Chapter 143

Carol’s POV

The restaurant was right in the heart of the city. Most of this section of the city was occupied by wolves because it was technically wolf territory. So, having humans around was a bit strange, but not entirely rare. The driver stopped in front of the gorgeous and rustic-looking building.

The ride through the city was admittedly a bit awakened; none of us really knew what to say. My parents were too busy cooing at everything they’d seen so far, and Fiona spent time fidgeting with her hands and gazing out the window while Oliver spent the entire time gazing at her.

A couple of times I had to kick him to keep him in check. Needless to say, this dinner was certainly going to be interesting.

The driver got out of the car and opened the back doors for us. I slipped my hand into Aiden’s and gave him a small smile as he helped me out of the car. Oliver looked like he was about to help Fiona out, but she scurried out of the car before he could even get to her. Awkwardly, he frowned and shoved his hands into his pockets. His gaze landed on the ground, and I could see the defeat on his face.

My heart tugged for him, but I also couldn’t blame my best friend for being a bit skittish. It’s not that Oliver was a bad guy, but he had a bit of a womanizer reputation about him. I had mentioned it briefly to Fiona in the past, but it wasn’t meant as anything and I doubted she even remembered that conversation.

These last few months, while Oliver adapts to his role as Beta, he’s been so busy that I doubted he even had time for any women. Fiona was the kind who feared relationships, even though I knew she was romantic at heart.

“Alpha Cruz,” the host at the front of the restaurant greeted us as soon as we walked into the building.

This was a 5-star restaurant, the best in the city. Aiden wanted to greet my family with something special for their first night in the city and I loved him that much more for it. He wasn’t the kind to flaunt his money but felt my family deserved a night of elegancy.

“Follow me to your table,” the host said, motioning for us to follow him.

We followed the host across the room and towards a large glass table with candles in the center. We sat near the ceiling-to-floor-length windows, which overlooked the harbor. Behind the horizon were the twinkling lights of the city. It was the most beautiful view I had ever seen; my heart swelled when I saw my parents’ faces light up at the sight.

The host handed us menus and explained that the waitress would be right with us before he left to greet the other customers that just walked through the door.

Fiona decided to sit next to me after all, but Oliver sat in front of her, which made it impossible for her to look elsewhere. She fixed her attention out the window instead of looking at the one person she so desperately wanted to look at. Aiden sat on the other side of me and when I looked up at him, I saw the love in his eyes as he looked back at me. I couldn’t help but blush.

I was about to be officially mated and marked by this man; I loved him so much and my heart was so full of happiness. He leaned down and brushed his lips across mine; for a moment, I forgot that we were in the presence of my parents.

“You two are just the sweetest,” my mother said, ruining the moment.

My smile grew as I looked at her.

“You look so happy, Carol dear,” she continued, tears clear in her eyes.

I rested my head on Aiden’s shoulder and sighed contently.

“I am,” I told her. “I’m so excited to be mated to him.”

“I don’t care who you are and how powerful you may be if you ever hurt her—” My father began to say, his eyes narrowed at Aiden.

“Daddy!” I scolded, my mouth hanging open.

Aiden squeezed my leg gently and winked at me before looking at my father.

“Hurting your daughter is something I would never do. But if I do… I promise, I’ll let you do whatever it is you need to do,” he assured my father who seemed to relax in his seat and nodded approvingly at Aiden.

I knew this was just a front; my father had made it a point plenty of times that he actually liked Aiden. He liked him way more than he liked Zach, my ex who cheated on me right in front of me. I shuddered at the memory of Zach. In a way, I was grateful for what happened to him. If it weren’t for Zach, I might not have found Aiden, and I wouldn’t have been so happy right now.

“Sorry to keep you waiting Alpha,” a female voice said from behind us, startling me.

I looked up to see a pretty blonde with long straight hair tied back in a low ponytail. She wore a gorgeous back-dress and a ton of jewelry.

“It’s no problem Margerie,” he said, nodding at her. “Can you grab us a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch?”

“Of course,” she said. “Did you want to put in an appetizer?”

“How about an order of stuffed peppers and fried calamari?”

“Right away,” she said, writing it down on her notepad and walking away, her hips swaying as she walked.

A random surge of jealousy hit me, and I swallowed it down. I would not be jealous of a woman I just met. As if sensing my mood change, Aiden leaned toward me and whispered, “She’s worked here for a long time. She’s great at her job but not much else. You have nothing to worry about ever. I love you.”

I reddened, hating that my emotions were so easily displayed that he knew exactly what was wrong. But I also loved that he reassured me so quickly. I kissed him gently on the cheek and smiled at him.

“That cabernet is quite expensive. About $400 a bottle,” my father pointed out, his brows raised. “You didn’t have to order something that pricy for us.”

“You are my mate's parents. There isn’t anything too expensive for you,” Aiden replied.

“This entire menu is expensive,” Fiona breathed as she gazed at all the items. I hadn’t even bothered looking at the menu yet. I was too busy enjoying this moment with my family and loving every second of it.

“You don’t have to worry about paying for anything,” Oliver told her quickly. “You’ll never have to pay for anything again as long as you are with me. So, order anything you’d like.”

She frowned.

“I don’t mind paying for stuff too,” she told him pointedly. “I quite enjoy working.”

He raised his brows at her.

“What is it you do for work?” He asked her; I admired that he was trying to casually get to know her during this dinner. I worried he wouldn’t know what to say to her and remained quiet the entire time.

“I’m a fashion designer,” she explained.

It was true; Fiona had gone to school for design while I studied finances and business. She was a great fashion designer and was pretty much known around the small town we lived in. She’s a contract designer though and only gets paid when she’s under contract. She gets paid quite well for what she does, but finding work has been difficult for her lately. I know she’s going through a dry spell that she won’t admit to. I tell her often that she needs to expand her advertisement and find work outside of the town, maybe even open her own boutique. But I know she worries she isn’t good enough, despite how confident she may seem.

“We have a great fashion franchise in the Capitol,” Oliver told her thoughtfully. “I could set you up with an interview and—”

“I’m capable of getting clients by myself,” she said notedly, surprising me.

Her face was red with dismay, and I put my hand on her arm. She glanced at me, and realization flashed in her eyes that she was too cold.

She sighed and cleared her throat, looking back at Oliver.

“I don’t mean to be rude,” she finally said. “I apologize.”

He gave her a crooked smile.

“You don’t have to apologize, Fiona,” he told her. The way he said her name was almost growly and I could see the goosebumps rising on her arms. “I’m sure you can get any job in the world. I just wanted to be helpful. We are always looking for new designers.”

She nodded.

“Perhaps I can meet with the franchise then,” she said, biting her lower lip.

Oliver smiled and nodded.

Margerie returned moments later with the wine and poured us each a glass.

“I can’t believe I’m drinking $400 wine,” Fiona breathed, inhaling it deeply.

My mother raised her glass.

“To Carol and Aiden,” she said sweetly, making us all raise our glasses. “And their lifetime together.”

“To Carol and Aiden,” the others chanted, clinking our glasses together before taking a sip. The wine was delicious, and the flavors exploded in my mouth.

I moaned, drawing Aiden’s attention.

“Keep moaning like that and we won’t make it through dinner,” he said against my ear.

I blushed and gazed up at him, my cheeks on fire. His eyes landed on my lips, and I had a speck of wine on my bottom lip. His hand rubbed warm circles around my inner thoughts, causing my lower abdomen to light on fire with arousal.

“I think I need to run to the restroom,” I announced. “I’ll be back shortly. If the waitress returns, can you order me prime rib, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables?”

“Sure,” my mother said.

I quickly got up, making Aiden’s hand drop from my leg and I scurried away from the table before my arousal became evident to every wolf in this building.