Lost

Caleb (Ch. 4)

Gasping, I jump out of bed. A chill, catches me of guard. Looking at my bed, its drenched in sweat. Stripping the bed, I through the sheets in the hamper. In my bathroom, I turn on the shower, strip and get in; the water feels amazing running down my back. When I feel better, I get out, wrap a towel around my waist and use another to dry my hair. Entering my closet, I grab briefs from my dresser. The doorbell rings while I'm putting on sweatpants. Leaving my room, I walk down the hall to the door. Peeking out the window, I see my mother on the other side.

"What are you doing here at this time, mom?" Stepping aside I let her in, walking past me, "It's not that late, plus I felt you were in distress and your father got called away on alpha duty," moving toward my kitchen "I'm making tea. What some?"

"Mom, it's 1:44 in the morning," I groan.

"So, you can have tea at any time," she preps the kettle and get two cups ready, "Now tell me what has you waking up in the middle of the night giving me a fright."

Sitting at one of the stools, I lean onto the island, "Nothing ma, I just couldn't sleep." The look she's giving me, tells me she's not buy what I'm saying. The kettle goes off and mom starts pouring the water into the cups. Sliding one to me, she comes around the island and takes a seat next to me.

"Caleb," she implores sipping her tea, "Would you like to try again."

Knowing I'm not going to win this battle of wills, especially at this time of night, I cave, "I don't know what it was mom, I swear."

"You've been acting differently since you came back from patrolling last night."

Drinking some of my tea, "Something weird happened. For a couple of minutes, my wolf was in total control and started leading me back toward campus, but when I regained control," subconsciously, I rubbed my chest.Placing her hand on mine, "You felt it, didn't you?"

"I don't know what it was I felt mom, but the pain I felt was soul deep and tonight," I trail off trying to find the right words. "Tonight, it felt like someone was screaming for me. Like I felt them reaching for me—in here," I say tapping my chest.

Smiling at me, "Dear you've just described the mating bond. At least the first part. Once your wolf recognized he's mate, he wanted to go to her. The pull you felt after tonight denying him was your soul attaching part of itself with hers. I'm almost positive she felt the same pull." Drinking more of her tea, she allows what she said to sink in.

"But what was it that I felt just now. It was a shaper pull. Almost like a rip and an echoed scream."

Getting up, my mother starts pacing, "No, that's not good. That not good at all."

"What not good, mom?"

Stopping, "Your mate. Something life threatening must have happened to her," taking out her phone she starts to make a call.

Grabbing her arm, "What do you mean life threatening?"

"I mean she was either attacked and reached out for you or she's dying. I need to call your father. We have to find her and fast." Moving to the living room she called my dad. I'm too shocked to move. Not only have I found my mate but to top it off she's either in danger or dying. How am I supposed to cope with this.

"Caleb," my mom yells dragging me from my thoughts. Looking at her, "Your brothers are coming over. I'm heading back to the manor. Your father wants you boys to scout the area. There was a terrible accident off the side of the mountain. Two dead and one missing but presumed dead."

"Could it be her. Did I just loss my mate before even knowing her," I ramble.

"No, my sweet boy. Don't think that way," she says coming over to me, "I don't know if this will work, but it's worth a try. Look deep in your soul, search for the piece that's different from your own. If you feel the pulse that means she's still alive, if not you'll feel an emptiness."

Focusing, I try to do what my mom said with her guidance. It takes a while, but the feeling is so faint, "It's weak, but I feel it. She's barely hanging on." Getting off the stool, I kiss my mother's cheek. Not a minute later my brothers walk in and my mother heads to leave.

"Just remember there's a lot of Fae in our territory and one of them is the son of their King." With that she leaves, kissing each of my brothers on the way out.