Fate & Fur

@ BearGirl

Aiden chuckled as they sat, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, it will be nice.. not that I dont like the diner food." He smiled, giving her hand a little squeeze before looking through the menu briefly, ordering his usual iced tea and a nice bottle of wine for them to share when the waitress came to ask for their drink orders. "What do you think you'll get?" He asked once the waitress left to get their drinks, smiling over at her before glancing around the restaurant briefly. He was glad to see a few members of his pack scattered throughout the restaurant, ready to back up their Alpha in case Vi and her friends decided to make a scene.

@ katahdin

"I am not sure yet." Bailey told him as she pushed her hair behind her ear. She was quiet for a moment as she looked over at the man curiously. There was one thing she wanted to know before they really started their date, as it would bother her the whole time if she didn't say something. The young woman moved a little closer in her seat and looked up at Aiden a bit nervously. "Actually, there was something that I wanted to talk to you about. And I hope you don't mind that I am asking right away. But it has been bothering me a little as I don't fully understand what is happening."

Bailey took her hand from his, feeling the need to to ask the question seriously. "With what happened in the diner yesterday, do you know my friends? It seems that you all don't care for each other very much. And I would like to know why."

@ BearGirl

Aiden frowned a bit as she pulled her hand from his, sitting back in his chair as he nodded a little in encouragement. "Of course, I'd be happy to clear it up if I can." He offered her a reassuring smile, although it disappeared when she asked about his relationship with her friends. Luckily, the waitress arriving with their drinks gave him a bit of time to come up with an answer, not wanting to lie to her, but also not wanting to freak her out by revealing his secret.

He took a quick sip of his iced tea before answering, clearing his throat a little. "Well, I don't really know them personally, but I've met them once or twice through my family's business dealings, and they've never really stuck me as the friendly type... I apologize if our not getting along upset you, I understand that they're your friends and that I'm just some stranger, but I appreciate you coming out with me despite what I'm sure they've said."

@ katahdin

Bailey was quiet for a moment before she slowly nodded her head. It was similar to what her friends had said, that they only met him a few times, that they didn't know much about Aiden but they didn't like him. All she could boil it down to was a weird situation and their instincts about each other kicking in. There didn't seem to be a clear reason as to why they didn't like each other.

As weird as it was, Bailey started to relax. If they both said the same things, they must be telling the truth. And if that was the truth, then Bailey felt safe continuing on with Aiden. "I suppose I just found it odd." She told him before reaching over and gently taking Aiden's hand again. She smiled at him and before continuing, the waitress came and took their food order.

@ BearGirl

Aiden too relaxed as she did, offering her a kind smile as she took his hand again, lifting them to press a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. "I'm sorry that we've worried you.. I'll do my best to give them a chance and be more friendly, although I can't make promises for them.." he assured her, giving the waitress his order before turning back to Bailey. He was relieved that she'd bought his half-truth, although he felt terrible about lying to her, but also knew that it was not the time nor the place to tell her what he was.

"So, Bailey, what are your plans for the rest of the weekend?" He asked curiously. It was a Friday evening, and he hoped that she had planned something enjoyable for herself, as opposed to simply working at the diner all day or studying.

@ katahdin
"I would really appreciate that." Now she just needed to get her friends to make an effort as well. It seemed silly that they all seemed to dislike each other over, apparently, nothing. Though she wasn't quite sure what she would do if they all refused to get along. Bailey didn't love the idea of having to separate them, especially if things with Aiden turned serious. 

"Sleeping, mostly," Bailey told him with a warm laugh. "Well, I have some studying to do but I hope it won't take too long. There is an Art Fair in town that I want to go to and some of my friends want to see me so I'll probably go around to their house. Do you have something fun planned this weekend as well?" 

@ BearGirl

Aiden nodded as he listened to her weekend plans, chuckling a little. "Catching up on sleep is always good, and seeing your friends and going to an art fair sounds exciting. What part of town is it in?" He asked curiously, wondering whose territory and would be in. If she were in his, maybe he could stop by and see her again.

"As for me, I have some meetings I have to run, but other than that I'm not sure what I'll do." Every weekend his pack had a meeting to discuss how things were going and for people to bring up concerns, but in addition to that meeting he had decided to let his pack know about Bailey and his hopes to mate with her eventually, wanting them to be aware of the situation incase Vi and the others did something to try to stop him.

@ katahdin
"It is on the West side of town, near where the farmers market is," Bailey responded. Her eyes shifted up as the waitress came back and set their food down in front of them. With a soft voice, she thanked her before looking down at her food. It really did look delicious. She smiled at Aiden for a moment before sliding her hand out of his, needing both hands to eat.

The woman took a bite of her food, letting out a pleasant little hum before continuing. "Sounds like you'll still have time for a restful or exciting weekend. You just need to choose which one now." Bailey took another sip of the wine. "So what is your family's business?" 

@ BearGirl

Aiden nodded a little, humming in thought. The farmers market was right on the line between the two territories, as the packs hadn't done the simple thing and divided the town down the middle, but had claimed different parts over the years to the point where if you outlined them on a map it would look like quite the jagged jigsaw piece. "I know the farmers market. It's lovely there, I'm sure you'll have a great time." He smiled, thanking the waitress for bringing their food before digging into his meal.

He shrugged a bit when he asked about the family business, looking at her while he finished a mouthful of food. "We mostly own properties and rent them out. We own a few apartment buildings and retail buildings that house local businesses." He explained. He practically owned every building in his territory, and the pack members ran most of the buisnesses, so they made quite the killing money wise.

@ katahdin

"Oh wow, that is impressive. Sounds like a hard job." Bailey was rather surprised to hear what Aiden did for a living. Though how could she not be? She didn't know anyone who owned apartment buildings or a business. She pushed her hair behind her ear as she looked up at him curiously. There was definitely a lot about Aiden that she didn't know about and Bailey was excited to find out. But it was even more confusing how he ever ran into her friends, unless he owned the place they lived in?

Looking back down at her food, Bailey went back to eating. Though other things were beginning to fall into place. Things that made a little more sense about Aiden. A soft smile formed over her lips before looking back up at him. "I just wouldn't have pegged you as a real estate guy, to be honest."

@ BearGirl

Aiden chuckled a little as she called his job impressive, shrugging a little. "I mostly just delegate and do big picture stuff, I barely do any of the work but get all of the credit." He explained, and it was mostly true, although he tried to make things as equal as possible in his pack, even though he was the Alpha and his decisions were final.

He went back to eating, but smiled when he noticed hers, grinning a bit at her statement about him. "And I never would have pegged you as a computer science nerd. Everyone is full of surprises and the unexpected, Bailey. It's the way life works." He smiled, taking a sip of hjs drink before digging back in. "So, how would you rate our date so far? Am I doing ok?"

@ katahdin

"I suppose that is very true." The woman looked down to the side in thought for a moment before looking back at him. "In that case, I am glad that everyone is full of surprises and that life is unexpected. I suppose it would be rather boring if it was not like that."

"Well that is not a very fair question now is it?" Bailey asked, a large smile coming over her face. "Because if I tell you now, that means you'll have the advantage. Besides, I thought you weren't suppose to know how well the date went until after the date is over when I agree to go on the second one or not." The woman smirked a little bit before leaning closer. "Though, how about you tell me how you think you are doing and I'll tell you if I agree or not."

@ BearGirl

Aiden grinned a little as she spoke, chuckling as she called his question unfair. "I disagree, I think it's perfectly fair to ask, so I can try to make sure you're having a good time." He explained, his grin only widening when she asked him to tell her how he thought he was doing.

"Well, I'd like to think I'm doing well, considering you haven't left yet... although I suppose there's still time for that." He teased, reaching over to take one of her hands, giving it a little squeeze. "If there's anything more I can do, let me know. Even if you decide not to go on the second date, I still want to treat you well."

@ katahdin

Listening to Aiden speak, Bailey let out a long hum. She found him interesting and thought that he was making logical sense as to why she should tell him. Though, more than that, Bailey found him sweet. Lightly squeezing his hand back, Bailey leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek. As she pulled away, she smiled at him. "I think this date is going really well for you." Bailey murmured softly.

Her thumb rubbed against the back of his hand gently. The waitress came back, picking up their empty plates before heading off again. Bailey glanced down at the table for a moment before picking up her wine and taking another drink. Part of her hoped that there was something else for them to do, wanting to stay around Aiden. Though, part of her also thought it would be best if he dropped her off at home... besides, she could invite him up if she wanted to.

@ BearGirl

Aiden beamed when she kissed his cheek, giving her hand another squeeze as she informed him that he was doing well on the date. "Thank goodness, I was worried you'd say you hated me or something." He laughed a little, thanking the waitress for taking their plates and giving her his credit card to pay for the meal.

"So, now what's the plan, Bailey? Should I take you home? Should we get ice cream? Whatever you'd like to do." He offered. He figured he had picked the restaurant, so he might as well let her decide what to do next, whether it be ending the date now or continuing it.

@ katahdin

Bailey was quiet for a long moment as she thought over what they should do next. But, a small smile came over her lips and she looked up at Aiden. "I have ice cream at home." She whispered as she lightly tugged on his hand. "So we should go back to my place." She wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do once they got there, but Bailey was sure that she wanted Aiden to come up to her apartment.

Standing up from the table, Bailey looked back at Aiden curiously, wondering if he would accept the invitation or just drop her off at the door. It was clear to Bailey that he liked her but that didn't mean he was interested in moving too fast or anything else.

@ BearGirl

Aiden smiled at her words, shoving his wallet back into his pocket before standing and offering her his hans. "Well then, let's go." He grinned. He was so excited that she'd invited him into her apartment, to the point where he pretty much forgot about her living in another packs territory. He wasn't going to push for them to do anything besides eat ice cream once in her apartment, as he knew that with his wolf wanting to mate with her, anything intimate that might happen could lead to him mating with her and marking her as his without her permission, as his instincts would take control.

Once she'd taken his hand he helped her up before walking back out to his car with her, where he opened the door for her and waited for her to safely get inside before heading around to the drivers side and starting up the car once he was seated as well, looking over at her excitedly. "I'm very glad that this date is going well.." he admitted softly as he started driving.

@ katahdin
"Me too." Bailey said with a light giggle. She reached over, lightly taking his hand again as Aiden started to drive her home. Though, only a few minutes into the drive and Bailey's eyes widen at the scene in front of them. There were three lines of people on the road in front of them and to the side. Probably about 20 of them. Bailey let out a small gasp and let go of Aiden's hand as she leaned forward, looking at the group in front of them now. 

Once the car had stopped, the woman took a few steps forward towards the car, a scowl on her face. The others around her started to crouch down, getting themselves prepared for anything. The female let out a growl. "I heard that you have been breaking our agreement, Aiden. You aren't allowed here unless it's for pack business." The female alpha glanced over at Bailey in the passenger seat. "Dating one of our humans is not pack business. What do you have to say for yourself?"

@ BearGirl

Aiden was happily driving along, although when he spotted the pack waiting for them his stomach dropped, quickly parking the car as he glared at the alpha. He turned to Bailey, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. "Stay here, I'll sort this out, don't worry." He reassured her, although he didn't look too hopeful as he got out of the car and moved to stand in front of the other alpha, looking down at her as he shoved his hands into his pockets, doing his best to appear relaxed. If he attacked her he'd be a dead man, and who knew what would happen to Bailey, so he'd have to sort this out on his own and come to some sort of compromise.

"The day I met her I was here on pack business, and I don't think you own her. She's not a pet, and she doesn't know about us. Let me bring her home, and I'll stop coming into your territory from now on, deal? She can come into my territory if we keep seeing each other."

@ katahdin
"You know that's not how this works, Aiden," Sandra said a bit more forcefully. "I will not allow you back onto my territory. Next time I catch you here on nonbusiness related ventures, we will have a problem. Besides, you know perfectly well that packs don't share humans. She may not know what's going on but we do and I  have several wolves that have had a claim to her for years now." The alpha took another step forward. "Now, go home, Aiden. I'll make sure she gets home safely."

A deep frown came over Bailey as she started to look at the people who were stopping them from getting through. She knew them, well a lot of them at least. And the woman that was in front of Aiden was her friend's Aunt. Someone Bailey thought she knew relatively well. Knowing that, Bailey got out of the car and looked at everyone. "What is going on here?" Bailey asked, looking to Aiden before looking to Sandra. "Is something wrong, Auntie Sandra?"