“You do it on purpose, don’t you?”
“Maybe. There’s nothing more beautiful than rosy red cheeks.”
They swam for an hour, talking and getting to know each other. Slowly, Lucy grew more and more comfortable with him, and he liked that she was more than happy to be with him.
When she showed signs of being tired, he allowed her to leave the pool, admiring her body as she pulled out her clothes. He couldn’t wait until she didn’t have to walk away from him.
Taking her home, Caleb waited until she was safely inside before he drove away.
Arriving back at his place, he saw that his parents were back. They were already inside as the lights were on. Caleb smiled. They were probably waiting for him to take Lucy back.
They were in the kitchen, and he made his way toward them. Emma, his mother, was making up a tray of sandwiches, and his father was eating whatever he could get his hands on.
“How was your date?” Matthew asked.
“It was good.” He leaned against the doorframe, rubbing at his temple. “Lucy’s my mate.”
His mother stopped making sandwiches to look up at him. “We know.”
“What? How do you know?”
“You were able to touch the book, Caleb.”
He frowned. “Wasn’t everyone?”
Matthew held up his hand, which showed to be covered in burns. “Not everyone. Only a mated wolf can touch a witch’s bound book. Why do you think they’re so powerful?”
“You’re not angry?” Caleb asked.
“Why would we be angry?” This came from his mother.
“I’m not going to have a wolf to mate to, or be able to take over the pack.”
His father started to laugh. “Caleb, being Alpha isn’t just about being mated to a wolf. You’re an Alpha descendant, which means you’ll naturally rule this pack, just like I have. I know of Alphas who are mated to humans, or ones who are mated to vampires. It doesn’t matter who your mate is—providing you stick by your woman, and you let the pack know who she belongs to, it won’t be a problem.”
“Newsflash, Dad, none of the pack like Lucy.”
“They don’t know her. You can’t keep your relationship a secret. Let the pack see that you mean to take her as your woman, show them she’s your mate. The moment they scent her on you and you on her, they’ll have no choice but to accept it,” Matthew said.
“It will also help that Lucy can kick their asses,” his mother said. “It does help to make people see the error of their ways.”
“Only you do, darling,” Matthew said, moving around the island to kiss her neck.
Caleb had grown up with both of his parents being affectionate toward each other. They were a strong couple, and that was what helped a pack rule.
“She doesn’t want our dating to be known.”
“There’s more than one way to date. Make sure you’re seen with her. Make it your mission to talk to her, or do something so she has no choice but to acknowledge you and your budding friendship,” Emma said. “Trust me, son, she’ll have no choice but to give in.”
“Her powers are growing,” Caleb said.
He let them know what happened tonight with Lucy talking to him through their minds.
“That’s a warlock trait, and a mate trait.”
“I know. She looked freaked out by it. Her magic, it scares her, and it’s growing fast.”
Caleb watched as his mother and father shared a look.
“What? What is it? You can’t keep me in the dark about something like this. You have to share,” he said. He couldn’t protect Lucy without all knowledge of those private shared looks.
“It’s only what we speculate,” Matthew said.
“What is it?”
“Rumor is that a witch can come into her powers one of two ways. She will hit puberty, and her powers are activated. The second way her powers are activated is there is a threat coming.”
“Threat coming?”
“Witches are attuned to nature, so without them even knowing it, they get ready for a war.”
“People could be coming for Lucy?” Caleb asked.
“They may feel her power and know she still lives,” Matthew said. “I’ll make some calls. I’ve got people in place in case there’s ever an emergency.”
“I can’t let anything happen to her.”
“We won’t, son. We’ll protect her.”
Caleb nodded.
He couldn’t let this happen, not to his woman. He would fight for her, protect her, love her, and do everything in his power to keep her safe.
Chapter Six
“You don’t have to watch me,” Lucy said.
Three days had passed since their date, and even though Guy and Bianca were dating regularly, Caleb had yet to try anything else with her. They spent a great deal of time together, but he’d not done anything other than light touches.
“I’m here.”
He was there, but he was always observing, checking everything out as if he expected a threat at any moment. She was making small breakthroughs with her magic. Little sparks coming out of her palm, or her being able to move things without needing to be angry. It was tiny little steps, but she was more than happy with that.
“You’re not really here, and I told you, you don’t have to watch me.” She didn’t want him to stay if he was bored.
Or if he lost interest.
“I haven’t lost interest,” he said, moving opposite her. “I’m not going to miss the chance of seeing the best bits.”
She watched as she lowered himself to the ground, fluidly. “You look bored.”
“I’m not bored. I’m trying not to distract you.”
“How would you be distracting me?” she asked.
He took the book away, and placed his hands on her thighs as he leaned in close. “I’m distracted as I can’t stop thinking about our date, and how good you were in my arms.”
The moment he mentioned their date, she was transported back to that night, and what he did to her.
“I love it when you blush.” Caleb kissed her and rubbed his nose against hers. “Why don’t you tell me what is really bothering you?”
“No.”
She went to grab her book, but he stopped her.
“Don’t lie to me.”
“Fine. We went on one date, and you’ve been pretty distant. Did I do something wrong? Did I read it wrong? I don’t know what is going on.” She didn’t want to sound needy. Lucy closed her eyes, counting to ten.
“Did you miss me?”
“No! I’ve seen you all day.”
He laughed. “Tell me, Lucy, would you like me to kiss you?”
“No.” Again, he laughed, and she grew annoyed. “Stop laughing.”
“You’re being a little liar.”
“And you’re getting on my nerves.”
“That’s not the only thing I’m getting on, baby. You want me to kiss you, and touch you.”
Staring into his eyes, heat filled her body as she recalled the feel of his hands on her. Unable to contain her need, she wrapped her arms around his neck, slamming her lips against his.
Caleb sank his fingers into her hair, ravishing her mouth. He took over the kiss showing her exactly who was in control. All of her doubts faded, becoming insignificant in his arms.
Tilting her head to the side, she plundered his mouth with her tongue, and he danced with her. Gripping his waist, she tugged on his shirt, and they broke away so that she could tear his shirt off his body.
He tugged the straps of her dress down exposing her tits. In the next second, he cupped them, running his thumbs across the peaks.
They both stood up, and she attacked the belt of his jeans. The fire danced in her blood, begging for them both to get naked. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about getting him naked. She wanted him, needed him, and that wasn’t going to die.
“Fuck, baby,” he said. “You’re so beautiful.”
The dress she wore pooled at her feet. She kicked it away as he removed his jeans. Within seconds they were completely naked, and he picked her up, lowering her to the ground. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she attacked his mouth, needing to be close to him.
“I need you, Caleb.”
He didn’t say anything, kissing down her neck, going to each of her breasts before moving down her body.
She was aware of her larger body, but Caleb didn’t seem affected by it. His cock was red, swollen, and pointing straight up. He didn’t have a problem with her body.
Caleb moved between her thighs, opening the lips of her sex, and she cried out as his tongue lapped at her pussy. As she closed her eyes, mini explosions went off inside her body, and she couldn’t fight it. He awakened her, setting her aflame.
Screaming his name, she sank her fingers into his hair, pushing her pussy against his face as he licked her.
He sucked, nibbled, and tongued her clit, driving the pleasure even higher. Staring up through the forest, Lucy came alive under his expert touch.
Mates.
She didn’t think it was possible, yet that was exactly what they were. They were mates, bound together by fate, destined to be together.
“Come for me, mate,” he said. “You know it’s true. You know you belong to me. We’re meant to be together.”
“Yes.”
What was the point in fighting the truth? She knew she belonged to him.