Gabi looked nervously at the clock on her wall. It was 9:45 am and soon she was supposed to meet with Dante downstairs and go shopping. The sheer thought about it made her uneasy but somewhat excited. Although their relations were far from good or even peaceful, she couldn’t help but look forward to spending some time with her mate. She tried to tell herself it was because she wanted to know more about his weaknesses she could use to escape, but the reality was she was also really curious if he would allow her to catch another glimpse of his other side.

She was no fool; she was aware some of his nice actions were made only to please her, but reading between the lines she could see he was hiding something deep withing his own core. Of course, this couldn’t be a reason to forgive his obnoxious attitude, but it was enough reason for her to look into it more, be it for escaping purposes or not.

When it was 9:55 she sighed nervously and rose from her seat by the window. One last time she looked at her appearance in the mirror. Today she decided to play it safe with her clothes as to not give him a reason to not let her out. It seemed to be pretty chilly out there, so she pulled out her warm, cozy sweater made of alpaca wool in a warm but light shade of brown that almost reached to her knees, long slim white jeans and brown ankle high heels. She also wanted to wear a coat but as it turned out she didn’t tell Matteo to bring any, so she was stuck with only what she had. Because of that she made a loose braid out of her hair, so that it could secure her neck a little from the cold.

Maybe she was a werewolf, but she still hated cold. She wasn’t going to whine though, especially not in front of Dante.

When she went downstairs Dante was already there. He was standing beside the sofa, leaning on it nonchalantly and looking out of the window with his hands tucked in his pocket. From her position Gabi could see his broad shoulders and once more she couldn’t help but wonder at his sculpted body. He was wearing his everyday black shirt with its sleeves rolled up and pants of the same color. With his black hair the overall image should be quite plain, but it was quite the contrary. He looked like a devil of sex. Or maybe only her sex-crazed wolf saw him that way?

When she got closer he slowly turned his eyes to her with an unreadable expression on his face. His eyes only jumped once up and down as if scanning her outfit and without another word he moved from his place to the door.

“Come on, let’s go.” Were his only words when he opened the door and Gabi sighed quietly. It seemed that that day would be long and very rough on her mental well-being.

In silence he led her to the elevator where Matteo was already waiting for them. But to Gabi’s surprise he only pulled some car keys from his pocket and gave them to Dante.

“I prepared the 6 for you, Alpha.” He only said with a slight bow when Dante took the keys and headed to the open door of the elevator.

“Matteo, you’re not coming with us?” Gabi felt fear creeping up on her features. To this moment she would have never thought they would go shopping alone – there was always someone there as if Dante didn’t really want to spend some alone time with her besides his own apartment.

“Unfortunately no Luna, because Alpha Dante took a free day today, as the vice-president of Moretti Technologies I have to take care of everything in his place.” Gabi looked at him with shock in her eyes. Did she hear that right? She always thought that Matteo, even though he was a Beta, was merely a servant to this obnoxious guy. She would have never thought that he was trusted with so crucial position in his company. That meant Dante had to really trust him, not to mention Matteo’s dedication if despite all of Dante’s bad manners he was not only aiding him as his Beta, but also making his company even more prosperous as the vice-president.

“Will you close your mouth and come here now? I didn’t take the day off to spend it in the fucking elevator.” She heard Alpha grumble and it finally snapped her out of her state. Still in shock she stopped beside him and only with a corner of her eye she saw a small smile of amusement on Matteo’s face.

The door shut after her and silence fell upon them when they made their way down. The atmosphere was uneasy, but at the time Gabi didn’t pay any attention to it. She was too immersed in her own thoughts. There were so many things she still didn’t know about her mate or his pack. Hell, she only knew Luca and Matteo, and Diego if you think about it more, but she didn’t even have any chance to talk to him properly. Truth to be told, everything could be so much more different than what she thought, but Dante didn’t give her any chance to look at the situation from some other perspective. In the next second though she threw the thoughts away.

Remember that you want to run away, you don’t need to know all of this – she had to admonish herself once more. For the last few days, it seemed that her resolve to run was slowly fading, and a part of her, the more emotional one wasn’t even concerned about the fact. The rational one whatsoever was slowly going crazy, torn up between all of these thoughts.

Only when the elevator made its “ding” sound and the door opened she realized they were in the underground parking lot. Without waiting for her Dante went the path only he knew through the car filled lot, and Gabi had no other choice but to trot after him. For a second she thought about hiding behind one of the cars and running away, but the idea quickly died. With each minute she was more and more sure that this was not a parking lot but a labyrinth. After a few tricky turns that she almost immediately forgot they came to something that looked like a restricted area. Dante pressed the keys Matteo gave him to the panel beside the door and they opened with a soft click. Behind the door there was another parking lot, but this was a lot smaller. It was also filled with various luxurious cars, from which many Gabi haven’t even knew before existed.

What a lucky rich bastard she thought to herself, watching in awe everything around. She always wanted to have a car of her own and drive wherever she wanted but hey, she was just a simple kindergarten teacher living in one of the most crowded and expensive cities in the world, who in her position could afford that?

While she stood at the entrance dumfounded, Dante clicked his keys and a sound of a car opening could be heard on her left. With wide sparkling eyes she came closer to the futuristic looking car.

“What’s the name of this car?” she couldn’t help but ask him.

“Mercedes – Maybach 6.” She then remembered that when she first saw him, he was also riding a Maybach.

“You like Maybach’s, do you?” Dante looked at her closely, but probably seeing her awe at the car he decided it was not sarcasm.

“They are classy and reliable.” He answered her shortly, gesturing her to get inside. Gabi sat with a quiet puff and almost purred at the sensation. The interior was just as gorgeous as the exterior, and also very comfortable. From the corner of her eye she looked in Dante’s direction. He turned on the engine and expertly moved the car between all the other ones. She couldn’t help but think that he fit perfectly in the surroundings.

“A classy car for a classy man…” she murmured quietly under her nose, thinking about his choice of clothes, cars and furniture.

She was too immersed in observing everything around her to hear a note of amusement in his voice when he told her:

“Put on your seatbelt.”

They quickly made their way through the city center, but only when greenery started to appear more frequently than houses did Gabi furrow her brows and look at Dante questioningly.

“Weren’t we supposed to go shopping?”

“We are.” He answered her shortly as always.

“But we’re going out of the city. And all of the shops are in the city center.”

“And who said we were going to shop there?” he looked at her with one eyebrow raised and his ever-serious expression on and Gabi huffed in irritation at that.

“Well, actually you didn’t tell me anything. I suppose you won’t tell me more either way, but at least you could mention where we’re going then.”

Instead of answering he only pointed his finger to one of the road signs they were just passing by. After reading it Gabi looked at him with in disbelief.

“Seriously? We’re going shopping to Wales?”

“Do you have a problem with that?” his voice became darker and she had to suppress the anger bubbling in her veins.

“No. I only now understand why you took a whole day off work.” She answered trying to stay calm. Fortunately for her this answer seemed to satisfy Dante.

Silence once more fell between them as she dazed a little looking out the window at the passing fields and forests. The last time when she was out of the city was about two years ago and now her eyes drank up the views like it was the best nectar. The wolf in her mind stretched a little and started to nudge her to go for a run. Suddenly she felt it was the only thing she wanted to do in her life. To run in her wolf form and just be free.

Then her stomach grumbled and she winced at that. Run free and maybe eat something. She was too nervous that morning to even eat her everyday apple, not to mention the leftover noodles from yesterday. She gulped and intently looked through the side window, hoping that Dante didn’t hear it. Knowing his weird fixation on her eating properly she could expect a scolding from him if not some forced feeding.

She heard him sigh irritated and Gabi immediately knew he heard. She prepared herself for another heated encounter, but Dante seemed to have other plans. Without even slowing down he started to shuffle through many hidden pockets of his car with one of his hands, while the other one was still on the steering wheel. Finally, he found what he was looking for and threw it at her.

She caught the item in the air and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a Snickers bar. One of her favorites.

“Eat that for now. We will reach the restaurant in about an hour and a half.” He shot her a warning look meaning he disapproved of her actions and that he was watching her so she better eat it. She sighed at that but also smiled a littlest of smiles to herself. For the first time he didn’t shout or get openly angry at her. It looked like some kind of progress.

“Thanks.” She said to him quietly and instantly started eating. After a minute she was done and Dante seemed satisfied for now, along with her belly.

This time silence between them felt a little lighter. With time the sun started to shine through the clouds and soon they were riding through fields basking in the early afternoon sunshine. Gabi smiled at the pleasant sight and for the rest of the ride stared outside the window in a warm daze caused by some warm sun rays falling onto her face and lap.

Only when she felt that the car turned on a gravel path, she realized she actually fell asleep. When they stopped, she stretched her sleepy limbs and mewled in satisfaction, completely forgetting about the fact that cars don’t drive themselves and someone had to do it.

“Had a good sleep?” she jumped in her seat and shrieked in the next second, suddenly remembering she was not alone. For the first time she felt how her cheeks started to burn.

“Sorry, the warmth of the sun was just too much for me.” She mumbled trying to not look in his direction out of embarrassment. She still noticed a small playful smirk on his lips and the sight of it made her heart beat in a frenzy and heat pool down in her abdomen. Once more he was playing his tricks on her.

To take her mind off of Dante she tried to focus on the surroundings. They were still far from civilization, surrounded by fields, pastures and small hills. The car stopped on a gravel parking lot beside the only building in the area – a cozy cottage bathed in an enormous amount of autumn, blooming roses that reached up to the first-floor windows, peeking in curiously. The cottage was also surrounded by a garden full of various trees with now golden leaves, and if it was possible even more roses. The stony path led from the parking and through the garden to the wooden front door. A small signboard beside the entrance told her that the house was called Rose Cottage, and indeed was a restaurant, as Dante said.

Gabi was simply in awe as the place was truly beautiful.

“Come on sleepy head, I’m not going to starve because of you.” He said while stepping out of the car and Gabi saw that his playful smirk was still there. Her heart wanted to explode at that very moment.

Why, why was he doing it to her, why was he so bipolar, was he amused by playing with her head by calling her sweet names and being just so… charming?

“I’m coming.” She quickly got out of her seat, hoping that fresh air would calm her down a little. Although the sun was still shining the temperature was quite low, and when the first gust of wind messed up her hair she shook involuntarily, feeling goosebumps rising on her skin. It was autumn after all, and even sweater wasn’t going to help her much. Good thing they were here by car. She hoped that he won’t make her go anywhere by foot or she would freeze. She looked at him when he made his way to the stony path and sighed in frustration, seeing how he didn’t seem to mind the wind. Cheeky bastard.

He was almost at the entrance when he turned to her once more.

“Are you coming or do you want me to bring you in the bridal style?” Gabi couldn’t believe it. He was joking?

“Who are you and what have you done to Alpha Moretti?” she carefully approached him, suddenly very wary of her situation. Maybe it was some kind of impostor? It was hard to believe he would also match Dante’s scent, but you never know.

His smile died at that and his eyes turned a bit tad colder, but his voice remained neutral.

“Alpha Moretti has today a day off.” He answered shortly and opened the door for her. She carefully stepped inside, not knowing what to think of the whole situation when a very old, but very lively man came up to them with a big smile on his face.

“Welcome back Mr Moretti! We didn’t see you so long we almost forgot how you look like, how could you! And what a beautiful lady you’ve brought to us!” he exclaimed, but to Gabi’s surprise such way of talking didn’t make Dante angry. Instead he once more smiled and even laughed a little, still too quiet for the man to hear, but the sound made her body tremble with pleasure.

“I was busy James. This is Gabriella.” He introduced her, and she smiled to the older man, although she feared it might have been a little crooked. Her stomach was full of butterflies from the way Dante said her name, and to add to that he used it for the first time ever.

Grip yourself together, he had to use it otherwise it would be weird, she snapped mentally at herself.

“Nice to meet you James.” She tried to smile once more and by the look in the man eyes it pleased him, and so she felt calmer. Her façade wasn’t broken completely.

“Is my table free today?”

“Of course it is! We always have a reservation here for you! Maria, I’ll take our guests to the table, bring the menus in a minute!” James shouted to the waitress that was standing behind him all the time, but Gabi noticed her only now. It seemed that the girl didn’t spare her even a glance, all flushed with her eyes fixated on Dante.

Gabi felt irrepressible desire to tore that face of hers to shreds. He’s ours – her wolf growled and for the first time she felt such strong surge of jealousy she didn’t even deny the thought.

“R-right away boss.” The girl stammered a little and her cheeks turned red even more when she stumbled on one of the tables while going to get the menus.

Gabi couldn’t help but grunt quietly in distaste. Okay maybe she got jealous, but she would never act like that, and especially not in front of this particular man. Girl, you don’t know who you’re trying to charm.

“Forgive her, she’s new and still quite clumsy.” Said James, embarrassed by his employee’s behavior.

“It’s ok.” Said Dante not even sparing a glance to the girl, and Gabi felt how her wolf howled in triumph at that. He likes us more! She growled in her mind. “What happened to Jane?”

“She’s on a maternity leave, she gave birth to a girl only two months ago! She and her husband are so in love with her that once a week he comes by and shows me their pictures! It really is a pretty girl!” the old man blabbered on as he led them to the table, and Gabi couldn’t help but look in wonder at Dante. He was listening closely to James as if he really cared not only about what he was talking about, but about this Jane and her baby as well. He really had to be close with these people and come by quite often.

At that thought she felt sorrow deep within her soul. Why he could be so lovely towards these strangers, when he was such a prick when it came to her, his own mate, and members of his own pack? His personality was diverting so quickly she didn’t even know anymore what to think about all of this. Was this some kind of psychological disorder? Or maybe he just didn’t care enough for his closest ones to show them kindness he clearly had in himself? Otherwise what would be the reason for him to act this way?

“Hey, what’s with that face?” They were already seated at the table and Gabi got lost in her thoughts while looking outside the window admiring the big, shapely rose buds peeking through the glass. They were right now on the first floor just beside a window with beautiful view to the garden and a lake in the distance, that earlier couldn’t be seen because of the hills surrounding it.

She shot him a quick look before once more looking at the flowers. All in all, his face was the same as always – handsome and emotionless like a mask, but Gabi slowly started to see signs of emotions pass through it. His eyebrows were furrowed a little and his gorgeous brown eyes became darker as he spoke. It meant he was all in all in a good mood, but he was becoming agitated. If she doesn’t calm him down this trip might become quite unbearable.

“I just got lost in thoughts, that’s all.” She answered and looked at still flushed Maria, who just now came up to their table with menus. She madly fluttered her eyelashes at Dante while giving him the card and Gabi couldn’t suppress an amused snort at that. The girl looked at her as if she only now became aware of her presence and quickly ran downstairs.

“That girl is funny.” She said amused, for a second forgetting all her doubts and worries.

“Maybe. What were you thinking about?” Dante seemed to not care about shy waitress even a little bit. Probably because he was met with this behavior quite often. He was watching her intently with his serious eyes and his jaw clenched. Gabi sighed at that. The damage was done and he was once more becoming hostile, and why? Because she wasn’t acting like he wanted her to.

“If you really want to know I thought about you. Your behavior to be more exact.” He didn’t say a word at that but the shadows in his eyes became darker. “It’s just… confusing to me. Back home you’re acting all hostile and aggressive towards everyone, even your most trusted members of the pack, and that behavior also applies to me. But when we’re here, you’re like another person… All kind and charming, laughing and smiling to the point I can’t recognize you, and I just can’t wrap my head around why you do this.” Dante now looked back at her with red swirling in his eyes. And there it goes, another fit of anger, she thought gloomily.

“Do you want to place your order now sir?” out of nowhere Maria once more came to them, but when Dante shot her a look, she stepped backwards a few steps in fear.

“We’re still not ready. We’ll call you when we choose, okay?” Gabi tried to smooth things over, but the waitress already had tears in her eyes. Nonetheless she only nodded her head and walked away.

“You made her cry, you know that?” she turned her eyes to him, but his stance was still unchanged. He was furious, and once more she didn’t know why.

“I don’t care about her.”

“Then about who do you care?” she was also starting to get agitated. She felt once more like in kindergarten, but instead of trying to convince a kid that it was wrong to pull on his friends’ hair, she had to step by step show a grown ass man his own wrongdoings.

He answered her with silence, boring his eyes deep into her soul, and she sighed irritated. What a stubborn guy.

“So I will answer for you that you care for no one.”

“I have my reasons.” He finally growled out just as she stopped talking.

“Okay, you may have them. But I would understand that you act like that towards me if I really did something to you, but I did not. Then why still act like that to me?”

“I have my reasons and that’s why I don’t trust you.” He snapped and it felt like a knife deep in her heart.

“And did you even give me a chance to prove that your reasons are baseless when it comes to me?” He didn’t answer her and although she fought it, pain started to swell in her chest. What she must have done in her previous life to be so punished right now?

He must have felt her change of mood and his eyes started to come back to normal.

“I am a bastard.” It was a fact and he wasn’t going to deny it. “Even if I don’t trust you I never intended to really hurt you.” He looked like he tried to make the situation better. As a result, he achieved quite the opposite.

“Well then we can mark this task as failed successfully, right? Because you did exactly that.” She responded with fire in her eyes. His words were bullshit to her right now.

He seemed to wince at that but said no more. The brown in his eyes settled and no red could be seen in them.

“Choose anything you want to eat.” He finally said after a few silent moments.

“I’ll take whatever you want, Alpha.” She sputtered, pressing on the last word, angry at him avoiding the topic and once more looked out the window with fury hidden in her eyes.

For the first time ever, Dante said nothing and just ordered the food.