Chapter Seventeen

Caleb woke me up with a kiss.

"Honey, I'm going to my room to prepare for the day. And by the way. I don't think you are in heat anymore. I don't smell you as strong."

You don't? That's great. I can get back to my normal life. I want to go exploring the palace. There is still so much I haven't seen.

"Ok, Dear. Be careful. I love you."

I love you, too. Caleb. I'm just getting out the bed and Caroline comes in with my breakfast. Caroline thank you, so much for everything you have done for me the past few days. You have been so helpful. And some great news is you don't have to bring my meals to me anymore. I'm no longer in heat.

"Ms. Taylor that's great. I know it's been driving you crazy staying in here. And it's no problem doing this stuff for you. It's my job and I love what I do."

After I get myself together, I thought I might go exploring the palace some.

"If you like walking, the orchards are out front and the gardens are in the front to the left of the driveway. There is a nice patio in the back with a pool and sporting fields. If you would like there is also a stable but they usually take a car to it."

Thank you, so much. I'm not sure where I might venture off to.

"Just be sure to tell one of the door men where you are going. So, if you've been gone long. They know where to look."

Ok. I will. Have a nice day Caroline.

"You too, Ms. Taylor."

I eat my breakfast and get in the shower. I have no idea where I want to go. I've been to the patio, just not any farther that way and only driven past the stuff in the front. Maybe I'll go for a walk in the orchards. I get dressed and head out my room. I go to the front of the palace and I'm greeted several times by staff. I get to the doorman.

"Can I help you Ms. Taylor."

No, sir. I'm just going for a walk in the orchards.

"Ok. Ms. Taylor. Be careful."

I will. Thank you. I walk down the stairs and across the driveway. There is a beautiful gate at the entrance to the orchard and several staff members out here picking fruit. I love the smell of fresh fruit. There is just something about the smell of it when it hasn't been picked yet. I walk by several kinds of apple trees, pear trees, peach and orange trees. Everything is so organized. I come to a fork in the path that goes one way for fruit and the other for nuts. I continue to follow the fruit path. It takes me past cherries, plums, lemons and limes. I come to a fence and on the other side I see more fruits. It appears to be grapes, strawberries, and maybe blackberries and blueberries. One of the staff notices me there.

"If you would like to get into those fields. When you leave the palace steps go to the right down the driveway. You will see another gate for those and a little past that will be the vegetable gardens."

Thank you. I just might have to go to them another day. I start walking back up the path and arrive at the fork. This time I go down the nut path. This is relaxing. They have pecans, almonds, English walnuts, black walnuts, pistachio and cashew trees. Then I come to a fence again. It appears to be peanut bushes. When I get back to the driveway if there is time I might go down to the next gate. As I'm walking back it looks like a storm is coming up and I hear thunder in the distance. So much for walking farther down. I definitely don't want to get soaked. So, I head back to the palace.

"How was your walk Ms. Taylor."

It was great just had to cut it a little short with the storm coming up. I got really sweaty out there. I'm going to take another shower before dinner. I don't want to go in looking like this. I get to my room and jump in the shower. Once I'm out I fix myself up and put on a cute sundress. I decide to go surprise Caleb and then walk with him down for dinner. I start down the hall that his office is on and as I get near the Beta's office, I hear a familiar voice. It's Leah.

"Dad, I don't know what to do. I over-heard them talking yesterday that Caleb has marked her. And they are already planning the wedding. She had her wedding dress on her bed with her mom and best friend in her room."

Then I heard Leah's dad say.

"Leah, you know what you have to do. You failed in getting Caleb to mark you. And you know how important it is to us for you to be the next Luna. I need this job and you could have persuaded Caleb to keep me on as the Beta. You have to get rid of her. Befriend her. Get them to let down their guard."

"OK. Dad."

I hurry past the door. I can't believe what I had heard. Caleb was right when he told me to be careful around her. I get to his door and it is open. I jump into the opening. Surprise.

"Erica. It's great to see you. What a wonderful surprise. I heard you went for a walk in the orchards today. How was it?"

It was lovely. But I over-heard the Beta and Leah talking. He told her to get rid of me. You were so right about being careful around her. And yesterday she was eavesdropping at my door. She over-heard us talking about you marking me. Caleb was turning blood red.

"If they try to hurt you in anyway. They are done here. Come on lets go down for dinner. We will listen as we get near the door to see if they are still taking. He want be expecting me quite yet to be leaving my office."

We get to the door and I can hear Leah crying. Her dad is still talking to her about how she has failed the family. Then he brings up about me walking in the orchard today.

"Leah she is starting to venture out more and it will make it easy to do away with her. Just be friendly and tell her you want to go with her sometime. I'm sure you can come up with something to do to her when you get alone."

I look over at Caleb and he has his phone out recording their conversation.

"Honey I'll take this to my father. He needs to hear this. I can't do anything about it as I'm not the Alpha yet. My father has to handle it. I can only fire and appoint someone new once I am the Alpha. Just promise me you will be careful. Just in case she tries something. I really hate to bring this to my father's attention in his condition. Our Beta is supposed to be my father's best friend. I think I will just bring up the suspicion of the Beta starting to cause trouble. And us together try to set them up. I will have extra cameras installed and put a couple more security men around you."

Caleb, wouldn't that deter them from doing something if I have security around me.

"No, I'll just have them at a distance. Just kind of watching over you. That way if anything does happen, they are close by. I'll talk to my dad after dinner. Come on lets go."

We walk into the dining hall and to my great surprise, the Alpha is sitting at the table. I bow my head to him. It is great to see you again sir.

"You too, Ms. Taylor. I hear we have a wedding in the works."

Yes, sir. In less than two weeks.

"I'm really looking forward to it. We are planning a massive fireworks show right after. It will be unlike anything the pack has ever seen."

I really appreciate everything you both are doing for the wedding.

"And Caleb thank you for covering for me. So, I can gain my strength back the best I can."

We all sit down together for dinner. I is so nice being around everyone again. I have really missed it. We finish our meal. Caleb looks up at his father.

"Father, can I have a word with you in private."

His father looks at him and nods. His mother looks surprised at Caleb's request. But the rest of us clear the room to give them some privacy. Once out of the room Luna McClay takes my arm and asks.

"Is everything ok? Caleb wants to be alone with his father and you both looked strange when y'all came into the dining room."

I over-heard the Beta and Leah talking. They want to get rid of me so that Leah can be with Caleb.

"We must do something about this now. We can't have them hurting you. Especially since you may be carrying an heir."

Caleb wants to catch them in the act. All we have right now is a recording of them talking it over. He wants to add more cameras and have a couple security guards to just keep an eye on me. I don't think Caleb wants the stress of all this on his father but he said that his father needs to know.

"That is true. Thank you for telling me. I'll be more alert to what is going on, also. I never would have thought Leah would do something to hurt you and Caleb."

Caleb already had his suspicions because he had told her to stay away from us. Caleb comes walking out of the dining hall. His father is still at the table with an angry yet saddened face. I told your mother about what we heard.

"Ok. I let dad listen to the recording. He said for us to just stay alert and to put extra security out. That we already have so much happening in a short time we really don't want to bring a scandal to head right now. I agreed. We already knew that the Beta was mad that I had taken over for my father during this time. But had him agree that it would be good practice for my future."

We all hug. Luna McClay goes back into the dining hall with the Alpha. Caleb and I head upstairs to our quarters.

"Erica. Do you mind if I stay the night with you again? I hate to keep asking but I sleep some much better beside you."

I don't mind at all. I have a complete sense of security when you are with me. We get ourselves ready for bed and lay down. He kisses me a couple times and then cuddles up next to me. This feels so different. He isn't all over me in the rage of passion. It is so peaceful. I love making love to him but this is so relaxing. Just laying here in his arms.