Chapter Forty-Eight
Caleb’s Point of View
Today has not gone the way that I had planned. I had planned so carefully, down to the flower arrangements. I thought
that I had every base covered, surely nothing could go wrong. I had been arrogant, cocky enough to believe that no one would try to attack. My pack was known to be fearless, and it was no secret that my allies would be in attendance of my mating ceremony. I had pulled my guards in so that they could witness the ceremony, and in doing so I left my people vulnerable. I did this, in my own arrogance I created the war zone that was
before me.
I can only stare in horror at the woman who saved my life. I underestimated Dorian. I was already tired from fighting
Alpha Jason when Dorian had surprised me from behind. He was quicker than I imagined he would be. He was also a
better fighter than I ever would have
given him credit for. Scarlet saved my life, but in doing so she lost her destined mate. I can only imagine what is going through her head, knowing that she was
the one that took his life.
“Mine.” Theo’s words snap my attention
directly to him. I turn to see him staring
at Scarlet, tears in his eyes. His eyes are boring into Scarlet, and I can see that his body is fighting a war with itself. 10
“Theo” I try to draw his attention away,
but it can not be deterred from Scarlet. I
know that he does not believe in second
chance mates, but perhaps she is his. Daphne starts wiggling in my arms,
trying to break free from my grasp. My
attention finally falls on her and I realize
she is fighting to go to her sister. I let her
go,
Daphne runs over and wraps Scarlet in her arms. Pulling her back into her chest and rocking her on the ground as if she were a child. I knew that today would
changer our lives, but I could have never of predicted that it would be this way. For once I do not know what to do, what to say, or even how to begin processing everything. 2
“Caleb, I need to go. Something is not right with me; I think I am headed to the infirmary.” Theo’s voice pulls me out of my self-loathing and snaps me back into reality. I look Theo over, looking for any signs of trauma, other than the
superficial bruises and cuts that have
appeared. I can find nothing that would
warrant a trip to the infirmary.
“Theo what is going on, I do not see
anything.” I do not normally question Theo, but on this occasion I must.
“No, there is something not right with my head. I am imagining things.” Theo’s voice is shaky, and I notice that he is still
staring at Scarlet. Since we are in such
close vicinity, and werewolves have
excellent hearing I decide to use the mind
link.
Would your trip to the infirmary have
anything to do with the fact that you are staring at Scarlet, and called her yours? I
do not mean to be blunt with Theo, but I
cannot waste any time trying to figure out
the next moves for everyone involved.
She just lost her destined mate. She cannot possibly be mine. I do not believe
in second chance mates. I want to go to
her, but I cannot. I am not the man that
she needs. Theo also chooses to use the
mind link to communicate. Looking to
where Daphne and Scarlet are, I can understand his hesitation, and my heart breaks at the predicament that Theo has
found himself in.
I cannot tell you how long we stood there, simply staring at the two women. Unsure of how to bring them any comfort. Scarlet lost her mate, Daphne had to kill her father, and I was helpless to do anything to help them. Finally, both women stood, arms wrapped around each other they turned and started walking towards Theo
and me.
When they are less than twenty feet away,
I watch as Scarlet skids to a sudden halt.
Her head snaps up, her eyes go wide as if
she is a deer in the headlights. I can tell that Daphne is asking her what is wrong, but Scarlet is staring straight at Theo. Although it is the worst timing ever, I can
tell that she is processing the fact that
every fiber of her being is telling her that Theo is her mate. Again, I am lost as to how I can help anyone. Theo is as stiff as a board beside me. The great Alpha and Beta of the Blue Mountain pack are completely useless right now to the two people that need them the most. Slowly the girls continue to make their way to us.
“We need to talk.” I was surprised that it was Scarlet that spoke first. Of course, her words were directed at Theo. I can see the worry and the fear flash through his eyes. This will not be an easy start for them. Daphne is utterly lost as to what is happening between the two of them.
“I will understand whatever decision you make. I only have one request and that is that you give it some time, before you decide.” Theo’s voice is soft, and I can tell that he is fighting the urge to try and comfort Scarlet. Scarlet thankfully shakes
her head in agreement with Theo’s
request. 4
“Daphne, I am so sorry. It was my own arrogance that lead to this chaos. I am the reason our ceremony is ruined.” There is so much more that I need to apologize to my mate for, but right now is not the time for me to get into all of that.
“No, it was not your fault. It was my father’s fault, and Dorian’s fault. Their greed, their arrogance, their demented minds. My father’s violence is all I have known since I was born. Now he is gone, and I feel free.” Daphne’s voice is hard, and I can tell that she is fighting back her emotions. Even if it is a stranger, the first time you take a life is hard. I wrap my arms around her pulling her tight to me.
Behind me I hear a wail piercing the night sky, and both Daphne and Scarlet stiffen. Daphne moves to look behind me and her
face goes ghostly white. I shift trying to see what is causing her pain, only to find her mother kneeling over Alpha Jason’s corpse. It did not occur to me that she would be here and judging from the girl’s faces they did not expect it either.
The shrieking woman turns and zeros her attention on Daphne. “You murderous. whore. You have taken everything from
me, everything. It should be your corpse laying here, just like it should have been you that died instead of your brother.” I watch a tear fall down Daphne’s cheek,
and I have had enough of this madness.
“I will permit you to take your mates
body and leave here. If you ever come back, I will kill you myself.” My voice is booming through the night air. Daphne has suffered enough; I will not permit anything else happening to her. Amanda does not heed my warning, or perhaps
she does not care. She starts stalking towards Daphne and I, murder evident in her eyes. 2
She never made it close to us though. Scarlet stepped around Theo, ran full
force and tackled her mother on the
ground. Before I can even blink Scarlet has both of her mother’s hand above her
face, and she is sitting on her chest.
“You are not going to hurt her anymore, do you understand. I watched you hurt her for years, the only joy you ever found was in hurting her. I hate you for it, I
think I hated you then. Look at what that
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