Elena's POV

Throughout the day I engross myself in work trying to forget my interaction with Pierson this morning.

He was right. I was angry at myself for reacting the way I did, but I wasn't going to admit that to him.

When he touches me I forget about the past. It feels like we're the only ones there in that moment. It feels so right. I used to daydream what it would be like if he had chosen me. Where we would be now and how different our lives could've been.

I shake my head clearing my thoughts. I don't want to be thinking about him. I should be thinking about my date with Noah tonight.

Just thinking about Noah makes me smile. Maybe something can happen between the two of us. I know I wouldn't mind it. He's the kind of guy every girl dreams about having. 

When I finish up with work I lock up and head to my room to get dressed for tonight.

I look through my closet and decide on a navy blue floral lace dress that has a rounded neckline and three quarter sleeves. I pair it with some nude heels and then decide to curl my hair and redo my makeup.

I grab my handbag and hear footsteps approaching from the hallway. I open the door before he can knock and come face to face with Noah.

"Wow you look beautiful," he breaths when he sees me.

I look at his appearance. He has chosen some black slacks with a light blue button up. He looks good. Really good.

"You don't look too bad yourself," I reply and he chuckles.

"Shall we?" He says bowing and holding his hand out indicating for me to lead the way out. I laugh and nod my head.

We leave the pack house and he opens my door to his black Audi A6. He then gets into the driver side and after a quick drive we arrive at the restaurant.

We walk inside and a nicely dressed hostess standing at a podium asks Noah for his name and guides us to our seats.

This place is fancy.

The room is decorated with crisp golden walls and rounded tables with cream colored cloths. They are placed around the room in a meticulous fashion, fitting as many as they can in here, but leaving each table enough space to allow each their own privacy. The hanging lights placed above each table are dimly lit and soft music is coming from a band playing in the corner. The environment sets the perfect relaxed and romantic setting.

As soon as we sit a waiter appears to ask for our drink order and Noah orders us a bottle of wine.

"I'm glad you agreed to come out with me," Noah starts as soon as the waiter disappears.

"Of course why wouldn't I?" I reply.

He shrugs one shoulder. "I've liked you for awhile now. I never asked you out because I didn't think you liked me in that way."

Honestly, I never did think of him like that until Em had pointed out the way he looks at me. She went crazy when I told her about my date with him and she wants to meet for lunch later in the week to catch up and hear about the details.

"I think you're a great guy Noah and I really looked forward to this date today."

At my words he gives me a lopsided smile.

The evening is going well. He's been so sweet, funny, and attentive all night. We enjoyed our meal and now we've ordered dessert. We talked about his family and I didn't really talk much about mine. He also didn't push for me to tell him more. He knows my dad and knew my mom. I just told him I haven't talked to my father in years, but didn't give any more than that and changed the subject.

"I know this may be overstepping, but what happened between you and your mate. I noticed that you've never mentioned him or anything," Noah inquires.

I'm used to everybody asking that question at this point. It's a natural thing in our world to have a mate and something we all have to look forward to in our lives. It's just hard to explain everytime that Pierson didn't want me.

"He didn't want me as a mate. He loved someone else," I explain. To my relief he doesn't look sympathetic. Instead he looks like he understands. I'm glad. Everybody always pitys me.

"Same thing happened to my sister. That's hard for me to get. I couldn't ever imagine not having Mia," his face darkens when he mentions her.

When he realizes his change in mood he apologizes for bringing her up on our first date.

I put my hand over his in a comforting manner. "There's no need to apologize Noah. She was a big part of your life and I know it still hurts to talk about her. I'm not judging you for still caring for her. It's ok to still love someone that is no longer here," I tell him.

He gives me a grateful look and thanks me.

The rest of the night goes smoothly and we arrive back at the pack house a few hours later. Noah insists on walking me to my room.

"I really enjoyed tonight," I tell Noah when we arrive at my door.

"I'm glad. I had a great time. Maybe we can do it some other time?" He looks at me hopeful.

"I would really like that," I say with a small smile.

For a minute he doesn't say anything and just looks at me. His soft brown eyes run along my face until they stop on my lips. He glances up at my eyes hesitantly and starts to lean in. I suddenly feel nervous. He's going to kiss me! I close my eyes and lean forward waiting for the impact, but before our lips meet we hear someone clear their throat.

My eyes snap open and I look to the right and see Pierson leaning against his doorway. You got to be kidding me.

He looks between the two of us. "Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just going to the kitchen to get a glass of water," he says not looking apologetic at all.

Why does he insist on making me angry?! I narrow my eyes at him, but he looks at me innocently like he's done nothing wrong.

"It's ok I was just saying goodbye to Elena," Noah tells him. He looks disappointed and a bit peeved.

Two can play that game.

I grab Noah by his forearm and turn him towards me.

"Thank you for tonight Noah. It was one of the best dates I've ever been on." I say loud enough for Pierson to hear and lean up and kiss him on the cheek. "I can't wait for our next one."

He grins down at me and agrees. He proceeds to tell me he'll see me tomorrow before he bids me goodnight and leaves.

I look at Pierson and his face says it all. He did not like me kissing Noah even though it was just a kiss on the cheek. I smirk inside.

"So, your date went well then?" He asks. His pink lips set into a firm line.

"Yes," I say giving nothing else away.

He stuffs his hands inside his jean pockets and looks to the ground.

He doesn't say anything else and I take that as a chance to tell him goodbye and open my door.

"I've missed you," he says quietly, but loud enough for me to hear. Those words freeze me to the spot. They were filled with so much raw emotion. I know he's not talking about tonight. He's talking about the years we have spent apart. That was the last thing I expected to hear from him.

I keep my hand on the door knob without looking back at him. I'm scared to see his expression. "You don't get to tell me that," I whisper back.

"But it's true," he says with a cracked voice

Tears fill my eyes and I shake my head. I twist the knob, enter my room, and close the door saying nothing more. 

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