Book 2 Chapter 5

Caleb's Point of View

I had hoped that life would settle down and that there would be some return to normalcy after

everything we went through this last year, but life seems to be throwing curve balls our way in rapid

pace. Sighing I finally give up on trying to understand the food store ledgers in front of me and lean

back in my office chair to reflect on everything that has happened. In the last year I finally found my

mate, which stopped me from going feral but that came with complications. Daphne had been used

as a slave. She had been abused, and because she was not allowed to have a normal life growing up

she was severely behind in her knowledge of Lycans. Not the best position for her considering she

was mated to an Alpha.

Thankfully, my mate is quick witted and determined and with Theo's help she has learned a vast

amount and taken her place at my side as the Luna. On top of that Daphne was reunited with her

sister. Our mating ceremony was a nightmare that almost resulted in a mass war. Then it was

discovered in the aftermath that Theo and Scarlett were second chance mates. Then there was the

business of Scarlett's previous pack joining with ours, and the passing of Daphne's former pack to

the Beta. Now there has been the stress of Daphne miscarrying the pup.

I know that I am strong, and I know that my pack needs me to continue to be strong, but hell I

could use a vacation. My head is pounding as I realize that my life has turned into a series of putting

out small fires, but I never seem to truly get much work done. Plus, I feel like I am losing part of my

mate.

I was the one that suggested that Daphne help with the training of our special wolves. She had

shown interested in the training when it was revealed that she also had a peculiar talent, so I had

used that as an opportunity to distract her from the depression and worry of losing the pup. Since

she has started training, I feel like I hardly see her.

Most mornings she is up before the sun rises, taking a morning run. After that she is constantly at

the training grounds. The first few days she would come back to the house for meals, but now she is

skipping lunch and not eating dinner until she comes in late at night.

I know that in her own way she is trying to heal from losing the pup, and that this new job is a great

distraction for her. I hate to admit it but I feel as if she is purposely avoiding me. I have wondered if

she holds some kind of resentment towards me for her losing the baby. Sighing I try to clear my

head. I need to have a serious talk with my mate and get to the root of the issue. Glancing at the

clock I can see that it is well past ten at night. Standing and stretching my sore muscles I head down

to the kitchen to grab a quick snack before going in search of my mate.

I am stopped dead at the sight before me in the kitchen. Daphne is still in work out clothes, sitting

on the bar absently munching an apple, as she looks over some papers. I can not help my

wandering eyes as I look at the perfect backside of my mate. The curve of her neck, across her

shoulders, the dip in her back, right to where her pleasant peach bottom is perched on the counter.

She turned when a low growl erupted from my lips.

"Guess what I may have discovered today?” Daphne quickly asks me, breaking the seductive track of

my thoughts. I take a deep breath in a vain attempt to calm my frazzled nerves before asking her

what her discovery was. Hell, I am just happy at this point to be seeing her in person.

“I was working with Ellie, and I discovered that her talents are more pronounced when she has

heightened emotions. So now I am wondering if this would be the case for the other wolves. I was

digging through Theo's notes, but I have not discovered if he has tried this theory out already or

not.” While Daphne happily tells me about her accomplishments with the training, I smile hearing

how animated she is. Guilt blossoms in my chest as I recall my earlier thoughts. My mate is happy,

and she likes being productive. I need to be supportive of her and encourage her to do things that

bring her happiness.

While 1 am chiding myself internally, I lazily make a quick sandwich as Daphne continues to tell me

about her theories. I munch on the sandwich as she starts telling me that Ellie had a breakthrough

with plant revival, but in truth I am captivated by my mate's lips. When Daphne pauses to catch her

breath, I quickly swoop in and brush my lips against hers.

I had meant for it to be a quick peck on the lips, but the moment my lips made contact with her skin

I was lost. I brush my tongue against her bottom lip, asking for admittance. To my pleasure Daphne

opens for me, and I explore her mouth, our tongues dancing with each other. I move so that I am

positioned standing between her legs, never breaking the kiss. Feeling her sensual lips, a primal

groan of pleasure erupts from me. When Daphne wraps her arms around my neck, I grasp her ass

and pull her tight against my throbbing member.

Evidently this was the wrong move, because as soon as Daphne felt my erection she froze. The

difference in her was instantaneous and I quickly broke the kiss looking into her eyes questioning.

Daphne looks like a deer caught in the headlights of a semi-truck.

“I am sorry Caleb, but I am not ready.” Daphne uses her small hands to push me back as she quickly

hops off the counter and grabs her papers before dashing out of the kitchen. The way she took off

were as if the hounds of hell were nipping at her heals.

I take a few shaky breaths in a vain attempt to calm my nerves. I do not want to rush her, and I most

certainly do not want to hurt her. It was obvious from our interaction that she still desires me and

that will be enough to placate my ego for now. Looking down I can see that my arousal was still

evident. Sorry man, I thought to myself, looks like its still just you and me in the shower tonight.