Mr. Valentine's Heart

Refusal

~Caleb~

I walk into the dining room, starving. When I get to our table, I kiss my mom on the cheek before settling into my seat. My plate is placed in front of me, and I mix some food around with my fork. I bring a forkful of food to my mouth, ready to devour it. “I have a list of women for you to meet.” I let the fork fall from my hand, the food missing its initial target. I let my head hang a bit before lifting it and looking at my mom.

She’s sitting calmly and pulling her fork out of her mouth. She slowly chews her food, looking extremely unbothered. “Mom.” She stops chewing and turns her head to look at me. “I already told you that I won’t take a chosen mate. There’s no need for me to meet any women.” She takes a drink from the glass in her hand, never taking her eyes off me. I watch her swallow her drink and place her glass back on the table.

“Caleb, there’s nothing to discuss. You were never meant to take over the pack and use your magic without your fated mate to anchor you. I’m… I’m so sorry that your mate chose to leave you.” My jaw clenches at her words. I may have gotten that note from Cherish, but I don’t believe she willingly left me. I’m not sure what happened, but I plan on finding out. “I can’t watch you continue to put your life on the line when you could simply get a mate and be safe.”

“It isn’t your choice. It’s mine. I don’t want a chosen mate; I never did. If it comes to be that I can no longer do this job, I will let it go with grace and dignity.” She huffs out, but I ignore it.

“This isn’t up for debate. I’ve found a few worthy she-wolves, and you will meet them. It will be a blind date, and after each one, you will let me know what you think. We will narrow them down slowly.” I let my hand slam on the table. The noise in the dining room stops abruptly, and I feel eyes on me. At this point, I don’t care how long they look at me. This can’t stand.

“I will not repeat myself. I WILL NOT take a chosen mate! I will not subject myself to these women. I’m NOT interested.” Before she can respond, a hand clamps down on my shoulder aggressively. I look up and into my father’s eyes.

“Watch your tone, boy. You will not talk to your mother that way. You will show her more respect than that.”

“Even though she’s not respecting me or my choices?”

“You’re being selfish. How can you be okay with putting your pack in danger, simply so you don’t take a chosen mate?” A growl escapes my lips and whips around the room. Some pack members flinch in submission as my aura seeps out. My father growls louder, and his aura is just a smidge heavier than my own.

I stand from the table and look between my mother and father. Their eyes are on me, and none of us say a word. I turn and storm out of the dining room, leaving the packhouse altogether.

The cool air hits me as I step off the deck. I stand in the grass, let my head drop back, and face the sky. I stand with my legs parted and my arms out straight at my sides. I feel like I need to go for a run, but I have a lot of work to do. “Mad at the parents, huh?” I feel Jamichael behind me, but I don’t turn around to face him.

“Mom is trying to push me to date and find a chosen mate.”

“Just tell her about Cherish and you don’t have to worry about anything.”

“Telling people about her being back is not the plan. I don’t want to overwhelm her when she can’t even remember who she is.”

“And?” I sigh, knowing that Jamichael knows me too well.

“What if she really did leave me on her own? What if she decided that she didn’t want me anymore and wrote me that note before she took off on me? If she remembers everything and remembers that she wanted to leave, nothing will stop her from leaving me again. Why bring others into that? Why humiliate myself in front of the pack all over again? I… I just want to be sure before I make it known.” Jamichael moves closer and slaps my back.

“You’re in a tough spot, but I got your back. If you aren’t ready for people to know, I won’t tell. I will help you avoid your mom’s blind dates. No worries.”

~Joy~

I flinch as the door slams behind my son. I knew he would have an issue with this, but I’m just trying to look out for him. I don’t want anything to happen to him, especially if it could be avoided.

Camden sits next to me and rubs my back. The mate bond is doing its best to calm me down, and it’s working. “How did that start, love?” I sigh and sit back.

“I told him that I will have blind dates lined up for him and he started on his anti-chosen mates speech.” Camden sighs, still rubbing my back.

“Maybe we should respect his wishes.” I turn toward Camden with my mouth open in shock. I shrug his hand off my back and stare into his eyes.

“You can’t be serious. He’s dying!” I quickly look around to see who’s watching us. Luckily, the room isn’t full, and most are involved in their own conversations. I wasn’t speaking that loudly, so that’s a plus. I lean forward and lower my voice. “Cam, he’s dying. Our son is dying because he’s running this pack with no Luna. The magic is becoming too much for him to handle. He’s been at this for 10 years now and it’s only going to get worse. How can you suggest we do nothing and let our son die?” Camden sighs and shakes his head.

“I get it, and I don’t want him hurt either. Did you consider the damage you’d do to not just Caleb, but also the she-wolf that he chooses? They will both be miserable because he won’t fully be on board.” Anger courses through me, and I can’t listen to anymore. I stand and throw my napkin on the table.

“I don’t care what you say! My son’s life is more important than that. I will do what needs to be done to make sure he lives a long life. You both can be as mad at me as you want, but you’ll thank me later when he’s still breathing!” I don’t wait for a reply. I turn and stomp out of the dining room, needing some space.