Chapter 9

Caleb

Luka’s body was driving me wild after I finished treating and dressing her wounds. I was trapped between desires: to help her, to pounce on her, and to quell Logan, who wouldn’t shut up.

I pulled a thin, soft blanket from the linen closet and draped it over Luka, securing the edges to bundle her up. If I kept staring at her naked body, Logan would make me insane. He whined as I covered her.

Luka looked contented all wrapped up, for the first time since I’d met her. I wanted to stay longer by her side, but I had too much to do. Logan kept hounding me, not just about Luka, but about the revenge on Long Lake Pack.

When Luka drifted off to sleep, I left with a gentle close of the door. I stepped into the car waiting for me outside and headed home to my mansion on the Red Moon Pack estate.

“Welcome home, sir.” My household staff greeted me as I walked through the front doors.

“Thank you, Myrna,” I told my housekeeper. “It’s good to be back.”

I walked brusquely to my home office and closed the door, the sign that I wasn’t to be bothered. I dialed Mia, resident advisor for all things girl-related.

Mia’s chirpy voice picked up. “Hey big brother! How’s it going?”

“Oh, you know. Same old, same old. Busy.”

“Oh yeah? Something going on?” I could hear the smile in her voice.

“Funny. I need your help with Luka. You know, the girl from Long Lake…”

“She’s all that anyone’s talking about, Cay. I heard that…”

“Tell me later. I need you to get together some clothes and necessities for the hospital. You know what sorts of things a woman needs…”

“I’m not even gonna touch that.” Mia laughed.

“Thank you. Can you do it?”

“Well…I don’t know…”

“Mia…”

“I’m kidding. Of course I will.”

Mia asked basic questions about her size and condition, but I could tell she was holding something back.

“What’s on your mind, Mia?”

“So, this girl. Is she your mate?” No one else could get away with such impertinence.

“No.”

“Uh huh…”

“Uh huh. She’s a contract mate, Mia. There’s no mate bond there. That’s all.”

She laughed. “Okay. I’ll take your word for it.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“Can I ask a question?” Mia said slowly.

“Ask and I’ll let you know.”

“Clever. So, this girl. What’s so special about her?”

“I have a ton of pack work to get through. Thanks for doing this, Mia. It means a lot to me. Talk soon.”

I hung up before she could say more. I didn’t know what was so special about her myself, just that she was. I didn’t have time to think, much less discuss it.

James arrived with a few subordinates and came back to my private conference room, where he opened the meeting. “Now, to finalize the route and roles for the revenge plans on Long Lake Pack. The mission: to reclaim the artifacts they’d taken that weren’t theirs.”

Luka

The tall, blonde, stunningly blue-eyed woman entered the hospital room. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, too.” I had no idea who she was.

She laughed and drew closer. “Don’t worry, Luka, I don’t expect you to know who I am. I’m Mia.”

She paused, as if I should know the name. I didn’t.

“Caleb’s sister,” she clarified.

“Oh, hi! It’s so kind of you to come.” I stiffened my posture a little, bracing in fear out of habit. I didn’t know if I would ever stop feeling like my main purpose in life was as an outlet for others’ aggression.

“Nothing to do with kindness at all. I wanted to meet you. It’s kind of you to let me visit.” Mia smiled. “I brought some clothes and toiletries, plus a few surprises. To make you feel comfortable and welcome here.”

I put my hand over my heart. “Really? That’s just…I don’t know how to thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Really. You look like you’ve been through a lot. It’s the least I can do.”

I wasn’t used to this. It was easier to know how to respond to cruelty than to kindness. “It’s one of the kindest things anyone’s done for me. In Long Lake Pack…”

“How long were you in that pack? This must be a big change…”

“That’s a complicated question.” I sighed, shaking my head. “I was taken in as an orphan, but never part of the pack. No one gave me anything, ever. Except for abuse…” I gasped, realizing I probably said too much. As much as I hated Declan, it was better to be cautious.

Mia reached out and touched my hand. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. And more importantly, you’re safe here, with us.”

Her touch was soft and careful. Like her brother.

“You think?” I was self-conscious about letting my guard down.

“No, I don’t think you’re safe, Luka. I know you are. Things are about to get better. I promise.”

I wasn’t sure if I believed her, but I didn’t want to show disrespect by arguing. Things were better here, sure, but I’d witnessed things that made me nervous, like the nurse’s removal and Caleb demanding I strip naked.

“What do you think of my brother so far?”

I admired how direct she was, even though it made me nervous.

“He’s a good man, I think,” I said tentatively. “He saved me. For that I’m eternally grateful.”

Mia looked at me inquisitively. “Just gratitude, or anything else?”

“I don’t know how to answer that. I’m grateful. I don’t want to read anything into it that isn’t there. I know I’m just one of his contract mates. No expectations. I know I’m replaceable.”

Mia looked alarmed. “Luka, I don’t know what you think is typical, but Caleb has never brought anyone back to the pack before. I can’t speak for his feelings, but I can see he cares about you. Who do you think sent me here to look after you?”

She gestured with the basket in her hands, filled with various bundles and trinkets. I wasn’t about to start thinking that I was something special. I knew I could be gone on a whim.

“Well, Luka, no matter what, I’m glad you’re here. I’m here to look out for you.”

For the first time in my life, it felt like I had a friend. It was terrifying, because it also meant I could now lose a friend.

Over the course of the week, Mia visited every day for hours, bringing clothes, games, perfumes, soaps, photo books, drawing paper, and all sorts of things. If I liked something in particular, she’d bring more.

The days had passed quickly, thanks to Mia.

“Are you ready?” Mia asked as she entered the room.

“For your visit? Always.” It was the highlight of my day.

“No, silly. To leave. You’re going home.”

“Home?” I instinctively thought she meant to Long Lake Pack.

Mia grinned. “You’re getting discharged. Freed!”

I could tell Mia wanted to cheer me up, but I was too nervous. “Where am I going?”

Caleb entered the room. “With me.”

I was shocked. I hadn’t seen him since the day he cleaned my wounds and wrapped me in a blanket, so I didn’t expect to see him here again. But I was thrilled.

Caleb hugged his sister, then walked to my bed and kissed my hand gently. “Your hands, they’re looking better. Good.”

“Thank you. And thank you for arranging for my treatment. I’ve never gotten such good…”

“It’s what you needed, and it’s what you deserve,” Caleb finished.

I was used to hearing those words in reference to punishment. I had to remind myself he meant it positively, not as an insult.

“So, you’re ready to leave?” Caleb asked. “Or you’d like to stay longer on this janky hospital mattress?”

“I’m definitely ready to not be cooped up.” It was the most comfortable bed I had slept in, but only because it was the only bed I had slept in.

With a flourish, he led me and Mia out, while guards stayed behind to pack my things. As I left, my doctors and attendants hugged me tightly, and I hugged them back. When I first came in, I’d been too fragile for it.

“Good luck,” they told me. I might need it, I wanted to say.

Caleb and I slid into the backseat of the limousine, and I watched the hospital recede. I started feeling uneasy, not sure why. My chest tightened, and I found it harder to breathe, like strangulation. Maybe it was anxiety.

But the symptoms didn’t ease. I tried to tame them, but my body was in revolt. My heart was speeding up dangerously, like a tornado in my chest. I started convulsing violently, unable to stop. I was having a heart attack.

“Help me! Caleb, help me!” I gasped, writhing. “I’m scared. I don’t want to die. I haven’t even lived. I can’t die yet.”

The pain was so unbearable, I could barely speak. My breath grew ragged. I pleaded with my eyes for him to help me. I had never been so fearful or in so much pain.

Caleb wrapped his arms around me, and my vital functions were restored. My breath came back, and my heart returned to normal. His scent soothed me, and his arms stilled the chaos inside.

It was odd, the power he had to calm me down and soothe my pain. I had known him for just a little more than a week, but he was like medicine.

He held me in the embrace, bringing me back from the abyss. I felt normal again. Healthy, even.

With a tap on my back, he pulled away. I was no longer in physical distress, but without his embrace, there was a cold chill, like a wind cutting through me.

I felt lost, like I couldn’t find myself again — not until I had more of him.