Sophie opened her mouth to ask another question but was cut off by the phone ringing loudly through the kitchen. Cortez turned towards the sound and spotted a home phone hung up on the wall. He had assumed Sophie called him with her phone but now that he thought about it, this made more sense. The house was old and Sophie didn't seem like the type to have her own smart phone. She must've called him from that.

"Hello?" Sophie chimed, her eyes landing on Cortez. She held his stare as he casually relaxed in his chair, his muscular arms crossing over his broad chest.

"Hello, darlin'. Did you miss your Chief?" Henry grinned.

A smile spread across Sophie's face as she listened to his rigid, old voice. "Of course. Are you having fun there? Have you met friends? Have they already convinced you to stay there forever?"

"I am having fun. I have made friends. The people here are very nice and so are the nurses. It is very, very nice here." Henry reassured.

"Well, I can only be so happy for you, to be honest. I wish you were home, reading in your favorite chair and chuckling to yourself." Sophie admitted.

Cortez couldn't help but smile at that. She really did cherish him, more than anyone would know or understand. Even something as simply as his laughter while readying a book made her happy. Cortez was proud to have a mate so genuine and caring like Sophie. She was really special.

"I'll come home, don't worry, darlin'. Although, I did call you to let you know that I'll be staying for dinner. I reckon it would be easier to eat here so you don't have to cook." Henry said.

Sophie sighed. "I'll have to cook for myself, anyways. But it's alright as long as you're having fun. Don't let them trap you there."

"Okay. Eat well, Sophie. I've got to go. They've just laid out a new puzzle."

Sophie giggled and said her farewells before hanging up the phone. She smiled to herself for a moment before the sadness kicked in again. It was good that her grandfather was having fun but she didn't want him to have too much fun without her. Selfishly, she wanted him to hate it there and like it better at home with his granddaughter. Couldn't he be as bitter as everyone else's grandfather and refuse to ever leave the house?

"How is he?" Cortez's low, rough voice interrupted Sophie's train of thought.

"He says he's enjoying himself. He also said he's staying for dinner which means I'll be eating alone." Right as she said that, she looked up at Cortez with her mouth open, already prepared to ask.

Before she even said anything, Cortez was knowingly nodding. He had a handsome smirk plastered on his face as he stared at her. "I'll eat with you." He agreed.

Sophie felt blushy again. "Will you?" Cortez nodded once more. "Oh no! You can't! Your parents are leaving. You should say goodbye in person. I shouldn't keep you here."

"They don't mind." Cortez shrugged.

"That's ridiculous! Of course, they mind. You're their son and they were staying at your house. You should go home and eat with them before they leave." Sophie insisted.

"Sophie." Cortez held her stare, trying his best to convey his sincerity. "I want to eat dinner with you. Don't worry about my parents."

Sophie sighed and decided to give up. Cortez knew his parents better than she did. Maybe they truly didn't care or would be back tomorrow anyways. Either way, Sophie wasn't going to stress about it. All she had to worry about was the fact that she was going to eat dinner with Cortez. Alone. Just the two of them. She had to make something delicious.

~

Cortez watched Sophie from his seat at the table as she cooked. He couldn't help but stare. She was so petite, so small in every way. She was wearing a sundress and cardigan again but he liked it. It made her look innocent and delicate. And he liked how small her feet were and how she stood on her toes to reach things. He adored the smallest things about her. He couldn't wait until he could properly appreciate those things about her.

For now, all Cortez could do was admire her from here. He couldn't grab her waist and kiss her shoulder like he wanted to. He couldn't wrap his arms around her and hold her. None of that. He had already accidentally freaked her out and he had no interest in doing it again. The guilt hadn't even subsided yet.

"Can I ask you more questions?" Sophie asked, peeking over her shoulder and at the man sat at her kitchen table before tossing Daisy a piece of meat.

"Homework questions or questions about me?" Cortez asked.

"Questions about you. I hardly know you."

"Sure. You can ask me anything, I just don't know how many I'll be able to answer."

"What does that mean? Are you hiding things from me?" Sophie teased.

Cortez instantly fell in love with that playful glint in her eyes as she said that. She was so bright and shining every time he saw her. She had an energy around her that he adored. It made him feel guilty that she was exactly right. He was hiding a lot from her. He was even hiding things from her that were about her. He was a werewolf, she was a Luna and his mate, he had a whole pack of werewolves that he ruled over, he could shape shift just like they could. There were a million things he couldn't tell her.

"I can't answer that." Cortez admitted.

Sophie shot him a playful glare, assuming he was playing along with her joke. She continued to cook as she thought of something to ask him. "Do you have siblings?"

"One younger brother, yes." Cortez answered.

"Really? Jeremiah?"

"No, Jeremiah works for me, actually."

"Mm.." Sophie hummed with a nod as she licked food off her finger. "How old is your brother? Does he live near here as well?"

"I thought these were questions about me?" Cortez narrowed his eyes at the back of Sophie's head. Jealousy was starting to seep in at her questions about his annoying little brother.

"I'm only curious." Sophie defended with a shrug. "Fine. I'll ask you about your hobbies. What do you do in your spare time?"

Cortez relaxed again and took a deep breath to think about it. "I like to run," As a wolf. "And hunt." As a wolf. "I also read and travel. Work takes up most of my day but I prefer it."

"You prefer work over your hobbies?" Sophie asked and glanced back at Cortez to see him nod. "You must really like being a manager."

Alpha, Cortez corrected in his head. "Yes. I feel very proud to be in my position."

"That's good."

And soon, you will be Luna and ruling along side me. You will be proud of your position and I will be even more proud.

"And past girlfriends? Are you a heartbreaker? Divorced? Workaholic that can't keep a girlfriend?"

Cortez frowned at her questions. He didn't want her to think he had ever loved someone else because he certainly hasn't. She didn't know, but wolves didn't date. They didn't have the ability to love anyone but their mate so it was pointless. For years, he had been waiting for her and now that he found her, that was it. He would only love her. It would always be her.

"Nope." Cortez answered plainly.

"To all of it?" Sophie turned around, slightly shocked. Cortez shrugged his broad shoulders. "When was your last relationship?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Cortez smirked as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Oh, come on. I'm not gonna harp on you if it's been awhile. It's not like I've ever dated anyone." Sophie shrugged.

Cortez couldn't help but smile to himself. That was good news. Sophie hadn't been in a relationship with anyone else. That made him happy. She was all his. Unless.. You didn't have to date someone to kiss them. But Sophie wasn't like that? Right? She hadn't had her first yet. At least, she didn't seem like it.

"Have you kissed anyone before?" Cortez asked, hesitant about receiving her answer. He didn't want to know if she had.

Sophie nibbled on her thumb nail as she mixed slowly ingredients together. Cortez carefully studied her, growing slightly upset as he noticed how red she was. She had, hadn't she? That's why she was blushing? She was thinking about the boy she had kissed? The thought made Cortez scoff and roll his eyes. Whoever the prick was, he was now on Cortez's hit list for touching his mate.

"No." Cortez's scowl wiped clean off of his face as he looked at her again. Sophie peeked over her shoulder but couldn't look at him for long. "Nobody has ever really gotten that close with me in order to kiss me. No one is interested. It's probably because I'm so boring."

"I don't think you're boring." Cortez said, his voice soft. "I think you're sweet, caring, genuine, smart, and insanely beautiful."

Sophie bit back a smile as she avoided Cortez's stare. She was so flustered from his sudden confession that she couldn't help the butterflies in her stomach and giddy feeling in her chest. Why did he have that effect on her? Why did she like that he just said that so much? It's not like he meant it romantically, right? She didn't have to get so worked up.

"Anything else?" Sophie joked, her green eyes sparkling as she met his.

Cortez smiled. "I could go on for days."

Sophie rolled her eyes out of instinct and shook her head. He was only joking. Cortez was good at playing along with her jokes.

"Food's done." Sophie sang as she handed Cortez a plate full of food.

Sophie grinned as she watched Cortez's eyes sparkle with hunger at the sight of food. He thanked her and turned in his chair to eat. Sophie grabbed herself some food and sat beside him, playfully nudging him as she watched him shovel food into his mouth. Daisy, as usual, say patiently beside them and waited for one of them to give her food.

Sophie enjoyed being with Cortez, that was undeniable. He may be older than her but people always told Sophie she had an old soul. They were probably mentally the same age. She could get used to having him around. She was comfortable. He made her comfortable.

~

"There's not anything you want to do?" Cortez asked as he stared at his beautiful mate in front of him.

They were both still sat at the kitchen table after they were done eating. They were sat facing each other now, their knees occasionally nudging or brushing the others. That amount of contact was hardly noticeable to Sophie but Cortez enjoyed it. It was all he could have of her so he would cherish it for now.

"No. I'm not really trained for anything." Sophie shrugged with a goofy frown that made Cortez smile.

"That's what college is for." Cortez countered.

"There aren't any colleges near here and I don't want to move too far away from my grandfather. Mabel's daughter does online classes and works at the diner in Dixie's Square but I really don't see myself enjoying that."

Cortez was secretly relieved that Sophie didn't want to move away for college. Knowing she was human, Cortez already came to terms with the fact that he'd have to work around her human life. It would be selfish of him to steal her away from her grandfather and school life and whatnot.

But, if she wasn't attending college, he would get to spend more time with her. And if he could successfully integrate her into the pack house as Luna, she wouldn't have to go to college or ever get a job. He just wanted to ask and make sure so he could be prepared for any future plans. Luckily, it didn't sound like she had future plans.

"I'm good at helping people." Sophie said. "I could be a nurse or something."

Cortez smiled again. Sophie was perfect Luna material and she didn't even know it. She had the natural talent of taking care of people and liking it.

"You're like a Saint." Cortez teased.

"I am, aren't I?" Sophie played along with a cocky smirk on her face.

It wasn't too long before she got too giddy for her joke and broke out in a giggle. Cortez simply watched her with so much love welling in his chest. Sophie brushed her hair back with her fingers as she calmed. She rested her elbow on the kitchen table and stared at the floral wallpaper as her teeth found her thumb nail, one hand mindlessly petting Daisy's head since it was laid on her leg.

"I don't really think I'm all that special, honestly." Sophie admitted. At the sound of Cortez's heavy sigh, she turned to him and snorted a laugh. "What?"

"It's like you don't listen to me when I talk." Cortez rolled his eyes until they settled on Sophie again. She stared back at him, waiting for him to continue. "How many times have I told you you're special?"

"It's different when you say it."

"How?"

"Because when you say I'm special, you mean.." Sophie stopped as she realized what her next words would've been. To you. She really didn't feel like bringing that up all the time and drawing attention to it. "Whatever. The kind of special I'm talking about is like the kids in my school that I know are going to become musical artists or go to the Olympics some day."

"So you mean famous?"

"I mean..." Sophie let out a long sigh. "Important."

"You're important."

"You're not saying that for the right reasons."

"I'm saying that because I know who you are." Sophie's eyes landed on Cortez as she carefully studied his sincerity. He looked pretty damn serious. "I know about three hundred people that would be absolutely devastated to lose you and they haven't even met you yet. They're waiting for you, impatiently at this point. You're important to every single one of them."

Sophie's eyebrows furrowed at his claims. What was that suppose to mean? Was that like a, you'll meet three hundred people by the time your (insert age) and some of them will become your best friends, lovers, or enemies, kind of thing. Like an analogy or something? Some kind of inspirational quote Cortez read somewhere? Sophie had no idea but she didn't really care to question it.

"Well, I can't wait to meet them." Sophie smirked.

Cortez realized Sophie hadn't grasped what he said, which was fair. She didn't even know what she was or what he was. There was no way she'd know what he was talking about. It didn't really matter right now. Not yet.

"You don't get it." Cortez sighed as he relaxed in his chair. Daisy shifted her head from Sophie's leg to Cortez's and he mindlessly took the role of petting her.

"Oh, of course not. I wouldn't be smart enough to understand an old man's wise logic." Sophie teased.

Cortez was amused by Sophie's teasing, making his eyes sparkle with a happy glint. He faked an offended expression and reached for her, planning an attack on Sophie's waist to tickle her. Sophie saw him coming and screamed as she scooted her chair out of his reach. The sound of her chair scratching against the floor made Daisy jump up in shock. Sophie fought Cortez's hands away from her as she uncontrollably laughed.

When she had pushed herself too far out of reach, Cortez grabbed Sophie's chair and dragged her closer with a swift tug. Sophie gripped her chair as she was thrusted forward, her eyes lifting to meet Cortez's. She couldn't help but notice how close his face was to hers. That same, handsome smirk laid comfortably on his features as he studied and admired her. His hands remained on the corners of her chair, on either side of her legs.

Sophie nervously gulped as she stared back at Cortez. Something about him was so manly, it was captivating. He had a raw, dominating presence that made her feel so small. And it wasn't just his age, which she was hyperaware of, but his large figure. He had a broad chest, muscular arms, and a strong jaw that she could see clench for a moment. Why was she so attracted to a man so much older than her? It was driving her crazy.

"You're gorgeous, Sophie." Cortez whispered.

Sophie heart leaped into her throat at his compliment. Cortez didn't want to be this blunt towards her but he couldn't help it. He wanted to kiss her so badly, he was gripping her chair to keep from doing so. She was so adorable her soft emerald eyes were haunting him.

"You're very close." Sophie's eyes fell to Cortez's mouth, which she cursed herself for.

Cortez pushed away, suddenly feeling very guilty. He was very close and he didn't mean to be. He kept doing these things like they were natural, without thinking. It was dangerous not to be thinking about Sophie. She was still young, still clueless, still innocent. It was wrong of Cortez to touch her and get so close to her right now. He had to wait. No matter how hard it was.

"Forgive me, Sophie. From now on, I will never touch you without your permission." Cortez let his hands fall to his thighs so they weren't tempted to touch Sophie any longer.

"My permission? When do I give you my permission?" Sophie blinked. He was exactly right. She was too clueless and naive for her own good.

Cortez started intensely at Sophie, causing her to drown in his pitch black orbs. "When you're comfortable. When you trust me. When you want me to touch you."

Sophie blushed.

{ They're so cute, I love them... Please leave comments on this book because I LOVE reading them! }