Mr. Valentine's Heart

Meeting Her

~Caleb~

I'm just going to go ahead and say it. There’s no point in not being honest. I thought Jamichael was joking at best or was having some type of mental breakup. He literally told me that the mate who left me 10 years ago was back. Not just that she was back, but that he saw her at the company…MY company.

He had to show me her file and CCTV footage so that I could stop calling him crazy. Even now, I feel like I'm missing something because this can't be real life. I will say that it took everything in Jamichael to keep me from running to the address we have on file for her. I wanted to see Cherish for myself. Oh, uh, Cherise Perry, actually. I will have to keep that in mind.

All night long, the only thing I could do was reminisce about her, about our lives together. I thought we were perfect, happy, and in love. Then I found that note, and my entire world was shattered. I thought my life would end because I couldn't imagine a world without her by my side. I still remember the day I met her.

*Flashback*

I stroll down the street, watching the humans go about their daily lives. I do this sometimes in anticipation of taking over. I will not only be my pack's Alpha but also Mr. Valentine, the man who makes everyone happy and in love.

I just turned 19 and have been ready to take over for a year. However, my father says I can't take over without my fated mate. This isn't an assumption of deficiency; he said it's for my safety and the pack's. He's my dad, so I have no reason to doubt him or think he exaggerates.

I stand in front of a*****e window, watching them put up their Valentine's Day display. It's funny to me how much humans rely on this day. Some act like it has some special magic, but it really doesn't. I have the magic, but they don't need to know that.

Movement catches my eye. I look closer into the window, able to see the street behind me. I'm captivated by the body walking toward me. Her legs are calling me, and the ass sitting on top isn't anything to be mad about. Don't be angry at me; I'm a guy and a young one at that. I'm meant to notice these things.

The scent of gardenia with a mix of jasmine fills the air. My body responds to it, and my magic starts to twitch. This can't be it, can it? Is it finally happening for me? I slowly turn my body to watch her walking toward me. The closer she gets, the more my body reacts. MATE!

I know, Eros. Trust me, I know, and she's a fu.cking Goddess. She stops in front of me, and I'm able to drink her in. Her long legs and ass follow behind her ample breasts. She's shorter than me, maybe 5’7 or 5’8. I don't really care; it isn't important. Her brown skin calls to me, and I wonder if it's as soft as it looks. She has high cheekbones and almond-shaped hazel eyes. When she smiles at me, my entire world stops.

“Mmmm. Isn't my mate a looker.” Holy sh.it, am I blushing? This woman has me blushing! We continue to look at each other, and I have to admit that I’m a bit flustered, probably for the first time in my life. I finally get a bit of a backbone and some courage to speak.

“You are, hands down, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.” I step toward her and am instantly heartbroken when she takes a step back.

“Don't read anything into that. There’s just something I have to do really quickly. Stay right there.” She turns, and I watch a man approach us. “We’re done, Ken.”

“Uh, excuse me?”

“You heard me. We are done.”

“The hell we are!” His eyes swing to me, and he moves forward as if he's going to attack me. I stand up straight, silently begging him to come for me. Before Eros can let a growl out, she puts a hand on my arm.

“I wouldn't suggest you look at my mate like that, Ken. He's an Alpha and I'm sure he wouldn't hesitate to rip you apart. Take the ‘L’ and move on. We both knew this was temporary so why fight it?”

“I…. I thought we were getting closer. I was getting feelings for you.” She turns her head to the side and gives him a smile that just isn't fair.

“I'm sorry about that, but I was clear from the beginning. Fated mate only.” She hunches her shoulders and turns to face me. I quickly forget all about the man and keep my eyes trained on her. At that moment, I know that my life is complete. “What's your name, mate? You and your wolf.”

“I'm Caleb and my wolf is Eros.” She closes her eyes and mouths our names.

“Mmmm. Those feel good.” She steps closer to me and runs her hands down my chest. “I'm Cherish and my wolf is Aphrodite.” Without warning, she reaches up and presses her lips to mine, and my entire world shattered. She pulls back much too soon, and I groan out.

“I'm taking you home and I will mark you as mine for life.”

“What are you waiting for?”

*End of Flashback*

Everyone loved Cherish when they met her. She didn't even have to try for their affections; it came naturally. She's naturally bright and open. People said they felt at home around her and felt as if they were being embraced with the sweetest intentions. That's why her leaving was too much to handle.

That day was soul-crushing, the day that I found that note and Cherish was gone. I haven't been the same Caleb since that happened, and I'm just now open enough to admit that. Now she's back, and I'm not sure how I should take that.