The Alpha's Slave Mate
Chapter 41

Chapter Forty-One

Daphne's Point of View

I cannot believe that my sister is coming here today. I am excited, nervous, and truthfully a littlescared. I have not seen Scarlet in so long. I wonder how much she has changed. Scarlet is almostthirty years old; does she have kids?

The thought of kids stops me dead in my tracks. Crap me and Caleb have not been using anyprotection. My hand floats down to my stomach, what ifl get pregnant? Would Caleb be happy orupset? I look over at Caleb as he is putting on his shirt.

“Caleb, we have not been using protection.” I feel dumb even uttering those words.

"Yeah, so?” Caleb just shrugs at my statement as he sits down to put on his socks, and shoes. Howcan he be so casual about this?

“Ok, um what if I get pregnant?” I can not believe that he is continuing to get dressed. Having ababy is a big deal. Caleb finally looks at me and realizes that lam shook up at the thought ofchildren. This is not a subject we have ever spoken about before.

“Daphne, you are my mate. I assumed that eventually we would have children. Is this not somethingthat you want?” Caleb finally stops moving, he is focused on me waiting for me to answer him. *

“I um I have never really thought about i t before. I mean I think I want to have one someday, butwhat if we already

made one?” Caleb and I have been having sex regularly and not once have we used protection.Caleb is very still considering my words. “Sweetheart, I think I would be the happiest person in theuniverse if you already are with child.” Caleb gets up, and I have to laugh because he only has oneshoe on. Regardless he walks over and gives me a hug. “Daphne, you would make a wonderfulmother, and I look forward to when that day comes. I am not in arushat all, but if that time hasalready come than great. If it has not then also great, it will come someday. Stop worrying aboutevery little step love, some things are better left in fate’s hands.” Caleb’s words do calm my fears. Iam a little less anxious because at least now! know that he is open to children if it does happen. *“Now hurry up and finish getting ready your sister will be here soon, and I know that we have a verybusy day before us.” Caleb's words snap me back into reality, and I finish getting ready. By nowScarlet should be getting closer to where we live, and I am very excited to see her.

Caleb attempts to feed me breakfast when we get downstairs, but my stomach is so unsettled I beghim for just some toast and honey instead. I hate that I know so little about my own sister, and Ihate our parents more for helping to cause this distance between us. As we are eating, I keep seeingCaleb pause, as if he is in deep thought.

"What are you doing?” I finally had to ask him because he paused with food halfway to his mouth.Caleb glances at me completely clueless as to what I just asked him. “Caleb you keep pausing in themiddle of eating, and you look like you are a million miles away.” I clarify my question for him

"Oh, I was using the mind link to talk to the patrolling guards to see if Theo's car has been spottedyet.” I am confused at his words.

“What do you mean you mind linked?"

“Daphne a mind link is formed with members of the pack you are in. It is like a telepathy. The closertwo members are the stronger the link. I have even heard that there are links so strong that aperson can feel when another person is hurting. You should try it sometime with me. You simplyconcentrate very hard and try to senda message to me using your mind.” I am blown away byCaleb's explanation. I did not know that werewolves even had the ability to use telepathy. I do notthink that mine and Caleb's connection is strong enough yet, but I try anyways.

"Did you get anything?” I eventually asked him when I did not feel or hear anything in my head.“No, but you are still relatively new here. Do not stress it will come with time love.” Caleb isreassuring and I love that about him. “I have had a room set up for your sister and her mate. I havealso ensured that housing is available if any of their pack members come with them.” Caleb informsme, and I smile at his thoughtfulness. :

“Thank you for thinking ahead. I have been preoccupied with wondering over how my sister is doingthat I did not even think about the fact that she is spending a few days here.” It is still hard toprocess that I will finally be seeing her. Caleb stands up abruptly from the table and wipes hismouth. -

“Theo's car was just spotted; they will arrive in about five minutes. We should meet them out front,lam sure you are anxious to see Scarlet.” Now I am super happy about this mind link business. Ijump up and grab our plates, dumping them unceremoniously into the sink.

Normally, I would wash them and put them in the dishwasher but right now I am too excited to seeScarlet.

I feel like Hannah bouncing around on the front steps. Caleb seems nervous, but I am too excitedstaring at the road waiting to see the car.

“Daphne, please do not forget what I said about having a picture in your mind. It has been a longtime since you two have seen each other.” Caleb's words stop my bouncing for a moment, but I cannot help being excited. Just then I see Theo's car coming up the road. I let out a small squeal,surprising even myself. It feels like it takes forever for Theo to finally pull in. ©

Caleb pulls me close in a sideways hug. I know he is worried, but this is my sister. Soon I figure outwhy he was worried. Dorian exits the car first, not bother to help Scarlet out. He has a scowl on hisface and is practically sneering at everything. My sister finally comes out of the car and! am in shockto say the least.

Scarlet was amazingly beautiful the last time I had seen her. She was athletic, but curvy in the rightspots.

She had gorgeous crimson hair that matched her name, and the most emerald eyes anyone couldever want.

She had been a bubbly but mature woman, that instantly put people at ease. The woman standingin front of me was a far cry from the girl I remembered.

This Scarlet was skinny, skinnier than I could imagine her being. Her cheeks were sunken in, she haddark circles under her eyes. Her once flaming hair was flecked with silver in spots, it was thinningand looked greasy. Her bubbly personality had vanished, and she seemed meek. Even her brightshiny emerald eyes were dull now. She smiled but it was not the thousand watt smile she used tohave, this was forced and barely turned up the corners of her mouth. Even Caleb let out a smallgasp at seeing her.

Caleb recovered first, much to my relief. “Dorian, Scarlet let me welcome you to our home here. Wehave made all the arrangements to make your stay here pleasant with us at the Blue Mountainpack.” Caleb shoots them a big smile, and I am eternally grateful to my mate for pulling me out ofmy state of shock.

Dorian grunts at Caleb's words, sneering up at our home. “It is Alpha Dorian if you did not know,and 1 am only here because my mate wanted to come.” Dorian practically snarls at the word mate. Icannot believe that this was the blonde tall gentleman that came so long ago to claim Scarlet. Backthen I thought that Dorian looked like a knight in a fairy tale, now he appears to be nothing morethan a villain.

“I will have Bradley show you up to your room Alpha Dorian, you must be very tired after your trip.”At Caleb's words Bradley, one of Caleb's elite soldiers comes around from the side of the houseready to help in anyway possible. Dorian does not say thank you, or even attempt to grab any of hisbags. He walks up the steps ready to follow Bradley into the house. Caleb gives Bradley a knowingnod, indicating that even though Dorian was acting like a jackass, it was ok. *

Once Dorian is inside, I can no longer hold my excitement back, I bound down the steps. “Scarlet Icannot believe you are here; I mean it has been so long.” I reach out to hug her, but I noticed sheflinched. “Um is everything ok?” I do not mean to pry into her life already, but after the display thatDorian just made, I am starting to get a clearer picture of the kind of life my sister is living

"Oh, um yes everything is fine. I am sorry about Dorian; he is just tired from the traveling. We do notleave the house much, so this is new for him.” Scarlet is talking and using her hands. I cannotbelieve that she is making excuses for him, but I just got her back after being separated for so long Ido not want to cause waves.

“Here let me help you get these bags into the house, and then I will make some tea and we cancatch up.” I try to put on a cheery demeanor. Scarlet nods in agreement. I scoop up some of herbags, and Caleb gathers the rest, leading her into the house. Bradley is just coming down the stairsas we enter. He lets Caleb know that he will take the bags upstairs. lam grateful as! lead Scarlet intothe kitchen. Caleb excuses himself using work as a reason to give me and Scarlet some time to talk.“Thank you for coming here for my mating ceremony. I know that it is sudden timing.” I start talkingas I am filling the tea kettle. “I appreciate you being here since you are the only family that has everacknowledged my existence.” I try to laugh a little at the end, hoping this will break the ice.

“It is really great to be here. I am sorry Daphne; I should have done more when we were younger. Ishould have never of left you in that place.” Scarlet's voice breaks a little at the end.

“You were just a child Scarlet. I do not blame you for anything. I have come to realize that mom anddad are just broken people.” I want to reassure her. *

That is one of the reasons why I wanted to see you again. I wanted to thank you for being there forme when I was growing up. You were the only person that cared about me and I never got to thankyou.” I did not plan on getting into the heavy conversation so quickly, but I needed to get it off mychest. * Alright enough of that, now tell me all about you. Do you and Dorian have children? Howdo you like California?”

“No, I do not have any kids. California is alright, it is warmer than Oregon, but the trees do not growas big there. I miss home a little. What about you, how did you meet Caleb?” Scarlet changes thesubject quickly.

“Caleb purchased me from dad. I did not know that he was my mate at the time, but he did. I havebeen here about a month. He has been very patient with me as] had to learn everything I missedgrowing up.” Once again, we replace ourselves back into heavy conversation.

"Did it ever get better?” I am a little surprised by Scarlets question.

“Truthfully, no it did not get any better. It got worse actually. There were a couple times that Ithought he would kill me. Mother drinks constantly, and her hatred grew over the years. In the end Iam grateful for it all. If 1 would not have gone through everything back then, I would not be soappreciative of what I have now.”

"How does Caleb treat you, is he nice?” Scarlet is not leaving any opening for me to ask about herlife.

“Caleb is amazing. He is patient and pushes me to be better. He encourages me to make friends.Sometimes I feel like he treats me like I am a glass doll, but overall, I could not have asked for abetter mate. I think I am in love with him.” I have not said those words out loud to anyone, and I amsurprised that I told Scarlet so willingly. Scarlet reaches across the table and pats my hand.

“I am glad that he treats you well, you deserve it.” I can see that Scarlet is fighting back tears.“Scarlet I do not mean to be rude or intrusive but is everything ok between you and Dorian?” I hopethat my question does not upset my sister.

“Well when Dorian and I were mated he was the Beta of our pack, then our Alpha passed, andDorian became Alpha. After that he really changed.”

Scarlet lets a tear fall. "He is under a lot of stress and he does not handle it well

He has a quick fuse. I do not seem to please him anymore, and I know that he is sleeping with otherwomen.” I immediately get up and give my sister a hug. My heart breaks for her. How could hermate treat her so callously? Scarlet waves me Off. “It is fine really; I have come to terms with it. He ismy destined mate, so what can I do really. We are not like humans; we cannot just divorcesomeone.” She laughs a little at the end of her sentence. I am resolved to talk with Caleb about this.There must be something that can be done to help my sister. ©

“lam sorry Scarlet; I had hoped that Dorian would be a great mate for you.”

"Oh, he was at first. He used to take me for moon light walks on the beach. We used to run togetheras wolves and play in the forest. For a long time, I was happy, truly happy. Like I said he is under alot of stress, and that changed him.” I do not know what I would do if Caleb ever turned like this. Iwould not be able to handle it.

"Hey, I have to go pick up the cake tomorrow. How about you come with me, and we can stop andget you a new dress for the ceremony?” I am hoping that she says yes. I want to spend more timewith her.

“I will have to ask Dorian if it is ok, but I would like to go.” Scarlet seems nervous now.

“You do not have to ask him if you can go. Scarlet you are a grown woman. Your acting like I used towith mom and dad.”

The words are out before I can stop them, and it is like I dropped a bomb in the kitchen. The tensionis so thick it feels like it is choking me. I wish I could go back in time and just shut up. I feel like Ihave ruined everything.

“Look Daphne, every pack has different rules. Dorian is not only my Alpha, but he is my mate. I haveto play by his rules. I am sorry but I am very tired now. Can you show me to my room?” scarlet hasnot met my eyes yet. 1 want to cry. In less than ten minutes I screwed up my relationship with heralready. I let her know that I can show her upstairs. *

Once Scarlet is in her room, I retreat to my room as well. I am glad to replace Caleb is there. He takesone look at me and rushes over crushing me into his chest. I can not stop the tears, instead I letthem flow freely clinging to Caleb like a life raft.

"Caleb she is so different, and I think he is hurting her. She acts like I did around our parents. Sheeven said that he is sleeping with other women, but she cannot do anything about it. How can hetreat her like that?” I need him to have all the answers right now.

“I do not know love; I truly do not know." If Caleb does not know how this can happen, then howam I ever going to be able to make sense of it all. I want to help her, and there is a part of me thatwants to hurt him badly. Maybe this is my time to stand up for her finally?

“Caleb there has to be something that can be done. Someone that can punish him for the pain he iscausing or at least get him to understand that his behavior is not acceptable.” lam desperate to replacea way.

“I will see what I can do sweetheart.” Caleb is trying to comfort me, rubbing my back. What would Ido if he ever changed like Dorian?