Adan
While Brenna was getting ready, I made the last-minute preparations with Chef West for the Luna Presentation Ceremony and our dinner tonight. I wanted everything to be right. Even though I hadn’t felt nervous about anything in a very long time, butterflies beat their wings frantically against the walls of my stomach.
“Everything is set,” Caesar replied.
“For tonight, too?” I felt like a lovesick schoolboy and probably sounded like one, too.
He nodded, suppressing a smile. “I’ll have everything ready for you in the small conference room. I promise.” He gave my arm a manly squeeze. “Just relax, Adan. Everything’s going to be all right.”
“Don’t start.”
“It’s just that I’ve never seen you this way before.”
I glared at him, clenching my jaw. “Don’t you have other work to do?”
“Okay, okay.” He held his hands up in surrender, giving me a knowing smile. “Just don’t worry so much. She’s your Mate, after all.”
“Not yet.” I walked out before he could say anything else. I hurried up the stairs, taking two at a time, wanting to get back before Brenna.
In my suite, I took out a sheet of paper I reserved for special occasions and dipped my quill into the ink well. Even though modern pens were more popular today, I still liked the look of a quill better. Even the worst handwriting looked great when written with a quill.
My Dearest Brenna:
I request the honor of your presence in the small dining hall at six o’clock this evening for a formal dinner. I’ll be waiting.
Love,
Adan
When I finished the note, I blew across the ink, folded it carefully, and slid it into an envelope, also made of parchment. After writing “Brenna” on the front, I opened the adjoining door and peeked inside.
The shower was running, so I snuck into her condo and propped the envelope against one of the candles on the table. A moment later, the water turned off, so I hurried out, not wanting her to catch me in her suite while she was in the shower.
Back in my condo, I quickly showered and dressed in a dark gray suit and a medium-blue dress shirt. Then I slipped on my cufflinks and polished shoes. I hadn’t planned on wearing a tie, but I picked out one of my silk ties with diagonal black, gray, and blue stripes, the same color as my shirt, and put it on.
After checking myself in the mirror, I splashed on a bit of cologne and headed into the hallway and down the stairs. On the first floor, I walked down the hallway and into the small conference room a moment later.
“Wow! You look nice!” Caesar said, giving me a manly handshake as he patted my shoulder. I looked around and everything was ready.
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, man.”
Caesar and I had known each other for more years than I intended to admit. He had joined my father’s Pack years ago. We used to spar with each other when we were younger, but when we discovered he could cook, all bets were off. Over the years, he worked his way up and was now Head Chef and in charge of the kitchen. After my father was killed, Caesar stayed on to work with me.
“How’s everything going? Do you need anything?” I clasped my hands, looking around for something to do to keep me busy until Brenna arrived.
Caesar chuckled. “Everything’s fine, but you can open the champagne, if you like.”
After picking out the bottle of Dom Perignon, I covered it with a hand towel and popped the cork as the sound echoed in the room.
“Wow! That was loud!”
I looked up, and Brenna was standing in the doorway, wearing a strapless pale lavender gown, fitted in the bodice with a delicate lace detail to the waist and a full skirt. Her hair fell in waves loosely over her shoulders.
“You look gorgeous.” I set down the bottle and crossed the room, unable to take my eyes off her. Then I took her hand and kissed it. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
A smile lit her lips. “It’s my pleasure… although I was surprised to get your note.” She arched an eyebrow.
I chuckled. “I’m glad you got it.” There was no way I would apologize for how it got there. I took her hand and escorted her to the table. “Come sit down. Caesar has our dinner nearly ready.”
Candlelight flickered around the room, casting her in a lovely light. Candles sat in the center of the table, along with a subtle floral arrangement. Caesar stood at his station in the corner of the room, putting the final touches on our dinner.
“Everything looks beautiful.” She sat as I held the chair for her.
“Not nearly as beautiful as you.”
Her sweet scent wafted toward me as I pushed her chair in and took my seat kitty-corner from her. “Shall we?”
She nodded, smiling. “So, what’s the special occasion?”
Caesar’s head snapped up from the Chef’s station in the corner of the room, but I quickly shook my head. “Let’s eat first.”
Caesar set an appetizer of Artichoke Heart Dip and crackers in the center of the table. “Your dinner will be ready soon.” He bowed slightly and headed back to the small cooking station.
“Everything looks delicious.” Breanna scooped some dip onto a cracker and took a bite. “Um... this is really good.”
I smiled, glad for her reaction. “I’m glad you like it. It’s one of my favorites.”
“I can see why,” she said between bites.
I poured the champagne and slid a glass over to her.
“I must say that I’m surprised.” She smiled as she looked around the room. “I thought that since the ceremony was tomorrow, we would have a quiet dinner together tonight.”
I was pleased that she was already thinking of us as being together. “I wanted to have a special moment with you all to myself tonight before the hustle and bustle of tomorrow.” I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll have to share you tomorrow.”
Brenna chuckled. “Thank you.”
I watched how her eyes sparkled in the candlelight and my heart pounded. At that moment, I realized how lucky I was to have her as my Mate. I had been waiting for her for a long time, and here she was in the flesh, sitting by my side. I just hoped she agreed.