Chapter Seven

I awaken today in a panic. I fell asleep studying. Crap, I've got to hurry. I run to the bathroom and rush through my shower. I half way dry my hair and pull it up into a messy bun. I throw on a sundress and gather my books and notes together. I rush out the front of the palace to my suv. I had to skip breakfast I don't have time to eat. Jacob and Joseph are waiting for me. We head off to my school.

We arrive at school and we hurry in. I was pretty sure Katie had already gone to class hers is on the other end of the school this morning. Mine is in the science wing. I go in and sit down. He calls roll and takes up our books. Then hands out the exams. The questions don't see hard but I guess its because I actually know the answers. That was easy, peasy. I feel really good about this one. So far all my exams have been multiple choice. I hope that I did well enough that I don't need the extra credit. I'm one of the first to turn in my exam. I pull out my calculus notes and study for my next exam. That is the hardest one I have. I study for about 30 minutes and the lunch bell rings.

I get to the cafeteria, get my food and sit down. Katie is just getting there. It isn't long and she is taking her seat next to me.

"You were cutting it a little close this morning, weren't you?"

Yes, I over slept. I fell asleep studying last night. I was on the phone with Caleb for a long time. And look what I saw when I got home. I pull out my cell phone and show her the picture I took of the roses all over my room.

"Erica, they are beautiful. Are they from Caleb? I guess you know how he feels about you now."

Yes, He told me that he really likes me. And he is fine with me being a hybrid. We eat our food and talk some more about Caleb and us graduating. The bell rings for us to go to class. So we throw away what is left of our food and head to our classes.

I will be so glad when this exam is over. It is the one that I am most worried about. I take my seat. The teacher collects our textbooks and gives us the exams. To my surprise it really isn't that long. Sure, we have to work out the problems but he made it multiple choice. As hard as he was on us the whole semester, he actually took it easy on us for the exam. I hope I'm doing this right. I'm getting answers that are listed to choose from. In no time I finish. Wow, its finally over. Thursday they will be posting the grades online for us and Saturday we graduate.

I meet up with Katie in the hall and we walk to the exit to go home. At the exit they have roped off an area and are sending everyone down to the next exit. Two tall men in black suits stand at the roped off doors. As I start to walk by them, they step forward.

"Ms. Taylor, It is our honor to escort you this way."

Joseph and Jacob are right behind me as I follow the two men out the door. Katie runs up to the next exit to be able to see out is going on. I step out the door and in amazement there is a roped off area outside. My classmates have lined the ropes watching to see what is going on. There is a red carpet leading up to a black suv. That isn't mine. I wonder what is going on.

The door to the suv opens and a tall gentleman in a grey suit steps out. OH My Goodness. It is Caleb. He starts walking on the carpet toward me. The guards stay back and I walk meeting him half way. I felt like running to his arms, his aroma was engulfing my senses. Caleb what are you doing here? What is all of this?

"Erica I wanted to surprise you. As your mate and future husband. I really needed you to know how I feel and I hope you too feel the same as I do. I know we have an arranged marriage but that doesn't matter anymore. This is fate. I love you, Erica Taylor!"

He gets down on one knee. I hear everyone watching gasp, in surprise. I stiffen in shock.

"Erica Taylor, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

I can't believe it. Caleb just proposed to me. I nod my head and say, Yes. I definitely can't refuse him. He is my mate and we have an arranged marriage. I just wasn't expecting him to propose to me so soon.

Caleb stands up and grabs me in a hug, spinning us in a circle. He places me gently back down.

"I almost forgot."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it to reveal a beautiful princess cut diamond ring, maybe a little over a half carat. He takes it out and places it on my finger. I hold my hang out looking at it. The ring is beautiful. I hear my classmates cheering and screaming in excitement for us. What a perfect end to my exams.

"Erica, would you allow me to take you home? Your guards can follow us in your suv."

I look at Jacob and Joseph, they nod. So, I tell Caleb, Ok. He takes my hand and leads me to the suv and I climb in. His guards get in the front and we drive off. Caleb slide over next to me and puts his arm around me.

"I'm so glad you said yes. I know this is very sudden but you are my mate and I don't want to waste any time. I was afraid you might say no."

Caleb, we have an arranged marriage. So, I knew sooner or later this would happen. That is if you accepted me. I just didn't expect it so soon. And Caleb, I love you too. I think I have ever since we met. Even though that was just a couple days ago.

"I know. I went to speak with your parents today about my intentions of asking you to marry me today. They were rather shocked, too. But I know what I want. And I need you. I just didn't want you going home engaged and I not showing the respect to your parents to ask their permission first."

His fingers keep tugging at the strap on my dress and his other hand is on my leg. He was breathing hard while saying all of that. Then he leans in and kisses me. He pulls me in so tight. I can hardly breath. He pulls back.

"I'm so sorry. I have been wanting to kiss you again ever since you left my palace. The scent of you drives me crazy. I can't wait for you to move into the palace so we can't be together all the time. I'm going to start making arrangements for you to move in."

We arrived back at my palace. It felt so wrong to get left there but he had matters to take care of. All I could think of was this amazing surprise today and that I'm now engaged to Caleb McClay. I walked through the doors and everyone had already heard the news. The staff wasn't as proper as they usually were, which I didn't mind. They were all excited and wanting to see the ring. The ring isn't very big. Thank goodness because I don't like gaudy jewelry. It's like he really knows me. I make it through the crowd of our staff and get grabbed in a huge hug from my mom.

"Congratulations baby, I told you that Caleb liked you".

Mom I had no idea it would happen so fast. We haven't dated. We've just met and talked on the phone a few times.

"Honey you two are mates everything has worked out perfectly for your arranged married. I know it has moved very fast to this engagement but you may have a while until your wedding."

Yes, that's true maybe things will slow down after I move into the palace and I'm there with him. I go on up to my room. I hold back a little opening the door incase there is another surprise. Thank goodness it isn't. The servants have arranged the flowers around the room where it doesn't look like so many. I lay across my bed and turn one the tv. My phone rings and its Katie.

"Girl that was awesome. I can't believe you are engaged to Caleb McClay. I can't wait to see the ring."

You won't have to wait long. Would you like to go do a little shopping tomorrow to celebrate the end of school?

"Sure that will be great. Would you like to meet at that little coffee shop we like for breakfast?"

Sounds like a plan. I'll see you in the morning. I lay back on my bed staring at my ring and breathing in the aroma Caleb left on my dress. He smells so good. I want to be with him. I need to go down to the dining hall for dinner. When I go in my brother is grinning from ear to ear.

"I hear I'm getting a brother-in-law."

Yes, but it may be a while before the wedding.

"I wouldn't be so sure. You are eighteen, almost graduated and he is your mate. He isn't going to want to wait too long."

Are you sure, Todd?

"Yes, I know how I feel about Katie. I'm waiting for her to turn eighteen. When you find your mate...Well at least I can tell you from the males point of view. That once he finds his mate. He needs you around him. He has to know where you are and that you are safe at all times. You become his life. And especially since you are eighteen now….Can I be honest with you?"

Yes, please.

"All he can probably think about is mating, marking you as his, and reproducing."

"Todd!" My mom screams at him. Don't talk like that at the table.

"I'm sorry but its true." Todd said looking at me.

The thoughts of living in the palace with Caleb are running through my head as I'm eating my meal. Will he be trying to mate with me before we are married. I didn't want to get marked until after the wedding. If he marks me before everyone will know what we have done. I finish my food and bid my family a goodnight. I retire to my room.

I go to the bathroom and take a nice warm shower. Since the one I took this morning was in a rush. I put my robe on and go lay in bed. My phone rings. It's Caleb. I saved his number in my phone so I would know it was him. Hello.

"Good evening my fiancée. I trust you are having a good evening."

I am. How is yours going?

"It's going well. I just miss you."

I miss you too. We continue talking and laughing. I'm going into the village in the morning with Katie. We are going to have breakfast and then do some shopping.

"That sounds nice. You girls be careful. I'll let you get some rest for tomorrow. Goodnight. I love you."

Goodnight. I Love you, too.

I put my gown on and get into bed and fall asleep, peacefully.