Chapter Forty-Six

Caleb's Point of View

Leaving Daphne this morning was so difficult. I woke up earlier than usual so that I could watch her

sleep a few more moments. Today is the day that we will be formally committed to each other, in

front of our friends, pack members, and community. I have waited so long for this day and I am so

excited that it is here. I know that Daphne thinks that I saved her, but in reality, she saved me. It is

because of her that the blackness inside me, the anger, the rage has finally subsided. I am more

focused on my pack, on leading us, and protecting us. I will spend everyday that I can showing her

how grateful I am to her.

I decided that tonight will be the night I tell her how I feel. How much I love watching her sleep,

hearing her voice, and feeling her touch. I will tell her how she saved me from being feral. I will tell

her how much I get lost in her eyes, in the scent of her. How her laugh sounds like bells at

Christmas. I will tell her how I have fallen helplessly in love with her.

As much as I do not want to, I ease myself off the bed. I have everything planned today so that she

can relax. I know how hard she has worked to prepare for today. Not just the event planning with

the catering and the dress, but with learning about the neighboring packs as well. With all the

events of yesterday, I just want her to be at peace today.

I head out of the room, and into the den. It is so early that I doubt anyone else is up and about

except for the patrolling guard. I ensure that I have everything I need for tonight, and then head

downstairs. I am in serious need of a cup of coffee.

To my surprise Theo is already in the kitchen, nursing his own coffee cup. He grunts hello to me as I

wander in, and gestures to the coffee pot still half full of my favorite brew. I grab a cup and sit with

him at the island.

“What is on your mind, causing you to lose sleep?” I do not waste time trying to figure out what is

bothering my friend.

“I am sorry for the way I acted yesterday. When I seen him on Hannah, I wanted to rip his throat out.

I know that she is not my daughter by blood, but we have raised her all the same. If you had not

come in when you did, I would have ended his life, and felt no remorse at all.” Theo's voice is cold,

and I can tell that he is reliving the events in his mind.

“You have nothing to apologize for. If I had seen him on Hannah, I do not doubt that I would have

killed him as well. There is no excuse for his behavior. The fact that he is claiming to be an Alpha

and behaving in this way is disgusting to me.” I feel bad that Theo is second guessing his actions.

“It is not just that thought” Theo turns and looks me in the eye “I find myself drawn to Scarlet. I

remember all those photos of her laughing and carefree on the walls at her parent's house. I wish I

had gotten the opportunity to meet that girl. To see that sparkle shine in her eyes again.” Hearing

Theo talk about Scarlet makes me wonder if his hatred for Dorian is fueled by something other than

Hannah.

“Theo, I need to ask you a very personal question. Have you had any lovers since Miranda has

passed on?” I never say her name out loud, not since she died. We do not talk about it. Theo took

some time after her death and dealt with it his way. We had an unspoken agreement that she was

an off-limit topic of conversation.

“I tried once, but she wanted more than I could give her. She wanted a future, and I had made it

very clear from the beginning that we were just two people looking for physical release. Since that

fiasco no, I have not touched another woman. You know that I do not believe the fairy tale that

there are second chance mates in this world.” I must admit that I am surprised that Theo opened up

this much about Miranda, and his love life.

“I truly wish that you would not give up on finding another mate. I would love to see you with some

little pups climbing your leg.” I laugh at the thought and clap him on the back.

“The nights get lonely sometimes, but I do not think that I could ever handle that pain again. I asked

the Moon Goddess to take my life that night. I did not want to continue without her. I simply can

not go through with that again. I am happy here, training, working, helping our people with special

talents. That is what my life is meant for.” Theo has turned somewhat solemn, and I can not help but

wonder if he truly feels that way or if fear is stopping him.

“If that is what you wish, then I will drop the matter. I do have to say though Scarlet is still a beauty.”

Theo punches my shoulder at that remark, which I expected.

“It is not that way with her, I simply hate seeing someone broken down like that. It is weird but, in a

way, it is almost as if her and Daphne have switched lives.” I mull over Theo's words for a moment,

and I agree with them. Daphne was broken down by her parents, made to feel like she was nothing.

Dorian is doing the same thing to Scarlet, and it is a sad realization.

“Honestly, you are right. Unfortunately, there is not much that we can do with out starting a war. I

do not know if they have powerful allies, although I have no fear of his pack warriors. I also wonder

how it would make Daphne feel. I mean her and Scarlet have just reunited, and this could push

them apart.”

“I have been researching relentlessly through the old scrolls, searching for anything that could

possibly help Scarlet in any way. She could leave him, but because of the mating bond she would

never find a second chance mate if it were possible. From what I have read the possibility of her

being able to bear children is slim without her mate.” Theo hangs his head with his own revelations.

Now I better understand the coffee, he has been researching all night.

“Why not go and try to get some rest. I will speak with Scarlet and see where she stands. If she

wants to leave Dorian, she will have our support. I will even offer her a place here.” Theo nods at my

words and places his cup in the sink. I believe that exhaustion has finally won out and I see him

head for the stairs. Hopefully, he will be able to rest.

I start making breakfast for two people. Mulling over the talk I had with Theo I have changed my

plans a little. I will make Scarlet some breakfast and leave Daphne's in the oven. That will give me

some time to speak with Scarlet and see where she stands with everything. It is clear to everyone

that she is no longer happy in her mating but is she unhappy enough to changer her own

circumstances. Plate in hand I head upstairs to find out, knocking and waiting for her reply before

coming in.

"Hey Scarlet, I brought you breakfast and was hoping to speak to you a moment.” I can see that she

has been up for a little while. She is already dressed, and it looks like she can use a friend right now.

"Yeah I was expecting that you would want to talk. First let me say that I am so sorry that Dorian

hurt that girl. He was very wrong, and I cannot fathom what he was thinking.”

“No, you do not need to apologize for his actions. He is a grown man; he will take responsibility for

himself. It is regarding him that I wish to speak to you. Scarlet everyone can see that you are

unhappy, that Dorian does not treat you well. Although I have not found a way outside of ending

his life to break the mating bond, you are free to leave him if you want to. You will have mine and

my pack’s support, and a position and home here if you choose.” I can see her thinking about my

words for a few minutes and I do not rush her. This is a serious matter, and she must choose for

herself.

“Thank you for your kind offer, but I am the Luna of my pack. You are right, Dorian has changed and

for so long I have been unhappy. That is not all on him though, I should have stood up to him long

ago. My people need me, so it is with that thought that I know that I must go back. I do want to

thank you though, for Daphne and her happiness. She did not have a happy childhood, but I am

overjoyed to see her smile now. I also want you to know that should you ever make her unhappy, I

will find a way to end you.” Scarlet looks me dead in the eye to let me know that she is serious. I

respect her for her decision to protect her pack, even if I do not agree with it.

“I understand your decision and know that I love Daphne. It is no longer just the mating that pulls

me to her. I need her more than I need air to breath.” I hope that Scarlet can see that I am sincere.

“I believe you. You do make her happy, and that is all I can ask.”

"Know that you are welcome here anytime. Also, if you need anything at all, please do not hesitate

to ask. You are family now, anything I have is yours.” Scarlet nods letting me know that she

understands. Then I explain to her my plan for Daphne today, and she is more than happy to help

me out. She heads downstairs with me to grab the breakfast for Daphne. Then I check in with

Hannah and ensure that she is set to go for help with hair and makeup.

I spend the rest of the day greeting the guests that have arrived. The neighboring packs have all

shown up in support of me finding my mate. Marcus is here, Lola stands proud beside him. I make

sure that everything is set in place, the catering is all top notch, and that nothing can go wrong. My

patrolling guards are still working but are not as spread out. I allowed them to draw in closer to the

ceremony so that they can also be a part of it. After all it is not everyday that their Alpha meets his

mate. As time draws closer, I find that I am getting nervous. I cannot wait to see Daphne in her

dress, but I am ready for this to be done with. I am ready for her to be mine.