CHAPTER EIGHT

I see relief and happiness on Caleb’s face when I tell him I want to stay at the cabin.

“I just want you to be safe,” he says, smiling.

I know he’ll keep me safe. He’s the Alpha, after all. And he’s my mate.

Together, we cuddle up under the warm quilt, listening to the fire crackle and nibbling on the snacks he laid out for us. I find myself wrapped up in his arms, my head resting on his chest, his fingers carding lazily through my hair.

“You’re amazing,” Caleb says.

I laugh. “I’m an Omega who can’t shift. I got sent away from one pack only to get banished from another one. I’m anything but amazing.”

“Don’t talk like that.” Caleb’s voice sounds stern. He’s a true Alpha. “No one insults my Luna and gets away with it.”

My cheeks burn, hearing him refer to be that way. “I’m not a Luna yet,” I remind him. “Not until we made.”

“I know, I know.” He dips his head down to kiss my neck, right where he would mark me if we mated. “Soon. But in my heart, you’re already my Luna.”

I smile.

“And you are amazing,” he insists. “To go through everything you’ve been through and still be so courageous and strong. It’s no wonder you’re my mate.”

“What if I can never shift?”

“You’ll shift,” Caleb reassures me. “And when you do, your wolf will be the most incredible, gorgeous, powerful creature this pack has ever known.”

“How are you so sure?”

“I’m your mate. We know these things.”

“But it’s taken so long,” I say. “I’m already eighteen, and I haven’t shifted.”

Caleb points out the window of the cabin, where a huge pine tree stands, casting everything below it in shade. “See that tree?”

I nod.

“The big ones like that, the ones that dominate the forest, do you know how old they are?”

“No. We don’t have forests like this out in Virginia.”

“Right, you just moved here.” Caleb sighs again, sounding sad. “Those trees are hundreds of years old. My dad told me that one specifically is at least six hundred.”

“Six hundred!? Wow.”

“Great things take time,” Caleb says. “That’s what I’m saying. If your wolf has been dormant for this long, she’s got something really special. And she’s saving it for the right time.”

“I hope you’re right,” I say.

“Of course I’m right.” Caleb kisses me again, this time on the forehead. “I’m your mate. We know these things.”

I giggle. “Yeah, you said that.”

It feels weird to have a mate. Weird, but wonderful. I can feel our bond strengthening even now.

We lay together on the couch, warmed by the fire, letting the morning draw itself out. Finally, as it approaches lunchtime, Caleb stirs. “I should probably get back to the pack house,” he says. “They’ll be wanting to discuss everything that happened.”

I wish Caleb never had to leave, but I understand his duties as the Alpha. If I’m going to be his Luna someday, even if only in secret, I have to support him. “Okay.”

“Is there anything you need?”

“Malcolm took my phone,” I say. “I want to tell my parents i’m alive, at least. And maybe see if they can bring me some clothes, or some books.”

Caleb’s face darkens. “It’s not safe for anyone to know you’re here.”

“Not even my parents?”

He shakes his head. “Not even your parents. I can try to get them a message, but that’s it.”

“I understand.” I do, really. As the Alpha, Caleb has to make lots of hard choices - and now that I’m his mate, he’ll have to do even harder things to keep me safe and preserve our love.

He gets up from the couch, stoking the fire so I’ll have enough warmth until he returns. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he says, pulling on his coat. “Don’t leave the cabin until I’m back, okay?”

I nod.

He kisses me again, then disappears out the door. I watch him leave through the windows, keeping my eyes on his dark hair until he’s no longer visible. In my heart, I can feel our bond still, connecting us even as the distance between us grows.

The day drags on. I pace the cabin, worried about Caleb. I wonder what he’s said to Malcolm and Miranda and the rest of the pack about me. Hopefully, they think everything is done and over with now that I’m banished.

As the sun begins to set, though, I start to feel restless. Caleb said not to leave the cabin, but I must be safe enough if I just step outside and stick close. The creek will mask our scent, so as long as I don’t cross the creek, no one can find me.

The forest air is cool against my skin. Above me, the stars twinkle in the chilly sky. I look up at the moon, wishing I could shift. Caleb seems to think my delayed shift means something special about my wolf, but I want to surprise him when he returns. I want to be a mate he can be proud of, a Luna worthy of helping lead a pack.

But nothing happens. Just leaves crunching under my feet and the puffs of my own breath in the night air.

My stomach growls and I wonder what they’re having for dinner at the pack house. Probably something hot and delicious. In the cabin, there’s only a small fridge with cheese and cold cuts. I go inside and fix myself a sandwich, but it’s not very satisfying.

I think of my parents. They’re also having dinner without me. I hope Caleb was able to get them a message and let them know I’m safe. I don’t want them to be worried about them.

Too bad Caleb and I have to keep our forbidden love a secret. They would be so proud to know that I’m the Alpha’s mate.

As I’m finishing up my sandwich, I hear a knock at the door. I whirl around, wide eyed in panic. I didn’t even hear anyone approach.