Why He Calls

Chapter 11

Celeste’s POV

Kate and I stopped at the grocery store on our way home. The doctor said it was okay to take her to public places again so she really wanted to come with me. We still both wore masks and kept our distance for the most part from other customers because I was still weary. I got home with Kate, paid the nanny and then got out the champagne glasses we drink sparkling grape juice on New Year’s in. “We’re celebrating guys.” I put the sparkling grape juice in the fridge. And put away all the groceries except for what I was cooking.

“What are you making?” Aden asked.

“I’m making twice baked crab stuffed potatoes, steak, and broccoli. And then we’re going to toast to Kate’s future.” I explained.

“Can I help?” Aden asked. Kate ran up behind him. “Me too.” She pleaded.

“You guys can set the table. Oh and put some music on.” I said.

Aden got the plates and silver ware out and stacked them on the table while Kate got out the clothe napkins. Aden went to turn on Pandora on the TV while Kate finished putting the plates and silverware at each seat. Once the steak was prepped and resting in the fridge and the potatoes were in the oven. I sat on the couch and gestured for them to do the same.

“Ce, what’s going on?” Aden asked. Kate was practically jumping up and down in her seat with excitement.

“We just got the best news possible from Kate’s doctor. She’s officially cancer free and they don’t use the word cured but at the very least in remission.”

“So the clinical trial worked?” Aden asked. He walked around the table and hugged Kate giving her one of his bear hugs.

“I get to go back to school!” She shouted. And then she started telling him all about being able to go to the grocery store and how she can play outside again and see other kids. She continued rambling on about all the things she planned on doing now, some of which veered off into little kid imagination ideas.

We had a really nice time with dinner and our toast to Kate. After Kate was asleep, exhausted from all the over excitement today, and Aden and I had both changed into PJs, we were just chilling watching TV in the living room.

Aden muted the sound and turned to talk to me. “That guy that was looking for you, the Gamma. Did he talk to you?”

“Yes. We spoke at the hospital.” I answer.

“If dad’s looking for you, are we going to have to move again?” Aden asked.

“Why would we have to move?” I questioned.

“Because he knows what city we live in. It’s only a matter of time before he finds us.” He said.

“What are you talking about?” I feel confused. Zeke didn’t make it out to be such a big issue but I could tell he wasn’t telling me everything.

“I thought the Gamma would have told you. A guy from our pack found me at school.” Aden said looking down at his feet like does when he’s feeling anything bad.

“What?!” I asked starting to panic again. “When did this happen? What did they say?”

“Just a few days ago. You already left for work so I didn’t get a chance to talk to you. He said pretty much the same thing the article said. That if you don’t return me to the pack, that you’ll be executed.” Aden said looking back up at me worried but also looking very serious.

“Did he say anything about Kate?” I asked.

“No. I don’t think dad cares if she comes back or not. He just wants me.” Aden explained. “So if we’re not moving, when do I have to go back?”

“You said you never wanted to go back?”

“I don’t ever want to go back there as long as dad’s still alive. But I have no choice. I can’t just let him kill you. So I’ll train to be Alpha and challenge him rather than wait till I’m of age. Then he won’t be a threat anymore.” Aden explained. It was this moment I realized how deeply Aden’s hatred for our father ran. I spent all this time torn and conflicted while he had made up his mind all along.

“He spent over three years waiting for mom to slip up so he could punish her along with Kate’s dad. How do you know he’ll keep his word if I return you?” I ask my voice getting softer at the end almost a whisper. But of course Aden heard me so I don’t have to repeat myself.

Aden thought about it before responding, “He won’t. He’s probably planning on killing you either way.” He stood up and started pacing. He was really worked up and angry. “We can’t just do nothing. What about the Gamma? He said his pack was nearby. What if we join their pack? You said other pack members have to be invited or given permission to enter otherwise it’s considered an act of war. If we live there, then dad can’t get to you without their Alpha’s permission.”

“That wouldn’t work. I’m a lone wolf. I can only join a pack if it’s to be with my mate.” I explained.

“Oh. Could Kate and I join their pack?”

“Why would you want to do that?” I ask super confused.

“So I can start training. I want to be able to protect you and Kate, like I couldn’t before.” He explains sadly remembering the past.

“That much weight shouldn’t be on your shoulders buddy. I’m so sorry you feel like that needs to be your responsibility.” I emphasize that none of this is his fault, how he’s still a kid and that I, as the adult, will figure things out. “I already went through most of the Alpha training. Once you’re old enough to shift, I can start training you. And I’ll ask Zeke if you can train in their pack as well, okay?”

“Why can’t I start now?” He asks his frustration at the situation rising.

I remain calm with my response hoping he’ll cool down. “You’re still connected to your birth pack and can’t choose to transfer packs yourself until after you shift. We don’t shift until we turn thirteen.”

“Then I want to transfer. I already shifted.” He blurted out and I could tell he didn’t mean to tell me.

“What? When did you shift?”

“Shortly before we left the pack. You got medicine for Kate after dad told you not to. He started wailing on you until he knocked you out. I thought he was going to come after Kate with you out like that and then I just started shifting. It was excruciating the first time. But dad backed off. I tried a few more times. It’s easier at night. My wolf says in rare cases, we shift early if we need to protect ourselves or someone else.” He explains and then I see his eyes glaze over for a moment turning a shade darker. I can tell he’s arguing with his wolf but I’m not sure about what. His eyes return to normal and he didn’t look any calmer.

I was stunned and felt terrible at the same time. The gravity of him feeling like he needed to take on the protector role this early really hit hard. “I still think we should wait.”

“But!” Aden started arguing so I cut him off.

“No. For now, I need more time to process and find a different solution. This isn’t your burden to bear. Good night.” I said shutting down this conversation. Aden stomped off to his room and I checked on Kate before going to mine.

I thought long and hard about everything up to this point. About our dad, our pack, Zeke, their pack, my job, and my mate. I have a few months savings. I could quit the agency and find a different job like Zeke said now that Kate’s not sick anymore. Odette really can’t object if I tell her I found my mate. Especially after what happened to the other escort.

But what to do about my mate? Even if he was willing to accept me, baggage and all, meeting him would be putting him at risk. Mates who love each other would die protecting each other. I’ve seen it before. My parents are one rare terrible example. Even without the laws against desecrating a mate bond, most mates are faithful and would do anything for each other.

I couldn’t live with myself if my mate died because of me. But does that mean I should reject him? Set him free to maybe find a second chance mate. Thinking about this was making me a little depressed.

And what should I do about Aden? Even if I accepted my mate so I could also do Aden’s idea of joining a new pack, I wouldn’t put it past our father to start a pack war to get Aden back. Especially since he’s already spreading a rumor that I kidn*pped Aden. Did I kidnap him? From a human’s legal standpoint, probably custodial interference rather than a true k********g charge. I took him to protect him and he came with me of his own free will.

Should I have taken Aden with me? He wanted to come with me. Actually he insisted, refused to let me leave without him. But dad only ever hurt him if he tried helping Kate. If Kate was quiet, like when she was asleep in the attic, and we acted like she didn’t exist, there was still times that he was like how he used to be. When we were a happy family and dad loved and protected us. If I just took Kate, he wouldn’t have even cared. He’d have what he always wanted, a male heir to succeed him and no more crying sick toddler who was a constant reminder that his mate destroyed our family.

Did I do the right thing? What should I do now? If I joined a pack to try hiding from our dad, I couldn’t live with their blood on my hands if he did start a war.

I was still thinking and feeling more hopeless than before, when I got a text from Zeke.

“I know you’re still on the fence about meeting your mate. What if I gave him your number? You two can talk it out first.”

“That’s a good idea. Go ahead.” I sent the message before I could change my mind. My number was unlisted and untraceable. And my phone doesn’t have GPS. I made sure of it when I registered as a lone wolf.

About ten minutes later an unknown number appeared on my screen. I answered on the third ring.

“Hello, who is this?” I asked, although I already suspected.

“Uhm hi. I know we haven’t officially met before but… My name is Tyson Souzan. Long story short, I think you’re my mate.” I loved the sound of his voice instantly. Even just hearing him through the phone, I had this feeling that he was right.

“I think you’re right.” I began. I could faintly smell his scent on Zeke when he came to the hospital. That’s what made me compelled to ask Zeke more about him when he said they meet. “Tyson, I’m really sorry, but this is terrible timing for us. I wish I could explain but there’s just too much at stake right now. Too many people at risk. We can’t meet now, and I don’t know when….” I stopped, realizing I had started crying. Why was it so hard when I was just trying to do the right thing?

“Why? What’s going on? What are you so afraid of? Please, let me help you.” He rapidly asked.

“I spent the last 6.5 years trying to protect my siblings. Now I’m afraid I’m about to fail. To be up front with you, I’ve been my two younger siblings guardian for the past 3 years. So if this is all too much for you, I’m offering you an out, right now.” I begin informing him.

“In my pack we’re taught we take care of our own. If pups don’t have someone to take care of them, the hierarchy always makes sure they’re safe and loved. If you being their guardian is what’s best for them, then hey, I love being a big brother, the more the merrier.” I laughed at his way of putting it.

“You have siblings too?” I asked.

“A whole parade of them. I’m the oldest out of 7.”

“Wow, I couldn’t imagine having that many.” I said feeling better just talking to my mate. Then I thought about the other reason I was nervous about meeting him in the first place.

“There’s something else I need to be up front about.”

“What’s that?”

“I know a lot of people think werewolf girl’s are supposed to be pure and wait for their mate….”

“And you’re worried I’d be mad that you didn’t?” He asks surprisingly calm, finishing my thought.

“Actually, there’s more to it than that.” I reply hesitantly. He takes my pause as an opportunity to put his thoughts in.

“Earlier today when I smelled your scent on Gamma Zeke, I kind of lost my cool a bit assuming there was something going on between you two. But that’s what made me realize, you having a past isn’t what was making me possessive and jealous. What was bugging me, was the possibility that my mate was already in love with someone else.” His voice fell and I could tell he really meant it.

“That’s not something you have to worry about. I’ve never been in love with anyone. I worked as a high end escort for the last year.” I say ripping the band aid off just like that.

There was silence on the other line and I checked to make sure he hadn’t hung up and then waited for him to say something. “I wasn’t expecting that. But your body, your choice. Were you at least practicing safe s*x?” I could tell he wanted to ask something else about it but switched questions.

“I insisted on all my clients being tested, so I only saw my regulars at most once a week. I was tested regularly and yes condoms were used but obviously there was oral risk. I’m clean however.

Ask me anything you want. I’ll answer any questions you have about it.”

“Okay, well I guess, how many clients did you have? And outside of escorting how many others have you slept with? Has everyone you’ve been with been human? Any werewolves or others? Did you sleep with Zeke? Sorry that’s a lot.” He began rapid asking. But it wasn’t harshly or anything, more like when a kid asks lots of things back to back without giving you a chance to answer the first question.

“It’s okay. I’ve not hooked up with anyone aside from my clients. My first client was actually how I lost my virginity. After them, there was four male clients I gained as regulars. One client who wanted a threesome. And I’ve had 3 female clients, one of which became a regular. So in total, I’ve hooked up with 9 people, all humans. No I did not sleep with Zeke. He hired Electra and myself to cheer up his friend, Charlie.” I answered all his questions in order.

“But then Charlie and Electra turned out to be second chance mates, I heard about that earlier.” He input.

“What about you? I guess to put it crassly, what’s your body count? Ever been in love before?” I inquired.

“No I’ve never been in love. I had a few girlfriends but that didn’t lead anywhere, they found their mates. My body count is 2.”

“Oh.” I said feeling kind of defeated and a bit slutty because of the answer. “Well now that I’ve been up front with you, how do you feel? I mean what do you want to do about us, in the future?”

“I want us to accept each other as mates. I want to meet you. And I want to know your real name.” Tyson was firm but kindly sincere as he said all that. But knowing my mate wants to accept me just made me fear more for him. And for his pack if I was there and my father started a pack war.

“I want that too. But like I said earlier, the timing isn’t right for us. I’m on the run to protect my family and I can’t stop until I fix things.”

“Whatever you’re so afraid of, let me help you. I can protect you and your siblings. Please.” He begged me.

“I can’t put you or your pack at risk too. I’m sorry.”

“Then I’ll wait for you. No matter how long it takes, I promise.”

“That’s a really big promise. What if we never met?”

“I’ll keep calling you. If we ever go too long without talking, I’ll find you. I guess that makes you my long distance mate for now.”

“I’ll text you when the best time to call is then. We can talk again tomorrow?”

“I look forward to it. Good night, my mysterious mate.”

“Goodnight Tyson.”

I hung up and then called Zeke. “Hey, sorry it’s so late.”

“No it’s fine. What’s up?” He asked.

“What were you not telling me earlier? At the hospital?” I asked.

“I have this ability. I get visions about future events. I also can tell if someone is good, bad, neutral, etc. And I get these feelings about if something good or bad is going to happen to someone. I had a really bad feeling about you. That you were in danger.” He then tells me about his vision where he saw Kate, my dad, and me.

“He’s going to kill Kate?” I ask shocked. I knew he hated her, but that much?

“We can stop it. I’ve told Morgan about my visions before and we’ve been able to change the outcome.” He explained.

“You know, I was actually talking to Aden about the situation earlier, and he said he wanted to join your pack. Thought we’d be safer in pack life again.”

“I can definitely talk to Morgan …. But wait, you’re a lone wolf.”

“I was actually just thinking about Aden and Kate staying in your pack.”

“But Aden’s dad is an Alpha, he’d never give him permission to transfer packs.” Zeke pointed out.

“Aden already shifted 3 years ago.” I explain what Aden told me earlier.

“I’ll talk to Morgan about it. But if you’re not joining then where are you going?”

“I’m going to throw our former pack off their trail and then I’m going to fix things.”

“How?”

“Just trust me, I have a plan.” I say.

“Okay…” He replies unsure about this. “I’ll come see you tomorrow after I talk this out with Morgan.”

“What time are you thinking?” I ask.

“Let’s see, I have to train the special guard, I have an ally meeting, and then a briefing with my Deltas so I won’t be able to meet with Morgan until about 4.”

“Okay, then how about we just plan on having you over for dinner? You can formally meet Aden and Kate and we’ll go from there.”

“Sounds like a plan, what you cooking?” He inquired.

“Not sure yet, I was going to let Kate decide now that her appetite is back. You don’t have any allergies?” I check with him.

“Nope. I’ll eat anything.” Zeke replied laughing.

I laughed too, thinking total typical guy response. And it felt weird to think about that after this past year, dining with my clients who had such expensive tastes.

“Great see you tomorrow.” I said and just before we hung up I added, “And Zeke…”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for everything.” I very sincerely thank him.

“You’re ever so welcome, m’lady.” He replied and I could just picture him giving me one of those silly bows pretending to be a knight.