The Alpha's Slave Mate
Book 2 Chapter 35

Daphne's Point of View

Walking out into the back courtyard my breath was taken away. The decorations were amazing.There were five small tables set up with navy tablecloths, and simple mason jar candle lights in themiddle surrounded by a small wreath of flowers. Fairy lights were draped elegantly over the pergola,and over a few of the rose bushes. The sound of a violin caught me off guard and I looked quicklytowards the back of the garden path to replace a few of our teenage wolves tuning orchestrainstruments.

“I asked Brandon to gather a few members of the orchestra from school to provide some lightbackground music.” Caleb leans close to me and whispers in my ear.

The courtyard looks like something out of a movie. I had always admired the beauty it held duringthe daylight, but tonight it was a shining star. “This looks better than anything I could haveimagined.” I whisper still in awe. Caleb put his arm gently around my waist and leads me to one ofthe tables, pulling out my chair for me. I take count of the chairs that are out here and realize thatwe have more than we need.

“I must not have let the catering company know that we had guests leave.” I tell Caleb.

“No sweetheart I opened this evening up and invited Theo, Scarlett, Hannah, Maria, Scott, Liam, andCorey as well. That is why there are five tables with four chairs each. I would have invited Isabella aswell, but I believe that she is still settling in at Mavin's house.” I am stunned by Caleb's confession.The busy Alpha has managed meeting, alliance negotiations, my mood swings, new members of ourpack, and a million other things that have happened in the last few days, but he still puts the wantsand needs of others before himself. Love and pride swell in my chest, and I cannot stop myself fromleaning over and pecking him on the cheek.

“Thank you, sweetheart it is perfect.” Not long after we were seated our guests started to arrive.Theo and Scarlett chose to sit at our table. Marcus, Cole, Axle, and Lola sat at the table next to us.Jerome, Alma, Hawk, and Maria sat on the other side of us. Noah and Melissa walked in and sat atthe table farthest from ours. Liam, and Scott were running a few minuets behind but choose to sit atthe empty table rather than sit with Noah. Next Corey, and Gabriel filed in. I could see that Gabrielwould have liked to continue talking to Corey and he looked wistfully at the table that held theyounger guys. He was also fearful of embarrassing his Alpha, so he quickly recovered and sat withNoah and Melissa.

Hannah walked in last, looking beautiful in a summer dress, and gladiator sandals. Axle immediatelystood and pulled another seat over to his table. Hannah smiled but still looked slightlyuncomfortable. Gabriel also offered the seat next to him.

"Hannah sweetheart you look fabulous. Come sit next to me, I feel like I have not seen you all day.”Scarlett's voice rang out clear in the still night, and Hannah looked relieved that she has a way toescape. Axle looked slightly crushed that once again Hannah chose not to spend time with him.The table was slightly cramped with five of us around it, but it was pleasant. The few teens thatCaleb got to play were doing wonderfully and overall, it appeared that everyone was having a greattime. I was replaceing the evening rather enjoyable, and I was fully relaxed as jokes were told, andeveryone was talking and having a good night.

We were just finishing up dessert when Brandon hustled over to our table with a stoic face. He bentand whispered into Caleb's ear. I watch as Caleb's eyes got kind of glossy, and I could tell that hewas messaging someone in the pack. He thanked Brandon and watched him leave just as quickly ashe came. Even though Caleb was still smiling, I could feel his demeanor shift. He was now on edge,and I could not get my mother's warning out of my head.

“Is everything alright?” Curiosity finally got the better of me, and I leaned over and asked him. Hiseyes glossed again but this time he was messaging me.

We have a visitor that no one else can know about. I had Brandon escort him to my office, andunfortunately, they will need to stay in the nursery that we had set up for the pup. I am sorry but weneed to be as quiet about this as possible. I will explain everything later.

I knew that it was very important if Caleb was intending to use the nursery to hide this person. NowI am anxious to replace out who it is. I was happy that this dinner was almost done. After the cateringcompany cleared the plates away, we thanked everyone for coming and Caleb announced thattomorrow he would love to show everyone the training center before we have the summer bash.With his announcement we said goodnight to everyone.

Once we were in the house and I knew that we were alone I asked Caleb who was in his office. Hewas walking fast and practically dragging me behind him. He did not answer and instead pulled meswiftly up the stairs and around the corner to his office. He quickly walked in, pulling me with himand shut the door. I was stunned to replace that someone had drawn the drapes in his office, they arenever closed. Caleb walked over and flipped on the small desk lamp that he keeps on his desk.

It took my eyes a moment to adjust to the glow, but once I blinked, I noticed an older gentlemansitting in one of Caleb's office chairs. Caleb wasted no time walking over to him. The man stood up,but his face appeared to be stone like.

“Alpha Clint while it is a pleasure to see you, I am confused as to why you are here, and why thisneeded to be kept secret.” Caleb wasted no time and got straight to the point. Once I heard theman’s name I was confused as well. From what I could remember if this man is Alpha Clint than he isAxle’s father.

"Alpha Caleb, I assure you that secrecy is much needed. I fear we have an issue that is affecting bothof our packs.” The older man sighed and for the first time I watched the stony face that he had puton start to crumble. “I glanced at your dinner party hoping that my source had been wrong.Unfortunately, I fear that one of my nightmares has come to life. That man posing as Axle is not myson.” When he said the last words, the man broke into tears and crumbled back down into Caleb'schair.

I was in shock. What did he mean that Axle was not his son?