Chapter 63
The sun streamed through the curtains in golden sheets as I stood in
front of the mirror, smoothing down the soft folds of my lavender
sundress. It had a sweetheart neckline and flared gently at the waist,
just brushing above my knees. I paired it with a tiny silver anklet and
strappy white sandals. My hair was curled lightly and pinned back on
one side with a little rose–shaped clip. I looked like spring.
I was still adjusting the front when Damian walked into the room and
froze.
“Damn…” His voice dropped, low and drawn out. “You look like a
dream, Serene.”
I turned slightly, pretending to be casual, but I saw how his eyes
scanned me. Slowly. Thoroughly.
“You think so?” I asked, looking over my shoulder.
“I know so.” He stepped forward, brushing his thumb gently down my
arm. “You always look beautiful, but this–this is unfair to the rest of
the world.”
I laughed, cheeks warming. “Well, I had to match the man I’m
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dating.”
He smirked. Damian wore a crisp white shirt, perfectly fitted, tucked
into black tailored slacks that hugged his waist just right. The sleeves
were rolled to the elbows, veins prominent on his forearms, and he
wore his signature watch. His dark hair was slicked back with just the
right amount of messiness to drive someone insane.
“You ready to show the pack how good we look together?” he teased.
I rolled my eyes and grabbed my bag. “Let’s go before I melt under
your ego.”
We took the car–his favorite black SUV with matte rims and tinted
windows. He played some jazz–rock hybrid music as we cruised down
the road with the windows down. I let my hand glide in the wind,
feeling light and free.
The park wasn’t just any park. It was the private one near the pack
lands–wide, spacious, with flower gardens and winding trails, picnic
areas, an old bridge, and even a small frozen yogurt booth that
opened on warm days like this. The kind of place that seemed
designed for slow kisses and lazy laughter.
As we stepped out of the car, Damian immediately grabbed my hand,
lacing our fingers together like it was second nature. People greeted
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Chapter 63
him with nods and waves–the Alpha, always respected. But today, he
wasn’t Damian the Alpha. He was just… my Damian. My date.
We walked past the gardens, and he suddenly stopped. I turned and
found him watching me with a quiet smile.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing. You just glow in the sun. It’s not fair.” He gently kissed my
knuckles before we walked further into the park.
We found a soft grassy spot under a blooming cherry blossom tree.
Damian laid down the blanket he’d packed earlier–yes, he insisted on
bringing one–and unpacked a picnic basket filled with all the sweet
things I liked. He’d even packed a tiny container of chocolate–covered
strawberries. The good ones.
“Are you trying to seduce me with sugar?” I raised a brow.
“Is it working?”
“…Maybe.”
We sat, ate, and talked. About everything and nothing. He told me funny stories about pack members trying to impress their crushes. I
told him about how Mira used to make me fake text her so she could
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escape terrible dates.
Then, in the middle of one of Damian’s dramatic impersonations of a
nervous young Beta, a little boy ran toward us.
He couldn’t have been more than four years old, chubby–cheeked,
brown curls bouncing as he held a blue balloon and ran straight up to
“Hi,” he said shyly, staring up at me.
“Hi there,” I said, smiling.
“You’re pretty,” he said. “You look like a flower.”
I laughed, absolutely melting. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said
to me all day.”
He beamed, eyes wide. “Okay, bye!”
And just like that, he ran off again, his balloon flying behind him as
his mom called after him.
“Well,” I said, turning to Damian, “looks like I’ve got competition.”
Damian grinned. “I should’ve brought a balloon too.”
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Later, we walked along one of the park’s winding trails, our hands
still intertwined. We passed a couple painting on an easel, two older
wolves playing chess, and a teenage girl sketching quietly under a
maple tree. The air smelled like fresh grass and blossoms.
“Want some frozen yogurt?” Damian asked.
“You read my mind.”
He guided us toward the booth, ordering for both of us. I got
strawberry with cookie crumble. He got vanilla with chocolate chips.
We sat on a bench, legs touching, and watched people pass by. It was
so normal, yet so special. The kind of date I never really had growing
I leaned my head on his shoulder. “This is perfect.”
He kissed the top of my head. “Serene?”
“Hm?”
“There’s a ball happening next weekend. Mafia event. It’s a thing. You know–black tie, guns hidden in tuxes, red carpets, very intimidating
people.”
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I lifted my head, eyeing him. “A ball?”
He nodded. “I was invited. Obligated, actually. And I want you to
come with me.”
I looked at him, slowly licking my spoon. “This won’t be the first
Mafia ball I’ve attended with you, you know.”
He laughed. “Oh, that one doesn’t count. That was mafia–lite.”
I smiled but my voice was serious. “Fine. I’ll go. But I stand by what I
always say–no blood. I hate blood. Don’t do anything funny. If
someone gets shot this time, I’m walking out.”
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