A/N: Minor time jump sorry! Felt like this progressing too slowly.

A few days later, I was cooking dinner in Caleb's kitchen, which was also mine now, well ours. It still felt weird to think of this place as ours, no matter how many times Caleb would remind me when I slipped up.

I was quickly cutting up vegetables, while thinking of how fast everything had happened. Only a week ago, I was living with my Mom in a big city and now I was living with my mate and we were a family. 

Caleb had been such a blessing, even though I still felt I didn't deserve him. I still longed to feel the sparks everyone had been telling me about since I was young, but there wasn't even the faintest hint of them whenever we touched. To be frank, touching him was a constant reminder of being broken, so I tried to keep my distance.

I slept in my own bedroom, although I could hear whines outside the door every night. But even those didn't tug at my heart strings, which only saddened me more. Caleb had been on the phone with other packs, trying to find out which of the Oracles would be the best fit for my condition. I hoped he wouldn't be too disappointed when it turned out nothing could be done for me. Maybe he'd even agree to let me go back home.

Mom had gone back to the city, she was packing up all of our belongings there. I had tried to go with her, but that's where Caleb had drawn the line. He could deal with half a bond, but he couldn't bear to let me go that far without him and he couldn't leave either.  Luke had gone with her in my stead. I felt like a failure of a mate and a failure of a daughter, but I tried not to show too much self-pity. Even though it felt like I was drowning in it from time to time.

Cooking helped me to stay sane, to keep my mind of things, so that's what I've been doing the last couple of days. I was stocking the freezer with all sorts of meals and had some brought over to the pack house too. I still hadn't met much of the pack again. It felt like another boundary I wasn't ready to cross. Once more, Caleb was patient with me, more so than I deserved. 

Caleb and Alexander had really bonded, the family tie was very clear and their connection was almost instant. Alexander had accepted him as his Daddy and I had to admit, it warmed my cold heart to see them like that. Maybe I could learn to love Caleb without a mate bond, if only for Alexander's sake. It would never be the same kind of love as that undeniable knowing of being with your soulmate, but maybe it would be enough.

For that to happen, I'd have to actually talk to Caleb though, the past few days I'd purposely avoided him as much as I could. I found excuse after excuse for tasks to do, so I wouldn't have to stay in close proximity to him. I knew I was hurting his wolf and by extent, him. That it felt like a rejection every time I did it, but without a mate bond, I couldn't feel the direct effect of it. 

Putting my knife down, I decided I'd have to make more of an effort if I wanted this to work out. 

Not even a second later, Caleb barged into the kitchen, eyes darting across the room for potential danger. I raised an eyebrow at his behavior, not being able to resist the question floating out of my mouth.

"What are you doing?"

Half a laugh escaped my lips at his bewildered face.

"You were meticulously cutting and all of a sudden you stopped halfway, so I thought.."

He trailed off, once he noticed there really was no danger. He began to back out of the kitchen again, not wanting to face my rejection of his presence once more.

"Wait!" I heard myself saying, a little too forceful.

At once, he stilled, finding my eyes, looking hopeful.

"Stay? Let's talk while I cook."

Eagerly he nodded and took a place at the breakfast bar, close to my cutting board, but not too close to be within touching range. He respected my boundaries without having to ask.

"So.. Have had any luck finding a suitable Oracle?" 

I asked him, while I started cutting vegetables again. This time, I was cooking up a broth with loads of vegetables and chicken. A good healthy soup with loads of vitamins for growing wolves.

"Got some possibilities, but I want to make sure I pick the right one, only have one chance to get this right, after all." 

His tone was playful, showing he had no resentment towards me for my condition. 

I nodded in response. "Yes, be sure to pick the one with the largest resume of fixing werewolves without an actual wolf-side."

"Ha.Ha." he responded with a roll of his eyes, earning a giggle from me. I liked this grumpy side of him. 

I stayed silent after that, contemplating what to say next, but after a few seconds, my eyes automatically searched for his again. He was already looking at me and I couldn't turn away. In a flash, he was pressed against my back, until he turned me and pushed me against the counter-top. He gently unclasped the knife from my hands and then brought his warm hands up to my cheeks.

"I'm going to kiss you now. Last chance to object."

I didn't respond and couldn't help it when my eyes fluttered close in anticipation. After all, it had been seven years since I'd been kissed and even though I didn't feel the mate bond, I was a healthy woman, with needs of her own.

I could feel his lips hovering over mine, if I puckered, they'd be touching, I could feel the warmth oozing from them, his warm breath was fanning my face. Any closer and we'd be kissing and I didn't know if I was ready, but I knew I wasn't going to object.

"Mommy? When are we having dinner, I'm hungry?"

Came a small voice while it bounded into the kitchen.

"Eww, what are you doing!"

The warmth from Caleb's body pressed against mine disappeared and as I opened my eyes, he was about a foot away from me, looking at his son with a fond expression on his face, although he stole a glance at me and winked.

Great timing Alexander.