I wasn't sure how many times I'd fiddled with my outfit in the mirror. It wasn't as if I was fixing something—if anything, I was probably messing something up, but I couldn't help it. My nerves were shot through the roof. It's just Eli, I kept reminding myself. I'd been out with Eli before, but this time was different. It mattered more.

"Reuben, are you ready?" I heard Eli call out and I took one last look at myself in the mirror before taking one last deep breath and responding.

"I'm ready! Did you take care of everything you needed to?"

I could hear him hum in affirmation. "Willa is at Maia's place and I made sure to let everyone know I was busy today so we should be good."

I walked out of the room and there he stood. My eyes trailed down Eli's figure, taking everything in from his neatly brushed back hair—a large change in comparison to the normally wild style I was used to seeing—to his black shoes. He wasn't necessarily dressed up, but it was still a surprising change since I was used to seeing him in a random T-shirt and jeans.

"You look nice," I told him as I closed the gap between us. Eli smiled and his eyes seemed to light up.

"So do you," he replied.

For a brief moment, neither of us said anything, but it wasn't uncomfortable. We took each other in, admiring how we each dressed and, if he was anything like me, fighting the growing urge to skip the date altogether and disappear back into the bedroom.

"Do you have everything?" Eli finally broke the trance we seemed stuck in.

I nodded. "Yeah, we can head out."

Eli offered me his hand and I easily took it. We headed outside and he asked, "How do you feel about walking? We can take the car, but I figured you might enjoy getting to see more of the pack."

"Let's walk," I agreed, causing Eli to grin as he pulled me along.

I didn't bother to ask where we were going because I knew he wouldn't tell me. Instead, I suggested, "Let's play a game."

"A game?"

"Same one as last time," I told him. "We ask each other questions."

"Alright," he easily agreed. "I'll go first. Let's start easy. I don't think I asked, what's your birthday?"

I had to laugh at the question. Out of everything he could've asked, he asked that. "December 28th."

His eyes lit up. "You're a winter baby."

"Yeah, what about you?"

"March 15th," he responded.

I made a mental note of that.

"Okay, second question. If you could go back and relive one moment, what would it be?" He questioned.

I didn't have to think much about it. "There was this one year, I think I was in the eighth grade and snow fell causing Tyson and I to stay out of school. It was supposed to be a small storm, but we ended up being out for days. I remember we spent the whole time outside building snowmen, having snowball fights, making snow angels—everything and then we'd go in and make hot cocoa. It's one of the moments I look back on fondly."

A few months later, high school started and life began to grow busy so we weren't able to have another spontaneous and fun break like that again.

Eli smiled at that. "That reminds me of my first year in the pack. Snow fell and I remember making Nixon come outside with me so we could build a snow wolf."

"A snow wolf?" I repeated. "How do you even build that?"

He grinned. "I never said it looked good. We just piled snow on top of each other and used some sticks and rocks to make legs and a tail. We were so proud of it though."

"You're going to have to show me how," I said.

"I will," he promised just as the building came into view. "Let's continue this inside."

I followed him inside and glanced around the place. There weren't many people inside and seemed to have a retro vibe about it. Eli led me to a booth and I took a seat across from him.

"I was originally going to take you to a seafood place, but I didn't know if you'd like it."

"Next time," I said and his face broke out into a grin.

"Are you telling me I can take you out on another date, Reuben...?"

I rolled my eyes, but a small smile still managed to creep its way onto my face. "Wheeler. Reuben Wheeler and let's see how this one goes," I said even though I knew that I'd agree easily.

Eli and I ordered our food and he adjusted himself before saying, "I know we haven't done much yet, but I like this. You know, going out with you and talking. It's nice."

"It is," I agreed and smirked at him. "This is going well, let's see if you can keep it up. Your confidence raised my expectations."

His eyes lit up. "You're going to like it."

"I already am," I admitted and he smiled proudly.

It was a sight I enjoyed seeing. In the months I'd known Eli, I'd seen his many different expressions and emotions, but one I didn't see nearly as much as I wished was his confidence, now that I was, I didn't want it to go away again.

"Okay, I have another question," Eli said.

"Wasn't it my turn?" I questioned.

His brows furrowed together and his head tilted slightly. "Is it?"

I couldn't stop myself from laughing at his puppy-like expression. "It doesn't matter. Go ahead and ask."

"You sure?" He asked and I nodded. "Okay, I know you said you liked hairless cats, but have you ever actually owned one?"

"No, but not for a lack of trying. I remember asking my parents to adopt one as a child, but we never did because Kai was always afraid of them. He called them hairless rats," Eli grinned, and before he could speak, I added, "If you agree either him I'll walk out that door and your seafood date will just be between you and the lobsters you order."

"I didn't say anything," he raised his arms in defense.

"You were going to."

"If you like them then I like them," he said and there was a brief pause before he added, "But..."

I groaned. "You're just like Kai."

He laughed at that and leaned forward. "I want to meet your brothers someday."

"No you don't," I argued.

"Why not? You talk about them all the time."

"I love my family, don't get me wrong, but...my family is a circus of multiple personalities trying to coexist."

His smile softened. "That's part of the reason why I want to see."

It was at that moment I remembered that he didn't grow up with his siblings. He didn't experience the same craziness and occasional annoyance that I had growing up.

"Trust me, you will. I'm sure one of them will call in a few days and once they figure out where I am and that I've met my mate, they'll be demanding me to bring you home."

It wasn't something I was looking forward to. I'd spent my whole life preaching to the choir that I wasn't going to have a mate and now, here I was, on a date with mine. They'd never let me live it down once they found out.

"That reminds me of my Dads," he said. "They're the same way."

"Aren't they in the pack right now?"

"Yeah," he sighed. "I didn't tell them that I brought you back because I wanted to give you a chance to settle in first, but...all I'm saying is be prepared."

"I'll keep that in mind," I told him.

Our food came out a few moments later and the two of us continued to talk as we ate. Well, Eli did most of the talking while I admired just how comfortable he seemed now that he was back in his pack. He was more relaxed; happier.

I was surprised by how relaxed I felt as well. Even though I'd only just gotten here, I was enjoying my stay more than I expected to. Maybe it was because of Eli or maybe it was the pack in general, I wasn't sure, but I was glad that I agreed to come with him.

"Can I ask you another question?" Eli asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

I was going to joke about how he kept stealing my turns, but when I saw his face, I bit back the comment and nodded. "Go ahead."

"This might be the wrong time to ask, but I just wanted to know. What changed your mind, Reuben? When I first left, you were confident that we wouldn't work and now..." his voice trailed off.

I was expecting the question and if I was being honest, I was surprised that it took him this long. We briefly discussed it, but not in much detail.

"I went to see my brother and talked to him about you and me—us. I guess before then, zi was stuck looking out of this narrow lens and when I was talking to him, I saw a bigger part of the picture. Hearing everything that happened come from my own mouth kind of changed my perspective. I felt like an asshole—I mean, I was acting like one and you didn't deserve it."

"You could've rejected me, but you wanted to give us another chance. Why?"

"Because I was tired of lying to you and myself, Eli," I sighed. "I know I'm shit at showing it, but I like you a lot more than you know."

Way more than he knew. To the point where it scared me.

Eli reached across the table and intertwined his hand with mine. "You do?"

I nodded earnestly. "I wouldn't come to an unknown pack for just anyone, you know."

"Can I—"

"Just go ahead and ask it, Eli," I grinned, already knowing what he was going to say.

"Okay, Okay. Feel free to say no to this, but..." he squeezed my hand. "Can I kiss you?"

Before, my answer would've been no, but now?

"Yes."

And that was all I needed to say. Eli and I both leaned forward and we closed the gap between ourselves. Familiar sparks coursed through me and I welcomed them completely.

Neither of us said anything when we separated, but nothing needed to be said. Eli flashed me one of his warm smiles and just like with the kiss, I melted once again.

...

"Careful, careful. Don't peek, Reu!"

"Is all this really necessary?" I questioned.

"Yes," he scoffed. "Now don't open your eyes. I want it to be perfect."

"Give me your hand," I demanded.

Eli easily complied but asked. "Why? You're only walking forward."

"Because if I fall or trip, I'm taking you down with me," I told him.

"You're so romantic."

"I try, now can I open my eyes?"

"You're so impatient," Eli scolded, but I could practically hear the smile in his voice. "Go ahead."

So I did and I was surprised by what I saw. We were at the entrance of the woods and sitting on the ground was a blanket, lights, and a basket of what looked to be games and other items.

"I spent some time thinking about where to take you, but I thought you'd like this better," he explained as he led me to the blanket. "I was thinking we could play a few games and then go on a run since I don't think we've ever actually been on a solo run together."

"Are you sure you want to play some games?" I asked him. "I grew up in a big family, Eli. You haven't seen what true competitiveness looks like."

Mischief filled his eyes. "Now I'm sure."

The two of us took a seat and Eli opened the basket. Sitting at the top was Uno so we decided to start with it.

"Let's make a bet," he suggested. "If I win, you have to go on that second date with me."

"And what do I get if I win?"

"What do you want?"

I thought about it. "If I win, you have to stop hating on hairless cats. You have to admit that they're cute."

He snorted. "Alright."

Eli dealt the cards and I watched the way his eyes lit up when he saw his hand. It was cute. It almost made me feel bad that I was going to have to beat him. Almost.

I paid close attention to his expressions as the game progressed. I watched as confidence became surprise and surprise became confusion. Maybe if it was another game he would've had better luck, but Uno was a staple in my house growing up. It was how my brothers and I solved our disputes when our parents got tired of our fighting. It was one thing I doubted I'd ever grow bored of.

"Damn," he whistled when I dropped my last card.

"Did you think I was joking?" I asked amusedly.

"I didn't even have a chance," he joked. "I'll have to practice before challenging you again."

"I'm still waiting on my prize," I grinned. "I wanna hear you say it?"

"Say what?" He played dumb.

"Eli," my grin grew wider.

"I have no clue what you mean," he stood up. "Do you hear that? I think someone's calling me."

"We're the only ones out here—"

"I think I'm going to check it out."

I laughed as he disappeared behind a tree and stood up to follow. "You aren't getting out of it that easily, Eli!"

Once I got closer, a wolf emerged from behind the tree and immediately pounced. I backed up, but I wasn't worried when I saw its wagging tail and familiar dark eyes. Eli pounced again and I quickly followed suit and ducked behind a tree to shift before he could catch me.

I reemerged after doing so and ran toward him, knocking the both of us to the ground. Eli let out a playful growl as we rolled around. It was only when his wolf was on top of my own that we stopped and he stared down at me for a second before nuzzling me. I welcomed the gesture and even returned it with a nuzzle of my own.

We stayed like that for I don't know how long. I was sure that by the time we returned to the pack, his scent was going to be clinging to me, but I didn't mind. I leaned forward and touched my nose to his.

We eventually separated and ran around for a little longer before shifting back, getting dressed, and making our way to the blanket. I leaned against Eli who was tracing shapes onto my arm with his fingers.

"So? How'd I do?" He asked though I was sure we both already knew the answer.

"Great. This was an amazing date. Thank you, Eli."

His face broke out into a large smile. "Amazing enough to convince you to let me take you out again, even though I lost our bet?"

I laughed at that and nodded. "I'd go out with you any day of the week, Eli."

And I meant it.

I glanced up at him and he stared at me with eyes full of pure joy. Knowing that I was the cause of that made my chest warm and without thinking, I leaned in and kissed him again and again.