Birthday date

“Wow! Praise my luck,” Lisa mouthed, as she counted the banknotes. That eccentric man had given her twenty thousand dollars in cash!

'Who carries this much money around?' She thought. It was enough to pay Jacob and run away from this hellhole. She hid half the amount in her jacket and moved towards her trailer, hoping to slip in undetected.

Always Evangelical, Miss Donald watched her as she opened her trailer door. Her glasses moved up her narrow nose as she surveyed Lisa. Her haggard appearance and the time screamed out “Returning from a sinful night “.

“She is so cursing me to eternal damnation,” Lisa thought.

Miss Donald shot her one last acid glance before the doors closed again.

“I have been judged,” Lisa thought ruefully.

She crept into her door and rapped her knuckles on the metal twice. Leaning against the wall to hold up, she heard the tell-tale footfalls approach. The door swung open to reveal a visibly worried Mary.

“Oh my God,” she gasped, looking Lisa up and down. She clutched her arm and yanked her inside.

“Where were you?” her mom said, with a hint of anger. “I was so worried about you”

“I was angry,” Lisa replied lamely.

“About what? Jacob was so worried about you. He has been out all night looking for you.” she asked, her arms crossed over her chest. 

Lisa rolled her eyes, “yeah, right! He cares for you, that's why he was hitting you.”

“Don't talk to me in that tone, young lady!” Her mom said firmly. “Don't forget, he considers you as his daughter, overlooks your insolence. And what did you do in return? Ran off with his car. Despicable!” She said disapprovingly.

“About the car,” Lisa bit her lip.” I crashed it.” She said sheepishly.

“You did what?” Mary covered her face, horrified. 

“Wait, let me complete. It wasn't my fault…that other guy…it was his fault.” Lisa lied.” He paid me for the damage on the spot. I have the money to pay Jacob.”

“You have money? How much? What did you do? Did you whore yourself out?” Mary gripped her arm rightly and shook her.

“No, mom, I would never do anything like that. Just hear me out. You don't have to stay with that disgusting man. We can leave this place.” Lisa said urgently.

Mary's eyes widened,” from where are you getting such ideas? Jacob is a good man, he protects us,” Mary sighed.

“And who will protect us from him, mom? “ Lisa quipped.

“Insolent child! I will pray more so that you get some sense. “ Mary replied. 

Lisa shook her head in frustration. Her mom had to stop hanging out with Mrs Donald. A knock on the door stopped their conversation midway. Jacob was back.

********

Ruben leaned back in his chair, took off his Bowtie and unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt. The minute her scent had hit him, he felt his wolf surge like nothing he'd ever experienced. No battle or woman before now had ever summoned his spirit like this. He wanted her and there was nothing else in the world right at that moment. 

Just this enigmatic female standing proudly in front of him, challenging him, and drawing him in. 

“Come in,” he shouted before Keith could knock on the door to Alpha's office. He could scent him.

“Heard you left the party quite early, didn't like anyone there ?” Keith said as he took the chair. Keith his second in command and a long-time friend was the pack beta.

“It was boring,” Ruben replied, while still looking up at the ceiling.

“Jennifer showed up last night. She was waiting for you. She left when you didn't turn up.” Keith said.

Ruben sighed, that woman was driving him crazy. Ever since he had met her in of the wretched parties, she had been calling non-stop and making a fuss. As far as he was concerned, they were not mates, and he wasn't interested in banging an Alpha's daughter. Which would compel him to take her as his mate. Her dad Alpha Black would be delighted, though. He didn't have a male heir and wanted a powerful Alpha as his daughter's mate to take over the pack. Ruben had no interest in being his son in law.

“Good, please ensure to keep me busy enough whenever she is around,” Ruben said.

“I don't understand why you hate her so much, you do need an heir.” Keith pointed.

“Not with her, did you send Fergy to where I asked?”

“Yeah, I did, and may I know who is this girl he is supposed to protect?” Keith asked with interest, his Alpha rarely got involved in human affairs unless required.

Ruben opened his eyes and looked at Keith. 

“You will know when the time comes. Help me sort this out.” His tone was so authoritative that Keith didn't pry more, even though he was curious.

He shifted his attention back to his primary concern for the moment. He sorted the reports in front of him into several piles. Reports about the raids in his territory, the reports about the packs believed to be behind the raids. The reports about the political situations within the neighbouring packs, and the pile he hated most, the reports on who within his pack may be helping the raiders. He growled his frustration. He had read the reports over and over looking for a pattern or connection and was yet to find one. Furthermore, he needed to keep himself busy until the date.

********

Lisa slipped into a tight silver dress. It was one of the few dresses she owned since she hardly ever had a place to wear them. She had gotten it for a wedding when her mom was in a mood to splurge, and she was glad she was having another chance to wear it.

As expected, Jacob had shut up the moment she had thrust the bundle of cash at him. He didn't even care how she got it. Her mother had berated her and grilled a little, but Lisa had stuck to her story. She had hidden her share of the money. It was enough to escape from this hellhole. 

She arrived at the designated spot and as expected, a sleek black Mercedes stopped near her. She fidgeted nervously with her hair, as Ruben stepped out.

Furthermore, she was suddenly very aware of her surroundings. She looked up at the giant of a man looming over her. For a moment, she could hardly breathe as she took him in. She had a sudden insane desire to run her fingers through his silky strands. His lips were quirked in an almost smile, but his green eyes looked almost angry. She wondered how those hard planes would look out of his dress shirt and trousers. He was so confident, well put together. What could he possibly want with someone like her? She blushed slightly, as she realized she was mentally undressing him. His smirk increased as if reading her mind. 

He was holding a single red rose and a heart-shaped box of chocolates. Lisa covered her mouth in an unsuccessful attempt to stifle the giggles that were threatening to break free.

“Too much?” Ruben asked.

“I just didn't expect you to bring gifts,” she explained.

“It's your birthday today, right?” He asked with a puzzled look.

“Yeah, it is, it's thoughtful of you to bring me those.” She said, indicating the flower and the chocolates.

“Happy Birthday,” he mumbled before offering them to her.

She took the proffered gifts then looked around, a little unsure of what to do with them. 

He saw her dilemma and opened the back door of the car, gesturing for her to keep the stuff there. She placed the flower and chocolates on the back seat and climbed into the passenger side of the car.

“So, where are we going ?”

Lisa waited a moment but when he didn't reply she realized that he was staring intently at her. She looked down at her dress, worrying that there might be something wrong with it. Seeing no problem, she looked back up at Ruben.

“Do you not like the dress?” She asked worriedly, “I didn't know where we'd be going, so I didn't know what to wear. If this isn't okay, I have nothing else to wear.”

He just smiled as she babbled about her clothes.

“The dress is fine.” He reassured her and looked ahead.

“Shall we go then?” Ruben asked, offering her his arm.

“Yes, but where?” Jessica asked.

"Búraló it's a nice club, it's quite popular among the young crowd.” He replied he didn't specify that he also owned it.

“That's a weird name, Búraló is Gaelic for wolf,” she mumbled.

"How do you know Gaelic?" He asked curiously.