Mr. Valentine's Heart

Exposed

~Caleb~

I sit in my office, glaring at Jamichael. “How many times do I have to say that I’m sorry? I didn’t expect to have to deal with that issue. I swear I will be here to meet the product testers as they come in with their reports.

I roll my eyes and shake my head. Jamichael was tasked with meeting with the product testers before they were chosen. Instead, he did a job for my parents, which took him out of town. I guess it isn’t a big deal, but I wanted him to make sure that we had the right people testing our products. Jamichael thinks like I do, and I know he would have been able to see anything that was right.

I already have enough issues on the supernatural side of my life. I’d rather keep the business side intact with no problems. I need someone good at their job and able to pick up any slack I’m leaving. Jamichael is that person, but he can’t do that if he isn’t around.

I sigh and shake my head. “Whatever. What did you think about the candidates for your position?”

“If I’m being honest, I don’t like any of them. They were okay, but there was a lot left to be desired. I think we should have another go at it. Or…”

“Or?”

“Or I can take over permanently.” I sit back in my seat, surprised at what he just said.

“You always said that you would rather die than be stuck in a building Monday through Friday.” He laughs and shakes his head.

“Very true, but I think I can do this. I’ve enjoyed myself so far, so why not do it a bit longer.” I shrug my shoulders and look at the papers in front of me. Suddenly, my body heats up, my magic twitching. “Are there some lonely hearts around here that have your attention?” I try to smile, but I’m wrapped up in feeling other things.

“Who did you say was coming here today?”

“Uh, I have two product testers coming here.” He looks at the tablet in his hand. “It’s Jerrica and Melissa.” It must be one of them that is giving me this urge to be a matchmaker.

“Why don’t I go down with you and see them for myself?” He nods, and I follow him out of my office.

The moment we reach the production floor, I’m hit full force. This person is in agony, and it’s killing me. I walk up to a short woman with a pixie haircut. I look beyond her smile and see nothing but heartache. “Hello, I’m Caleb.” Her hand is out for me to gra,b and I do so.

“I’m Melissa.” I hear voices around me, but I’m lost in the magic.

“I know. You seem so sad.”

“I am. My husband left me for his ex girlfriend last year. Valentine’s Day is coming and that’s when he left me. It gets hard when I see them together all the time.”

“I can help you, Melissa. Would you like me to help you?” She nods as tears fall down her cheeks.

“Please help me.” I close my eyes and feel the magic flow from my fingers. I open my eyes and run a finger down her face. I quickly step back and watch her come back to herself. “Oh, uh, I’m sorry. Did you say something?”

“Only that it’s nice to meet you.” I turn quickly and hurry away, the dizziness more pronounced than usual.

I’m able to make it to my office and close the door before falling to my knees. I try to look around the room, but my vision is more than blurred. I try to move forward, but the room spins, and I pass out.

❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥

I crack an eye open and am met with a ceiling. I try to rack my brain to figure out where I am. It all comes rushing back to me, remembering how I ended up this way. “He’s awake, Cam.” That voice belongs to my mom, and she must have come here with my dad, Camden Valentine, the former Alpha.

I struggle to sit up on the couch. I sit forward and place my head in my hands. “What are you two doing here?”

“We came to see you, son. Your mother was beside herself when we found you laid out on the floor.” I sigh and run my hands across my head.

“I’m okay.” My hands are grabbed, and I look up to find my mom looking at me.

“You said I’d be the first one you came to.”

“Mom, really, I-”

“You promised.” I close my eyes and sigh. I didn’t want anyone to know about this, but I guess I’ve run out of time to handle it myself.

“I’m having trouble.”

“What kind of trouble, son?” I look between my dad and mom, not wanting to discuss this but knowing I don’t have a choice.

“Using my magic has been taking a lot out of me. It’s been… it’s been hard to recover after.” Mom drops my hands and stands. She walks away from us and starts to pace.

“I was afraid of this happening. I knew it was a possibility.” I sigh. This is why I didn’t want them to know. I want to handle it on my own without their worry.

“Son, there’s a reason why you don’t take over the pack without having your fated mate. We need them to balance our magic.”

“I’ve been doing fine for years now. I seriously doubt I need someone right now.”

“You just said that it’s getting harder to recover! What are you thinking?! How long did you think you could ignore this?” I’ve seen Mom worried and upset before, but this is something else entirely.

“Mom, please, I’m handling it. I don’t need you to go off the deep end. I have it under control.” She scoffs before coming back to sit in front of me on the coffee table.

“What your father and I walked in on isn’t having things under control. I’m sorry son, but you’ve left me with no choice.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m going to find you a chosen mate.”