Mated To The Beastly Alpha
(Book 2) Chapter 6

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Marisol stared into the eyes of her mate. She had never felt so exhilarated in her life. She felt like she would burst with joy. But then, in the depths of her consciousness, an ominous feeling wormed its way in. It was so small that she concluded that it was fear of the "Yes," she breathed out, "Yes. I will marry you."

Every fibre of her being felt alive just by being in his presence. Like she'd been injected with some sort of drug. Tears pooled at the corner of her eyes.

Caleb was the person that she had been waiting for. He was the person that she needed.

All the fear and uncertainty that clouded her brain before vanished. She was happy. Happier than she'd ever been in her life.

She clasped his hands and pulled him up.

"Yes..." Caleb croaked, wrapping his hands around her. He seemed to be shaking with as much emotion as her.

"Thank you... Marisol." He continued. "You don't know what you've just done for me. I could never live without you. My life has been a mess without you, and so I have searched in every nook and cranny for you. My life has been empty and just your presence has made it full. I need you, my pack needs you. I cannot imagine the great things we will do together. Thank you, Marisol."

Marisol was so touched by his words that the tears that she'd tried to hold slipped out of her eyes and began spilling on her shirt.

"I've been waiting for you too," Marisol began. "In the past few days I have been unsettled, scared, and I even had a couple of nightmares. I believed that change was coming, but I didn't know it was this kind. Because you've come around, every ounce of fear has instantly vanished."

They leaned closer. Their lips brushed tenderly. This feeling was tantalizing. Marisol finally understood why her parents seemed obsessed with each other. They barely knew each other, but Marisol knew she was obsessed with the man in her arms. He was hers, hers to keep, hers to love, hers to cherish, hers forever and she was his.

In the underbrush nearby, a twig snapped, but they were too engrossed in each other to notice. Marisol wanted to drown in Caleb's eyes. She wanted all of him. She needed all of him.

He'd awoken a hunger that she'd never experienced. She wanted his hands all over her, she wanted to mark him. She was ready to rip out the eyes of any female being that looked his way. She wanted him to mark her. Now. She wanted it now.

Her hands found their way under his shirt, she wanted to feel him. Another twig snapped, and he flinched as soon as her hands made contact with his skin.

Marisol didn't notice. She wanted her clothes to be ripped off her body. She wanted...

"Mare?" Estella's fearful voice cut through the night.

They jumped apart. Caleb let out a growl and pulled her back into his arms.

"Marisol?" Estella's voice came again.

Marisol huffed. Anger spread through her like a wildfire. What the hell did Estella want?

"Mare, your mom is looking for you and your Alpha mate. She will soon arrive at your room."

Marisol's eyes widened. Her mother might be really warm and as harmless as a cute bunny. But she was not one to cross. Marisol sucked in a deep breath and imagined how mad her mother would be if she caught them. Because it was quite clear that they separated them on purpose.

She wanted to dismiss her fear because she'd just been proposed to, but then she remembered that her father's anger would be triple that of his wife. And there was no way Nicole would get angry without Liam feeling it.

While Nicole would be mad at her, Liam would be mad at Caleb and the whole world. She could have seen his wariness earlier, and she feared for her mate.

"Marisol!" Estella's voice came again.

"We-" Caleb started.

Marisol put her hands on his lips to cut him off.

"Shut up, if you want to live."

Caleb's eyes widened.

They stood unmoving and waited until Estella's footsteps were far enough before they tiptoed back to Caleb's room.

Just as she was about to leave, Caleb pulled her back with another simmering kiss. He had her pressed on the wall outside the guest room and teased and tasted her with his tongue.

Once more, all her fear evaporated. Marisol allowed herself to be kissed thoroughly. She forgot her mother's anger, her father's anger as his tongue dove into hers. She breathed in his sweet scent. She wanted to revel in it. She wanted to drown in it. He held her face as he kissed her senseless, and she kept up, making sure to completely match his energy.

His hands traced her breasts and she gasped. Another delicious sensation crawled down in her stomach.

A resounding applause startled them. Marisol spun around so quickly that she was dizzy.

James and Garrett leaned on the wall. And while anger danced in James' eyes, Garrett bore his signature smile.

"Told you we'd replace them here," Garrett said.

James shrugged and pocketed his hands. "You won the bet. I guess I owe you, don't I?"

Caleb growled at both of them and held Marisol protectively.

"Do you have a death wish?" Garrett murmured, unfazed. "My friend here will rip you to shreds in minutes." He added, patting James' shoulder affectionately.

"What's the problem?" Marisol growled, "Why are you policing me?"

James's eyes fixated on her, "There are rules in this pack, Marisol. You broke them. You of all people know what it means."

"I don't care. He is my mate. He proposed and I said yes." She screamed, waving her finger.

James and Garrett exchanged looks. "What?"

"Yes. We will leave for his pack tomorrow."

^

"What?" Liam raged the next morning.

Something about Caleb didn't sit well, and the gnawing doubts that plagued him had kept him awake throughout the night.

"Marisol said yes?" Liam bellowed, his voice echoing through the packhouse.

Nicole, normally a voice of reason, remained quiet. She understood Liam's concerns but was torn between acknowledging his unease and respecting Marisol's decision.

It happened too fast. Everyone knew that werewolf chemistry was eruptive whenever mates found each other, but then, mates didn't propose until almost a year later. They normally took time to get to know each other. Why the hell did Caleb propose so early? Where was he rushing to?

James and Garrett, well aware of Liam's temper, attempted to calm the furious Alpha. "Liam, Marisol is smart. She knows what she's doing," James reasoned, trying to ease the tension in the room.

Garrett, glancing at Nicole, implored, "Nicole, you've got to do something. He's going to tear the whole place apart."

Liam's hand smashed into the wall. "We were supposed to replace out more about that wolf today, and he has already proposed?"

"Let's sit and reason things," James' tried again.

"Reason?" Liam barked.

Garrett, his voice measured, whispered "Nicole, you've got to calm him down. You know he won't listen to reason right now."

Nicole, her gaze fixed on the floor, struggled with her conflicting emotions. "Liam, I understand everything you're feeling. I'm frustrated too. But Marisol's happiness is everything to me," she finally spoke, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. Liam's frustration surged as he paced back and forth, "Something about that young man doesn't sit right with me. It's too quick, too sudden," he growled, his protective instincts raging against the situation.

"Marisol's an adult, Liam," Garrett interjected gently. "We separated them last night hoping she'd think it over. But maybe she's made up her mind."

Liam's agitation only grew. "We can't just stand by and let this happen. What if Caleb isn't who he says he is?" His Alpha instincts screamed at him to protect his daughter, even if it meant defying her choices. Nicole stood up and approached Liam, her eyes meeting his fiery gaze. "Liam. Marisol is our daughter. We need to trust that she's making the right choices for herself."

Liam's fists clenched, his eyes narrowing as he paced the room. "Trust? After everything we've been through? I can't just blindly trust someone I know nothing about. Something feels off, Nicole."

Nicole sighed, "I get it, Liam. But Marisol deserves our support. Let's give her the chance to explain and share her happiness with us."

"Liam, we can't change what happened," Garrett chimed in. "All we can do now is be there for Marisol. She deserves our trust."

The tension in the room was palpable, each word exchanged laden with unspoken fears and uncertainties. Nicole, torn between the concerns of her mate and the happiness of her daughter, knew that striking a balance was crucial. "Liam, let's talk to Marisol. Hear what she has to say," Nicole suggested, reaching out to gently touch his arm.

Liam, still seething with anger and frustration, reluctantly nodded. "Fine, but I won't let anything happen to our pack because of a rash decision."

The group made their way to Marisol's quarters, the air heavy with unresolved tension. As they entered, Marisol and Caleb stood together, their eyes shining with the glow of newfound love.

"What's all this commotion about?" Marisol questioned her tone, a mix of innocence and defiance.

Liam, struggling to maintain composure, glared at Caleb. "Explain yourself. What are your intentions with my daughter?"

Caleb, unflinching in the face of the Alpha's wrath, spoke with conviction. "Alpha, I love Marisol. My intentions are pure. I would never do anything to harm her."

Liam, unyielding, pressed further. "How can I trust you? We know nothing about you, Caleb Coveton."

Marisol, sensing the escalating tension, stepped forward. "Dad, please. Caleb loves me, and I love him. We didn't plan to rush into things, but sometimes, when you know, you know."

"Marisol," Nicole interjected, "Your father is just concerned. We want to make sure you're happy and safe."

Marisol sighed, her gaze shifting between her parents. "I understand your concerns, but I can't let fear dictate my choices. Caleb and I want to be together. Can't you trust that I know what's best for me?"

Liam sighed heavily. "Marisol, we just want to make sure you're making the right decision."

"I am, Dad. Please, trust me," Marisol pleaded, her eyes searching for understanding in her father's gaze.

Nicole, sensing the fragile balance, stepped forward. "Liam, let's give them a chance. If we push too hard, we might drive her away."

Reluctantly, Liam nodded, a simmering frustration still evident in his eyes. "Fine, but I want to know more about Caleb and his pack. We can't afford any surprises."

Garrett, attempting to lighten the mood, quipped, "Well, I'm sure Caleb has nothing to hide. Right, Caleb?"

Caleb, ever composed, nodded. "I'm an open book, Alpha. I'll gladly share whatever you need to know."

The room fell into a temporary silence. Underlying tension lingered and Liam, though begrudgingly allowing Marisol her happiness, couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was far from over. "Yes, that's why I'm returning with him to his pack."

Nicole gasped and held fast onto Liam, "What?" She gritted out.

"Mom, I cannot leave him." Marisol sighed. "And we cannot stay here. I'll go back and learn about his pack. If it isn't conducive I'll return."

Nicole's hands flew to her chest.

"You should stay for a couple of days, you cannot leave like that," James said.

"I never knew I'd replace my mate at the ball. It is supposed to be a one-day journey for me. My pack is unattended."

"So you want to leave with my daughter now?" Nicole snapped.

"Mom, calm down. He didn't want to leave. It was my idea."

"And so?" Liam growled.

"You're being over-protective and it's suffocating me. Mom and Dad. You're talking like if I leave you'll never see me again. We all know that not only am I capable of taking care of myself, but that you'll be there in seconds if I show any sign of distress. Let me go. I'll be back in a month."

Liam grunted and began pacing about. "Fine," he said finally.

The decision hung heavily in the air as Marisol and Caleb, bound by the promise of their engagement, prepared to leave the pack. Liam and Nicole, wrestling with a mix of conflicting emotions, had reluctantly given their blessings to the union. Marisol, her eyes reflecting a blend of excitement and sadness, bid farewell to familiar faces within the pack. Garrett, attempting to lighten the mood, offered a teasing remark, "Well, Mare, looks like you're off to start a new adventure." Marisol managed a small smile, but the weight of leaving her pack behind tugged at her heart. "I'll miss you all. This pack is my family."

Nicole, her voice tinged with both joy and sorrow, stepped forward to embrace her daughter. "Marisol, my love, remember that we're always here for you. No matter where life takes you."

Liam, struggling to replace the right words, placed a hand on Marisol's shoulder. "Take care of her, Caleb. She's our daughter and the pride of the Dark Moon. We entrust her happiness to you." Caleb, his gaze steady and filled with determination, nodded respectfully. "I'll do everything in my power to make her happy and keep her safe."

"You better. Because if anything happens to her. You'll regret the day you were born."

Caleb swallowed and nodded.

As Marisol and Caleb set off toward Redwood, the pack bond still connecting her to the Dark Moon Pack, the uncertainty of the future loomed. Nicole couldn't shake the worry that accompanied a mother's love. "Liam, are we doing the right thing?" Liam, his eyes fixed on the diminishing figures of Marisol and Caleb, sighed heavily. "I don't know, Nicole. But she's found love, and that's something we can't deny her."

Liam's voice carried a hint of nostalgia as he murmured, "Our little Luna is starting her pack now."

Nicole, her eyes glistening with a mixture of pride and melancholy, whispered, "We've given her our blessings. Let's trust that she'll replace happiness."

Meanwhile, Marisol ventured into the unknown, unaware of the challenges and adventures awaiting her in Redwood.