Picture of Calder!

This chapter is in Calders pov for reasons you will read. It will go back to Collens pov next chapter.

Calder POV

Today is my day with Collen, I can’t lie and say I trust him yet but I can't deny how attractive he is. I don’t mean to be an ass, there’s no specific reason, maybe there is. Anyway, I had the whole day planned, no I didn’t half-ass the plans.

“So Mr. Too Cool To Smile, where are we going?” He asked, sticking his tongue out. 

“Haha very funny.” I glared when I really wanted to kiss him and take him here and now. His scent was overwhelming and if I was wearing anything tight he’d surely know I was falling for him, and hard. 

“Oh come on… can’t I get one hint?” I kissed his pouting lips and pulled him out the door ignoring his shocked expression. I just wanted him to just enjoy our time together. Today would be a time to remember. 

I gave him a blindfold because I didn’t want to ruin the surprise, as well as testing how trustworthy he was. Mate or not, family or not, trust is earned and I don’t trust easily. Not after the past, I’ve had. 

Flashback:

10 years ago: 

“Calder, I know you’re mad but this isn’t the way.” I looked at Callahan, no emotion shown. 

“All alphas deserve to burn in the fiery pits of hell.” I looked at him on the verge of crying.

“I’m angry too but he’s stronger and it’s daytime, you know your powers are weak right now.” I looked at him in disbelief. 

“This is our once in a lifetime chance to not only kill the man who raped you but killed your child because he thought it was an abomination to have a half breed for a son. How are you ok with letting him live?” I half yelled. 

6 months ago:

“We’re under attack!” I heard our guard yell. 

I ran out grabbing my silver sword.

“The bastard is here to finish my brother and I won’t let him lay a hand on my family again.” I snuck behind him and he circled me.

“Little Calder, such a surprise to see you alive and well.” He smirked and I was fuming he killed my niece and nephew and my parents a couple of months back. Callahan and I have been living with our ‘godparents’ for the past six-ish months. 

“Alive and well is putting it lightly you bastard.” He was letting his guard down, it’s almost time to strike. 

“I should have killed you all, Keriana promised me I’d have your land, I’m here for what’s mine!” He lunged for me and I impaled him through the stomach with my wolfbane dipped silver sword. 

“Bastard.” He choked out coughing up blood and I threw his body off the mountain. 

End of Flashback

I can't wait to see his reaction, I really want to try with him. He’s so genuine and I’ve peeked into his dreams and I can tell he’s not like him.

We got to our first destination and I smiled. 

“I’ll take your blindfold off but keep your eyes closed or so help me I will make you regret it.” 

“Feisty one aren’t you?” He giggled. Ok, he’s not normal. Any other person would be scared shitless at my threats, usually because I followed through but no matter.

I led him to the hot air balloon and helped him in. 

“Can I open my eyes yet?” He asked impatiently, pouting more. I swear he’s a child in a grown man’s body. It’s so fucking cute. 

“Yes, you may open your eyes”  I huffed dramatically but I smiled as he looked out at the view with tears in his eyes. Does he not like it, oh shit, what if he was afraid of heights and I brought him up here? 

“It’s beautiful Calder, who knew you were such a romantic.” He said smiling and laughing a little. 

“You think you’re such a comedian.” I smile and without thinking, I wrapped my arms around his waist resting my chin on his shoulder. “But the day is just beginning.” I smiled as I landed the balloon on the beach and he gasped at the sight. 

“You have really outdone yourself, Calder.” He hugged me and I led him to a gazebo thingy on the beach and the path was candle lite with music playing in the background. I would have paid someone to play the violin but that’s too mushy even for me. 

“If you think this is outdoing myself I guess my job here is done.” I smiled, laying my head on his shoulder.

I removed the cloche from our food that I happened to cook myself but I can’t tell him that, he may ask me to cook more often. 

“I hope you like lobster with garlic butter with caesar salad and roasted parmesan potatoes.” I looked at him nervously but tried my best not to show it.

“Calder, this is the best thing I’ve ever had. I’ve traveled all over for work and have never tasted anything like this. I’m no food critic but I wouldn’t mind eating this for the rest of my life.” Hearing him say that made me do a mental happy dance. 

“I love seafood and took a shot in the dark hoping you’d like it too.” Fucking hell. This asshole has me rambling. I blushed at my thoughts and he giggled. Fuck, I’m too quiet, say something, this was your idea Calder.

"I actually love seafood, it's my favorite along with Italian." Whew, I'm so glad Xavier gave us all pointers for our dates with Collen.

“So Collen, tell me, what are your plans for the future. I mean, you have a successful business, what are you going to do when you claim the Alpha title?” I hate talking about myself, to be honest, there’s not much to say about myself. Being the middle child of three but now it just being Callahan and me, I have nothing to say about my past. Whatever I say may ruin the moment and that’s the last thing I’d want. For the first time since Callahan and I have been here, this is the most relaxed I’ve seen him. 

"Well with this spell on me I don't have an active Alpha wolf so I don't know if I will take over the pack even if it is my rightful place. Once the spell breaks, we'll go from there." I can see it in his eyes that he is torn on what to do so when the time comes, he has all of us to support whatever decision he makes. 

We talked about this and that just enjoying each other’s company and for the first time in my 23ish years on this planet, I don’t feel like I have to be on guard and looking over my shoulder. 

Hell, I even left the weapons in the car forgetting I even brought them. I at least have three weapons I carry at all times, my gun, sword, and crossbow. 

“Blindfold back on.” I smile and he puts it back on without a fuss. 

We get back in the balloon so I can return it and we go to a pottery class, cliche I know, wanna fight about it? I swear I’ll end you here and now. 

I took his blindfold off and I covered his eyes because I saw him trying to take the blindfold off in the car and I really don’t want to spank his little bubble butt red until he can’t sit on it right. 

We took the elevator up to the glass sculpture class. I saw this sculpture of a wolf on their website and I just had to bring him here. “We’re here…” I giggle, removing my hands and smile. 

“Calder where on earth are we?” He looked almost terrified. I’ll admit the place looks a bit rundown and sketchy but working with fire, hot materials and whatever else I wouldn’t want the place to look all expensive and you have to pay thousands for damages. 

“We’re taking a glass sculpting class, I thought let’s be adventurous without putting our lives in danger.” I rubbed the back of my neck. 

“We literally rode in a hot air balloon, have you never seen the Amanda show? That mother was stuck in that hot air balloon, I’m sure she died up there.”

“Fair enough, but at least this is less life-threatening unless you screw up.” I teased giggling as he glared at me. 

We took our seats and after a few tutorials and videos, we got to work. Through-out the process he sat behind me, his firm chest against my back, his strong arms on top of mine, his hands working like magic, as he has done this before. I could hardly move or even focus, with his body so close and his hot breath on my neck. 

"Are you going to continue Calder or am I distracting you too much?" He whispered in my ear, trying so hard to keep my mouth closed and not let him see the effect he has on me but from his smirk, I failed miserably. 

“Holy shit that was scary, but I had fun. Thank you for today.” The day isn’t even over yet. It’s just about seven. 

“There’s one more surprise my little wolf.” He groaned probably because he hates when people spend so much on him. It’s ironic that he can spend so much on people but if he’s the one to be spoiled he feels bad. If only he knew that Callahan and I were loaded and had a business of our own but our uncle has been running it since we left to find our mate. 

“Seriously Calder, you guys are too good to me. I’m so glad to have you all in my life and I’m so sorry my lack of self-awareness and clouded judgment made it seem I was unapproachable and I swear I’ll be better.” Is he that blind? We all love him, hell when he’s at work we have nothing else to do but to talk about him. He’s so sweet, caring and has a golden heart, no one blames him for him being so moody, anyone who has ever felt like an outcast may lash out or feel a certain way, I know that feeling all too well especially being the middle child you never know your place in the family, no longer being the baby of the family, you have responsibilities feeling you have to be better than your older sibling. By the end of this vacation, he’ll see just how much he is loved.

I spread a blanket on the sand and we watched as the sunset and just at the right moment I had a few friends light the custom fireworks ending our perfect date and we kissed, his lips on mine in a heated kiss making me feel fireworks inside just as they were going off in the sky. From this day forward I promise to protect this man, my mates, and the pack with my last dying breath… I just hope I’ll be alive to fulfill that promise. 

Picture of what they made in the class.