Chapter 27 A DATE TO REMEMBER
AMBER’S POV
I haven’t felt this ecstatic in a long while. The simple act of choosing an outfit that hasn’t excited me since I was in school now has me humming like I’m about to go on a first date.
I guess I kind of am, cause this is the closest thing I’ve had to a date since I stepped into Valhalla.
Albeit the series of chaotic events that have unfolded, this is the first time I sincerely feel great, without the influence of the mating bond.
I do a twirl in front of the mirror, taking in my appearance in the silver dress, and I smile once I realize Damien would like it.
But just as the thought of Damien’s approval brings a smile, the thought of Derek’s disapproval wipes the smile off my face and fills me with horror. He made it clear that I am nothing but a prisoner here, which means there’s a chance that he won’t support this.
I wonder if Damien had spoken to him about it, and if he had, how did he convince Hades to shine some light in this darkness he put me in?
I push this thought from my mind, deciding to ask Damien about it when I step out.
Satisfied with my appearance, I walk out of my room to the garden that absolutely took my breath away.
With a circular structure, the garden stands out from everything I’ve ever seen. Even the garden at home doesn’t match it. And the variety of flowers, grown in patches on different significant places, is just a sight to behold.
I’m sure that the flowers were arranged to spell out something, and I’m not sure what it is, but I’ll find out if I get a chance to after today.
I get to the garden to find Damien in another outfit, something more casual, simple shorts and a polo shirt with glasses on, which makes him look more ordinary than the beta of a pack. He’s adorable.
He’s typically the kind of guy who would ask me out on a date, and I’d say yes to it, without missing a second.
“Well, don’t you look beautiful,” he says teasingly, running his eyes over me, as he seems to love doing, and my stomach flutters as it seems to love doing.
“Thank you,” I say, doing a spin for him, and he whistles, making me chuckle at how boyish he is. “You look simple,” I say.
“I hope that’s a compliment because I spent five minutes picking this outfit for you,” he says playfully, and I laugh.
“I love it. Now, can we go on our date?”
“Princess, I never agreed to go on a date with you,” he teases.
“You don’t exactly have a choice, I’m your Luna,” I say as a matter of fact, taking his hand in mine without protest from him as his laugh vibrates through me, making me giddy.
“Yes, Luna,” he says in surrender.
We keep up playful banter while walking through the pack house, skillfully ignoring the looks everyone we pass pins us with, especially our hands joined.
I resolve to ignore everything and focus solely on Damien, who seems oblivious to the attention we are drawing to ourselves.
Once we step out, I take in a deep breath, feeling like it’s a different kind of air here, but I’m sure that’s my isolation talking.
I didn’t get the chance to see the pack when I first arrived here because it was dark and I was too miserable to care, and knowing Derek’s conviction to keep me imprisoned and unseen, this might be my last chance.
“Pretty right?”
“Liberating,” I reply, and he nods.
“Come on, our first stop is my favorite barbecue spot, you’ll love it.”
“But I’m not hungry,” I whine when he pulls me in a direction.
“You don’t have a choice, princess,” he says casually, and I grumble.
I wanted to tour, not have a food excursion.
We get to the barbecue spot after a series of stops and complaints, with me stopping to admire and him complaining that I’m taking too long.
I wonder if he knows this is all new to me. It feels like I’m in a completely different world.
We get into a building called ‘Carnivores’. So classic. It’s obvious the owner put a lot of thought into the name, sadly.
People pass by us with a slight bow as we walk to take our seats at the center of the room.
“Beta Damien, it’s a pleasure to have you here,” a male in his sixties walks up to us with a warm smile.
“Cut the pleasantries, Harry, I come here four times a week,” Damien says with obvious familiarity, and the man laughs.
“Well, you’ve never brought a gorgeous lady with you before,” he says, now looking at me, and I instantly smile.
“This gorgeous lady is Amber, and I see why you’re ass kissing.”
“Hello, Amber, I’m Harry,” he says with a sweet elderly charm, stretching his hand out for a handshake, which I take.
“It’s nice to see you, Harry. This is a lovely place you have, Damien has me convinced that I’ll love it here.”
“You will. Harry, get us my usual, two portions, hers extra tender,” Damien says, and Harry gives a slight bow before walking away.
The thought that if he knew my true identity, he wouldn’t be this nice to me crosses my mind, but I push it aside, aiming to simply enjoy myself.
In twenty minutes of casually conversing with Damien, two servers walk towards us, and my eyes nearly bulge out of my sockets when I see the ginormous size of the meat on the tray.
“What the – ”
“Beautiful,”
Damien and I exclaim together once they place the meat on the table.
It’s the biggest piece of meat I've ever seen, and my mouth waters once the initial shock fades.
Damien has to look up to lock eyes with me as a knowing smile settles on his features.
“Told you you’d love it,” he says, and I laugh.
“How do you finish this size of meat?” I ask astounded, and he smirks, before digging two fingers into the meat and pulling on it.
“Like this.”
“Damien, you can’t eat like that in public,” I exclaim when he pulls the meat out and stuffs his face with it.
“There is no cutlery here, princess, and look at that sign behind you,” he mumbles with a stuffed mouth, pointing behind me, and I turn to see a sign just by the door that reads, ‘drop your decency outside,’ and I’m stunned by its bluntness.
“You can’t take a lady to a no-decency zone for a first date, Damien, did you grow up under a rock?” I scold, and he pauses, looking uncertain for a moment.
“I –” he starts saying, but I stop hearing him once I pull on the meat, and it comes off as easily as cutting into baked bread and feels as juicy as a mango, soft, dripping, and sweet.
“But it’s the perfect place to bring a prisoner, and we both know I’m more of a prisoner than a lady, so good job Damien,” I say now with my mouth full of soft, tender meat and my hand digging in to grab another chunk, and he laughs.
I’LL KILL HIM