His Only Reward **Completed and Free**

Chapter 33: Romantic Dinner*

Raoul sprinted back to his quarters and found Sam. “Sam, have all the preparations been made for tonight?” Raoul asked.

Sam smiled and said “Good evening my Lord, I hope the meeting went well. I have prepared a table for you and the Luna in the Garden, I felt she be more comfortable outside... Mrs Oakheart is cooking enough food to feed a small army. I have also taken the liberty of assigning the Maid Bella to Kitten and they are preparing in her bedroom as we speak. I have also assured your privacy by letting all but the most essential pack members have the night off.”

“ Sam, you really are the best Beta an Alpha could ask for!” Raoul said with a smile. Sam glowed with pride as he saw his Alpha race up the stairs.

 “Dinner is served in half an hour, so hurry, my Lord!” Sam shouted. 

Raoul had butterflies in his stomach for the first time in years. He wanted tonight to be perfect. He quickly showered and put on a white tunic and black trousers. He wanted to look good, but not too formal. He brushed his hair and splashed his favourite scented water - blood orange, lavender, patchouli. He finished the outfit with long black boots. 

“You look great, it's time to get going! “ Blackthorn said. He had been like a happy puppy since Jamie arrived. Raoul knew that Blackthorn felt they had been given a second chance with their mate. Raoul was determined not to mess this up again.

Raoul raced into the Garden, it was dusk and the path to the table was lit with lamps. Raoul followed the path to the pond and gasped at the site. There under a large willow tree was a dining table was set up. The willow tree branches provided a natural screen to ensure privacy. The branches were covered in lights, that twinkled like stars. The table itself was simply dressed with a white table cloth and a small arrangement of wildflowers. There were two comfortable chairs, complete with blankets just in case Jamie got cold. The placemats were wooden slices and the table was decorated with jasmine sprigs. It was fancy but hopefully would not daunt Jamie. Her comfort was of paramount importance to Raoul and the pack.

“ Alpha, we hope the arrangements are to your taste. Would you like to sit whilst you wait for the Luna?” Asked the Head Butler James.

“It is exemplary James, please pass my gratitude on to your team. This won’t be forgotten.” Raoul said. Head butter James puffed his chest out at the praise “ you honour us My Alpha. Can I offer you a drink? Champagne perhaps?”

“I will have water pleaSe until the Luna arrives. I want to be sharp as I can be!” Raoul said with a nervous tone to his voice. “It will be alright my Lord” James said kindly whilst pouring so out some cold water. 

“Where is she? Has she rejected us?” Blackthorn was pacing in the back of Raoul’s mind. Raoul was just about to answer when she saw Jamie been accompanied by the house Maid Bella. Raoul gasped as she approached. Jamie was in a simple teal dress with golden flowers embroidered on it. She had a golden shawl covering her bare shoulders. Jamie’s red curls were pinned into a side ponytail that fell over her left shoulder. Jamie had very little make-up on, but she did not need it she looked like a Goddess. 

Raoul gawped like an idoit. “ I am sorry we are late My Lord, it was my fault I wanted to get her hair just right.“ Bella said with a knowing smile. 

“ It does not matter, she is worth the wait” Raoul managed to say.

Jamie blushed deeply as Butler James led her to her seat. “I be seeing you, Luna!” Bella said with a wink.

 “Please call me Jamie, Bella and thank you for your help!” Jamie replied softly. Raoul heart tightened and Blackthorn whimpered “She does not like been called Luna, is she going to reject us, Raoul?” 

“My pleasure, please excuse me!” Bella said and walked back to the house. 

“Would Miss care for anything to drink?” Butler James asked kindly.

“I would not mind some grape juice please if you don’t mind!” Jamie said with a genuine smile. 

“Of course, Miss!” Butler James said. He poured a glass of grape juice and said, “The first course will be 10 minutes, please excuse me”.

“You look like a Goddess tonight, Jamie!” Raoul said softly. 

Jamie blushed deeply before saying, “Thank you. This is amazing. The willow tree is so pretty! But I have to ask, why have you gone to so much trouble?

“Because you are my Mate and I want to make you happy. Even if that means you rejecting me!” He said sadly, but honestly. He expected her to ask how it is done and when can she do it. “I just need more time!” Raoul thought desperately.

“Won’t that be easier for you?” Jamie said sadly with tears in her eyes. She was looking down at the table.

“What do you mean?” Raoul asked surprised.

“I am not a werewolf and I don’t have any power or money. I am not an asset to you in any way, but, Elsie would be. If I reject you, you could ..you could mate with her. I know she makes you happy in that area!” Jamie said quietly.

Raoul was stunned, how could this Goddess think she was not good enough for him? Jamie was amazing in every way and could not see it. 

“Remember, the state you found her in, she's been abused for years!” Blackthorn reminded him. 

Is it possible that she kept running away because she was afraid of rejection?

Jamie had mistaken his silence for confirmation of her worst fears. She took a deep breath in, tears falling down her cheeks and said “I am more than happy to release you from this bond, just tell...” Jamie could not finish the sentence because Raoul had jumped up and pulled her into his arms.

"Kitten, you are a Goddess in my eyes! It hurts me to see you think that you are in no way good enough for me! I have waited for you for so long and I hate myself every day for what happened with Elsie. I made a stupid mistake! I can see now that I loved you the first time I saw you scold Black Winter!” Raoul said with a small chuckle.

Jamie sighed and said, “Do you really mean it? That you love me?” 

Raoul stood back and cupped Jamie’s head. He wiped her tears away with his thumbs and said, “Jamie, I love you more than life itself. This heart beats for you alone, don’t ever doubt it!”

Jamie looked into his blue eyes and saw how he was speaking from the heart. “I...I think I love you too..it is just I am scared! I wanted ..to give you every chance to reject me before I got too deep. But it is too late. Please if you don’t really want me, have mercy and end it now!” Jamie said beginning to panic.

Raoul could hear her heart starting to race as she was starting to panic. He did not know what else to do apart from kissing her. After a few seconds, she relaxed into the kiss and calmed down. Raoul eventually broke the kiss and said “Kitten you are mine! You are not going anywhere because for the rest of our days I am going to spend worshipping at your feet. Do you understand?” Raoul expected an argument, but she simply smiled and nodded.

He kissed her on the forehead and smiled. “ Good! Now shall we sit down and eat because I can hear the servants starting to worry.” Raoul said. Jamie laughed and Blackthorn howled with Joy, We had made our mate happy!

They sat down and had dinner. They laughed and shared stories of their childhood. Jamie could not remember when she laughed so much. Jamie tried melon for the first time and thought it was the most amazing thing she ever tasted! That was until she tasted the roasted sea bass main and ice cream dessert.

When the meal was finished, they walked arm in arm back to the house. Raoul escorted Jamie to her room and kissed her hand. Jamie looked confused. 

Raoul explained. “I want nothing more than to spend the night with you Kitten, but I want it to be your choice and when you are ready. My room is right next door if you should need anything. Goodnight Kitten!” Roal kissed her on the cheek and went to his room. 

Later that night, Jamie crept in and laid next to him in bed. “Is it ok if I sleep by you? I not ready ..for that but I do feel safe in your arms” she whispered. Blackthorn howled with joy as Raoul put his arm around Jamie’s waist and pulled her towards him. “Anything for you Kitten!” Raoul answered as he drifted off smelling the scent of his Mate.