Finn

Finally! I had my girl right next to me. In my car going on a date. I could reach out and touch her if I wanted to. Which I won't. She would probably think that's a bit forward at this point. It's kind of ironic to think the only reason I was out on patrol that morning was because Camden was hung over and asked me to cover for him. Who knows if I would have found my mate otherwise. Catching her scent was the most amazing feeling in the world. She smells like jasmine when you barely catch a whiff of it on the wind and just a hint of honey. I followed that smell like my life depended on it.

Turns out it did. If I had gotten there thirty seconds later that rogue probably would have killed her. I tore that fucker to pieces before I went to find her. Even after the wolf scare, I was still surprised at how guarded she was around me. Usually girls fawn all over me. It's annoying. But not my girl. Nope. She accused me of being a serial killer. Ian, my alpha, almost died laughing when I told him about that.

It's been so hard to stay away from her. Walking back into the woods that day took all of my willpower. Not knowing if she would call me was incredibly nerve-wracking. Of course I couldn't just let my mate go off into the world with no idea who she was or where she was going. While she was talking to her friend I mind linked her license plate info to our tech guy in the pack and had her full name and address before she hung up the phone. I've been swinging by her house a few times a day just to check on her. Not like peeking in her windows or any creepy shit like that. It makes me nervous that she lives alone especially since she's injured right now. I mostly hang out for a few hours at night just keeping an eye on things. That's why I was sleeping when she called me. I've been slacking on my duties a little but everyone is being really understanding. I don't think she's even left her house. Her car is back but it looks like it's been in the exact same place since someone dropped it off. I haven't seen her leave either. I caught a glimpse of her one day when she had a package delivered. I wish I knew what was in it, she seemed pretty excited about it. She even did a little happy dance on her front porch when she saw it. It was adorable.

Adorable?

Ugh I don't think I've ever referred to anything as adorable in my entire life. But my little mate? Yeah she's fucking adorable and I don't care who knows it.

And she's a spitfire. With an attitude like that, I bet if she were a werewolf she'd be mated to an alpha. She's got dominance for days. But that makes her perfect for a beta like me.

And goddess is she beautiful. She's just a little thing. Such tiny legs. She's so cute. Long dark brown hair, creamy skin, button nose, plush pink lips, bright green eyes, trim waist and her boobs. Good God when she squished them together in the forest I nearly buried my face in them. I'm lucky I didn't. She probably would have suffocated me with them as revenge.

But there are worse ways to die.

I was worried when I smelled that she was human that she wouldn't really react to the bond at all. In fact I was pretty sure she didn't feel anything at all until she said her arm was tingly where she touched me. That was a damn relief! It's a little more difficult with her being human, I have to be careful how I go about this. I asked a few of the other pack guys that were mated to humans how they broke the news of our world. They all said the same thing, date her and let her fall in love like a normal human first. Which sounds great in theory unless you have an incredibly powerful and dominant wolf who's only concern is marking and mating our girl so everyone knows she is mine.

Talk about stressful.

But I'll do my best to do this right. She's worth it. I had almost given up hope on finding my mate. We can recognize our other half at eighteen, most wolves find their mate within a year. So me being twenty three was kind of concerning. Not just for me personally, but the pack is stronger with all of our leadership in place. Ian found his Luna years ago. The beta female was the only one missing. But not anymore.

"Tell me about yourself." I turn my attention towards my mate.

"Well..." she hesitates before continuing. "I'm twenty two, I'm a teacher, and I used to like hiking in my spare time. Not so much anymore." I chuckle a little.

"What kind of teacher are you?"

"Second grade." My heart swells with pride. A beta female helps with the children of the pack and so far my girl is perfect.

"What about you mystery man?" She gives me a sly grin and I smile back.

"I'm twenty three, I work security for a gated community and I like to run in my spare time. My parents live nearby, so do my little brother Camden and my little sister Sophie."

"Ugh I'm so jealous. I don't have any siblings. I always wanted them though. Growing up as an only child was a little lonely."

"Well, I'd be happy to share mine with you. Especially my sister. That girl never stops talking." She giggles a little and I think it's the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.

"So, there's an Itialian place, Indian, Chinese and a burger joint all within a three block radius. Pick your preference."

I thought I was pretty clever with this idea.

"Hmmm... a burger sounds amazing. But so does crab ragoons. But Italian places always have the best bread."

I did not see this coming.

'She needs to fall in love with us! Give her what she wants.' My wolf presses.

"How about this? Tell me what you want from each place. I'll call them and order it for take out and we can go eat at that park a few minutes away." She looked at me with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"You'd do that for me?"

'I'd do just about anything for you. Probably too soon to tell you that.'

"Of course. If it would make you happy." She gave me an endearing smile and seemed like she couldn't break her eyes from me.

Damn, did that do things for my ego.

Calli helped me call in the orders and we ended up with a burger each, fries, crab ragoons and egg rolls to share as well as a large side of bread and butter along with a salad with extra parmesan from the Italian place. The most interesting dinner I've ever had.

"This is amazing, Finn thank you. Just the idea of grocery shopping makes my ankle hurt so I've been living off of what's in my house."

"Well, we can't have you starving. Then I couldn't take you on a second date." I flashed a cocky grin at her and she blushed a beautiful shade of red. I couldn't stop myself, I reached across the picnic table and ran the back of my hand down her cheek. She looked surprised at the contact, but not upset. The mate bond was stronger now, my whole hand lit up with tingles and it was spectacular.

We didn't make it to the movie. We sat and talked about our childhoods, our favorite things, our friends, what we like to do for holidays, what movies we like and what music we listen to. She even let me look through her playlist on her phone.

"You have quite the collection here. Lee Brice, Queen, AC/DC, Kansas, Zac Brown Band, and... the entire Hamilton soundtrack? Really?"

"Hey!" She says with mock defensiveness. "I will not sit here and listen to you talk shit about Hamilton. Lin Manuel Miranda is a national treasure and deserves to be treated as such." I couldn't help but chuckle at her intensity.

"I guess I can't say much since I've never seen it." She gasped and looked at me like I grew a second head.

"Well," she gives me a soft sweet smile "maybe we can watch it together sometime." Her saying she wants to spend more time with me makes my stomach do a somersault and I struggle not to pump my fist in the air. I settle for smiling back at her.

"I would like that."

We reached her house so I got out and opened her door for her. She let me hold her hand as we walked up to her front door and it made me feel twelve years old again.

"So, you think you could suffer through another date with me?" I asked.

"Hmmm..." she put her pointer finger on her chin and pretended to be deep in thought. "I suppose I could stomach it."

Her face broke out into a wide bright smile that nearly made my knees buckle. God this woman has me wrapped around her finger and doesn't even know it.

"Just tell me when, sweetheart. I'll be there."

"What if I said tomorrow?"

"Don't tease me now. A man can only take so much false hope." She tipped her head back and laughed and all I could think of was running my tongue up her gorgeous neck.

"How about Saturday? Hopefully my ankle will be back to normal by then."

"Sounds good. Can I call you tomorrow?" She looked surprised by my question. Maybe she wasn't used to men calling or soon. Or asking permission. The idea of that one pissed me off. She nodded yes to my question and looked at me shyly

"Goodnight Finn."

"Goodnight Calli."

She turned to go in her front door then stopped, turned back to me quickly and kissed my cheek. Her face flushed bright red again and I smiled wide.

"Thanks again for dinner."

"Anything for you sweetheart."

She went inside and I started the drive back to the packhouse. I don't remember any of it, I was too busy daydreaming about that kiss.