A kiss that is never tasted, is forever and ever wasted. --Billie Holiday

Wine comes in at the mouth And love comes in at the eye; That's all we shall know for truth Before we grow old and die. --William Butler Yeats

Who would have thought that the moon goddess would bless me with such an amazing mate such as Serenity? Everything about her makes me feel alive that I can do anything with her by my side. I'm grateful that she excepts my wolf side and is willing to go on a date with me tonight. Things are looking up and I want it to stay that way. I know there are still things that need to be done with her family and for the fact that I would like her to move in with me. From what I know she is staying at Melody's place until she finds her own. Convincing her to move in with me might be moving a bit too fast for her and I don't want her to feel pressured into anything. Darren will do the same since he wants Melody to move in. I'm looking forward to tonight's dinner, but I'm suddenly getting a bad feeling about it. Is there something I'm overlooking? Right now, Serenity is with Melody as she gets ready for our date.

"What troubles the great alpha," David said popping out of nowhere almost making me punch the living hell out of him.

"Nothing. Just thinking about how I can impress Serenity with our date tonight. Where is Darren? He should be back now."

If I know Darren it's that he's never late. He's always creepy on time with everything. I hope now that he has a mate, he can loosen up more. I blame myself for giving him more work then he should have. If he was human the stress of the workload would have killed him. Time to give him a day off fast.

"He was talking with the girls till Melody took Darren away so that she could talk to him. Probably she's going to tell him she's a mermaid." David said taking a seat on the couch.

Did he know?

"How did you know she was a mermaid?"

"I was there at the pool when I saw her snap her finger creating a small wave."

Well, that explains where he was when I was looking for him. Bet he was trying to skip out on work like always.

"So, I take it Serenity is okay with you being a werewolf? I'm happy for you man. I know she will make a great Luna."

The way David said that had a hint of sadness in his voice. Could he be thinking of his late love Emilia? I don't know how he could go on knowing that his mate is forever gone. Just thinking of losing Serenity brings a great deal of pain in my heart.

"For David it's painful. His mate was killed a hundred years ago and that pain will forever be with him." Noir said.

Noir is right. The pain of losing a mate can drive a wolf to go insane. Most rouges out there are ones who have lost their mate filling their hearts with nothing but darkness. That part of love they once had is forever gone so killing never bothers them. I feel for them however even if they lost a loved one, they can't just go killing freely. It's mine and other packs duty to stop all rouges by the order of the alpha king. On the bright side, there are some good rouges out there just looking for a pack to call their home. I don't mind that at all. From where David stands, I'm proud of him for not becoming a heartless bloodsucker of the night.

"Sean is it all right if I take a day off. It will soon be Emilia's anniversary and I like to visit her."

He doesn't have to ask. I would let him go even if he didn't tell me.

"Of course, you can." It makes me wonder if a vampire and can a second chance mate? Getting a second chance mate is extremely rare. There have only been minor cases where it's happened to some lucky wolves. Not just wolves but with dragon shifters too. I could ask David, but I don't want to further his pain. I'm sure he might not want another mate. If he did then he would have been searching long ago.

"Thanks, man. If you want you can come with me too. You never really got to see her grave. You can even bring your mate along too."

"You should take up his offer Sean. This could be a good chance for Serenity to understand the mate bond and what it truly means to us all."

Noir is right. This can be a good chance for that. I'll have to talk with Serenity first to see if she would be down to come.

"I would be happy to come along. I'll talk to Serenity about it and see if she will come."

David smiled getting up heading to the open window shifting into his tiny bat form. Now, where is he off to?

"Where are you going?"

He turned his little bat head to me with his pointy ears twitching. I won't admit it but when he is in that small form it is rather cute.

"I'm about to play a prank on Darren then check on your mate for you while you get ready. BTW I heard about that make-out session you did with Serenity and I got to say you failed big time trying to hold in that urge to take her right then and there."

Before I could comment back, he flew out the window at top speed. So, what if I wanted to take her then it's not like she would have stopped me! We both wanted it but just couldn't. I don't want to rush her. What makes me happy is that she's still a virgin. I'm so happy I'll be her first just like she will be mine. Soon I will be in heat and my needs will be crazy hard to control. If I do have my way with her, I'm pretty sure she will not be walking when I'm done with her. Just thinking about Serenity shouting my name in ecstasy is getting me excited. Time to take a cold shower.

The sound of a loud bang caught me by surprise following the yell of Darren screaming David's name. Holy shit! What the hell did he do? Whatever it was pissed him off. Apart from what I want to know what happens but I'm not getting in that. I need to focus on getting ready for my date. Lucky for me I know a great place to take her.

"Just act like yourself and not like a love-struck fool." Noir huffed.

Act like a love-struck fool? He's the one who was howling with pride jumping for joy when we found our mate. If Noir would have taken over, I would have acted like he did and that would have led to a very awkward situation.

After about twenty minutes in the shower, I got myself dressed and a nice black suit and tie. Giving myself a double-take in the mirror I knew I was ready to go. Heading on down I can hear Serenity's sweet laughter and mom. Wait? My mom?!

"Speak of the devil." My mother said looking my way. My eyes instantly fell on Serenity whom my goddess looked so beautiful. She had on a gorgeous black formal grown the neckline of the gown shows the elegance of her beauty. The way the dress hugged her body so perfectly had me thinking of ways to rip it off her.

"Are you just going to keep looking at me or are we leaving for our date?" Serenity said smirking at my reaction to her. She is playing with fire.

"Honestly I raised my son to be better than this. How should I tell this to your father?" Mother said shaking her head sighing.

Serenity giggled as I was pouting taking Serenity by the waist leading her out the mansion to my car.

"Good luck on your date you two!" Melody shouted from the balcony waving with Darren and David at her side. I could see David's mouth to me "Not to blow it." I rolled my eyes opening the passenger seat to Serenity for her to step in. Walking over to my side I get in starting the car driving off.

The ride was silent, but not in an awkward way. Serenity looked to be nervous not knowing if she should say something or not. Seeing act this was adorable making me chuckle.

"You don't have to be so nervous now." I need to find a way to make her feel relaxed.

"This is my first time being excited about a date. Haven't felt this in some time."

The sound in her voice was laced with sadness. Could it be because of that bastard of an ex she dated? He has some nerve treating her like crap. Back at the hotel, I wanted to kill him. Snapping that boy's neck would have been easy for me but I know deep down Serenity wouldn't want me to do something so horrible.

"If it helps. I'm nervous too. I have waited years for my mate to appear. I never went out with any girls because the only one that I should date is my soul mate."

My words seem to have had a big impact on her for she took hold of my right hand holding it into hers giving it a soft squeeze. Telling him that really must have calmed her nerves and even given me some brownie points. Thank you, mother and father, for raising me into the man I am now. Without you both helping me to understand the meaning of a mate and what it means to love I would defiantly be out with many other women.

We arrived at New York's most upscale restaurant called Ko. Reservations can be hard to make, but for me, I had no problem with it. Call me one of the lucky ones if you wish. The reaction Serenity was giving told me that this is all new to her. What the hell kinds of dates has her ex been doing? I know for a fact he's a rich guy to at least take her to some good restaurants out here. Probably took that slut box of a sister to them instead. Parking my car, I stepped oy walking over to Serenity's side opening the door for her. I held out my arm for her to take as we walked in being greeted by the hostess. She led us to our table in a privet room that had a nice view of the city at night with the lights shining bright in the distance. Everything was going the way I wanted. Seeing Serenity try a new food that she liked was like seeing a child get the toy they always wanted on Christmas day. Serenity was telling me how she had a family come in because of their goldfish wouldn't eat. I was so close to spitting out my win as we both laughed thankfully, I swallowed my wine before laughing.

Just when we were about to order dessert a familiar voice calls out my name. I turn my head to see none other than Paisley walking towards my table wearing a very seductive dress. Why is she here and dressed like that? She better not start anything with my mate.

"Sean it's so good to see you. I wanted to apologize for how I was. I spoke out of line not thinking clearly." Paisley said ignoring contact with Serenity on having her eyes on me.

Serenity started to feel uneasy with Paisley around. This girl has a lot of nerve interrupting our date. I don't care if we are friends, I don't need this.

"It's fine," I said. "Look, Paisley, I'm on a date with my lovely mate Serenity right now and I would appreciate it if you could leave."

Paisley looked at Serenity with a burning desire to hurt her. Serenity stood up from her seat walking behind me as she wrapped her arms over my shoulder.

"I can see that you are a friend of Sean, however, I don't like the way you are looking at me. If you have a problem you need to speak. If not leave."

"That's our mate!" Noir beamed with pride.

Serenity's voice was stern making Paisley ball her hands into a fist. I could see that she was ready to shift into her wolf and fight Serenity. How dare she disrespect my mate!

"Paisley! I warn you if you harm my mate, I will kill you!" I shouted using my alpha command on her. The power held in my alpha command caused Paisley to flinch back staring at me wide-eyed. "I'll be sure to let your father alpha Reed know of your behavior towards my mate."

Tears emerged from Paisley's eyes, but I could care less. She's not the friend I once knew. Taking Serenity's hands leading her out of the restaurant leaving Paisley there for her to cry alone.