Twenty-Seven

I felt Caden move beside me and snuggled closer, "How much longer?"

"An hour until I have to leave." He said slightly pained.

"How long do you take to get ready?"

"Ten minutes max."

"So we can cuddle for fifty minutes?"

"I'm sorry I woke you."

"Caden I hate waking up alone in y-our bed. I was hoping you would wake me up."

"I was hoping you wouldn't get mad when I woke you up gasping for air because I will desperately need to kiss you before I go."

"I would hope so."

"Please don't sound so sad. Maybe you can visit your family again. It's been a while."

"Too long."

"But promise me something." The look on his face already told me it was serious and I would promise because it meant that much to him.

"Anything."

He smiled but then got serious, "Don't ever be alone. I want you to have somebody with you at all times. Our pack is going to be vulnerable since the experienced fighters are gone."

"There will still be people patrolling right?"

"Yes and I have told them more than four times that you are the main priority, but they already knew that. Remember Adam?"

I nodded confused, "Why?"

"He's the top guard here. The council made sure to keep the packs with enough protection to stall any unwanted newcomers. He will be in constant communication with the guards and you. He's like your bodyguard okay?"

"I'm not a useless little girl Caden-"

"Please Blake. See this from my side. I need to focus on the war and in order to do that I need to know you will be safe. Okay?"

"Okay."

"And I know you aren't weak. In fact, you're the strongest she-wolf I know. But I also know that you would die to save a pack member, and Adam is supposed to take your spot. He will protect the whole pack, but you first, always."

"So if I do visit family...?"

"He would have to go with you. I'm sorry Bee, it's just-"

"That you want to love someone who is breathing. Got it."

"Thank you. I thought you would be mad."

"If this will bring you back to me then I will have a bodyguard."

He kissed me and pulled me closer, "Maybe your family could visit here though instead. Just an idea. I'm sure they want to see what it's like."

I nodded, "You're so thoughtful. I know it's to keep me close, but I have a feeling this isn't the first time you've thought about them coming over."

"No, I was actually going to call and invite them as a surprise for you, but council called."

"Thank you."

"I didn't make the call-"

"It's the thought that counts. "

"And there are those Luna qualities coming out." He said happily as he laughed.

"And my mate qualities are telling me to completely absorb this moment."

"Blake can I just say something?" I nodded getting worried. "I didn't tell you about the whole meeting or the phone call, but I wasn't casting you aside. It was more like I didn't want to mention leaving because you might not even care."

"My sexy badass mate was scared?" I said trying to ease the tension.

"The thought of you leaving me doesn't scare me Bee, it terrifes me. I can't imagine anything more frightening."

"I guess you're still badass then."

"What about the sexy part?" He said with a smirk.

"It went to your head."

"No it went lower, to tell you the truth."

"Maybe it shouldn't be badass but perverted."

"It's not perverted. I'm just-"

"You're just what? A guy?"

He nodded with a smirk, "But not just any guy. You're guy."

"And I'm yours."

I gasped his name as his teeth sunk into my mark, "Yes you are." He growled before he sucked on it.

How many times has he done that and I still can't get used to the pleasure.

Afterwards he pulled me on top of him and I laid my head on his chest, "Caden you're heart is going crazy."

"It hates the leaving situation too."

I nodded before I just laid still.

It was quiet and the thoughts I could read from Caden shocked me. The fact that he thought I might leave when he went made me really upset.

"Caden?"

"Yeah Bee?" He stroked my hair and I saw the hurt in his eyes.

"Stop thinking that. I will never leave you. Ever. If I wanted to leave I would've done it when you first gave me the choice." I looked up to see him staring at the ceiling and I placed my lips to his.

When we pulled away I kept my eyes on his, "Please say you believe me."

"I do, Bee. I believe you." I saw in his eyes that it was the truth and pecked him on the lips again.

"I love you Caden. You have no idea what that means if you think I would leave."

"Blake please believe me when I tell you that I'm just a moron. Like I said, the thought of you leaving terrifies me." I sighed with a smile and curled up into Caden. "I love that you can never get close enough to me."

"And I love that you always have to be touching me. Whether it's my hand or waist."

"I didn't think you noticed. I just can't stand being near you and not holding you." He said.

"And I love it."

It fell silent until twenty minutes later when Caden groaned, "Five minutes."

"And then three or four days."

"And then I come back and steal your breath away with an earthshattering kiss."

"Don't forget how I'm going to wait by the window for my sexy badass mate and run up to you and wrap my arms and legs around you the moment I see you."

He faked shock, "How could I forget?"

We both laughed and for the first time since he told me, the world seemed to be okay. It didn't feel like a war was happening tomorrow, it didn't feel like all hell was going to break loose. It was just us, on our bed, laughing. And what is better than this? I asked myself mentally.

"Nothing. It doesn't get better than this."

I smiled to him before sitting up, "Sometimes I like that you know how I feel. Words just can't capture it."

"I know," he said before kissing me senseless.

------

I called Dana a few hours after Caden left and her and mom were excited to spend a few days with me. I let Dana use my old room and mom used the guest bedroom across the hall. Ben was doing patrol and couldn't make it. He's always been into protecting the pack but since he's so young still, he couldn't fight yet. Well, he would if there was a fight at home, but younger than the trained fighters and not as experienced.

Long story made short, it was just us girls. I invited Sam too and she reluctantly said yes. She was nervous at first but after meeting Dana she calmed down.

I think it helped take her mind off Daniel too. I found out that they were already thinking about mating. It shocked me how fast, but I guess if it's right why wait?

She was happy that I supported her and calmed even more within the next two days with us. Dana didn't swim with us but she did relax on the side of the pond. It was calming but I felt bad for Adam who had to sit and watch. The second day though, him and Dana started talking and laughing. I hadn't seen her just laugh with a guy. It always had to be a date or something. Never just for fun.

Adam wouldn't let Claire come with us, even though I invited her, because he didn't want any distractions. Apparently Caden had mentioned it too.

He's protective.

My mom even laughed and joked with us and that really has never happened before. It was such a nice change.

Sam had cooked up some food and the four of us were sitting down to eat as Adam went to watch over the 'changing of the guards' as Claire referred to it.

"Blake, I've been thinking, and I was wondering if you still had to be here. I mean, council made an army, shouldn't you get to come back home now?" Mom asked.

I looked down with a sad smile on my face but when I looked up it was a genuine happy smile, "To answer your question simply, no mom, I don't have to be here."

"When do you get to come back?"

"Whenever I want to visit." I paused and looked back down, "I no longer have to be with Caden, but I want to be."

"Are you saying that you're staying here?"

"Yes mom. I was forced to come, but I'm choosing to stay."

"Why?! Is this because of your father? Is this because you want to spite him? Blake, take it from me, this is a life decision."

Dana looked up, "Blake, why?"

I looked to Sam and she gave me a reassuring smile.

"I love him."

My mom looked down to her plate and I saw a tear escape before she put her hands in her lap.

"Mom, I asked him before we had to be together what he thought a Luna should do. He told me everything that Grandpa said. Everything I believe a Luna should do."

"Blake, people change-"

"Then I asked if his opinion changed after I didn't have to be with him. You know what he said? He asked if that was still alright with me. He didn't want me to be too stressed but said he was hoping I would still take it all on."

"I know Blake but-"

"Then when he told me he was leaving he told me that he wasn't casting me aside for not telling me earlier. He apologized three times for not telling me sooner that night when he thought I was asleep."

"Your father said things like that too. I just want what is best for you."

"I looked into his eyes when he said that mom. He was telling me the truth. Even you said you had doubt. I had none. I still don't. "

"You've always been able to see when someone was lying."

"Then please support me."

"We do Blake," mom said and Dana nodded with a huge smile on her face agreeing, "We do."

"I really do love him mom."

"I know. I can see it in your eyes. And you talk about him like he's more important than the air you're breathing."

"That's because he is."

"What did he do after the meeting? Did he just ask you if you were going to leave?" Dana asked almost shocked.

I gave a short laugh, "His wolf took over and he ran until he couldn't. He came home so shaken up and hurt. He looked so hollow and empty, it killed me. Anyway, he walked up the stairs to our room so slow and didn't even come in. He just sat in the hall with his face in his hands."

"What?"

"He didn't even come in the room. I went and sat beside him and he just sat there frozen. Eventually I got him to talk and he just let it all out. He said I could leave, he said he would ask council how to get rid of my mark, he said he would take me back to your pack that night if the morning wasn't soon enough."

"He would just let you leave?"

"There was no just. He said he wouldn't hold me back if I tried because the thought of me blaming or hating him would kill him. He said he held me prisoner long enough and that if I wasn't happy then he never would be either."

"So you decided to stay?"

I nodded, "I asked if he would hold me forever, and if he would meet my family as my mate. My chosen mate. Mom his eyes sparkled and he didn't even know what to do. He was-" I tried to think of a word, "Overjoyed and happy. He was ecstatic."

"He sounds like he loves you too."

"He told me that he loved me that night. That he had for a while but didn't think I felt the same and didn't want to push me too far or away. He loves me mom."

They exchanged looks and I knew what they were thinking.

"I told him about you and him. He said he would never push me aside. He wants to run this pack as it should be ran."

"Are you sure he won't change Blake?"

"Yes. I have faith in him mom. I don't doubt his words."

"Actions?"

"I guess we will have to wait until we mate for that."

"You haven't yet?"

I shook my head, "He hasn't even brought it up. I know he wants to, but I know he also wants me to start that."

"Your father kind of rushed us into it. He just had to mate me and I agreed. I'm glad Caden doesn't."

"Me too."

Dana and mom glanced at each other before smiling, "So when do we get to meet the only man to ever get your attention?"

"Dana, don't be ridiculous. Some got my attention."

"You could've fooled me."

I rolled my eyes, "You can meet him whenever you can drop by."

"We're both happy you found someone that you love Blake. You deserve it." I nodded and it fell quiet.

"And how is he doing?" I said referring to my father.

"No different. Same stuff. I just want the pack back. I saw it reach it's potential with your grandpa but I've also watched it plummet with your father. I wish you could lead it. You'll be a great alpha."

"Luna. Caden is the alpha."

"But if you don't ally packs there is no way-"

"If we mate, the alliance still forms."

"I didn't think about that. So the packs are still allied and you can still be alpha!" Dana practically sang.

"Luna. Caden is alpha." I corrected again, it made me realize that I picked up that subtle correcting from Caden, "And no, because he would never hand the pack down to me. Ever. Ben is next in line."

"Would you accept it if given the choice?" Dana asked and I nodded.

"I couldn't refuse it, but don't start stirring something up. Nothing good will come of that." It got quiet as we finished eating.

After that they had packed up and left and I spent the third day with Sam. We just played tennis and talked. It was a nice distraction.

My wolf was getting restless though. She whimpered at the sound of a car drive in and I haven't slept since he left because his scent is all over the room.

If you had mated with him we could be communicating, she would say before I sighed.

He would also be dead because he would be too distracted.

That shut her up and she has whined but hasn't made any more comments.

Last night I still didn't sleep and I was exhausted. I would close my eyes because my eyelids were heavy, but I just couldn't fall asleep.

I climbed out of bed and stood in the shower for ten minutes before I rinsed off and climbed out. Caden could be back at any time, unless the fight lasted longer than two days. I just hope he made it back before I laid in bed again.

I don't know if I could survive another night in our cold empty bed. Alone.