Chapter 55: Ferrin

It was our first outing away from the castle since we had announced our relationship. Austin wasn’t sure about us leaving the property without a protection detail, but I insisted we go alone. I wanted it to be just the two of us. Besides, who better to protect her than me?

We entered the restaurant, and the hostess eagerly greeted us, taking us back to a reserved table. I pulled Willa to sit in the booth next to me. I would behave myself in front of my subjects, but I still wanted to be as close to my mate as possible. I wouldn’t lie that it was the possessive part of me wanting everyone to know she was mine, and I didn’t care.

I had the server bring us a bottle of wine, and we toasted after placing our order.

“To a life full of dinner dates with my Luna,” I whispered.

“To showing off my incredibly sexy mate,” she replied naughtily.

I leaned in close, my lips grazing the soft flesh of her ear. “Now, if I have to behave, so do you.”

She chuckled, taking a sip of her wine.

“So, how was your day, my love?” she asked as she set her glass down.

I smiled. “It was tedious,” I replied, “but good. Yours?”

I listened intently as she shared the events of her day at the barracks. I was pleased to hear she already had some ideas on how to improve their training program to better suit the werewolves’ abilities. I was impressed with the changes she was already considering and continued to listen intently when our food came.

“Oh, and I saw Lord Henshaw on the grounds this morning,” she told me. “We walked for a while. I think I’m going to invite Hannah to hang out one day. I have a feeling she finds the recent changes in her life a little overwhelming. I know I do. I think it would be good for both of us.”

“That sounds great, babe,” I agreed, kissing her temple.

It still bothered me to hear that Willa felt overwhelmed with her new life here, but I couldn’t fault her for it. I found our relationship overwhelming at times myself. In the best, most exhilarating way possible, of course. But still… to throw an entirely new role and new country on top of that, how could Willa not feel the weight of those changes? But she was handling it all in stride, and I knew that in no time, she would be thriving.

“She seems so sweet,” Willa continued. “It really is a big change to go from the help to the wealthy. I think we could both use the support. Plus, it sounds like she had a harder time than I did.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Willa’s life had been anything but easy. I couldn’t imagine how she could think Hannah’s was more difficult.

“I had my dad,” she said. “And even though life as a rogue wasn’t simple, I still had people who cared about me. The way Aaron talked about her life back in her country, I don’t know if she had that.”

“Aaron?” I raised an eyebrow, feeling a twinge of jealousy at the informality.

Willa rolled her eyes. “Yes, Aaron,” she insisted. “He’s a happily mated male, Ferrin. Who also happens to be your family.”

I grabbed her chin, lifting it to meet her gaze. “That doesn’t make him your equal, you know.”

“Ferrin,” she scolded.

“You are the High Luna,” I said firmly. “Ceremony or not.”

“So, I can’t be casual with anyone ever again?” she teased. “What a stuffy life I must lead now.”

I relaxed, letting out a soft laugh.

“Alright, I get it,” I said. “But speaking of your Luna ceremony. Are you excited to start planning?”

Willa finished her glass of wine with a sigh.

“I suppose so,” she said unconvincingly.

“Do you not want Lady Nora and Lady Petra to help?”

“No,” she rushed. “It’s not that at all. I’m really grateful that they have offered. It’s just that…”

“Willa, sweetheart,” I said gently, cupping her cheek in my hand, “you can tell me if anything is bothering you.”

“It just makes me nervous.” She shrugged, looking like she just kicked my puppy. “It scares me a little.”

I smiled, pulling her in for a kiss. I didn’t care who saw us as I pushed for her to open for me. My tongue delved in to meet hers, giving her every ounce of assurance my touch could in our current surroundings.

“By the time of the ceremony,” I breathed as I pulled away, “you won’t be. You are beyond a natural at this, baby. Give it time, okay? And remember, I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

Her hand moved up to rest on mine as her eyes fluttered open. Her hazel eyes met mine with a look that still took my breath away.

“I know,” she replied with a smile.

I kissed her again.

“Are you done with your dinner?” I whispered as I nipped at her ear.

“Mmhmm,” she confirmed.

“Good,” I growled. “Because I’m ready for dessert. We’re getting out of here.”

She chuckled as I pulled her out of the booth, dropping a large bill on the table to cover the meal. I had no idea what my aura felt like to the rest of the patrons, but no one attempted to approach us as we left the restaurant. I loaded Willa into the car with a few more stolen kisses before climbing behind the wheel.

I wasn’t ready to take her home yet.

I was ready to get her somewhere private, absolutely. But I wasn’t ready to go back to the castle. I pulled out of the lot and turned to head out of the city.

“Where are we going?” she asked as we left the buildings behind.

A mischievous grin crossed my face. “I want to go for a run.”