Claimed by My Bully Alpha (by Anna Kendra) novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Aurora’s P.O.V

I paused a bit before placing my hand in his and felt that zap of electricity as soon as our skin came into contact. Was this how it would be from now on? This feeling of coming alive whenever he touched me?

Caleb led me inside the gazebo and it looked even better when the view of the pond was right in front of me. I wanted to pluck a lotus, to admire its beauty from up close, but they were too far away from the edge and I was afraid there might be snakes in the water.

Caleb must have caught me staring because the next instant, he let go of my hand and went to the very edge of the gazebo and reached out his hand to catch the stem of the nearest lotus and plucked it out of the water before handing it to me.

“For you.” He held it out to me and I took it gratefully, holding the flower close so I didn’t drop it.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to…” But even as I said that, I couldn’t help the feeling of warmth that spread across my chest at his polite gesture.

“Don’t thank me yet.” Caleb spoke softly, keeping a safe distance from me. “I have been a terrible person to you. So don’t thank me until I can become capable of earning your gratitude.”

“Caleb…” I knew I had to face this topic sooner or later, but I hadn’t been prepared for it now. “I…I don’t know if I can forget the past so easily.*

“You don’t have to forget. I know I haven’t been the best person for you, and that all these years of hurt and neglect aren’t going to go away in one day,” he spoke sincerely. “If imprinting on you has taught me anything, it’s to never treat a person in such a way that you can’t even look them straight in the eyes again. But I want to change. I want to be better; not just because of the mating bond, but because I want to make it up to you. Give me one chance, Aurora. Even if it’s the last chance you ever give me.”

I looked up at him unsurely, wondering what I should say to that. However, what I told him next was just as out of context as it was important. “You wanted it to be Caroline, didn’t you?”

Caleb’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you-” But then he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter what I thought in the past Aurora, the truth is that you are my mate and I have accepted it. I want to stay by your side and that’s the truth. Did Caroline say anything to you last night that made you think otherwise?”

“No.” I shook my head immediately. “Caroline had been nothing but kind to me. In fact, I think she wants me to accept the bond and to accept you as soon as I can. I guess a lot of people wanted her to be your mate…it put a lot of pressure on her.”

I didn’t know where that thought came from but I knew for sure that it was a valid one. Caleb and Caroline had always been together for as long as I had known. So it was natural that everyone thought they would turn out to be mates. But I think Caroline was kinda of relieved as well, to find out that she wasn’t his mate. I don’t know how I knew that…but I just did. It was a strange sensation in my heart, this feeling of knowing, and I couldn’t really explain what it meant.

“It put a lot of pressure on both of us,” Caleb admitted. “Especially since our parents are business partners as well as partners in running this pack. But I think Caroline will find a mate who would cherish her with all his heart. Just like I want to cherish you from now on.”

I didn’t answer him right away, since I wanted to sort out my own emotions first. But I think we had come to somewhat of an understanding today that I couldn’t have believed possible even a week ago.

This connection with Caleb was a new beginning for me, for all of us. And this was just as new to me as it was to him. So it was only natural that both of us would need to move forward one step at a time, come what may.

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