Chapter 10

Caleb

“What’s happening to me?” Luka whimpered. “I’m used to pain, but this was something different.”

She was crying, leaning over in the back seat, her head on my leg. I was stroking her hair, telling her it would all be okay. I didn’t need to believe it for it to comfort her. I hadn’t seen this sort of thing either.

Fortunately, Dr. Thorne had. I had been talking to him regularly to keep up with Luka’s care.

“It’ll be okay, Luka,” I told her, although consoling people was something new to me.

“How do you know?” Her eyes were big and moist.

“Dr. Thorne said this might happen, as a result of the rejection reaction,” I explained. “Once we get to the residence, the staff has your medicine prepared already. We have a private nurse for you.”

This seemed to quell the worst of her anxieties, but I could tell she was still fearful of what was happening. Truthfully, I was fearful, too. The symptoms seemed unusual, more extreme than what Dr. Thorne prepared me for.

It wouldn’t be helpful for her to know that I was concerned. The best way to help was to keep an eye on her symptoms, stay in regular touch with Dr. Thorne, and make Luka feel safe.

You’re a fool, Logan hissed. Lately, I felt at war with myself. His anger seemed like a sign that I had made the wrong decision by taking her in, considering how aggressive he was.

Claim her, Caleb. Why aren’t you taking charge? Luka is your mate, seize it. It’s right there for the taking. Why are you acting weak?

I was getting frustrated. It’s not weak to refuse to take advantage of someone powerless. It’s not weak to resist the irrational wild animal inside of you. Especially when there is no mate bond, Logan.

I knew this would provoke his anger. Caleb, if she’s not your mate, why is your attraction so strong?

He was just my shadow self, one small part of me. I knew better than him, didn’t I?

Luka

I could tell just approaching the alpha’s house of Red Moon Pack that it was grander than even Declan’s home. The lawns were manicured with topiaries, and it looked like it was at least as big as a college campus.

The entrance gate was plated with gold, along with a titanium sculpture of the pack’s insignia, a howling head of a wolf.

The mansion was almost as large as the hospital, but far more beautiful, with gothic arches and stonework.

“Is there a separate residence for the women?” I asked.

Caleb looked at me like I was crazy. “No. There’s a suite for you within the mansion. Mia helped outfit it to your liking. It has everything you need.”

I couldn’t believe it. Not just a room, but a suite? With an actual bed. I didn’t care if I had to share.

The household staff all bowed before Caleb as we walked into the mansion, and the staff introduced themselves. “Welcome to Alpha House of Red Moon Pack, Lady Luka.”

I bowed back, and they looked taken aback. Caleb walked me to my quarters, and I couldn’t believe it. It was even nicer than Declan’s suite.

“This is where I’ll live?” My mouth was agape at the silk and velvet furnishings, along with a vanity that had all manner of perfumes and cosmetics.

I stood there stock-still, awaiting an order from him for what I should do.

“Is it not to your liking?” Caleb asked, his voice rich and magnetic. It rang like a double bass, deep and warm. I loved listening to it. It made him more attractive.

“No, the opposite, my lord.” I cannot possibly express how different this is from everything I’d experienced. I was savoring the hospital because I thought I’d never experience luxury like that again.

“Just Caleb, please.” He stood for a minute too, drawing closer, and I wanted him to come near to me. I liked just the feel of his presence.

We’ll see how long this lasts, I thought to myself. Don’t get used to it.

Even if it was just a week-long vacation, it would have been the longest vacation I’d ever taken, in that it was any vacation.

He went past and opened the closets, which revealed feet of clothes on hangers and a stack of shoes. I had never had a pair of shoes before for myself, but now I had so many.

“They’re in your size. I had Mia calculate. She has a talent for that.”

Even I didn’t know my size. “And it’s all for me?”

He looked at me again like I was a little crazy. “Of course.”

I thought about what Mia had said, that he hadn’t brought anyone here before. I hadn’t believed her, and I still was skeptical. I knew how alphas are with their image. But I was starting to warm to the possibility. I was flattered that he had thought about my needs so carefully, although I held myself back from trusting it completely.

“Now rest here for a moment. I have some work to do,” Caleb said. “Is there anything else you need? You’ll have more pillows soon, there have been unexpected delays.”

Um, just having one pillow is more than I’ve ever had. Not that I’d have told him that.

“No m’lord—Caleb.” It sounded unnatural on my lips.

“Very well. If you need anything, ring the staff.” He lifted a bell and also pointed to an intercom system. “They’ll come immediately. For anything medical, too.”

“Thank you so much.” I wanted to say something else, how grateful I was. I stood there, trying. But I couldn’t.

Once he closed the door, I examined the bathroom. It was larger than the utility room, and more luxurious than any of the pools Declan had. I was close to tears.

I didn’t quite know how to work the knobs, but there was no way I was going to ring the household staff for that. I couldn’t imagine ringing them for anything.

Once I figured it out, I took off my clothing and let the steaming water coat my skin and hair. It felt amazing. I put soap on my rough skin, covered in scars, but they were healing. There must have been something otherworldly in the medicines I’d been given.

I stayed in the shower for what must have been ages. When I was finished, I wrapped myself in one of the pink fluffy towels, and I even put one over my head. Usually I had a washcloth, if that, and to have a whole stack of towels was amazing.

I went to the attached bedroom and sat on the bed, wearing only the towel tied around my chest. Just then Caleb walked in, holding a set of pillows. I gasped, and he looked as surprised as I was.

“Pardon the intrusion. I thought you would have been finished and dressed by now. I wanted to check on you.”

I gave a sheepish grin. “I sort of took a long time.”

He smiled widely. “Good. As you should.”

I was nervous, looking down at my body, marked with scars. But I was excited, too, wondering what Caleb thought. I wanted him to think I was pretty, which made me blush. I knew he was just a contract mate, but I wanted him to like me.

I couldn’t help thinking about him having his way with me. But I was scared. I had never done anything like that before. Did he expect that?

He walked over slowly and put the pillows on the bed, right near my body. “Shall we rest together?” he asked.

I blushed, lowering my chin, feeling shy. He lay on the bed close to me, and it felt incredible, like electricity. There was something sexy about the fact that he just slipped into the bed without waiting for an answer.

I should have been offended, but he was so attractive and inviting. I probably would have been more offended if he hadn’t.

I was too nervous to move, and soon my nerves moved to my chest. Or at least what I thought were nerves. But the pain was too intense, too overwhelming, to just be shyness.

No, it burned, it pierced like a shard of glass burrowing in. My limbs went numb, and I realized I was screaming, beating my fists, unable to bear the agony.

Caleb reached over and grabbed my wait tightly to keep me still, to calm me down, like in the car. I was howling, unable to tolerate another moment.

It wasn’t until he screamed out that I realized I had taken his arm in my mouth and bit down. Hard, like I was a feral animal caught in a bear trap, attacking whatever was closest to me.