Sad because it's the last chapter I'll write for this book, but happy that it is finally complete:)

I speared a ravioli on my fork and popped it into my mouth, chewing carefully.

Flavor burst on my tongue, a mix of the savory mushrooms, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.

"Wow, this is great!" I exclaimed, shoving three more in there. "I love it!"

Jacob beamed at me, and cut into his own meal.

"Now that we can finally be in peace," he began, taking a bite of his chicken, "I wanted to know a little more about you."

I thought, chewing my pasta.

Then I swallowed, and said, "Well, I grew up an only child in a pretty bad part of town. There I learned the ways of the thug life."

He nodded. "And?"

I frowned. People didn't usually ask about my life, so this was an odd conversation for me.

"And I survived," I said, shrugging. "There's not much else to it."

He watched me, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "Surviving and living isn't the same thing, Ale."

I raised an eyebrow. "What's the difference?"

He smiled his mischievous smile. "I'll show you sometime."

For some weird reason my cheeks began to warm, so I quickly changed the subject.

"Well what about you?" I challenged, "Tell me about your life."

"I grew up with Carson pretty much always with me," he said, a small smile forming on his face as he remembered. "Since we're going to be leading one day, we've pretty much always been together."

"Your family?" I asked.

"My brother is like, ten years older, so we aren't that close," he said. "I grew up closest to Carson and my Grandma."

I nodded. I could picture that.

Then a question popped into my head.

Jacob didn't really seem like the natural-born leader type. Yet, he was going to be alpha one day.

"Do you want to be the alpha?" I asked.

For some reason, this question seemed to take him back.

He stopped chewing and put his fork down, staring at me.

"I mean... I'm not sure," he said, seemingly deep in thought. "No one's ever asked me that before."

I frowned. "Why? Doesn't what you want matter?"

He shook his head. "If you're born into the family, it's just an expectation. It's like being a prince. Whether you want to or not, you're going to be king someday."

That made sense.

What a burden it just be, though. Never getting a choice in what you want to do with your life. Carrying the lives of everyone else around instead.

"You didn't answer the question," I realized, putting my own fork down and staring at him intently.

He looked at me for a little longer.

Then he sighed, and dropped his eyes to the table.

"If I had a choice, no, I don't think so," he said quietly, not meeting my eyes. "Carson is much more of the natural leader type than I am. I'm not... good enough."

That was a surprise.

"That's what you think?" I asked him honestly, staring at the deflated boy in front of me. "That you're not good enough?"

He didn't say anything, which answered my question in itself.

I laughed humorlessly. "I hope you're joking. Who is it that always stops and thinks while Carson jumps into action? Who tries to carefully plan things out instead of risking everything? Who's always worrying about others, and barely ever thinks of himself?"

He still wouldn't meet my eyes, so I reached across the table and put my hand on top of his.

When he looked up, I much as much meaning into my words as possible, and said, "You are going to be a great Alpha. Sure, Carson is good is speaking in front of people and giving orders, but you're the one who has the heart and mind of a leader. And at the end of the day, isn't that more important?"

His eyes met mine, swirling with an unknown emotion.

Then he looked down at where my hand was resting over his, and I give it a comforting squeeze.

"Thanks, Ale," he said lowly, looking back up at me and smiling.

"Don't mention it," I said, my own lips curving up.

I went to retract my hand, but he held fast onto it, keeping it in contact with his own.

This time, I really did blush, which was a first for me.

What was this boy doing to me?

"What are you doing to me," Jacob breathed, echoing my thoughts.

I laughed lightly, and was about to respond when the new waiter came up and give us the check.

Jacob paid, which was good since I was pretty broke.

"Thanks for dinner," I said as the waiter left.

Jacob only smile in response, and stood up. "Shall we?"

I got up from my chair as well, and walked over to him.

Together we walked to the car, our fingers intertwined, and the valet held the door open for me.

"This night went by fast," I observed, looking out the window of the car as Jacob began driving back to my dorm.

Beside me, he shrugged. "We can always do this again tomorrow."

I laughed again. I never laughed as much as I did when I was with Jacob.

"Maybe we should," I thought, smiling to myself. "But I'll plan it."

"So it'll be cheap," he teased, and I bursted out laughing again.

Then, I leaned against him and rested my head on his shoulder.

I heard Jacob suck in a breath.

One of his arms hesitantly came around me, but then I said, "Two hands on the wheel."

"Yes m'aam."

The drive home was peaceful, which was a word I used sparingly.

When we arrived at the dorm, a stab of disappointment hit me.

The night was over.

He came around to open my door for me and help me out, like the gentleman he was.

I accepted his hand and he pulled me up and out.

I looked at the front doors and frowned.

I didn't want him to leave yet.

Almost unconsciously, I turned to Jacob and laid my palm against his cheek.

He leaned into the touch, his eyes never leaving mine.

Then, he slowly began leaning in.

When our lips touched, it was nothing like our first kiss, which was a raging fire that seemed to consume me.

This one was a slow burning flame, that spread to every inch of my body.

One of his arms hooked around my waist while the other hand was buried in my hair.

When we finally pulled away, I look a moment to look into his eyes.

"Goodnight," I whispered softly, not wanting to break the spell.

He smiled. "Already is."

And with that he turned back to get into his car, driving away and leaving me still in a trance, staring after him.

Is this what falling in love feels like?

If so, I wouldn't trade this feeling for the world.

Finished, Unfortunately❤️