X. A Date Under the Stars

       Sihyeon frowned, looking at the multiple outfits spread out on her bed.

       He didn’t even say if I should dress fancy or not. What should I wear?

       Sihyeon looked at the mirror. Her hair was already done. She had put in loose curls and even put on some light makeup. The last time she did so was for prom last year. Finally realizing how much effort she was putting into this, Sihyeon slammed her closet door shut and groaned in frustration.

       I don’t even like him! Why am I doing this!

       Sihyeon sat on her bed with a deep sigh.

       But, I promised Mom to give him a chance.

       “Honey? What’s wrong?” Sihyeon’s mother knocked on her daughter’s bedroom door.

       “Nothing,” Sihyeon mumbled.

       Sihyeon’s mother opened the door and walked in, seeing her daughter laying on several items of clothing.

       “Why aren’t you dressed yet?”

       Sihyeon’s eyes widened.

       “W-What are you talking about?”

       “Don’t you have a date with Joonmyun today?”

       Sihyeon jumped from her bed.

       “How do you know!” Sihyeon pointed an accusing finger at her mother.

       “Joonmyun asked for my permission to take you out on a date yesterday. I said yeah, and that you have no curfew, so you two can stay out as late as you want,” she shrugged.

       “Mom,” Sihyeon groaned and fell back onto her bed.

       “Why are you whining?” Sihyeon’s mother walked over to the bed, scanning the clothes. “You already put on make up and did your hair. You look so pretty already. He didn’t tell me where he was taking you, but I really think you should wear your pink skirt with this white blouse. Matches your hair and makeup. Oh, and wear these heels—”

       “Mom,” Sihyeon pouted. “You do know Joonmyun is only being nice to me because of the bond, right? He doesn’t actually like or love me.”

       “Sihyeon,” her mother sighed. “I don’t know why, but when I saw that boy, I knew that all he had for you was love. I could see it in his eyes. I could hear it in the way he spoke. If you asked me, I would have to say that it seems like he’s loved you for a long time, meaning before he even found out that you were his mate.”

       Sihyeon rolled onto her side.

       “He’s just desperate for a Luna. He’s the youngest alpha in history. He wants to build up his pack the fastest he can.”

       “Honey, it’s that tunnel vision you have that’s not allowing you to see that he really loves you. If he asked for your hand in marriage today, I wouldn’t hesitate to say yes.”

       “Mom!”

***

       “Wow,” Joonmyun breathed out in shock when Sihyeon opened the front door.

       Sihyeon couldn’t help but blush. No one but her mom had ever complimented her before.

       “You don’t look too shabby yourself,” Sihyeon muttered. That was the best attempt she could make at a compliment.

       Joonmyun’s hair was still styled naturally, but he wore a white button up and black slacks. It was simple, yet classy. Just Sihyeon’s style.

       Urgh, shut up brain.

       Joonmyun was pulled from his trance. A small giggle escaped passed his lips.

       “Well, thank you, love,” Joonmyun held his hand out to her.

       Sihyeon hesitated. Should she take his hand? Should she not?

       Decisions. Deci—

       “Oh, just get going you two,” Sihyeon’s mother shoved the girl forward.

       Sihyeon panicked, falling forwards from the step. Joonmyun’s eyes widened. He stretched his arms out just in time to catch Sihyeon. Her face smacked right onto Joonmyun’s chest.

       “Oops,” Sihyeon’s mother chuckled. “Now, get going! I have friends coming over!” she shouted before slamming the door shut.

***

       “It’s beautiful,” Sihyeon spoke, staring at the city in awe.

       Joonmyun couldn’t help but stare at her. She was more perfect and beautiful than a portrait.

       “Not as beautiful as you, Kang Sihyeon.”

       Sihyeon composed herself and looked at Joonmyun with a thousand words at the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t know what to say.

       Thanks, bro?

       Bro, you too.

       Sihyeon didn’t take well to compliments.

       “Thanks,” Sihyeon mumbled, for the fifth time that night. It was nice, until he complimented her, and then it became awkward—well for her.

       Joonmyun chuckled. He reached into the basket and pulled out a sandwich.

       “Here, eat. It’s our dinner. I hope you don’t mind.”

       No, Sihyeon didn’t mind at all. Rather than a fancy restaurant, Sihyeon would rather be doing exactly what they were at that very moment. Sitting on a blanket and eating sandwiches on the tallest hill in the city.

       The awkwardness had subsided for now. Sihyeon just wanted to enjoy the moment while it lasted.

       “How did you find this place?” she asked, making small talk.

       “I came up here during a run once. The view took my breath away. I’ve never shared this place with the pack. I just . . . wanted to save it for someone special, you know?”

       Sihyeon’s heart pounded loudly in her ears. Nothing. Nothing but a little part of herself in the very back of her mind was screaming at her to do her best to reject him, but everything he did for her was making that part of her obsolete.

       Sihyeon wanted to deny it.

       She wouldn’t let some stupid bond come in the way of her not fully accepting the alpha, but her heart just yearned for her to wrap her arms around him and kiss him a thousand times. The whole world was for her and Joonmyun being together, while she was the only one against it.

       “Joonmyun,” his name left her lips before she even realized she said it.

       Joonmyun stared at his mate with slight shock—surprised that she wasn’t saying something snarky.

       “Yeah?”

       Sihyeon looked him in the eye. Even just the way he looked at her took her breath away.

       Sihyeon knew it. She just knew it. She was being screwed over by her own heart.

       Sihyeon was falling for her mate.

       “I think I like you,” she whispered.

A/N:

It's been almost a year. I'm sorry about that. Haven't been living the best life, but I'm still trying.

-Nubci4