Chase Me Alpha (Daria and Caleb) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Daria’s POV

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A furious Jacob opened his mouth to yell at me as soon as I spoke but Caleb’s voice was firm and brokered no arguments.

“Do as she asked Jake. She will make sure he is well.”

That reassurance seemed to be enough as he gave Caleb a nod and turned to leave. The other maid lingered and I noticed her from my edge but she turned to leave as soon as Caleb noticed her presence.

As the door was shut I began to speak with anger in my voice.

“This wasn’t normal. This was poison. Poison from a specific bread of Aconite plant not found in the region,” I spoke with a rush. “The only reason I know is because I’ve seen the plant before. It’s difficult to get.”

Caleb froze beside me before his voice came in a flurry.

“Poison. Really? Are you sure about this-”

I interrupted his barrage of questions. I didn’t have the time or mind to answer it.

“I saw it the moment that I came in. The scent is in the air. And his hands are pale but his veins are blue. His veins are usually red, Caleb. They stand out. It’s a sign of poisoning. And its going to disappear in a few hours too. It’s not even daylight yet.”

As I spoke I worked. Grabbing my medical bag from the corner opened it and began to mix the antidote.

“If he had been left until the sun rose he may not have survived,” Caleb’s voice was full of shock and fury. His growl shook the walls and I turned to him with a warning look.

“There are eyes and ears here more than you know Alpha Caleb. The maid that was in the room just now is one of them.”

He was silent and I took the chance to continue.

“I spotted her cleaning the portraits earlier.”

“That’s normal,” Caleb argued with me with disbelief in his voice “It’s part of their job.”

“Past midnight?” I asked with a raised brow. His gaze darkened as realization crossed his features.

“She isn’t assigned to watch over the Elder. Only two of the maids are. So … why is she here?” Caleb suddenly spoke. I could see the pieces of the puzzle slot together neatly in his mind. He was sharper than most people and despite my hatred for him regarding our past I knew he wasn’t going to let this go.

“Probably waiting to report to her master I bet.” I wagered in a soft tone. I pressed the needle of the syringe into Elder Gerome’s skin and slowly began to administer the antidote. “She isn’t the one I saw that day though. That one looked a lot older. I didn’t see her face but I’m sure this maid is different from the other spy.”

Thinking back to the secret conversation I had overheard backen I knew it.

This thing- this conspiracy was bigger than he or I knew.

“Then they will die,” he growled and was just about to move towards the door. Alarm filled me and I rushed from Elder Gerome’s side to grab Caleb’s arm.

Wrong move.

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11:46 Fri, Feb 6 BBA

Chapter 17

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Without any hesitation I found myself swept off the floor and pined to the wall. My back hit the wall with a thud and pain bloomed in my shoulder as I struggled. Caleb’s eyes were fixed mine and his face was only inches away from me.

A pained gasp left my lips.

“Caleb please. We can’t do anything to them now.” I pleaded with him while trying to not freak out at his grip tightening just

a tad.

“And let them do whatever they want? Let them destroy my pack and kill an Elder?” His nostrils flared with each question and his eyes dared me to explain myself.

“Because we don’t know who they work for,” I explained through gritted teeth. “And if you want to catch them you have to leave them a long rope to hang themselves. No way for them to scape then. All you have to do is wait a little, Caleb.”

Only then did he loosen his grip from my arm. But he didn’t move his face an inch. His hand settled on my waist.

My heart pounded like a rattle as he leaned in to whisper against my car. His breath fanned my neck and his scent was intoxicating.

“Damn you,” I thought to myself.

“Give me one good reason,” his voice was like honeyed water. Meyes flickered shut.

Damn him.

Him and how much he always had a hold on me.

“Because I’ll help you. You don’t have to worry about getting information. You only have to use me,” I was out of breath and my voice wavered.

If that was the only way to get him to stop his rampage before it began then I would. Caleb’s reputation precedes himself. He was ruthless when it came down to it and could destroy an entire pack within seconds.

I was putting myself on the line because I knew it wasn’t worth it

“You’ll help me.” He murmured like I had just said that I’d dance naked in front of everyone.

Our eyes locked in a gaze that I couldn’t bear to look away from.

My chest had a warmth to it now that was impossible to ignore. I was so warm that it hurt a little.

Was it the mate bond?

“Yes,” I said like I was signing my life away. That single word felt like an answer to another question. An unspoken one: Will you stay?

It was only to keep him calm, I told myself.

After this I would do my job and leave the Wisteria Pack like I’d ever set foot in here.

It was just temporary. An arrangement for the sake of the innocents that could be accused or hurt if we weren’t careful.

His hand was hot against my waist. Only then did I remember that I was wearing only a satin nightgown. The top part of the robe had slipped off my shoulders due to his pinning me to the all.

Our breaths mingled together briefly and I was afraid of breaking the silence.

“Alpha Caleb,” I whispered. “Let me go.”

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11:46 Fri, Feb 6 BBQ

Chapter 17

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“And if I don’t?” He asked immediately without flinching. “If I claim you here and now? What would you do? Can you ever stop me?”

Suddenly I remembered the last time I tried to see him before I had lost my child. The desperation. The pain. The loss. The feeling of humiliation and shame that followed me after.

That memory gave me the strength and will to push him away.

“Nothing will ever happen between us, Alpha Caleb. You have to face the truth.” I steadily said.

His lips parted as if to speak but then the knock on the door came. As if it was a signal. Elder Gerome instantly began to cough.

I rushed to his side to steady him with elation. The antidote had worked.

“Elder Gerome,” I gently spoke while pressing my index and middle fingers against his neck to check his pulse. “Thank the Moon Goddess you’re awake.”

It took about ten minutes to completely ascertain he was fine. Excitement warmed my heart in a way that I couldn’t explain. Somehow there was always a sense of accomplishment that rivaled none whenever I was able to bring a patient back from the brink of death.

Murmuring a prayer to the moon goddess I began to pack up. I stifled a yawn with the back of my palm while Caleb reentered the room with Jacob at his heels. Jacob looked tense and met my eyes with a slight nod. Caleb must have told him everything that I’d said and they were on the same page at least.

The gratitude in Jacob’s eyes was proof of that as well.

The sun was not going to rise for another hour and I knew I couldn’t go back to sleep anytime soon. While I locked my medical bag with a secret combination the maids around tidied up.

Then Caleb spoke.

“Daria. You will stay longer for Elder Gerome’s sake to monitor His health. In that case we’ll assign you a maid to take care of your needs personally,” Caleb said as though he had just come up with that on the fly.

I didn’t need to be upset though. Taking the hint I smiled politely and didn’t say anything. Then he pointed to the maid who I had identified as one of the spies.

“You will be assigned to Daria for the time being. She will require your assistance and attention from sunup to sundown. Her meals and movements must be aided by you personally. All other duties are secondary from now on.”

The maid paled and turned to survey me. I kept a disinterested and mildly annoyed look on my face while nodding minutely.

The game had begun. And I was to play the role of pawn very well now.

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AD