Runaway Rogue

Chapter Fifteen: Caspian's POV

Caspian used to think that having his mate in his home would be a flurry of clothes being tossed on the ground and heated moans all night. In fairness, that's how Forest made it sound with Anabelle. When they first found each other, no one could enter their home for a couple of days and afterward, Forest would snarl at any man who looked at Anabelle for a beat too long. Wolves were wild things and when mates were involved, they could overpower the humans very easily.

Not that Caspian could talk. He knew that if he had met Indigo in any other circumstances, his wolf would be delighted to take center stage. At least, the beast could understand that this was a delicate time. One wrong move could send her fleeing, could have her shutting down.

So Caspian was content to lie in his own bed, knowing that she was curled up on his couch because she refused to allow him to sleep there instead. Indigo was here. And every minute they spent together had been progress.

She had smiled when he handed her a plate of unimpressive food and told him that they often survived on bar food or things fresh from a deep fryer. She acted as if the fried veggies and beef were a fine gourmet dish, not something he had found on the internet in five minutes and whipped up in fifteen.

She had no suggestions when he said they should watch a movie, but she still studied the film, one of his favorites intently until it was clear exhaustion was seeping in.

He wished he could have kissed her good night or that she would wrap her arms around him and give him such a tight hug that he would lose his breath, but he settled with knowing that she was there.

And he would go as slow as he needed to if it meant that he could walk out of his bedroom and see her stretching on his couch, her dark hair a wild mess, her normally cutting eyes soft with sleepiness.

She changed while he made pancakes -- from the box of course-- and whipped up some scrambled eggs and bacon. And when she returned, he grinned at the silly bun on the top of her hair until something struck him, hard. He could only describe it like the most pleasant punch to the chest, knocking the breath straight out of him.

It was her scent. It had to be. It was subtle, there was still the strange odor coming from her that he couldn't quite place, but this he knew. It reminded him of sipping a sweet drink on a beach holiday, all citrus and salt water.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, pressing her fingers to her face.

He gave out a strangled cough. "You're looking better. Not that you looked bad, but—"

"Healthier," she summarized.

It should have been a good thing. Isn't that what most people wished for? Health and wealth? She sawed her teeth over her lower lip, her eyes flashing away as if it was the worst thing he could have possibly said to her. Christ, it was harder to navigate this minefield than he thought.

"Let's have breakfast," he said, gesturing to his creation.

He had more than enough to do today. He had a full schedule everyday. Emails to answer, grants to hunt down to help rebuild the pack, disputes to settle, balance sheets to prepare. Being the beta wasn't all glamour and title, it was work. But he knew that Forest would take care of everything he could, giving them time to start their relationship. Feeding her turned out to be the easy part, a natural reason for them to be together. It was the other bits that got a little confusing.

"Would you like a tour?" he blurted.

"Of the pack?"

He nodded eagerly. Surely, that would buy him another hour with her, maybe even two if he could convince her to stop at the bakery.

"I don't know if you remember this, but I was attacked while I was outside because I was reading a book," she pointed out. "Your pack has a wicked vendetta against rogues, something I happen to be."

Caspian nodded, though in his head, he had already decided that she wouldn't be a rogue for much longer. Every time he glanced at the sexy slope of her neck or got a peek at a collarbone, he thought about how easy it would be to mark her.

"I will be with you the entire time, I promise. No one will do anything." It was an easy vow to make because he still wanted to kill Chase a little bit. Anyone who even thought of touching Indigo would have to answer to him.

She pondered this for a moment. "Yeah, maybe I could use some fresh air and stretch my legs for a bit."

The dishes would wait. He wasn't going to hesitate if it risked the opportunity to spend more time with her.

Fall was settling in nicely, meaning that the trees were changing every day, but the wind had a frigid bite to it. He felt like preening and prancing about outside when she agreed to take one of his jackets on top of the clothing he had purchased for her, then the two of them were off.

But there was little happiness to be had under the sun. His pack members took notice right away, their gaze latching onto her and refusing to leave. He didn't doubt that if he wasn't around, someone would have pounced on her already. Maybe the walk was more needed than he thought, a show of their relationship.

"They really hate me here, huh?" Indigo mused in that raspy voice of hers.

"It's not a you thing, it's a rogue thing," he clarified. Had he not been so afraid to jostle their fragile balance, he would have wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into his side. A claim to those around him and a comfort to her. Still, he feared for a hard elbow in his ribs or a cold glare.

"I know most wolves aren't fans of rogues, but this seems excessive," she said.

It wasn't exactly something he wanted to talk about, especially not here in the public eye, but if he wanted her to be honest and open with him, it was only fair. "Yeah, we kind of...Indigo?"

She had stopped walking, her hands having fallen to her knees. The cheeks that held more colour than they had before had gotten very pale again. She took three breaths, her body shaking with each one. "Fuck, please not now," she begged, like she was talking to herself or maybe a god above.

"Indie, are you alright?" he asked, stepping closer and laying a hand on her back.

"Yes, I'm fine, I just--" She dropped to her knees, hands clawing at the dirt beneath.

He was going to call her name, but before he had time, she was no longer human. The jacket he offered her was torn to shreds as her body transformed. Achingly slow. It was the kind of shift that made werewolves scream out, but she gritted her teeth hard through it until she was standing on four paws, panting hard.

"Oh, Indigo," Caspian sighed, taking her in form.

She was as striking in wolf form as she was in her human state. Her eyes were so cat like contrasting against her black fur, her form sleek and built for speed. He adored this version of her, he decided instantly. Speed that she intended to use, it seemed.

"Indigo," he warned when he saw her body adjust.

But she didn't listen. She took off running.

~~~Question of the Day~~~

If you were another person, would you be friends with yourself?