Alpha Caleb and the Blessed Wolf

24.

NIKITA

Speechless. I don't understand this man at all. We ate dinner in silence neither of us wanting to break the delicate truce that seemed to come from his words. Then he left.

After my shower I decided to inspect the goodies in the bags. There was a lot! Handbags, shoes, clothes, jewellery, accessories, feminine personal items were now covering the bed. There was also some very skimpy lingerie that I threw straight back in the bag. A gentle knock at the door came so I quickly threw on a cute pair of cosy pajamas, the most conservative ones I could find.

"Hi" Annaliese said.

"Hey, Prince Caleb isn't here right now."

"I know, he's running with the patrol tonight. I came to see you actually. I heard what happened earlier."

"Oh, yeah please come in."

"Wow!" Anna remarked "he said Paige went shopping for you but did she buy the whole store."

"Haha I know right!"

"Ooohh these are gorgeous." She said gushing over a pair of heels."

"You can have them."

"Really. You're letting me have a pair of Louboutin's are you sure."

"Yeah, it was Caleb's money. I don't have anywhere to wear them."

"Neither do I but I might be able to get a little use out of them before my feet get too swollen."

"What do you mean."

"Well I'm pregnant. Eeeeek" she squealed clapping her hands together. "Boyd and I are finally able to announce it, we are over the moon."

"Congratulations Annie." I said surprised that she would tell me, a complete stranger.

"Thanks, we've been trying for a while now. Boyd is going to tell the guys tonight. Caleb will of course be godparent we just hope maybe when the little jelly bean arrives it might have an Alpha AND a Luna for godparents." I smiled at her warmly only it doesn't reach my eyes. Sorry Annie it won't be me. I plan to leave as soon as possible.

"Caleb's been waiting a long time you know."

"For you guys to get pregnant that's a little weird."

"Hahaha no! For a Luna."

"He doesn't seem like the settling down type. Especially since he's had that Paige girl ready and waiting for a while."

Annie laughed "Paige is the daughter of one of his father's council members. He indulged her fantasy of a luna position only to keep his dad happy and off his back. He's never had any real feelings for her."

"Only to keep his dad happy? I find that hard to believe."

"Well he is also a man with urges and a mateless Alpha need be sated occasionally or they become tyrants."

Isn't he and his father tyrants already.

"He really is a good guy."

"I'll take your word for it." But I highly doubt that. Rumour of his ruthlessness must come from some truth. She took my hands and paused.

"Please Nikita look a little deeper. He's more than you think. I can see why the moon goddess paired you two."

"Really because I can't."

"You're young and vibrant and he's controlled and serious."

"You mean he's brooding and rude."

She giggled "What I mean is....that maybe the goddess thought opposites would attract. He's man that has been alone and through so much. Most of us thought he would be mateless. Give him a chance and he might surprise you. Oooooh can I have this too." She squealed the last part as she spotted a cute purse.

"Of course. Umm Annie if it's ok I might go to bed. It's been a long day."

"No problem. Just think about ok." She said exiting the room with a wink.

*********

The bed felt empty. I don't know if it was relief or disappointment that the mark was temporary. Absorbing myself in his scent that lingered on the sheets. His scent wasn't strong enough and I wanted more of his woodsy, peppermint scent. Curling into a cocoon of sheet I fell asleep.

Those same warm nest of sheets were violently stripped off at first light.

"What the hell...." I woke up with a gasp.

The woman that stood before me was built like a tank. One side of her head shaved dark brown hair, tattoos on her face and a giant scar that ran across her throat made her look tough as f**k. I swallowed scared she might beat me up.

"So you're it huh." It was more of a statement than a question. "I expected more."

"Excuse me!" I retorted.

"Hurry up and get dressed princess were late."

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing in here?"

"I'm Valentina your new babysitter. The Alpha put me on light duties while I'm recovering which means I'm stuck with you. So get your ass out of bed and hurry the hell up." She spoke like warrior sergeant all business and attitude. Looking closely at her I could see gashes and bruises that were healing and her right leg was ensnared in a thick brace running the entire length with wires "Alpha has an announcement to make."

"What announcement?" I asked

"Do you always ask so many questions ?"

"No."

"Good, then get up or I'll drag you downstairs as you are."

"Can you at least get out while I change."

"10 mins that's all you get."

"Fine." I huffed getting out of bed. Bossy b***h. Throwing on fluffy high neck sky blue sweater and a pair of jeans. They were a little too snug for my liking almost looking painted on but it was the better than Caleb's baggy sweatpants in public. I had to give it to the shopper she had good style.

Exactly at 10 minutes my new bestie walked in.

"Let's go."

I almost had to jog to keep up with her long strides. Since Hendrix's tour was cut short yesterday my feet were tripping over each other as I tried to take in the decor and layout of the packhouse. We entered a huge banquet hall full of pack members talking and eating breakfast.

Only one man caught me eye as if I just knew instantly where he was. With one leg on the bench stool, messy black hair ruffled sexily hanging onto his brow, even with his broard back leaning over talking with a family he looked huge and magnificent. Sensing my presence his eyes flicked straight to mine. I could see the dark circles under his eyes after running patrols last night and wondered if he had slept yet, before he trailed them down my body in a smouldering gaze.

Heat crawled up my neck, the sweater suddenly feeling way too warm. The way he was looking at me was more dangerous than being locked away in his room. My body tingled, he was the devilishly handsome bad boy from every chick flick I'd fantasized about. The bad boy I needed to stay away from.

A few of the people Caleb had been talking to followed the path of his stare, small grins adorning their faces. Receiving a small shove reminded me that my rude guard was still beside me.

Caleb straightening up and made his way to the buffet.

"Thank you all for coming this morning." Caleb began. He didn't even need his Alpha aura, everyone simply turned and quietened, listening intently to his speech. "As many of you are aware we have taken control of Moonstone pack." My gut twisted. "This pack has been with me through many take overs and this one was no different."

Anger coursed through me. This take over was no different? As if we were nothing but a thorn in his side. It made a difference to every family who lives there, it made a difference to me!

"In following our normal processes, the Pack warriors who remain there currently will rotate through a two week on one week off squad roster so families aren't separated for too long. Moonstone has been one of my father's biggest rivals. They are strong, fierce, resilient and stubborn. I understand many of you have concerns for the safety of the team who remain in their territory. In assurance for their safety, the daughter of a highly respected pack member has willingly offered herself as a peace treaty." Hmm, I don't remember coming willingly. "A few rumors have started about her presence already specifically due to her involvement in a disagreement on the pack house grounds yesterday. To clarify, she is here to work closely with me in learning our ways, once I am reassured with the complete submission of Moonstone pack she will return. In terms of the rumors. Yes, she is the reason my beta and I fought yesterday that is true."

Murmurs filtered through the crowd.

"The girl was attacked by rogues on her travels here and Beta Hendrix had taken her outside without proper medical clearance firat. This girl needs to be respected and protected whilst here and I expect everyone to treat her like one of our own. Her safety is paramount to the alliance between us and Moonstone. Now let me introduce you to Nikita."

Oh crap! The entire hall turned to face me. What the hell do I do? Smile, wave, make a speech myself. Steadying myself with a breath, I am an Alpha female I can handle this. Straightening my spine, locking eyes with Caleb I gave a nod and followed the aisle to a seat next to Hendrix ignoring the blatantly obvious stares from every one. Hendrix flashes me a wide grin and starts serving me a large plate from the delicious spread of food on the table.

Caleb walked over to stand in front of his beta. "Move" he said.

I placed my hand on Hendrix's arm stopping him. "Stay, aren't I supposed to be...respected so shouldn't my wish to sit beside Hendrix also be. And I'm sure Hendrix and especially her," pointing to Valentina "can protect me just fine without you." I don't know if I was angry from how he talked about my pack, lied about why I was here, or how good he is as an Alpha to his pack. Caleb zeroed in on my hand on the other man's arm.

"And if he doesn't move, I'll break his nose again and it will be all your fault."

Hendrix turned to me and said, "sorry Kita I'm freshly healed." As he was about get up and move another figure approached the table.

So she does wear clothes, I thought. Thin long fingers wrapped around Caleb's bicep stopping him from being seated beside me.

"Alpha." She said sweetly to Caleb tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with the other hand.

"Paige" Caleb huffed coldly trying to brush her off by folding his arms. All he succeeded in doing was looking even more sinful. A few veins corded up his tanned forearms while his biceps bulges against his tee. This woman wouldn't relent. She stepped closer to him looking up with over the top doe eyes and my wolf bristled.

"I just wanted to apologise again for yesterday." I didn't like the way she angled her body towards his. Back off b***h.

"I think you should apologise to someone else." He nodded toward me.

"Oh yes of course, our new...guest. I'm Paige" once again speaking in that sweet as pie voice holding out her hand. I knew these type of girls all too well. The way they used to cat fight over Ryker and the "hot guys" at school. The sweeter the voice the nastier the words that came out. I wasn't buying the nice girl act.

"Nikita" I replied with a quick hand shake.

"The clothes fit then."

"Yes perfect size and I really loved those heels shame they weren't my size though so I gave them to Annie."

Anger flashed across her face momentarily "Oh well, Annie is a close friend of the Alpha so I'm sure he doesn't mind you just giving away his purchases." Her smile became tighter despite the cheeriness in her voice. She abruptly finished our conversation by turning her back directly to me and blocking Caleb from being seating beside me. Caleb's jaw ticked and his eyes blazed. It was a wonder how that woman didn't burst into flames. Instead that damn manicured claw touched his shoulder possessively and her body inched toward his. Never in my life had I felt like violence was the answer but right now I wanted to break a few bones on that woman's skeletal hand.

"I've made arrangements for my father's visit, you know what he's like so I've prepared one of the guest wings. I'm planning a little dinner party while he's here, considering it is the first full moon of the month." She leaned between the two of us grabbing a grape from the table. Her boobs practically grazing Caleb's arm. Flicking her hair over her shoulder she looked at me. "I hope you can attend the dinner too, I'm sure my Father would be very interested to meet someone from Moonstone" she said to me, "that little black dress I bought will be perfect for the dinner. It was nice to meet you Nicola"

"It's Nikita" but she was already walking away.

"She still hanging around?" Valentina asked.

"Stage 5 clincher that one." Hendrix remarked snidely.

"After you're done, my office." Caleb said to me before leaving.