On usual mornings, my dad would wake up absurdly early and make my mom and me breakfast. Our mornings were filled with conversation of our daily plans, me finishing my homework on the kitchen table next to my toast, and the morning news playing in the background.

If I think hard enough I can even smell my father's morning coffee.

But, this morning wasn't a usual morning.

No, this morning I was woken up to my mom flipping on the light switch in my room and shaking me. She was mumbling something about how the power went out last night, so no one woke up on time.

This morning was filled with scrambling, trying to find my book bag, my dad yelling that I never put it in the entryway like I was supposed to, my mother yelling at both of us to stop fighting.

This morning I walked to the car with them, still struggling to put my hair up.

This morning we drove through an intersection with a green light, at the same time a blue sedan drove through the intersection with a red light.

I opened my eyes to a bright light above me. I blinked a few times, trying to remember where I was.

"Good to see you're awake," an older man walked over to me with a cup of water. "I told them you wouldn't be out long."

I sat up, taking the water from him.

"Where's Caleb?" I asked.

"He's right outside, I'll go get him," he said, before standing up and walking out the door.

Not even a second later Caleb came rushing into the room, and sitting in the chair next to my bed.

"How are you feeling? Are you okay?" He asked, his questions rushed.

"I'm okay," I said.

Caleb sighed in relief. He brushed a piece of hair away from my face and kissed my forehead lightly.

"You scared the shit out of me," he said, leaning his forehead against mine. "What happened?"

"She had a panic attack," the older gentleman told him. "Have you had anything to eat today?" he addressed me.

I shook my head.

"That's why you passed out," he said.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, standing up. Caleb took my hands to help me, he seemed worried.

"I'm fine, really," I said, doing my best to assure him.

"You should get something to eat, then I'd suggest some sleep," the man said.

"Thanks Dorian," Caleb said, leading me out of the room. "Let's get you something to eat," he said before scooping me up in his arms.

I yelped in surprised as my legs were swept out from under me.

Caleb carried me into a kitchen, one fit for a restaurant. He sat me down onto one of the stainless steel counters and then took it upon himself to make my plate of food.

"So," I began, "Sophie was your girlfriend?"

Caleb sighed as he handed me the plate of chicken.

"It's a long story," he said, rummaging around the drawers, looking for a fork to give me.

"I'd like to hear it," I said, quietly.

"Well," he started, handing me the utensil, "we've known each other our whole lives."

He gestured to my plate for me to eat. I speared a piece of chicken with my fork and placed it in my mouth.

"Her dad is a Beta, my dad's right hand man," he explained for me, "and it's tradition that the Beta's daughter marry the Alpha's heir if said heir doesn't find his mate before becoming leader of the pack."

"And you're...the heir," I said, Jack's earlier comment rang in my ears.

"Yes," he said. He looked at me with cautious eyes, gauging my reaction.

"You were going to marry her?" I asked. I could practically feel my chest hallow out at the thought.

"Only if I never found you," he said, taking my hand, "but I did."

"So, what would have happened if you didn't find me until after you were married?"

"I would've divorced Sophie and married you," he said, nonchalantly.

"Well, what if you had kids with her?"

Caleb sighed. I could only assume that he was tired of me asking questions.

"They wouldn't be in the line of succession anymore, whatever kids I had with you would be the next heirs."

"So she was raised to be your insurance plan?" I asked, disgusted at the thought. I hopped down from the counter only to have Caleb caged me against it with his arms.

"It's only tradition, Birdie," he said, spearing another piece of chicken on my fork for me, "the pack can't be left without a Luna."

"Why didn't you ever tell me your position?" I asked, setting the fork back down on the plate behind me.

"I didn't want to overwhelm you," he said, he set his hands on my waist and held me close to him. "Having a human mate is so different than what I thought it'd be. I'm always so scared you're going to run away."

He whispered the last part.

A wave of guilt crashed over me. The fact that he didn't know how committed I was to him already, saddened me.

"What can I do?" I asked, running my hands along his back to try and soothe him. "To show you I won't run away, what can I do for you?"

Caleb took a deep breath before lifting his hand to brush my hair over my shoulder, exposing my neck for him.

"Let me mark you," he said, his eyes pleading, "then I'll know that you're mine forever."

I took a few deep breathes, weighing my options. If I let him do this, then werewolves and castles would be the rest of my life. Was I willing to give up a normal human life for this man in front of me? In the end I didn't have a choice at all. There was no life I could see without Caleb in it. He was what I wanted.

"Okay," I said, my voice so quiet it came out a whisper.

Caleb smiled. He set a gentle hand on my cheek before kissing me passionately.

"I don't want to do it here, though," I said, my cheeks reddening at the thought of someone hearing us.

"Don't worry," he said, kissing me again, "I have the perfect place."