Royal shuffle: Vampire's mate

ANDREA

I went back home with lots of excitement, and butterflies in my stomach. My mother had asked where I had gotten the goodies from, and I just told her that my boss got them for me. I wasn't ready to tell her yet that I had a mate. Especially when the situation was somewhat complicated. I told her that I was going on a date tonight with said boss, and she looked at me skeptical.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Why does he want to take you out on a date?"

"It's just for my birthday dinner."

"Oh. And that's all?" She asked.

I nodded.

"Be careful..."

I smiled and nodded. She left me alone to cater to myself as I got ready. I pulled out the floor-length velvet black dress and donned it. It was an off-shoulder long sleeve, fitted and had a slit that came up to mid-thigh. It was fitted, and hugged my figure closely. I paired it with a pair of black heels. I sat down at the mirror, and brushed my hair out. Deciding that I wanted my wavy hair worn down. I did a simple middle parting. And I was ready to go. My phone pinged, and it was a text from Leo telling me that a car was waiting outside to pick me up.

I smiled, and headed out the door, kissing my mother on my way out.

I greeted the driver, and got into the car. I enjoyed watching the streets go by, and most especially watching the moon. I was 21, and this was the most serene experience I've had in a while. The restaurant was a 5-star Italian restaurant. "We're here, ma'am," The driver said, opening the door for me to step out.

"Thanks..."

I got out of the vehicle, and took a few minutes to look around, and I immediately felt insecure. Like I didn't fit in here. I took a deep breath and entered the restaurant. Going straight to the reception. She smiled at me as I approached. "Hello, welcome to Bella Italia. Reservation?"

I chuckled nervously. "I...think so. I'm here with Leonidas Grayson."

Her eyes opened wide. "Oh. You must be Andrea Patterson."

"Yes," I replied.

She signaled to a waiter standing in the corner. "Take her to the executive lounge please."

The man nodded at me, and I followed him through the restaurant and up a flight of stairs. The several gazes I got from other patrons didn't escape my notice, but I kept my gaze straight ahead. We got to the top floor, where there were very few tables, and all with a clear view of the sky. I saw Leo sitting at one of the tables, and he stood up once he saw me.

"Hi."

"Hey."

He pulled me into his arms and hugged me, giving me a soft kiss on my cheek. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet, musky scent that he had on him. "You smell nice," I blurted out.

"Thanks. You look beautiful. The dress looks divine on you."

I smiled. "Thank you."

He pulled out my seat for me, and I sat.

"So, would you like to order now?" Leo asked.

"Yes."

I picked up the menu and scanned it. Looking absolutely flustered at what was there.

"What's wrong?"

I looked up and found Leo looking at me intently. "Nothing. You know what? I'll just have what you're having."

He looked down at the menu and then back at me, and nodded.

"Okay."

He turned to the waiter and ordered for us both.

"Okay, sir. I'll be back shortly."

"Bring us a bottle of your finest white wine."

The waiter nodded, and left. He returned a few minutes later with a bottle of wine in an ice bucket and two wine glasses. He poured wine into each of the glasses and left again. "You look so beautiful," Leo said.

I blushed. "Thanks. You said that already."

"I need to be saying it every few minutes, we have to make sure you don't forget."

I chuckled, and picked up my glass. He picked his up as well.

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"Let's make a toast..."

"To what?"

"To you. Happy birthday, and a toast to good health, to peace, and to everything you've ever wished for. Cheers."

"Cheers," I drained my cup in one go. The wine tasted sweet. I placed my cup down on the table to find Leo staring at me in amusement.

"What?" I asked.

He shook his head and refilled my glass for me.

"I don't know your alcohol tolerance, sweetheart. But if you keep going, I might have a drunken woman on my hands."

I waved him off. "I'm a werewolf, one glass won't make me drunk."

He smirked at me. "We shall see..."

We talked and joked and laughed. He told me about his father and siblings, and how his mother is late. The food finally arrived, and my mouth immediately began to water. He had ordered fried rice, and grilled chicken and coleslaw for me. And Alfredo spaghetti and shrimps for himself. I picked up my cutlery, and immediately dug in. I was aware that Leo was watching me eat, but I was too engrossed at the flavors bursting on my tongue.

"I take it that you're enjoying your meal?"

I nodded. "Yes. I love it. Do you like yours?"

He nodded, and we both continued eating. Halfway through my meal, a shadow approached our table. I looked up to see Prince William approaching us. My appetite disappeared, and my heart fell as he stood at our table, a sinister smile in his face.

"You guys seem to be having fun," He said, looking between the food and me, venom dripping from his voice. "Prince Leonidas."

"Prince William."

Leo's tone suggested he wasn't happy with this man's presence.

"Hello, Andrea," Prince William said.

"Hello, sir."

My voice came out timid. So timid that I hated myself for being so weak.

"Was there something you wanted exactly?" Leo asked.

"Not really. It's just that, we've noticed that you've been on our territory lately," Prince William replied.

"This is not your territory, this is a human territory."

"And yet you need to travel through my territory to get in."

"No," Leo replied. "You should take your job as a future ruler quite seriously. Because if you did, you would know that there is in fact an entrance into the human territory that doesn't require moving through your territory."

I could tell by the veins popping out on Prince William's neck that he didn't like the way he was just spoken to. The way the two men looked at each other scared me to an extent. It made me want to bow my head in submission. They were in full royal mode, trying to coerce submission from the other. I took a deep breath, and got out of my seat. "Um..."

Both pair of eyes fell on me.

"I...I need to use the restroom..."

Without waiting for any of them to respond, I walked out out and began to find the restroom. I finally found one on the ground floor and rushed in. Leaving them alone together and without interference was probably not the wisest thing to do, but if I had stayed there any minute longer, I would have expired on the spot. I turned on the tap on the sink and wet my hands, and then used them to tap my face. I took deep breaths, and looked at my reflection in the mirror for a while. The door opened, and Prince William came in. He looked very angry. His eyes said he wanted blood.

"You're in the wrong restroom," I said, my voice coming out a bit shaky.

"You fucking little bitch..."

He advanced at me, and I kept moving back till my head hit the wall.

"What do you want from me?" I asked.

He threw his head back, and laughed maniacally. "So, all the while you refused my advances, you were spreading your legs wide open for those smelly bloodsuckers, huh?!"

He towered over me, his hot breath fanning my face.

"Just leave me alone..."

His hand clamped around my neck with considerable strength, restricting my air flow. Tears flowed down my cheeks, and my eyes begged him to let go. He held on to my neck fast, seeming to enjoy the pain he was inflicting on me. I began to run out of breath, and my vision was becoming hazy. I heard the door open, and then shrill voices of two women.

"Hey!!!"

"What the fuck are you doing? Leave her alone!!!"

Prince William looked from them to me, and growled.

"I'll get back to you," he hissed in my ear.

He let go of my neck, and walked out. Leaving me to slump to the ground, gasping for air.