7 comments/ 4951 views/ 15 favorites Simply His Ch. 13-15 By: CalyPy Hi everyone! Thank you all for your constant support, your votes and comments. I am so happy that you people enjoy the story I have created. I know it isn't easy to wait days for the next chapters but, well, Lit has its process of submission :P That being said, bittersweet news! Possible cliffhanger at the end of chapter 15, but trust me, chapters 16, 17 and 18th will make it well worth it! Again, big thanks to my editor @Richard who has helped me so much already. Thanks to him my stories take better shape and make more sense! Now on to the next chapters! Enjoy :) ***** Chapter 13 "The way of the Wolf" *Meadow* My boss looks at me with curiosity as we both enter his office and he gestures us to take a seat. "Well, Miss Cara Gasklow, you wanted an urgent meeting with us. May I know the nature of this urgency?" He started as soon as we took a seat, a small look of annoyance flashed on him as he wasn't very happy to be requested for an audience with such short notice. I looked at Cara and she seemed in full confidence. "Sir Carter" she started, and he almost broke his pencil as he tightened his fist, Cara was defiant as she called him by his first name. "My name is Cara, and I am head of the tech tracking and surveillance department of Rowen International Security and Associates, have you heard of us?" She asked already knowing the answer. There was no one in the high ranks of any company or business who wasn't aware where the best technological options on security were from. Caleb's company was legendary. My boss nodded and changed posture immediately; Cara knew well how to deal with this. "Glad you do." She continued. "I have in my possession a tape of one of your employees attempting against the life of Miss Meadow Delane, here with me, on friday afternoon. This situation also involved your daughter." "My daughter? Do you mean the loose animals at the Zoo? I thought that was an accident." He said with all seriousness. Cara remained calm as she shook her head and pulled the disc with the video recording of the incident. "The subject's name is Gideon McIntire." "Gideon did what?!" Rage in his eyes. "I was ordered to deliver this tape. I am taking a copy next to the police station to follow normal procedure." She finished but remained quiet and still. My boss looked at her and the tape, anger flashing in his eyes. "Who ordered this? how did you get this tape? I am missing part of the information." "Glad you brought the subject, Sir. There were orders from my boss, I answer to Mister Rowen directly." "You thank him for me." He said tapping his pen at the desk. "Please make sure to take proper arrangements for security from now on. To ensure the wellbeing of Meadow Delane mostly, since your daughter should be on her way back to her city." "How did you... Nevermind, I guess you guys eat this kind of information at breakfast. I will have security run him over after I fire his ass myself." He said, giving the subject a closure. But Cara remained in her seat and looked back at him. "I need you to make sure proper security is focused on this matter and you to promise you will take responsibility if anything happens." He perked a brow and looked at her as if she just insulted him. "Cara, I said I will deal wit the security. Whats up with all this insistency?" He asked now visibly annoyed. "Your employee, Meadow Delane, is Mister Rowen's girlfriend." She said and I gasped. I looked at her but she kept her eyes on him. He on the other hand, stared back at me in disbelief. "Delane? you are dating Rowen? That is not small info young lady, you should have told me about this." He said to me in a softer tone. "I apologize, Sir, but I thought my personal life was of no concern to the company." I tried to sound convincing, but my voice reflected my confusion. "No, no, of course your personal life is yours to keep darling, but you could have told me you needed more security and such." "Do I have your word that you will be taking this matter personally in your hands, Sir?" Cara insisted. "Yes, you have my word Cara. Meadow take the afternoon off. Gideon called in sick this morning and said he will be coming this afternoon. I don't want you here when I fire him." I nodded and Cara smiled, extending her hand. "Thank you Sir Carter, I am keeping her safe for now." They shook hands and Cara stood up, I followed her quickly. "I just don't understand his motives, I can't understand what is wrong with this guy. Why out of the blue he did this." Cara sighed and looked at me. "Your choice darling." She said and I looked down at my hands. "Meadow? you know something else?" I heard him talk. "He has been asking me to stay overtime, come on saturdays and push me on extra work, Sir. But I've never complained. It has been only since last week that he started to become more aggressive and attacked me directly." "You should have reported him to..." He stopped mid sentence. "Yes, Sir, if I decided to report him, it would be with himself as he was the head of the Human Resources department." "I will see what can we do. Go now, I will need to make a few calls and inform the security. See you tomorrow Meadow." "Thank you Sir, see you tomorrow then." I smiled at him as he tried to ensure me confidence, but something within me said this will not end with Gideon being fired, he had a certain unhealthy rage towards me, unfunded I may add, that made me believe he will retaliate. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*- *Caleb* I open my jaw and drop the lifeless body of yet another rogue. All our allies howl the victory, Alex and I are still hunting. We both smell them, we know they were here. We must have taken down over 90 of them and that meant we reduced their numbers greatly. For as far as we know, their numbers didn't exceed 140. 'I sense someone else, not too far from here.' Alex sends to me as he darts towards the north. 'Alex don't go alone... you idiot, we need to stick together!' I growl at him as I start to run behind him. I see him jump a few logs and rocks then tag someone down. I hear whimpers and struggle. When I reach him a couple of seconds later, he has in his jaws the neck of Bryan, Cornelius and Agape's beta, who happened to be also Agape's brother. 'Alex what are you going to do?' I ask him but I already know his answer. 'A life for a life. Is the way of the Wolf.' He sends back as he holds the whimpering wolf's neck. He looks at me with rage and savagism. He wants revenge for his son's death. Agape can't conceive, she can't have children, this has only worked the worst way possible as it probably would, making her more cruel and unstoppable. For her, Bryan was the equivalent of family. I knew what Alex wanted, I didn't like it, but my beta needed his release. I owed him that. I sat on my back legs and nodded. Alex tensed his jaw and I heard the crack of Bryan's neck. His whimpers gone. He then dropped his body and howled up to the sky. A howl of pain and sadness that I hope it would be the last. But Alex didn't stop there, he lowered his head and started to chew Bryan's neck, tearing it apart, his teeth sewing the meat and bones as if they were paper. He picked up the head and shook it, biting it with abandon, finally throwing it far to the east. After that he proceeded with one of his legs, and I sighed. I didn't want to witness this, but as an alpha, I had to. This was the moment that defined our future; Alex's revenge will trigger their anger, and the anger of a mad woman is an anger to be reckoned with. Alex came from Russia, a land of cold blooded wolves and cold blooded hearts. It took him two hundred years to become the social and friendly wolf I came to trust and consider my brother. This was his old nature resurfacing and I knew he had gone primal as he let his beast consume him. As I see him rip Bryan's chest open in search for his heart, I growl at him to stop. This was my limit. 'Enough.' I send to him, he growls at me and I know is due to the madness in his state. I stand up and look at him in the eyes, he backs down a step and lowers his head, dropping the remains of the wolf, then starts to head back to the village. Half his body tainted in red. We arrive and the packs are celebrating. Demark rejoicing in the death of all the rogues and the remaining ones fleeing. He looks at me with a huge grin and all I want is to calm him down. I just restrain myself and focus on my mate, I needed to come back to her and I needed to send Alex to Cara, she was the only one capable to calm him down and bring his peaceful wolf back. As I walk towards the inside of the residence, a girl offers herself to me as a treat. I can't look at her and end up pushing her aside. All I want is my Meadow. I reach a room that seems to be empty and quiet, I grab my phone and dial her number. "Caleb? I was so worried... are you ok?" I heard her talk and I sigh, how could I have been living without her all this time? "Caleb?" She asks again and I gather I haven't said a word yet. "I am here... it was just... brutal... I just needed to hear your voice..." I confess as I sit on the floor and lean against a wall. "I am here... what do you need me to do?" She says softly and I smile. "Just talk to me... please..." "Hm... well, Cara made a major impression on my boss today, she managed to annoy him, scare him, surprise him, and make him angry... not sure in which order though." She said and I chuckled. Cara was being the smarty ass like usual. "How did she do all that?" I asked, closing my eyes and focusing on her voice. "She called him by his first name, something he hates. Then brought up your company's name which scared him. And when she mentioned Gideon and what he did to me and his daughter he became angry. Then there was the surprise, she said I was... your girlfriend..." She paused, I couldn't help but to smile. "I apologize, I know I should have asked you first, before openly revealing something like that." I admitted, even thought I was grinning for having her associated with me already. "It is ok, I guess... I would have liked you to be a little more formal about it to be honest. But I don't object it either." I closed my eyes and shook my head chuckling. My precious Meadow, she deserves so much more. "When I return tomorrow, I will take you out on a formal dinner with all the pompousness that it comes with." She started to giggle and that was music to my soul. "Just come back safe, we can have dinner anywhere." She finally said. "Wait for me, my dearest. I am coming home." --***-- Chapter 14 "Conquest" *Meadow* I yawn as I stretch my arms and suddenly I hit something. My eyes open wide and I look at my left where I see Caleb smiling. "Morning my princess." He whispers, leaning down to kiss my lips softly. Am I dreaming? I rub my eyes a little too hard and then look again. No, this wasn't a dream, his lips felt real. "Yes, its me." He says and I jump to him. "You are back!" I almost scream and he wraps his arms around me chuckling. All this while I try to digest the fact he called me his princess. "Would you like some breakfast? I brought you some juice and a few salty things, but if you prefer sweets I can arrange that." He said as he nuzzled my neck and took a deep breath from my hair. I felt goosebumps all around and squeezed him tightly. "Juice is fine, thank you." After we finally released each other, I sat on the bed and he rested his head on my lap, sighing and closing his eyes. I felt since we spoke on the phone yesterday that whatever happened, must have been hard for him, so I am not asking about it for now. "Are you back with Alex? Cara has been a good girl but I know she missed him badly." "Yes, I brought him with me. I need to go back to my land soon, and I would like you to come with me." He said as he looked at me from below. I caressed his hair and smiled. "I dont think it will be that easy. I have been given a great opportunity to put into motion some plans I have been working for a while. This even before they knew I was your... erm... girlfriend." I said as I smiled. I am proud of my achievements, I want him to understand how important this is to me. "I see... I know you are a capable woman Meadow, I have no doubt of that... You have surprised me from the day I've met you." He said as he lifted his hand to caress my cheek. What should I do? I wanted to go with him, I wanted to be with him, but my work was giving me something to hold onto. I sighed a little sad. "When do you have to go?" "I don't know yet. I am needed but I can't seem to focus when I am away from you." He sighed and closed his eyes again. "I need to figure out a legal way to kidnap you." He chuckled, and I actually liked his idea. I felt my conflict grow as I wanted both things. My work or him, we seemed to have the same dilemmas. I looked at the clock and sighed. "I need to get ready for work." "I am going to wait for you here. Then I will take you there. I figure that I might need to supervise your boss to make sure he is taking care of your safety." I chuckled. "You know, he might not like the fact that you are ordering him around." I said and I headed to the bathroom. His hotel floor was a full apartment. "I can make it so we are business partners and he will take it. My research tells me he has been tight on the budget. I consider him admirable for keeping the business afloat during this hard times, economic recession has made real estate sells a very difficult area. But he has been injecting some of his own money to survive. I like the man." I heard him say as I removed my clothes and walked into the shower. I wasn't aware that my boss was that kind of man, I was really surprised to hear he was putting his own money into the business and he never made salary adjustments nor unnecessary fires. I finished my shower and got a towel around me, realizing I had to go out to the room where he was. I walked shyly outside and saw his eyes spark as he looked at me. A small growl escaped from him and he quickly apologized. "I am sorry..." He admitted and turned around, I blushed deeply and grabbed my small suitcase that I brought from my apartment yesterday and rushed back to the bathroom. I felt heated and panting, his glare was enough to ignite a long dormant fire within me. I wasn't a virgin, but I hadn't been with a man in years. I wasn't a puritan, either, but when it came to him I felt shy and silly as if I was a 15 years old girl. Alex and Cara were nowhere to be found. Caleb told me he gave them the day off as they needed to be together alone. I understood, the way Cara was while they both were away was heartbreaking. It was hard to keep my eyes away from him as he drove his car to my office, he had a dark suit with his black shirt's last two top buttons open; his pale skin in contrast with his dark eyes. Once we arrived he opened the door for me and we walked in. The security staff recognized him and were whispering as he went through their magnetic arch. I blushed as he took my hand and we headed to the elevator. "So you are actually planning to meet my boss?" He smirked and nodded. "Of course, I meant what I said back at the hotel." We walked in and I made my way towards Mister McLane's office. He was standing with the phone looking outside through the window when I knocked. He turned around and almost dropped the phone as he saw me, with Caleb not too far behind. "Please let me call you back Mike, I got something urgent right here." He said and cut the call. "Meadow, you are here... and with company." He smiled and invited us both in. Caleb was a perfect gentleman, as always. I keep telling to myself he is just a dream come true. He shook Mr McLane's hand and smartly flattered his business and investments. They both joked and got along fine, making me smile as I watched their interactions. Towards the end of the conversation, Caleb finally addressed Gideon's subject. "I've heard you fired the man. I am glad you did. We put charges against him and will let the police handle it." "Ah yes, I wanted to choke the life out of him when I showed him the tape and he shrugged. He put my daughter's life at risk, and also Meadow's. No sane person would do something like that." "Police procedure is slow, but we are following it by the book. If we all could handle things as we wanted to, well... the world would become more primitive than it already is." McLane chuckled and nodded. "I will give you that, Rowen." "Caleb, you can call me Caleb." McLane's eyes widened and he extended his hand. "Well Caleb, you can call me Carter. Hell, if your girl Cara calls me that why shouldn't you." He smirked and Caleb grinned. "Oh, she is one of my most trusted and valuable assets. She and her husband lead my tech department in the U.S." "I see, I might need to consult with them to improve my own security here, a small investment." I sighed, more money coming from his own pocket. Caleb noticed my sigh and gently took my hand in his. "Carter, now that we have come to a more amenable treat between us, may I throw a wild idea for you to consider?" McLane looked at him with curiosity and he nodded. "I was thinking I could invest in your business. As a silent partner. So perhaps I could put my staff and technology under your roof and we can talk of a partnership association between both of us. Just an idea, you can think about it and if you are interested, we can draw the basics and send it to our lawyers. I might even add some monetary investment in real estate to sweeten the deal." Caleb mentioned this as if he was talking about lunch. McLane pondered his words carefully and held silent for a moment. I felt awkward in the middle of this discussion but the fact is that if they end up having this association I will be in charge of handling many of the changes on the staff and handling the direct consequences. "You might have something there Caleb, let me think about it, would you." He finally spoke, Caleb nodded and smiled a victory. "Well I will leave you two to work. I will go find something to do while I wait for my dear Meadow to get free for lunch." He held my hand up and kissed my knuckles, making me blush. McLane grinned. "Ah you got yourself another valuable asset with this one." He said, looking at me. Caleb grinned and nodded. "The most valuable one, without a doubt." After Caleb finally left, I was floating between clouds of dreams and reality. Now there was a possibility of a partnership between them, and he was without a question my official boyfriend. The last couple of days of my life becoming a shock of reality and dreams merged in one. When I was about to leave for lunch, McLane called me into his office. He smiled at me and invited me to take a seat then went right to the point. "Are you and this guy Caleb serious, Meadow?" I blinked a little taken by the surprise. Finally I nodded. "It is as serious as my love for him is, Mister McLane, and I am not a silly teenager with a crush." I lied, god knows I feel like one when I am with him. He perked a brow then nodded. "Fine, I am considering his offer seriously but I don't want to take big risks if you and him are not serious and something might end badly. Summer romances and such make office business a bad combination." I agreed with him and nodded. "Mister McLane, I..." He cut me in. "Call me Carter, you above all should have the right to do it." Simply His Ch. 13-15 I smiled at him. "Mister Carter." He rolled his eyes and chuckled at me. "Caleb has been doing research on your company, and he told me this morning he was interested on investing in it. He says you are a man he respects for believing in your work and for taking big chances, like investing your own money for one." I paused, measuring his reaction. "Ah, I should've know. So he plans to take over?" He said almost expecting a positive answer from me. I shook my head. "No, not at all. He wants to invest and help you. I believe he is serious on his interest, and he owns several properties. He wants to help the best way he knows how. I think you should really consider his proposition. He only wants to be a silent partner as in not being involved in the company decisions, but only in charge of what he does best, the security and the monetary aid." McLane nodded as he rubbed his chin. He laid against his chair and pondered a few more times before he spoke. "I guess I will give his lawyers a call then. And we will have to postpone your plan implementation. If we are going to do this business change, I will hope your plans get into action the day after it becomes official. But don't lay on the grass young lady, I like your plan and we are going to put it on wheels and rolling, so you better have it ready." Was this Caleb's plan from the start? He just bought me time with his investment, making it at the same time, an investment for us. Now I had time to spend with him and time to work to make my plan better. I shook my head with disbelief as I headed out of Mister Carter's office. I had a new plan to prepare now; vacations here I come, I am going on a trip to Caleb's land! --***-- Chapter 15 "Personal Struggle" *Meadow* I managed to make myself look decent enough; I was wearing a below the knee silver dress with dark brown flowers manually sewed in it, it was loose and so comfortable. The final touch were simple brown pumps with a similar shade of brown purse. I ruffled my hair into soft waves and allowed it to fall from the sides, my final touch was a simple eyeliner, no more than that. I loved to be simple, even though something told me Caleb had more elegant plans. When I walked out of the room, He was resting on the couch as he was talking with Alex. I had his back at me while Alex stopped talking as his eyes laid on mine, he bowed his head and became silent, while Caleb tilted his head slightly. "There you are, ready to go out?" He said calmly. I felt the situation to be odd. Alex looked different, gloomier. I walked to Caleb and he smiled as he looked up from the chair, he took my hand and pulled me gently to sit on his lap. "Hi Alex." I managed to say and he smiled a polite "Hello Meadow" back; his smile never reaching his eyes. Something happened While they were away , and it made him change. "I am just finishing details of our trip to my Home property, it is our pack's territory. Alex just told me our lawyer has been contacted by Carter and he wants to draw a sketch of the association plan." "Oh he called already? I guess he is serious. You convinced him with your charm." I said smiling. He chuckled. "Oh my lovely Meadow, you convinced him with your honesty." He replied and I was not sure of what he meant, did he know I talked with him after? Alex cleared his throat and we both looked at him. "May I be excused, Alpha." He said a little uncomfortable. Caleb nodded. "Go Alex, thank you. I will see you tomorrow." And Alex left quietly leaving us alone. He sighed and laid his head against my arm, I lifted his chin and he looked at me with tired eyes. "There is a war brewing or about to break, Alex played a big part in it. I am trying not to be too hard on him, but I need to also set an example. Is not easy to be an Alpha." "I guess I need to learn a lot more about your world." I said and he nodded, a small smile on him. "I am glad you are interested in hearing about it. Because it gives me hope." I shook my head and leaned my forehead against his. "Let's be honest." I said and felt him tense a little. "I can't stop thinking about you, I miss you like crazy when you are gone. I enjoy everything we do and even when we are quiet, I treasure every moment we spend together. In a week and a half I managed to discover there is a world out there that most of the world thinks it only existed in fairytales. I have no doubt on how strong my feelings for you are, Caleb... I just need patience to adjust." He crushed his lips against mine and I felt his emotions through his kiss; I moaned as I felt every part of my body tingle at his touch. There was only passion in our kiss, passion and need for one another. He broke the kiss when he felt me gasp in search for air, caressing my face with a smile. "Let's go, or else you will be in danger of me losing control." He whispered as he got up and lifted me gently. I blushed deeply, a part of me wanted him to lose control soon, since I was already losing it. He opened the door for me and then guided me into a quiet and elegant restaurant. It was different from the other ones and I felt much more comfortable in it. It had several private booths in a very sober design; wood panels decorated the walls and two old vintage couches faced one to the other, a table of the same style in between. He allowed me to slide in and get comfortable, turning around to pull a cord that made a pair of curtains drop. He looked at me with a smile and I saw some uncertainty in his eyes, he didn't know where he would seat. I lifted my hand to him inviting, he sat next to me and took my hand squeezing it. "What would you like to have as an appetizer?" His voice smooth as silk echoed in my ear. I half closed my eyes and heard the blues in the background moving me closer to him, I took his hand in mine and rested it over my knee. "I want many things, but I will be fine with a drink and anything you advise." I replied half teasingly. He ordered fried garlic with bacon and onions that topped some very unique rounded fried potatoes. They were simply delicious, and I giggled as he fed me, allowing me to feed him back as well. I felt a little uncomfortable as the waitress kept eyeing Caleb but I never showed my discomfort. He never met her eyes and when she asked him sweetly what to order for the main course, he joked. "I would love to have her, but I guess you don't have that special type of meat." Always keeping his eyes on me. I blushed as I felt some embarrassment and he grinned. "Angel wings please, with Caesar salad to share. Thank you." He dismissed her without even tilting his head. "You are sinfully adorable." I said and he laughed. "I am aware of how she was looking at me, but I wanted you to feel how useless is that for her, or any other girl for that matter. To us, is like a tunnel vision. We simply can't feel or be tempted by anyone but our mates. Since the moment we smell them, our DNA gets imprinted on each other, like half of us missing and finally, once we find it, we can't nor want any other person but our only one." He grinned and leaned against the comfortable couch, pulling me with him. I snuggled in his arms and he kissed my forehead. "Sadly for most humans that never happens." He added with a sigh. "Then how does this..." I pointed at him and me. "How does this work?" "Let's say we werewolves are a side branch of the human evolution chain. We have things in common, we are 50% human 40% wolf and 10% magic." He smiled as he brushed his thumb over my parted lips. "Magic, indeed..." I whispered entranced. He leaned closer and I felt his breath clouding my judgement. He stopped inches away and I rushed the last distance needed and kissed him hard. I felt him growl slowly and suddenly I was lifted in the air only to be dropped on his lap sideways, our lips never parting as he slid his tongue to rub my lips apart and mine welcome him. We kissed, OH GOD we kissed with such intensity I felt my lips half numb when he finally pulled away. "The waitress is coming." He said, and as I tried to go back to my seat he refused to let me go. The woman's eyes grew wide as she entered our booth; at first she stopped and almost left her plates fall, then she tried to compose herself to finally let our order at the table. She excused herself and looked down as she exited again. As soon as she left, he pulled my face to him and resumed the kiss. I moaned, feeling how every part of me craved a part of him. He slid his hand on my knees and up softly over my thighs, making me quiver with excitement and heat at the same time. "I want you so badly... so, so much... it is driving me insane..." He whispered, leaving me helpless. I looked around a little nervous and he chuckled. "Dont worry, I wasn't thinking on... on taking you here... I just wanted you to know how wild you make me." He said with closed eyes. "Shall we eat?" He tried to sound normal but I felt the hard effect I had on him below me. Flattered by this, all I could do was nod and remain there. He perked a brow at me and stared for a moment, then without another word, leaned to grab a bite, and I followed. The mixed sensations of the delicious food added to our favorite wine, paled in comparison to the sensations my own body felt as we ate slowly in silence. The music seemed to conspire against me, revealing my thoughts. "You get the fever... you get the itch... and you forget about the mess you were in..." sang Keb Mo while I tried to convince myself I was not falling into a mistake; and that was all it take for me to get cold and uncomfortable. He spread his legs a little wider, as I felt lower in between them. I could feel his intentions hard against me and I couldn't concentrate in anything but the basics. Breath and eat. I ate slowly and finally, once full, I kept quiet as I drank the last content inside the wine bottle, only to look at its emptiness disappointed. He chuckled and leaned against me enough to feel his breath on my neck. "Would you like me to order more?" I half closed my eyes and felt intoxicated. "I think I have had enough..." I whispered. Why was I suddenly so nervous? He reached a button and pressed it twice. A few minutes later, our waitress appeared with the bill. He paid it and waited for the waitress to leave the booth before he helped me get up. I was disappointed with myself; he had been a perfect gentleman, but something inside me, in my mind, was ruining the evening. At some point I changed and he felt it. We left the restaurant quiet and after we got in the car, I could feel him slowly slip away from me mentally. I screwed things up, I ruined my perfect chance for a perfect date with the perfect man and I wasn't aware how or why I made things go wrong. I started to stare at the window without real focus until my vision kept seen black and occasional white lights. Only then I noticed he was driving far away from the city. "Caleb? where are we going?" "I talked with Carter this afternoon, I told him I would like to take you away for a couple of days and he didn't object, as long as I have you back for when our association becomes official." I felt my hands cold and a small shiver run down my spine. "So, you are actually kidnapping me." I finally said, he held silent but didn't deny it. In my self pity state, I noticed too late we were far from the apartment and to an unknown destination. I felt a bit angry as I knew I had messed things up and I just wanted the day to be over. But I was also sad of my unusual behaviour, I felt my internal conflict was going to ruin everything between us. After at least another 20 more minutes, I saw the familiar scenery. He brought us to the huge residence where I first laid eyes on him. The one he bought. Memories of those days flooded my mind and I felt myself gasp. He parked the car and walked out, reaching my side and opening the door for me. "Come with me..." He said and I took his hand following his lead. We walked into the lonely residence and he guided me through the several halls until we entered his study, the place I woke up. "What... what are we doing here?" I said still unsure of his intentions. Then he guided me towards the fireplace and lit it up easily, turning towards me. We were face by face, surrounded by only darkness and the small light the fire would touch, I felt like I wanted to cry. "Talk to me, Meadow..." He said and I noticed the worry on his tone. I was an inch away from crying. "I really don't know what to say... I don't know what's happening to me." I whispered quietly and he lifted my chin up so our eyes would meet. "Meadow, there is nothing to fear... are you afraid of me forcing you to do anything? are you afraid I would rush things further?" I sighed. "Caleb, I really don't know what I am afraid of..." "Are you afraid of what I am? of our difference?" He said and I frowned but held quiet. I was about to say no but then I thought about his words. Was I afraid of him being something else? Perhaps I was. He took my hand and lifted it up then pressed it on his cheek. "I am human most of the time, vulnerable to the core when it comes to you. You are my weakness." I felt a tear slide down my cheek and he rubbed it softly. "For me there is no other choice. I am at your mercy. You are the only one I had been waiting for centuries." "Cen... centuries?" I stuttered. "We live longer... we only age one year for 30 human years... and I, Meadow, have been waiting for you for over two hundred years." He said and I felt myself cry, shaking my head. "Am I worth it?" Oh why was I being so insecure in front of him? He picked me up in his arms and held me tightly. "Even if you say no to me, it has been worth it. I love you my beautiful Meadow." I cried and kissed him, unable to stand the pain in his voice. I wanted him just as much as he wanted me, and to his revelation, I felt a sense of relief and joy. "I love you too, Caleb." I admitted as I broke our kiss for a split second, and he crushed me against the couch devouring me in return. The final walls I had lifted in self defense were now completely gone.