A date ?

“A date?” Lisa stared at the man, he was drop-dead gorgeous. He looked around 21-23 years old college guy, and he was dressed in an expensive white dress shirt, probably part of a tuxedo. Judging by his Lamborghini, she could guess he was a rich brat who was used to getting his way. 

Why would he date her unless he had an ulterior motive? But then if he could help her wiggle out of this mess, then why not?

He nodded,” yeah, just a date.”

“How Chivalrous,” she said dryly.

“Why do you want to help me out, and take me on a date? You don't even know me.” She asked, folding her arms and sitting cross-legged on the dark road.

“I would feel better if I drop you home rather than let you walk alone in the dark. I am feeling generous today, so I am helping you and since it's your birthday I am taking you on a date.” He explained. He couldn't tell her the real reason, of course. His wolf was pushing him to protect her.

“Is this something you normally do? Ask random girls for a date?” She quipped.

“Is it something you normally do? Crash your car ?” He raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his face. 

“No, this was the first time,” she mumbled. 

“Where were you going?” 

“I… I had to meet a friend,” she lied.

“Now let's get over with the stranger part, I am Ruben De Montrose.” 

“Alaisa Parker, but I prefer Lisa.” She replied.

“Alaisa,” Her name rolled off from his lips. “Come on, let's move, it's freezing here.”

He stood up and brushed his shirt, then offered her his hand.  She took his hand and got up, ignoring the electric current which jolted her. They walked to his car and he opened the door, gesturing for her to get in. She stepped into the luxurious car. It was a Lamborghini Gallardo: low, wide and fast, fantastically angular in style, and no less menacing for the charcoal grey colour it had been painted with. Before its encounter with her old Nissan, it had had a pristine, sleek body. It was one of the latest, most aggressive and agile cars' money could buy.  Exactly the car Lisa would get for herself, as soon as she won the lotto or score a large inheritance from a previously unknown rich dead uncle.

“Nice car,” she commented just to break the deafening silence.

“Thank you, I love this car, what's your address?” He asked. She narrated her trailer home address.

It was the wee hours of the morning when she reached the trailer park. 

“You can stop here, I just live a block down from here.” She said.

“Then I'll walk you.” It wasn't an offer.

Lisa could tell from the tone in his voice that he wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer. She took a deep breath. “I can walk on my own, I don't need adult supervision,” she said exasperated.

He laughed,” how are you going to explain the missing car to Jacob ?”

Lisa looked down and shivered, Jacob would skin her alive. “I will think of something.” She mumbled weakly.

The putrid scent of fear assaulted his senses, whoever was this Jacob, she feared him. Ruben didn't like it one bit. His wolf was urging him to rip that Jacob, But his human half wanted nothing to do with this girl. He reached towards his dashboard and Lisa recoiled in her seat. The dashboard opened, revealing bundles of banknotes.

She stopped and looked at him incredulously. “Fuck! What are you? Some sort of Mafia ?”

“That's irrelevant,” he took out a fat bundle of cash.” This is twice the cost of that piece of junk which you were driving. Take it.” He waved the bundle towards her.

Lisa wasn't sure if she should take him seriously or not. “Who are you? Superman?”

He chuckled, and one corner of his mouth turned up in that amused smile he'd been wearing off and on all night. “I prefer Batman. I don't think I can pull off that atrocious red and blue leotard.”

She shook her head. “I think you've done enough for me at this point,” she said cautiously, he wouldn't be doing her a favour for free. He would want something in return, of course.

Ruben rolled his eyes and sighed in annoyance. “Why is it that people never do the smart thing when it's right in front of them? Look, I'm just offering you money for the damage. You shouldn't have to put up with that creep on your birthday.”

“Why are you so concerned with me?” She asked.

“Honestly?” He ran his hand through his hair, “I don't know. I told you, I am feeling generous today. I thought I might be able to help you out. If you want to face the trouble, be my guest. But I guess that when your mom's boyfriend gets a grip of what you did to his car… Who do you think is going to end up as target?” He was suddenly feeling very grim and didn't like it.

Lisa sat in silence for a minute, staring at nothing ahead. “You're right. I screwed this up. Look, I just don't like owing people anything. And I seem to be accumulating quite the bill with you. You came out of nowhere and,” she shifted in her seat, “well you know what you did. I am very obliged to you, but how the hell am I supposed to pay you back for this stuff?” Suddenly, she was worried, Jacob would have taken out his anger on her mom. She needed to check on her.

Ruben could understand how she was feeling. He didn't like owing anything to people, either. “You can call us even after we have our date.”

She looked like she was about to argue, but an authoritative look from Ruben kept her silent. Even if the glare she threw at him was screaming that she didn't think it was an even trade-off. 

“It's not as big a favour as you might think.” He added.

“Maybe not for you,” she said,' you rich brat!' she thought to herself.

“I'm not in a position to turn you down.” Lisa was feeling trapped. But she knew better than to think that it would be feasible to go back and face Jacob. Cash would shut him up, at least for some time.

“I need to go,” she unbuckled her seat and turned to leave. He scented her panic and was concerned.

She grabbed the bundle from his hand.” Thanks, this will do? And I will pay you back. “

“I will pick you up at 8 pm today for our date. Don't think you can bailout.” He reminded her.

She sighed, she hoped that he was kidding, but he was dead serious. 

“As if I have a choice,” she mumbled and got out of the car.  

“Hey Alaisa,” he called out.

She turned to look at him quizzing.

“Happy Birthday,” he said, smiling, and she could vow that her heart has stopped beating for a second. That was the most dazzling smile she had ever seen, his eyes seemed to have glowed and changed colour, but that was probably her imagination.

Ruben stayed until she had disappeared into the row of trailers. He picked up his phone and called his beta.

“Where are you, Alpha Ruben? You left the party hours ago.” Keith said, from the other side.

“I will be returning soon. Meanwhile, send Fergy to the Summer park. I want him to keep an eye on someone.” He spoke into the phone.