Chapter Eighteen

We awaken at the same time in the morning.

"Honey I'm going to get myself together and I'll meet you in the hall shortly. "

Ok. I get dressed and fix my hair. Caroline walks in and starts making my bed. Good morning, Caroline.

"Good morning. Ms. Taylor. Are you going to take a walk again today?"

Yes. I am thinking about walking in the flower garden. I really enjoyed my walk yesterday.

"I'm happy you enjoyed yourself. A lot of the staff were talking this morning about how great it was to see someone taking interest in the orchards and fields. The boys are usually only interested in the sporting fields. It is great that you take interest in the beauty of the palace grounds. Everyone works so hard on it all."

Don't the Alpha and Luna care about the grounds?

"Yes. Ma'am they do. But they don't come out and enjoy it. We rarely see them outside of the palace."

Oh. I'm sure they are very busy. I will see you later.

"Ok. Ms. Taylor enjoy your day."

I step out in the hall and Caleb is coming out of his room also. We kiss and head downstairs. I can hear his parents already talking before we enter the dining hall for breakfast. The Alpha is looking better today than yesterday. Talking and laughing. We take our seats and begin our meals. The Alpha looks at Caleb.

"Caleb, I think I'm going to spend at least half a day in the office with you. We can go over more things that will make handing the reins over to you a lot easier. You did a great job covering for me. Now with time getting really close it's time to get things switched over for you to just take over."

"Ok, dad. If that is what you what."

"I already had suspicions about the Beta's intentions with Leah always being around you. That is why in my time away from the office I told him I wanted you to fill in. He didn't want you to but he eventually saw it our way."

We finish our breakfast. Caleb and his father head up to the office. Luna McClay said she had a busy day ahead. Me on the other hand not some much. I headed for a walk in the flower gardens. It is a beautiful day. The birds are chirping. The morning dew still twinkling on the grass. Oh, the flowers are beautiful. The first courtyard has a huge fountain surrounded with red and white roses. I go over to the fountain and sit down. There are koi in the fountain, how nice. I watch the fish for a little bit then move on. The next courtyard is more beautiful than the last. It has yellow and white roses with lots of bird baths and benches to sit on. I love the yellow roses. I could stay in here all day. But it is such a nice day I think I will go for a swim. I head back to the palace and up to my room.

I changed into a bikini and a robe. I go down to the pool. I go through the back doors onto the patio and then walk down the few steps to the pool. It's huge. I lay my towel and robe on a lounge chair and kick off my shoes. Then I walk over and dive head first into the deep end. Oh, its heated. I shouldn't expect anything less at this palace. They do everything up right. Thank goodness it isn't too hot its just warm enough to knock the chill out of the pool. I love swimming it's so peaceful. Then I hear someone. Oh, crap it's Leah.

"Hey Erica. Is that you?"

Yes.

"I thought so. Do you mind if I swim with you?"

No Problem. I don't want her to become suspicious of us by me turning her away. So, I'll just keep an eye on her. As they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

"So how is the wedding planning going?"

Everything is coming along nicely.

"I see Caleb marked you."

I could tell it killed her saying that. Yes, he did. He really surprised me doing so.

"Did he tell you that I had been his girlfriend for several years?"

Yes, he did. She looked completely shocked that he had told me about her. I think I'm going to lay out to dry off. She follows me out of the pool. I spread out my towel and lay down on the chair. Leah dries off and walks over to me.

"Don't get too comfortable with Caleb. Me and him have a long history and he is bound to come back to me. Once he tires of you."

I didn't know what to say as she just walked off. I thought her dad wanted her to get on my good side and that definitely won't do it. I just laid here for a while. Just playing over in my head what she had said. I smiled I'm his mate and he has already marked me as his. Caleb won't leave me for her. Or will he? A shadow appears over me. It startles me.

"How is my baby enjoying the pool?"

Oh Caleb, I'm enjoying it a lot. Come sit down with me. How has your day been?

"It has been great working with my dad. He was able to make it most of the day and by doing so. We got everything finished early."

I had a swim with Leah.

"Really?"

Yes. At first she was friendly, making conversation. But then before she left she told me. That you would get tired of me and come back to here.

"HA, HA, HA. She is delusional. I told her that you are my mate and everyone can clearly see I have marked you as mine. Maybe she will finally get it once we are married. Come on inside. You need to prepare for dinner and I have a few guards I need to talk to. I'll meet you in the dining hall."

OK. I gather my things and rush up to my room. I hadn't realized it had gotten so late. I don't have time for a shower. So, I just pull my hair up into a messy bun and throw some clothes on. I hurry off so I don't keep them waiting. I step through the doorway.

"Look you did make it in time. Come sit. We want to talk about a few plans."

Ok.

"For starters we will be getting married at the palace chapel. Which is at the front of the palace and the ballroom which is directly across from it will house the reception. When would you like to have the fireworks set off?"

Would it be ok to do it as soon as we kiss?

"That sounds good. We haven't exactly decided on when to announce the wedding. But we would like to do it sometime the day before."

Will it be ok to do it the morning of the eve of our wedding?

"That's when we were planning on doing it. Are there any special entrances you would like to make?"

No, not other than the one of us walking into the ballroom as man and wife. I'm a klutz. I don't need to be maneuvering down stairs in heels and long dress. Caleb then speaks up over his parents.

"Next week you will be training with my mother. You need to learn all the things that she handles within the palace. You have a lot on your shoulders with the wedding just over a week away. The invitations will be hand delivered to the pack elders and a few select members to join us starting tomorrow.

Ok, I look forward to learning my role. We hear a lot of commotion in the hall like someone stumbling around. Caleb rushes to see who it is. He disappears. The wait staff comes in with our food and Caleb also returns.

"It was Leah. She had been listening in on us. She now knows our wedding is next weekend. She took off crying." She would have found out soon enough. The Beta and his immediate family are invited to the wedding."

We all begin to eat and Caleb reaches for my hand.

"My dear Erica. Please be careful the next week. I'm not sure what they might try. But I do have guardsmen watching you."

Thank you. That does make me feel a little better. But I really don't want her to be near me at all. Do I still have to be friendly toward her? Even after what she said to me earlier.

"No. If she asks to join you just tell her no. We will see what her reaction is to your rejection."

OK. We finish our meal. Caleb and I head back to our quarters. I think I'm going to take a shower before bed. I didn't have time for a shower before dinner. I want to get the chlorine off of me.

"I'm going to stop off at my room to pick up a few things and I'll be over shortly."

I enter my room and go to the bathroom. I take off my clothes and start looking through the soaps. The coconut smells so good. I think I'll use that one. I turn the shower on and step in. I start washing my hair and the whole room is over filled with the tropical smell. I rinse my hair and notice a shadow moving out side of the shower. The door opens. It is Caleb. My body relaxes. He steps into the shower and grabs my loofah. He starts soaping me up. I take his wash cloth and return the favor. We are slowly moving our hands over each others bodies making sure not to miss one area. I step under the water to rinse off and then he does the same. Caleb then grabs me. He kisses me so passionately. Running his hands around my wet breasts. Then reaches down to rub my clit. I run my hand down his tight sculpted stomach and take his massive erection into my hand. He lets out a moan. Grabs me up and I wrap my legs around him. He pushes me against the shower wall and inserts his hot cock into my dripping wet pussy. Oh, my goodness, he feels so good. My body is becoming use to his enormous girth. It no longer hurts. I lock my arms around his neck as he is thrusting his cock into me. I love this feeling of being as close to my mate as possible. I can feel myself coming close to climax. I start biting his ear and sucking on his neck. Caleb starts pushing into me faster and harder. I scream out his name in pleasure. At the same time I feel his hot cum releasing into my body. The feeling is so amazing my orgasm lasts even longer. Caleb leans back from me. Letting my feet down to the shower floor and starts kissing me again.

"Thank you, baby. I needed you so bad."

No, thank you. Caleb, it gets better and better each time. He cuts the water off and we dry ourselves off. We head to bed. I fall asleep in his arms.