Broken Mate

Chapter 7

Caleb's POV

One small crack does not mean you are broken, it means you were put to the test and you didn't fall apart. ~ Linda Poindexter

As my eyes drift open, the sun streams in through the gap in the curtains. Darn it, I wanted to wake up early to check on Lea and see how she is! I couldn't sleep in my room because I didn't want to scare her, but I wanted her to be comfortable in my space and also she would be wearing my scent warding off other males without me marking her. What!? It doesn’t matter if I am already possessive and protective over her.

I quickly run to my bedroom and open the door quietly in case she is still asleep. I can smell faint traces of her wolf, but still not strong enough for her to be able to detect the mate bond between us. I can't wait for when we can be a real couple and be comfortable and relaxed with each other.

I peek in and the room is still in darkness. My footsteps are barely audible as I check the bed and realise.... She's gone! Her drip and medical cords ripped out and laying on the floor. Oh no! Did someone kidnap her from Deathlynoon Pack to get revenge for the war? 

I quickly race downstairs to check the dining room, maybe she is hungry from how malnourished she is currently. I smell a divine breakfast and smile at the thought that the kitchen staff cooked a celebration breakfast for me bringing their Luna home.

I breeze into the dining room and search for Lea.  She doesn't seem to be here or eating however out the corner of my eye I catch a glimpse of someone wearing an apron. They walk back into the kitchen carrying an empty tray and some cups.

I quickly ask a pack member who cooked breakfast and he hurriedly replies with a nice lady. Hmmm everyone knows everyone in the pack for safety and friendly reasons so that must mean that Lea is the new "kitchen staff."

I hurriedly walk into the kitchen and hear Lea's heartbeat beating fast from inside the cupboard. Why is she hiding from me? I slowly coax her out and pull her gently back into the kitchen when she tries to run.

Convincing her to eat while silently fuming over her past eating habits, I watch as she places one piece of bacon and a single egg on her plate. She looks guilty for taking that much food however that is nothing compared to how much we all eat.

We head back into the dining room and I swiftly introduce her to the pack and send them an added mindlink. 'She is your new Luna, but she needs time before the induction ceremony due to health and mental issues.'

There was a chorus of ‘yes Alpha’ and ‘of course Alpha’ that went through the mindlink as I brought Lea up to the Luna's seat. I am pretty sure she hasn't been allowed near any pack dining room for a while other than to serve because she doesn't even seem to be aware that the seat she is sitting in is very meaningful for a pack and the structure. 

I watch as she tries to work out how to use the knife and fork and my heart drops further knowing that she hasn’t even had basic rights of any form of eating given to her at that terrible pack. She looks so fragile and like if someone looks at her the wrong way that she could shatter and never be able to be put back together again.

I just want to protect her and never let her come into harms way again. I take a bite and almost moan with how good the food tastes but suddenly I hear a noise and turn and see my precious Lea had dropped her cutlery and was looking like she wanted the earth to swallow her up.

 The pack all turns to stare at her and I quickly divert their attention away from her with a mindlink. They all listen except for the packs most evil girl who just snickers and whispers loudly “Wow and THAT is supposed to be our saving grace for the future. This pack is going to be destroyed with that weak little attention seeker.”

Lea just looks up with an unreadable expression on her face and leaves quickly racing for my room which she slept in last night. I glare at Larissa and swiftly follow after her. When I’m almost there I hear the door slam and the lock click. I gently walk closer and knock on the door.

I hear her hold her breath and rustle into the adjoining bathroom locking that as well. Why is she so scared of me that she has to lock both doors? “Lea, please its just me Caleb, please open the door for me?”

I stand back and wait for her to make a decision. My heartstrings tug painfully as I hear her strangled sobs from trying to be quiet.

After five minutes which felt like forever, she still hadn’t moved so I slid down the door and waited on the ground. If she wasn’t going to let me in, I am not going to leave and do something else. I want to help her so bad! I can’t wait until her wolf surfaces and she recognises me as her mate. She is my first priority now and I need her to let me into her heart at some point so that we can build our future together. I just hope that we can continue with the baby steps and not backtrack…

 

A.N - A huge thank you to @graciedurham64 for being supportive of my book. It was lovely to see that you have enjoyed my book so far 😊 Hope to update again within the next fortnight