet walked down the steps to the driveway surprised to not see a car. "How are we getting where we're going?" she asked.

"We are walking." He looked down and she was wearing white keds with her black summer dress. Good, she is not one of those stiletto types, he thinks to himself. His eyes drift back up taking in the way her black dress hugged her assets. Elis was panting in the back of his head. He moved closer to her and said in a husky voice "you look gorgeous tonight."

Violet was aware he had been checking her out which brought a rush of pleasure and heat to her skin. "Thank you" she replied in a whisper. Is this for real? she thought. Lettie decides to chime in with, kiss him. He wants it and so do you. "um so which way?" Violet broke the silence.

Eli put out his arm and she took it. Being this close to him made her fill with need, yet at the same time, she felt the most at ease she had ever felt. He led her towards a path in the woods. Violet looked at him in surprise but for some reason trusted she would be safe alone in the woods with this man or is it wolf? They walked in silence for a long time.

"You were amazing today." Eli said, breaking the quietness of their walk. "You are going to be a great Alpha if it always comes this easy." He smiled at her.

"I don't even know what an alpha does." She looked down at the path until Eli stopped her.

Lifting her chin with his finger so he could look into her eyes as he spoke "you have instincts that I have never seen before. You are a force to be reckoned with I can tell. Plus you will have me and my father there to help you." Eli stared into her emerald eyes. He was hoping she could feel the truth in his words.

Violet nodded. Then broke his intense stare. They started walking again. "So what did you do for the pack?" She asks to change the subject.

"Well, Alex told you, I help train the new wolves. I also am in training to be a warrior for the pack." Eli says proudly.

"A warrior. Isn't that dangerous?" Violet was unsure why she was concerned about that but the thought of Eli being put in danger worried her.

"It can be, I guess. However, warriors help protect our pack and our Alpha. That's important to me." Eli says with passion in his voice. "I would do anything to protect you. I mean to protect our alpha and pack members." Eli quickly tries to cover up his confession. Just then Violet gasped. Right ahead of them in the path were a bunch of twinkle lights in the trees. A blanket was lying on the ground with a lantern, plates, and picnic basket. She saw a speaker hanging close to the tree and soft music was playing from it. "Do you like it? It's not too much is it?" He asks quickly.