Authors: J. A. Saare
"How soon can you go, Emma?” Sam posed the question without expectation, avoiding Caleb's eyes and meeting mine instead.
There was only one real reason I could find to delay. “I want to say goodbye to my Grandma, now that it's safe."
"Of course,” Sam agreed, nodding in understanding. “Is there anything else?"
"I'm taking her home to meet my family before she goes,” Caleb added quietly.
Sam slapped his hands down, rubbing them briskly across his slacks, nodding. “Tomorrow you can visit Chris and Beverly. We'll make the trip back together to gather your things while you visit your Grandmother. I'll tell Trent to prepare to see you Wednesday. You can decide what day to fly out then."
I took a steadying breath. It was happening so fast, just like everything the last few days.
"This will work out,” Sam promised. “If it makes you feel any better, the DeViard's won't risk sacrificing our working relationship over this. They'd sever all their connections if they did, and we're watching too many of their people for that."
Caleb didn't respond, eerily silent.
Sam noticed, addressing him quietly, “I'm sorry, Caleb. You know I'd never send anyone bonded away from his or her mate if I had the choice. This is something I've never seen or heard about before."
I frowned at that. Caleb's Mom was human, and Caleb said that was common. How could Sam not have seen it before?
How was this different?
"What do you mean something you've never seen? Werewolves bond with humans all the time."
Sam nodded to validate my statement. “Yes—we do bond with humans. But we don't bond, or we haven't to my knowledge, with anyone who is a descendant of a trueblood relative. Believe me, Emma. That is what we do; protect the living line. I've never come across it. Not in all my years."
"It has to have happened at some point,” I laughed nervously.
"I've been alpha of this pack for forty-two years. If it has happened, I've never witnessed it."
"Why didn't you tell me?” I whispered to Caleb, staring ahead at the coffee table.
"Does it matter, would it have changed anything?” he asked quietly.
No, it wouldn't have. Even if he had told me that first night, it wouldn't have changed anything. My feelings would have remained the same. I wasn't a vampire. I was still very much a regular person.
"The wolf in us chooses many things that shape our lives. Their intuition is often better than our own. If Caleb bonded with you, there is a reason behind it. If you're not aware of what that reason is now, one day you will be,” Sam tried to reassure me.
"You will tell them exactly what this means and why she has to return?” Caleb asked, desperation revealing itself for the first time.
Sam leveled with Caleb, staring him in the eye. “You have my word."
Caleb jerked his head in a quick nod.
"It's settled, then.” Sam sounded relieved. “I'll call Trent in the morning."
He braced his hands on his knees, bending at the waist and standing. He leaned his arms against his back, popping bones in his spine as he rotated his head from left to right.
"I'm going to head back out and give you time alone. I have to swing by Haven's as well.” He smiled at me. “It was nice to meet you, Emma. Welcome to the family."
"Thank you for everything,” I said, my weak smile vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
He reached over my head, shaking Caleb's hand. “I'm going to say goodbye to Derek and Sarah. It's nice to see them together again."
He made his way out of the living room and up the stairs, knocking on the door. Hushed voices filtered through the ceiling. Caleb was sitting exactly as Sam had left him, his hair hanging across his face, totally devastated.
"Caleb.” I crawled over, into his lap. I brushed the hair back, tucking it behind his ears so I could see his eyes.
"I knew from the moment I wrapped my arms around you in that alley that this moment would come. I've braced myself for it, prepared for the inevitable. I thought when it finally happened, I would be ready.” His eyes seemed to float, an ocean of blue lined by a ring of near white, his irises faltering and expanding as the colors changed into a swirling kaleidoscope. “But I'm not."
I hugged him tightly, wishing I could blink quickly and have made the trip, our embrace being shared after my absence.
"I will come back. Staying away isn't an option."
"I know.” He squeezed me back.
I already knew the answer but I asked anyway, “You'll go back home with me to get my things?"
"I wouldn't let you go without me."
The voices upstairs grew quiet—Sam saying his goodbyes. Footsteps came down, shoes heavy against the wood. I didn't know if he paused to watch us. I kept my arms around Caleb, holding him close. The front door opened and shut, followed by a car door slamming. The loud engine started, tires spinning under gravel as he drove away.
So many words hung unspoken in the air. I had envisioned this moment before, imagining how it would be to finally meet my Father—be it blowing him off dramatically, or yelling and raging at him. I figured one day I'd get a knock on the door and he'd be standing on the porch, full of apologies and regrets. Or maybe he'd be watching from afar, building up the courage to approach me after all these long years and beg forgiveness for his inexcusable choices.
But I never saw myself going to him in these daydreams, not even once.
Now, I was facing this truth alone. Just like everything else in my life. I was forced to be mature and to do the responsible thing. My adolescence had been taken before I could even comprehend it, starting with my Mom, followed by my Grandmother. Each time I stepped up to the plate, forced to do the right thing, and this would be no different.
Sometimes you have to do things—not necessarily because you want to—because you have to.
I was going to meet Caleb's family, and then he would come home with me so I could introduce him to mine. I would make the trip to hear my Father out. I would ask my questions and receive the long awaited answers. And when I finished, I would close the book on that chapter in my life.
And I would be free.
"What are you thinking about?” Caleb's voiced was muffled against my chest, the words gruff.
I sighed, “That it sucks doing the right thing."
He hugged me tighter. “Tell me again why we have to do the right thing."
"Because if I don't go, we'll stress and worry about when it's going to happen, because we both know it has to eventually,” I answered.
Family secrets, especially ones like my own, didn't just go away. You always had to pay your due, holding out was just that—holding out. The free ride wouldn't last forever.
"I know you're right.” He lifted his face to mine. “And I trust Sam. He won't let you go if he doesn't believe you won't be allowed to return."
"If Sam can't take care of it, I'm sure I can. I've been living on my own for too long. I don't like to be bossed around."
I cupped his face between my hands, fingers pushing his hair back and away from his eyes. I leaned in and pressed my lips to his, breathing him in.
The next morning wasn't easy. Caleb may have woken early, but he stayed put, greeting the day with me nestled securely in his arms. He stayed as near as possible, only allowing me out of his sight when I went into the bathroom.
We'd gotten out of bed early, beating Derek and Sarah. They stayed in the bedroom the rest of the night and I hoped that signified some headway as far as their future together. Maybe seeing what Caleb and I were faced with gave them a new appreciation of what they had. Or perhaps I was completely wrong and being around one another was trigger enough.
I took my time deciding what to wear, choosing a pretty white camisole and a pair of jeans. I made sure to dry my hair carefully, removing any waves, leaving it long and flowing down my back. I applied a tiny bit of make-up, wanting to make a good impression.
Derek and Sarah declined the offer to join us, adamant we needed to visit Caleb's family alone. They wanted time alone as well. They didn't have to say it. I could see it written all over their faces. Derek was glued to Sarah's side, brown eyes tracking her movements. They
had
made progress last night.
Sarah pulled me upstairs to the bathroom, retrieving a bottle of perfume and attempting to soothe my rattled nerves.
"I thought you might like this.” Her friendly smile was vibrantly happy. It was a bottle of her favorite, Chanel No. 5. She pulled the tiny cap off and touched it to my neck and wrists, instructing me to rub them together.
"What will they expect, Sarah?” I was worried and unsure of myself. “This isn't like going to meet a regular boyfriend's parents."
"It's exactly like that,” Sarah corrected, brushing my hair behind my shoulder. “If anything, they'll be more relaxed because they trust their son and his intuition. Bonding is something cherished among us. You'll love them, I promise. Have a good time."
"I wish I were as confident as you,” I mumbled.
She smiled, grasping my arms and forcing me to face her.
"You are. You've been through so much in the last few days and you've handled it beautifully. Don't tell me meeting two harmless people has the power to intimidate you. You can do this."
We came downstairs and Caleb was waiting for me, standing in the living room talking to Derek. He smiled as I came down the stairs, holding out his arm. I placed my hand inside the crease of his elbow, wrapping my fingers around his sleeve.
"You're beautiful,” he said, lifting my hair back and off my shoulder.
"And you look amazing,” I countered, meaning every word.
He looked different, but more gorgeous than ever. His black slacks were neatly pressed; the blue button down dress shirt opened at the collar, revealing a tanned expanse of skin at his throat. His dark hair was pushed away from his face, the skin smooth from shaving. I ran my hand along the shirt, the soft folds giving way under my fingers.
"I called and told them
all
about you this morning.” Derek winked at me, an evil grin emerging.
"Ignore him, Emma.” Sarah punched him in the arm.
"Hey!” Derek grabbed her by the waist, tugging her over the couch and into his arms. Their combined laughter made me smile. The break was undeniably over.
"Are you ready?” Caleb asked.
I nodded, following as he led us out the door and down the stairs. He walked to my side of the Chevy and pressed me against the door, bringing our bodies together. I brought my nose up to the collar of his shirt, inhaling deeply. He smelled heavenly. My arms wound around, gripping under his arms, hands nestling in his back.
"Are you nervous?"
"A little,” I confessed.
"Don't be. I talked to Dad this morning while you were in the shower. They're very excited they get to meet you before the trip."
"I hope they're not disappointed.” I worried about that more than anything else. I didn't know what their expectations would be.
"Emma.” Caleb squeezed me tenderly. “If only you could see yourself the way I see you."
"It's all in the pheromones, huh?” I smiled and my mood lifted. Who could be worried when someone talked about them like that?
"Maybe for you,” he chided, chuckling.
He leaned down to kiss me before opening the door. I pulled the seat belt across my lap and buckled in. Caleb walked around, the shirt brighter in the sun, the blue more vivid. He opened his door and stepped up, settling in and sliding the keys into the ignition.
"Last chance.” He kept a straight face until he saw mine and he grinned.
"Last chance,” I mocked.
"You're not getting out of this that easy. Not a chance.” He cranked the engine and threw the suburban in reverse.
He warned me the drive was long, a good hour or more away. His family owned a ranch in Rhea County, nested in a valley between the mountains. It was the place he grew up, the place he still considered home.
His parents owned livestock and he'd helped them work the farm until his change. His sister graduated the year before; her college plans temporarily on hold while she transitioned. Samantha changed at the beginning of her senior year and was still deciding exactly what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go.
Driving along the scenic back roads was amazing. Trees hung up and over, forming a perfect arch on each side. Everything grew in various shades of green, with flashes of brown thrown in from tree trunks and branches. When the trees cleared a glimpse of the mountains in the distance would appear. The sky was a perfect blue backdrop, cotton ball clouds randomly spaced in between. We passed houses along the way but most of the time it was just fields of grass covered with the shapes of grazing cattle. The thin metal barbed wire moved along with us, the twists and turns seemingly racing until stopped by wooden fence posts.
"We're getting close.” Caleb turned the suburban onto a graveled road. It had been miles since we'd passed anything.
"You look green,” he chuckled, teasing me.
"I bet. I feel green, too."
I tried to settle the butterflies in my stomach. But no matter how many reassurances I received, I was nervous. I wasn't only meeting Caleb's parents but also his sister. I couldn't relate to any of it. I didn't know my own parents, and I didn't have a sibling.
We drove to a large metal gate. Large wooden pegs with wire fencing ran for miles in either direction. Caleb threw the SUV in park.
"Be right back,” he said, climbing out.
He walked to the gate and opened it, swinging it wide. Then he returned to the suburban and climbed inside. He pulled the vehicle through and hit the brake, shifting the gear into park.
"One more time,” he laughed, climbing out to close the gate and then returned to the suburban.
The gravel thickened and fences appeared on either side. Metal posts sprouted from the ground and thin wire ran along the rows in between. Cows in a vast assortment of colors lounged in the fields. Some looked from the grass as we passed, but most didn't pay attention.