Chapter 35

Chapter Thirty-Five

Daphne's Point of View

Caleb and I napped for a short time after all the fun that we had. I woke up to him nuzzling my neck

and shoulder. I felt like we were in a magical place that was made solely for us. As if the Moon

Goddess herself craft every blade of grass, the waterfall, the trees, and the rocks just for us. After

Caleb realized I was awake he stood up and scooped me up in his arms, cradling me to his chest as

if I were a baby.

“Caleb what are you doing?” I could not help but ask him.

“Well my love if you must know I am taking us for a little dip. I figure that our romp this afternoon is

going to make you a little sore, and this water is fed from an underground spring which so happens

to be a hot spring.” As Caleb is finished filling me in, I hear him start to enter the water. :

"So, is this better than seeing me ina bikini?" I could not help but tease him a little bit. Our time

together has made me slightly bolder in our relationship.

Perhaps I was really starting to believe that he truly wants me as his mate.

"Yes, it by far better.” Glancing around I can see that Caleb is almost to the middle of the little

wading pool.

Without warning Caleb suddenly releases me and I fall. I expected the water to be cooler but

instead I am wrapped by nice warm water. Laughing I pop up and start to splash Caleb for dropping

me. We play in the water fora while, splashing around like children.

“Come here I want to show you something.” Caleb takes my hand and starts leading me toward the

small waterfall. He has a little mischievous glint in his eyes, and 1 am curious as to what he is up to.

"Careful the rocks are slippery because of moss.” Caleb is pulling me up next to the falling water. I

follow his footsteps carefully so that I do not fall. Caleb steps forward bent slightly at his waist and

disappears behind the water. Following him, I see that there is a small cave behind the waterfall.

“Caleb this is amazing thank you for showing me.”

“I came here a lot when I was younger. This place really helped me after I lost my parents. I could

imagine I was a pirate going off on grand adventures.

Sometimes I would just come here to cry. I missed them so much.” As he is talking, I reach over and

grab his hand, letting him know that I am here for him

“Daphne, I have never brought anyone else here before. This place is special to me. I am glad that I

get to share it with you. I want to share everything with you. My life, my happiness, even my sorrow

because I know that we are meant to be together. You are my sun, my moon, and my stars. My

world simply does not exist without you anymore.”

Caleb's words are beyond touching.

"Caleb, I know that I have not been the easiest person to be mated with. I know that there are still a

lot that I need to learn. I did not even fully trust that we were mates to begin with. I have never been

close to anyone before, well besides my sister but even that was not like this. You have given me a

life worth living. So, lam ready for the ceremony whenever you are.” I do not know why but I was

blushing while I was telling him this, but I could feel my face flaming red.

In truth I am terrified of the mating ceremony. Even though we have marked each other since I am

still learning basic knowledge I have not been made to step up as Luna. Ido not even know all the

responsibilities of a Luna. I know that 1 do not want to be like my mother, and I know that I do not

want to embarrass Caleb. °

Caleb hugs me to him as if he can read my mind. We stay like that for a little while. Finally, we notice

that the sky is turning, and the hike up here was hard, I do not want to make it in the dark. “Caleb it

is getting late, I think we should head back.”

“I know, but I really want this moment to go on forever.” I understand his words because I equally

have been enjoying this time. Caleb steps out first, and I follow in his footsteps, careful not to fall.

We wade out of the water and find our discarded clothing. Caleb is sweet and goes slower so that I

do not get hurt. Once we reach the town, Caleb asks me when I think that we should have the

ceremony.

“I hate to admit it, but I do not really know when it is supposed to be. I have never been to a mating

ceremony.” “Most couples have their ceremony within a few days of finding each other. Obviously,

we did not do that, so I think as long as it is soon, we will be alright. I just was not sure if you

wanted a more specific day or time.” I love that Caleb was taking my feelings into consideration. °

"Why don’t we pick this upcoming weekend. I think there is going to bea new moon, and since this

is a new life for me the timing seems perfect.” '

“I love that idea sweetheart. We need to get you a dress, and I will send out the word to our

neighboring packs.” Caleb pauses for a moment, lost in thought. “ Daphne, um do you want to

invite your parents?”

In truth I had not thought about that idea. If we had a normal relationship of course I would want

them here. My life was anything but normal with them. I try to imagine them here, just in the village

and the thought turns my stomach. No there is no way that I want them here, I would not be

comfortable with even seeing them.

“No, I think it is better if we do not invite them. They hold no love for me, and I am realizing I have

no love for them either. I would not mind inviting my sister Scarlet, she is mated and lives in

California. We have not talked in a long time, but she was kind to me in my childhood and I never

really had the chance to thank her.” I can not remember if I have told Caleb about Scarlet, but still

he shakes his head with understanding.

“I will see what information Theo can gain on her whereabouts, and I will see that she receives an

invitation.” I do not doubt that Caleb will hold true to his words.

We finally make it back to the manor house, and Theo is waiting for Caleb. I let Caleb know that I

am going to go make us some dinner, and as lam walking away, I can hear Theo giving Caleb a play

by play of the events of today.

I pull out some chicken breast and decide on making a small stir fry for us. As lam cooking, I replay

the events of today through my mind. I had tried to build a wall between Caleb and I emotionally,

but he showed me that he really cares. I do not know if I am ready to be a Luna yet, but I do know

that I want to continue what I have with Caleb. °

I will talk with Hannah about going with me to pick out a dress, and perhaps she will tell me more

about the mating ceremony. I am a bit nervous because I know that I will be committing myself to

Caleb in front of our entire pack, as well as Caleb's allies and friend. lam worried that I will

embarrass him, but with some help I think it will turn out ok.

Soon I will find out I was very wrong to think that anything would ever be ok in my world again.