-Dominic-
Lara came inside with Gabriel and Ace. I hadn't liked letting her leave on her own, but she had insisted she was just going out to get some air and would come right back. I was glad to see she wasn't alone though, and it didn't look like Ace or Gabriel had had to beat anyone up, so I hoped that meant Lara hadn't gotten into any trouble. I quickly met them halfway, though, wrapping my arms around Lara and looking at her concerned.
"Everything all right?"
She nodded and gave me one of her sweet smiles.
"Everything is just fine."
I smiled back and leaned down to kiss her shortly.
"Ready to get out of here?" I asked.
"Can we really leave yet?"
I looked around the big room filled with both vampires and werewolves, yet as I stood there with Gabriel, Ace, and my little mate, I just saw how we had our own little family right here. It might not be much, but we understood each other, and we only really needed each other. I had played the king I had to be for tonight, and Lara had played her role very well too, but there was only so much I could take, and I knew Damon would make a smooth excuse for our departure.
"Yeah, let us leave," I said.
Lara smiled up at me, and I started to lead her out of the room. She had her arms wrapped around me as well, as we walked outside to where our cars were parked, but then I stopped and asked:
"Who's hungry?"
"Starving!" Lara said.
"Hell yes!" Gabriel joined in.
Ace just stood there beside Gabriel, not saying much, and I smiled, knowing he could use some food too. We got inside the cars, and instead of driving home, we went to a diner, a lot of humans watching us confused, but not saying anything. Of course, it wasn't just our sizes, but our expensive outfits, that made everyone turn their heads. Lara was even wearing a diamond necklace that glistened so beautifully around her neck. She wasn't much for wearing something big and over the top, which was just another thing that I loved about her.
Wait ...
"What are you doing?" Lara asked, as she already sat in the little booth looking up at me.
I hadn't realized I had frozen, but something had suddenly become very clear to me. I loved the little wolf. I loved her more than I could say. Now was not the time to say it though. I wanted to wait, and I just smiled at her and shook my head, as I sat down.
"Nothing," I said and kissed her shortly before we ordered some food.
"Seriously, we need food at these parties!" Gabriel said.
Lara and I just chuckled, as we watched Gabriel dig in.
"You definitely need the fuel," she just said, before snatching one of his fries from his plate.
"Hey! Get your own!"
"You took mine too!" she gave back. "Only fair we share."
"Well ..."
"Gabriel, do not even think it!" I told him, making sure he saw the threat in my eyes.
Gabriel just shrugged, looking so satisfied with himself. Lara leaned closer to me though, my arm was resting on the back of the little booth, and I reached around her, caressing her left cheek. She smiled up at me, her beautiful blue eyes, just looking at me with so much ... love. I hoped it was love, but it was hard to say. I had never before been looked at this way, nor had I ever had these feelings for anyone before, but I truly hoped it was love.
"You two are making me lose my appetite," Gabriel said.
"You're just jealous!" Lara told him.
Gabriel didn't admit to anything, but we both knew he actually was. While I believed Ace couldn't care less about finding a mate, I knew Gabriel really wanted one. Although our families might have been enemies, both our parents had been destined for each other. We grew up with that love. We grew up watching it and learning about it, but I also knew, that despite Gabriel's jokes and teasing, he craved it. He had a lot of love to give, but no one to give it to. That had to be hard. I never put much thought into it. After my family's death and then getting the throne back, I turned quite ... numb. I didn't feel so numb now. Not with the little wolf by my side. I couldn't wait until she decided to mark me as well, but despite being here with me now, I knew she still had that voice of doubt in her head. She was so used to running and taking care of herself because there was no one else there for her. She needed more time to realize that none of us were going anywhere.