Chapter 31

Caleb’s Point of View

Work has consumed me lately. We are expecting a harsh winter, so I have been in trade negotiations with neighboring packs, trying to ensure that everyone is supplied. I have also been fielding a lot of questions about my mate. Although Daphne and I have marked each other, we have not set a date for the ceremony. This is making people question whether we are true mates. Daphne should have stepped up as my Luna, but she is still learning about herself and our pack. I know that she is not ready. I am hoping to shield her from the extra attention for a little while longer. Hopefully with time she will become more comfortable with her new position in life.

This waiting game has taken its toll on me though. I hear the rumors that we have trouble in paradise, that she is not my real mate, that a spell was cast over me to make me believe that she is my mate. They are a bunch of crap, but rumors spread quickly. Even Marcus has called me to chat this week about them. I have Theo teaching Daphne as fast as he can about the politics that govern us, and about the pack and its history. She is a quick learner, but because she was so sheltered and abused it is like trying to cram fifteen years of knowledge into a few short weeks. I know that we will have to do the ceremony soon in order to put these rumors to rest. I can not have the entire werewolf community doubting my mate before she even has a chance to prove herself as a Luna. I also havea sneaking suspicion that some of these rumors were started by members of the Silver Moon pack.

Although I was fair in the deal I made with Alpha Jason for Daphne, I know that he is not happy with the fact that I will not open trade negotiations with him and his pack. It did not help that I basically threatened to destroy his pack. What did he expect though, he mistreated my mate? Any male but especially an Alpha male would be outraged about the mistreatment of his mate. Either way the rumors are getting out of hand, and I fear that it could bring trouble to my pack. If these rumors continue it will make my pack look weak, and that could bring us under attack. ~

Many people have coveted what I have built here, but few are willing or able to do the work that it takes to get here. More than once we have been attacked by someone stupid enough to think that they can step into my shoes. Not to toot my own horn but my people follow my lead out of respect and love, not fear. I doubt that they would work as well under a tyrant. Luckily, most of my neighboring packs have Alphas that work very similarly to me, and we generally get along. °

I know that I must talk to Daphne soon about the mating ceremony, but I have been putting it off. I do not want to stress her out. I am scared that if I do it will hinder the progress she has already made. I can see how far she has come in such a short time. She is doing well in training. As an Alpha sometimes I have to travel, andl want to make sure that she can defend herself

in my absence. She has made great progress in learning defense techniques in both her human and wolf form. She is also doing well with Theo, and I know he is teaching her some etiquette as well because as my Luna she will be expected to attend social events with me.”