The alpha's forbidden mate

CHAPTER 5 :CONFIRM I'M YOURS WITH A KISS

Raindrops began to fall just as the family gathered in front of the house, soft at first - like the sky itself hesitated to interrupt the moment.

"We shoild all head inside," Caison's father said already striding toward the front door.

"Yes, I wouldn't want you to catch a cold on your first night back," his mother added, slipping her hand into Caison's as if he were still a little boy who needed sheltering.

Caison let her lead him. Ralf followed a step behind, silent but watchful. When they reached the front door, Ralf suddenly caught Caison gently by the arm.

Caison stiffened. For a split second he wondered if Ralf refused to enter.

'What are you doing?" Caison whispered so only he could hear.

"Is anything the matter, dear?" Lilly asked, glancing between them, confusion flickering across her face.

Ralf straightened, flashing a charming smile that could've melt frost of windows. "Seeing as it is my first time coming to your home, may we enter your house, madam?"

There was a heartbeat of silence before Lilly burst into warm laughter.

"You silly boy. Yes, of course. Please call me Lilly."

Ralf gave a bow exaggerated just enough to earn another laugh. "Thank you, Lilly."

Caison tried not to smile.

They stepped inside. The house smelled of wood polish and something sweet baking earlier that day. Safe. Warm. Human.

Caison's father had already started a fire in the living room, fires crackling in the heart. They all took seats. Caison chose the single couch, curling slightly into himself, which left Ralf sitting beside his father.

"Tell me," his father began once Ralf settled in, "where did you find my son."

The question struck like a blade.

Ralf's mind flashed back to that night - the forest soaked in moonlight, the metallic scent of blood, Caison's broken body lying among fallen leaves .

"Well, I-"

"I remember being shoved into the back of a car," Caison interrupted quietly.

Ralf turned to him.

"It happened on my way home from school. It was so fast. Someone injected something into my arm. I blacked out."

Lilly's hand flew to her mouth.

"When I woke up, I was tied to a chair in some dark place. It looked abandoned. Dust everywhere. No windows."

"My poor boy..." Lilly whispered, tears already welling.

"I don't know how long I was there. There was no light. No food. No water." His voice trembled despite his effort to steady it. "I thought I was going to die."

Ralf's jaw clenched. His hands curled into fist.

"Then what happened?" his father asked, voice tight with controlles rage.

Ralf could feel his pulse thundering in his ears. Anger burned hot and violent inside him. He rose abruptly.

"Excuse me."

He walked into the kitchen before his control snapped.

Behind him, Caison continued.

'They threw me in the trunk of a car when I was barely conscious. We drove for hours. When they opened it, we were on some dirt road. They dragged me into the forest and started beating me.

Ralf gripped the edge of the kitchen counter until the wood creaked beneath his strenght.

"That's when he found me." Caison finished softly. "He saved me."

The words sloced through the anger like light through darkness.

Ralf closed his eyes briefly.

"I'm so happy he found you," Lilly sobbed. " You must'be been terrified.. "

"What kind of monsters would do something like that?" his father muttered.

Monsters, Ralf thought bitterly. If only you knew.

He forced himself to return to the living room, calmer now. He didn't sit this time. Instead, he perched on the armrest of Caison's couch and placed his hands on Caison's shoulders - protective, possesive.

Caison's parents exchanged a puzzle glance but remained silent.

"We should phone the police," Lilly said reaching for her phone. "They can't get away with it."

"That won't be necessary," Ralf said smoothly his voice steady but firm. He slid his hand into Caison's. "I've taken care of it. You don't need to worry about your son's safety anymore."

Caison tried subtly to pull his hand away.

Ralf didn't let go.

"How exactly do you expect us to do nothing?" His father demanded.

"Dad," Caison said gently, meeting his eyes.

"Ralf handled it."

There was something in his tone - trust. That seem to settle the man, if only slightly.

"We should be getting soon." Ralf murmured under his breath.

"May I ask," his father saif slowly, studying the way Ralf hold his son's hand, 'what are you to my son?"

Ralf didn't hesitate.

"I'm the boyfriend, sir."

His voice held a natural dominance, but his expression was almost playful - as if daring the world to object.

Caison shot to his feet, dragging Ralf up with him.

"His what?"

"Honey," Lilly warned soft.

"Dad can you excuse us for a moment?" Caison asked quickly, already pulling Ralf down the hallway.

The moment they reached a bedroom, Caison shoved him inside and closed the door.

"What the hell was that?" he hissed.

Ralf blinked innocently. "What?"

"With my dad!"

Ralf tilted his head slightly, amused. This was new. Fire in Caison's eyes. It stirred something thrilling in him.

He stepped forward.

Caison stepped back.

Step.

Step.

Until Caison's back met the wall.

Ralf braced one hand bbeside his head, not touching - just close enough to cage him in with warmth.

"Do you already have someone in your life?" Ralf murmered, his beeath warm against Caison's skin.

Caison swallowed. His hands pressed against Ralf's chest to create distance.

Ralf caught one of them and placed it over his own heart.

It beat fast. Hard.

"For someone who claims to be calm." Ralf said softly, lips curving, "my heart disagrees."

"Ralf..." Caison whispered.

"Do you?" he asked again, eyes locked on those blue ones.

"No," Caison admitted, breath unsteady. " I don't."

"Good," Ralf said lightly. "Because I would've had to challenge him to a dual. And I look terrible in prison orange."

Despite himself, Caison let out a small breathless laugh.

Ralf's expression softened.

"I like you," he said, more serious now. "Very, very much."

"It's just, I've never felt like this before." Caison admitted.

"Neither have I," Ralf replied quietly. "Only for you."

The sincerity in his eyes stole the last of Caison's resistance.

Ralf lowered his head slowly, giving him time to pull away.

He didn't.

Their lips met - soft at first. Testing.

When Caison responded, shy but willingly. Ralf deepened the kiss, careful, patient. He wasn't claiming. He was asking.

And Caison answered.

When they finally parted, both were breathless.

"My parents might start to wondering." Caison murmured.

"Let them," Ralf said with a smirk. "I could tell them we were discussing politics."

Caison rolled his eyes, though his cheeks were pink.

"We should go soon." Ralf said more seriously. "You've done well controlling your thirst. But it's still new. "I don't want anything risking their safety.

Caison nodded.

"I still have school," he said softly. " And my life."

"We'll figure it out," Ralf assured him. "You're not losing your life. It's just evolving."

"And my parents?"

"You can alter their memories," Ralf said gently. "Make it easier for them.

Caison hesitated.

"What should I tell them?"

Ralf's lips twitched. "You could say you moved in with me."

"I'm only eighteen."

"Fine," Ralf teased. "We'll tell them I moved in with you. I'll cook, clean, complain about your music."

Caison laughed again - brighter this time.

"Yes," he agreed softly. "I'll make then believe you moved in with me."

Ralf brushed his thumb over Caison's flushed cheek.

"We'll visit once you've mastered control," he promised. "This is to protect them."

They returned to the living room.

"I'll wait in the car," Ralf said politely. "It was nice meeting you. Lilly. Sir."

He stepped out into the rain.

Some time later, Caison emerged with his parent's beside him.

"Drive safe," his father said. "And take care of our boy."

Ralf met his gaze steadily. "I will. You have my word."

They got in the car.

"Goodbye. Mom. Dad. I'll visit soon. I promise!" Caison called through the window.

As they pulled away, Caison's composure broke. Tears slid silently down his cheek.

Ralf's chest tightened.

He reached over and squeezed his hand.

"Will you be okay?"

"It's my first time leaving home" Caison admitted, voice trembling. "But their safety comes first."

Ralf glanced at him, admiration flickering in his eyes.

'You're braver than you think," he said. "And you're not alone."

Caison leaned his head against the window, eyes closed, tears drying in streaks.

The drive stretched long and quiet.

But Ralf kept his hand in Caison's the entire way home.

"We're home," Ralf said quietly.

The engine idled for a moment before he switched it off.

Caison eyes flutered open. For a second he looked disorientated, then he turned his head and stared out the window at the massive house before them.

"Home..." he repeated, though it didn't sound like he believed it yet.

His hand moved to the door handle.

"What happened to you?" Ralf asked suddenly.

Caison paused. "What do you mean?"

Ralf's jaw tightened."Come on. I know you didn't tell them everything."

"I did... " Caison replied, confusion knitting his brows. "I told you and my parent's everything."

Ralf's head snapped towards him.

"The part about you becoming a vampire!" he barked.

Caison jumped in his seat.

Ralf didn't apologize.

Silence thickened inside the car.

Caison inhaled slowly, gathering himself.

"When they tied me to the chair," he began, voice softer now, "one of them came close. He loosened my hair and said I looked like an innocent beauty."

Ralf's hands curled into fist.

"He pressed his lips against my throat," Caison continued. "And then I felt it. A burning sensation. Like fire spreading undern my skin."

Ralf's breath grew heavier.

"When he pulled back... his mouth was covered in blood." Caison swallowed. "My blood."

Ralf shut his eyes.

"That's when I knew he'd bitten me."

Ralf dropped his head forward, pressing his forehead against the steering wheel, gripping it so tightly the leather creaked beneath his strenght.

"The man then bit into his own wrist," Caison said forcing himself to continue. "He forced his blood into my mouth, I tried not to swallow but-

His voice cracked.

"They left laughing."

The car felt too small.

"Then you found me."

For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of rain tapping lightly against the windshield.

Then-

"Those bastards!" Ralf roared, slamming his pulse against the steering wheel. "I'll hunt down every last one of them."

"What for?" Caison said softly.

Ralf frozed.

"It's already done," Caison whispered. "Nothing will return time."

He gently pried Ralf's hands off the steering wheel and held them in his own.

Ralf couldn't look at him. If he did, he wasn't sure whether he would break something - or someone.

"Look at me," Caison said quietly, but firmly.

Ralf opened his eyes.

Icy blue met storm - dark gold.

There was no hatred there. No fear.

Only warmth.

"It brought me to you," Caison said, offering a small smile. "Doesn't that count for something?"

The words hit Ralf harder than any blade.

He pulled Caison into his chest, wrapping him tightly in his arms.

"My heart beats for the both of us," Ralf murmured against his hair before pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

And for the moment, the world felt still.

***

It's been nearly a week since Caison moved into Ralf's home.

Surprisingly Ralf's father had stirred no trouble.

The pack.... had adjusted.

Some stared. Some whispered. But no one dared disrespect the Alpha's mate openly.

Still, Ralf saw everything.

Which was why he assigned Zion - the Zeta - to train Caison.

Not because he didn't trust himself not to go easy on him.

Flashback

"Zion," Ralf said from behind his desk, his voice calm but final. "I want you to train Caison like you would any other wolf."

Zion hesitated"Alpha... he's isn't a wolf."

The temperature in the room dropped.

"He's my mate!" Ralf said his eyes glowing faintly. "And thaf was an order."

Zion lowered his head immediately. "Yes, Alpha."

He turned toward the door.

"Zion."

The Zeta stopped.

"Don't get him hurt unintentionally,"

The warning was clear.

"I would never dare," Zion replied before leaving.

Moments later, Caison stepped into the office.

"Who was that?" he asked.

"Zion," Ralf said, standing and gesturing towards his chair. "He'll be training you."

"Training me?" Caison sat down slowly. "To fight? Why would I need to fight?"

Ralf leaned against the desk in front of him.

"There's a lot you don't know about this world yet. Strenght isn't optional here."

Caison studied him "Why can't you train me instead?"

Ralf smiled faintly. 'Because if you'll fall, I'll catch you everytime. Zion won't."

A pause.

"Do you think they'll ever accept me?" Caison asked quietly.

"Whether they accept you or not," he said pulling Caison him gently from the chair and onto his lap, "as long as I'm their Alpha they will respect you."

Caison fingers slid into Ralf's hair.

"Will I be able to go back to school?"

Ralf groaned dramatically and buried his face against Caison's chest. "Can't you just home school? I'd spend every second worrying."

Caison laughed.

"You're such a needy baby. If the wolves had saw you like this, they'd demote you."

Ralf smirked against his shirt. "For you. I'd happily be their omega."

He slid his hands Caison's waist.

The teasing faded.

Silence stretched between them.

Ralf's hands slipped under Caison's sweatshirt brushing against cool skin. He leaned in, pressing slow kisses against his jaw, down to his throat.

"Ralf..." Caison whispered, eyes closing.

Ralf turned him gently, guiding him closer, their breaths mingling.

Caisom kissed along Ralf's throat this time, hesitant at first.

Then-

Something shifted.

His grip tightened.

A low sound escaped him.

And suddenly -

Pain.

Sharp.

Ralf stiffened as Caison's teeth pierced his skin.

Warm blood welled instantly.

Caison froze.

The taste.

The scent.

His pupils darkened.

Then clarity hit him.

He tore himself away, stumbling backwards.

"I- I'm so sorry..." he gasped staring at the blood on his fingertips as if it horrified him.

He bolted from the room.

"Caison!" Ralf shouted, rising immediately.

He touched his neck, fingers coming away red.

But it wasn't the pain that unsettled him.

It was what he saw in Caison's eyes just before he ran.

Hunger.

End of Flashback