Ava
After Lily reassured me, she gave my arm a gentle squeeze before turning to leave.
"I'll be around if you need anything, Ava. Just call for me."
"Thank you, Lily," I said, feeling a bit more grounded.
As Lily disappeared into the manor, I resumed my exploration of the grounds. The gardens were vast, filled with a variety of plants and flowers, many of which I had never seen before. The grounds were meticulously maintained, with paths leading to various hidden corners and serene spots. As I walked, I took in the beauty of my surroundings, feeling a sense of peace despite the earlier confrontation.
As I ventured further, I heard voices coming from a shaded area near a large oak tree. Curiosity got the better of me, and I moved closer, staying out of sight behind a tall hedge. The voices grew clearer, and I recognized them as belonging to two people I had seen earlier.
"You really think it's true? That's why he hasn't chosen a mate?" one of them asked, a note of disbelief in his voice.
"I'm telling you, it's what I've heard," the other replied, his tone hushed but insistent. "They say Caleb is cursed. That's why he's so distant and why he took over as Alpha so young. He's trying to break the curse."
A shiver ran down my spine at their words. A curse? Caleb? The idea seemed ridiculous, but their serious tones suggested otherwise.
"How do you break a curse like that?" the first voice asked, clearly intrigued.
"No one knows for sure," the second voice replied. "Some say it involves finding his true mate, others say he has to perform some ancient ritual. All I know is, it's the reason he's so secretive and why he doesn't let anyone get too close. It's dangerous."
I felt my heart race as I processed their conversation. Could it be true? Could Caleb really be cursed? And if so, what did that mean for me?
Suddenly, one of the pack members straightened, looking around suspiciously. "We shouldn't be talking about this out here," he said, lowering his voice even further. "Let's go before someone hears us."
I pressed myself further into the hedge, holding my breath as they walked away. Once I was sure they were gone, I stepped out from my hiding spot, my mind racing with the implications of what I had just heard.
A curse? Caleb has been nothing but kind to me...he can't really be cursed..... right?
As I continued to walk, lost in thought, I couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and curiosity. There was so much I didn't know about Caleb, so much that was shrouded in mystery. I was going to have to be careful.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, signaling the approach of lunchtime, I felt a growing sense of unease. The whispers I had overheard and the distrustful looks from the pack members had stirred memories of my rejected mate, life in my old home, and the betrayal still felt raw. My heart pounded as I made my way back to the manor, desperate to find the sanctuary of the indoors.
I quickened my pace, my breath coming in shallow gasps as I neared the entrance. Just as I reached the steps, a tall, burly man stepped in front of me, blocking my way. His eyes narrowed with suspicion, and he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice rough and accusatory.
Panic surged within me. I couldn't handle another confrontation, not after everything I had already endured. "I... I'm allowed inside," I stammered, my voice trembling. "Please, I need to get in."
The pack member's expression hardened, and he took a step closer. "I don't think so. You look like an outsider. No one gets inside without the Alpha's permission."
My anxiety reached a breaking point, and without thinking, I clenched my fist at my side. I suddenly was filed with anger...no....rage that surged out of me like a crushing force, . His eyes widened in shock as he staggered back, gasping for breath, kneeling to the ground.
"Move aside," I commanded, my voice low and fierce. The pack member, groaned and complied he was now bowing to the floor, out of my way. I blinked in shock, realizing that rage feeling melting away when he obeyed.
Just as I was about to step inside, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall. Caleb appeared, his expression a mix of concern and authority. "What's going on here?" he demanded, his eyes flicking between me and the pack member.
The pack member, still reeling from whatever happened and, struggled to find his voice. "She... she used some kind of power on me," he gasped, pointing a trembling finger at me.
Caleb's gaze softened as he looked at me, understanding dawning in his eyes. He stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Ava, it's alright," he said gently. "You're safe now."
I felt a rush of relief at his words, my fear and anger slowly dissipating. "I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
Caleb shook his head, his expression kind. "You have nothing to apologize for. You were protecting yourself." He turned to the pack member, his tone firm but fair. "Ava is my honored guest. Treat her with the same respect you would show me."
The man nodded, his face pale and shaken. "Yes, Alpha. I understand."
Caleb guided me inside, his presence a comforting balm to my frayed nerves. As we walked down the hall towards the dining room, he gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "We'll talk more about this later," he said softly. "For now, let's get you something to eat."
I nodded, grateful for his understanding. I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Caleb. Despite the mystery and secrets that surrounded him, he had shown me kindness and protection. And for that, I was thankful.
We headed inside quickly and Caleb whirled on me once we reached the dining room.
Caleb's eyes bore into me, his demeanor shifting from concerned to icy cold in an instant. I could feel his powerful aura pressing down on me, but for some reason, it didn't affect me but I shrunk down some anyways knowing he was upset. His suspicion and frustration were palpable as he leaned in closer, his voice low and tense.
"What happened out there, Ava?" he demanded, his gaze never leaving mine.
I hesitated, feeling the weight of his suspicion. "I... I was trying to get back inside for lunch, that guy blocked my way. He didn't know who I was, and I just... I felt cornered and panicked. I didn't know what else to do."
Caleb's eyes narrowed, his aura intensifying as he continued to scrutinize me. "How did you do it?" he pressed. "How did you suppress him like that? And you used some sort of power on him?"
I shook my head, confusion clouding my mind. "I don't know. I just... it just happened when I felt....overwhelmed."
Caleb's suspicion deepened, and he stepped even closer, his presence overwhelming. "Do you realize how rare it is for someone to have an aura and not be an Alpha? And you just happened to end up here, with me?"
I shook my head, confusion evident on my face. "No, I didn't. I had no idea.....I never had it before."
Caleb's suspicion deepened, his eyes searching mine for any sign of deception. "You expect me to believe that you just happen to have an aura, and you just so happened to end up here?"
The intensity of his gaze made me shiver. "I swear, Caleb, I didn't know. Yesterday was my birthday. I turned twenty-one. It was my last birthday to get my wolf and I....." I stopped talking, taking in his expression. His eyes widened in shock, and the icy demeanor faltered for a moment.
"Your birthday? Why didn't you tell me?"
"It was all so overwhelming," I admitted. "I didn't think it was important with everything else going on."
Caleb blinked, clearly trying to connect the dots. "Twenty-one... a late bloomer, maybe, but that's incredibly rare. Our..... anniversary will be on your birthday."
He sniffed at me curiously almost putting his face in the crook of my neck, his eyes narrowing as he assessed my scent. "You're clearly not wolf less..... " he murmured, more to himself than to me but heat crept up my face at how close he got. He straightened, his suspicion receding slightly. "Try not to do it again," he instructed, his tone firm. "And don't tell anyone. Strong females are highly prized and you're not marked.....yet."
I nodded, relief flooding through me as his icy demeanor melted away, replaced by his kind persona and apparently...flirting?
"How is your wolf doing?" he asked gently, his concern genuine.
"She's been quiet since the rejection," I admitted, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought.
Caleb nodded thoughtfully. "She'll need time to recover. It's understandable." He paused, his eyes softening. "I'll assign you guards tomorrow. I apologize for the oversight. You should have been better protected."
"Thank you, Caleb," I said, grateful for his understanding and support.
He offered a small smile. "I'll stay with you for the rest of the day. We'll figure this out together."
As we continued our lunch, the tension began to ease, replaced by a growing sense of trust between us. Despite the uncertainty and the challenges ahead, I felt a glimmer of hope.....for now