Alpha Callum and The Broken Mate

Chapter 4

Tori POV

After finishing our first round of shots, the four of us sat around talking about our lives, what we hoped to experience on this trip, and just life in general. I purposely left out the current problems I was dealing with with Alex. The last thing I wanted to talk about was my divorce, and it was wonderful not having to.

The twins eventually wandered off to 'try and find something fun to do' in their own words, leaving Callum and I to ourselves. While I was excited to get to know him on a deeper level, I was also nervous. I slowed down on my drinking, realizing that just being around him gave me the confidence that alcohol had been supplying.

I wasn't sure what this feeling I was having was. I barely knew this man and yet it felt like I had known him my entire life. We had a connection on some level that I don't even think I understood.

He was currently telling me all about his home and life, being the oldest I guess he was always the one responsible for taking over his families company and was raised specifically for that purpose.

"Well honestly I think it's a little sad." I said to him as he told me that he always knew this would be his future.

"What do you mean sad?" he asked looking a little perplexed.

"Well I mean, your whole life you've had no choices. Your life was planned for you before you could even speak, and all because you were the first? What if you weren't the best one to take over the role? Running a business is a serious thing, and what if you hadn't been up to the task?" I asked seriously.

He chuckled a little bit which sent a shiver down my spine, but definitely in a good way.

He paused for a second, looking pensive. Then he looked at me with a soft smile, "Well luckily I AM the right man for the job. Please don't be sad for me, I'm happy that I'll be able to take over and let my father finally take a break. He took over from his father and has been the head for over 40 years. He's also done a fantastic job of it, and I'm excited to keep the reputation that my family has built for generations."

I thought about that for a moment and felt an odd surge of pride swell inside me. I barely knew this man and I'm feeling proud of him? What has gotten into me?

He broke me out of my trance suddenly by slipping his hand softly over mine. I pulled back in shock, I don't know what happened but the moment our skin touched it was like an electric current shot through me. But not a painful shock. An oddly pleasurable one.

I snapped my eyes up to him to see his already searching mine.

"What... What was that?" I asked slowly.

"There's a lot I should tell you, but for tonight, please accept that that was a connection between us. And with that, I think we should retire for the evening. I mean, we are the last ones here." he said with a sweet smile.

I looked around the bar and realized he was right. The twins were gone, along with every other guest and it was just us and the bartender left.

I stood up and grabbed my small purse on the counter, pulling out a fifty dollar bill and putting it on the counter.

I turned to Callum and was surprised to see him entirely focused on me with a longing gaze in his eyes. That gaze in his eyes stirred up feelings in me that I've never felt. Like I wanted to take care of him and jump his bones at the same time. I felt pulled toward him and I was about to resist it.

He put his hand out reaching for mine. I hesitated for only a second, wondering if I'd be shocked again. But decided I liked the feeling he gave me so I took his as well.

The shock was there again but I accepted it and was surprised that it made me happy.

"Let's get you back to your room, the other members of the group should be here tomorrow and I'm sure you're exhausted." he said as he started walking me towards the door.

As we walked hand in hand to the hotel rooms, I led him to mine and when we stood outside the door, I thought he would ask to come in for the night. And I definitely wouldn't have turned him down.

But once again he surprised me. Instead of wanting to come in, he simply let go of my hand, brought his up to my face, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I closed my eyes enjoying the gentleness of the caress. When I opened them, I couldn't help but look deeply into his beautiful cerulean eyes.

I was lost in those deep pools of his when he slowly leaned down. I closed my eyes in anticipation but nothing could have prepared me for the feelings I got next. His soft lips brushed mine as he paused. I looked back up at him and it was almost like he was asking for permission. Instead of permission, I closed the gap.

I crushed my lips onto his and couldn't help but moan slightly as goosebumps were rising all over my body. He slowly curled his hand up to the back of my neck, deepening the kiss as I parted my lips inviting him in.

His tongue slipped into my mouth and I wished that this moment would last forever. Just as I was about to invite him into my room, he pulled away.

I looked up questioning at him. He opened his eyes and smiled softly at me.

"As much fun as I think it would be to continue this, I think we should call it a night."

He grabbed my hand and gave it a soft kiss.

"I'll see you in the morning, meum corculum."

He gave me one last heart melting smile as he turned around and walked his his room 2 doors down.

I stood in the hallway of the hotel going over the whole night in my head. Secretly hoping he would come back out and back to me.

When he didn't, I gave a little sigh and grabbed my room key out of my wallet. I stripped down to nothing but my tank top and underwear and sank onto the soft mattress.

As I cuddled underneath the heavy comforter I couldn't help but obsessively think about him. Everything about him. His life, his personality, the softness of his lips, the deepness of his voice, the way it made me feel whenever he touched me.

Then I remembered what he said about having more to tell me, and I slipped into a deep sleep wondering what he meant by that and imagining all of the possibilities.

My dreams were scattered all night. Flipping through the events of the night, imaging what had happened if he hasn't been such a gentleman and stayed the night instead. Although the only two steady themes chasing me through the night were that I longed to be in his presence even in my sleep.

And oddly enough, the other consistent thing that appeared, were wolves. Always there in some way no matter the scene. I'm not sure what it meant, but by the morning the only thing I remembered from the dreams was that I knew that no matter what, I needed to be around him and was determined to make that happen.

Callum POV

I knew she was my mate, but I needed to assure that she could feel the pull as well. I had my suspicions but since she was human, I needed to make sure. I was shocked that she reacted as dramatically as I felt. Being human, it would have been there but not as strong. Either our connection was stronger than I thought, or she wasn't who I thought she was. Either way, I was thrilled with tonight's turn of events.

As I sat on my bed, I couldn't help but go over everything. She didn't talk a lot and she was definitely holding something back from me but I didn't want to push her if it made her uncomfortable. Although I was ready to share my entire soul with her, to her I was still a stranger. Leaving her to her own room was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. And I've had to fights alphas twice as strong as I was. Somehow, this was more difficult. My heart ached for her the second I turned around. I wanted to run back ti her, but I knew I needed to take things slow.

All I needed was real alone time with her to tell her everything she needed to know about me and my kind, but I wanted to form the connection more solidly before I did. I knew it would be soon. I don't know how long I could keep my wolf at bay now that we've found her.

"I agree. As much as I wanted to just rip her into that room and mate and mark her, I couldn't scare her like that."

I smiled at his words, even he knew she was to be protected at all costs.

"Of course I do. She's my mate as well. But you were right about the connection. It's much stronger than expected. She doesn't smell totally human to me, although I don't think she has any idea since she was surprised at the shock of the mate bond. We need to find out more about her."

I'm glad he agreed with me, we need to find out more about her, but slowly. We'll get all of our answers eventually.

I laid down and texted my brothers in the group chat we had to make sure they made it back to their rooms safe.

When all I got was a thumbs up from both of them I assumed they either found the 'something fun' to do, or rather "someone", or got so drunk thats all they could manage.

I chuckled at the thought of both options and shook my head knowing eventually they'd settle down.

I closed my eyes and wasn't surprised when all I could see was her. Her beautiful long hair, her vibrant smile that made me melt, her confidence as it slowly grew around me, and mostly our kiss.

It was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Which I guess isn't saying much as I've saved all of my firsts for my mate. I drifted into a deep yet restless sleep. All I could dream about was her and our future. I could feel the pull of the bond even in my sleep, and was hoping she could as well.

In the morning I woke with a smile on my face, anticipating the next moment I got to see her at breakfast with everyone. I couldn't help but feel like a giddy teenager with a school crush. If my mother could see me now she would be fawning all over as she does, and my father would be giving me his famous 'know it all' stares.

I knew I'd have to tell them before the trip was over, but for now I wanted to just enjoy the bliss of finally finding my mate.

And with that, I went to get in the shower to prepare to see my little heart again.