Chapter 6

T he steakhouse had been amazing. Alistair couldn't recall having a nicer time in a restaurant than he had with Maggie. He'd worried she might feel awkward after sharing her heartbreak over the appetizers, but she'd come out of her shell after that and he'd been fully charmed by her.

She was intelligent and sweet, with the prettiest smile that made her eyes light up. His elephant was head over tusks for her and wanted to take her home immediately and tell her the truth about everything.

Knowing that she had some wariness about being hurt again made him worry about the secret he had to keep. Because while his elephant was ready to spill the beans, he knew he couldn't. Not yet.

He didn't want her to think he was keeping things from her, but he definitely would be. Which meant treading carefully and doing his best to win her heart so he could tell her everything.

As they'd left the steakhouse, he'd been tempted to invite her to the apartment for dessert, but in the end, he'd driven a mile down the road to a gelato shop, where they each got small cups—hers was limoncello and his was dark chocolate—and sat on stools in the corner to share and talk some more.

Had he ever talked so much in his life?

He didn't think so.

But despite the conversation, he still mulled over what to do next .

Take her home ! his elephant chided him.

He knew he couldn't. Because while it would be the very best idea he'd ever had and would possibly lead to what he suspected would be the best night of his life, he didn't want her to feel like the only thing he was after was the intimate stuff.

She was human. She clearly felt connected to him, but she wouldn't understand just how deep that connection was until she knew the truth.

And that wasn't going to happen tonight.

After the gelato, which they both agreed was the perfect sweet ending to the progressive dinner, he drove to her townhouse and walked her to the door.

He stared down at her, his heart and mind clashing with his elephant, wanting to ask to be invited inside, to see where the night went.

Instead, he leaned down and kissed her. Gently, sweetly, with just the edge of his desperation for more, and then he said goodnight.

She chewed on her bottom lip, and he was fairly certain she wanted to invite him inside, but she didn't.

"Sleep well, sweetheart," he said, his voice gruffer with the arousal that was singing in his veins.

"I will. Will you let me know when you get home?"

"I'll send a text."

She smiled at him, and he walked to the SUV and watched until she went into the house and he heard the click of the deadbolt. He sent a text to alpha lion Caesar, who had been following them discreetly in an SUV with Jasper, a wolf who was also a member of the security team.

Heading back to the park now. Did you guys need to stop anywhere?

Caesar replied, We're good. She looked smitten. I bet she falls for you fast.

I hope so, because I'm falling for her fast already.

He put his phone in the cupholder and headed home to the park.

Well, not home exactly…the empty apartment that was his faux home for the foreseeable future.

He dropped off the vehicle in the employee lot and thanked Caesar and Jasper for their help. Since their people didn't go anywhere alone, he'd needed an escort and his friends had stepped up to lend a hand. He'd done it himself over the years.

Their people just didn't take any chances when it came to the safety of their own, and even the alphas had to abide by the rules.

As he made his way through the park to the apartment, he sent a text to Maggie.

I'm home, sweetheart.

I'm so glad to hear it.

I had a great time tonight.

Me too. It was so clever and fun. It was the best first date ever.

His elephant trumpeted happily in his head.

I'm glad you had a great time, because I thought it was the best first date ever too.

There was a pause while he debated whether he should ask her out again right now or wait until tomorrow. What did humans do?

I'm hanging out at my parents' tomorrow afternoon to help my sister with some final stuff for the wedding, but I'd love to see you again if you're free.

He blew out a relieved breath.

I'd love to see you tomorrow night. Would you like me to pick you up?

Sure. Let's say seven so I have time to get ready.

What would you like to do?

A movie? There are a few good ones playing at the mall theater.

Sounds perfect. See you at seven.

Sleep well, Alistair.

You too, Maggie.

He sent a text to Jupiter, who was the head of security.

I need an escort tomorrow to Maggie's, picking her up at seven and then a movie at the mall.

No problem. I'll have them meet you at the employee lot at six-thirty. I take it everything went well?

It was great.

That's awesome. Congrats.

Thanks.

With the night over, and the first date out of the way, Alistair felt like he could breathe a little easier. He didn't have her love yet, but he hoped it would happen soon. He could already feel himself falling for her, and he hoped she felt the same way.

Alistair didn't really care for the apartment. It was fine, but he already missed his place in the elephant's private living area, and the three-bedroom home that he'd claimed when he first came to the park. The living area was decorated to look like the savannah, with sandy-colored flooring and walls painted with blue skies, native grasses, and puffy clouds.

He slept decently for being out of his element. He knew he could have slept in his house, but he wanted the apartment to appear to be lived in, and the only way that happened was if he lived in it .

Plus, maybe tonight he would bring Maggie back with him since he couldn't stay with her.

When the sun was up, he made coffee and checked his messages, then sent a text to the memory that he'd take care of the norms again since he had the morning free.

How did it go last night ? Kelley texted.

Really great , he replied.

That's awesome! Cael texted.

Indio offered his congratulations as well.

Will you be in the paddock for the VIP tours ? Kelley texted.

Yes. I'm not picking Maggie up until seven.

The VIP tours ran during weekend afternoons and were only for those people who had received coupons in the mail for a free tour. Different than the group tour they'd held for the kids the day before, the VIP tours were individual with only the ticket holder, a driver for the blue-camo-colored Jeep, and a tour guide to share details about the animals and take photos at each paddock.

He normally spent time in the paddock during the tours, but sometimes he helped out in another area of the park so that other shifters could have their turn in the paddocks to hopefully find their soulmate. Right now, he wanted to do whatever he could to make the time pass quickly because he couldn't wait to see Maggie again.

While the morning spent taking care of the norms and cleaning the paddocks had made the time go fast, being in his shift in the paddock for the tours had made the hours pass like molasses. By the time the last VIP tour had cleared the area and it was safe for them to head into the maintenance shed to shift, he couldn't hide his excitement. In just a couple hours, he'd get to see Maggie again. He didn't care what movie they saw, or what they did, he just cared that he got to see her again.

"What are you guys doing tonight?" Cael asked as he dressed.

"Movie," Alistair said. "She spent the day with her family, otherwise I would have definitely asked to see her earlier."

"I really wish I'd found my soulmate on the tour today," Indio said. "I'm the last elephant!"

Alistair clapped the male on the shoulder. "You'll find her when the time is right."

"Ugh, I just don't want to be middle-aged like you when that happens."

"Hey!" Alistair said, making a face. "I'm young at heart."

Indio grinned. "Well, whatever supernatural entity is in charge of soulmates, I hope they don't make me wait."

Alistair hoped that too. Because while he knew that Maggie was worth the wait, he wished he'd met her years earlier, so they would have had that much more time to spend together.

"All I know is that whenever it happens, it's the right time," Cael said.

Alistair parted ways with the males and hurried through the park to the apartment to get ready for his date.

He couldn't wait.