Chapter Five

As we pulled up to our palace, I hopped out the suv and ran in pass my parents. Both of them looking shocked but I have had enough of my brother Todd. All the way home he was picking on me. Laughing and poking me. I guess it was pay back for me picking on him about Katie.

"Caleb kissed you; Caleb kissed you, Hahaha. Do you love him? I bet you do."

I haven't had time to process everything that happened tonight. Why do I miss him already? We just met. And Todd being a typical brother.

I entered my room and leaped onto my bed. I just lay here with my thoughts and the intoxicating aroma of Caleb on my dress. I keep thinking about the kiss. It felt so good being that close to him and when he pulled me against him while dancing, I felt a sense of safeness that I've never felt before. My mom had said last night that I had smelt my mate. The same aroma came from Caleb. Could it really be that Caleb is my mate? Am I really promised to my mate? There is no way our parents could have known this when the agreement was made.

Just then my cellphone rings with an unknown number. I usually don't answer them but something inside me said I should. Hello.

"Erica this is Caleb, I just wanted to check and make sure you made it home ok."

I stuttered, yes, I'm home safe. Caleb. Thank you, for checking on me. I have a question for you. Were you at my birthday celebration Saturday evening? There was a moment of silence.

"Yes". He says in a low voice. "I needed to see what you looked like and I figured I could see what type of person you are by seeing you at your party. As I got to the ballroom, I could smell you. It scared me. I wasn't expecting that and I think you must have smelt me because I saw you really looking around hard. Then I noticed you coming toward the entrance. I didn't want you to find me there. We weren't supposed to meet until tonight so I took off."

Ok. I was wrecking my brain last night trying to figure out who you were. I told my mom about the aroma and how I was responding to it. She said it was the scent of my mate and that I needed to forget about the mystery man. That I am promised to you.

"Well, I guess now you don't have to forget about the mystery man since it was me. Just don't tell anyone that I was there. And I'm sorry for spying on you. My curiosity just got the best of me. I know I only had one more day to wait but something was telling my soul that I must see you. And you were very beautiful and I thought it was so cute dancing with your friends. And I didn't think it was possible but you were even more beautiful tonight. I really enjoyed our evening together. I just wish you could have stayed longer."

I enjoyed tonight too. The people I was dancing with were my brother, Todd and my best friend Katie. They happen to be mates. I was so nervous about meeting you. I had overheard people talking about you and I figured you would look down on me like some plague you are being forced to marry. You have no idea how relieved I was that you were nice to me.

"I couldn't do that. I know I am a very serious person. And I tell people exactly what I'm thinking. But I think I'm a good guy. At least I do try to be. I'm sorry I kissed you. It was probably too soon since we had just met. I just couldn't help myself. I needed to show you how I felt about you. I guess I need to let you rest. I know you have school in the morning. I'll talk to you soon. Goodnight."

The kiss was great. I didn't mind it at all. But it did kind of shock me but I enjoyed it. Goodnight, I said back and hung up. I get up and take off my shoes and dress. Then head to the bathroom to remove my makeup and take down my hair. I go ahead and brush my teeth and prepare for bed putting my nightgown on before heading back into my bedroom. I sit down on my bed just thinking about Caleb. I just can't get him out of my head. His aroma is on my comforter from where I laid across it. There is a knock at my door. Come in. It is my mom.

"I just wanted to come talk to you about tonight. Is everything ok?"

Yes, I said. Todd had just been bugging me all the way home. I just wanted to get away from him. Plus I had a lot on my mind.

"Caleb seemed to really like you a lot".

Mom, do you think so?

"Yes, everyone could tell by how he looked at you. Also his parents the Alpha and Luna seemed very pleased with you. They kept making comments to us about how you did certain things. They even said how much it looked like Caleb was happy with you."

He called me already to make sure I got home ok, mom hugged my so tight and smiling so big. Mom, can I talk to you woman to woman?

"Yes, my sweet girl. What is it?"

I don't know what is coming over me, I miss him already. Mom, I need you to keep this a secret. You know what we were talking about last night?

"Yes, the mystery man and how he must be your mate."

Yes mom. I smelt the same aroma at the Blue Moon Palace tonight. Mom, it is Caleb. My mom's eyes got really big with a look of total shock. Mom are you ok?

"I am. It's just I wasn't expecting that. So that is why he couldn't take his eyes off of you. Erica you and Caleb are mates. How exciting. I was feeling so bad about you not being able to marry your mate because of the contract."

I can see the wheels turning in my mom's head. Then all of a sudden she shouted.

"OH, My GOODNESS! That means the mystery man; it was Caleb."

Yes, he is. Caleb admitted to being here. But we can't tell anyone. He called me after we got home. I have no idea how he got my number. He wanted to make sure I got here safe. Then we just talked for a few minutes.

"That was very kind of him. But also once a male finds his mate he feels he has to protect her. He will do everything he can to be by her side. It is an instinct and there is no way to fight it. The mate bond can drive you insane if you can't be together."

What do I do now?

"We wait. It is his families move to make. If they approve of you, they will offer for you to come stay with them until the nuptials. I highly doubt that they would not approve of you. Especially with you being Caleb's mate. Plus, I know how everyone was seeing the way he responded to you. It looked to make everyone happy that y'all appeared to be a good match. Honestly, I wanted to cry watching you two dancing. I kept thinking. My little girl is all grown up and will be getting married before too long."

Will I get to finish school?

"Of course, honey I highly doubt they will make you leave before graduation. There are no specific dates that things have to happen on. The only date we had to make happen was today. You just had to meet him after your eighteenth birthday. They allowed us to celebrate your birthday before attending their banquet today. But when they decide on the day for you to leave you have to go that day. I'm so happy for you my dear."

Thank you, mom. Do you know if they have told him about me being a hybrid? I know we are mates. But what if he doesn't approve of marrying a hybrid?

"I don't know if they told him. But I'm pretty sure he has heard the whole story about our pack. So, I think he would at least suspect it. I don't think he will reject you. He seemed very interested at the banquet and you two share the mate bond. It is a very powerful bond. I can't speak for him but we should not interfere with anyone the Moon God joins together. Now if you weren't his mate and he rejected you I wouldn't worry about it. He would be voiding the contract. That would not have been against us. The Alpha knew you were a hybrid when he drew the contract up. Next time you talk to Caleb just ask him if he knows that you are a hybrid. Now get you some sleep. You have school in the morning."

Ok Mom. I'll talk to him about it. Goodnight. I lay down in my bed. It smells so good. Although Caleb's aroma is fading it is still comforting to me. I've had such a busy weekend. I really hope that I studied enough for my exams tomorrow. I shouldn't be too nervous tomorrow. I've been making excellent grades in my English/lit class and psychology. But it does still worry me a little. They are big tests of everything we have learned. I need to stop thinking about it. I'm going to make myself nervous. I just hope I can keep my mind off of Caleb during the exams.

I keep tossing and turning. I sleep a few minutes and wake up. I keep thinking about Caleb and the exams. Then I have that crazy dream of showing up for school without any clothes on. Even in my dream I was telling myself that it was a dream. But I still wake up in a panic. I get up and go into the bathroom and wash my face. Then I return to bed. It seems to have helped some. Maybe I can fall asleep now.