*Hazel*
He raises his wine glass to his lips, and takes a sip, before answering.
“I could, but I am 100% sure you wouldn’t even consider it; I need to do some research first, find some consistent proof.”
“Humor me,” I insist.
He considers me for a second, then smiles one of his sexy smiles.
“I might want something in return for my big revelation.”
Here it goes, I knew he wouldn’t make it easy.
“State your price, then.”
He takes another sip of his wine, and bides his time, making me walk on eggshells for a few moments.
“A date, the two of us, alone, a location of my choice.”
Is it just a normal date he wants, or an excuse to get me alone and claim me? I am not sure the bargain works in my favor; what if his theory is just crap?
“How can I be sure that your theory isn’t just some joke?”
“Cross on my heart, I seriously believe this theory to be true and valid,” he replies with a serious expression.
“Ok, then, but I want to place some boundaries for our date, first.”
“I’m all ears.”
“First, no biting, second clothes on, third, the bill’s on you.”
“I agree with one and three, but I wouldn’t want to limit our possibilities with the second rule. I can assure you though, that I won’t undress myself or you, unless you request me to. Leave it or take it.”
I have to admit, as a businessman, he’s good.
“Ok. We have a deal. Now spill.”
He smiles widely, and immediately dives into the explanation of his genius assumption.
“You are a werewolf; you are just not aware of it. Some magic is involved, to keep your abilities under wrap. And the reason is because of some big secret. Maybe you are the hidden child of some big politic and your life is in danger, that’s why they’ve hidden you.”
I burst out laughing before I even knew what I was doing. I know it is not very classy, especially in a luxurious restaurant like this, but boy, this Alpha has a lot of imagination.
“I knew you would react somewhere down this line, but really, you should try to open up your mind a little. In this world, everything is possible.”
“Yeah, sure, and princesses get around in coaches made of pumpkins and wearing shoes made of glass. I think it’s time I go back to work now. Thank you for your help and for the lunch.”
“Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d rather give you a lift home; I just want to make sure you make it there in one piece.”
“Still using the ‘I saved you, you owe me’ card?”
“Still am.”
“I guess I can’t refuse then.”
“No, you definitely can’t.”
As soon as we are out of the restaurant though, we hear tires screeching on the asphalt, and in seconds, a car nearly runs us over on the sidewalk just outside the restaurant’s door. Luckily, Alpha O’Brien uses his enhanced speed to safely drag me to the side. The car crashes into the restaurant’s huge window, destroying it completely, together with a few tables and chairs, and scaring half to death the guests and staff inside.
The once beautiful restaurant looks now like a warzone, with glass shards and debris covering its destroyed façade, people running for their lives and pools of blood on the floor, where someone wasn’t lucky enough to get out of the way in time.
Alpha O’Brien doesn’t seem fazed by the chaos, he shrugs the shards from his suit jacket and checks me diligently for injuries. I am totally fine though, he shielded me completely and took the brunt of the glass pyrotechnics. I can see a few small cuts on the back of his neck, but they don’t seem to bother him, and they aren’t bleeding much. I bet they will heal pretty soon.
We are still fussing over each other and trying to grasp what just went down, when four werewolves climb out of the wrecked car, and immediately attack Alpha O’Brien and myself. I recognize them as the guys from this morning, the ones who tried to assault me, plus a new entry.
How did they find us? Probably they followed us here. And what do they want? Revenge?
“Stay here, don’t move,” the Alpha says, before he jumps at the attackers, slashing and dodging with inhuman speed and strength. They fight in a blur of flying fur and snarls, and I am so focused on the battle displaying before my eyes, that I don’t notice one of the men sneaking up on me. Before I can even do anything, he has me flipped over his shoulder and starts running with me dangling like a rag doll.
I scream for help, and for the only person around whom I know would do his best to save me, again.
“Alpha! Derek!”
I hear his roar of rage, before I see him running toward us, two of the bad guys following hot on his heels. When he’s near enough, he lashes out with his claws, and manages to slash through my attacker’s side, he yelps in pain, but still tries to keep going. Alpha O’Brien doesn’t give him the chance though, he careens into his side, sending us both thumbling to the ground.
Pain shoots through my head, where it collides with the pavement. I hope I haven’t broken anything, I feel too dizzy and disoriented to be sure; I don’t even know what’s happening around me anymore, until two big warm hands cup my face gently.
“Hazel,” a soft voice calls me. Thumbs run circles on my cheeks in a soothing way. I want to reply, but I can’t manage to put two words together.
“She hit her head too hard, we need to take her to the hospital. She might have a concussion or worse.” Damon, the Beta, he’s here too.
“No, I think we’d better contact her family first. It might be just a hunch, but I think she’s not a simple human, there must be more to her”.
Those are the last words I hear, before the darkness sucks me under.