Faith With Wolves Book 2
4. Let Me Hold You

Caleb

After watching my mate walk away from me, I turn my attention towards the twins Elijah and Everette. “You don’t have to worry about Faith hurting Brooke, she’s harmless.”

Elijah scoffs. “It’s not your mate we’re worried about. Though I replace it hilarious you're mated to a vampire when you hate their kind so much.”

“I don’t hate them anymore.” I snap then glare at Everette who’s chuckling. “And what’s so funny to you?”

“I’m just surprised Elijah let you so close to our mate, last time we saw you I had to keep him from ripping you in half.”

“I’m still deciding.” Elijah licks the bone from the meat he was eating. A strange intimidation tactic but I’m not afraid of them.

Honestly, I’m fed up with the twins already, I just want to drag Faith away and curl up in bed with her. I miss her. I was addicted to her beautiful soul long before I marked her and the urge to constantly possess her continues to grow daily.

I hate that I’m here with them instead. I haven’t seen Elijah and Everette in years, so I’ve forgotten how obnoxious they are. And it seems like their ego has only grown over the years too.

“Look are we here to talk an alliance or what? I didn’t travel this far for nothing.” I fold my arms across my chest.

The twins glance at each other and I can tell their mind-linking. After a minute Everette walks over and throws one arm around me. “Sure, let’s talk an alliance.”

An hour later we’ve gone through the details and are about to finalize things. I have the pen in my hand ready to sign my name when it’s suddenly yanked away.

“Everette what the hell!” I growl and look at the idiot beside me.

“I’m sorry Caleb but Elijah and I have some conditions we want to add before we make this official,” he says looking at his brother and then me.

I’m confused. “Okay, what is it? More warriors in case of an attack or a higher percentage of our profits?”

Everette shakes his head. “Not exactly. We actually need something from you, a favor you might call it.”

I look at Elijah whose fists are balled at his side angrily. “A favor? It doesn’t look like Elijah wants anything from me except maybe a fight.”

“Ignore him! He’s just not very comfortable with the situation but we’re desperate.” Everette pleads raising my suspicion. The twins never want anyone’s help, what’s going on?

“Desperate? Your pack is thriving, and you can ally with any pack you want. What’s going on?”

Suddenly Elijah stands up from his seat and begins pacing the room. I can tell he’s struggling not to shift as he points at me. “You did this! Our lives would be perfect if you just kept your disgusting cock in your pants!”

Growling I stand up. “I’m disgusting? You bedded more women than me in the past! Brooke and I were best friends, and the sex between us was completely casual. Plus, she chose you even when you treated her like shit!” I get in Elijah’s face poking his chest. “She waited for her mate for years! It’s not my fault I found her first. I had no idea you were mates until that night of the party.”

“You mean the night we caught you fucking our mate in our house? You’re lucky to still be walking!” Elijah roars in my face.

“I was drunk Elijah. Brooke was too, that’s why she didn’t recognize your scents. Still, you think I fucked your mate on purpose. I apologized to both of you and ended my friendship with Brooke. She cried when I told her I didn’t want to see her again. And when she told me she was pregnant I begged her to get rid of the baby because I knew it would cause a rift between you three. You had already threatened to reject her she was scared.”

Elijah growls right back at me. “We didn’t care whose pup it was! She got an abortion to make you happy and now she’s the one that suffers.”

My jaw drops. “What?”

Everette pushes us apart and faces me. “What my idiot brother is trying to say is Brooke can’t get pregnant. We’ve been trying for years but nothing has worked.”

“You’re our last hope, Caleb. Brooke thinks you have some magic sperm. She wants you to be a donor. If you help us, then we’ll agree to an alliance with your pack.” Elijah says sounding nervous for the first time since I’ve met him.

A tear falls from my face, and I quickly wipe it away as my office door opens. I’ve been hiding here all week and I think my alone time is finally ending. I refused the twin's offer yet still I lost the most important thing to me.

Dallas walks up to my desk with a frown on my face. “Have you heard from her yet?” he asks, and I shake my head.

“No. She has me blocked so I can’t mind-link her and she shut her phone off.”

“I’m sure she’ll reach out soon and-

I throw my lamp across the room startling Dallas and breaking the third lamp for this week. My head hurts from stress and overthinking. My bones start to crack, and I can feel my wolf trying to force a shift. He wants his mate and wants her now.

“Caleb! Alpha! You have to calm down. You can’t shift in here. Just take a deep breath, I’m here.” Dallas repeats over and over. His hands are on my shoulders keeping me still as I count to ten and try to relax.

Finally, feeling like I can control myself I open my eyes. “I’m sorry. I haven’t shifted since she left, and my wolf wants his mate. I can’t let him out because I know he’ll go replace her and drag her back. She needs space to think not a crazed wolf trying to mount her into submission.”

Dallas nods. “No need to explain. You’re hurting, you want your mate. Any wolf, especially an alpha would go ballistic over it. Have you thought about going to see her?”

I shake my head. “She’s back at the royal palace. If I show up, I’m sure Zane will kill me, if not torture me until I want to kill myself. I promised him I wouldn’t hurt his daughter. I’m a liar and an asshole, I don’t deserve her.”

“You made one mistake Caleb! Kept one secret from her! It’s not like you intended to hurt her. You had good intentions not telling her about Brooke.”

“Then why isn’t she back?” I ask feeling another lump in my throat. “It’s been five days twenty-three minutes and eighteen seconds without my mate, and I’ve dreaded every moment of it.”

“I’m sorry.” Dallas claps my shoulder.

Tonight is our pack’s annual camping trip. Every year we have a large party which ends with everyone sleeping outside in wolf form. There’s delicious food, a local band plays and everyone takes turns shifting and running through the woods letting their wolves take over. It was going to be my first time enjoying the camping trip with a mate but instead, I’m alone.

The days go by slower without her. At night I can’t sleep because I don’t have her to cuddle up with. Faith’s enticing scent of strawberries and roses no longer lingers in our bed, and I’ve caught myself sniffing her dirty laundry too many times pretending she's here with me.

I miss her so much

The pack thinks she’s gone away for business. Every time someone asks about their Luna I lie and say she’ll be back soon. Truth is, I have no idea when or if she will ever return. She’s back with her parents and probably trying to figure out some witchcraft to sever our bond and leave me for good.

Eight days, fourteen minutes, and thirty-six seconds

Mustering up all the strength I have left, I grab the pile of firewood and head towards the large bonfire. It’s in the center of the campsite with many families and mated couples sitting around it.

I’m jealous it’s not me

They smile and wave at me not knowing I’m falling apart on the inside. I fake a smile and even a few conversations before heading over to a picnic table where my parents are. They believe Faith is helping her parents with the virus issue. I’m too ashamed to admit the truth to them.

I can’t tell them I fucked up the best thing in my life

My mom notices me first because my dad is busy conversing with Dallas over a sports game he saw on the television. She smiles embracing me in a hug. “Caleb sweetie you look exhausted. Are you sure you don’t want to sleep in your bed instead of the cold hard ground tonight?”

My lonely bed, I think not. “I’m fine Mom. The annual camping trip is something I look forward to every year. I wouldn’t miss it over a few restless nights of sleep.”

She nods. “You must be missing your mate badly. But knowing Faith she’s working hard trying to replace a solution to our problem. I’m sure she misses you just as badly as you miss her.”

I fake a smile. “I’m sure she does. I’m going to go make sure we have enough ice I’ll be back.” I quickly walk away before my mom can reply. I don’t want to be rude, but I can’t keep hearing about my mate. The constant reminder that she’s not here is killing me. There’s a heavy feeling in my chest that won’t go away until she returns.

For the next few hours, I keep myself busy. I make multiple trips to get ice, pick up trash around the lake, and play hide and seek with the pups. By the time I’m done, I’m exhausted and in need of a drink.

I walk up to a cooler and get a beer. I crack it open and take a long swig. Some runs down my chin, but I don’t care. I needed this badly.

“If you’re that thirsty I can help you Alpha.” A feminine voice gets my attention.

My jaw clenches as I make eye contact with a desperate, she-wolf. “Amber. Do you need to be reminded that I’m your alpha and also a mated wolf? The next time you address me better be with respect or I’ll have you transferred to a different pack.”

She bares her neck in submission, apologizes, and runs away. The second she’s gone all my senses perk up. My wolf is anxious and there’s only one reason why.

Faith

My mate looks as beautiful as ever as she walks across the large field with a sleeping bag in her hand. Her blonde hair is tied in a messy bun and she’s wearing a white sweater with black leggings. The sweater is a crop top showing off her toned stomach and pierced belly button. Her leggings are skintight showing off her curves that I love to run my hands all over.

I don’t even realize my feet are moving until I’m walking up to Faith. Her hypnotizing gray eyes meet mine and I have so many things I want to say...

I'm sorry

I love you

Please come back

Yet nothing comes out.

Dallas glares at me. “Caleb, will you please tell our mates that the only ones allowed to use sleeping bags are the pups? Everyone else shifts and sleeps in wolf form.”

Ruby scoffs. “That sounds like an excuse for you to try and seduce me. I already told you I’m not fucking you outside like I’m some type of animal!”

“Geez Ruby do you have to be so crude, there are kids around.” Faith scolds her friend and then looks at me quickly before darting her eyes elsewhere.

Swallowing the lump in my throat I finally speak. “Dallas is right though. Only the pups use sleeping bags and most just curl up to their parents for warmth. The point of camping under the full moon and stars is to better connect with the earth.”

Ruby groans and turns to Faith. “Ugh, maybe we should just sleep in my room instead. We can watch chick flicks and eat too much popcorn.”

Dallas quickly grabs Ruby pulling her close to him. “No way I’m letting my mate sleep with someone else tonight. Your sweet ass is coming with me!” He picks her up and throws her over his shoulder. They walk away towards the woods, and I turn my attention to my own mate.

“You can sleep by me tonight and-”

Before I can finish my sentence, my mate walks away picking a spot further away from everyone. She unrolls her sleeping bag and lays down with her back towards me.

Even though I know Faith doesn’t want me around I picked a spot a few feet away from her. Dallas and Ruby never returned, and I doubt we will see them again until tomorrow. Dallas has been begging to screw her in the forest since they mated, and I think he’s finally getting his wish tonight.

My only wish is hoping I can fix things with my mate. This is the second time I lied to her and I'm not sure she'll forgive me this time. I thought I was protecting her by lying but I was wrong. First Malachi now Brooke, what's wrong with me?

We’re supposed to be sleeping but I can’t seem to close my eyes. My mate is three feet away curled up in a sleeping bag shivering. She’s cold but instead of asking for me to warm her up, she’s suffering in silence.

“Faith.” I mind-link her. “Faith please-”

“Leave me alone Caleb.”

“You’re cold. That sleeping bag is super thin. Just let-”

"No!” she snaps. “I don’t want you anywhere near me, I’m fine.” she curls the sleeping bag tighter but she’s still shivering.

I know I’m supposed to be respecting her space, but this is ridiculous. Faith would rather freeze than cuddle with me. I know she’s angry, but her health is more important than our fight.

“Faith if you’re not going to let me keep you warm then go back inside. The pack doesn’t need to replace their Luna frozen to death in the morning!” I snap right back making her sit up and glare at me.

“I would rather die!” she shouts and rolls back over with an attitude.

Knowing neither of us will get any sleep at this rate I trot over and cuddle up to her. Faith starts to protest but I just cover her body more. “Just lay with me Faith, please.”

“Only for tonight, Caleb.” She whispers and I bury my face in the crook of her neck.

Yet in the morning when I wake up, she’s the one with her arms and legs wrapped around me.