Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Daphne's Point of View

Everything is happening so fast its almost as if the world tipped over on its axis and dumped me

into an alternate reality. One moment! am in my father's study, pledging my loyalty to a new pack,

and the next I am being whisked through the halls of the manor house by Alpha Caleb. My mind is

racing trying to filter and comprehend all the changes going on. It is more difficult because Alpha

Caleb is holding my hand. ®

The moment he pulled me up it was like an inferno when he touched me. Warmth radiated between

our hands, racing up my arm and spilling through my chest. My nipples hardened instantly, and it

felt like they were straining against my shirt. My body has never reacted this way and it is a little

frightening.

His scent keeps wafting behind him and tickling my nose. I recognize it instantly as the smell from

the back stairs earlier except now it is so much stronger. He smells earthy, like moss after a rain with

hints of pine trees and ginger. It is truly mesmerizing, and I cannot stop inhaling him. My wolf is

purring and enjoying the contact we have with this male. If she had her way about it, we would be

climbing all over this man as if he was a tall tree in the woods.

I noticed that Alpha Caleb was pulling me into the green room, and I am elated because it is my

favorite room in the house. However, he is pulling me into his arms before the door even closes and

lam shocked. My mind is racing, and I feel frozen. Why is he hugging me? Why does he smell so

good? Why are my thighs wet? I have the sudden urge to lick his neck, and 1 am stunned that the

thought even crossed my mind. Caleb pulls back and my wolf is howling in frustration. I do not

know what has gotten into her, but she desperately wants him to put his arms around us again. It

has been years since someone hugged me, and I am mortified that I did not even hug him back. He

asks me to sit and we settle in on the couch. I am disappointed that he sat on the far side of the

couch. My wolf is telling me to go sit in his lap. I wonder when she became such a horn dog. °

Caleb starts telling me about my new pack. I knew from overhearing people talk that the Blue

Mountain pack was large. Their reputation is widespread, and my father has wanted to open trade

negotiations for some time. Caleb explains that his pack does not own slaves. My mind is racing why

would he buy a slave then if he does not own slaves. Crap maybe he only intended to buy me to sell

me to another pack. I ask him before I can even stop myself. I need to know. My life just changed in

an instant and I need to know if it is going to change again. lam used to be a slave. It is what I have

always known. I am good at cleaning; it is the only real skill that I know I possess. Well if you count

being able to handle being punched then I guess I have two skills.

I listen intently as Caleb explains that his pack has bought slaves before. From his explanation I

gather that he buys slaves and then sets them free. He explains that doing things this way makes his

pack members more loyal to him, and I can understand that point. My respect for him grows by the

second. Then he asks me about the wolf he seen in the woods. So, my instincts were right, and it

was him. Will he forbid me to shift again? I am terrified to confirm that it was me. Being an early

shifter has been a secret I have held inside for so long; I am scared to let anyone else know. Looking

into his eyes though I know that I cannot deceive him. I just pledged my loyalty to him and his pack,

I do not want to start off on the wrong foot. Finally, I confirm that yes it was me that he seen in the

woods. My wolf is purring because she has already seen his wolf. »

Then he drops the mother of all bomb shells on me. Did my ears hear correctly? Did he just say that

he thinks lam his mate? Holy mother Moon Goddess, this man must be delusional, or maybe this is

some elaborate prank. “I can't be.” Its all I manage to squeak out before bursting into tears. Surely

this must all be a prank of some sort.

Here I was thinking that my life has changed for the better, how stupid could I be. An Alpha mated

with a slave; fairy tales are not true

I feel Caleb wrapping his arms around me, pulling me into his lap, and softly stroking my hair. I

cannot stop the tears from flowing. It feels like I cannot breathe. Every time I inhale it continues the

onslaught of sorrow ripping through me at the reality of who and what I am. No one would ever

want me. 1am a monster. I was so fat when I was a baby, I killed my own brother in the womb. My

own parents do not want me, andl came from them. I am not beautiful by any measure, and I

certainly do not belong with an alpha.

Caleb is rocking me back and forth gently still patting my hair, telling me everything is ok. I wipe my

eyes and untangle myself from him. He does not resist when I move so thatl am sitting next to him.

I can not meet his eyes right now. lam so embarrassed that he seen me crying. “Alpha Caleb, I do

not know if this is some joke or a prank, but I cannot be your mate. lam a slave; I have always been

a slave. You are an Alpha; you deserve the best at your side not the worst. No one would respect an

Alpha that has a slave as a mate.” I could feel my heart shattering as the words kept tumbling out of

my mouth.

My wolf was howling, begging me to take it back. What I said was true though, there is no way that

I am this Alpha’s mate. : I hear him growl, and instinctively I flinch backwards awaiting the slap that

is surely coming, but it never does. “Daphne, look at me.” Caleb's voice is deep and even though I

barely know him I can sense that he is angry.

“Daphne, look at me.” Caleb's voice is deep and even though I barely know him I can sense that he

is angry.

"You may have been a slave here, but you were not born to be a slave. You are my mate, there is no

doubt in my mind about it. You also do not belong to this pack anymore; you are a part of my pack.

You will never be treated like a slave again.” Caleb is breathing heavily, and I can see his eyes going

darker. I can sense that he is fighting his wolf for control. *

“I have waited for you, for a long time Daphne. I was terrified that I would never find my mate and

turn feral. Lately I have been snappier, it is harder for me to control my wolf. I do not like feeling like

I do not have control. It is taking everything in me not to go and snap the necks of every person in

the Silver Moon pack that ever made you feel like you are nothing. Hell, it is taking everything in me

not to mark you right now. Please Daphne understand that to me you are everything. You are my

moon, my sun, and the very breathe I take. I will lay down my life to protect yours. The Mood

Goddess has destined us to be as one, which means that you complete me in every way.” Caleb is

speaking as if he is almost desperate. Without thinking I reach my hand towards his. He draws a

deep breath in, as if my touch was enough to calm him. “Please say that you will at least get to

know me, and my pack before you make a decision on whether or not to reject me.”

His eyes are filled with sadness. I want to wrap him in my arms and tell him everything will be ok. It

is hard to see such a powerful man, looking like a lost pup. I shake my head in agreement. Anything

to get that look out of his eyes. Upon seeing me shake my head yes, he pulls me into another hug. ©

Oh, this man's scent may be the death of me.I wrap my arms around his shoulders enjoying the

feeling of his muscles. His scent is enveloping me, and my head is slightly dizzy. His hair is long, and

I have the uncontrollable urge to run my fingers through it. His hands are slowly massaging my back

muscles and my wolf is purring with happiness.

Our moment is broken though with his Beta loudly clearing his throat in the doorway. It suddenly

dawned on me of how we must look. I am practically in the Alpha's lap with my arms around him.

His hands are low on my back and lam highly aware that they are barely above my butt. I jump back

in surprise, like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

"Alpha we need to decide if Daphne would like to attend the ball. We are quickly running out of

time before the festivities begin.” The Beta explains. I am sure that my face is beet red. I cannot

attend the Mabon ball I do not have anything that would be suitable to wear and I do not have any

experience in dancing.

“I don't think it would be wise if 1 go.” I finally squeak out.

"Why?" Caleb is probing me for an answer, and! am a little embarrassed as I relay that I do not have

a dress. I also explain to both him and his Beta that I have never been allowed to attend these types

of functions, so I do not know how to act, or dance.

“Well I think it is about time you learn the. Theo please gather up some of our young ladies,

especially Hannah and ask them to come assist Daphne in getting ready. I know that they have

brought additional dresses, and Daphne seems to be about Hannah's size. Now Daphne I will be

with you every step of the way, so you don't have to worry about how to act, and I look forward to

teaching you to dance.” Caleb's eyes are so bright and excited that I can’t help but to agree with

him. Theo leaves the room to get Hannah J assume. I am nervous but at the same time excited. ®

“Now my dear would you like to shower before the girls get here?”

"Yes, I probably should.” As I am heading towards the door to go back to the attic to shower Caleb

grabs me around the waist.

"Sweetheart, the bathroom is right over there.” Caleb is pointing to his bathroom and I can feel my

face flush

“I can't shower in here, it is inappropriate.”

“I promise I wont peak. I just really do not want you to be too far away from me now that I have

found you.”

It is hard to resist Caleb, so instead of arguing I concede to using his bathroom. Besides, it will be

nice to have a hot shower for once. Asl go and close the bathroom door, I cannot believe how fast

my life is changing.