29. Rain

**Rain**

Tatiana leaves, and Caleb looks at me. I bury my face in the crook of his neck, and he strokes my back.
Safia comes to the surface, sniffing Caleb. When she is satisfied Caleb and Raven are fine, she sits and watches our soulmate.
"Are you alright?" Caleb says, and I shake my head. "What happened?"
I lift my head, "I was so scared when I saw you in that cell." I swallow hard. "I don't want anything to happen to you!"
Caleb kisses the top of my head, "Nothing happened to me, Red."
"Except that you passed out because of the pain!" I say in an angry tone.
Caleb groans. "I am sure the whole pack knows by now!" He pulls me into his lap, and I rest my head on his should. "Can I ask you something personal?" I tense for a moment and nod. "You don't have to reply if you don't want to. What's is it that scares you more when you think about having sex with me?"
Where do I start? While what I shared with Jordan hasn't been an entirely bad experience, the way he acted when I gave myself to him hurt me more than I can say. I still remember how he called me slut in my room.
I play with Caleb's hair while I think about how to reply. To my relief, he is patient.
"I am afraid you will be disappointed," I finally admit.
"Why would I be disappointed?" Caleb asks, and I scent his shock.
I look at his wardrobe and frown when I see claw marks on the doors.
"Because I am not a virgin," I say and cringe.
I know how it sounds but the first time I had been with someone, he treated me like I was a whore, and now I am scared it will happen again. I know it is stupid, but I can't help it.
"Look at me, Red," Caleb says softly. When I do as he asks, Caleb continues talking, "It's not your fault, and I would never be disappointed about something like that. It's not like I am a virgin," he chuckles bitterly.
"What if you don't like my body?" I ask. I feel as if I can't breathe.
"Red, stop! Listen to what I have to tell you. The night we had our first date, seeing you in that fucking red dress and knowing I couldn't kiss you drove me crazy! You have no idea how beautiful and sexy you are!"
He wanted to kiss that night?
I shrug, "Well, technically, I don't know."
"Then I will tell you each day! Red, you are so fucking beautiful and sexy, and I the happiest werewolf in the world because you are my everything! And the day you are ready to have sex with me, I will make you forget of everything that happened to you because I will worship your body, mind, heart, and soul!"
My heart starts to hammer in my chest, and I feel like melting. It takes all my strength not to straddle him.
If he keeps talking like that, I will lose my mind, among other things.
Suddenly I feel nervous. "Caleb," I breathe.
He dips his head. "I like you very much, Red."
"And I also like you," I say before his lips find my mouth.
Caleb kisses me for a long time, his tongue dancing around my tongue. His hand rests on my hip, and when I suck his tongue, his grip tightness. His lips move on my jaw, and Caleb kisses it. When his mouth finds my neck and kisses a sensible spot, a moan escapes my lips. Caleb freezes for a moment before hugging me tightly and burying his face in my hair.
I pet his hair, and we stay like this for a while, and I think of everything that had happened since I started dating Caleb. I know it's been only days, but I think I am starting to fall for Caleb, and as he said—it is exciting and amazing and scary because I know that once I fall for him, he will be the love of my life.
"Please, don't break my heart," I whisper. "I don't think I will survive it!"
Caleb looks at me, "Your heart is safe with me! Will you keep mine safe?"
"Always!" I promise.
He kisses me again, and I can taste his desire and desperation. But no matter how much we kiss, Caleb remains in control of his emotions.
"My Red! My beautiful soulmate!" Caleb says between kisses.
When we stop kissing, I rest my head on his shoulder.
"Caleb, why are claw marks on the wardrobe's doors?" I ask.
Caleb groans. "Nightmares!"
"Do you have them often?" I ask while my fingers comb his hair. I love playing with his hair.
I don't know when I went from 'I can't stand Caleb' to 'I am falling for Caleb.' But as I sit on his lap, still tasting him on my lips, I want to keep falling and falling until he catches me.
"Almost every night," Caleb says.
"Oh, Caleb. I wish it would be almost every night I am free of nightmares," I say.
Caleb sighs, "Then I would have to give up on sleeping."
"What do you mean?"
Caleb rubs my arm, "The only nights when I don't have nightmares are those when I don't sleep."
I chew my lip. "Is there a way to stop them?" Caleb is quiet. "Tell me!"
"You are not going to like it!" Caleb groans.
"Remember that rule of yours that says we have to be honest? Well, I want you to tell me the truth," I say while I still play with his hair.
"The only thing that calms me is your presence, Red. You keep my demons a bay and chase away my nightmares."
"How about we sleep in the same room?" I say.
"No, Red!"
"Caleb, I also have nightmares," I whisper. "I still dream about him."
Caleb stops breathing.
I can't remember how many times I dreamed about being back in Alpha's Ben office. And when I woke up from a nightmare, I would look around the room, wanting to be sure he didn't come looking for me.
And while I am the one who told Caleb we should sleep in the same room, I am not sure if I said it for me, for him, or for both of us. But I know that I want to have at least one night when I don't wake up and have to look under the bed while I hold the knife I hide under my pillow.
Caleb hugs me, "I'll sleep on the couch."
I laugh, "You mean the one that looks like it had survived WWI, WWII, and an elephant stampede?"
Caleb laughs, and we look at his couch. Even my old mattress had seen better days.
"It's vintage," Caleb says, and I shake my head. "I am serious; I will sleep on the couch!"
I look at Caleb, and for one moment, I think that everything that is happening to me is too good to be true. The way Caleb treats me is so painfully beautiful, and it scares me like nothing else. What if he sees how broken I am or thinks I am cursed? What if he doesn't want me anymore? What if I fall in love and he rejects me?
A lump forms in my throat, and I swallow hard. A tear must have fallen from my eyes because Caleb wipes it with his thumb.
"Why are you upset?" Caleb asks. "Are you crying because I will sleep on the couch while you can have my bed?" he says.
"I am scared. I am scared of me, of you, of us. I am scared of loving you, and I am scared of not loving you," I say.
Caleb nods, "I feel the same. But I also know that you are the only person that truly belongs to me, and I belong only to you. I never had a true home, not until you. You are my home, Red!"
"You are my safe harbor, Caleb," I say before kissing him.
A knock on the door makes me jump. I move next to Caleb.
"Come in!" Caleb says, and the door opens.
"We are having Movie Night and pizza! Are you coming?" Conon asks when he enters.
"As long as you are not the one that chooses the movie, we are in," Caleb says.
Conon laughs, "It's Viki's turn!"
Caleb groans, and I laugh because I already know what we are watching. I jump from the bed before screaming. "Horror movie night!"
Conon chuckles. "At least someone is excited."
Caleb groans, and I laugh. "Come one! I promise I will let you hold my hand!" I say and go to Caleb, grab his hand and pull it until he is standing.
"For your information," Caleb says, "horror movies don't scare me!"
"Sure they don't," Conon. "That's why you screamed last time!"
"I screamed at the girl from the movie wanting to let her know the monster was right behind her!" Caleb says while we are going to the movie room. Conon laughs.
When we enter the movie room, I see that all the couches are occupied. Usually, only those who live in the Pack House come to Movie Night, but from time to time, other pack members will come.
Someone makes room for Caleb and me on the couch, and we somehow manage to squeeze ourselves between two males.
The projector screen is ready, and on the tables, I see homemade pizza and soda. I have to admit that Blade makes some excellent pizza.
"Is everyone ready?" Conon asks enthusiastically, and a few pack members groan. "Ladies, grab your pussy-wussies males' hands, and let's get this show on the road!"
Several females laugh while Viki puts the movie. The movie starts, and more than one male ends up muttering under his breath. I bite my lower lip, hiding my smile.
After the first scene, I grab a slice of pizza. Around ten minutes later, while I am chewing another slice, I hear a lot of 'gross.'
"How can you eat and watch that?" Caleb asks, and I shrug.
A more grotesque scene follows, and someone stands and leaves.
I finish eating and lean on the couch and watch the movie. While the others are gasping and someone even screams, I try hard to hide my smile. Horror movies never scared me. They have the opposite effect, and I usually end up laughing.
After a scene that is for sure the winner of The Golden Raspberry Awards, the male that is sitting to my left stands and leaves. Five minutes later, another stands and leaves, and I laugh.
Conon comes over and sits next to me, "Told you they are pussies!"
I smile. "You did!"
The movie reaches the part where the monster kills like it's his mission to save Earth from humans, and I cover my mouth because I am on the verge of laughing.
"This is the part where you act like you are scared, and I offer you my hand!" Caleb whispers in my ear.
"Are you sure you are not the one that needs to hold my hand?" I ask.
"Humor me."
I can't help myself. "Oh, big and mighty Alpha, the monster is so scary, and this poor, little Omega is terrified! What shall I do?" I ask in a loud voice. Conon laughs so hard he is basically howling. "How did I do?" I whisper my question to Caleb.
"Perfect," Caleb whispers back. "Oh, my poor, poor Omega, do not worry, for your Alpha shall save you from the monster!" he says loudly before pulling me into his lap.
I squeal, and some males laugh.
Caleb buries his face in my hair and inhales deeply.
"The mighty Alpha saved little Red from the monster!" Conon says. "Only to end up in the lap of the big bad wolf!"
More pack members laugh.
"Good thing I like the bad wolf!" I say.
I make myself comfortable on Caleb's lap and watch the movie.
When the movie ends and Viki turns on the lights, I spot Elton and decide to go and say 'hi.'
"I am going to talk to Elton," I say to Caleb before I stand.
Once I am in front of Elton, I lift my hand at the same as him. My hand touches his, and my instinct whispers. *'Theta! Mine!'*
I gasp, and Safia looks at him with curious eyes.