The Alpha's Slave Mate
Chapter Forty-Three

Daphne's Point of View

I am so excited; I get to spend today with my sister. I know that we had a little of a rocky startyesterday, but I attribute some of that to the fact that she was traveling all day. Caleb spoke with methis morning and he is going to have a guy's day with Dorian, and Theo. This gives Scarlet and I timeto go shopping, and Caleb even suggested taking her out for lunch. He is having one of his warriorsdrive us since I still have not learned to drive. I called Hannah and invited her to come with us, butshe said that she had other plans for today.

I throw on some black jeans, with a light blue tank top. I finish off my look with a black and whitecheckered long sleeve overshirt. I like the contrast of the flowy material and the tight jeans. I finish itall off with a cute pair of Vans that Hannah insisted that I buy. I throw on a little mascara and deemthat I am ready to go. I bound out of my room, ready to replace Scarlet and start our day.

I stop dead in my tracks as soon as I hit the hallway, I can hear yelling and it sounds like Dorian. Onone hand I do not want to eavesdrop, but on the other hand I am curious as to what is going on. Iinch closer walking carefully down the hall, making sure not to bump anything. It is clearer now thatthe person yelling is Dorian.

“I am not respected here. We should go to your parents’ home. This whole trip is bullshit, just themtrying to show off what they have. Like they are trying to rub our noses in it.” My heart breaks alittle, because 1 assume, he is yelling at my sister. I also get a little mad, Caleb and I would never tryto make them feel bad or show off. I was not sure if I should knock and ask Scarlet if she was readyor wait for her downstairs. I can hear that they are still talking but their voices are lowered now, andI can not make out what they are saying. After a few moments I decide that it is better to knock."Hey Scarlet, are you ready to go? Hi Dorian, how are you today?" I did not want him to feel like Iwas leaving him out. Dorian grunts in reply, then turns around and heads for the bathroom. Scarletlooks after him sadly, but then looks at me and nods her head that she is ready. We do not sayanything as we walk down the stairs and out the front door.

Caleb had the car ready for us, and his warrior was already behind the wheel. Scarlet and I climbedin the back seat. None of us spoke until we entered La Grande.

“Do you want to do some shopping, or grab something to eat first?” I was not sure where Scarletwould want to go first.

"How about we grab a drink?” Scarlet's reply took me by surprise.

"Um there is a little café up ahead we can go there.” Caleb's man drove up alongside a little café,that had the option for outside or inside seating. It did not look busy and Scarlet and I were seatedquickly. We both took a moment looking over the menu.

“Uh I was hoping for a drink that had a kick to it. Oh well I think I will get the chicken saladsandwich, and a sweet tea. How about you Daphne?”

“I am not that hungry so I think I will have a BLT and a water with lemon in it.” I was too nervous toeat a big lunch. The waiter came back over, and we gave him our order.

"So, tomorrow is the big day, are you nervous?” I thought about Scarlet's question, in a way I am butnot about it being with Caleb.

“I am not nervous about Caleb; I know that him and I are meant to be. I am nervous about messingup during the binding part of the ceremony. I do not want to embarrass Caleb.” Scarlet smiled atme, and the tension that had been between us seems to be lifting.

“I remember being nervous too, although I was more scared about leaving home. I wished I couldhave taken you with me. I am sorry Daphne.” Scarlet is looking down at her hands, so I reach overand place my hands on hers.

"Scarlet you know that they would have never agreed to that. The only reason why father agreed toselling me to Caleb was because he was paying a lot of money, and I am sure that he was hoping itwould lead to farther trading with the pack. I was never mad about you leaving with Dorian. I hadhoped that you were living a fairy tale love story.”

“It was pretty great at first. Dorian was attentive, and sweet. He always had a quick temper, but heused to work it out on the training field.” Scarlet pauses for a moment with a wistful look in her eye."He changed after he became Alpha. He spent money like there was an endless supply, he starteddrinking heavily, staying out longer. He quit telling me that he loved me. At first, I thought that oncehe got the hang of managing the pack that he would go back to being normal, but then rumorsstarted and most of our pack left. That pushed him to drink more, and then his behavior becamemore erratic.” My heart breaks for my sister as tears start to moisten her eyes.

“The day I walked into our bedroom and found him rutting with a slave was the day that I knewnothing would ever be normal again. I swear I felt my heart break that day. You know he lookedover and knew that I was in that room and he still did not stop. Sometimes I wish it was as easy ashumans, and we could divorce.” I wish there was something that I could tell her, but when I hadtalked with Caleb he did not know if anything could be done.

“I am so sorry Scarlet; I wish there was something I could do to help.”

“No, it is ok, honestly in a lot of ways I kind of feel like it is karma. For my entire childhood I wasdoted on, spoiled, and popular. I did not have any real problems, and I excelled at almost anything Itried. I went with the flow of everything. Even the beginning of my mating to Dorian was easy. Wedid not fight. I was overdue for some kind of strife. I never truly stood up for you. There were manytimes that I should have tried to stop them, or at least dealt with Heather but I did not stop them.”Although I know most of what Scarlet was speaking was true, I still did not want her to feel bad fornot sticking up for me. She was still the only person that had shown me kindness. The waiterbrought out our plates, and we started eating slowly, both lost in thought.

"Scarlet you were the only person that hugged me. I know that you think that you could have donemore, and maybe you could have but at least you had shown me kindness. I clung to thosememories, they made it easier to deal with the beatings. The fact is that we have messed up parents,but that is the past and we have each other now. I know that you live in California, but I hope thatthis is not our last time meeting up.”

“I do not want to lose you again either. I had wondered what had happened to you, but everyonerefused to talk about you. I wanted to come back and visit but I was embarrassed by Dorian’sbehavior.” I understand exactly what she means. Scarlet was a legend; I can only imagine how shewould be viewed if anyone in our old pack had overheard Dorian earlier like I had. Thinking about itmade me feel guilty that I had been listening.

Scarlet and I finish our food and make small talk. We talk about the differences between here, ourold home, and her home in California. She tells me stories of going to the ocean, some of themembers of her pack, and how she tried to learn knitting. Soon we were giggling and telling jokesback and forth. We decided to do some shopping and started walking around town. We picked up afew things from some local shops, and I found a great wallet for Caleb. Soon it was time to pick upthe cake.

After the cake was securely loaded up in the car, we knew that it was time to head home. I did notwant today to end. For some reason it felt like we were in a protected bubble, if this moment couldlast, we were invincible. Heading back to the house it was like that bubble was bursting, reality wasreturning. I was sad to see this day coming to an end

We were parked and just climbing out of the car when the front door flies open. Dorian, and Calebare both red in the face, Dorian has his hands in fists.

“Grab your bag NOW.” Dorian literally spits the words out in Scarlets face. I watch as her face falls.“What happened Caleb?” I do not want my sister to leave, but once again it looks like Dorian istaking her from me.

“He tried to force himself on Hannah, thinking that she was a slave. Theo attacked him, and when Ifound out what he had done I had let him know exactly what I thought of him.” Caleb's voice is cold,and monotone. His eyes are dark, and I can see that he is trying to contain his wolf.

"SCARLET I said get your bag NOW, do not make me repeat myself again.” Dorian's eyes are wild,and he is pacing.

"AHEM." Everyone is startled by the voice coming from the other side of the car, we had all beenpaying attention to the drama in front of us. Turning I can see that Theo is standing there, like Calebhis eyes are dark, and he is barely hanging onto his ability to talk normally. “If I might have amoment of your time Scarlet, I think there is some information that you may replace useful.” Theothumps down a rather old and yellowing leather-bound book on the top of the car.

“Dorian may have been your destined mate at one time, once he started sleeping with other womenthough that breaks your bond. You do not have to listen to him, you can leave him if you want.”Theo's words ring out, loud and crisp in the night.

“She is going to leave me. Scarlet go and get your things right now.” Dorian’s voice is lowered andmenacing. He is half growling and looks ready to brawl.

“No.” Scarlet's voice was so low that at first, I thought that I had imagined it.

“What do you mean no?”

“I mean no Dorian. I am staying here; I am going to watch my sister get bound to her mate. Then Iwill decide what I want to do from there.” Scarlets voice grows stronger as she talks to Dorian.Dorian is not handling the news well and is growling deeply as she finishes. Dorian takes a steptowards Scarlet, but Theo flies over the car, and Caleb jumps down the steps to come in betweenthem.

“The lady said that she is not coming with you. I suggest unless you plan to fight me right here, thatyou accept what she is saying and leave.” I have never seen this side of Caleb. He is scary like this,menacing but protective. Although he appears scary, I am surprised that I am not scared of him. Iam proud of him, and it is reassuring to know that he will and can protect me.

“You will all regret this.” Dorian spits out before turning and leaving. Caleb instructs his warriors toassure that Dorian leaves the area and does not come back. Scarlet and I make our way into thehouse. Scarlet looks upset but assures me that she is ok and goes upstairs to sleep.

“Thank you.” I want Caleb to know that I appreciate him for doing everything he can to help mysister.

“I am sorry that you had to see that side of me.” Caleb looks upset, like he is embarrassed.

“Caleb 1 am proud of you.” I walk over and tilt his face so that he is looking into my eyes. “You stoodup for my family, and me. I like knowing that you can protect me if needed.” Caleb pulls me in for ahug. We stay like for few minutes, simply enjoying being close to each other. Caleb lets me knowthat he needs to finish up a few things before he can come up to bed. I am feeling exhausted, so Iturn and start to head upstairs. I figure 1 will take a quick shower and relax before Caleb comes up.The shower does wonders for my tense muscles. Drying off I grab my robe and wrap myself up in it.Walking back in the bedroom, I am a little disappointed to not see Caleb. I climb into bed hopingthat he will be up soon.