He had waited for months, a few days was no big deal. That was what Samuel thought anyway. Turns out he was wrong. Three days in. Tomorrow being Christmas he was dead wrong. At least some things were there to keep him busy, like Max for example, getting rid of Carmilla, well most of her and struggling to map out plans for Rita to stay. Then there was more pack business to attend to.
Unfortunately, Sydney did not make it. He fought hard and held on till the week Samuel found Carmilla's medallion. Partly the reason why he had been out there driving so late. His funeral would be on the 3rd of January next year. As for the causes of his death, Samuel sent a small faction of Carmilla's horde after them. He did not expect them to kill the bastards but if they could put them within an inch of their lives then all the better till he could personally deal with them later.
For now, he had to focus on Rita. He hoped she liked the present. It was more of a piece offering but with the same general idea. He had to work on some things with himself too, the main point being his wolf. Scheduling with Dr. Paulo seemed to be helping but he needed the bulk of the work to be done himself. His wolf was taking more control than it should, usually he could see through the wolf's eye and play apart in the actions it took but not now. They were more or less shut off from each other.
*****
/27th December 2030/
Christmas had been ok, she guessed. Sweet and annoying carolling, there was generous snow for once in Alvas, playing in the snow, new people, conversations, then again they could be just one person wearing different skins each time. There was a call from Samuel with a Merry Christmas wish, it did not last more tan three minutes. There was hot cocoa too and no nightmares. Boxing day brought on a new dawn, lesser amount of people and anxiety about this very day. Samuel showed up at eleven in the morning, just like they had agreed on over the phone and he had shown up. With a motorcycle.
He kept his face partially hidden behind the helmet, he was still a billionaire after all, an easily recognizable one and she did want this to be a secret. His face lit up when he saw her and it made her heart twinge a little. No one had looked at her like that in a very long time and she did not want to admit it but he looked good in the black jacket and red shirt he wore. But the jacket he had on could not possibly protect him from the cold–Oh. Werewolf, she almost forgot. Come to think of it, this was the first time she had seen him in something casual since she had started working with him.
“Good morning Rita, how are you?” he asked.
“Good morning Samuel, I'm doing fine.” she greeted back. “I didn't know you had a motorcycle.” she stated, looking at the white Suzuki.
“Yeah, I barely get to use it. I thought this would be the time to take it for a spin.”
“So where to?”
“A Dojo.” He answered, handing her a helmet.
She took it from him and put it on. He helped her get on and she knew why he chose the bike. She had to lean into and hold on to him if she did not want to fall off. She could practically see him smiling and the worst part was she did not have a choice. Point one for him. Rita put her arms around his middle and subconsciously drew closer. He was toasty. He must be grinning from ear to ear.
****
She thought he was kidding, but he was not. He actually took them to a dojo.
“Let me get this straight, first day and you want us to take a wack at each other?”
Samuel parked the motorcycle. “Yeah.”
“You realize that this won't be fair, in any way.” He was a werewolf, a damn alpha for crying out loud! She was just human and not the exceptionally strong type
“I am sure I can manage.” He smirked. Ok, now he was just patronizing her. “What is this really about?”
“As much as I would love for us to start this on a smooth note, there are still some things we need to get out of our system.” They walked in. There were a few sessions going on, it was less full than she would have thought. “Right now, this is about you getting out everything you've got bottled up inside.”
“I didn't know you were a therapist.” she said sarcastically.
*****
After the dojo he took her to lunch. He was not sure if she would be particularly taken to a crowded place so he took her to one of the universal restaurants he looked up specifically for secrecy. Samuel did not like having to hide Rita like this, most of the danger was over but she had asked for it because she did not trust him or believe him. He hoped he could change that.
The food arrived and Rita wondered just how many women he had brought here to this very restaurant. Fine as it was, enough to sigh in awe, she could not help thinking about it but she was too tired to keep it up. Sparring with him had taken away most of her energy and her anger. That was his plan after all, he had told her but it surprised her just how well it worked. And deep down, helped. But it did not stem her resentment or her distrust.
The food was delicious.
“So any reason why your jabs were mostly aimed at my head?” he inquired before putting the glass of water to his lips.
Rita swallowed the vegetable in her mouth. “I wanted to crack it open.” she snarked.
“Didn't realize you were that violent.” he remarked.
She smiled at him. “Only for you.” She went back to her plate. “Besides, not like you felt anything anyway.” He gave a small smile but did not answer, affirming her statement without saying a word. Rita wanted to punch him.
“You did not just bring me here for lunch.” she stated. She had seen this setting before.
“I wanted to more or less tell you what having and being a mate entailed.”
First day and they were diving in already. He really wanted her to believe the shit he was yapping on about. “Yeah, you did.”
“How much do you know about mates?” he asked.
“That they are maybe more or less the same as any regular human relationship.” Rita remembered the first class she had taken on the subject. It was safe to say that more than the class population was disappointed with the facts.
“Not quite.” “I'm sure you have read some stories about werewolves,”
Yeah like how they were more romantic with soulmates and how they would do anything to protect them. Never said a thing about their liking for secret cameras and putting said mate up against a rock, a hard place with a noose around their neck. “Yes, and I know not everything they said was exactly factual.”
“Correct. What else?”
It seemed this was going to be a lecture revision. “I know that marking is a thing.” She caught the slight way he perked up and the unnatural glow that started in his eyes. “And a supernatural regardless of their position cannot do that without a two year period after marriage. Thankfully.” she pointedly added.
“Yes, thankfully.” Samuel murmured under his breath. “Well aside from that, after the marking specifically, mates cannot leave the relationship.”
Her eyes widened to the size of plates. What?!? There was no way she was agreeing to this mate thing in the first place but this definitely solidified it.
“Never?” she asked incredulously.
“No.” he affirmed. He gave her a few minutes to digest the situation before continuing. “A mate is like the other half of you, you feel their joy, happiness, anger, pain,” Rita wondered if period pains was also inclusive. “And death. And just like whatever stories you have read that kind of pain is crippling and potentially life threatening.”
“That bad?” she asked.
“Yes.” So is rejection. “I know I have not done my best on the last part but I want to. I know I've been a major asshole recently and in the past but I want to make up for that.”
The wine came and the waiter set the bottle and the glasses down before bowing out.
Rita took a look at the bottle. “It is non-alcoholic, don't worry.” Samuel assured.
“It's also Pancherie.” she remarked. Sure it was non-alcoholic but it was one of the most expensive wines in the world. “Not trying anything are you?”
“No nothing.” Maybe a little. In all honesty, he thought she would not notice. “Now tell me about you.” he said, pouring them both a glass.
She took the glass in her hand but did not respond to the question. but asked one of her own. “Seems this is a big decision, why me?”
He was confused. “What do you mean?”
She explained. “Why pick me of all people to be your mate? I'm sure there are a lot more women with more than I've got physically, money and power-wise who would love the shot that you're offering me. So why?”