A/N This chapter is dedicated to @Leticia_Nsct, thank you so much for your support. Reading your comments always gives me the energy to get started on the next chapter, I wish you the best in your studies and life. Stay happy. Lots of love from this grateful writer xx

Ember

It was my first Valentine's Day.

It was the first Valentine's Day Kane and I were spending as a couple. It was also the first time I was dating someone at all.

I was confused as hell.

I wanted to do something together but I wasn't even sure he was into that kind of thing.

What did couples do on Valentine's Day to begin with? All the true crime videos I'd watched hadn't provided much information on the subject of romantic dates- and the ones that started romantically all had bloody endings. Not much help there.

There was only one way to sort this out, I thought. I took a seat at the kitchen counter and dialed a number.

"Alpha Ember, how may your humble servant be of service to you this horrible morning?" Darius answered.

"Horrible morning?" I frowned. "Did something bad happen?"

"It's Valentine's Day. That's what happened."

I snorted. "I thought you loved this holiday, you never seemed lonely on it before."

"Looks can be deceiving."

"I didn't call to join in on your pity party," I said, glancing around to see if anyone was around. "You're the last person on earth who deserves my pity."

"You're right. Let's meet and you can tell me how much you hate me in person."

"I have better plans," I said, picking up an apple from the fruit bowl and taking a bite. "How do you think Kane would take it if I planned a surprise Valentine's dinner for him?"

There was a short pause while the evil wheels in his head turned, then he said very gravely, "Kane doesn't like romantic dates."

I grinned. "Then it looks like I'll be going on a romantic date today. Thanks, Darius. Bye."

I hung up, ignoring the objections he was starting on. I finished my apple while planning the details of our dinner date, downed a cup of milk and dashed upstairs for my purse. Kane had left since dawn to help a teenaged wolf who was having a hard time with his transition into wolf form. Having the alpha around would help him gain control- but it would take a long time. Kane shouldn't be home till sunset, just enough time for me to go grocery shopping, put together a special dinner and decorate the dining room.

Purse in hand, I grinned, wondering what kind of reaction Kane would have.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

I dropped my purse, whirled around.

Kane stood in the doorway to our room, looking tired and curious. Too curious for my liking.

I quickly covered up my shock, bending down to pick up my purse. "Just excited about lunch. Why are you back here already?"

"We finished up faster than predicted, the kid was a quick learner. The problem was his lack of confidence."

I nodded, walked over to the doorway. "Cool."

He stared down at me.

I raised my brows. "Can I pass?"

He leaned down so our faces were aligned. "Can I get my hello kiss?"

Gulping, I glanced behind us at the bed. I knew exactly where a single kiss would lead- no matter how innocent. But he didn't seem intent on budging until I gave him what he wanted. "Just one kiss then I have to go," I warned.

He raised a brow. "Where are you going-"

I cut him off with a peck on the lips that lasted half a second, then I ducked around him and was rushing down the hall with a wave goodbye.

He caught me at the edge of the stairs, twisted us around and took three steps that had my back against the wall. "Where are you going?" he asked, blue eyes studying my expression closely. Warily. "You don't want to be around me. What did I do wrong?

I shook my head at him. "Nothing."

Some of the wariness faded at the truth in my words. "Let's have lunch together."

"I can't."

"Why not?" He shifted closer, expression taking on that gentle edge that said he was getting ready to convince me into submitting. "You said you're not mad at me. Why don't you want to have lunch with me?"

"Uhh..." I glanced to the ceiling, cleared my throat and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "I'm meeting your mom."

"For lunch? I don't see why I can't come along."

"Not for lunch. For dinner. We're having a Valentine's dinner together. I'm going to get the groceries so you'll just be bored. Best if you stayed home and rested."

He moved away, blinking down at me. "You're spending Valentine's Day with my mom?"

Instead of answering that question and exposing myself when he caught on the lie, I answered his question with a question. "You don't like me spending Valentine's Day with your mom?"

"No," he replied bluntly. He crossed his arms. Glared at me. "But if that's what you want, the least I can do is help you with your grocery shopping."

I considered this. If I refused it would look suspicious. If I agreed I could discreetly ask him about his preferences, increasing the chances of my mission being a success. When life gives you lemons you make lemonade, right? (And save a few to squeeze into Darius' eyes.)

I gestured for Kane to go first. "Lead the way, Wilder."

***

"What do you think of these roses?" I asked Kane. "Do you like them or are the dahlias better?"

"They're both ugly."

"What kind of food do you think is suitable? I was thinking steak would be nice-"

"Werewolves need to eat vegetables too. Steak isn't very original."

"Dessert-"

"Who needs sugar?"

I wanted to put him in the shopping cart and push him away, waving as the cart went down the aisle and out of sight.

Kane hadn't cooperated one bit. All of his feedback was negative, short and followed by a glower. It didn't take long for me to realize he was sulking and would be more of a nuisance than any use to me, but by then it was impossible to shake him off- in the grocery store and even afterwards while I was cooking in the kitchen.

He kept blocking my way and standing close- so close I couldn't even chop garlic. The fact that his muscles were firm as granite made shoving him out of the way very hard.

"Could you give me some space?" I asked calmly. "You're too close."

He stared indifferently down at me. "I'm cold."

I shook my head. "Is that a lie, Wilder? How in the heck does a werewolf feel cold?"

"They do when their mate would rather spend time with their mother than them," he replied stonily.

Kane doesn't like romantic dates.

Kane was most definitely disturbed by the fact that we weren't having one, which meant he'd appreciate my efforts when all was revealed. If he wasn't still pissed at me by then. Likely not. The way he was staring at me said he'd do just about anything I asked if I stayed with him.

Sorry, Kane.

"Help me make dinner?" I asked him, pressing a kiss to his neck. "Please?"

He breathed out, shoulders slumping in surrender. "Let me send a quick text first."

Grinning, I went back to chopping the garlic. Kane came back a minute later, still sulking but no longer obstructing my goal. He even helped with the decorations. When we were done the living room was candle-lit, the red tablecloth covered with two servings of steaming steak, two glasses of juice and a fruit salad. Dessert was a chocolate cake I stored in the fridge.

All that was left were my clothes.

"I'll be right back after I change," I told Kane, running upstairs.

Maybe I had already sensed on another subconscious level that things would go wrong, because I took a quick shower instead of the hour-long bath I'd originally planned on taking. My red dress was thrown on hastily and although I'd wanted to take time with my makeup for once, I opted for just lipstick and eyeliner. I ran a comb through my hair and then hurried downstairs, hoping it was just my usual paranoia playing tricks on my mind.

It wasn't.

I walked into the dining room just as Darius finished the last bite of my steak, took a long swallow of my orange juice and burped loudly. Paralyzed with shock, my eyes shifted to Kane's plate. It was only half eaten but Kane appeared to be finished from the smug manner in which he was sitting.

"What did you do?" I choked out.

Kane gave me a blank look. "I invited Darius over to taste the food. You know, to make sure you and my mom's dinner date is perfect."

"Food is five stars," Darius gave me two thumbs up.

I ignored him, staring at Kane with a mix of shock and confusion. "How can you be this childish?"

He clenched his teeth. "I'm childish?"

"The dinner wasn't for Mrs. Wilder and I, it was a surprise for you," I said. "Darius already knew."

"Surprise!" Darius shouted. He got up hastily when Kane shot him a glare. "I'll leave you two lovebirds to the rest of your romantic date then."

"Stay," I growled, gathering the overflowing fabric of my dress. "There's no date."

Kane's chair crashed to the ground as he started over in my direction, but he stopped when I held up a hand. "Enjoy the rest of your Valentine's Day."

Kane shook his head. "That's not fair, Ember. How did you expect me to react?"

I glared at him.

"Ooh, that comment is definitely not getting you laid tonight," Darius said.

I opened my mouth but couldn't find the words to express what I was feeling. I threw up my hands instead and got out of there before I murdered the two of them.

It was the wrong holiday for murder anyway.

***

I was curled up on the floor in the room I'd been using when I first moved into Kane's house when I heard a knock on the door.

It had been about ten minutes since I stormed out and I was still mad at him.

I ignored the knocking.

Kane entered anyway. Unsurprisingly.

His footsteps approached and came to a stop beside me.

What now? I thought.

If it had been Ian, he would've probed my limp form with a foot, dumped dozens of snacks on me and tickled me so much I would've had to come out of the blanket if only to breathe.

My mom would have scoffed and told me to stop being a drama queen.

Kane...still hadn't done anything yet. He was silent. Was he going to stand there the whole night until I came out by myself? It sounded like him-

Kane plopped down on top of me. I squeaked in astonishment, shaking the covers off my head. The moment my head came into view he caught my face between his hands and took my mouth in a coaxing kiss, hooded blue eyes staring directly into mine as his tongue delved into my mouth. His hands tangled into the curly strands of my hair, pulling. He groaned when I began to kiss him back, because- what the heck? Would I rather spend the rest of my night on the floor or in his arms?

It didn't need any thinking over.

He broke away, cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry."

I wrapped my arms around him "It's alright-"

"But you should've told me what you were planning."

I scowled. "You're still blaming me?"

"We're both to blame."

I didn't want to but that annoying knowing look on his face... "Get off me," I told him.

He dipped his head, nibbled at the shell of my ear. "Is that what you really want?"

He waited.

I bit my lip. Wrapped my legs around his hips in answer.

He rocked his body into mine, his sigh a cool breeze on my heated skin. He unzipped the front of his pants, pushed my dress up and a second later was inside me. His arms caught me tightly against him, eyes drunk on lust as he took in my features and set a drilling pace that sent us both tumbling, lost in desire. My breathy moans joined the sound of moving bodies, the heave of Kane's chest against mine as he held nothing back.

My first Valentine's Day sleeping with my mate was rough and had an edge of anger to it (on both sides) that left bite marks and rows of resilient hickeys. What came after that though was slower, toe-curling and much sweeter.

By the end of it I knew who I was spending my next Valentine's Day with.

"Just no more surprises," Kane said.

I licked a bead of sweat on his chest. Smiled wickedly. "No promises, Wilder."