Caitlin's POV
Raymond opened the envelope and handed me the invitation. "An invitation? You want to go?"
It was from the Fang Pack.
A "friendship banquet" hosted by Beth. It was clear they just wanted to humiliate me.
They were making fun of me for marrying a rogue—especially one with a disability.
I wasn't bothered by it anymore; I'd gotten used to their insults over the years. But that didn't mean I had to accept it. I'd just learned to ignore it.
Responding would only make things worse, and honestly, who cares about an Omega like me?
Even if Beth decided to bite my neck, no one would care.
Sometimes, staying quiet was the safest option.
But when I thought about Raymond, it hurt. They would mock him and humiliate him because he was a Rogue. No one would defend him.
I couldn't bear the thought of him going through that.
I put down the invitation. "I'm not going. I have nothing to do with that pack anymore."
Raymond looked at me quietly. "You haven't been expelled from the pack yet," he reminded me.
"Even so, I'm not going. It's not worth it." I shrugged.
"Well, it's your choice," he said, without pressing.
He changed the subject. "I have free time this Saturday. Want to go somewhere?"
I thought for a second. "To visit grandma? Or somewhere else?" I didn't know. I'd grown up in a small, quiet place, and I'd never been to the city. The most exciting thing for me was playing by the pond behind the house.
After my parents' death, I didn't have much time for fun—too much housework to do.
"How about we leave early, visit your grandmother, then head to the city? We can watch a movie and find a nice place for dinner." Raymond said.
I nodded excitedly. "Sure! I'd love to. I've only seen pictures of the city."
I felt a rush of excitement just thinking about it.
That night, I walked into the study but stopped. After a moment, I knocked on Raymond's door. "Raymond, are you busy now?"
"No, come in," he replied.
I looked inside and saw him sitting in his wheelchair with a book.
"Thank you," I gathered my courage and walked over to kiss him on the cheek. "Goodnight."
I walked out and back to my room. I lay down in bed but couldn't sleep. My heart was racing, and no matter how I tossed and turned, I couldn't fall asleep.
What replayed in my mind was our plan for Saturday. Was it a date?
The thought made my cheeks burn, and Lily screamed in my head.
I'd been on two "dates" with Jason before, but neither was worth remembering.
The first ended in disaster. Just as we were about to kiss, a golden retriever came out of nowhere and knocked me down. I ended up falling into a muddy river.
The second was worse. Jason didn't show up. I stood there in the pouring rain, soaking wet, while he ghosted me completely.
The last wasn't even a real date. Beth invited me to a bar, promising to set me up with Jason. That night ended with me drugged and waking up in bed with a stranger
So, I've never really been on a proper date.
The idea of going out with Raymond made my stomach flutter. Then it hit me—I had a problem.
I might have feelings for Raymond.
At first, it was just gratitude. He saved me when no one else would. But now…
I couldn't tell when it started, but my heart raced every time I thought of him. I kept looking for reasons to get close to him, drawn to the faint, mysterious scent he carried.
And then there was the physical longing.
The thought caught me off guard. I hesitated, then brushed my fingers against the fabric of my underwear.
It had been so long since I allowed myself this kind of pleasure.
I closed my eyes, my touch tentative, as my thoughts drifted into fantasy.
Raymond was the center of it. My husband.
In my mind, he was gentle, his voice soft as he asked if it hurt if I felt good. I imagined him careful, and attentive, making sure I felt safe.
My fingers moved deeper, and I surrendered to the fantasy.
He'd be patient, wouldn't he? Gentle, ensuring I was comfortable before taking me fully.
The thought sent a shiver through me. I bit my lip, my breath hitching as I pictured him close—his warmth, his touch, the sound of his voice.
Would he whisper my name? Would I hear him moan when he came inside me?
I shivered at the thought of his lips grazing my ear, his warm breath sending a jolt through me.
The release came suddenly, leaving me breathless, my body trembling in its wake. My fingers were damp, and I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my chest rising and falling in uneven breaths.
Then reality hit me.
He's in a wheelchair, Caitlyn.
A feeling of shame flooded me. I buried my face in my hands. "What is wrong with you?"
The next morning at school, I couldn't focus. My thoughts kept drifting to Raymond—his face, his voice, the way he looked at me.
I felt a growing urge to find out—to finally understand— what we meant to each other.
I couldn't stop wondering. Did he like me? Will he accept me?
The truth was the most intimate moment we'd shared since our wedding was the kiss at the ceremony—a simple, fleeting touch of our lips.
Not even a real kiss.
I sighed again.
Eileen covered her ears dramatically. "Oh my God, Caitlyn! You sound like some heartbroken wife whose husband ran off!"
Her dramatics made me smile a little, but I couldn't think straight anymore.
"We haven't… you know, done anything," my voice was barely a whisper.
Eileen' 's eyes went wide. "Wait, seriously? Not even once?"
"No," I said, shaking my head, feeling my cheeks burning.
She leaned back, arms crossed. "Makes sense. You didn't know each other before the wedding, right?"
"Yeah, we're basically strangers," I said, though it felt like a lame excuse.
Eileen raised an eyebrow. "But you like him now, don't you? And Lily does too. Maybe he's your second mate?"