Angela gasped, inhaling the large sip of white wine she’d just taken. She’d been on some dates, but this was already up there amongst the weirdest.
Once she’d recovered from her coughing fit, she picked up her wine glass again and tilted her head at Lucas across the table. Dammit though, he was handsome even in this unflattering light.
‘So, your wife knows you’re on a date?’
He nodded, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.
‘I can see other women once a month on a full moon. I told her my Lycanthropy kicks in then.’
Now he’d really lost her. ‘Lycanthropy?’
The waiter arrived at that moment. Her question hung in the air whilst he laid out the tapas across the table in painfully slow motion, before finally walking away.
Lucas stuck his fork into the patatas bravas, shoved three into his mouth, and said through the steam and tomato sauce, ‘Turning into a werewolf.’
Angela didn’t know what to try and process first. She pushed her wine glass away as if to remove distractions. He was married. He was making jokes about being a werewolf. He had terrible table manners. And yet… those sparkling eyes. That shiny dark hair. She laughed and shook her head.
‘And she believes it? That you’re a werewolf and you’re going on dates to find prey?’
He smiled, tearing a chicken wing with beautiful white teeth.
‘Yeah. I mean, I make it look authentic. I return covered in what looks like mud and blood stains. Fancy a walk in the woods after this?’
Angela couldn’t explain it, but this situation was so ridiculous and he was so hot, that excitement rose in her chest and bubbled over like champagne. She threw her head back and burst into laughter.
‘What the hell, why not? I can’t believe your wife’s so gullible.’
Lucas dropped his napkin and stood up. ‘Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!’
He motioned to the waiter and mouthed, ‘Bill, please.’
Angela paused, taking a moment to think. ‘Hang on,’ she said. ‘How naïve do you think I am? I know your game.’
Lucas’s eyes widened. ‘You do?’
‘You’re just trying to avoid buying dessert.’
‘Right. Busted!’ Lucas said with a wink.
‘Can’t pull the wool over my eyes, pal. I’m not like your clueless wife. Now, where are these woods?’
*
The full moon cast a romantic glow through the trees as they walked hand-in-hand, twigs snapping beneath their feet and the air charged with something that made Angela feel fuzzy inside.
They reached a clearing. But just as she was about to turn to face him, already imagining his lips on hers and her back pressed against a tree, a figure stepped out of the shadows.
Angela’s scream caught in her throat.
The wolf gave a low growl. Then it stalked towards them, its teeth bared and its yellow eyes fixed on her.
Lucas stepped in front of her.
‘Hello, darling,’ said he said. ‘I brought your dinner.’
