The Alpha's Slave Mate

21

Chapter Twenty-One

Caleb's Point of View

I can not let her see how angry I am right now. How much I want to tear her old pack apart. When Daphne stopped and could not take a step towards the front door, rage hot blinding rage exploded within me. The only thing stopping me from turning this ball into a massacre Is the fact that know that my mate needs to have faith, and trust in me. I do not know how Daphne will react if she sees the monster I can truly become. Instead of pulling her, or trying to coax her towards the front door, I simply swoop her up in my arms. ' Cradling her in my arms, I almost turn around and took her back upstairs. Simply touching her makes my pants fit tighter. She is light, too light as if she has not been fed properly. My heartbeat is racing, it is taking all my restraint not to kiss her. I carry her right through the front door. It is important to me that she knows that when times get hard, I will not abandon her. I will help her through everything in this life. <

I take her hand and lead her down the steps, walking towards the meeting hall. I know that my mate enjoys being outside as much asI do. The silence is comfortable between us, almost as if we have made this walk many times before. Absently I noticed that I have been rubbing my thumb back and forth over her palm. Daphne is even more beautiful in the moon light. The soft moon glow cascades down her hair giving her an ethereal effect. I could simply stare at her for hours and never get bored.

Too soon the music gets louder and people can be seen. Daphne is worried about her dancing skills. Iam not worried at all because I know how to dance, and I can teach her. I am happy about it; I will get to show my mate a lot of new things in this world. My heart is light knowing that she will experience some first times solely with me.

As we get closer to the doors of the hall, I can feel her nervousness flowing from her. I try to remember if Hannah was this nervous when Theo and I brought her home. Hannah’s situation was different, we brought her back to our pack house immediately. Daphne on the other hand is about to attend a ball with her old tormentors in attendance. Once again, I feel the rage building up and I must stomp it back down. Nothing matters more to me than ensuring that my mate feels protected, and I need to be clear headed because I want her to have a great time.

“Are you ready to go in my dear?” Daphne tuns and nods her head at me. I can tell that she is unsure. Hoping to comfort her I move and put my arm at her waist and pull her snug against my side. Plus, I want everyone in that room to recognize that she is mine and mine alone. I know that I have not marked her yet, but Daphne is my mate. :

We walk in and I turn to look at Daphne'’s face. She has never been toa Mabon ball before and I want to experience it through her eyes. Even though she is nervous my mate can not stop looking around. Her eyes are darting all around the room. As her eyes land on the buffet I can hear her stomach growl. :

to dance?” I know that she is hungry, I can hear it.

be nice.” Her voice is quiet as if she does not want anyone else to hear her. I lead her over closer to the buffet line. As we are standing in line I can Marcus is head our way. I am pleased to see him, and I can not wait to introduce him to Daphne. Marcus and I have not seen each other for some time, and I have heard that he has also found his mate. ' “Caleb it is so good to see you, and who is this stunning woman on your

mate Daphne.” Daphne's eyes whip up to look at me as I introduce her. “Daphne this old dog is

Welcome to the family darling.” Marcus takes Daphne's hand and places a kiss on her knuckles. Without meaning to I growl softly. Marcus lets out a little laugh but takes

fully Caleb. I do not know

heard a rumor about it. Is she here tonight?” I am hoping that she is here, I would love to meet her. Iam also hoping that if there is another woman in the conversation that

and meet us at our table? We are right there” Marcus says pointing to a table towards the back. “Sounds like a plan, we will be along

that she would not remember that part of the conversation, but it turns out

you are my mate, you have not fully accepted me yet. So, I did not mark you earlier even though I wanted to. I want you to take your time, a lot of things changed today in your world, and I want you to feel comfortable. When we mark each other, I do not want there to be any doubt in your

was explaining my actions to Daphne, we had been moving through the buffet line. I made sure to fill both plates with a little of everything. I do not know what my mate likes to eat yet, but

up behind Marcus and wraps her

to my mate Lola.” Marcus is clearly love struck and is gazing

settle around the table, and I can still feel that Daphne is nervous. “So please tell me Lola, where did you guys meet?” Iam hoping that Daphne will relax

and I owned a little café there. He and his men stopped in for lunch one day and when our eyes met over the counter, I simply knew that he was meant to be mine. Before I know it this feral creature had hopped over my counter, smashing some of my coffee cups and was trying to tote me out of my own

street.” Lola is now laughing, and I am trying to imagine my friend getting yelled at by his mate in the street. “Then to shut me up he simply kissed me. From that moment on we have not been apart. I thank the Moon Goddess everyday for allowing our paths to cross.” Now they are staring at each other, and it is easy to see the love flowing freely between them. Iam very happy for my friend. Marcus was like me, afraid of turning feral. We had many long conversations about it. So, to

so that’s our story. What about you two? How did you guys meet?” Lola directs the question at

that she was my mate. You both will be invited to our mating ceremony; everything has just happened so fast that we