Chapter 57
Our day in the city was perfect. I took her to all the places we’d loved as teenagers but hadn’t visited together in years–the old bookstore where she’d spend hours browsing poetry volumes, the art gallery that had once featured her watercolors, and the small café where we’d shared our first innocent kiss at
sixteen.
“I can’t believe you remember all these places,” she said as we strolled through the botanical gardens, her hand tucked into mine. The autumn sun cast a golden glow over everything, making her hair shine like
burnished copper.
“I remember everything about us,” I told her honestly. “Those memories kept me going during some dark times.”
She squeezed my hand, a silent acknowledgment of all the years we’d lost. “I missed you, you know. Even when I was with Foster, there were moments I’d catch myself wondering what you were doing, if you ever thought of me.”
“Every damn day,” I admitted. “My wolf never stopped recognizing you as ours, even when my human side tried to move on.”
As evening approached, I drove us to Phoenix, the most exclusive restaurant in the city. It was perched on the top floor of a skyscraper, offering panoramic views of the city lights below. The maître d‘ recognized me immediately, bowing slightly.
“Alpha Blackwood, your table is ready.”
I’d reserved the most private table, set in an alcove with floor–to–ceiling windows and softly flickering candles creating an intimate atmosphere. Summer gasped softly as we were led to our seats.
“This is beautiful,” she whispered once we were settled, her eyes wide as she took in the view of the twinkling city lights below.
“Only the best for you,” I replied, enjoying the way the candlelight played across her features. “I should have done this years ago.”
The sommelier approached with a bottle of champagne I’d pre–ordered. After pouring our glasses, he retreated with a bow, leaving us in our private bubble.
I raised my glass. “To new beginnings.”
Summer touched her glass to mine, her eyes shining with emotions too complex to name. “To finding our
way back to each other.”
We ordered a feast–oysters, followed by perfectly seared steaks, and decadent chocolate desserts that had Summer making almost indecent sounds of pleasure. The conversation flowed effortlessly, sometimes serious as we discussed the past, but often light and teasing as we rediscovered the easy
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Chapter 57
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rapport we’d had as teenagers.
“Do you remember Mrs. Haverford’s face when she caught us skinny dipping in the pack lake?” Summer asked, laughing into her third glass of champagne. The alcohol had brought a lovely flush to her cheeks.
“How could I forget? She lectured us for an hour about ‘appropriate behavior for future pack leaders‘
while we stood there dripping wet, trying to look contrite.” I reached across the table to stroke her wrist.”
You were always getting me into trouble.”
“Me?” She raised an eyebrow. “I seem to recall it was your idea to sneak into the pack’s wine cellar during that full moon ceremony.”
I smirked. “Sure, but it was your idea to actually drink the ceremonial wine. And Mrs. Haverford made me
mop the training hall for a week.”
I shook my head, half amused. “She always had it out for me, I swear.
”
“Yeah.She always did think you were a bad influence on me. But she respected you,” she admitted with a fond smile. “She used to say you’d make a great Alpha one day.”
“And what did you think?” I asked, genuinely curious.
She met my gaze steadily. “I always knew you would be extraordinary, Alex. Even before you presented
as an Alpha. There was something about you–this quiet certainty, this innate leadership. It drew me to
you even when we were children.”
I was about to respond when a familiar scent hit my nostrils, making my muscles tense. Summer noticed
the change immediately, her own body going alert.
“Alexander, what a delightful surprise!”
The silky voice belonged to Natalia Thompson, daughter of the Eastern Pack’s Alpha and my former
lover. She stood beside our table in a dress that left little to the imagination, her blonde hair cascading
down her back in perfect waves. Her predatory gaze flicked dismissively over Summer before settling on
