Chapter 22. Purgatory or Home
Caleb
“Caleb.”
“Caleb what are you doing?” she asks. Her infectious laugh filling my car.
Faith and I are going on our second date. Thanks to the bet we made when bowling that means I got to pick what we do. And since I know Faith has hardly got to experience a normal life I picked something unforgettable.
Currently, we’re driving towards Lancaster, a Metropolitan city that neighbors Greenwolf. We’re almost to our destination so I placed a blindfold over Faith’s beautiful gray eyes.
“I told you its a surprise so no peeking.” I brush her hand away from her face because she’s trying to sneak a peek.
She sighs and leans back in her seat. “This is ridiculous, I told you I hate surprises, Caleb.”
“Well, you’re going to like this one.”
Faith hums in response and even though she can’t see it I can’t stop smiling. We’re still getting to know each other but I think I have a good idea of what she likes.
I already know the basics about Faith like her favorite color, the type of music she likes, and how she loves nature, particularly gardening. But I want to know more about her. I want to be able to finish her sentences and make her laugh when she’s sad and I want to know how she sees her future because I know all I see in mine is her.
Not even ten minutes later I pull into the parking lot and turn my car off. I shove my keys in my pocket and then face the beautiful lady beside me.
“We’re here are you ready?”
“Oh yeah! I don’t know where we are, but I can smell so many different foods from here like popcorn and cheese sticks.” she licks her bottom lip, and I can’t stop staring.
I immediately pull her blindfold off. If we stay in my car any longer, I doubt, I’ll be able to control myself. I haven't been laid in over a year and it's a struggle.
But Faith isn’t like other girls; she’s my mate and I’m trying to show her as much respect as possible. Thats why we’re taking things slow. I’ve only kissed her once and I’m dying to do it again. But I behave myself because I’m a gentleman.
“Oh, my goodness! You brought me to an amusement park!” she squeals getting my attention back on her and not the dirty thoughts I was having.
“So, you like it?”
Her eyes light up with excitement. “Like it? I love it! My parents, we’re always too busy to take me-”
I cut her off. “I’ll never be too busy for you Faith." I grab her hand and place a gentle kiss along her knuckles. “You’re my priority now and I’ll always put you first my amazing mate.”
She blushes and bites her bottom lip making me groan. “Can I kiss you, Caleb?”
“I thought you would never ask.”
Suddenly the memory fades away and all I see is darkness. I'm not even chained up anymore but standing. I glance all around but I don't see or hear anything.
"Umm hello?"
But nobody answers me and I wonder if I'm dead. Did Hayden or the vampires finally finish me off? Maybe I'm in a coma and this is some weird purgatory.
“You’re not dead.” a feminine voice answers.
Again, my surroundings change but this time I’m somewhere familiar, it’s the place Faith stayed before she moved in with me, the cute cottage in the woods. I remember she said it belonged to a witch who raised her mom, what was her name?
“My name is Greta.” the voice answers. It's an elderly woman with long black hair and orange eyes. She smiles and looks friendly but I’m wary.
“What the fuck is going on?” I glance around and notice we’re in the kitchen.
The woman doesn’t answer me just starts fiddling with some pots and pans. She starts humming a tune and grabs some vegetables out of the fridge then begins cutting them up.
Finally, she looks up at me. “You ask too many questions.”
I scoff. “Really? Who wouldn’t ask questions in this situation? One minute I’m being tortured by vampires and the next I’m in your house. What is going on? Please, Greta.”
She sighs and keeps chopping her food. “Did you know Selene isn’t the only one who answers prayers? Us witches have our own way of guiding those we left behind.”
I’m still so confused.
“But I didn’t pray to you! I don’t even know you.” I say not trying to sound as rude as my tone keeps coming out.
She smirks at me. “When you dream of your mate do you tell her about it? I’m pretty sure she would be interested to know how you think of her constantly. Honestly, it seems a little obsessive. Of course, you are a werewolf so it's in your nature.”
My jaw drops because I’m so appalled right now. “You know what I dream about? Like all my dreams.... even the intimate ones?” I ask and she starts laughing.
When she stops, she shakes her head in disbelief. “Caleb, I don’t want to see any of your dreams, especially those. But when I first found out you were mated to Faith, I had to check on you. I needed to see what kind of young man she was fated to be with.”
Hearing my mate's name sends a sharp pain right to my chest. I miss her so much. “How is she? I hope she’s not worried about me.” I frown and stare down at my feet like they’re suddenly interesting.
“Faith is staying strong. Despite being stressed she’s handling the situation well. I’m really proud of her.”
I finally look back up at Greta. “Will I ever see her again?”
She nods. "You will... matter of fact it's going to be very soon.”
“What?” I ask but then she disappears as quickly as she appeared. I glance around everywhere hoping she comes back. “Hey! Greta! You can’t just leave me here!”
When I open my eyes again I'm instantly blinded with water splashing in my face. I start coughing and struggle to breathe but they just do it again.
"Ugh stop." I groan and look at the face of my tormentor. It's one of the vampires that's been torturing me. I think his name is Cecil.
He laughs. "Just had to make sure you were still breathing. Alpha says we can't kill you yet."
I roll my eyes. "Why do you keep calling him your alpha? you're not even a werewolf."
Cecil growls and punches me in the rubs. My body is so sore I barely felt it though. When the vampires aren't taking blood from me they're taking turns using me as a punching bag. I'm covered in cuts, bruises, and dried blood. Without my wolf, I can't heal myself so I'm completely vulnerable.
Finally, he stops. "I can't wait to kill you." he threatens and I roll my eyes. It's been the same thing over and over and I'm tired of it.
"Oh yeah, what are you going to do to me? Bore me to death"
His eyes turn red and he cups my chin harshly. "I'm going to slice you up. I'll tear the skin off your bones and-"
The meaningless threat he's spewing is interrupted by the door slamming open. It didn't shut close and I can hear chaos happening on the other side. It sounds like fighting and lots of it.
Ceceil's eyes widen and he slowly backs away from me. He throws up his hands in surrender and I can't see what he's looking at but judging by how terrified he is I already know the answer.
I smirk at him. "What are you going to do to me, Cecil? I didn't hear you over the sound of you pissing yourself."
I laugh and apparently, he doesn't like it because he lunges for me. I don't even flinch because I'm finally safe. Cecil grunts in pain and he's choke slammed onto the floor. His heart gets ripped out and his body turns to ashes on the dirty floor.
"So what took you so long?" I tease.
Angry golden eyes shine back at me. "This is no time for jokes, Caleb."
Faith shakes her head and then jumps up like a monkey. She breaks the chain from the ceiling and then starts pulling them off my sore wrists. When I'm free I wrap my arms around her engulfing her in a hug. Even though she's covered in blood there's nowhere else I would rather be.
"Fuck baby I missed you."
She cups my face gently. "Don't you ever scare me like that again Caleb? I thought I lost you."
I shake my head. "You'll never lose me, I'm tougher than I look."
Her worried eyes travel over my body. "What did they do to you? this is all my fault! I shouldn't have left, I'm so sorry!"
Faith starts crying and I just hug her again. "Baby I'm fine really. I'm sore but it's nothing I can't handle. I'll heal in a day or two don't worry."
"Don't worry?" she glares at me like I kicked her puppy. "How can I not worry when you're covered in bruises and cuts? Fuck they even bit you!" she cries more burying her face on my chest.
I just rub her back trying to soothe her. "Don't cry I'm safe. You found me before they could do any permanent damage. The bruises will fade and from now on you'll be the only one biting me."
She shakes her head but still refuses to look at me. "No Caleb, not after this. They tortured you. Why would you trust another vampire to bite you after what they did?"
"Because you're not them Faith, you're my mate. What happens between us is nothing compared to what they did to me."
Faith doesn't answer just helps me walk. My legs are still sore so without her I would probably topple over. Luckily with the silver gone and being close to my mate, I should heal faster than usual.
When we're almost out of the room I stop and look around. "Baby, what happened to Hayden?"
"He's being transferred to our cells right now. I thought you would like the honor of killing that asshole," she says still refusing to make eye contact with me. I hate it, I need to see her gorgeous eyes.
I cup her face and whisper along her lips. "I love you so much Faith but you have to stop cursing or I'll punish you."
She chuckles. "How about we get back home first before that happens."
Home. Yeah, that sounds exactly where I want to be.