Page 46 of Come for Me
In the infirmary, the royal doctor finishes stitching up Caleb’s final wound. He looks better already, with his wolf finally having a chance to heal him. Dax is allowing Caleb to go home once the doctor discharges him.
“What’s your father going to say about you returning to the pack without a mate?” I ask.
Caleb pauses, registering the reality. “I’m sure he’ll arrange something for me. Or if I’m lucky, he’ll make a few calls to get me into other pack borders to search.”
He’s never loved the idea of an arrangement. The only reason he’s considered me is that his parents had already regarded me to be their daughter.
Anyone else would be a hard sell for Luna Kathy. One time, his parents mentioned to me they’ve felt the aura of a leader in me. I snort at how wrong they are. The only thing I’ve led myself to is my own imprisonment and to getting their son almost killed three times in one day.
I offer Caleb an apologetic smile on behalf of my mate among everything else after he finishes inspecting his bandages.
He bumps his shoulder into mine as if to tell me not to worry about it. “As much as it sucked ass, I would’ve done the same thing King Dax did if someone tried to mark my mate before me.”
“You wouldneverdo what he did.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t have spared him. He didn’t do that for my benefit.”
Hope they checked to see if he had a concussion.
I roll my eyes and sigh.
Moments pass as I ponder his thoughts, staring in silence at my kicking feet.
Caleb’s lousy attempt to side with Dax does little to comfort me.
“Think about it. The king, whose ability to protect his pack and himself, relies on finding his fated mate, and after eight years of ruling alone and seven looking for her, he catches her trying to be marked by another.Twice.”
His logic hits me square in the face. Dax found me in the middle of being marked by Caleb. According to pack law, he was in the right to challenge Caleb’s choice. Dax is my Goddess-given mate. By design and nature, we’re two parts of a whole. For years, he’s been merely fighting to protect that part of him.
But I was also fighting to protect myself.
I clung to the need to be with my family and pack so desperately, in hopes of finding out more of who I am.Regardless of the consequences, I was willing to do anything, even hurt my mate and defy the Moon Goddess.
Crap. Is Dax the reasonable one here?
No. Dax is an ass about it.
“Give him a chance, babe.” Caleb bumps my shoulder with his once more before he gets off the padded table. He then puts on his shirt, careful to not reopen his wounds.
“Careful—if Dax catches you calling me babe . . .”
“It would’ve been worth it.” Caleb winks. Despite Caleb’s words, I know he won’t dare call me babe again. “Take care of yourself. Let me know if you need anything.”
Caleb leaves, and I get off the table and leave the infirmary. His words echo through my mind as I trail through the castle.
Long corridors pass by my feet, and I lead myself to unknown directions, making myself just as lost as I feel.
I consider how I’d react to finding my mate in such positions he continues to find me in.
When Dax took me against the boulder, leaving his scent on me and lay ownership to our bond, he waited and gave me time to adjust to his title and the future.
Dax has shown me his home, has cleared the air and among the Crescent and Bloodhound pack, when Alpha Jack thought I was unrightfully claimed. Dax made sure to claim me then, showing everyone I was his.
Then, when he abandoned me, pushing me aside for his duties to the throne, I saw his fiancée and became jealous. But how did I react? By running into Caleb’s arms to be marked.
How mature of me.
Moving through the castle, I take in my surroundings. My pack’s grounds don’t hold a candle to the grandiose nature of the castle I’ll now call home. My wanderings disorient me as I contemplate my life, my wolf’s incessant desire for our mate dulled by my need for understanding.
