Caleb’s P.O.V. I walked her toward and into her car, before climbing into my own truck as I followed her home. I wasn’t going to get out of my truck once I would have made it to Reese’s home. Getting out would have drama written all over it, and since the moon was almost full, my wolf was making it even harder for me to stay away from my one true mate. My inner wolf craved for her, ready to claim what was rightfully his. So shit… because here I was... going against my own earlier thoughts, because sure as shit I was getting out of my truck, wanting to be a gentleman by opening her car door for her. And fuck… opening the door and getting a new whiff of her vanilla scent in my nostrils, sure as shit didn’t make it any easier on me or my wolf.Fuck!“Hey,” She spoke, her eyes widening a little.“Your eyes, they have this shimmer in the moonlight. It’s really beautiful.” She spoke as she got out of her car, now really looking at me as she tried to make sense of what she saw.double fuc
Reese's P.O.V. With trembling fingers, I picked up my phone and opened my messaging app. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say or do. But the memory of our kiss was still vibrantly alive in my mind and the taste of him was still resting on my tongue. God… I wanted to see Caleb again, hell… I wanted to be with him again. But how could I possibly put into words the whirlwind of emotions that were coursing through my veins right now? I pondered for a moment, but eventually… taking a deep breath, I began to type. Reese: Hey you, Mr Melt-my-heart and turn around to leave. I hope you know that my thoughts are still consumed by tonight. That kiss… it’s a fire that’s still burning bright… I paused, my fingers hovering over the screen. Was this too bold for me to send? Nah, I thought, smiling and shrugging to myself, the alcohol still giving me the extra courage. I wanted to show Caleb that I appreciated his intention and his desire for something more substantial. Reese: But you,
Reese's P.O.V.Jake walked through the apartment, the remnants of the intrusion evident in the disarray. My heart ached as Jake surveyed the once-familiar space. Jake’s presence, however, provided a comforting strength, reminding me that I wasn’t alone anymore. That in a way, I was finally safe again.“The intruder seems to have left in a hurry. We’ll document everything and gather any evidence we can. But the most important thing is that you are safe. Are you OK, Reese?” Jake asked me, placing both his hands in his sides. I nodded, a mix of emotions welling up within me. Gratitude, relief, and a sense of admiration for Jake’s unwavering protectiveness towards the people of this city.“Just a bit shaken, but I’ll be OK. Thank you for being here.” To which he sent me a small but yet professional smile.“Let’s make sure we take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety moving forward.” He stated, to which I nodded, agreeing with him. As Jake began to gather evidence and secure the
Caleb's P.O.V. I took a deep breath, attempting to steady my racing thoughts and calm down my wolf. My gaze fell upon a framed photograph of Reese that was standing on a small table next to the sofa, a radiant smile lighting up her face. I traced her features with my finger, a surge of tenderness washing over me as I looked down at the photograph of the smiling young woman.“I won’t let anything happen to you, Gorgeous,” I whispered, my voice filled with determination as if I was promising her directly.“I will protect you. I’ll keep you safe. Even if it means that I will have to keep my distance from you. Even if in the end, I will have to protect you from myself.” I sighed as I looked back outside to the moon, a moon which seemed to be my personal curse as it casted its soft glow through the window. The moon that turned me into a beast. A beast that if I would not contain it, would hurt Reese without a doubt, or even worse. But I would find a way to keep her safe, to shield her fro
Caleb’s P.O.V. “I have been reliving kissing you ever since the parking lot.” I sighed against her lips, finally being able to taste her lips again. And once she gave me her blessing, wanting even more from me, it felt as if my wolf broke free, and now, he was on the fucking loose. “You relive our kiss?” She asked me, sounding genuinely surprised and in a way, baffled. So I stopped the kiss, taking the time to lift my hands and grab her gorgeous face inside them.“Are you kidding me, Gorgeous? Will you think any less of me if I confessed to you that that kiss was the hottest one I have ever had?” I asked her as she playfully pushed against my chest, her cheeks flushing in the darkness of the room. “I just told you I want more with you, you can stop using the cheeky lines.” She giggled at me as my fingers lowered to the hem of her long sleeping shirt and pulled it up her body. She helped me by raising her arms, revealing her skin to me, inch by glorious inch, and when I saw a black-l
Reese’s P.O.V.My eyes fluttered open as the sun’s gentle rays filtered through the curtains of my apartment bedroom, casting a soft glow across the room. I stretched my limbs and sighed contentedly, feeling a delicious warmth envelop my body. The memories of the previous night flooded back, causing a mischievous smile to play on my lips.Though Caleb and I hadn’t taken the relationship to the complete physical realm just yet, our night had been nothing short of intoxicating. The connection we shared transcended mere physical pleasure. It felt as if our souls had even entwined, leaving me feeling more sated than ever before. Shit… Kevin had never been able to make me feel like this… The electric anticipation had ignited a fire within me that seemed to burn brighter with each passing moment. But as I opened my eyes and looked next to me, that fire went out pretty darn fast.I sat up slowly, expecting to find Caleb still asleep beside me, my heart skipped a beat, because the side of the
Reese’s P.O.V.Zach leaned forward, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes as he addressed me again.“So, Reese, let me tell you the real reason why I showed up here and went to go security shopping at the crack of dawn the morning after my amazing birthday celebration. Your charming boyfriend over there called me and asked for my help in securing your place since that is a part of my job. Hell, he even begged me.” He stated, for the first time sounding a bit serious within all the humor.“He did?” I asked myself out loud this time, wondering whenever Caleb had had the time to call his brother. I mean… I had been with him every second since he had walked through the door after I had called him in the chaos of someone trespassing my home. Had I been asleep so deep this morning, that I hadn’t even heard him on the phone speaking to his brother this morning? I thought the walls were pretty thin around here, But Caleb nodded, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips as he looked at his older brothe
Caleb’s P.O.VOnce my brothers were finally out of the house, I turned myself to face Reese. Everything had gone so fast ever since she had called me last night, that I hadn’t even gotten the chance yet to speak to her about so many things. One of them being me wanting to protect her. I knew being with her twenty-four-seven from now on was out of the question. Even with me wanting it, and my wolf pretty much demanding it, I also wasn’t crazy here, and I still understood that Reese was a human. For a human to get a new boyfriend and to never leave their side again after knowing each other for only a week was unheard of. Unhealthy even. So yeah… my packing my bags and moving in here probably wasn’t my biggest or brightest idea. So, I forced myself to settle with the next best thing, enforcing her apartment as if the was fucking Fort Knox itself. Hence why I mind-linked my brother Zach this morning the second I had woken up. Shit, my brother was pissed that I had mind linked him, but we
Caleb’s P.O.V.The sun bathed the garden in a golden glow as I stood at the end of the aisle, my heart racing with anticipation. My brothers, Zach, and Jake flanked me as my groomsmen, their presence a reassurance of the unbreakable bond we shared as siblings. I looked at them, sharing a knowing smile that spoke volumes about our unspoken connection.The doors opened and Reese, a vision of beauty in her flowing white long gown, began her graceful walk towards me. My breath caught in my chest as I took in her radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with love and happiness. Beside her, Dana, her best friend who was also the maid of honor, beamed with pride and joy.The soft melody of a love song filled the air, harmonizing with the beating of my heart. And then, like a little angel, my niece Dahlia stepped forward, clutching a basket of rose petals. She delicately scattered them along the aisle, leaving a fragrant path in her wake. God only knows how many times she had begged both me and Rees
BONUS CHAPTER Reese’s P.O.V. “Are you ready?” I smiled, looking next to me in the car as I watched Dana look in front of her, mouth agape and eyes big in wonder as she took in the place.“What the hell did he do to this place?” She gasped before she looked back at me in awe again.“This must have cost him a fortune.” She added before she opened the door and got out of my car, to which I smiled and did the same, closing up my car before we walked over to the main entrance of the ice skating rink. We stepped into the newly acquired ice rink with a sense of awe. The transformation of this place was nothing short of extraordinary. The once worn-out and almost neglected space had been completely revitalized, thanks to Caleb’s unwavering dedication to turning this place into a fun spot for kids today and in the years to come. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration for his commitment and dedication to creating a haven for young aspiring hockey players. The grand opening of the ice
ONE YEAR LATER.Reese’s P.O.V.A warm Florida breeze rustled the leaves of the trees that lined the driveway leading to our house on the Loup ranch. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a golden glow on the lush green landscape. It had been a year filled with healing, growth, and rebuilding, and now Caleb and I were ready to embark on a new chapter of our lives. Moving into our own house, together.As the moving truck pulled up in front of our house, I couldn’t help but smile with anticipation. It had been a long journey in order to get the house done, filled with challenges and triumphs, but we had persevered together, and right now, I honestly believed I had never felled so at home as I did in this house. We had put careful thought and consideration into designing our new house on the Loup Ranch. The result was a beautiful home that was both practical and elegant.The exterior of the house boasted a charming blend of stone and wood, blending with the natural surroundings. Steppi
Reese’s P.O.V.I was just walking into my apartment, holding on to my grocery bags when my phone started buzzing again. I picked it out of my jacket, seeing that it was Dana who was calling me.“Hey,” I greeted her, “Where are you?” She asked me, sounding a bit panicked in a way.“I just got home, why?” I asked her, frowning.“Turn on your TV, right now!” She told me, making me frown even more as I heard the urgency in her voice.“OK,” I answered her, picking up the remote and pressing the power button, seeing how my TV screen came to life, my eyes widened as I saw Caleb’s face on my screen, accompanied by four other men I didn’t recognize.The news anchor’s voice filled my living room.“In a shocking turn of events, professional hockey player Caleb Johnson has pressed charges against his boss, Samuel Hardt, for blackmailing him in order to stay on the team. And now, it seems as though Caleb Johnson isn’t the only one who has been blackmailed. Four other players and the head coach of
Reese’s P.O.V.I was sitting on my couch, my mind clouded with thoughts of the blackmail and me leaving Caleb behind. The weight of the situation had left me feeling weary and uncertain. I needed time and space to process everything that had happened. But I smiled, as my phone started to ring and I looked down at the screen, seeing Dana’s name. The girl that had grown from a colleague to a friend. The girl that had picked up all of the pieces to my broken heart and was trying her best to put the pieces back together.“What are we watching?” Dana’s voice asked me from the other end of the phone line, making me smile. “I am still doubting between Queen Charlotte or The Bachelor,” I answered her.“But there’s probably more heartbreak in The Bachelor, so I’m going for that one.” I shrugged, hearing Dana’s giggle on the other end of the phone.“Good, I’m right there with you.” She answered me, probably pressing play on her own TV, so even though we aren’t watching it in the same room, we
Caleb’s P.O.V.I was staring at all the serious faces. The coach blew out a deep breath, while asshole Samuel Hardt behind his desk was sitting rigid and jerk-like as always. And a sinking feeling about what was about to go down came over me.“Thank you for joining us, Ms Reese. Have a seat.” Samuel spoke as Reese went to sit next to me but didn't look at me.“Why am I here?” She asked, her voice sounding stressed and a bit shaky. And I shifted in my seat, trying to understand what these men were all trying to pull here. Samuel opened up a drawer of his desk, pulling out a white envelope that he placed in front of Reese, who looked up with eyes big in surprise. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched the tense exchange between Reese and Samuel, my very own boss. The atmosphere in the room had almost grown suffocating. What the hell was in the envelope?Samuel leaned forward in his chair, a calculating glint in his eyes.“Reese, I understand you care for Caleb, but we believe your pr
Caleb’s P.O.VThe first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow upon the room. I stirred in my sleep, the remnants of my wolf’s presence slowly fading as I started to wake up. My mind floated between dreams and wakefulness, my senses still attuned to the lingering connection I had made with Reese last night.MineShe is finally mine…My eyelids fluttered open, as I found myself immersed in the warmth of our shared space, and I couldn’t help but smile. Reese lay beside me, her features relaxed in peaceful slumber. I marveled at her beauty, the way her tousled hair framed her gorgeous face, and how her lips curled into a serene smile. Shit… I had done it, I had been able to pull it off. To mark and claim her without her getting hurt or even worse. I had actually done it! But I frowned as reality slowly started to sink in.she would leave again tomorrow…She would go back home…And I needed to stay here…For another couple of weeks...Shit...Sure, m
Caleb’s P.O.V.I sat on the bathroom floor, my heart pounding in my chest, as I grappled with the inner turmoil that consumed me. The sound of running water from the shower provided a semblance of solace, the droplets cascading over my trembling body.Seconds…Just seconds…or I had been too late to stop my own wolf…my mind raced with conflicting emotions, torn between my love for Reese and the primal instincts that surged within me. The wolf inside of me yearned to claim Reese as our mate, to mark her as my own. But I feared the consequences of succumbing to my wolf’s desires. If I would ever hurt her, I would never be able to forgive myself. Hell... how would I even be able to live with myself if I would hurt her?I closed my eyes, trying to find clarity inside the chaos. Reese’s face, filled with love and trust, flashed before my mind’s eyes. I couldn’t bear the thought of hurting her, let alone causing her any harm that could be irreversible. Or even worse...kill her, mark her so
Reese’s P.O.V.Caleb called over Jacob, who had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he stepped closer, immediately approaching Dana. “Dana, meet Jacob, one of my friends and teammates,” Caleb spoke, gesturing towards Jacob.“Jacob, this is Dana, Reese’s very close friend.” He spoke as I saw how Dana’s eyes widened with surprise and a smile bloomed on her face. She extended her hand towards Jacob.“Nice to meet you, Jacob. I have heard a lot about you.” She smiled at him, while Jacob’s gaze lingered on Dana’s hand for a moment, a playful twinkle in his eyes. He took her hand, holding it gently.“Likewise, Dana. It’s a pleasure to finally meet a pretty girl around all these brawny men.” Dana blushed at Jacob's words, her cheeks turning a rosy shade of pink.“Oh, thank you, Jacob.” She smiled while Caleb chuckled, probably already sensing the chemistry between those two.“Why don’t you join us for the celebration? We’ll be heading to the rooftop bar of the hotel. The whole team will be t