Tomorrow is finally here. My body slides into the booth where Milo sits twirling her hair around her finger. The Alpha and Luna are still avoiding one another, and neither plan to talk through their problems anytime soon, so I'm choosing to life my life how I need to. That includes finally getting to take in the scent of the beautiful woman across from me, her eyes the warmest welcome I've ever been graced from the sky to see, "You look well rested, Milo." Edible, delicious, tantalizing. Everything I want and more.

"I assumed if we're talking dollar, I should look a little more put together than I had yesterday." Her voice is music. A perfect melody, a song that I'll forever want on repeat. Who knew I'd be such a lovesick dog at her feet from just the short moments we've spent together. How is Ares not groveling? How is he fighting off all these emotions and keeping himself contained? Her one blue eye, the other green meet mine with another type of grin, "You look well rested as well, Tyson."

"I must admit I wanted to look my best for you. Feel obliged to show my good side." I return. It's not a lie. My wolf scratched at my insides until I put on my best clothes and made sure every hair was in place. Everything relies on this conversation. I'm determined not to snatch her up like the other wolves, determined to do this in the most normal – give me grace – way possible.

"You've done well. More handsome than I remembered." Milo turns bright red at her admittance. Her chin drops down to stare at the white napkin, then twirl the straw sitting in her water. It's amusing watching her fluster over someone who's all hers.

"You think I'm handsome?" I must mess with her. Get her to admit more. I love the validation that she finds me just as appealing. Gives me an edge I might need later, "Never mind. Your red cheeks tell me enough." Her snort goes through the whole place right as the server comes up to the table. She rattles off her order while I just point to the first thing with beef in it. Milo asks if we can get an appetizer, to which I mistakenly asked if she wanted one of everything. Get yourself in control.

"I must admit I'm a little put off by you." She runs her pointer finger over the rim of her wine glass. I've chosen to stick to water. No need to tempt a side of uncontrol, "Showed up out of nowhere offering me all the money I could ask for. At a coffee shop no less. You can see where I might find that confusing."

"I'll admit to eavesdropping." It's a sheepish response. Just one to keep her talking, "But I won't admit to lying. I truly believe you'd offer value to our company." The pack, my home, everything in between. The Luna would love to have a genuine friend, as soon as her heartbreak can be tended to properly, and it's possible she could be the balance of reason the Luna needs. Not that I plan to use you. I think to myself. The Luna deserves a good person by her side, and she seems like a great start.

"A company of wolves?"

My water spews across the table covering the right side of the booth, "What?"

"I've heard about the bank. Like wolves tearing up any competition. It's rather brash how you handle business. Haven't you heard the nickname?" She tilts her head to the side seemingly confused by my reaction, "That seemed dramatic."

"As yes a nickname." I think I almost peed myself in a restaurant, "Tell me more about yourself. Business can wait."

"Myself?" She taps her chin a couple times before responding, "I've grown up on 12th street. Currently I work at a company that gives absolutely no care to their employees. After a long battle, I've stumbled across a tiny fortune that would allow me to see the world."

"You sold a home, correct?" That was creepy, Tyson. Tone it down.

"Good... ear. My late husband was good enough to plan a substantial life insurance policy, and I sold our home after everything was settled. His mother tormented me over it demanding it was hers to claim, but my lawyer was better." She runs her hand through her hair growing in discomfort, "I can't believe I just told you that. I'm so sorry."

"Never be sorry, Milo. I'm here for you." But I can't say I'm not happy he's dead, "How are you holding up? Is this recent?"

"Three years give or take? We never had time for kids, and all my personal family is dead. After Richard died, I was left with money and loneliness. It wasn't until recently that I decided I wanted to see what the world could offer me instead of what I could offer it."

"I'm not trying to pry, just trying to understand... but you don't seem sad. Has three years been enough time for you to process all your emotions?"

"Ha!" She tosses her head back a real belly laugh leaving her, "We didn't marry for love. My family, while dead, had good connections. Our marriage was purely power based. That's not saying he didn't treat me well. He did the best our situation allowed, but his murder wasn't a surprise. One bad wolf can rip you to shreds if you don't gamble well enough." Her hand goes to cover her mouth, "Again apologies. I don't know why I feel so comfortable with you."

Because I'm yours. No matter what's happened, "Murder then. Were they convicted?"

"I wasn't charged with anything if that's what you're asking."

"Huh?" Did she murder him?

"I'm only sharing this because it seems I feel like telling you every other dark, horrible thing about me." A long-drawn-out breath, then a heavier intake, "I became friends with the wrong person. She tried to frame me after attempting to seduce my very loyal husband. When he denied her, she stabbed him through the heart. At first, they believed it was a simple wife murders cheating husband, but I was able to use footage from our home security to clear my name. However, that doesn't solve the bad name I've been given in society. Milo Holden is still known as someone who violently murdered her husband and framed the other woman. Talk about fucking irony."

"And now that everything's settled you want to travel the world?"

"I just want to know what it's like to own my own life. Make decisions that aren't a business deal, spend money I worked so hard to earn. I suppose that doesn't have to be traveling... but it's the first thing that came to mind." Her hand brushes her hair behind her ear, the server dropping the food at our table at the same moment.

"And how does that put you across this table from a man wanting to cut a deal with you?"

Another small laugh combined with her eyes meeting mine, "I don't believe in coincidences, Tyson Wells. Something about you tells me I'm supposed to know you, and I don't believe it's over a job."

"Very perceptive." Let me drag you out of here and worship every inch of you, Milo.

"What is it then?" She pops a single vegetable in her mouth. An eyebrow's raise taunts me, "Are you about to tell me we're soulmates or something?"

Silence. I'm rocked to my core across from her. How can the goddess make it so easy? Is this because I've waited so long? I get a perfect woman that's so intelligent to stand by my side? Will I be able to take her home with me and love her from this moment forth? And will this wolf stop imaging her naked.

"It's not or something then." Another veggie, then a long drag of her wine, "Will I be making it home today Tyson Wells or is this my final meal as a free woman?"

"I wanted to be as normal as possible Milo. I didn't understand how... aware you could be of crazier situations."

"I've heard stories when I was a child. My father was crazy about big businessmen, claimed that something was animal about them. He would tell me stories of beautiful women suddenly disappearing, and then days later in love with these... Called it a cult. That's how the world came to know these big shots as wolves. It felt the most appropriate. And if it isn't or something, a gut feeling tells me I'll be suddenly disappearing."

"Milo..."

"Is it a cult then?"

"Not a cult. Not even close."

"Will I be taken care of?" Rapid fire I suppose.

"You won't want for anything."

"May I at least finish my meal?" That must be important to her. 

"I hadn't plan to steal you away today." Honest answer. How could this have gone so wrong?

"What was you plan then?"

"When you loved me."

"I don't know if I'm capable of that." That hurts my soul.

"See me as a monster then?"

"I'll withhold my judgements for now."

She continues to eat her meal as if a life altering conversation isn't happening. Milo chooses to focus on taking small bites and savoring each taste as if it might be her last. I ache that she thinks I plan to kill her, or steal her, but I worry about her lack of concern for her well-being. She's just accepted that someone she's never met is planning on taking her away, "Tell me your thoughts."

"Now that I'm aware of the situation, there's no way you'll let me leave. You have no trust in me which is allowable. I'll run the moment my foot hits the sidewalk. So, for now, I'm going to enjoy this meal. Afterwards you'll take me to my apartment and let me gather my things, then we'll travel to wherever I'll be tucked away until I've gained your trust." Another tick. She stuffs too much hair behind her ear, "Does that sound alright to you?"

Yes. Absolutely, "I can tell you'll worry me."

"You aren't the first person in my life to say that."

~

Contrary to any plans I had for the day, like being a perfect gentleman and convincing her to go on a date with me, I stand her tiny apartment holding a box of her most precious items, "Don't worry, I'll leave all the tech here. You can buy me new one's later, right?" She turns her odd colored eyes towards me. Milo is completely unpredictable. Even Luna Veronica had a typical human reaction to the idea of being kidnapped. Why isn't Milo running? Hiding? Screaming? Why is she so violently silent?

"You can bring your own..." But I'll have to lock them away. This was never my intention, why am I doing this? Because she offered and it made the most sense? Because I'm a selfish wolf that wants to kiss every inch of her in thanks?

"Alright. Everything I care about is in the box. Anything else you can do whatever your people do."

"Mm. My people will legally join us, then handle selling everything. Any profit will be wired into my account within the week."

"Marriage. How fun." She scratches the top of her head, "I suppose I should grab one more thing."

She rushes off to her bedroom where loud, pink covers are piled up. I watch from the corner of my eye when she lifts the pillow and pulls out a blue blanket that looks like it's seen better days. She takes care to wrap it gently around her arm and snuggle her face into it before walking back. It's the sure nod that gets us moving to my car. I lower the box into the trunk while she drops herself into the passenger seat. I can't believe this fucking happening.

I lower myself into the driver seat and take a moment to process, "Am I able to bombard with questions now that I'm safely in your car?"

"I have no prediction on what's going to happen next with you, so might as well."

"At least let us lay some ground rules."

I snicker, "Yes, lets."

She rubs her thumb and forefinger over her jaw to think a few moments, but it's the light that comes through her eyes when she finally settles on something that brings a smile to my face. I'm sad at the thought of having to focus on the road instead of her, "Is this a harem type situation?"

I growl, "No fucking way." Turn it down Tyson. Just a notch. Maybe two.

Milo keeps her stare on me, "I don't want to be forced into sex. You're very handsome, so I'm not saying it's out of the picture, but genuinely I would like to offer the chance to make the decision."

"I want to make something very clear, Milo." It's through gritted teeth, "I won't force myself upon you. You'll get tired of my need to be around you, and possibly see a frustration of being denied, but you allow me to feel that. Never let my reactions or emotions pressure you, guilt you, or convince you." Or we'll end up like the Alpha and Luna who can't communicate for shit and secretly can't figure out left from right.

"And what does the annoyance include?"

"We'll share a bedroom, and you'll attend meals with me. When we arrive, I'll sit you down and go through more... details about this situation with you. You'll meet a good friend of mine, and we'll go from there. Day by day."

"You're not actually a banker, are you?"

"It's a cover up."

"But not a cult?"

"We prefer the term pack." First slip up. She's good. Keep tossing questions until the other person can't slow down enough to think about their answer. Now I'd really have to chain her up if she rushed from the car. It's one thing for humans to jokingly call us animals, it's another to have confirmation of the rumors, "Why are you handling this so well?"

She takes her time before responding. It's almost like I've hit a soft spot, "If I must be taken, I might as well make the decision for myself, yes? Me coming willingly gives me more control over this, something that feels necessary."

"I've never met someone like you, Milo."

"Hold your tongue, you'll be calling me a bitch soon enough."

The rest of the drive is simple banter between us. I pull up to my home and she lets me help her carry things inside, even takes a moment to travel through the room and make note of the set up. My wolf loves having her in our space, especially now that her scent will linger on our items. Something in me rests well, a worry that hadn't been settled until this moment, "Tell me your thoughts."

"Your home is beautiful Tyson. The land even more breathtaking. A good place to be held for a while." It's sent with a wink. I can't decide if she's a lunatic, super go with the flow, or genuinely just trying to keep control of a very non-controlled situation. No matter what, her beauty brings me to my knees and whatever the answer won't stop me from kneeling for her.

A knock on the door pauses our conversation. It's Tusk, "Hey Ty! The A- Who are you?" Tusk nods his head to the very human woman standing in the corner of the living room. For the first time her eyes hold fear. Her instincts send her scurrying behind me, a hand gripping my arm as reassurance. I almost rip Tusks head off just from her very expected reaction, "Tyson is this her?"

"Milo, I'd like you to meet Tusk. He's the Gamma of the pack. Tusk this is Milo, my mate."

And finally, she makes a normal reaction. Her eyes go wide as saucers. Tusk has his claws out, speckles of fur over the tops of his hand while he finishes up his shift back to human, "I fucking knew it." And her body falls back, the darkness taking her from reality at the realization.

"Should I say congrats or get a pack doctor?"

"Tusk."

"Got it! Got it! Going!" 

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