Page 76 of Mated By the Pack
I don’t have a lot of information about Clyde, but based on what Abigail said, he should be living in the Middle District now. Working at Haven North General Hospital. It isn’t much to go on, but it’s a start.
“I guess I’ll see what information I can pick up,” Vance says. “I’m not going to talk to anyone, but I’ll have a look around. Maybe I’ll overhear something useful near some of the bars. I’m sure they haven’t closed yet.”
“We’ll learn more if we have a few more sets of eyes and ears on the streets,” Gideon says, glancing toward the door. “Caleb can stay with our mate. We’ll need to be careful and stay out of sight. Don’t use your wolves unless you have to. If anyone runs into trouble, howl.”
“I don’t think I’ll need to howl if I run into trouble in Haven North,” Jace chuckles. “They’ll be the ones howling for help.”
“Try not to cause a scene,” Knox growls. “We don’t need a bunch of peace officers on the streets looking for us.”
“Meet back here at sunrise,” Gideon says, walking to the door.
“Be careful…” I whisper, but none of them react.
Gideon, Jace, Knox, and Vance leave the warehouse. I’m alone with Caleb, now. I assume there will be no conversation. Maybe not even a glance. But then he closes the door, turns toward me, and I see it in his eyes. The same hunger. The same need.
“You have my scent,” I whisper, feeling a tremor shoot through me.
“Yes,” he growls, moving toward me with a purpose. “But before I claim you, I’m going to punish you for dragging us into this fucking city again. Putting us all in danger. And for what, Calla? Revenge?”
“It’s not just revenge. I want to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.” I say, standing my ground. “And you’re one to talk. Didn’t you burn Haven South to the ground after…”
“Shut your damn mouth,” Caleb snaps. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I get it, Caleb,” I sigh, still standing my ground, even when he towers over me. “You were hurting, and you lashed out. It sounds like they deserved it, too. But you don’t have to keep carrying the pain. The grief. You can let go of it. He’d want you to.”
A guttural growl echoes in Caleb’s throat. “You don’t know a damn thing about Silas.”
“I-I’ve met him,” I admit, biting my lip and looking up at Caleb. “In my dreams. He talks to me. He told me his pack would claim me before I even knew what was lurking in the dark.”
“You’ve been talking to Silas? In your dreams?” Caleb asks, leaning closer. “This entire time? And you didn’t think that was worth mentioning?”
“It’s hard to explain. I’m not sure how much I should tell you,” I say apprehensively.
“You’re going to tell meeverything,” Caleb growls. “Then I’ll decide how bad your punishment is going to be for keeping it from us. If you’re our mate, there can be no secrets, Calla. Especially secrets that concern the pack.”
“I didn’t mean to keep secrets,” I say meekly, knowing I’ve had plenty of opportunities to tell them. “I don’t really understand everything myself.”
“Then we’ll figure it out together,” Caleb says.
Caleb turns away from me. He walks to a stack of the boxes and starts opening them. I see him collecting a few things, but can’t tell what they are.
“And you’re not going to help me, are you?” I mutter, looking down at the bracelet. “You probably think I deserve it, because I’ve got somethingsacredinside me.”
My bracelet continues to pulse, not offering any input. Caleb finally turns around and I see that he’s holding several strips of leather. I swallow hard and my core clenches. I should be scared, especially if he’s going to punish me, but I’m not.
“What is that for?” I ask, despite already having a good idea.
“I’m not going to make you ask your bracelet to tie you up,” he says darkly, walking toward me.
“I-I’ll tell you what I know,” I whisper, taking a step back as he gets closer.
“You could have done that anytime,” Caleb mutters, grabbing my arm and wrapping the leather around my wrist. “But don’t worry, after I’m done punishing you, you’ll know not to keep secrets from us again.”
Caleb secures my wrists, then pulls me toward some old furniture in the corner of the warehouse. He undresses me quickly, but his gaze doesn’t linger, even when I feel the arousal I know he can smell. He spins a wood chair around, bends meacross it, and ties the leather to the legs. The chair is heavy and difficult for me to move—he probably realizes that.
Once the leather dangling from my wrists is tied down, he starts binding my right ankle. I groan and protest, but it doesn’t do any good. As soon as he pulls my legs apart to secure my left ankle, I can feel the heat between my legs. The dampness. The traitorous trickle. I’m turned on, even though I know this is going to hurt.
“This isn’t necessary,” I whimper. “I won’t keep secrets. I promise I’ll tell you everything.”
