Mine to Protect Chapter 37: GROUP DATE

*Hazel*

We get to class, and in the blink of an eye is already evening. I never thought about giving dance lessons as a hobby or profession, but today I relished it; the music, the people sharing your same passion, I enjoyed it more than designing. I am starting to wonder if I have chosen the wrong path in life, and at the same time, I start seeing myself as Luna of this pack, giving dance lessons to the children, spending time with Derek every day; it wouldn’t be that bad.

Cindy has helped me do my make-up, hair, and has lent me some clothes, I must say that her taste in clothes is not that far from my mother’s, Gold helps me. Derek mind-linked her telling her that he will wait for us outside, at the packhouse entrance, so that we can all leave together.

With my smoky eyes, sleeveless white silk top, covered by a black leather jacket, fold over black mini skirt and a pair of high-heeled ankle boots, I make my way down the stairs and out of the packhouse, my body a bundle of nerves thinking at the person who’s waiting for me just outside these walls.

And here he is, in all his glory, leaning on the hood of his car, his arms crossed on his chest, making his chest muscles bulge out through the thin fabric of his white T-shirt. He’s wearing a black leather jacket too, paired with black jeans and boots. We are dressed pretty much the same way, like those lover’s pajamas you can find in Asian shops, I can’t help a laugh at the thought.

He lifts his head and looks at me, one eyebrow raised. “Someone is in a good mood!”

My heart starts thumping erratically in my chest and my mouth goes dry at the sexiness of his deep voice. Spending one entire evening with this godlike being is going to be both exciting and consuming.

*Derek*

Here she comes, my shining star, trotting in my direction, like she’s some excited kid on a trip to the candy store. She stops right in front of me, smiling from ear to ear, making me smile too by reflex.

“As a matter of fact, I am in a good mood. I haven’t gone out in ages; I can’t wait to have some fun!”

“And fun we shall have,” says Damon joining us, together with Alice.

I am still pissed that they insisted on coming along, I hardly had any time alone with Hazel. This weekend was planned to strengthen our bond, to get to know each other better, possibly in the bedroom too, but with the turn things have taken, I’ll never be able to convince her to let me mark her.

“Let’s go people, I am starving! I even skipped lunch on purpose knowing this evening Alpha was going to treat us! Got your wallet ready, Alpha?” she challenges sporting a huge grin, and gaining a glare from me in return.

To my dismay, everyone laughs. After all, I did say I would offer them dinner.

I open the passenger door for Hazel to get in, but she surprises me by saying,

“Sorry, but I want to sit with the girls in the back, you two big guys can sit in front.”

Then she hurries to climb in the back, like she’s afraid I’ll make her seat in front by force. I feel disappointed at her denial, but I don’t let it show; let her have it her way, sooner or later I’ll find an opportunity to get close to her, and she won’t escape me.

We have been on the road for around five minutes, and no one has spoken a word, so far, it is kind of awkward, I wonder what they are all thinking about.

Suddenly I feel tingles spread on my right arm, looking through the rearview mirror I see Hazel is stretching forward, trying to reach the touch screen with the car controls, which are placed in the front of the car, on my right.

When she notices me staring, she freezes, like an ice sculpture, a blush coating her cheeks. Her posture gives me the opportunity to admire her creamy breasts, which are partially on show from her bent forward position. When will I get to play with them again? I feel like I haven’t touched her for an eternity, although it was just this morning.

Reluctantly, I shift my gaze back to the road, to avoid causing an accident, and Hazel moves back in her seat, leaning on the backrest. I wonder what she was up to.

“You have a serious case of uncontrollable blushing, you know?” I hear Alice state from behind me. Through the mirror I see she’s looking closely at Hazel’s face, like she’s trying to find some clue in it.

“You blush so many times a day, I can’t even keep count, and I don’t even see you all day. It’s cute though, makes me want to cuddle you.”

Hell no! After what she said about getting turned on by watching Hazel dancing, there is no way I’ll let her place her paws on my mate. I immediately mind link her.

“Hands off my mate! She’s mine.”

She chuckles through the link, and replies mockingly, “Someone is jealous! Chill, Alpha, I have no such kind of thoughts regarding your mate, and even if I had, I know my boundaries.”

Her reply appeases me a little, but I still feel uncertain about her true feelings towards Hazel, do I really need to worry about women ogling my mate too?

My thoughts are interrupted by Damon exclaiming excitedly, “Let’s place a bet, I bet 20 bucks that Hazel is going to blush at least 20 times before this evening is over!”

“Twenty on 30 times!” Alice chimes in.

“I pass,” Cindy says, giving Hazel a wink, and getting a grateful smile in return. I can see that their friendship is strong, even after years and lies, it is nice to know Hazel has a friend she can count on inside the pack. I wish she could feel at ease with me as she does with Cindy, but I am positive that we’ll get there too, soon enough.

“Alpha?” Damon asks me. Does he want me to place a bet too? I am not sure she would appreciate that coming from me. Or maybe I could use this opportunity to push her a little, get a reaction.

I gaze intensely at her through the rearview mirror, hoping she can feel my eyes on her, and respond suggestively, “I don’t need to bet; I know she is going to blush more than 30 times tonight.”

Her face turns deep red, and I smirk internally, she’s not unaffected by my charms.

“Yuck, Alpha, don’t go all flirty in a car full of people, it’s gross! I still need to stomach my delicious dinner when we get to the pub!” Alice whines disgusted, while everyone laughs at her reaction, except for Hazel, who’s glaring at me through the mirror.

“We are already at two times in a span of ten minutes, Alpha if you keep seducing her, I will lose the bet. Take things easy.”

I roll my eyes at Damon.

“Turn the radio on, please, I’d rather listen to some music, than hear your stupid jokes.” Hazel delivers annoyedly to Damon.

He smirks at her, but complies, tapping the play button on the screen. Kings & Queens starts blasting from the speakers, and Alice exclaims excited, “I love this song!”

Then starts moving to the rhythm and singing along with the lyrics. Cindy and Hazel follow her lead, and soon enough the back of the car is a mess of limbs moving and voices singing, not always in tune.

Damon places his hands on his ears, pleading with me to drive faster, while I can’t help a smile, relieved at the change of mood in the car. I want Hazel to have fun tonight, and I’ll make sure she does.