Mine to Protect Chapter 18: DATE

*Hazel*

“In my opinion, marble is overrated, and it has already been used in many compounds in town. If we want to do something different, something that would attract attention, inspire the right customers, then we should go with Hazel’s idea. I think we should let the customers decide. You can both prepare a rendering of one apartment, we will show them both during our next promotional event, and see which version gets more attention from possible buyers.”

For a moment I felt dazed; he really believes in my design, otherwise he wouldn’t have proposed the challenge, if he thought I had no chance to win. A smile slowly spreads on my lips, and Derek mirrors it back at me, only his looks much more stunning.

“I think that’s an incredible idea!” Mr. Jones chimes in, “Although, the additional design cost will be added to your parcel.”

“I’m ok with that, additional work should be accordingly remunerated. I hope you are paying your employees for overtime work, seen how they are all here working on a Saturday,” Derek comments, making Mr. Jones turn bright red in the face.

“Of course, of course, they are all well remunerated. And they all enjoy their job so much that they often come to the office during the weekend. They’re artists, for them designing is like breathing, they can’t do without it.”

I barely stifle a snort. Yeah, sure, keep telling yourself that. In reality, we are all so overloaded with work that if we don’t come in at weekends, we can’t finish the assignments on time, and contrary to what Mr. Jones said, there is no overtime pay for anyone.

“Great, now that we have established how to proceed, I need to steal Hazel from you for another day. There’s something very important I need her assistance with.

Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

Derek gets up and fetches my laptop from me, then leads the way to my desk, where he deposits the machine, picks up my purse, and leads the way out of the office.

As soon as we are out of the building, he clasps my hand in his, and asks me with a big happy smile, “Do you know how to ice skate?”

“I don’t. Is this the very important thing you needed my assistance for?” I asked perplexed.

“No, that’s not it,” he says, enclosing me in a loose hug, “You stole my heart, and now I need to keep you close if I want to survive. As you can see, it is a matter of very high importance, life or death importance.”

Cheesy Alpha alert!

Cheesiness apart, he’s rather cute, and I can’t help smiling at his lovestruck words.

“Mmh, I am not sure I can stick to you every minute of every day, but I am in for a skating session. Although, I’ve never skated before, you’ll have to teach me, so I really hope you are up to the task.”

“I’ll be the best teacher ever,” he assures me.

And true to his word, he helped me stand on those mortal blades, and patiently explained me how to skate, although, I must admit I don’t really have an aptitude for skating, so I gave up after a while, and let him skate free on his own.

It is hypnotizing seeing him skate around the ring in circles, his speed is impressive, and the grace of his movements make him look even more glorious.

“Where did you learn to skate like that?” I yell-ask him, from my sitting position on the stands circling the ring.

He whips his head in my direction, showing a wide all white teeth smile, and skates towards the edge of the ring closest to my spot.

“I played hockey when I was younger, I was actually pretty good at it.

“So, why did you stop playing?”

“Alpha duties, I don’t really have time to spare to play. I haven’t been in a ring in probably ten years!”

“Then, why did you choose to come here today with me?”

“I don’t know. Maybe, finally finding you, gave me hope that life is more than just duty to my pack, that I can find some happiness for myself too.”

Suddenly I am struck by the understanding that he, as an Alpha, is burdened by many responsibilities. Sure, he has money, and people helping him out, like his Beta, but he has obligations and duties to his pack, which he can’t choose to ignore.

For me it’s kind of easier, I only have my career to pursue, I am not responsible for anyone else but myself.

“What’s with the long face now? Come down here, I’ll teach you another move!” he says jokingly.

As soon as I get on the ice though, he lifts me up into his arms and holds me there, pressed to his chest. He immediately starts skating and swirling around the ring, carrying me with him; I secure my arms tight around his neck and hold onto him for dear life.

He picks up more speed, and I shriek in poor terror, while the jerk laughs amused.

“Do you really think I will let you fall?” he asks softly to my ear.

“Voluntarily, not, but what if you slip by accident, and we both fall to our death?”

His laugh resonates through the empty skating ring, and although he has the most pleasant laugh, right now it kind of sounds a little ominous.

He finally decelerates and stops us gently on the ring’s border, then lets me down and presses me against the ring’s barrier. This Alpha is all for physical contact and no personal space, noted it.

“Was it fun?” he asks me eagerly; with a boyish smile I’ve never seen before. His air all disheveled by skating around, make him look younger and more carefree. I wish he could show this side of him more often, instead of the stoic Alpha façade he usually wears.

“Yeah, I’ve lost at least 10 years of my life, but sure it was fun,” I reply sarcastically.

He smirks and caresses my cheek with his thumb.

“I am going to miss you when I’m gone,” he says with longing.

When he’s gone? Is he leaving?