“You’re not eating, Isabella. What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing,” I said before taking another bite of the juicy steak.
Later on, after we filled our stomach with food, we left the restaurant hand in hand. As we walked toward the car, I thought we were heading home but Luke had a different plan. It was almost five in the afternoon, and the sun would set in an hour.
“Do you want to go stargazing tonight?” he asked.
“Where?”
“We can go to the Tops now. It’s an hour drive from here, so by the time we get there, it will be perfect!”
“Why not?”
So, after our delightful dinner, we decided to continue our date by visiting The Tops, a mountain peak that offered a breathtaking view of the entire city. I was excited about it because I heard there’s a bell that would grant wishes.
We made our way to The Tops, the anticipation building with each passing moment. As we reached the summit, we were greeted by a panoramic view that stretched as far as the eye could see. The city lights twinkled below, creating a mesmerizing sight.
Finding a cozy spot, we settled down and took in the beauty of the night sky. The air was crisp, and a gentle breeze brushed against our faces, adding to the enchantment of the moment. With refreshments in hand, we sipped our drinks and engaged in quiet conversation. As we gazed at the stars, we pointed out constellations and shared stories and legends associated with them.
The twinkling stars above seemed to mirror the sparkle in our eyes as we enjoyed each other's company. Time seemed to stand still as we immersed ourselves in the tranquility of the night and the city below faded into the background, and it felt as if it was just the two of us, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the mysteries of the cosmos.
“Can we stay here for a couple of hours?” I asked him, and he immediately nodded.
Enjoying the view from the mountain peak, time passed quickly, and before we knew it, it was already ten in the evening. When I glanced at my companion, he looked happy and content as well. I couldn’t explain it but whenever I am with him, I have a peace of mind. Was he the right man for me? I knew we were mates, but sometimes, the Moon Goddess could make a mistake. Aric Stormheart was an example of her mistake.
“It’s getting late,” I mumbled as he helped me to get up.
“Yeah it is. Are you hungry? There’s an Italian restaurant nearby,” he told me.
“I am hungry but can we eat in a casual setting? How about a restobar? Fries and burger would do,” I mentioned, and he arched his brows in response.
“And you’re not worried it will make you gain weight?”
“Do I care?”
“Of course not. Let’s go,” he said before holding my hand again.
Leaving The Tops, we walked hand in hand, cherishing the moments we had shared. It was a night of romance, serenity, and the simple joy of being together under the starry sky. Then, after our mesmerizing stargazing experience at The Tops, we decided to make a spontaneous stop at a lively restobar to continue our evening of adventure.
As we entered the restobar, the vibrant atmosphere immediately caught our attention. The sound of music filled the air, and the energetic chatter of patrons created a lively ambiance. We found ourselves drawn into the infectious energy of the place, ready to let loose and have some fun. But before everything else, we needed to get something to fill our stomach.
Before ordering for drinks, we ordered some fries and burgers. Luke ate what I wanted to eat, just like in that fancy restaurant. But then, it was proven that a burger wasn’t enough for him, so he ordered some pizza.
He indulged in the pizza and a glass of ice-cold soda. Then, after filling our stomach, we rested for a few minutes before we went to the main attraction of the restobar the bar with expensive wines and whisky.
“What’s that area over there?” I inquired as soon as I noticed there were bulky men guarding the door.
“I think it’s the disco bar,” he replied.
“I want to go inside, Luke,” I said, and narrowed his eyes on me.
“You’re just kidding right?”
“I am serious, Luke. I want to go inside and see what they’re doing,” I instead and he furrowed his forehead while glaring at me.
“Are you serious?” he asked while clenching his jaw.
“Yes! I have never been to a place like a disco bar, Luke. Please? Can you take me inside? I wouldn’t be able to do it soon,” I pleaded with him with my tantalizing eyes.
For a moment, he didn’t say anything and he was just staring. Then before I knew it, we were dancing and laughing while being completely immersed in the moment. We twirled, swayed, and laughed together.
The restobar became our playground and as the hours passed, we found ourselves engrossed in the vibrant atmosphere, surrounded by other patrons. The restobar became a haven of joy and I had a great time with him. Eventually, as the night drew to a close, we had to leave the bar. Just like how he behaved earlier, he kept holding my hand as we moved through the crowd to get out of the bar.
“Did you have fun?” he whispered.
“So much! Thank you, Luke!”
I was so happy that I was oblivious to the danger lurking in the shadows. We were almost at the door when a sudden chill ran down my spine. Then, I sensed a shift in the energy around us. I stopped on my track and looked around. It was then that I noticed the piercing gaze of a group of individuals, and their eyes were glowing with an otherworldly intensity.
“What’s wrong, Isabella?” Luke asked as he followed my gaze.
“Enemies,” I said, and he became alert immediately.
“Let’s go,” he ordered but I couldn’t move my legs.
I couldn’t explain it but they were terrifying to look at, and my heart raced as I realized that they were not ordinary patrons of the restobar. Just like Luke and me, they were werewolves, and they probably used something to alter their scents.
Altering scents? Wait, was it Vanessa’s doing? I remembered her telling me she had altered her scent so that Aric would recognize her as his second chance mate. So, even if I was with Luke, fear gripped me as I couldn’t bear the thought of Luke being injured in a fight once again.
Just as panic threatened to consume me, a glimmer of hope emerged from the darkness. Through the crowd, I caught a glimpse of Selene, and I expressed a deep sigh of relief when she saw me as well. It was as if she was monitoring my movement as well. But then, I couldn’t blame her because I was so precious to her, and to everyone in that particular pack.
“Let’s go, Isabella,” Luke said for the nth time, but I just could leave right away.
“I saw Selene,” I told him, and then his eyes followed the direction where I was looking. “Can I talk to her for a minute? It’s been a long time!”
“Okay,” he said as he led me toward Selene.
Luke and I approached Selene but then she met me halfway. I was even more worried when she stopped me from going further. “Who are they Selene?” I asked her.
“Just leave this place, Isabella. I will take care of it,” she assured me.
“But you are alone!”
“No, you are wrong. I have several friends in this place, so you don’t have to worry about me, Isabella. Please, just leave.”
“But there are humans here!” I complained because as much as possible, I didn’t want any human to get hurt.
“Isabella, please! Just leave! You are endangering the people here!” Selene scolded me.