Chapter 16

"A date?" I asked with a shy smile. "You asking me out alpha?"

A blush started to form on his cheeks and I could tell he wasn't accustomed to this sort of thing. "Aww he's blushing." I commented to add to his embarrassment.

Clearing his throat he went on, "Is that a yes or a no?" He asked sternly.

"Hmm, well you see the thing is I don't really go out with strangers." I smirked as I saw his disbelieving expression.

"Stranger? I couldn't call someone you've been sleeping with a stranger." Thane smirked as he walked towards me and I backed up all the way into the wall of the hallway.

"Sleeping?" I snorted, "I would hardly call it sleeping seeing that you snore louder than someone sawing wood." I retorted.

He trapped me like he always did and moved in closer towards me until I could feel his cool breath fanning my neck. "Say yes." He commanded.

"No." I stammered as his lips touched my right ear lobe. I struggled to move but if I was being honest with myself I didn't want to and I wasn't sure how to respond either as this was unchartered territory between us. So all I did was place my hands on his shoulders.

He moved his lips down my neck as he trailed kisses. I stopped struggling and I could feel his smile against my tender skin. "Should I stop?" He asked but I barely paid any attention to what he was saying.

I bit my lip to hold in an unwarranted moan that wanted to escape as he bit down on a soft spot on my neck. A wave of pleasure and emotions came rushing into my system when he did that and I couldn't answer him without embarrassing myself. My hands clenched on his biceps as this uncontrollable feeling rushed through me.

"Do you want me to stop?" He asked again when he didn't hear a reply.

Knowing that I may or may not regret this later on I gave in and moved my neck further to give him more access. With a soft chuckle he continued his passionate attack and I was weak in the knees shivering with pleasure.

"No date." I suddenly let out unintelligibly as I remembered what we were discussing.

"Are you sure?" He asked before biting the same spot on my neck a little harder.

"Yes." I let out as my answer in a moan.

"Yes we're going on a date?" He asked as he kissed me where he just bit which sent a shiver down my spine.

"We're not going a date. I meant yes as in yes I'm sure we are not going on a date." I cleared my voice and clarified as he finished his torture and looked down at me.

I could see desire and longing in his eyes but this wasn't going any further for tonight. There was lust at first but never love. I wanted to go on this date with him but I wasn't going to let him seduce me into it.

"Please Emery. Go on a date with me." He said again as he removed my hand from his arms and clasped them between his.

"Maybe if you asked instead of demanded..." I trailed off.

"I never meant for it to come off that way." He suddenly said, "I've never actually asked a girl out before so don't blame me on my first attempt." He laughed it off a bit embarrassed. "Let me do this right." Suddenly he was shooting towards the staircase as he bolted all the way down and to god knows where.

I was left confused and surprised. This guy never seems to amaze me especially with his super human abilities. But within a few minutes and before I could decipher where he was off to, he was suddenly jogging his way up the stairs with a bouquet of freshly picked flowers. He stopped in front of me at a gentlemen's distance away.

"Now let me do this the right way." He held the flowers out to me as he asked, "Emery, would you do me the greatest honor of going out with an untrained beast like myself?" He shot me a dazzling yet wary smile as he waited for my answer.

"Maybe." I smiled at him as I dragged on his agony.

"So that's a yes?" He asked as his smile started to fade.

"No that's more of an 'I'll think about it.'" I smirked as I reached over for the flowers. But before I could take them out of his hands he pulled them back towards him.

"Oh no. These are for my date and since you just turned me down I guess I will have to find someone else to go out with me." He replied as he held the flowers away from me and a pang of jealousy erupted inside of me.

"Fine. Go find your date somewhere else." I turned around and as I was about to stalk off towards the bedroom I felt his hand at my elbow stopping me.

"These flowers weren't meant for anyone else, only you. Say yes and I'm- it's yours." He whispered in my ear and I couldn't help but smile when he accidentally slipped up.

"I'll think about it." I replied as a smile grew on my face and I walked towards the bedroom as tiredness took over my system.

With a quick bath and clothed in my pajamas I went to brush my teeth.

However when I looked into the mirror, I noticed a deep red mark on my neck. It was a hickey! I couldn't believe Thane left a hickey on neck. I would've been angry but I didn't exactly protest his actions either.

After I was finished in the bathroom, I went straight to bed. Thane never falls asleep before me because he never goes to bed before me. I think it's because he believes that I would kick him out of the room if I was waking when he came to bed. Honestly I might've before, but now...now Thane just wedged his way into my life. He always sleeps next to me no matter what. At first it was the floor but then the morning after he told me he was the beast, I woke up curled in his arms and since then he just naturally slept next to me.

Of course I could try moving to the guest room because of pride, but morals be damned because I wanted him near me. I felt safe and comfortable and slowly day by day he becomes less of a stranger to me.

So when I fall asleep and Thane has finished his alpha duties for the night he decides to sleep. But he also never remains sleeping when I wake in the morning. Within seconds of me leaving the bed he is suddenly wide awake and alert as he searches for me and once our eyes meet this strange sense of contentment washes over me and I can't help but smile at the thought.

I could tell he's exhausted every day because he goes to bed way past midnight and on most days when he wakes up before I do, it's always at five or six in the morning. I didn't know if it was my place to tell him to get more rest, because in all honesty I still didn't know what we were besides being classified as mates. I do however try to sleep in on days that he decides to wake up after me.

Naturally I fell asleep with ease but tonight was different as my mind stayed awake until it was midnight and Thane had just taken a shower and was now crawling into bed.

He moved stealthily as he probably assumed I was asleep. As he settled next to me, he instantly wrapped one of his arm around my waist and pulled my body into his so that my head was laying on his chest.

After a few minutes of silence I could tell he was still awake and decided to give him an answer.

"Thane?" I called out.

"Sweetheart? I thought you were asleep, are you alright?" He asked with worry laced in his tone.

"I'm fine." I mumbled.

He lifted my chin so that he was looking at me in the darkness of the room, "Then what's wrong?"

"I want to go on a date with you." I whispered.

With my answer he chuckled and we feel asleep in each other's arms.

~ Morning ~

I awoke to a beautiful sight before me. The flowers that Thane had picked last night were now sitting in a vase of water on the nightstand. There was a card attached to it that read 'For my date. –T'. I couldn't help but smile at his gesture. I was finally ready to kick start this relationship into full gear, even though it was quite a peculiar situation.

Without wasting another second I ran to the kitchen to look for him but I came face to face with a buffet of food instead and attached to it was another note.

'Eat. Dress. Date.

p.s I'll pick you up at one. –T'.

I was annoyed at him for not being here when I woke up and only leaving instructions but I was also excited because he's taking control and planning this romantic gesture his way. He was an alpha after all so I guess controlling was in his blood. I shrugged the thoughts away as I looked at the clock on the wall to see that it was nine, meaning that I had a lot of time to kill before Thane comes back.

I killed time the only way I knew how to, I ate and watched television. Thane was the best cook and I appreciated the Moon Goddess for pairing me with him because I didn't want to see another day without food cooked by him.

When the clock struck eleven I decided it was time to wash my hair and then get dressed. Using almost an entire hour in the bathroom, I washed every inch of grime off my body before I towel dried my hair and wrapped myself in a bathrobe as I walked towards the closet.

On the door of the closet I found yet another note from Thane. 'I suggest comfortable clothing. –T'.

I placed the third note with the others safely in the bedside table as I wanted to keep it as a memorabilia of our first date.

Deciding a cute yet comfortable dress was probably a good option I went with a navy blue summer dress with a floral print which I accented with a brown belt. I walked further into the closet finding a pair of flats to match my ensemble.

Grabbing my watch and a pair of a simple pair of earrings, I quickly accessorized before swiping some lipstick and mascara on.

As I looked in the mirror, the hickey that Thane gave me last night was completely gone. I was surprised because that bruising usually took a few days to faint but my neck showed no signs of Thane's presence. That was peculiar but maybe it had to do with a wolf thing?

By the time I was finished it was already five minutes to one.

Strolling to the living room I took a seat and began my wait for the arrival of my mate.

Seconds turned to minutes, minutes turned to hours and suddenly I was sitting in that spot for three hours.

It was four in the evening and Thane never showed up.

Maybe he was playing me. Maybe I didn't mean as much to him as he initially lead me to believe. Maybe this was all just a sick joke he was playing from the start. He's the alpha and I guess he could do as he wish whenever he was ready.

I still didn't give up hope as I decided to check the main floor in case he might've forgotten.

"Hey Bailey." I called as I saw her in the living room.

She turned and looked at me with a huge grin. "Hey cutie. Going out?" She asked suspiciously.

I smiled at her complement, "Yeah actually Thane was supposed to be here three hours ago but I don't know where he is." I told her.

"Hmm it seems unlike him to bail on his mate." She confessed confused.

"Does he have alpha duties right now?" I asked hoping she could clear my confusion as well.

She shook her head, "No. Thane instructed Lucas to take charge today because he had something else to do. Maybe his plans for the date are taking him longer than expected to put together." She assured me.

"It's been three hours. I think he would have at least gotten his plans sorted out by now or may have shown up and at least said something." I countered as sadness struck me because he might've stood me up.

"I'll contact Lucas or the alpha himself and find out." She said pointing to her head meaning that she planned on mind-linking them.

"No, it's okay. If he shows up he shows up and if he doesn't well I guess it's his loss." I shrugged it off.

"I'll ask Lucas, don't worry." And with that she closed her eyes and I could tell she was trying to mind-link with her mate.

Within seconds her eyes opened with confusion, "What's wrong?" I asked concerned.

She held her head as she looked at me confused, "Our mind-link is blocked. Lucas is blocking me out of his thoughts and from contacting him. He never does that." She looked concerned and I was starting to get anxious as well.

"What about Thane?" I asked with a little panic.

She closed her eyes one more time but as soon as she opened it with a sullen look I knew he was blocking her as well.

"Bailey is everything okay?" I asked as my concern grew.

I could tell that something was off but she just offered me a little smile unlike her usual happy ones. "Don't worry I'm sure they're just dealing with pack stuff and doesn't want us to know." She sounded like she was assuring herself more than me. I couldn't help but feel a little at fault for bringing my situation to her. "Why don't you go upstairs and change while I go find out what's going on with our boys." She suggested as she pushed me towards the steps.

"What? No way, I want to help." I stopped in my tracks.

"Emery, whatever Thane and Lucas are blocking me from is so that I wouldn't tell you what's going on." She explained.

"Why would they not want me to know? I am the Luna aren't I?" I asked confused.

"There are dangerous things out there Emery and while this pack is one of the strongest and most secure, we do have gaps and those dangers can slip into our land at anytime and you must be protected at all times." She tried convincing me.

"What kind of a Luna would I be if I expect everyone to protect me and I don't offer that same protection to everyone else?" I fought my case.

I could tell I was building a strong case for myself but Bailey still needed convincing, "Emery if I allow you to go out of this house with me the alpha would have my head."

I grabbed her hand and promised her, "Whatever you do for me Bailey is what I request of you. I wouldn't let Thane blame you because this is my choice. As the Luna let me do this, if not for myself but for my pack, let me learn how to become a Luna. Please?" I begged.

She debated what I said for a while until she reluctantly agreed. "Ugh, fine. But you better keep the alpha on a leash before he lashes out at me for bringing you along."

I smiled in triumph, "I promise he wouldn't."

"Great, let's go then." Bailey said leading me out the door.

"Where exactly are we headed to?" I asked curiously as I followed her out the front door.

She turned to me and gave me a nervous smile before replying, "The Crypt."

The tone of her voice sent a chill down my spine but I pushed the nerves away as I was more anxious to see if Thane was alright and find out what kept him.

"What's the Crypt?" I quietly asked as I kept close to her side.

"You just have to wait and see," was all Bailey said as we entered the forest across from the pack house.

I guess Bailey and I were both uneasy as we walked deeper and deeper into the forest towards the mysterious Crypt because it was a silent walk. We both didn't know what was going on with either Thane or Lucas so we were in for some details. Be it good or bad, I had no idea.

We walked for a good twenty minutes or so and I could tell Bailey was on edge because she had to slow down so I could keep up but we were finally there.

There was a rectangular, one story solid gray brick building which wasn't that big but there were no windows and the door was pure metal that looked as thick as the brick walls.

The whole enclosure screamed eerie but the surrounding was dead silent besides the chirp of the birds and the ruffling of the leaves.

As we approached the building I could make out five bulky figures that were all looking directly at both of us. They all had a formidable aura to them and there wasn't anything I wanted to do more than to run the opposite direction but I knew that a Luna would never consider such a thing.

These men were all werewolves and they were guarding the Crypt from who knows what.

They were also unfamiliar to me as I hadn't met them the day I met most of the pack. They must've been here guarding this daunting building that day.

"Bailey what are you doing here?" A dark, tall, muscular guy with electric blue eyes asked her as we were right outside the Crypt.

"Is Lucas or the alpha here?" Bailey asked without answering the guy.

"They are, but you know the rules, no is allowed down in the Crypt unless direct orders from the alpha is sent." His tone was final and I could tell no matter what Bailey was going to say he wasn't letting us past.

Before she could say anything else I held her back and spoke up as the man seemed to only then notice that I was standing right there, "I am your Luna and you may speak with the alpha if you must but it's my right to go down there." I held my head high and stood my ground as the fearless female I most definitely wasn't.

"Luna?" The man asked stupefied.

"Yes Luna." Bailey answered for me.

The man's face contorted into realization and he suddenly bowed his head to me in a sign of respect, "Forgive me Luna I have not gotten the chance to met you as of before this moment."

"It's alright..." I trailed off as I tried to catch his name.

"Atticus." He replied.

"Atticus if you could open the doors for us and lead us to the alpha, that would be great help." I asserted as I got to the point.

"Luna-"

"Emery." I corrected him.

"Emery, I would be happy to oblige but I'm afraid we can't defy the alpha in his orders." He explained.

"Would you defy the Luna?" I asked.

He looked at the other four guys and I could see the hesitation in their eyes from the dilemma that I placed them in, "I guess we cannot."

"Then I want the doors open now." I directed.

With great trepidation he warned, "I must follow your orders Luna, but the alpha has ordered that you are to never enter the Crypt."

"I will get someone else to open the doors for me if you don't." I warned.

He cut me off before I could go any further, "I haven't finished Luna. You are the mother of our pack and I must do as you command even if that means to defy the alpha's word." With that I was pleased to have suddenly earned Atticus' trust. "But I must warn you my Luna. Down there lies great danger and threats to your life. You may see things that are unforgettable and hear things that are so vile it will make you sick. So now that you know what you're getting yourself into, do you want to enter the Crypt?" He solemnly asked.

I wasn't sure if Atticus was telling me this to scare me out of going or truly warn me but there was no going back. If I showed my weakness I would never gain the trust of this pack to be Luna.

"Yes, open the doors." I surprised myself by sounding more confident than I felt.

I saw admiration but wariness in everyone's eyes as I answered.

"I hope you're ready for what's awaiting you Emery." Atticus said as he lead us to the door and unlocked it.

Bailey gently squeezed my hand in assurance and we walked behind Atticus.

As soon as the doors were unlocked and it swung open I was suddenly hit with a pungent odor that made me queasy. My insides turned as I smelt the familiar rusty scent of blood and the revolting scent of wet dog. That and a few other unidentifiable scents all swirled together made me feel nauseous.

"Walk straight ahead in the corridor and when see the giant steel doors at the end turn left into the room, the alpha will be there." Atticus gave us directions as Bailey and I entered.

"It'll be alright Em." Bailey said as we took a step inside the building.

There was only one dimly lit florescent light