The Wolf Within

Chapter 8

Alandra

    I was standing in front of my mirror in my room, debating on a yellow maxi dress, leather jacket combo. Or should I do an off-shoulder red cocktail dress? Casual, or fancy? 

    This is the decision I've been pondering on for the past three hours.

    After last night and the whole debacle with the wolf I saw in the forest, and today with finally getting the courage to agree on the date, (and hanging up abruptly), I wanted a bit of fun. So far these past two days have been stressful and domineering. 

    I was looking forward to just going on a date and having a good time. So casual it is. 

    I put the red number away, hoping I wouldn't regret it, and laid the yellow maxi dress and black leather jacket on my bed. Smiling at my good taste, I grabbed a pair of all-black Chuck Taylors. Now the outfit was complete. 

    After grabbing a quick shower, I dressed and sat in front of my mirror applying a tad bit of makeup. Nothing too crazy, just a bit of mascara, winged liner, and a lip tint. I didn't want to ruin my casual look with a whole dramatic flair of makeup. Besides, he should think I'm beautiful without it.

    The real question was, what to do with my hair? I could straighten it. But I hated damaging my hair. I could leave it like it is. But it's currently a bird's nest. Contemplating, I decided on something simple. I gathered my hair up and made two buns, one on each side of my head. 

    Taking one last look in the mirror, I nodded, satisfied with the look. Casual, but edgy. 

    I grabbed my purse and turned my phone off shoving it in. I was currently avoiding my mom. 

    After I came home yesterday, she wouldn't stop trying to force the issue. She kept trying to get me to pack my room up, or force me into the car. After a while, I had enough and yelled at her to leave me alone. To which she did that weird thing again of lowering her head and exposing her neck. 

    I had no idea what was up with her, but I think the stress of the job was finally getting to her. Luckily for me though, she left me alone. To be on the safe side though, I've been avoiding being in the same space as her. Just so she couldn't bring up the topic again. This is why I am currently outside, waiting for my date.

    Did I say she also didn't approve of the date? Because she did not. But she technically did not say no so I was not breaking any rules. 

    I was waiting outside my front door when a black SUV pulled up. I was skeptical at first, but then Jonathan walked around the car and opened the passenger door. I smiled softly and walked up to him. Nodding my thanks, I slid into the passenger side buckling in. 

    Once he was in and buckled, he started to drive off. I could feel my tension ease the further we got away from my house. I truly did not want my mom to ruin this. There was just something about him. I couldn't have her try to take me right before I figured out what. 

    "I could've knocked on your door. I hate the thought of you waiting out there for a long time." He said snapping me back to the moment. 

    I smiled sheepishly, "I wasn't waiting long."

    He gave me a devilish smile and I could feel my heart stutter. Once again, my body was reacting to him in ways I didn't understand. For example, at this moment, all he is doing is driving. But seeing him, with his arm outstretched, looking so fine in his grey turtle neck and black jeans, I just wanted to straddle his lap and beg him to take me. 

    I tried to keep my eyes out the window, but now and again I would take a peek out the corner of my eye at him. He seemed intently focused on driving, so it did make the situation just a tad bit awkward. Oddly enough though, the silence was also comforting. 

    After a few moments, we pulled up into Betty's. Betty's was a smooth jazz spot, that always had live music, and the food is so good. Whenever mom got paid, we always made a point to come here at least once. It can be a bit pricey, but the food was worth it. 

    Just like before, Jonathan got out and came around opening my door for me. I smiled and took his outstretched hand, getting out of the car. Once I touched his hand, sparks shot up my arm and into my core. I had to let out a soft sigh to control myself. 

    Was I always this intense around him? I couldn't remember it being like this the last time I saw him. He c****d an eyebrow at me but I just plastered on a smile. He kept a hold of my hand as we walked into the place. 

    The band was already playing, and the lights were dim. Jonathan spoke to the hostess and we were led to a table in the back, away from everyone else. I was about to voice my concerns, not wanting to be far from people in case I needed a way out until I saw the table.

    There were rose peddles surrounding it, a white candle in the middle, and the acoustics were so much better here. I could still hear the band just as if I was sitting in front. I have to admit, this was nice. 

    So I pushed my worries to the back of my head and sat down in the seat he pulled out for me. After I was properly seated, he took his seat and we were handed menus. 

    "I hope I picked a good spot. Everyone says this is the best place in town." There goes that smile again.

    "Oh, this is perfect. I love coming here, but it's so pricey. We could've gotten take out and I would've been happy." It was true. My mom and I do well, but not enough where we could afford Betty's regularly. So I didn't particularly like the idea of him spending money like this if he could avoid it. 

    He waved it away like it was trivial. "A good time with you is priceless. So let me do this at least."

    I blushed and hid my huge cheesy smile behind the menu. I skimmed over it trying to calm my racing heart. If he kept this up, my heart will leap out of my chest, and into his. 

    We shared small talk while looking over the menus. The usual 'how's the weather, 'It's a beautiful day, 'the music is lovely.' 

    When the waiter came, we both ordered the Cajun shrimp pasta. Per my suggestion, we both got a duck gumbo as an appetizer. 

    After the appetizer arrived, I watched intensively as Jonathan took the first bite. His eyes got wide in amazement when he took that first spoonful. I laughed softly, grinning at him.

    "I told you it was good," I said as I picked up my spoon and began eating. I moaned quietly at the taste, the flavor exploding in my mouth. 

    "Yes, but you didn't say it was this good!" 

    I laughed watching as he was struggling to not shovel the gumbo into his mouth. I give him points, for one thing, he tried to maintain being a gentleman. 

    I watched him flick a loc out of his face and I watched it fall behind his shoulder. 

    "I love your hair. Have you been growing it long?" I asked genuinely curious. He had the longest hair I've seen on a man, and it was so beautifully captivating.  

    "After I turned sixteen. It was special... Day. And I vowed to always do the right thing and to protect my- I mean, good people." 

    "That's very courageous of you to want to protect people," I said and looked at him in awe. I'm not sure if he was planning on being a cop or a firefighter, but I just knew he would do a great job. He gave off that leader/protector vibe. 

    After the appetizer, we watched the band play until our main course arrived. The main reason to come to Betty's. Cajun shrimp pasta. My mouth was already salivating at the aroma. 

    I grabbed my fork and started to dig in, thoroughly enjoying every single bite. As I was mid-chew, Jonathan asked me if I was in school. It didn't occur to me that neither of us knew how old each other were. So I was a little nervous about telling him. 

    "I am actually. I'm a senior at the local high school. Are... Are you in school?" 

    "Me? Oh, uh no actually. I graduated some time ago and rushed through college pretty early on."

    College? Did he just say college? Am I on a date with an old guy?! 

    "So uh... H... How old are you anyway?" I tried to be as nonchalant as possible.    

    "I'm twenty-two. And what about yourself?"

    "I'm seventeen... But I'll be eighteen in a month!" I said with a little too much emphasis. I mentally kick myself. I did not need to put that much emphasis on my age. We aren't that far apart. 

    Eating more slowly now, I try to pick a better topic, "What did you go to college for?"

    "Business Management. I only did it to take over my family's company."

    I perked up at the sound of that. Not for the fact that he was running a company. But for the fact that if I wasn't going to be an English major, business was my backup plan. 

    "That's cool. I'll be attending NYU in the fall as an English major." I said beaming with pride. I was proud of myself for working so hard to be accepted. 

    The only problem is, when I mentioned NYU, Jonathan stiffened up. I could tell he was uncomfortable from his eyes darting all around the room. His chews were slower and he made a face like the food went sour. 

    I was just about to ask if he was alright when he said, "You're leaving Lance Port?" I was taken aback by his question. Only because he sounded so hurt by it. It sounded more like an accusation than a question. My heart squeezed and ached at the sound. 

    "I mean not right away. Not until school starts at least. B...But I'll be coming back often to visit my mother." 

    My mother... Great, now I was hurting. The mentioning of leaving, and of wanting to come back, brought back to the surface the arguments my mom and I had. I could feel my lip start to quiver from the waves of sadness I was starting to feel. 

    I bit my lip trying to control it. I was not about to cry and bring up my life problems on a date. The food was starting to taste sour in my mouth now. Funny how depression can do that to you. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths trying to control it. 

    When I opened my eyes again, I looked up and Jonathan was looking at me intently. I smiled sheepishly and looked down embarrassed I felt his warm big hand engulf mine. The sparks coming back, making their way through my body again. 

    Looking up, I saw he was smiling softly at me. I blushed heavily getting lost in his eyes. Were they always Silver? 

    "It's ok Alandra. We can talk about something else." His voice was velvety smooth and it made my core ache. This time, it wasn't the food that was making me salivate.

    "H..How about we talk about ordering dessert?" I wanted to distract myself before I lost all control. The way he was looking at me right now, made my body feel like it was ten degrees hotter. I shrugged off my jacket laying it on my chair. 

    Jonathan chuckled softly and I could see his eyes glued onto me when I shrugged my jacket off. "Sure. What shall we order?" He said in a way that sounded impossibly seductive. It took me a moment to gather myself.

    "Ice cream." I needed to cool off. This time he laughed.

    "Ice cream? In the middle of January?"

    "Yes. And lots of it." I was blushing so much by now it felt impossible that I wasn't a stoplight yet. 

    Jonathan laughed again and waved down our waiter. He ordered two bowls of their fudge brownie sundae. I tried to use my napkin to discreetly dab myself, hoping I wasn't going to sweat through my dress.

    The rise in my body temperature reminded me of the pills I hadn't taken yet. I grabbed my bag and pulled out my pill bottle. I sighed heavily and took two pills, downing my drink. The pain was almost unbearable and I groaned through gritted teeth. I balled my hands into to fist, keeping my whimpers in as the burning sensation worked its way through my body.

    When it finally subsided, I took a breath of relief and looked at a very stiff Jonathan. Had he been watching me? I quickly put the pill bottle away and dismissively waved my hand. 

    "Sorry, you had to see that. Those stupid pills have awful side effects." I tried to sound cheery and light-hearted to play down the pain he must've seen me go through.

    "What are they for?" The velvety smooth voice was gone. It was replaced by a hard tone. And his eyes were now black. Was it the fluorescents in here messing with his eye color? 

    "I'm anemic. I need to take them." I say hoping he would drop it.

    "Who gave them to you?" 

    "My mom... Is there something wrong?" I wanted the subject to be dropped. This hard Jonathan was something I didn't like. I want that soft velvet voice back. This stone-like face and voice had me feeling on edge. And not in a good way. 

    I could see his mind going a million miles per minute. Afraid of putting him in an even worse mood, I just sat there in silence and watched. At times his face would have a blank expression, then would go back to harsh, then soft again. 

    I was starting to think maybe he was crazy. Luckily, our dessert arrived, and none of that mattered anymore. I licked my lips and felt ravenous. Ice cream was my favorite thing to eat. Add a fresh brownie, and I'm in heaven!

    While Jonathan ate his slowly, I devoured mine, feeling no shame whatsoever. After I was done, I did a little belly pat and smiled triumphantly. 

    Jonathan laughed and his face was finally back to the soft gentle expression I liked the most. I smiled at him. He truly was the most handsome man on the planet. I felt so drawn to him. He was my drug, and I was becoming an addict. 

    The only thing that was throwing me off, and stopping me from jumping his bones right here and now, was his reaction to my pills. I tried to come up with a logical explanation for it, but I couldn't think of one. There just wasn't one. 

    Before I could ask, his phone rang. His face grew serious when he looked at the caller id. When he answered, his face grew dark and malicious. And his eyes, they went pitch black.