Chapter Three
The following day, the temperature plunged even further, with news networks everywhere broadcasting an extreme cold weather alert. Caleb pulled his toque down over his ears, picked up his backpack with two thermal containers of soup, a bag of sandwiches, an extra hat, gloves, and a blanket, and headed for the door.
“You’re nuts,” Jacob called from the couch. “If you’re so desperate for pussy, wait until tonight and come clubbing with me.”
Caleb shook his head. Jacob didn’t buy the idea of fated mates and had told Caleb, repeatedly, how crazy it was to go off pursuing a homeless woman because of some stupid wolf legend. “See you later, bro. Don’t wait up.”
Leaving his friend muttering to no one, Caleb headed back out into the city. His wolf easily pinpointed his mate’s scent, and within half an hour he’d found her. He watched her from the window of a coffee shop down the street for a while before buying two extra-large coffees and heading out to talk to her.
He was still half a block away when she stiffened and turned in his direction. Caleb stood still and held the coffee up. She eyed him, and then relaxed against the wall again. Taking it as a good sign, Caleb made his way over.
“This isn’t drugged, is it?” She lifted the lid and sniffed.
He settled beside her and passed her the bag with cream and sugar. “If I wanted to drug you, I’d have to use so much you’d be able to smell it a mile away. It’s just coffee.”
She nodded and he watched as she dumped four packets of sugar into the cup. So she had a sweet tooth. He filed away the knowledge. She took a sip and let out a small moan. Inappropriate as it was, Caleb wondered what kind of moan she’d make while he fucked her.
“You men. All pigs.” She must have scented his arousal.
“Don’t make those sounds and I won’t get turned on.”
She arched an eyebrow at him and he shrugged. “Okay, it probably doesn’t matter what you do. I’m a pig.”
“I’m grateful for the coffee, but feel free to leave at any time.”
Digging in his backpack, Caleb took out the extra hat and gloves and passed them to her. “I’m not going anywhere until you go with me.” He leaned back against the wall and sipped his coffee.
They sat without speaking for hours. Caleb’s wolf pranced around, demanding Caleb pick up their mate and carry her off to their den, or at least the nearest alley, to claim her. But his mate was skittish, and doing something like that would only drive her away. No, Caleb could wait her out.
Twice she got up, took some change, and disappeared into the coffee shop to use the bathroom. Caleb watched until she returned each time. She left her things with him, so he was pretty sure she wouldn’t run again, but he needed to keep an eye on her.
As dusk fell, Caleb knew she was getting antsy. Though their wolf blood meant they didn’t feel the cold as keenly, they still weren’t meant to sit in freezing temperatures all day. They needed to get inside, out of the cold. He had to convince her somehow.
“Listen,” he began. “I know you don’t trust me, and I can’t blame you, but I really do want to help. Let me get you a hotel room so you can shower and have a warm place to sleep tonight.”
“Are you saying I smell?”
Caleb was smart enough not to answer. She shifted a little closer to him. “It is pretty cold out here.” He swallowed as she leaned into him, her face only inches away, and one hand on his knee. “A hot shower would feel so good on my skin.” She moved her hand higher up his leg and the vision of her, naked in the shower, combined with the pressure of her touch made him hard as a rock. “And then there’d be a big, warm bed. I could show you how grateful I am.”
She was so close now her breath whispered across his neck, sending erotic shivers throughout him. He closed his eyes, waiting for her to cross the remaining space between them, when she pulled back, laughing.
Caleb glared at her. “I’m trying to help. You don’t have to be a bitch about it.”
Hurt and fear flashed across her face before she gritted her teeth and started gathering her things. Shit. He’d blown it again. His wolf panicked at the thought of losing her again, and he reached out and grabbed her arm.
She froze, flicking her eyes downward to where his hand gripped her. “Let. Me. Go.”
Though she spoke softly, the anger was palpable. Caleb released her. “I’m sorry. I just—” He clenched his fists and looked down. “I really want to help. Please. I know you don’t want it, but I’ll follow you until you let me. I need to.”