Reese’s P.O.V.I paced back and forth in my living room, a racing heartbeat and a lump forming in my throat, my phone clutched tightly in my hand. I took a deep breath and finally pressed the call button, connecting me to Dana, who had quickly grown into one of my best friends in this small town ever since I had moved over here. As the phone rang, my mind raced with all the events that had unfolded in the past few hours. The burglar, Caleb coming over, the passionate night, his brothers filling my apartment and last but not least… the phone call and the serious conversation that had followed shortly after.“Hello?” Dana’s voice echoed through the line, breaking the silence.“Dana, it’s me, Reese. You won’t believe what just happened!” I exclaimed, my voice filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension.“Oh, spill the beans, girl! What’s got you all worked up on a Saturday afternoon?” Dana replied, her voice dripping with curiosity. I took a deep breath, trying to organize my though
Caleb’s P.O.V. I was sitting in the kitchen of my childhood home, the familiar creaking of the floorboards echoing throughout the room. The news that I had received earlier today still rang in my ears, but the elation that had filled me upon hearing my agent’s words was quickly replaced with confusion and disappointment ever since I had stepped foot in this house. Once getting inside the house, I immediately called both my brothers and my Nana to come join me in the kitchen, I had expected my brothers to be overjoyed for me, to celebrate this potential return to the professional hockey league I had once dominated. Yet, their reactions were far from what I had anticipated. Jack was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed tightly over his wide chest, a frown etched deeply on his face as he was wearing a regular t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants because he had been working outside, instead of his usual police officer uniform because he was working way too hard.“Caleb, do you really
Caleb’s P.O.V.The sun began its descent beyond the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the lands of the Loup ranch. I sat on the edge of my bed, my old hockey gear from when I was still a teenager scattered haphazardly around me. The tension from the argument with Jack still lingered in the room, weighing heavily on my heart. I ran a hand through my dark hair, contemplating the difficult choices I was forced to make. Not because I wanted to, but because I also had to. I just hoped that one day, my brothers would understand my reasonings. I needed to do this in order to get closure, the last time by getting injured, the choice had been ripped out of my hands. If I would get out of the game, I wanted it to be on my own terms. I would step back when I would want to stop playing, not because my body forced me to stop.Suddenly, my bedroom door creaked open, and in walked Dahlia, my sweet and precious little Dahlia. Her curly hair bounced with every step she seemed to make, and her
Reese’s P.O.V. The warm Florida evening had cast a golden flow over the small town I had grown to love already, as I watched Caleb pull up in front of my apartment building in his rusty old truck. My heart fluttered with excitement as I saw him getting out of the car, a mischievous grin playing on his lips as he walked into the building. I couldn’t help but smile back, feeling an inexplicable connection with him. And as soon as my doorbell rang, I couldn’t help but skip towards my front door, opening it and being rewarded by the sight of him standing there.“Hey, Gorgeous.” Caleb greeted, his voice laced with anticipation.“Ready for a night of surprises?” He asked me, tilting his head as his eyes never left mine. I stepped out of my apartment, the soft fabric of my dress swaying gently with every step I took. I decided on wearing a crème colored silk dress, knowing it would be OK to wear to most things my mind had come up with as an option for a date. I had my jeans jacket on my arm
Reese’s P.O.V.“Oh.” I gasped, as the waiter just returned with our drinks and wanted to take our order from us, which I had now completely forgotten.“I’ll have the chicken Alfredo. Thank you.” Caleb spoke politely to the waiter, while I felt as if all the air was being pushed out of my lungs. But I knew that somehow I needed to speak, as the waiter looked over at me.“The salmon, please.” I spoke, feeling Caleb’s eyes on me as the waiter took the menus and walked away from us, giving us some privacy.A WEEK!He is leaving in a week!“I’ll send you my schedule as soon as I have it, so we can find a way to communicate as often as we possibly can. God only knows I will need to hear your voice in order to be able to sleep. Even if it’s through late-night calls, video chats or sending each other little surprises, we’ll find ways to bridge the distance between us.” He told me as if it didn’t mean anything to him, while I could see it in his eyes, he hated the fact that he needed to leave
Caleb’s P.O.V.I opened the door to Reese’s apartment after a quiet ride. We were both probably still lost in our thoughts about an amazing evening spent together. And now that we walked into her home, I noticed her biting the inside of her cheek, which I had learned she did whenever she was nervous. Reese walked through the door but stopped at her kitchen table as if somehow she didn’t want to go any further, nerves probably having the best of her, since she was no fool and we both knew where this night was heading in the first place. I walked over to her and went to stand behind her, her back pressed to my chest as I reached up to caress her cheek, my thumb brushing away a strand of hair that was resting in front of her gorgeous eyes.“Thank you,” I told her, seeing how she seemed to be surprised at my words.“For what?” She asked me, to which I couldn’t help but smile.“For believing in me. For seeing something in me that I couldn’t even see myself. You’ve been my biggest cheerlead
Reese’s P.O.V.I woke up from the sun that gently peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the bedroom, which also matched with the warmth of Caleb’s body next to me. My head was lying on his chest as I was curled up next to him, his breathing steady and peaceful. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I admired his serene beauty. And after a couple of more minutes, Caleb stirred as well, his eyes fluttering open to meet mine. I blushed slightly, remembering the events of the previous night that had brought us even closer together.“Good morning.” Caleb whispered, his voice husky with sleep as he lifted a hand to rub in his eyes.“Morning,” I replied, my own voice a soft murmer.“Last night…” I started but couldn’t finish since Caleb lifted his finger and pressed it against my lips.“Was fucking amazing.” He smiled back at me, as if he didn’t want to hear anything else but that.which it was…last night was nothing short from amazing…My smile widened as Caleb drop
Reese’s P.O.V.The following days passed all too quickly, and Caleb and I found ourselves immersed in a bittersweet mix of joy and sadness. Our time together was drawing to a close, and Caleb’s obligations as a star hockey player called him back to his team. We were determined to make every moment count, cherishing the precious time that we had left together.We made the most of our final days, filling them with unforgettable experiences and creating memories to carry us through the upcoming separation. Sure, I didn’t like the fact that Caleb was leaving, but I also knew that I couldn’t force him to stay either, and that I did not want to be the woman who would keep him away from his dreams, from his job. I didn’t want him to resent me in the future, blaming me that I was the one who had made him quit the thing that had been the center of his life for such a long time. If Caleb did want to stop, it would have to be his own choice and on his own terms. And until he would make that choi
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