Taking her out on a date

"You're finally awake," Helena murmured, her voice soft but with an edge of teasing, fingers lightly tracing Ghod's jaw. She felt him stir, his breath brushing her skin.

Ghod's arms tightened around her instinctively, a protective gesture even in his sleep.

Helena couldn't help but smile, but there was a slight ache in her chest. His hold was always firm, as if afraid she'd slip away if he let go, and that fear made her heart squeeze painfully.

She tilted her head slightly, letting her eyes wander over his features. His strong jaw, the faint lines of stress usually etched into his brow now smoothed over in sleep. His thick lashes cast soft shadows across his cheekbones, and his lips, slightly parted, made him look almost vulnerable.

Helena let out a soft sigh, her fingers brushing the edge of his hairline. Her chest tightened with the emotion she didn't dare voice just yet. Instead, she admired him. Awake, Ghod was all sharp edges and control, but asleep, he looked so peaceful, even gentle.

With a deep breath, Helena snuggled closer, resting her head on his chest. She could hear the steady thump of his heart beneath her ear, and for a moment, the world felt still, like nothing could touch them.

She wanted to stay there, suspended in that bubble of quiet serenity.

Ghod's voice broke the silence, low and husky with sleep.

"Staring at me again?"

Helena jumped slightly, her cheeks heating. "You caught me," she muttered, her fingers now tracing small circles on his chest.

Ghod chuckled softly, his eyes still closed, and his hand lazily slid up her back, fingers grazing her skin.

"I don't mind," he said, voice rough. "Feels good to wake up with you beside me."

Helena swallowed, her pulse quickening under his touch.

"You don't say that often."

His eyes opened, the familiar intensity back in them as he gazed at her.

"I should," he replied simply, his hand cupping her cheek, thumb brushing over her skin in a gentle, possessive stroke.

"You're mine, Helena. I don't say it, but I think it every damn day."

Her breath hitched, and before she could respond, Ghod shifted, pinning her beneath him. His weight was solid, comforting, but there was a tension in the air now, a shift in his energy.

His blue eyes darkened with something raw as they locked with hers, and she knew what was coming.

She couldn't look away as his lips descended, claiming hers in a deep kiss that made her stomach flutter.

His hand found its way to her waist, fingers tracing the curve of her hips before sliding lower, gripping her possessively.

Helena moaned softly into his mouth, the sound making Ghod's hand tighten on her. His lips left hers for a moment, trailing down her jaw and to her neck.

She arched into him, her hands gripping his shoulders.

"Ghod," she whispered, voice trembling, but it was unclear if it was from the weight of his presence or the way his hands were wandering.

Without a word, Ghod pulled her up with him, leading her toward the bath. The air was thick with unspoken desire, and her pulse pounded in her ears as they undressed, the movements slow, deliberate.

Helena's heart raced as Ghod's hands roamed over her bare skin, his gaze never leaving hers.

Once they were in the water, he pulled her onto his lap, his large hands gripping her thighs as he leaned in to kiss her again, slower this time, but just as intense.

His hand slid up her body, cupping her breast as his mouth moved down her neck, and Helena let out a soft moan, her back arching into his touch.

Ghod's fingers were firm but gentle as they trailed lower, between her thighs, teasing her. Helena's breath hitched again, and she let her head fall back, her entire body responding to his touch.

When his fingers slipped inside her, she gasped, her hips involuntarily bucking forward as a wave of heat rushed through her.

"Hmmmm..." she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

He growled low in his throat, his other hand gripping her waist tightly, pulling her closer. His mouth found hers again, and the kiss was rougher this time, more desperate.

Helena clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she moved with him, her body pressing into his, chasing the release that was building inside her.

When she moaned again, louder this time, Ghod grinned against her lips, his fingers moving faster, deeper.

"You like that?" he asked, voice low and thick with desire.

Helena could barely form words, her mind hazy with pleasure. She nodded, her breath coming in short gasps.

"Yes," she managed to say, her voice trembling.

Ghod's hands shifted, one sliding to grip her butt, pulling her closer against him, while the other continued its relentless teasing.

He kissed her again, hard and demanding, and Helena melted into him, her body shaking as she teetered on the edge of release.

With one last stroke of his fingers, Helena's body tensed, and she cried out, her nails digging into his skin as she finally found her release.

Ghod held her close, his lips still on hers, his hands still tracing her body, as she rode out the wave of pleasure.

When her breathing finally slowed, and her body relaxed against him, Ghod kissed her forehead, his voice soft.

"I love how you feel when you're like this. You're beautiful, Helena."

Helena could only smile, her body still tingling from his touch.

A couple of hours later, Ghod had gotten dressed.

Helena's head snapped up as the door creaked open.

Her lips parted slightly as he walked in,

Before she could speak, Ghod flashed her a small, knowing smile.

"Get ready," he said, his voice smooth as he slipped off his jacket.

Helena blinked, taken aback.

"What? Where are we going?"

The excitement in her voice was impossible to mask. Her heart skipped a beat as she searched his eyes.

Ghod's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "It's a surprise."

Helena felt a rush of anticipation course through her. She hurriedly went to change, and soon, they were out the door.

At the restaurant.

Helena stepped inside, immediately overwhelmed by the luxurious atmosphere.

The scent of expensive perfume and spices filled her senses, and she clung tighter to Ghod's arm, her fingers digging into his sleeve.

"I… I don't belong here," she whispered, her voice shaky.

Ghod looked down at her and gently rubbed her arm, his touch meant to soothe.

"Relax," he whispered back, his voice calm but firm. "You're with me."

Helena nodded, swallowing hard, but her grip on him only tightened as they moved further into the room.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and her eyes darted around, catching glimpses of people staring in their direction.

"Everyone's looking at us," she whispered urgently, her breath quickening.

"They're looking at me," Ghod corrected softly, his voice carrying that same calm reassurance. But his words didn't ease her discomfort. She could feel the weight of those stares like a physical force pressing down on her.

The manager rushed over, bowing slightly. "Alpha, your reservation is upstairs. This way."

Helena's heart leaped in relief. Thank the Goddess. The VIP section. Away from the crowd.

But her relief was short-lived when Ghod shook his head.

"No. We'll dine here," he said.

Helena's eyes widened. Her grip on his arm faltered as she looked up at him, her mouth open in disbelief.

"What? Why?" she hissed, trying to keep her voice low. But he didn't meet her eyes.

Without another word, Ghod followed the manager to a table among the other guests. Helena followed behind, her entire body tensing with each step. She felt as though the eyes of the entire universe were trained on her, watching, judging.

Once they were seated, Helena's irritation boiled over. Her fists clenched under the table as she glared at Ghod, her jaw tightening.

He didn't look up from the menu, but his lips twitched.

"Go ahead, Helena," he said, his tone unreadable. "Say what's on your mind."

Her brown eyes narrowed, and her voice dropped to a sharp whisper.

"Why didn't you tell me we'd be eating here?"

"Because you wouldn't have come," he replied, still calm, still infuriatingly composed.

Her teeth ground together. "Maybe that should have told you something."

He glanced up, locking his blue eyes with hers. "This is for your own good. You're the Luna. You need to be confident among your people."

Helena's eyes flared in anger, but his words struck a nerve.

She opened her mouth to argue, but no sound came out. Her fists unclenched slightly as she dropped her gaze to the table.

The waiter came by to take their orders, momentarily breaking the tension.

Ghod ordered for both of them, and once the waiter left, he leaned forward. His voice softened.

"I'm not doing this to upset you, Acantha. You need to start acting like the Luna you are."