Chapter 7 : More Information

*Rafe’s POV*

It wasn't fair. She had no idea what she was doing to me and yet, she could so easily drive me crazy. I didn't know if it was because she was my mate or just because Lila was herself, but she was killing me.

She wore a beautiful green dress that hugged her figure while the off the shoulder neckline exposed her shoulders and collarbone, making me want to mark and bite her delicate looking skin.

I needed to control myself. Get it together, Rafe. You haven’t even taken her out on a proper date yet.

And yet, it was almost funny how fast I was falling for Lila. We just—clicked. Maybe that was how my mother and father felt when they first met.

They were a young couple, and extremely lucky to meet when they were in college. My mother was originally from the Bolstrode pack, making Zara’s proposal attempts all the more complicated.

My mother was also the reason peace negotiations even began, even if she did have to leave her pack to be with my father.

I had cousins in that pack that I’d only recently met after things finally calmed down, so to lose those connections would hurt, but I couldn’t just follow along with Zara’s desires.

We all deserved to be happy, didn’t we? And while Zara had deluded herself into believing that combining our packs could do that, I knew I’d never be happy with her. Not like I was with Lila.

It had barely been a week and yet, I could see a lifetime with her. At the very least, I wanted to try to obtain that.

“Lila, I’m glad you could make it.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said, a small smile gracing her lips.

Her eyes glittered with warmth, and I swallowed the lump in my throat, offering my hand. I wanted everything to go well tonight, because tonight, I would ask her out, officially.

That in itself was a risk. I could tell Lila prided herself on her work ethic, and there was a very real chance that for that reason alone, she’d say no to me. But I hoped that a charming, candlelit dinner would help ease her into the idea of dating me.

I knew it wouldn’t be simple or easy, especially with being the head of Silvius Enterprises. But Lila was hardly some fragile little flower, as she had already proven.

"Bleu has a set menu with 12 courses for the night. While we eat, why don't we start the interview?" I offered.

"It won't bother you? Most people don't like bringing work to the dinner table," she noted.

I smiled. "I like listening to you talk, Lila. You always ask interesting questions, the kind I want to answer."

It was true. Lila was always careful with her words, asking thoughtful questions, rather than whatever she knew would sell. It made her kind, and hearing her speak, knowing she genuinely cared, made me never want to stop listening to her.

"Well then, I've always wondered, Rafe, what do you love most about your job? I know you inherited it from your father, but you've worked hard to grow the company and it shows."

My gaze softened at her question. How could it not? Since my grandfather started Silvius Enterprises and I took over for my father, it was always just assumed that I would follow suit and that it was what I wanted to do with my life. In a way, it was. In others, not so much.

“Well, when my grandfather started the company, he did it with the intention of helping medical supplies and assistance be more widespread. I didn’t think he was expecting it to get so big, but we’ve all worked hard to make it what it is today.”

‘Me and everyone else in the pack,’ I noted mentally to myself, but that part was another discussion entirely. And one, I hoped to have with her one day soon.

“But do you love it?” Lila asked, as if it was the most important part.

Always getting down to the truth of things, just like a true journalist.

“It can get hard,” I sighed. “But it’s very rewarding, especially since the company often reaches out to help as many people as possible. A good chunk of our funding goes to charities and research. So, yes, I do love it.”

At this, she smiled. “I’m glad.”

“And you?” I pressed. “Do you love your job as a reporter?”

“Hm? Oh—no, I’m not a reporter. I’m a journalist. They’re two very different things.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Are they?”

“Very much so!” she continued. “More often than not, reporters will be just that–reporting the news to an audience, usually in person or on a screen. While journalists, on the other hand, write about it. We go about our stories in very different manners, Mr. Silvius. Do remember that,” she said in a false, haughty tone making me laugh.

“Forgive me for the sleight. However, can I earn your forgiveness, Ms. Journalist?” I joined in teasingly.

“Hmm, well, seeing as you’ve brought me all the way out here to such a lovely dinner, I suppose I can forgive you.”

“My thanks, dear Lila. It puts my mind at ease to know you forgive me.”

She giggled at my tone. “But of course, on the topic though. What would you consider yourself as?”

Alpha. Pack head. Billionaire. Philanthropist. Shifter—none of which were really the answers that I wanted to give.

“I’d probably have to go with idealist, if that’s allowed,” I finally answered after a moment of consideration.

“Of course,” she nodded. “May I ask why?”

I leaned forward on the table, engaging further into the conversation. My eyes never left hers. “Silvius Enterprises can always do more—be better—because we have the power to do so. As an individual though, I would like it if I could make this world better in my own way, since I’m in a position to do so.”

‘And—’ I thought, listening to Lila compliment my tasteful answer and smile so sweetly at me. ‘To not accidentally make it worse.’

I decided to turn the tables and ask her another question about herself. I needed to know more. “So, what was it that made you want to be a journalist?”

“It’s a bit silly really,” she chuckled shyly. “But my father was the one who got me interested in it.”

“Was he a writer as well?”

“Oh no, blue collar worker. He actually fixed elevators. Surprisingly lucrative, but it took him away from home a lot. When he was home though, he’d always read the morning paper and I’d sit on his lap doing the crossword puzzles with him.”

I grinned at the sweet image that popped into my head. “Is that why you’re so eloquent with your words?”

“Haha! No, I was actually terrible at the crosswords. I cried once when he had to correct my spelling of vinegar when I was seven—but that was a hard word to spell at the time!”

“Terribly hard,” I agreed, deeply amused. Lila rolled her eyes at me, giving me a look, knowing exactly what I was thinking.

“But we’d do the crosswords together and he’d point out the most interesting thing about the paper that day to me and—I don’t know. I started to read the paper more and more, and wrote constantly. I knew then that I wanted to be a journalist, being the first to hear the real stories and writing them out for others to see.”

“I think it’s wonderful that your father inspired you to become a writer,” I noted softly.

Lila smiled. “If he was here, he’d get a laugh out of it. He was certain I’d be a carpenter—even though the birdhouse I made in my high school wood shop looked more like a bucket than anything.”

After she answered my question, we talked further about everything and nothing at all. I learned that Lila’s favorite restaurant to eat at was a little Italian pasta place she wrote an article on while she learned my favorite food was tiramisu.

“It’s food, it counts,” I told her, and she laughed so brightly that I couldn’t help but join her.

Lila made me feel so relaxed, like the worries I had weren’t as heavy as I thought they were. She was so beautiful and sweet, and it made me realize that any trouble that would come with us being together, I’d gladly take on.

I just had to get to that point.

“I’ve never eaten at a place like this before. What made you choose this place to make it up to me? Though, I’m still of the opinion there was nothing for me to forgive. You’re a busy man, Rafe, I don’t need an apology when I understand that.”

"I'll admit, I did have an ulterior motive when I asked you to join me for dinner tonight, Lila."

Alright, here we go. So far so good.

Lila nodded along, completely unaware of what I was about to ask her. "Did you? I mean, I suspected. This does seem a bit much for a journalist."

"But you're not just any journalist,” I stated. “You're intelligent, quick witted, and I've enjoyed your company far more than I've enjoyed anyone else's in quite a while. I've come to really like you, Lila. That's why I'd like to ask you out on a date. A real one."

Her eyes went wide. She was completely shocked and I waited with bated breath till she smiled, her eyes now alight. Did she feel what I did? Did she know how much I wanted her? How much I desired for her to be mine and to know everything about her?

Surely she did, because I wasn’t a weak man. But her answer made me smile giddily, and it took everything in my power not to do more than that.

"I think I'd like that, Rafe.”

***

*Zara POV*

"Zara? You have a letter."

I sighed. "Let me guess. Rafe?"

Cole nodded. "Who else would it be?"

"Did he say ‘no’ again?" I groaned, hoping I was wrong.

But his nod only confirmed it. "Mhm, yep."

"That motherfucker,” I snarled lowly. I started to pace the room like a wild animal that was caged and could feel my blue eyes igniting with anger. "Does he think I'll just forgive him for this embarrassment? He knows this is the best decision for us. The European packs have been at peace for centuries–we're the only continent left that's still at war during the international meetings. It's a fucking disgrace!"

"Rafe is currently content where things are,” Cole noted. “He doesn't think there's a reason for the two of you to merge packs."

"I didn't ask your opinion, Cole… but you're right." I allowed myself to sink into my chair near the fireplace, sighing tiredly as I ran my hand through my hair. "He's never been very ambitious with his pack, unlike how he is with his company."

I held out my hand, not even looking, and Cole placed the letter in it.

“‘Dear Zara,’” I said in a mocking tone as I read it aloud. “I thank you for your offer, but I must remind you that I am not looking for a partner and request that you stop sending me letters…”

I trailed off, staring at the words penned on the paper. Then, I slowly stood up with my lips pulling back into a snarl.

“Zara?” Cole called out.

I growled. "Something's changed.”

"What do you mean?"

"Don't be obtuse, Cole! You know damn well Rafe's never truly rejected me and my letters. He didn't say anything about him not looking for a mate or focusing on other things–he's outright telling me ‘no’ this time!"

With a scream of rage, I kicked my chair over, the wood snapping and the leather entirely warped. Cole flinched back but otherwise didn't say anything, waiting until I calmed down. It was wise.

"Something's changed," I whispered, my chest heaving as I forced myself to calm down. "And you're going to find out what. I don't care how long it takes you, stake him out if you have to, but find out what Rafe is hiding–and DON'T come back until you do."

"Fine, alright," Cole said tiredly with raised hands. "I'll head out tonight then."

"Mhmm thank you. You know I don't like being this angry but this is important." I sighed, moving to wrap my arms around Cole and hugging him tightly, fisting his shirt. "This needs to happen, for everyone's safety."

"I know Zara, you're just doing what you believe in."

"I knew you'd understand."

I smiled up at him before pulling away.

"What should I do when I find out what made him change his mind?"

"Well, inform me of course, but if you get the opportunity," I started, smiling sharply, coldly. "Get rid of it."