Twenty-Three

"I thought we were just going for a run Caden," I said as he lead me to the garage.

"We are, just not here. Unless you don't want to leave pack territory, I understand. Or you can drive separate, whatever you're comfortable with."

I stopped walking and turned him to face me, "Stop assuming I don't want to be alone with you."

"I don't want to make you think I'm going to do anything."

"I know you won't. Wherever we are going we can go together."

He smiled at me and placed his lips gently to my forehead, "You're amazing." I rolled my eyes and we continued walking. I knew he wouldn't, and if he tried I would kick his ass.

When we got to the garage Caden turned and stopped in front of me, "Will you close your eyes for me? Please? Or-"

"If you ask me if I'm comfortable with that I'm going to smack you."

He laughed, "Okay I won't ask then." I shook my head a bit but closed my eyes. "Can I hold your hand?"

I laughed lightly, "No I would prefer you let me run into a wall," I said, my voice coated in sarcasm.

He held my hand gently by the fingers but I moved it to intertwine our fingers and had a feeling he was happy about that. I squeezed his hand because he was barely holding mine and a few paces later heard him open the door. He slowly grabbed my other hand as he stood behind me and I leaned in to him reassuring him that this was okay.

He bent a little to whisper in my ear, "You can open them now."

I slowly opened them and my jaw dropped at the sight, "No way! Caden! You own a green sports car too?" It was low along the ground and the top was down, showing off the leather interior. It was absolutely stunning and I knew it cost him a good chunk of money. I've always wanted a sports car, I just decided that it would be my retirement purchase. Dana and I always dreamed of it. I couldn't believe he owned one. Maybe he would let me drive it.

"Nope."

"Are you borrowing it?"

"No Bee, I don't own it. You do."

"What?" I spun around, "Caden I can't take that. No, no, no. That's all yours, I couldn't accept that. I can't accept that. No, Caden I-"

"Do you like it?"

"Well yeah, of course but-"

"No buts. I have no use for it, I have mine, I bought it for you."

I know my eyes widened and he laughed, "Why? Caden you can't do that."

"I thought you liked it...? You can get it painted a different colour, it just made me think of you. Green suits you. It pulls out that beautiful emerald in your eyes."

"Caden that car cost more than, than," I paused not even sure of what to say, "Its worth more than anything I own, everything I own. That car is worth more than me for goodness sakes. I can't-"

"That car is not worth anything compared to you." He growled out and I saw him calm himself down, "Blake the car is just a thing, it's a piece of metal. You're everything. My everything." He tilted my chin up, "Do you actually think that way? Bee, your worth cannot be calculated by money or things. You're my world, my universe. And you can take it. Remember, you're special, you get freedom, this is proof of that." He added the last sentence with a playful smile.

"Caden it's a gorgeous car. It really is. I've always dreamed of buying one when I retired. And it looks great in green, but I can't take it."

"Why not? You love the car, I can see it written all over your face." I thought I heard jealousy in his tone but shook it off, "Why won't you accept my gift to you?"

"I don't know, I just can't. Its expensive and new and shiny. It's just- just too," I paused as I struggled for a word, "Good. It's just too good."

"I don't understand that theory at all. Actually I don't understand any of this at all. How about you drive it today and if you don't like it we can return it."

"You would just return a car worth thousands and thousands of dollars because I don't like it?" I asked shocked.

"I don't have a use for it. I have vehicles, I just thought you would like to have your own. Then you can see your friends and family more often. I know you miss them."

"You did this so I could go back and hang out at my old pack?"

He smiled at the fact that I called it my old pack, "Yes. Blake I hated seeing you not smiling and laughing that week. It killed me. I bought this for you then but didn't know how to surprise you without dragging you out here. And I didn't think that would go over very well."

"Probably not."

"Just drive it? Once? For me?"

He looked so hopeful and I knew I lost this. There was no way after driving it that I would be able to say no. I think he knew that, which wasn't fair, but I also don't know if I could watch him return it. It was my dream car. "How did you know I liked this one?"

"I kind of guessed, and I may have called your brother."

"You called my brother?!"

"Yeah. Was I not supposed to? I'm sorry Blake. I didn't want to ruin the surprise by asking you. I actually thought he might tell you. I knew it was over the line, I'm sorry-"

"What did he say?"

"He verbally kicked my ass a few times to the point where I was afraid to sit down. Then threatened the hell out of my life if I ever made you unhappy or anything which I don't blame him for, he's your brother. And then when I asked he was extremely shocked but then laughed and said I would never win you over with a car."

"Did you think you would?"

"No. I just wanted you to be able to visit them."

"Thank you." He relaxed, realizing I wasn't mad about him calling my brother.

"So you'll take it?"

"I didn't say that. I was thanking you for thinking of me. Even when I was cold to you, you were thinking about me."

"Always." He held me against him and kissed my temple, "I haven't stopped thinking about you since I saw you."

"I may have thought about you too."

"May have?"

"I zoned out at the door after we met because I was thinking about you. And at the beach I compared everyone to you."

He looked shocked. Past shocked. It's as if I told him I had six legs. But he recovered fairly quickly before smirking, "Anyone measure up?"

"Not even close."

He smiled and took my lips with his gently, lovingly, "Good. I'm yours." He deepened the kiss and I ran my fingers through his hair. His voice was husky when he pulled away, "And you're mine." I nodded and he picked me up, placing me in the car. He bent over with one hand on the doorframe and handed me the keys, "Test drive?"

"Caden this is too surreal."

"I promise, it's not a dream."

I hesitantly grabbed the keys and he shut my door before walking around, "Mind if I join you?"

"I thought this was our day."

"Yeah, but if you're," he stopped and corrected himself by not saying "comfortable with this" which made me smile, "Not ready-"

"Close one." I rolled my eyes and rolled the engine over. The car gave a low purr and I heard him laugh beside me.

"What?" I asked looking over.

"I've never seen your eyes light up like that. It's remarkable."

I pulled out of the garage and drove up the driveway slower than normal because its gravel and not paved.

"I hope you're just driving like that because you plan on keeping it and not returning it." I looked over at him to see him completely relaxed and happier than I've ever seen him before. He was turned slightly, just enough that he was looking at me but not directly.

"Either way I couldn't destroy a car like this."

He laughed as I pulled onto the road. I couldn't stop myself from thinking back to the first time we were in a car together and I sat as far from him as possible and completely ignored him. "What are you thinking about?" He asked as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

"The first time we were in a car together."

"Yeah let's hope that doesn't happen again. That was the longest car ride I had ever been on."

I laughed, happy that he was more calm about the first week now, "Same here. And I've been all over the country in a car meeting packs."

He nodded, "Yeah, it was terrible. But, on the other side, we had to start somewhere."

"We did."

"I'm not saying it couldn't have been better, because we both know almost anything else would've been better, but at least it got us here."

"I'm happy it did." I turned to look at him moments later when he remained quiet. "What...?"

"You're happy?"

I realized then what I had said and thought about it. I really was falling for him, in fact, I think I already fell. It was just a matter of time before I admitted it to myself. I really couldn't think of someone I would rather be mated to. And although I loved my old pack, my father destroyed it, and it was slowly destroying me to watch it go, so the change was needed.

Plus, I already made two, three if you count Adam, and four if you count Caden, friends that I would already miss if I left.

I thought about the past two weeks and felt a smile on my face, "Yeah. I am."

I felt him grab my free hand and kiss the palm before running his thumb over my knuckles. The sparks that flew up my arm from my mates touch were already stronger, and I knew they would keep building.

"You don't know what that means to me Bee. Since the first day you arrived I promised myself that you would be happy here, that you would think of it as home and want to be part of this pack. I told myself I would do anything to make that happen. Even if you never gave me a chance and stayed happy without me in your life. If it was only appearances that you would keep up, then so be it. But I promised myself that you would make this home, and I would do whatever I could to make that happen. I'm so glad you're happy."

"You would've stayed away if I wanted you to?"

"Yeah. I mean, we would have to mate, the alliance still would've had to be formed, but I would've given you as much space as possible before and after."

"That would've killed you. You're wolf would go insane not being by his mate."

"But I would've gone insane if I watched you hate every minute you spent with me like that dinner. I almost lost it then."

I was glad I was driving because I had an excuse to keep my eyes straight ahead. "I'm sorry about that night."

"No, Blake, don't apologize. I haven't met anyone who likes being with their kidnapper."

"Not then, but now you have."

"I still don't know what I did to get so unbelievably lucky with you as a mate. You never fail to shock me."

I shrugged and he chuckled, "What?"

"I wish I knew what was going on inside that pretty little head of yours."

"Why?"

"So that I would know how much my words meant to you."

"Well I guess soon you will." His thumb stopped running over my knuckles and I wished I hadn't said it.  "Sorry Caden, it just came out. I didn't mean it like that. I-"

"No, you're right. It's true, I will. I just wish I had gotten to meet you in another circumstance. One where I fell in love with you at first sight, swept you off your feet, you fell crazy in love with me and we ran a pack the way we both believe it to be. I'm sorry-"

"So do it."

"What?"

"So do it. Starting today, sweep me off my feet." I don't know where I got the confidence, but as long as I had it I might as well use it.

"Do you really mean that?"

"Did you?"

"Yes Blake. I really wish we had fallen in love and had decided to mate. I know that will never change. I will always wish you weren't forced to be here with me, and that we had met somewhere and just hit it off. I wouldn't joke about that with you. I fell for you. I have no doubt in my mind that you're the one for me. I love you Bee, always will. I just wish you had spent time and fallen for me and not been forced."

"Then yes. I mean it." I pulled over to the other side and he looked at me questioningly. I was going to ask how he planned on doing that but he spoke up as he got an idea.

"Do you mind if I drive?" He asked excitedly.

"Not at all."

He climbed out and I hopped into the passenger seat. "Buckle up babe."

I've never liked those pet names for people, but it just sounded good coming from him somehow. I buckled up and he looked me over before reaching over and pulling my elastic out. My natural beach waves cascaded down and I saw the lust in his eyes almost immediately.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise. Just lean back, relax, and close your eyes."

I looked him over and put all my hair over the seat before putting my feet back up and closing my eyes.

"Comfortable?" I nodded. "I didn't know a person could shine brighter than the sun until I met you. You physically glow when it hits you. You're beautiful."

I didn't respond at all. I wasn't expecting this when I said to sweep me off my feet.

About half hour of seriously relaxing silence later, I felt him twirl random strands of hair around his finger.

I peeked my eyes open to see him completely focused on me while he wrapped a piece of hair around his finger. The wind swept my hair back and I felt the sun on my skin and I couldn't help but think that life couldn't get any better than this. This truly was happiness.

We were in a clearing off the road and I turned my head to see him still entranced by me. He hadn't even taken the key out of the ignition, just sitting there looking at me.

"Give your eyes a break and look at something worth it." I said and before I knew it he was placing me on his lap. I was straddling him as he held my face inches away from his, daring me to look away. Moments of awkward silence later he closed his eyes and clenched his jaw before opening them again, but not making eye contact.

"Caden I was just kidding, I-"

"Don't lie to me." He growled out. Okay so maybe I wasn't kidding...

"I didn't mean-"

"I wasn't lying when I said that you are beautiful. I've traveled all over the world and seen sights that words can't explain, cameras can't do justice, and brains can't register. There is so much beauty in them that it's astounding. Yet you surpass all of them. I was never so mesmerized by what I've seen as when I look at you. The day I met you in that dress I swear I died for a moment. You literally stole my breath away with a look. The reason I snapped out of it was because you bit that lip of yours and I had to stop the thoughts in my head. I wish you saw yourself the way I saw you. I wish you saw even a fraction of what I see. You may have said it as a joke, but that means you're thinking it still." He ran his thumb under my eye so gently it could've been a feather, before running it over my bottom lip, taking it out from between my teeth. "I've seen pretty girls, I've seen gorgeous girls, but no one compares to you. I thought beauty only came through nature, but I was wrong. You're beautiful. And one day you're going to believe it when I say it." When I kept quiet he opened the door and stood up, keeping me close to him. "But today we're going to focus on the beauty inside you."

I was glad the conversation had changed, I hated talking about my looks. I was nothing special, never have been. Sure guys looked, but they looked at anything that moved.

The day went by in a blur. We ran in our wolf forms for a while until he tripped me and I ended up on him and we play fought until he ended up pinning me into his side and we just laid there together until the sun started going down.

Then he showed me the most magnificent waterfall I had ever seen. It was clear and tucked away behind thick vegetation. There were hardly even bugs there. It was like nature was protecting it from everyone, except allowed us in. It took my breath away. We ended up swimming for hours and laughed and talked the whole time. Not about anything important, just talked.

It was the best time I've had in a long time. Then we pulled over on the way home and he just held me to him as we looked at the stars with the radio playing softly in the background. It was a clear night and the sky lit up with all the stars and the moon. It was a perfect crescent shape with enough moon to give light to earth, but still not too bright. He had ran his fingers through my hair the whole time as we enjoyed the sound of insects and wildlife nesting up for the night.

It was a bit chilly, but I was warm with his arms around me and chin on my shoulder. I had a permanent smile etched on my face, just small, but still there. I noticed that Caden had smiled all day too and his hadn't left either.

Today had been the best day with him by far. I was hoping even after we mated that he would spend time with me.

But what if he didn't want to? What if he switched like my father did? Sure, Caden was already alpha, but he was used to being alone and running things his way. I'm sure he doesn't need my opinion. I've never made pack decisions, and even if I had, I don't know his pack. I'm no help to him at all. What if he sees me as a hindrance? Then he'll probably hate me anyways. Either way I'm going to end up cast aside.

I yawned as many more thoughts filled my head and I couldn't stop it from going on overdrive. My head filled up with question after question and I felt my smile fall as another yawn escaped.

"Time to head home for bed babe?" I nodded and slid over to my seat. He kept his hand in mine and held it all the way home. Other than a few of my yawns and nature, it was quiet. "Any plans tomorrow?"

"No."

"Dan mentioned swimming, maybe we can do that."

I shrugged before I yawned again and I noticed he gave me a concerned face before focusing back on the road.

Should I keep spending time with Caden? What if I do fall for him, or have already fallen for him, and then he casts me aside? I will have done exactly what mom did. Hers would be an accident, mine would be a regret. I can't fall in love with a man and rely on him when he's going to cut me out. I refuse to love someone who's going to change drastically and ultimately kill me.

"I thought you would be more excited about swimming and seeing Sam and Dan. Are you that tired?"

I nodded. I had already voiced my concern about him changing. Hearing him saying the words aren't helping, but if I wait until after to see his actions it could potentially already be too late. Better to keep my heart intact than have it broken.

"Caden? Council called, they want a call back ASAP. They were hoping tonight, so it must be important. And they won't tell me anything, although I think they're setting up a meeting. I don't think they'll tell you anything over the phone either. It's urgent Caden." Daniel said as soon as we got in the house, after Caden parked the gorgeous car in the garage.

"Thanks Dan."

I turned to walk up the stairs when Caden grabbed my hand, "Would you like something to eat before bed."

"No, thanks though. I'm just going to hit the sheets. Take all the time you need though. No rush." I let go of his hand and didn't look back as I climbed the stairs. My wolf kept telling me that Caden wasn't like my father, but if you had asked mom that back then she probably would've said the same thing. It was weird because I didn't doubt Caden, I just doubted the fact that I didn't doubt him. It's like I know I should doubt him and it creeps me out that I don't.

I changed and stood at the end of his bed debating using the one downstairs. Finally I decided it was too many steps and climbed in. I laid there with my eyes closed but my brain wouldn't shut off.

I heard Caden coming and desperately tried to fall asleep before he got here, but luck had never been on my side.

And tonight was no exception.

I heard him moving around the room and soon the bed dipped. It was quiet for a moment before he moved a bit closer, tucking hair behind my ear.

"I thought you would've fallen asleep," Caden said.

I opened my eyes but didn't look up to him like normal, "No. Couldn't sleep." I looked at the clock to find it had been a few hours since we got home.

"Is everything okay? You got quiet on the way home Bee."

"I'm okay. What did Council want?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Dan was right, they're setting up a meeting. It's tomorrow morning, I'll have to leave pretty early."

"Just you?"

"They're having all the alphas in the area. Actually, it's quite a large area. Why, would you like to come?"

"I doubt they would like me showing up. I'm not even Luna."

"Yet. But you are my mate, which makes you a Luna."

"Technically, we aren't mated. That's okay though, meetings aren't my thing anyways. When do you have to go?" I really did like that he had offered though. Maybe he really won't cast me aside.

"I have to leave just before five. It's a few hours away. I'll try not to wake you."

"Or you could say goodbye. I'd rather wake up with you beside me." Yes, I need to keep my distance. But he was still my mate, I had his mark, and that wouldn't change.

"You need your rest babe."

"I'm not going to sleep knowing that you're leaving. Just wake me up when you get out of bed, okay? I just want a goodbye."

"Okay Bee, I'll wake you up when I get up."

"Thank you."

"Now stop moving away and curl up with me," he said slightly annoyed. I didn't realize until he mentioned it that I had kept leaving space between us every time I moved over. I did as he said and I heard him sigh, "Are you sure you're okay? You told me off last night for giving you space and now I had to bring you closer."

"I'm okay. Now let me sleep so you can wake me up in a few hours."

He pulled my back flush to his chest and I heard his intake of breath as we both inhaled each others scent. His was so masculine and fresh, I loved it. "I love you babe, sleep well."

"Goodnight Caden."

"Goodnight Blake."

He pulled my hips back to him as he held my entire body against him. Usually I felt small but strong. Tonight I just felt small. My wolf purred at being held by her mate but my mind was still spinning in circles.

I tried to shut it off and just enjoy the end to possibly the first and last day the two of us will ever spend together being that happy and fun. I doubt we will have another day to just enjoy being together before mating, and I doubt it will happen after that.

My brain finally shut off as I focused on the areas, pretty much all of me, that we were touching and relished in the feeling of being safe, as the tingles and sparks took over.

******

Any ideas how the meeting will go?? Any guesses towards the future?? COMMENT!!

CoffeeAndAB