Ch. 13：Bottled up grief

I asked her out. I have already prepared everything for today's date. The picnic blankets, food, wine, covers if she felt cold. I prepared the perfect place.
I want to make this work. Ares is already attracted to me, but she's still scared of accepting me completely. I don't blame her, not after what that twat did to her. Besides, I'm willing to wait however long it takes.
I've been planning this for a while now. I've handed all pack responsibilities for the day to Luke. He can hold down the forte.
I sense her the moment she leaves the room to head down. I walked to the stairs to wait for her to descend so I could offer my arm as a gentleman.
Her beauty stuns me the moment I look up. She was already beautiful without effort, but when she's all dolled up like this, she's breathtaking.
“Hi” she whispered all breathy
“You look absolutely stunning, love” I said, wasting no time complimenting her. I watch as her cheeks redden. Dax, my wolf howls in my head at her reaction.
“Thank you” she said
“Shall we?” I offered my arm and she placed hers in it.
We conversed as I drove for the next hour. We talked about everything we came across and laughed at some jokes. By the time I parked the car, we had already worked up an appetite for the food I prepared.
“This is beautiful,” she whispered in awe at the sight in front of us.
The sun had gone down and the moon was now fully in the sky, casting an ethereal glow at the setting. The rustling of the trees and whispers of the wind created an enchanting moment. It felt like being wrapped in the moon goddess embrace.
“Here,” I helped her settle on the blanket and served her. We ate in silence and I secretly watched her. We didn't speak until we were done.
“You never really told me much about your mate” she said hesitantly before finishing the wine in her glass.
“That's because there's not much to say.” I look into the distance and recount the tale. “I was nineteen and she had just clocked eighteen. We met at one of the pack dinners my mum used to host.”
“What was her name? Your mate”
“Emma. She was so carefree.” I chuckle at a memory “the day we met, she walked up to me and told me she'd accept me, but we had to do things the slow way. You know, dinner, dates, movies and all that stuff. She refused to just jump into the mating ceremony before she got to know me”
“I get that” Ares said nodding her cute head in agreement
“I did all she asked and enjoyed every step of the courting.”I let out a deep sigh “the day she died, I had planned a dinner date for us. I bought this really beautiful necklace and personally engraved her initials and mine at the back to give to her.”
“You don't have to continue, Jason”
“No, it's okay. I was going to give her the necklace and tell her, I was willing to wait however long she wanted until she was ready. I had no idea we were under attack” I feel the familiar sting of tears as it gathers in my eyes.
I blink twice to send them back and continue the story. “I had locked myself in my dad's studio. It was soundproofed and in the basement of their house. I was so busy carving our names, I didn't,” I choke on a suppressed sob
“Jason” she whispered my name and reached out her hand to me. I hold her like she's my anchor, tethering me to earth. I drew strength from her and continued.
“I didn't realise we were under attack. When I came out, the stench of blood slapped me in the face. I panicked and started searching, looking for anyone to ask what was going on. I joined the others and fought for the rest of us, but I lost my parents and my mate that day. I never even got to say goodbye to either of them”
She doesn't say anything and just moves closer to me and wraps her hands around me in a tight hug.
“You haven't mourned them properly. You've been too busy being a good Dad to Adriana and being an Alpha for the pack. It's okay to let yourself cry” she whispered while rubbing my back for comfort.
At her words, the floodgates opened. Tears I've been keeping at bay flowed. That night, I mourned the death of my parents and Emma. I mourned for the boy who took up responsibilities too early and forgot how to cry.
Minutes go by, before I run out of tears. I felt better after releasing some of the pent up grief.
“That was a little too much for our first date” I joked, my voice hoarse.
“Not really. It's been perfect”
“Do you mind if we take a walk? I'd like to end the night with good memories. Not that any memory with you is bad”
“Sure, I'd like that.” She smiled softly and stood to her feet.
We took a leisure walk along the trail I checked out the night before and earlier today. The fireflies and the moon light the way, gracing her face with a smile.
I took her hand in mine and she didn't pull away. My heart swells the more I watch her. Her actions earlier were the most affectionate anyone had been to me, since my parents passed. She has this aura about her that makes anyone she comes across with warmth and tenderness, but she's also the strongest woman I know.
“This feels magical” she murmured as she looked around before her gaze settled back on me. I hear her heart beat accelerate along with mine.
“It does,” I replied, not taking my eyes away from hers. She finally looked away and we continued walking.
We come across a clearing and a lake. The lake in front mirrors the moon, surrounded by ancient trees. The atmosphere cackled with undeniable tension.
I turn to watch her marvel at it, while I marvel at her. Her eyes find her way back to mine. No words were spoken, yet it felt like we spoke volumes. I felt content just breathing the same air as her.
I took a step closer to her, she didn't pull back. Our hearts beat in synchrony and she took a step closer.
Our lips meet in a tender, passionate kiss, with the moon and the trees bearing witness to our love. I wrapped my hands around her slender waist bringing her closer and she dug her fingers into my hair. It was a moment that transcended words. This was the first step we took towards each other.
We break apart after a few minutes. Our breaths are heavy. “I promise to always be there when you need me.” I whispered
A soft smile graced her lips at my words “I promise to be the shoulder you can lean on”
We walk hand in hand back to the picnic site. I had her sit while I packed up. I felt her eyes on me the entire time. We hold hands on the drive back. She fell asleep before we got to the pack house.
Everyone was already asleep. I carried Ares up to the room and sat by the bedside for some time. I got up and kissed her forehead and left.