My Long Lost Mate

"I like this one," said Luke, his head nodding up and down as he scanned my appearance, "All the previous dresses are too flashy. I don't like it when people stare at you."

Now I know why he was unhappy with all the previous dresses. He was ceaselessly saying 'no' when I was wearing those pompous dresses. So it was not because I didn't look good in them, but it was because they were all too eye-catching that he was afraid it would catch people's attention? 

"Do you like it?" he asked. Compared to all the previous ones, yes. But the price is still a little... 

I gestured for him to lower his head, again whispering to his ear, "I still think we should go to another shop with a more reasonable price." Hearing my words, he straightened his back, but I quickly pulled him down again as I still have some more to say, "Or I can wear Kiera's old dresses."

"Like I said, rabbit," he sighed, grabbing both of my shoulders, "I'm rich, so you don't need to worry about the price. Do you need me to show you how rich I am?" he asked, "I can even build a castle full of jewels for you, and I still won't run out of money."

"You are that rich?" I gasped. I knew he had a lot of money in his pockets by the look of his scrumptious manor, but I didn't know he was THAT rich. 

"I am," he smiled. Still, I didn't like the fact that he was going to spend so much money just for me. As if he could read my thoughts, he added, "I have decided I was going to use these coins for you, so if you didn't use it now, I might as well let them burn," he pointed at the fireplace in the room, threatening to throw his pouch full of gold coins to burn. 

Was he being serious? I narrowed my eyes at the man, not believing his words. No one would ever throw such a large amount of money to the—

"Wait!" I shouted, stopping him from throwing the pouch to the fire. He was being serious?! "What are you doing?!"

"Making you believe my words," he shrugged, "You didn't look like you believe me before, but now you do," he chuckled. 

I stared at him like he was a wild animal, shocked to see what he was trying to do. To think he dared to burn his money just because I was not going to use it was very shocking. Now I knew that I shouldn't doubt his words before he made me believe. 

"...I will." 

"Great," he ruffled my hair before turning to the employee, "You heard her, right? We are taking this one."

I let out a little sigh and went back to the dressing room, changing out into the dress I initially came with. After the employee finished helping me changed back, she asked Luke, "Do you need anything for yourself, sir?"

"I would like a suit that matches her dress," he replied, "I want to show the world we are a couple—if by any chance it's not clear enough for the people to see. But I think it's quite obvious, no?" he asked the employee, his hand hovering over my shoulders as he pulled me closer for the woman to see. 

"Both of you made a wonderful couple, sir," she answered, her smile never leaving her face. When she saw the proud smile on Luke's face, she bowed her head before leaving to bring the suit he was asking for. 

"She said we made a wonderful couple," he beamed like a child who had just received his very first candy, "Do you think so?" 

Do I think so? I actually never thought about it. Do we look like a couple? Truthfully, the way I saw Luke had changed so much since the first time I met him. At first, I only saw him as my savior. He was the one who saved me from all the bad things around me, the one who provided me a place to sleep and food to eat. He was a kind man, a rare presence in my life. 

Even without knowing many things about this world, I knew that I was the safest with him so I stayed. He was like a safe place amidst this dangerous world. His kindness struck as weird to me. It was making me wonder was there something that he wanted from me? It was then when he told me that I was his mate. 

I was truly surprised. I didn't know that my presence could ever be something that was needed by someone. I didn't know that I could ever feel loved again, that I could ever receive genuine kindness from someone.

I was afraid that all the things he has shown me were temporary, so I pushed him away. I was afraid that if get too attached to him, the little I had in me would crumble away when there comes a day where I lose him—or when his feelings change because we can't predict the future, and I was afraid of it. 

But, after all the things we went through these past few weeks, I realized that it was too late. Even without me knowing it, he had become someone important in my life. Things would be different if he was not here. So now, I might be a little braver and give way for him to enter my heart.

I won't be afraid of the unknown future, and will only live for the present. That way, the happiness I was waiting for will come. 

"I think so too." 

When he heard those words, he stared at me like he couldn't believe what he had just heard. He picked his ear, thinking that he heard wrong. 

"What did you just say?" he asked. 

"I said I think so too," I chuckled. It was the first time I was being honest with my feelings. Though I was not sure this feeling I felt right now was love, I couldn't deny that I liked it.

"Really?" the smile on his face grew wider and wider as he pulled me in for a hug, "You really think so? That we made a wonderful couple?" 

"Hmm," I hummed in response, "You?"

I couldn't help but smile when I saw him this way. For once, he appeared to be adorable in my eyes even when he was not in his wolf form. I'm glad a little of my courage could bring him such happiness. 

The employee came back with a suit in hand, showing it up for Luke to see. "Is this up to your liking, sir?" 

A suit in a deep blue color was seen in sight, perfectly matching with the dress I was just wearing. Seeing the suit, Luke nodded his head and smiled, "I'll take it. Can you give me a piece of paper and a pen?" 

Receiving the paper and the pen, he quickly scribbled on it and handed it to the employee, "This is the address, in case you forgot," he raised his finger as if giving her a warning, "Make sure to send the right sizes. It's a bother if you send the wrong size like last time," he said to the employee, earning an apologetic smile from her. 

"You are a regular here?" I asked. 

"Only when I'm in Gordom," he answered, taking out the coin pouch from before to give it to the employee. That was why he found it funny when I told him this place was fooling us for the prices because we were not locals. Turns out he was used to paying such money for his attire. 

"Are you not going to try your suit?" 

"No," he shook his head, "Everything I wear will look good on me so why bother trying." 

Cheeky, as always. But I must admit, it was the truth. He was truly a handsome man. No matter the clothing, he would always look good owing to his face. He will need a mask if he wanted to hide his good looks.