Chapter 24


    Chapter Twenty-Four


    Caleb’s Point of View -


    I really hated leaving my mate. She was vulnerable right now and I wanted to stay andfort her


    some more. I know that she is going to sleep fora while, she unloaded a lot of emotional baggage that


    she has kept locked away for a long time. That kind of emotional release tends to be exhausting both


    physically and mentally. I made sure that she was secure in the bed before I headed out assess the


    damage of tonight. ~


    Theo let me know that he is outside the manor house by the back door. I take the back stairs down,


    retracing my steps from this morning. Thinking about this morning makes me realize just how much my


    life has also changed in such a short period of time. Heading towards the woods this morning I was


    fearful of bing a feral wolf, almost sure that the Moon Goddess had forgotten to create a mate for


    me. Now here I am with my mate upstairs, ready to wage war on those that have hurt her.


    Stepping outside I take a deep inhale of the night air. I love the cool crisp smell of the dirt, pine needles,


    and fall scents. Theo is standing close to the door and I see that Marcus is with him.


    “How was the rest of the ball?” I cannot stop myself from being slightly quirky, hoping that it will lift


    some of the tension.


    “The ball was fine, although Hannah is ready to go to war with this pack. I think she really cares for


    Daphne. After you two left, things did settle down. There was a slight mishap between one of our


    warriors and a male from the Mission pack over a female, but it was handled peacefully. I ensured that


    everyone in our pack was safe, and they know to mind link if anything is wrong. Alpha Jason has


    requested an audience with you in the morning.” Theo finished his report with a sigh.


    “I will meet with him in the morning then. I want it to be early. I would like our pack ready to move out


    noter than noon tomorrow. I believe that staying here will soon turn hostile, and Iam excited to get


    Daphne home and settled. I want her to experience some normalcy, and she will not get that here.”


    Theo understands more than anyone what I mean.


    “Caleb, I have to ask you why you did not inform me of your mate’s circumstances?” I knew that


    Marcus would eventually ask, and I could hear the hurt in his voice.


    “I had nned to tell you privately after the ball. Daphne had never been allowed to go to any dance, or


    social function and I was hoping that tonight would be magical for her. I did not say anything about her


    upbringing when your mate asked about how we met because I was not sure if it would embarrass her.”


    Just like when Iam speaking with Theo, I can be honest and open with Marcus as well. I know that he


    will have some understanding.


    “I feel like a fool really, I never considered her mother to be a real threat to her before tonight. Perhaps


    it was my male ego at y but when I discovered her station in life, I ced most of the me on her


    father. I made it clear to him this afternoon when he signed the contracts that she was mine, and that


    no one was to harm her. Evidently he failed to pass along the information to his pack.” It is hard


    admitting the truth to my friends. As an Alpha I am supposed to think three steps ahead of everyone.


    Strategize how to keep my pack safe. Tonight, I failed.


    “Your mate is very strong my friend. I am sure that with time, and distance from this ce she will


    be a great Luna. L adores her already and is looking forward toing to your mating


    ceremony. I had hoped to invite you to ours as well, but we have not set a date yet.” Marcus, Theo, and


    I have started walking at azy pace, not really headed anywhere but too full of energy tonight to stand


    still. :


    “I would be honored to be at your mating ceremony, and I am sure Daphne would love to be there as


    well. If you do not mind me asking why have you not set a date yet? Ido not mean to pry, but your mate


    seems to love you as much as you love her.” Iam hoping that Marcus does not take offense to my


    questions.


    “I do believe that L loves me, and she has fully epted me as her mate. We have already marked


    each other, but we are having some disagreement on living arrangements. There is also the possibility


    that she may be pregnant.” I look at Marcus ready to congratte him, but the look on his face says


    that he is not happy about that news. Hanging his head slightly Marcus goes on to tell us that L had


    a boyfriend before him and that there was a possibility that she may be carrying his child. It is not


    umon for wolves to have lovers before they find their mates. After all, in a sense we are animals.


    Sex is normal in ourmunity. It is unusual though to not be super careful about not producing pups


    until you find your mate. Ihave seen a few instances of pups being born out of wedlock, but it is few and


    far between. If this does happen usually the mate will adopt the pup as if it were their own.


    “So, if she is pregnant, do you n of adopting the baby?” Theo asks the question that was on my


    mind. : “Probably, I mean it is what is expected. Although I have been hoping and praying that she is


    not with child. Iam blessed beyond a doubt that I found her, unfortunately life has been so hectic that


    we have not even had time to see a doctor to confirm whether she is or is not pregnant. I know it


    sounds selfish and childish, but I want our first child to be of my blood.” I can tell that Marcus is


    ashamed of his own words.


    “No offense meant, but yes you are being childish.” Both Marcus and I snap our heads to look at Theo.


    Theo is staring up at the sky though and does not see the shock that has registered on my face yet.


    “You both are so lucky; you have your mates. Yes, there are someplications thate with both,


    but they are here on Earth with you.” Marcus and I did notment for a moment, instead we took a


    minuet to reflect on Theo''s words. I felt guilty that Marcus and I had been speaking freely of our mates


    in front of Theo. I know that his mate''s death still affects him greatly. :


    “Theo you are a genius, and I apologize for speaking without thinking earlier.” Marcus is the first to


    speak.


    “Iam not a genius Alpha Marcus; truth be told I am just jealous. I can only imagine what it would be like


    to watch Miranda’s belly swell with child.” It is not very often that Theo says her name.


    “I bet she would have been beautiful.”


    “I am sure she would have my friend, and I am sorry that she was taken from this world too soon. I


    have heard rumors though of wolves finding a second mate, is this something you have ever


    considered?” Marcus is genuinely curious as he asks Theo. °


    “I have heard the rumors, but I have never met anyone that found a second mate. I do not know if I am


    open to it honestly. I do not ever want to live through the pain of losing another mate if I did find one.


    1am normally content with my life. In a lot of ways, I view Hannah as my daughter, I mean I! did help


    raise and train her. My days are busy with the pack, and I enjoy my work.”


    Theo shoots us a smile with his words. “I believe I just got overly sentimental watching you two love


    birds gawk over your mates tonight.” Marcus and I bothugh at Theo''s words knowing that he is trying


    to lighten the mood. “Well guys thank you for tonight. I was ready to wage a war earlier, and I feel


    lighter. Although I am sure that tomorrow morning will bring about another bout of rage.” My mind is


    already shifting back to the meeting tomorrow morning with Alpha Jason. “If you want me to be there, I


    will apany you?” Marcus speaks up to let me know that I have his support. “It leaves a sour taste


    in my mouth to know that Alpha Jason treated his own daughter as a ve.”


    “Thank you Marcus I have always appreciated your friendship. I do not think that it would hurt to have


    you there. I may need all the help I can get to not rip his head off. The thought of everything they did to


    her makes my blood boil.” Iam seeing red just thinking about everything that Daphne may have been


    subjected to. My mind goes back to her crumbled form asking me what was wrong with her.


    “It would not be difficult to attack this pack. Although their home is ced strategically, their warriors do


    not seem to be as disciplined as ours. I also happen to know a few of Marcus''s warriors, and they are


    ruthless in battle.” Theo has snapped back into his intellectual self, giving the pre-battle synapse void of


    emotion.


    “Let us hope that it does note to that, although we are ready if it does.” Marcus replies to Theo’s


    assessment. Although Theo is right and it would be easy to attack and dismantle this pack, I try not to


    choose war if I can avoid it. There are always innocent casualties in war, no matter how carefully you


    n. I do not take pleasure in hurting people. I will try to remain political tomorrow, but I know that I will


    protect Daphne with my life. While I am lost in thought we have made our way back to the door leading


    into the manor house. We bid each other farewell and disperse for the evening.


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