Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

Caleb's Point of View

It felt like torture knowing waiting to see my mate. Even my wolf was pouting because we had to

leave her side. I know that Hannah will take care of her though. Hannah was once a slave. Theo and

I met her when she was younger. Theo would not leave her side until I had secured her purchase.

Since that day Hannah has been like a little sister to both Theo and I. We were there with her when

she first shifted, took her on her first run. We ensured that she excelled in school and that she did

not want for anything. Hannah lived at our manor house.

"So, when will the mating ceremony be?” I forgot that Theo was in the room. “I am not sure. She still

has not accepted that I am her mate. I know that Hannah adjusted well, but I think it is going to take

Daphne a bit of time. Daphne was abused by her own parents; she has no value of her own self-

worth. I practically had to beg her to even give us a chance.” Theo shook his head; he went through

everything with Hannah so he could understand what was happening with Daphne.

“I believe everything will work out fine. You are right it is going to take her some time to adjust.

Make sure that you are supportive of her growth. Do not push her too far as mates yet, although

you will need to mark her as soon as possible. Completing the mark will take some time though.”

Theo's words rang true.

Finding my mate was just one step to ensuring that I did not turn feral. It would hold the feelings at

bay for awhile but to stop the process completely I needed to mark her, and she needs to mark me.

Acceptance as my mate will complete the bond between both myself and my wolf and the same

with hers.

“Frankly speaking I know that she responds to my physically. Before you came back with Hannah, I

was holding her in my arms. I believe that she may accept me as her mate soon. It will take some

time for her to accept it completely, but the physical attraction is there. lam looking forward to the

day that she accepts me both body and soul though.” I feel a pang of guilt saying the last part. I

know that Theo is still torn up about his mate's death. Now that Daphne has entered my life, the

thought of losing her is unbearable.

Even thinking about it hurts my heart. “Tonight, she is going to be nervous. Perhaps you should get

her a gift before the ball. A small token to welcome her into your life.” Thankfully, Theo is around to

help me win Daphne's affection. I would not have thought of getting her a gift. Inod my head

agreeing with him. ©

We leave his room and head back out into the town. After walking a short way we came upon a

small jewelry shop. Theo and I looked around that the baubles on display, some of them were very

grand. I was not seeing anything that screamed Daphne's name. ° “Excuse me but do you have any

more necklaces. I am looking for something for my mate, but so far nothing has really held my eye

for too long.” The shop keep recognized me and informed me that he had a few things that he has

not put out on display yet. He comes back out to the front with a medium stack of black velvet

boxes.

The first couple of boxes he opened did not catch my eyes. We were down to the last two boxes

when he finally opened the box that screamed my mate's name. The necklace was simple but

elegant. It was about eighteen inches in length, whisper think rose gold chain with small diamonds

expertly lined all the way down to the teardrop diamond pendant. This was for Daphne. I knew that

the color would compliment her eyes and her hair. I had the shop keeper wrap it up for me.

Heading back to the manor house we were informed that the Crest Line pack had arrived. I was

excited to see Marcus again, but it was getting close to being time for the ball. Theo and I headed

back to his room to get ready.

I had just put on my jacket when Hannah knocked on the door. She explained that Daphne was

ready. I could tell that Hannah was excited for me to see her because she was extra bouncy. Hannah

explained that she was going to go in first and then open the door so I could see her. chuckled a

little at her adolescent drama, but I knew it was in good fun.

I was getting nervous waiting for Hannah to open the door. Would Daphne like my gift? Before I

could ponder it much farther, Hannah opened the door.

Daphne was by the French doors with the sunset pouring in on her. She looked amazing. The sun

highlighted her dress to where it almost looked like a small fire was surrounding her. Her hair was

part of the way pulled up, with beautiful soft curls framing her face.

The dress hugged her curves and showed just enough cleavage to tease me all night long. I could

not turn my eyes from her, she was like an angel. Finally, my voice came back to me. * Wow you

look amazing.” I walked to be in front of her still not able to tear my eyes from her. Asl got closer, I

could see that the girls put makeup on her. Her eyes were glowing, and I had to touch her. I cupped

her cheek running my hand along her jaw line. My mate was amazing.

“I got you a small gift. 1 was hoping that you would wear it tonight.” I reached into my breast

pocket and pulled out the velvet box handing it to her.

“Thank you Alpha, no one besides my sister and Luna Alma have ever gotten me a gift before.” I

could see that she was trying not to tear up as she removed the small bow. I could hear Hannah

shuffling the other girls out of the room, while Daphne was opening the necklace. I would have to

thank her later for her act of kindness.

“Please call me Caleb. I know you don't think that we are mates yet, but I would really like it if you

called me Caleb.” She finally got the bow off the box and was opening it.

"Oh, my stars, this is gorgeous. I can't take this Alpha, I mean Caleb. It must have cost a fortune.”

Daphne's words are tumbling out of her mouth like she can not stop them from coming.

“Daphne please stop. Money is not an issue. I seen it and knew that it would look amazing on you.

Please it would break my heart if you do not accept it.

Can I please put it on you?” She is still looking down at the necklace, running her finger gently

along the chain.

“I have never worn jewelry, what if I break it?” Now she is looking at me with so much anxiety in her

eyes.

“If you break it I will simply have it repaired.” I gently take the box from her hand and pull the neck

lace out. I slide my fingers along her neck asl clasp the necklace around her. I was right the necklace

compliments her very well.

She is simply the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. — “Daphne, we need to leave soon,

because if we don’t lam going to kiss you.” I was honest with my words. She kept looking at me with

those large doe eyes. It made her look so kissable.

Daphne blushes at my words, and the slight pink on her cheeks makes me want to kiss her even

more. I run my thumb over her lower lip, loving the softness. I was careful not to smear her lipstick. I

could not wait to kiss her. I started lowering my face towards hers when there was a knock at the

door.

Audibly sighing I pull back from my mate. She stares at me still with those doe eyes, and I can see

that our closeness has her breathing a little heavy. I find that lam a little angry that our moment got

interrupted. None the less I head over to the door.

As soon as I! open the door, a woman tries hugging me. I pull back quickly. I notice it's the blonde

that I had seen at breakfast. ®

“Alpha Caleb I asked you this morning to escort me to the dance. I wore this dress just for you.” The

woman was wearing a very revealing red dress with a slit up to her hip. The top was sweetheart cut,

and strapless showing a good amount of boob.

From behind me I hear a snarl. Instinctively my head whips back to stare at my mate. lam struck

dumb at the sight of her. Even in a dress and heels my mate is ready to pounce. Her lips are curled

back into a snarl, and her eyes are on fire.

"Get away from him.” I am surprised and a little turn on by the sound of Daphne's voice. She was

visibly snarling at this woman in the door. Looking back at the blonde I can see the confusion in her

face. *

“Who the hell do you think you are bitch?” The blonde starts to walk into the room. I know that I

need to quickly intervene or these two are going to start fighting.

“Excuse me, but I never agreed to escort you to the ball, and the woman that you are currently

insulting is my mate.” The words leave my mouth as I move in between the two women. No one

male or female is going to lay their hands on my mate again. ' I see the shock on the woman's face

as my words register with her. “Oh, I was told that you did not havea mate.” The blonde’s shoulders

slump forward, and she knows that she has lost.

“I found my mate this morning. Now please excuse us.” The blonde retreats rather quickly out of the

room. As soon as she is gone, I turn and face my mate. She is still standing like she is getting ready

to fight. Looking at her is pure amazement. My mate was jealous. I can not help but let out a

chuckle. This was obviously not the right thing to do because she then turned her murderous gaze

to me.

“I do not think that was funny. I have never felt that before.” Daphne is still snarling.

"What did you feel love?” I want to hear her say the words.

“When she touched you I wanted to rip her arms off. I still want to rip her arms off. I do not like her

touching you, and my wolf was snarling at her as well.” I can visibly see the array of emotions

flashing over Daphne's face and I almost regret prying the words out of her.

“That emotion is called jealousy love. Your wolf already recognizes me as your mate. Truthfully,

Daphne I found it incredibly sexy that you were jealous. You look like a righteous angel ready to

charge into battle. You look incredibly sexy.” Daphne's cheeks are bright pink now. I walk over and

grab her hand. : “Come on my love, if we do not leave now, I am afraid I won't be able to control

myself much longer.” I lead her out of the room. My heart is light, and I have a huge smile on my

face. My mate is fierce, and I could not be happier about it.