My Not Yet Mate novel Chapter 2

Jo pulled to a stop in front of the movie theater. She eyed the still fast asleep female in his lap in the rearview mirror, before sighing.

‘Luke, this is a bad idea. You were supposed to be in and out. You weren’t supposed to take her somewhere.’

He glared at her. ‘Don’t you think I know that? I had every intention of doing just that, but I had to. She was in danger.’

‘Was she or did you just tell yourself that to ease your guilt?’

‘Shut up, Jo.’

He gently shook Lily awake. “Come on, Lils. We’re here.”

She yawned and stretched. She peered out of the window and her face paled.

“There’s a lot of people here,” she whispered, obviously scared.

He glanced out of the window.

“There are, yes.”

She gulped nervously. “I… can we do something else?”

“I won’t let anybody hurt you, sweetheart,” he promised.

“Lukas, please.”

Her tear filled voice made him want to give in to her request, but he knew part of building their bond was showing her that he would protect her, and that he was not ashamed of her. His shy, insecure future queen was so unaware of the beauty she already had, that she always had. He wanted to build her up, and not just because she would need confidence when she became his queen. He wanted to boost her up, because that was what one did when they cared about another. Or at least that’s what he told himself, knowing it was really because she was his mate, and nobody but his opinion mattered. He thought she was perfect and there was not a damned thing in this world he wouldn’t do to make her see herself the way he saw her. He tucked her silver, blonde hair behind her ear.

“Come on, Lils. If anybody is mean to you, I will punish them, okay?”

She stared up at him with tears glistening in her eyes. She blinked and one rolled down her cheek. He wiped it away. Sparks erupted on his skin and he had to remind himself yet again, that she was only twelve.

“Trust me, please. I got you, sweetheart.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

He opened the door and she climbed out. He flipped a grinning Jo off, before slamming the door. Lily jumped. He nodded towards the ticket counter.

“Come on.”

He turned around and began to walk towards it. After a few seconds, he noticed she wasn’t next to him. He stopped, looking over his shoulder. She was moving slower than usual, with her head hanging down. He went back to her and raised her chin.

“What’s wrong?,” he asked softly.

She pulled her face away from his touch. “It’s okay for you to walk ahead of me. I’m used to it.”

Her words made him feel like he had been punched in his gut. He growled and she jumped again, backing away. She stepped on her shoelace and started falling backwards, crying out. He caught her and helped her stand back up, before kneeling at her feet to tie her shoes. He looked up at her, still holding her foot in his hands.

“I will never walk ahead of you, Lilianna. I promise you that. I am not embarrassed to be seen with you. In fact, I am happy to be seen with you.” He stood up and put his hand on the small of her back. “Shall we?”

He slowed his pace to hers, taking special care to make sure he never stepped further than she did. She stood shyly by his side as he studied the movie list. He pointed to one.

“The only shark movie they have is ‘Great White: The God of the Sea.’ Is that the one you want to see?”

“Yes, please.”

He turned his attention to the ticketmaster sitting behind the counter. “Two tickets for the great white movie.”

“Your Majesty, this is a rated R movie.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And you’re telling me this why? She said she wanted to see the movie.”

The man handed Lukas two tickets and bowed to him slightly. Her hand gripped his shirt and he smiled down at her. It quickly turned into an angry frown when she was staring at a group of men, trembling. He turned his head to glare at the three men who were pointing at her and laughing. He gently removed her hand from his shirt, glancing at the ticketmaster.

“Did they buy tickets for movies soon?”

“Yes, Sire.”

“Okay. Keep an eye on her and do not let anybody approach her.”

He stalked over to them, grinning. He stuck his hands in his pockets.

“Well, howdy fellows. Is there a problem?”

“No, man. We were just talking,” said the biggest one, failing to stifle his laughter.