The Alpha's Slave Mate
Chapter 33

Chapter Thirty-Three

Caleb's Point of View

Waking up and realizing that Daphne Was not by my side was one of the scariest moments of my life. After last night I was sure that she had left me. I have gotten used to waking up with her in my arms, not having her there was alien feeling and I hated it. I jumped out of bed mind linking Theo, demanding him and the elite squad of warriors out front now. Theo kept asking what was wrong, but I was too frazzled to answer him.

Rushing out of my room Theo met me before I hit the front door. “Caleb is there a security breach?” Theo is ready for an all-out war. *

“She is gone.” It is all I can get out reaching for the door handle. Theo stops me, and physically steps in front of me blocking me from leaving the house.

"Stop and explain to me the situation. You look half crazy, and you cannot address our people like this.” Rationally I know that Theo is telling the truth, but in my head at this moment the truth does not matter. The only thing that matters is finding her, making sure she is ok, beginner her to come home. 7 Taking a deep breath, I try to reign in my emotions. “Daphne is gone, I woke up and she was just gone. I need to find her and make sure that she is ok.”

“It is possible that she is already in the training grounds, or simply grabbing coffee in the café. You need to calm down, control your emotions, and we will find her.” Theo's words give me a glimmer of hope. I do feel a little calmer and I feel like lam more in control of myself.

"You are right, but I will not be happy until I know for sure that she is safe.”l do not want to tell Theo about last night. I do not want to tell my best friend, the person that has been with me through every success and tragedy that I am failing my mate. I do not want to reveal to him that I am pretty sure that lam the reason she is gone. lam ashamed with myself. I

With Theo by my side we exit the house. I can not stop pacing on the front steps as Theo speaks to my most experienced warriors. He is telling them that Daphne is missing and that we need to find her. He is covering my ass and telling them that she could be lost since she is new here. Finally, I address them, explaining that she must be found, but I do not want to scare her.

Aslam explaining that I want them to mind link me immediately with the coordinates once she is found, I feel

Theo tapping on me. I ignore him wrapped up in talking with the walriors, so he grabs me and physically turns me so that I am looking towards the training grounds.

My eyes hone in on her, walking up to the house a questioning look in her eyes. She is here, in one- piece, unharmed walking with a bounce in her step. She takes my breath away and an ocean of emotions is rolling through me faster than I can process them. I am happy, excited and astounded that she is still here. lam also mad that she is walking like nothing is wrong while I am here pacing feeling like my world is collapsing and nothing will ever be the same again. In the end I just need to feel her next to me, I jump down off the steps running to her crushing her in my arms. I am still in disbelief that she is here, she did not leave me.

I am apologizing to her as fast as I can.

She must tap me for me to realize that I am hugging her too tight. I am just elated that she has stayed. I still have time to prove to her that I can be better.

As she explains that she went for a run, I am embarrassed over how much I overreacted. It also astounds me that I know her so little. I dismiss the Walrlors, again embarrassed at how worried I was. I cannot stop touching Daphne and hold her hand as we walk in the house.

Daphne lets me know that she is going to go shower, and I have to fight the urge to follow her just so I can be in her presence. Knowing that Daphne expelled a lot of calories while running, I assume that she is going to be hungry soon, so I head to the kitchen. Asl pull the egg carton out of the fridge it dawns on me once more how little I know my mate. I do not know if she likes scrambled eggs, poached eggs, fried eggs, or even if she really likes eggs at all. I feel like I should know this kind of thing. As I whisk the eggs, I am hoping that she likes them scrambled with cheese. I throw on some bacon, because who does not like bacon, and make some toast too. I know it is not much but hopefully she will like it. »

Daphne is surprised to see that I made her breakfast, but happy at the same time. It really drives home the fact that I have not been spending time with her. I want to make her happy, so today she gets to choose whatever she wants to do together. I watch her as we eat, pleased that she seems to like breakfast. I enjoy that she has filled out some since coming home and has put on some muscle. It reminds me of how much she is changing

She is simply stunning in jeans, a short top that keeps playing peek a boo with her stomach, and a flannel over top.

She simply looks like a fall angel, and I can not stop looking at her. Would she believe me if I told her that I still get butterflies every time 1 look at her? My staring has made her nervous and she wipes at her face as if she had something on it. ©

I finally ask her what she wants to do today, and she says that she wants to play a game. I had not heard of twenty questions before but as she explains the game, I am only too happy with her choice. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about her, and to bring up our mating ceremony. I love seeing this playful side of Daphne. Her smile is more beautiful than a full moon in spring. I have to fight my desire to pull her upstairs and do wicked things with her body.

I am excited as 1 am changing to go out with Daphne about the game. I want to know everything about her, the good and the bad. I am a little apprehensive about the questions she may ask but I know that I will answer them truthfully.

Getting downstairs we play a game of rock, paper, scissors to see who will go first. 1 win, and 1am so happy that I get to begin with asking the questions. I grab her hand and we start walking through the town at a lazy pace. :

"Ok so first question, I will go easy on you, I guess. What is your favorite color?” I figure if I start off light, we can get to the heavier stuff soon. We have been in a playful mood so far, and I am

loving the fact that she is smiling.

“I love green; it is absolutely my favorite color. I also like blue, and silver, and sometimes gold.” I love those colors too, so I am pleased with her answer.

“My turn, what is your favorite hobby?” I am a little surprised by Daphne's question. I have never really had to think of what my hobbies are.

"Hmmm, well I like running, training, and sparring but I am not sure if those can be considered hobbies. I tried painting once and I like it, but I was not very good at it. I would have to say I like gardening. Something about growing plants from baby seeds is exciting to me.” Ireally do like gardening, but I am still not sure if it is a hobby. Ido not have much time to garden, and in the last few years have cut my collection of plants down to a few succulents.

“I am surprised by that a little, but I can see how with your caring nature that you would be good with plants.” I like that Daphne compliments me.

"Alright so what about you and your hobbies? I mean I know that you like to read because you were adamant about bringing your books, and I know that like me you enjoy running. Besides that, though what else do you like doing for fun?” I hoped that by showing her that I do pay attention to the small stuff that she will begin to realize that I do care, and that I am trying.

“In all truthfulness I don't really know what I like to do outside of that. I would like to dabble in art. I had a small paint set once, but it was taken from me. I have never had time to find things that I enjoy before now. By the way thank you for that, I do appreciate everything that you have done for me.” I should have thought about Daphne's past before asking her questions. *

"So, what is your favorite season?” Daphne jumps right into her next question.

"Oh, now that is a hard one because there are things that I like about all of the seasons. If I had to pick one though it would be spring. That is when the woods really start to come alive, the animals wake up from hibernation, and all the new baby sprouts are coming up. Although I think this next summer might by my most favorite time of the year ever.” I purposely left my response open; I want to tease her a little bit bring back her smile.

"Why would this next summer be your favorite?” Daphne looks over at me in confusion and I congratulate myself on getting her to ask.

I stop and wrap my arms around her in a loose hug. “Oh sweetheart, it means I get to see your beautiful body in a bikini. I can hardly wait.” Daphne flushed and smiled at my comment, and playfully slapped my arm. This was exactly the reaction I was hoping for, even though I spoke the truth. Just imagining Daphne in a cute bikini was enough to have my little soldier standing at full salute. I plant a quick kiss on her forehead before releasing her. I notice we are close to the café and Ihave a great idea.

“Do you want to see one of my favorite places? It is a little bit of a hike.” I am hoping she says yes, and I am pleased when she nods her head. I pull Daphne off the sidewalk, cutting through yards making our way towards the tree line. I lead her through the woods, and we start walking up the incline. The hike is a little tiresome, but I am hoping that she likes the outcome. Finally, we reach the top of the hill, and I lead her even deeper into the woods.

I see Daphne's interest peak as we get closer, lam sure she can hear the water now. Her anticipation is spiking my excitement. When we are close, I turn and stop and tell her to close her eyes. I want to see her reaction when I show her my favorite spot. I can see her apprehension, but she does what I ask and closes her eyes. I lead her carefully through the rest of the trees, into the small clearing. The water is loud now but I want to place Daphne in the best spot before she opens her eyes. *

Once I have everything in place, I finally tell her that she may open her eyes. I love watching her face light up in wonder as she takes in all the beauty. Her eyes flit first to the small waterfall, down the flowing river, to the small pool that it makes.

“I hope the hike was worth it.” I say to her laughing just as she is still taking it all in.

“Caleb this is gorgeous.” lam so pleased that she likes it here.

“This is where I come when the world is just too heavy. I found it when I was running once. Not many people know about this place, so usually it is just me and mother nature. I was hoping that you would like it. I remember when I first seen you in your wolf form, it looked like you really liked the river. I know that this isn't the same thing, and it is smaller than you are used to, but I was hoping that it could help ease your soul like it does mine.” I have always found peace here, either playing in the small wading pool that trickles down into a small creek and watching the small waterfall crash on the rocks below. Even in winter this spot is a beautiful sight.

Daphne and I take a seat close to water, in perfect view of the waterfall just staring at its beauty. It is comfortable having her here, and I am glad that I brought her. Looking at her peaceful face I am tempted not to say anything about the ceremony, but I know that it must be done. For just a few more moments I just hold her hand, knowing that I may be about to upset her. ©

“Daphne, we need to talk.”

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