Aurora’s P.O.V
When I opened my eyes to a room filled with sunlight and pretty things that I could never afford in my life…I knew that what had happened last night hadn’t been a dream at all.
My mind tried to cope with the reality, but somehow, the nagging feeling at the back of my consciousness that kept telling me that this was all a dream, it was still there. Maybe it was some kind of a coping mechanism that I was holding on to? Wouldn’t anyone in my situation do the same?
Sitting up in bed, I looked around at my surroundings once again, taking in the beauty of the luxuries. Surprisingly, it hurt a lot less than what I had expected it would be like. My arm was still in a plaster, but it wasn’t hurting thanks to the painkillers I was given. Even the stitches on my back were nothing more than an ache that itched a bit, but otherwise felt fine.
Wolf medication was stronger than human medication, that much Caroline had already filled me in about. But now that I was able to think past the disbelief and my mind wasn’t trying to process the knowledge of the supernatural world…the effects of the medication were becoming more and more prominent.
Getting up from the bed carefully, one step at a time, I went to the windows and pulled the curtains aside, only to be blinded by the strong sunlight.
Once my eyes were adjusted, I looked out in wonder at a view that I never thought was possible to see. The room was a lot higher above the ground, probably the third floor and that was why, I was able to see past the canopy of the woods and stare directly at the clear blue waters of the ocean ahead.
The sunlight reflected off the water, making it shine like diamonds and the winds blew through the trees, making them sway as if dancing to nature’s tune. It was indeed a beautiful sight…one that had me breathless.
A knock sounded at the door then, breaking me out of my trance.
A little worried as to who it might be; I slowly made my way over to the door with a slight limp and opened it to find none other than the person that Caroline had defined as my ‘mate’.
“Caleb?” Surprised, I took an instinctive step back, but he took it as an invitation to come inside the room instead.
“You can keep the door open, if you want.” He spoke almost hesitantly, while keeping a safe distance away from me. “If it makes you feel safe…”
I hadn't thought I would have to face him so soon, but I also knew that I couldn’t avoid him forever, especially since it was his house that I was staying at. The last image I had of him was of him turning into a wolf…a creature that was very much capable of tearing me to shreds.
‘You need to understand a certain rule about wolves. Our souls are made in pairs. It’s a bond we cannot deny and someone we can never hurt. We are bound by the Moon Goddess to love and cherish them for eternity.’
Deciding to trust Caroline’s word that I really was the one person that Caleb wouldn’t hurt, I closed the door behind me and turned to face him.
He seemed to have been studying me while I was having a mental debate of whether I wanted to face him or not. Now he looked up into my eyes with a frown. “How are you feeling? Are the meds not working yet? I see you’re still limping.”
“The meds are working.” I shook my head slowly, turning my foot so he could see the tiny bruise at my ankle that I had only noticed after waking up. “I’m just not…like you guys. So I haven’t healed yet.”
“Caroline gave you the briefing.” It was more of a statement than a question so I stayed quiet.
“We have a lot to discuss…” Caleb spoke hesitantly once again, scratching the back of his neck. “I don’t even know where to begin…”
“How about you start by telling me how you found me?” I asked, surprised that I had the sudden courage to speak my mind. “Was it one of your wolf mojos?”
“I…um…I knew where you live because I followed you home once…” Caleb’s cheeks colored in embarrassment and it made my eyes widen in surprise.
He had followed me home? And I hadn't even noticed?
“When?” I dared to ask.
“It was the day we went to your restaurant…” Caleb sighed. “It was also the day I had a hunch that you might be my mate.”
“That long ago?” I frowned.
So…Caleb had known that I could be his mate all this time. I didn’t know how to feel about that. Oddly, I felt a sense of betrayal that I had no reason for feeling. Because I vaguely remembered him and Caroline kissing on the swings that night, when I had gone out to throw away the trash.
Hadn't Caroline herself explained that there surest way of knowing was on the eighteenth birthday itself? Then why was I mad that him and Caroline were dating before then. I knew they had a special bond, after all, they were both…wolves, had been together since birth…I had no reason to feel anything about it.
Hell, I had no idea what I was supposed to be feeling about this whole ‘mate’ thing in the first place. I didn’t know where we stood…I didn’t know what I really felt towards Caleb, if it was all part of some kind of a supernatural spell that was making me feel this way.
God…this was so messed up that I was beginning to have another headache…
“I know I shouldn’t have acted like a stalker,” Caleb lowered his head. “But I was curious to know more about you, even if I wasn’t a hundred percent sure yet. I want to apologize as well… I honestly don’t even know where to start…but hell, I know I have a hell lot of things to apologize for, Aura. And I wanted to make sure you knew just how sorry I am, for everything.”
Was this really happening? Caleb Blackburn was apologizing to me?
“I-I…” I was at a loss for words.
“Big sis!”
Riley’s excited voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I turned away from Caleb to hurriedly open the door, to find him running towards me down the hallways with a huge smile on his face.
“Riley!” I felt myself let out a gasp of relief as I stooped low to catch him in my arms.
The force of his hug nearly toppled me to the ground and Caleb was there, right beside me, to catch me before I hit the ground.
Riley was startled for an instant as he looked up at Caleb with wide blue eyes, open curiosity in his gaze.
“Hi there.” Caleb greeted him with a smile. “You must be Riley. I’m Caleb.”
“Hi…” Riley looked up at me unsurely. “Who is he, big sis?”
Now wasn’t that a valid question?
“He’s a…friend.” I told Riley, while forcing a smile. “He saved me.”
“Really?” A smile spread over Riley’s face as he turned back to Caleb. “Thank you, for helping big sis. Dad gets very angry with us when he returns.”
“Yeah?” Caleb’s face turned serious, but he forced a smile for Riley’s sake. “Well, you don’t have to go back to your dad anymore. You and your big sis can stay here for as long as you want. That way, no bad person can ever harm you two again.”
“Caleb,” I shook my head, feeling my heart sink. “Please don’t give him false hope like t-”
“I’m not.” He cut me off, his tone serious. “I meant what I just said, Aura. Stay. You and your brother are safe here. We’re all here to protect you. You have my word on that.”
“Can we really?” Riley turned to look up at me with hopeful eyes. “Can we really stay here?”
I honestly had no idea how to answer that? After what my father did…after what happened at that house…I was afraid of going back myself, but could I really take advantage of Caleb’s generosity like this? Instinctively, I looked at Caleb, into the blue depths of his eyes for assurance.
Caleb nodded his head, as if he could hear my thoughts. Turning back to Riley once more, I smiled down at him, this one more assured than the last. “Yes. We can stay for now.”
“Yaayyy!” Riley jumped up and down in happiness, something I thought I would never see.
Caleb stood up from beside me and extended his hand to Riley. “You want to see your room? It’s right opposite to your big sis.”
Riley took Caleb’s hand excitedly, but then Caleb held out his hand for me as well. Thankful for the assist, I placed my hand in his…and felt like my entire body had come alive.
Startled by the sudden sensation, my eyes snapped to meet Caleb’s, but he didn’t say anything, just gave me a warm smile in return.
Was this what it meant to be mates? Was this what ‘sparks’ really felt like? Because before today, I had only head about this in movies and romance novels…
“Why don’t you get ready first?” Caleb let go of my hand slowly after I was steady on my own two feet. “My parents wanted to meet you for lunch.”