Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Caleb is a damned furnace. His arms are wrapped securely around my waist, caging me against his chest. I’ve never shared a bed with a man, and I always assumed it would be uncomfortable. It’s not too bad. I’m sweaty and a little constricted, but I’m finding I enjoy it.
Who would’ve guessed?
I stare at Caleb’s sleeping face. He’s a beautiful man, and I take this opportunity to imprint every pore, mark, and eyelash into memory.
His lips part to release a soft breath of air, drawing my attention to the lower half of his face.
His lips are my favorite feature. They’re full and pliable. I want to feel them.
I crane my neck and kiss him, my fingers curling into the soft, fine hair on his chest as he purses his lips, sleepily kissing me back. He’s so trusting, and he doesn’t flinch even as I trail my fingers up his throat. I feel the muscular column of it, beginning to dread the thought of hurting him.
I’m getting attached. It doesn’t change my plan, but it sure makes it harder.
Caleb just seems so nice, but I have no options. I can’t spare him. Take down the alpha. Take down the pack. That’s the only way to succeed. It’s the only way to keep the humans safe.
“Evelyn…” Caleb grumbles, his voice heavy with sleep. “Why are you awake? Go back to sleep.”
He rolls me onto my back, pinning me to the bed with his thigh. It’s thrown over my hips, carefully avoiding my ribs. I lick my dry lips, emotion clogging my throat as he burrows his face into the crook of my neck.
I’m alone the next time I wake.
The bed is empty, and the spot beside me is cold. Caleb must have left a while ago. I refuse to feel disappointed as I crawl out of bed and dress myself. Caleb had several items delivered for me.
It’s mostly basics, simple tops and jeans along with plain undergarments and pajamas, but everything is comfortable.
There are several color options, too. It’s more than HPAW ever gave me.
I had five pairs of the same shirt, two pairs of identical black pants that swished when I walked, and one pair of sneakers.
I suspect Caleb would be more than happy to take me shopping if I asked. If I were planning to stay here longer, I’d ask.
Where did he go?
I search the entire house before tugging on my ugly, orange coat and stepping outside. A light dusting of white coats the ground, the first snowfall of the season.
The car is here, but that doesn’t mean much. Caleb prefers to travel in his wolf form. Has he left for work? There’s no way. He wouldn’t leave without telling me.
Now could be a good time to rifle through his belongings, but it feels risky when I don’t know where he went or when he’ll be back.
I hesitate, staring at his vehicle, before grabbing the keys and money Caleb keeps on the entryway table.
I want to explore the area, and now’s as good a time as any.
Caleb hasn’t explicitly told me I can’t drive the car or leave the house without him.
Plus, Doctor Greg gave me clearance to resume normal activity.
If Caleb gets upset, I’ll feign ignorance.
Daniel taught me how to drive when I was twenty. He wanted to teach me years earlier, but he had to get approval from HPAW leadership. They dragged their feet.
My skills are rusty as I drive down the winding driveway and turn onto the main road. I memorized the turns, not that there are many. It’s a straight shot into town, and I creep slowly in that direction.
I navigate to the busy main street where Caleb works, painfully aware of the fact that my car is the only one here. Everybody else travels on foot, usually in their animal form. I try not to make eye contact with anybody.
Still, several people watch as I park in front of a small brick building with the name Le Petit Perchoir printed across it. I have no idea what the fuck that means, but I can tell it’s a coffee shop.
Anxiety threatens to consume me, but I refuse to let it. I have a job to do. I need to learn the pack's dynamics, and that means observing how shifters interact with one another.
I square my shoulders, then step out of the car. I’ve never been to a coffee shop, but I know they’re popular among humans. There’s a paper taped to the front door. I briefly scan it. This place is hiring. How fun. I’ve never had a job, and I’ve always wondered what it would be like.
When I’ve completed my work and return to the humans, I’m sure I’ll find out.
I shake my head, peering through the glass door. This place is busy. There are several tables inside, and all are full. Four people are waiting to order, and three more are waiting for their orders farther down the counter. My heart pounds as I step inside.
I’m surrounded by shifters, and Caleb isn’t here to protect me. While I trust that Caleb has no intention of hurting me, that confidence doesn’t extend to his pack members. Nothing is stopping these people from swarming me. I can’t realistically defend myself.
I’m a sheep surrounded by wolves. Literally.
Well, literal wolves, at least. I’m not sporting wool or baaing, I suppose.
The first person in line—a tall, older man with salt-and-pepper hair and a broad smile—gestures for me to go first. “Go on ahead, Evelyn.”
He knows my name. Fan-fucking-tastic. I give him what I hope looks like a friendly smile and step up to the counter. The barista bounces on her heels, her dark hair bobbing around her shoulders. I eye the large board behind her. There are dozens of drinks listed, and I know almost none of them.
“Good morning, Alpha!” the barista says.
Is Caleb here? I scan the room, but he’s nowhere to be seen. The barista’s breezy laugh draws my focus back to her.
“I was talking to you, Evelyn,” she explains, wiping her palms down the black apron tied around her waist. “You’re our female alpha. Calling you ‘Alpha’ is a sign of respect. What can I get you to drink?”
I didn’t realize being Caleb’s mate earned me a title, even if it’s only symbolic. I’m shocked a shifter is even willing to call a human such a revered title.
I order the first thing on the menu, hating the way my voice trembles. I spent my entire life training for this, preparing to live among the shifters, but being here still terrifies me. My fear feels like failure.
My exchange with the barista is quick and relatively painless. I give her my money, and after a few minutes, she calls out my name and hands over my drink. A small table near the back of the shop has opened up, and I take the seat with my back facing the wall.
The shifters are sneaking looks at me.
I stare out the window, pretending to be lost in thought as I eavesdrop on their conversations.
Three teenage girls on my left are working on a school project and whispering to one another about a boy in their class.
They clearly have a shared crush on him, but they avoid saying anything even remotely close to romantic.
They’re respectful of the mates they hope to have someday.
It’s weird.
The young couple on the other side of me is more interesting. They’re discussing some spat between the Aubert and Allard packs. They don’t go into detail, which is unfortunate. The young couple wonders if Caleb will be forced to intervene.
I wasn’t aware there were divisions between the packs, and neither is HPAW.
Disputes are a weakness, which opens the possibility for HPAW to form alliances.
They could work with the other alphas to take down Caleb’s pack.
The Knox pack is the largest, and he’s the first line of defense for the shifters.
With him gone, the shifters as a whole will be weakened.
The couple falls quiet as a bell above the front door chimes, and I mentally prepare as Caleb steps inside. He’s wearing a short-sleeved shirt and loose workout shorts. It’s not his usual attire, and he’s sweaty. Was he running?
His eyes find mine immediately. Will he be upset with me for leaving the house? The teens beside me erupt into giggles and hushed whispers.
I sip my drink and greet Caleb with a slight dip of my chin. He doesn’t seem upset, but I can’t be too sure. He smiles as he approaches, weaving effortlessly between the tables.
“Good morning, mate.” He pulls out the chair opposite me. “Are you getting into trouble?”
I shrug. “How’d you know I was here?”
Am I being watched? I wouldn’t be surprised.
“I woke up feeling antsy this morning. I thought a quick run would calm me down.” Caleb gestures to the car visible through the front windows. “This place is on my route, and it’s hard not to notice the single car in the lot.”
The barista approaches with a cup of ice water.
“Alpha,” she greets Caleb, setting the cup beside his hand.
Caleb turns, shooting her a grateful smile. “Thanks, Cassie.”
I wish he treated her poorly. I wish he were an asshole. It would make this so much easier.
“Why were you antsy?” I ask.
The look Caleb gives me has me regretting my question. He quirks a brow, and his eyes dart around the room before he leans over the table, bringing his lips to my ear. I’m both excited and terrified to hear what he has to say.
“Because I woke up with my half-naked mate underneath me and my cock so hard, it ached.” Caleb kisses my heated cheek and pulls away.
I’m stunned speechless, which Caleb seems to enjoy, if his cocky smirk is anything to go by. He drinks his water, his throat bobbing with each gulp.
I want to lick the sweat off his neck, but I’m not going to tell him that. Especially not here. Shifters have good hearing, and anyone who cares enough to listen can easily overhear us. I’m sure most of the room is listening.
“Caleb!” I shake my head. “You can’t say things like that in public.”
He shrugs, clearly not caring. “I’ve waited a long time to find you, and I won’t be shy in my desires…” He tilts his head to the side. “I’m hoping to fuck your thighs again tonight.”
The teenage girls erupt into poorly stifled laughter.
I choke on my spit, positive my face is beet red. I’m not a timid person, but this public dirty talk is more than I can handle. I thought Caleb was shy. He seemed so bashful the first time he touched me, but his confidence is quickly growing.
“Are you working today?” I ask, desperate to change the subject.
“Unfortunately. I can’t avoid it forever.”
“Can I come with you?”
“Of course.” Caleb rises, and I do the same. “You don’t have to ask. You’re always welcome.”
The people sitting near the door smile at us as we leave. It looks genuine. I’m still in disbelief that they seem to like me.
Caleb tries to take the car keys from me, but when I clutch them possessively to my chest, he wordlessly slides into the passenger seat. He’s truly going to let me drive? Dangerous threads of excitement course through me as I back out of the parking spot.
I’m having fun with Caleb. I’m having fun in this pack.
Caleb seems to regret his decision as I fly down the road that leads to his home. He clutches the door with one hand, his other gripping the center console.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“No.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.” I whip into the driveway and slam the brakes. “We made it in one piece.”
Caleb’s knuckles have gone white. I’m not sure what comes over me, but I burst out in laughter as I leave the car. It makes my ribs ache, but I can’t seem to control it. I’m honestly not sure I want to. I enjoy laughing. It feels good. I want more of it.
Caleb is on me within seconds. He scoops me up from behind, hoisting me into the air. It makes me laugh more, my face turning red.
“You naughty, naughty woman,” he says, kicking open the front door. “You’re lucky you’re injured, else I’d throw you on the couch.” He carefully sets me on my feet, then snatches the keys from my hand. “You’re never driving again.”
I wipe my cheeks, surprised to find that they’re wet with tears. Why am I crying? From laughing? Is that a thing? Caleb doesn’t seem exceptionally concerned, so I suppose that means I’m not dying.
I clear my throat. “Oh, I most definitely am.”
Caleb levels me a sharp glare. “Never.”
We’ll see.
I slip off my coat and shoes, then meander into the kitchen to make myself something to eat while Caleb showers. For once, my thoughts don’t stray to HPAW. I let myself enjoy this moment, this feeling of normalcy I’ve always wanted. After everything I’ve been through, I deserve it.