Within the Sapphire Forest

Chapter 15

The next two months were fairly uneventful. The Wyoming Mountain Pack worked together to plan out defensive steps, like building a protective wall around the community, deciding where the children would hide in case of an attack, which adults would guard the children, and everyone trained in defensive maneuvers, attack strategies, and overall game plans.

They also spent a good deal of time fixing the mansion, and building a small cabin on the edge of the property. It was an adorable building that was designed for caring for my creatures, with little mouse holes for the pixies, and a fridge for storing supplies.

Melissa informed me during that time that Syline had taken off. She’d healed up enough to return to the ocean, and though I was glad for her, I felt awful that I couldn’t be there to send her off.

We also moved all of my things out of the cabin. That was a hefty process, given I was still confined to a wheelchair, but Caden’s pack, no, my pack, made it much easier. Melissa transported people and things back and forth while I directed the packing team. 

We decided that moving my garden to the pack community was easier than starting a whole new one, especially since we were into August, and most of my plants were in excellent condition to start producing crops and herbs. 

Once most of my s**t was packed up and moved back to the community, only the creatures and my magical items remained.

“Okay, everyone,” I called, earning the attention of my creatures and pack, “we only have a little bit left before this place is cleared out, so we should start getting everyone back to the community. My lovely creatures, I need you to cooperate with us as we take you to your new homes. That means, no fighting, arguing, complaining, or anything that could make this process harder. I know this is scary, but you all agreed to it, knowing that you would have to find somewhere else to stay otherwise.”

The fairies and pixies grumbled but nodded. A tiny brown face poked up out of a hole in the wall, the brownies only sign of understanding. 

“If the fairies and pixies would be so kind as to find a werewolf to travel with, that would make things a lot easier. Anyone not afraid of flying, I would love to introduce you to Manny, who refuses to teleport. He and Jewel will fly back to the community, all they need is a guide.”

Everyone nodded and started following instructions while I rolled my way to the closet in the spare room. It had charged crystals, spell bottles, and other magical devices that needed to make the trip, but were too temperamental for werewolves to touch. I quickly gathered them, using  my magic on any I couldn’t reach.

Caden entered the room looking for me.

“Hey, you almost ready to go? Melissa’s waiting for you to send Manny and Jewel on their way so she can finish taking everyone back.”

“I’m coming, just finishing with the things you can’t touch.”

He nodded, and once everything was carefully placed in the box on my lap, Caden pushed back to the living room. A tiny figure sat on the counter in the empty room, wringing his little hands in stress. He wore tiny green overalls, with little brown shoes, and a tiny flower for a hat. His left pant leg was flat where a leg should have been. I stretched out my hand, and he crawled and hopped his way to me. I lifted him gently, and put him on my shoulder with my hair covering him, so he could hide, and cling to it.

“Okay, let’s go,” I sighed.

Goodbye, sweet cabin, I thought as I looked around the empty room, thank you for being so good to me these past four years.

Caden gently pushed my chair through the door, and he and a pack member, whose name I’d learned was Byran, helped me down the steps. Manny carefully walked over to me and rubbed his big head against my arm.

“Hey, buddy. I need you to fly to our new home with Jewel and one of the werewolves. I know you don’t like new things, but this is the only way we’ll stay safe and cared for, okay?” I asked, scratching the spot behind his ear.

He nodded, and stalked up to the row of men waiting to find out if they were joining the behemoth monster in his flight. Manny skipped over anyone who was too tense, anyone who flinched when he got too close, and anyone who wouldn’t look directly, which ruled out all the guys.

He landed on Melissa, who rubbed his head carefully. He freaked her out, but at least they were used to each other.

“I’ll get you all back to the community, then I’ll come back and show Manny the way to the pack.”

We nodded and gathered around Melissa. She poured her energy around us, a pretty big feat considering there were seven of us she had to transport, and slowly, a sizzling, popping sound filled the air. With a flash, we were suddenly standing in the field just outside the community.

Melissa took a few quick steps backward, and with another flash, she was gone.

“Okay,” Caden said, picking me, and by extension, my box and Brownie up, “Byran, grab her chair and follow us to her new cabin. Andrew and Paul, go find the ones who traveled with the fairies and pixies and make sure they get to the cabin so we can get everyone settled.”

They nodded and took off, while Caden gently carried me through the tall grass toward the cabin. It was scorching hot, and every part of me was dripping in sweat. It was weird to have Caden holding on to my slimy sticky skin, but he didn’t seem affected by it at all.

“Your leg is looking better,” he commented. “Maybe we can talk to Doc about it and see if you’re ready to take the cast off, or at least get out of the chair for a bit.”

“That would be amazing,” I replied, wiggling my toes.

My leg felt so much better, like it was healed, but I was also one to deny I was in pain, so it was probably best if Doc had a look at it.

“Yeah, then I wouldn’t have to carry you everywhere.”

“Are you calling me fat?” I asked, glaring up at him.

Byran snickered, which earned him his own glare from Caden.

“I would never call you fat, Little Love, and if you want me to carry you everywhere, I’ll do it. I just thought you might like to get around on your own.”

I giggled and wiggled my foot again.

“Hold still, or I’ll drop you,” he warned as we approached the cabin.

“Do it, I dare you,” I challenged.

His gaze turned dark and I regretted my words. I grabbed Brownie right as Caden dropped his arms quickly, causing me to fall rapidly, with a high shriek on my part. I caught me and laughed.

“You shouldn’t challenge me to things unless you’re ready to get your ass beat,” he said, smiling wide.

I just giggled, and put the disgruntled sprite back on my shoulder.

We approached the cabin and saw some people gathered there. The wolves who helped me move had all of my boxes there, along with the fairies and the pixies.

I spent the next hour sorting through what boxes went where, and directing everyone in where everything went. Finally, the place looked ready, and just in time for Manny to land right outside. He and Jewel wasted no time in taking off into the woods, not wanting to be around all the people. Brownie took a spot in the crawl space, while the pixies and fairies found their homes in similar places as the old cabin.

With everything taken care of at the cabin, the helpers carried the rest of the boxes to the mansion, while Melissa, Elise, Caden and I hurried to the hospital building to see Doc.

We didn’t have to wait long for Doc to see us and take a look at my leg.

“I’m deeply impressed with your level of healing, especially after what Nathan did to you,” Doc said as she reviewed the x-rays. “It looks like you’re more than ready to remove the cast, but given that you’ve been chair bound for two months, I suggest traveling by crutches until you can build your leg strength back up.”

“Absolutely, whatever it takes to get this thing off of me,” I agreed.

Doc smirked at me and prepared everything to take the cast off. She had a small vibrating saw that she used to cut through the material while I laid back and held Caden’s hand. I felt okay so long as I didn’t watch the process of removing it. Elise and Melissa watched and chatted about how I could fit back into my skinny jeans, and go do fun s**t with them.

I laughed.

“In another few weeks, I might be able to get away with wearing my heels again, and finally be tall enough to be a part of the conversation,” I joked, which earned me an eye roll from Melissa.

“You know we always cater to short people,” she noted. “We would hate to leave out the little people.”

I flipped her off and we laughed.

Finally, the buzzing ceased and my leg was freed from its plaster prison. I looked down to see my pale skinny leg and wiggled my foot eagerly.

“I’ll give you some crutches to get around on for the next few weeks, just be careful, and don’t get carried away,” Doc instructed.

I nodded and as soon as I had the crutches, I jumped down from the bed. It was an incredible feeling to be able to move around mostly on my own again, and I took off down the hall, laughing. Elise, Melissa, and Caden had to jog to keep up with me. I didn’t stop at the door, and hurried down the road to the mansion.

Suddenly, my feet disconnected with the ground, and I lost my crutches.

“What part of ‘don’t get carried away’ was difficult for you to understand?” Caden asked, flinging me over his shoulder.

“I was having fun, why do you have to be so mean?”

“If I’m mean, it’s only because I’m keeping you safe.”

I sighed, and watched from my position as Elise and Melissa snickered. Feeling extra feisty, I threw my hands up to flip them off again. Then I started wiggling, trying to break free from Caden’s grip. My action earned me a sharp slap to my ass, causing me to yelp.

“Hey!” I yelled.

“Hold still and you won’t get slapped again,” he instructed.

My little mischievous nature didn’t quite listen, and I landed my own blow to his ass. He growled and flipped me back into his arms with one under my knees and one behind my back.

“Behave or else,” he whispered, his eyes darkening.

I pouted but obeyed as he carried me into the mansion and up to our room. I wanted to hang out more with Melissa and Elise, but Caden’s demeanor said “hell no.”

We entered the room, he shut the door behind us, and then he tossed me gently on the bed, making my breath catch in my throat. He crawled on top of me, supporting himself just millimeters above my body, his breathing shallow and his eyes glowing.

I giggled and tried to push him off, but he caught my wrists in one of his hands, and held them above my head.

“You’re pushing very dangerous buttons, Little Love,” he growled in my heart, causing my heart to skip a beat.

“That’s my job, Wolfie,” I teased.

His knee separated my legs and rested right up against my crotch. My breath caught in my throat as I realized what he wanted.

“Wait,” I cried, struggling against me.

He leaned down so his mouth was right next to my ear and he said, “One of these days, you’re going to say yes, and when you do, I’ll be more than happy to take your virginity as slowly as I please. You will beg for it, Little Love.”

He pushed himself off of me and out the door before I could respond, leaving breathless and shaky.

Melissa and Elise hurried into the room, both looking down on me with curiosity and shock.

“What the f**k was that?” Elise asked, gesturing to the hallway, and I assumed Caden.

“I’m just wishing that I wasn’t a virgin and I knew what to do,” I answered, pushing myself into a sitting position.

Melissa smirked, while Elise’s jaw dropped. They didn’t need to ask anymore questions, and chose to help me focus on unpacking the boxes of clothes and other belongings that I had.

While unpacking, I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering back to what had just occurred. I wanted desperately to tell him yes, to let him claim every inch of me, inside and out, but I was terrified. After twenty two years of guarding my virginity from everyone my grandmother threw my way, I was terrified of finally letting anyone in. I didn’t want to mess it up, or for my inexperience to get the better of me and ruin everything. I just wanted to feel confident in myself when I was with him.

Cleaning the bedroom took a lot more than I bargained for. Caden had a lot of his own s**t filling the room, so it was hard to find places for all of mine. I couldn’t fit all of my clothes in the closet, couldn’t put all of my toiletries in the bathroom, and I didn’t know what I was going to do with my books, games, dvds, painting supplies, yarn and other knick knacks I had. So I ended up leaving the boxes scattered everywhere while I threw myself back onto the bed.

“This is ridiculous,” I groaned. “How are two grown adults with all of their own s**t supposed to live in this tiny little room. I’m sure it was fine when he lived by himself, but I can’t fit in here with him comfortably.”

Melissa nodded, looking into the packed little closet. 

“At the minimum, you need a bigger closet, max, you need your own damn room,” Elise commented.

“Over my dead body.”

We looked up to see Caden holding my crutches. He didn’t look pleased with our conversation, so I felt it necessary to say something.

“Well, we have to figure out something cause not all of my stuff is going to fit in here. We definitely need a bigger closet, hopefully a bigger room. There’s just so much stuff between us, that it might be better to move.”

Caden nodded thoughtfully, then handed me my crutches.

“Come on, I have to show you something.”

Confused, I pulled myself to my feet and slowly followed him down the hall, down the stairs, and out the front door. He led me down the road to a three story grey building with the typical slanting roof of single family houses, a large porch, wide open windows, a balcony on the third floor, and a beautiful lawn. It didn’t look very wide, but I guessed the height made up for that.

“What’s this?” I asked, still confused.

“This is our new home, if you want it,” he answered turning around to look at me. “Every alpha gets to design his future home for him and his luna as soon as they take over. Usually, alphas don’t get to move into their homes until they complete the mate bond with their lunas, but I think this is a unique case, and I don’t see why we can’t move in now.”

“You’re for real?” I asked, not quite believing him.

“Absolutely. Come inside and see the house before you decide,” he offered, letting me take the lead.

The interior was gorgeous. The front door entered into a hallway with maple flooring and white walls that led into a spacious living room, also with maple floors and white walls, beautiful dark gray couches, a gray area rug, a large flat screen tv on a maple and glass entertainment center, and various works of art on the walls. On the other side of the hall was a large kitchen with beautiful up to date appliances, cabinets that matched the flooring of the home. I didn’t see any carpet in the entire house, and I was excessively pleased with that. 

Just past the living room there was a library and study area. It had at least twenty bookshelves along three of the walls, a cute couch underneath one window, and a desk in front of the other window. The opposite side of the hall had a dining area with a long rectangular table, a small bar, and natural art on the walls, depictions of animals and mountains in beautiful scenery. There was a half bath nestled between the study and the living room that was cute and just big enough for a toilet and a sink.

Just down the hall there was another door leading to the backyard, and just in front of the door was a staircase that led up the second floor. I climbed it cautiously, and found another long hallway. The stairs looped around and climbed up to the third floor, which is where Caden directed me, so I kept climbing. The hallway was equally as long on the third floor, and Caden nudged me toward the very last door. 

The room was at least twice the size of Caden’s old room, with a gorgeous California king bed on a steel frame, a massive dresser, a television mounted to the wall, and a set of glass doors leading out to the large balcony. The walls ceiling were white, to my dismay. 

The balcony had an awning to protect it from the weather, and I wondered about putting a table and chairs out so I could drink tea and read a book in the morning.

Then, I walked into through the door on the opposite end of the room and into a large beautiful bathroom. It was painted in the same fashion as the entire rest of the house, but it had a giant black bathtub with power jets in it, a separate corner shower with a smooth stone floor, a rain like shower head, and frosted glass doors. The toilet was tucked next to the double sinks on the opposite wall from the tub and shower, and on the wall between the toilet and shower, there was a door. I opened it to find a giant walk-in closet, definitely large enough for mine and Caden’s clothes.

It was gorgeous, and I’m sure Caden could see it all over my face, but he must have seen the small bit of disappointment, because he quickly said, “We can paint, and rearrange, tear up the floors, redesign whatever you’re not happy with.”

I turned and saw Caden, Elise, and Melissa watching me intently. I hadn’t even realized the girls had followed us.

“The only thing I would like to change is the boring wall paint. Everything is just so white,” I admitted shyly.

I didn’t want him to think I didn’t absolutely love it, because I adored the house.

Caden nodded and turned to leave the room, his phone in his hand before I could say another word.

Melissa walked forward, her jaw dropped and her eyes wide.

“This is so incredible,” she remarked. “If you don’t stay with him, let me know, I’ll gladly take your place.”

“Uh, over my very dead body,” I responded, making them giggle.

Caden reentered the room and directed us back down to the study, where several people were already waiting.

“This is the team that helped design the house. Give them your ideas, and they’ll do their best to get it done.”

I nodded and sat behind the desk with Elise and Melissa flanking me. We mainly discussed changing the wall colors in the living room, adding more decor to the dining room, and painting the bedroom and bathroom something more whimsical. I was absolutely in love with Caden’s room and bathroom in the mansion, which I mentioned. I think it helped get the ideas flowing, because we left the meeting with the designers whispering animatedly about their project.

We went back to the mansion and immediately started packing our things back into boxes.