Book 2 Chapter 10

Caleb’s Point of View

After letting Theo know that I am leaving the pack lands for a quick errand, I am pumped up as I climb in my Jeep. Everything that I have planned out for Daphne is going perfectly, and I hope this is enough to show my beloved mate that there is nothing in this world that I will not do to make her happy. Daphne’s scent to me has always had a tinge of gladiolas, and I know the perfect place for me to get her a beautiful boutique. I wave goodbye to the guards as I head into LaGrande.

It is not very often that we must wander into human lands for things. Theo and I have built our pack up to be as self-sufficient as possible. We grow most of our own food and raise our own livestock. We also hunt and fish when we want or need to, never taking more from the Earth than we put back. So, I decide that I will take advantage of this time and roll down my windows and blare the radio. I recall when I had brought Daphne to our home. That was the first time that she had ridden in a car or had control of the stereo. A smile graces my face as I recall the simple pleasure that she had gotten from the experience. I love showing her new things, and since she was extremely isolated almost everything is new to her.

LaGrande is a beautiful smaller town in Oregon. It is home to Eastern Oregon University, as well as many mom-and-pop stores that I prefer over larger corporations. I hold nothing against the big- name stores, but I have an old soul that prefers a much ore simple time. I am extremely grateful for the local college as they are the ones that have completed most of our soil samples. It is also extremely convenient for any members of my pack that wish to pursue a higher education, and I have even hosted members of allied packs that wish to pursue a degree. Knowledge is important and I strive to make every avenue available to my pack members to pursue their passions.

Today is not for soil samples or higher education, today is about Daphne and me. I cruise down the main road until I see the sign for the shop that I was looking for, Fitzgerald’s Flowers. It is a smaller shop, but they always have the best flowers, and they are one of the few shops that carries gladiolas. I quickly park the Jeep and head into the shop.

Being a werewolf means having an amazing sense of smell. Before I could even open the door to the shop, I was overwhelmed by the floral scent emanating from the shop. I had mentally prepared myself, but my nose was not cooperating, and I started sneezing. Once the sneezing had stopped, I finally made my way to the counter and was greeted by a very courteous worker. I explained to her that I was looking for fresh cut flowers, preferably a bouquet that had gladiolas within it. She was very nice and explained that they did not have anything like that premade but that she would get started on the order immediately and only needed fifteen minuets to make it happen. I told her that I would happily wait for the order to be done.

I hung outside the shop, listening to music in the Jeep while I waited for the order to be completed. After fifteen minuets I reentered the store just as the worker was wrapping my order in cellophane. The worker had done a fantastic job. She expertly surrounded the gladiolas with babies breath, lilies, and few other flowers that I did not know the names of. The gladiolas were by far the show stopping center piece of the artistic boutique, and the worker did an amazing job with incorporating the various colors of orange, yellow, pink, and white. I made sure to tip her extra for the speedy service and artistic talent that went into them.