Chapter 166

The past week is a blur of kisses, laughs, and hard work as Lucas and I meet every morning at Shadow High's training facility.

I've felt my mood improved significantly thanks to how much time I've been able to spend with Lucas.

He was trying to make sure that I felt special and appreciated every time he saw me. Every morning he'd greet me with a "Hello, beautiful" and wrap me in his arms for a hug.

I felt better than I had in weeks since finding out about my wolf and my father's betrayal. Not only mentally and emotionally, but also physically.

It seemed impossible to think that a few days of working out would be able to make such a change in my physical strength. Even Lucas mentioned it to me this morning as we finished our session.

"I can tell your body is craving the need to exert itself." Lucas also noted how toned I looked. "Don't you feel a difference?"

"My mind feels so clear," I told him. "Ever since we started training this week, I haven't felt any strangeness or overwhelming symptoms."

Was focusing on using all of my energy in training sessions the key to keep my wolf away?

In a way, working out was like a release. I was able to let go of anything that was stressing me out, and dedicate time to work on myself.

Just when I thought that my week couldn't get any better, Lucas surprised me by mentioning that he had another date planned for us.

It felt like he had really taken my concerns into consideration. He was making a genuine effort to make me happy and show me that things hadn't changed just because he was living with his father again.

It seemed like we were finally getting back to where we were.

But as the day went on, I wondered how Lucas would be able to pull of having a date without Kendrick noticing. Maybe he would take me somewhere more private?

I knew that Kendrick had eyes all over town, and Lucas mentioned that his father had been making him use the family chauffeur much more.

He didn't tell me much this morning after her broke the news to me. He had just told me to prepare for a date tonight, leaving a lingering kiss on my cheek.

I'm sure that whatever he had planned, it would be special.

As I was walking out of school heading toward my car, I was surprised to see Lucas leaning against my passenger door. I looked around anxiously, hoping that nobody saw him.

"Lucas?" I asked in a hushed whisper, coming to stand in front of him. "What are you doing? Someone's going to see you."

Lucas only smiled and shook his head.

"What is it?" I asked, feeling very confused by his actions.

"My father is out of town for a meeting until late tonight," Lucas said, allowing me to process. "He's taken his whole security personnel with him."

"So..." I trailed off, unsure of what this meant.

"Sooo," Lucas pulled me into him by wrapping a large hand around my waist. "Our date tonight is going to be uninterrupted, and we don't have to worry about anyone spying on us."

"Really?" I questioned, still feeling a bit unsure. My eyes scanned our school's parking lot. "Nobody is watching you now?"

"I already checked to make sure," Lucas reassured me. "He left at noon, and won't be back till after midnight."

My heart thudded in my chest at the possibility of getting to spend alone time with Lucas without having to think Kendrick would find out.

Lucas must've noticed the sparkle in my eyes because he bent his head down, rubbing his nose against mine affectionately. "Happy?"

"Very," I said with a smile.

Lucas pecked my lips before pulling back and gesturing for me to enter the car.

"Where are we going?" I asked, sliding into my passenger seat as Lucas insisted on taking over the wheel.

"It's surprise, I can't tell you."

"I don't like surprises."

Lucas laughed at me, giving me an effortless grin that brightened up his entire face. "I know you don't, but I do."

We drove for a long time and eventually hit the part of town where the trees began to grow more dense. Lucas drove us through the woods up the winding road.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, wondering if we were going to visit the cabin in the woods again.

"It's not what you think," he explained. "But this is the same road we went down for our first date."

"It seems like so long ago," I mumbled more to myself as I looked out the window at the greenery.

A few more minutes passed by and Lucas turned down a small dirt road. After a few hundred feet, I noticed that he had stopped next to a creek.

I hopped out of the car and the sound of running water and the peaceful, serene surroundings instantly relaxed me. The fact that we were alone in the great outdoors was an added bonus.

"This is our date?" I asked as I pointed to the creek.

Lucas kicked a rock on the road absentmindedly. "Yeah, I thought you might like it."

"I do," I nodded. "Are we going to go swimming? I don't have my swim suit with me..."

"You have underwear on, don't you?"

I began to smile. "Was this just an excuse to have me take my clothes off?"

Lucas gave me a innocent, wolfish grin. "No..."

I couldn't help but laugh at his clear lie, and I started to take off my shirt. "Last one in the creek is the loser!"

"Oh no you don't!" Lucas shouted, beginning to race to take off his own clothes.

When I finally jumped in the creek, the water was cold and provided a shock to my system.

"Oh my God!" I yelped over the water, looking over at Lucas who wore a similar expression on his face.

"Cold?" he asked.

"A little!" I said back.

He swarm closer toward me and wrapped his arms around me, providing some much needed warmth.

"Ahh," I sighed into his arms, throwing my hands behind his neck. "That's much better."

Lucas chuckled, his gaze never leaving mine. "I didn't consider how cold the water might be this time of year."

"It's okay," I grinned, holding him closer to me. "You know, it's been a while since we've done something like this."

"I know, Shana. We haven't had enough dates."

We floated in the water, and I looked around at the woods beyond, getting lost in the beauty.

When I turned back to look at Lucas, I noticed that he started making funny faces, causing me to burst into laughter.

"What are you doing?" I asked him, pretending like I was annoyed. "I'm trying to relax and you're trying to make me laugh."

"Good, I want you to laugh." He buried his face in the crook of my neck, making me feel hot all over. "I love your laugh

"You always know how to make me smile," I said, leaning in for a kiss.