Encounter
1223 Words
“Julian!” A gasp left Autumn's lips. Her heart sank instantly.
Why is he here? Right! It's not very far from where my apartment is. Was… That place is not my home anymore.
“So I see you found a place to stay for the night. With this hobo here,” Julian scoffed.
“That's none of your business,” Autumn replied in a stern voice as she turned to leave.
Caleb’s eyes narrowed. Is he the man who broke her heart?
Maximus growled in protest, ‘we should be the only one in her heart. Rip off his head.’
‘Stay calm for now. She looks upset,’ Caleb replied to his wolf.
Autumn glanced up at him, her voice softer. “Let’s go.”
Caleb nodded and moved with her—but Julian stepped forward, blocking their path like he still owned the right to.
He wasn’t ready to let them go.
Julian shifted in front of them again, blocking their way. “So running away now?”
“I don’t want to see your face because it makes me sick,” Autumn snapped.
“Oh Autumn! This is what you’ve fallen to? Trading up for a stray dog off the street? I can lend you some money if you need.” Julian tried to reach for her cheek but Autumn slapped his hand away.
For a moment, Caleb braced himself to intervene—his wolf already snarling—but then Autumn stepped forward, her chin lifting with a fire Caleb had never seen in her before.
“Don’t you dare talk about him like that,” she snapped. “You are the real trash that I have thrown away.”
Julian blinked, thrown off. “Excuse me?”
She has always been timid. When did she learn to stand up for herself? Julian was beyond surprise.
“You heard me,” Autumn said, voice shaking—but not with fear. With anger. “Caleb has treated me better in one evening than you ever did in all those years. He listens. He cares. He respects me.” Her breath trembled as she finished, “Something you never learned to do.”
Caleb stared at her, stunned. Pride surged through him like a rising tide as he spoke to his wolf, ‘Did she just defend us?’
‘Obviously she did! Because she is our soul mate and believe it or not, she feels the bond too,’ Maximus literally waged his tail.
‘Look at you, acting like a little pup.’ Caleb teased.
‘I will for my beloved mate,’ Maximus growled.
Julian scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Oh please, Autumn. You’re delusional if you think this bum—”
“Enough,” Autumn cut in sharply. “I’m done letting you talk down to me. And I’m done letting you insult someone who didn’t do anything to you. You don't even deserve the sight of me anymore.”
Julian’s jaw clenched, but before he could spit back another insult, Autumn grabbed Caleb’s hand and stormed past him.
Just when I was having a perfect evening, he had to walk in and spoil everything! Her breathing became heavy, tears threatened to spill.
Caleb followed her silently, letting her lead, stunned by the strength in her voice.
They made it a few steps outside before Autumn finally stopped to take a shaky breath. Caleb gently squeezed her hand. “Hey, are you okay?”
Her cheeks warmed. “I just… I couldn’t let him talk about you like that.”
Caleb’s chest tightened. But before he could reply, Autumn spoke again, still flustered.
“Let’s just get back.” And she walked ahead toward the street.
Caleb waited until she wasn’t looking… and then turned back toward the door of the shop.
Julian had followed them out, muttering curses under his breath—only to stop short when Caleb stepped into his path, blocking him with a calmness far too measured to be harmless.
“Listen, buddy—” Julian started.
Caleb grabbed him by the collar and slammed him back against the brick wall—not hard enough to injure, but hard enough to shut him up.
Julian’s eyes widened. “W-what the hell—?!”
Caleb leaned in, voice low and lethal. “If you ever talk to her that way again… or look at her the wrong way… you and I will have a problem.”
“Are you threatening me? Do you even know who I am? One call and you…” Julian burst into words, only to be cut off by Caleb.
“Stop barking like a stray dog. Otherwise you won't live to tell your tale.” Caleb warned.
Something ancient flickered behind Caleb’s eyes—a dominance Julian couldn’t explain but instinctively feared.
Julian swallowed. “Who… who are you?”
Caleb smirked faintly. “No one you need to know.”
Then he let him go—letting Julian stumble pathetically as he turned and walked away.
Caleb caught up to Autumn just as she reached the edge of the road. She turned when she felt his presence beside her.
“Where did you go?” she asked softly.
Caleb shrugged, casual— almost too casual. “Just making sure he didn’t follow.”
Autumn’s brows lifted, suspicious but tired. “He better not. I’m so done with him.”
Caleb didn’t respond. He only walked beside her, staying close without crowding her, until they reached the motel door.
Inside, the small room was warm, the heater humming softly. The single queen-sized bed suddenly felt… too noticeable.
Autumn stared at it. Caleb stared at it as well. An awkward silence fell over.
Right! There's just one bed. Oh god! Why didn’t I think about it before? Autumn mentally faced palmed herself.
“So…” Autumn murmured, awkwardness creeping back in, “um… there’s only one bed.”
Caleb nodded slowly. “I can sleep on the floor.”
‘Are you stupid? We should sleep with her.’ Maximus protested immediately.
‘Why not? And let her think we are creeps!’ Caleb snapped at his wolf in his head.
“No!” she blurted—then froze, cheeks flaming. “I—I mean, you don’t have to. The floor is cold and… uncomfortable.”
Caleb’s lips twitched, amused. “I’ll manage.”
This fragile human! Can she even sleep on a hard floor like this?
“But I don’t want you to be cold,” Autumn said quietly, playing with her fingers. I told him that I will take care of him. I can’t just make him sleep on the floor now, can I?
“And… it feels wrong,” she admitted shyly.
Caleb stepped closer, and brushed off a stray hair from her face as he spoke, “when you are around, I can never be uncomfortable. I swear.”
“I just…,” she whispered. “I told you I am gonna help. I should take care of you.”
Caleb swallowed hard, looking away for a moment. She has no idea what those words do to me. Take care of me! Like a mate?
He slowly turned to Autumn and said, “sleep on the bed, Autumn. I will be fine by the floor. A little cold means nothing.”
- Writer
