The Alpha's Slave Mate
Chapter 21

21

Chapter Twenty-One

Caleb's Point of View

I can not let her see how angry I am right now. How much I want to tear her old pack apart. WhenDaphne stopped and could not take a step towards the front door, rage hot blinding rage explodedwithin me. The only thing stopping me from turning this ball into a massacre Is the fact that knowthat my mate needs to have faith, and trust in me. I do not know how Daphne will react if she seesthe monster I can truly become. Instead of pulling her, or trying to coax her towards the front door,I simply swoop her up in my arms. * Cradling her in my arms, I almost turn around and took her backupstairs. Simply touching her makes my pants fit tighter. She is light, too light as if she has not beenfed properly. My heartbeat is racing, it is taking all my restraint not to kiss her. I carry her rightthrough the front door. It is important to me that she knows that when times get hard, I will notabandon her. I will help her through everything in this life. <

I take her hand and lead her down the steps, walking towards the meeting hall. I know that my mateenjoys being outside as much asl do. The silence is comfortable between us, almost as if we havemade this walk many times before. Absently I noticed that I have been rubbing my thumb back andforth over her palm. Daphne is even more beautiful in the moon light. The soft moon glow cascadesdown her hair giving her an ethereal effect. I could simply stare at her for hours and never getbored.

Too soon the music gets louder and people can be seen. Daphne is worried about her dancing skills.lam not worried at all because I know how to dance, and I can teach her. I am happy about it; I willget to show my mate a lot of new things in this world. My heart is light knowing that she willexperience some first times solely with me.

As we get closer to the doors of the hall, I can feel her nervousness flowing from her. I try toremember if Hannah was this nervous when Theo and I brought her home. Hannah's situation wasdifferent, we brought her back to our pack house immediately. Daphne on the other hand is aboutto attend a ball with her old tormentors in attendance. Once again, I feel the rage building up and Imust stomp it back down. Nothing matters more to me than ensuring that my mate feels protected,and I need to be clear headed because I want her to have a great time.

"Are you ready to go in my dear?” Daphne tuns and nods her head at me. I can tell that she isunsure. Hoping to comfort her I move and put my arm at her waist and pull her snug against myside. Plus, I want everyone in that room to recognize that she is mine and mine alone. I know that Ihave not marked her yet, but Daphne is my mate.

We walk in and I turn to look at Daphne"s face. She has never been toa Mabon ball before and Iwant to experience it through her eyes. Even though she is nervous my mate can not stop lookingaround. Her eyes are darting all around the room. As her eyes land on the buffet I can hear herstomach growl. :

“Sweetheart would you like to eat before I show you how to dance?” I know that she is hungry, I canhear it. I am kicking myself for not getting her some food earlier. ©

"Yes, I think that would be nice.” Her voice is quiet as if she does not want anyone else to hear her. Ilead her over closer to the buffet line. As we are standing in line I can Marcus is head our way. I ampleased to see him, and I can not wait to introduce him to Daphne. Marcus and I have not seen eachother for some time, and I have heard that he has also found his mate. ' “Caleb it is so good to seeyou, and who is this stunning woman on your arm?” Marcus wastes no time asking about Daphne ashe comes and shakes my hand. Daphne shrinks in closer to my side, with her eyes averted towardsthe ground.

“Marcus it has been too long old friend. I would like to introduce you to my mate Daphne.”Daphne's eyes whip up to look at me as I introduce her. “Daphne this old dog is my good friendMarcus, he is the Alpha of the Crest Line pack. They are very close friends of our pack.”

“Daphne it is a pleasure to meet the woman that has made my friend smile. Welcome to the familydarling.” Marcus takes Daphne's hand and places a kiss on her knuckles. Without meaning to I grow!softly. Marcus lets out a little laugh but takes a step back. “Ahl can see that you two must havefound each other very recently, as my friend is very possessive.”

I apologize to Marcus and he assures me that it is ok. “I understand fully Caleb. I do not know if youhave heard or not, but I have also met my mate” Marcus explains.

“I had heard a rumor about it. Is she here tonight?” I am hoping that she is here, I would love tomeet her. lam also hoping that if there is another woman in the conversation that Daphne will relaxa little.

"Yes, she is currently in the powder room, how about you and your lovely mate get some food andmeet us at our table? We are right there” Marcus says pointing to a table towards the back. “Soundslike a plan, we will be along soon.” As Marcus walks away, I look down at Daphne. Her eyes are nolonger on the floor, but she is still very nervous. “See my love that was not so bad right?”

Daphne giggles a little over my words. “No, your friend seems very nice. Why did you grow! whenhe kissed my hand though?” I was hoping that she would not remember that part of theconversation, but it turns out my mate is very quick witted.

Grabbing some plates, I begin to explain to Daphne what I was feeling. *

Daphne usually when mates replace each other, they mark each other. The mark is a bite, closer to thecollar bone that releases some of your scent into your mate. This shows that the pair have acceptedthat they are mates. Even though I have accepted and am overjoyed that you are my mate, you havenot fully accepted me yet. So, I did not mark you earlier even though I wanted to. I want you to takeyour time, a lot of things changed today in your world, and I want you to feel comfortable. When wemark each other, I do not want there to be any doubt in your mind that you are mine and 1 amyours. Although I am a patient man, my wolf is a protective beast, so when another mans lipstouched your body, my wolf wanted to rip his throat out. I am sorry if I scared you.” ®

While I was explaining my actions to Daphne, we had been moving through the buffet line. I madesure to fill both plates with a little of everything. I do not know what my mate likes to eat yet, but Iknow that she is hungry and too shy to fill her own plate. So, I tried to ensure that she had plenty tochoose from. Holding both plates, we walk to Marcus's table. «

Asl set the plates down, a striking black -haired woman walks up behind Marcus and wraps her armsaround his shoulders. He hugs her briefly and then stand up to introduce us.

"Alpha Caleb and Daphne, may I have the pleasure of introducing you two to my mate Lola.” Marcusis clearly love struck and is gazing at his mate throughout the introduction.

“Lola it is a pleasure to meet you. This is my mate Daphne.” We all settle around the table, and I canstill feel that Daphne is nervous. “So please tell me Lola, where did you guys meet?” lam hoping thatDaphne will relax if the conversation is flowing.

"Well Marcus had been traveling through Eugene, and I owned a little café there. He and his menstopped in for lunch one day and when our eyes met over the counter, I simply knew that he wasmeant to be mine. Before I know it this feral creature had hopped over my counter, smashing someof my coffee cups and was trying to tote me out of my own café.” Lola is animated, and bubbly a lotlike Hannah. She uses her hands to add drama to the story. Lola's words are meant to be in humor,and I can see that Marcus's face has gone a little red from her retelling of the meeting. Even Daphneis giggling at my friend's antics.

“So finally, I convince this brute to set me down, and I gave him a piece of my mind right there onthe street.” Lola is now laughing, and I am trying to imagine my friend getting yelled at by his matein the street. “Then to shut me up he simply kissed me. From that moment on we have not beenapart. I thank the Moon Goddess everyday for allowing our paths to cross.” Now they are staring ateach other, and it is easy to see the love flowing freely between them. lam very happy for my friend.Marcus was like me, afraid of turning feral. We had many long conversations about it. So, to see thathe has found his mate brings peace to my heart. I like Lola, she seems strong and vibrant anexcellent match for Marcus who can be kind of caveman like. Absently I reach for Daphne's hand,and softly caress the back of her hand. I wonder if these two women realize that they are oursaviors?

"Ok, so that's our story. What about you two? How did you guys meet?” Lola directs the question atus.

"Surprisingly, we just met today’ I tell her. “Daphne was a member of the Silver Moon pack, and Iknew the moment that I seen her that she was my mate. You both will be invited to our matingceremony; everything has just happened so fast that we have not set a date yet.” I left out thatDaphne had been a slave. I was not ashamed of the fact; I just did not know if that would embarrassher."

“Daphne we must get together and have a girl's day when our men are out doing whatever it is mendo.” Lola reaches across the table and squeezes Daphne's hand. I am eternally grateful that Lolaseems genuine and caring. I would like Daphne to make some friends, and to feel comfortable inher new life. Daphne agrees, and we settle into gentle conversation about the ball, the decorations,and everyday life. I notice that Daphne has eaten a good portion of her plate, and I am pleased. I donot want her to want for anything. Lola pulls Marcus away to dance, and Daphne and I have amoment to ourselves.

"So, are you having a little bit of fun my love?”

"Yes, I like them both very much. Lola is so animated.” Daphne seems a little more relaxed.

“lam glad that you ate, lam sorry I did not get you food earlier.”

"Oh no that's ok, I am just happy that I did not have to eat the leftovers.”

Daphne says giggling a little. She does not realize that her words have sparked another bout of ragewithin me. I want to tear the heads off all her tormentors, particularly her fathers. To know that mymate survived from scraps from other people's plates is unfathomable to me. ©

"Daphne you will never have to eat other people's scraps again. I will always ensure that you have afull plate and that you are not hungry. Although my culinary skills are not great, I can make a fewmeals.” I am trying to lighten the mood, hoping that my rage stays in check. *

I notice that Daphne is watching the dance floor. “Would you care to dance my dear?”

She is biting her lower lip as she looks at me, nervous as usual. “I might step on your feet or fall.”“That is a risk I am willing to take, as long as I get to hold you in my arms.” Daphne blushes a little atmy words, but she nods letting me know that she would like to dance. Wrapping my arms aroundher waist I lead her out onto the dance floor.