The Alpha's Slave Mate

Chapter Eleven:

Daphne's Point of View

After speaking with Dr. Hollis, I started to formulate a plan to surprise Caleb. It has been a long time since I joined Caleb for dinner, and even longer since I have cooked for him. Caleb once remarked that he loved my cooking. I ran down to the kitchen to start looking to see what supplies we had available while I was thinking about my plan.

Taking a quick inventory of what I had available I decided to make Caleb chicken enchiladas with red sauce, Spanish rice, and cornbread cake. I carefully begin to season the chicken and make the dough for the tortillas. Cooking was the one chore that I never minded doing. I love the scents of the various spices, and there is an enjoyment in watching people enjoy the food that I make. Once the chicken is done I add a few more seasonings before letting it cool so that I can shred it.

I start to get nervous as dinner time approaches. I have not seen Caleb yet, and I wonder if he is in his office. As I am putting the cornbread cake in the oven, I hear Caleb's Jeep pull in the driveway. Curious because I did not know that he even left today I glance out the front windows. I see Caleb climb out of the car, and he talks with Theo before grabbing what appears to be a basket and a blanket from Theo. When Caleb starts walking away from the house my heart sinks, Caleb is going to see someone else.

A muffled sob escapes my lips as I watch Scarlett jog to Theo from the direction of the children’s center and she launches herself into Theo's arms. He twirls her around effortlessly as she laughs in enjoyment. The rational part of my brain recalls Scarlett telling me that they were going to go out tonight and see a movie. None of that matters to me right now. Right now, my heart is filled with a new kind of grief that engulfs my entire being.

I knew that I was the one that was pulling away from Caleb, but I never thought that he would pursue someone else. We are destined mates, but even Scarlett had told me that her former mate took lovers. In the distance I can hear the timer on the oven, and I try to make my feet move towards the kitchen. I have already pushed my mate away the last thing I need to do is burn his house down.

Once I pull the cornbread cake out of the oven, I could no longer contain the grief and sadness that was cursing through my body. As it hit me in waves, I sank to the floor resting my back against the cabinets. I no longer tried to be quiet, instead I allowed my sobs to rack through me. Why did I have to act so stupidly and push him away? I was sobbing so loud and lost in my thoughts that I never heard someone come into the kitchen.

One moment I was on the floor crying the next I am being lifted and set up on the counter. “Daphne what is wrong? Where are you hurt?” Caleb's voice is wrought with worry, and that makes me sob harder. How can he be trying to console me after being with another woman? “Baby please tell me what is wrong?” Now he is frantically checking my body over as if there is some kind of wound that he can bandage, unfortunately they do not make bandages for the heart.

As the thought crosses my mind, I find my sorrow turning into anger. “Get your hands off of me.” My words are firm, and loud. Loud enough that I started Caleb and he instantly froze. I have never yelled at him before.

“Daphne I am confused what is going on.” At this point Caleb's voice is firm, and he is dangerously close to using his Alpha voice. For some reason this really riles up the anger within me.

“YOU. You are what is wrong Caleb. How could you do this to me?” The words choked out of my throat, as I glare into his eyes.

“What have I done wrong Daphne?” Caleb's eyes have a cold glint in them, but I can also see the confusion.

"Did you have a good time with her Caleb? Will she be able to give you heirs?” At this point the anger has seeped into my words, and I cannot help but spit the poison at him.

“What in the hell are you talking about woman? What heirs, what woman?" I can see that Caleb is genuinely confused.

“The flowers Caleb. I seen you when you drove up. What is worse is that Theo of all people is helping you act like a pig.” Of all of the reactions I expected from Caleb laughter was not one of them. I stare at my mate wanting to wipe the smirk off of his face, but as he looks at me, he is now doubled over holding his stomach laughing. “I am so glad that my pain could be a source of laughter for you.” I hop off of the counter, just thinking that I need to get as far away from him as I can before my rage causes me to do something that I may regret.

Caleb grabs my wrist as I try leaving the kitchen. I buck against his pull but he is having none of it. He picks me up yet again and plops me back onto the counter. Without thinking about my actions, I swing out and slap his face.

CRACK

The sound echoes around the room, and my eyes go wide with astonishment. I have never attacked someone in blind anger. Caleb emits a low growl, and his face is twisted in rage. I have undoubtedly crossed a line with him.

“Enough of this nonsense.” Caleb's voice is laced with barely reigned anger. “Those flowers are for you.” He wildly gestures behind him, and I can see the beautiful bouquet that has been discarded on the counter by the entrance to the kitchen. My mind is shocked at the sight.

“Caleb 1 am so sorry. I seen you and Theo out front, and I assumed.”

"Oh, I can only imagine what you have assumed.” He is still angry but taking deep breaths trying to hold it in.

"What about the basket and stuff I seen Theo hand you?”

"Again, all of it was for you Daphne, only you. You have been pushing me away and I though that I was doing the right thing by giving you space, even though it physically hurt me every time you pushed away from me.” Looking at him I can see the hurt, mixed with the anger. “I freaking missed you, Daphne. The basket was filled with a picnic style dinner. You seen me walk away towards the training center because that is where you have been holed up avoiding me.” I shrink back from the truth in his words, feeling the utter fool that I doubted him. “I thought that maybe if I surprised you that you would agree to spend a little bit of time with me.”

“Caleb I am so sorry. I was actually making you dinner as well to surprise you.” My voice is low. I cannot believe I acted so rashly.

“It does not really matter now does it?” Caleb's voice still holds anger.

“What do you mean?” I am confused by his words.

“Tonight, shows me just how little you think of my character. I would never betray you like that and yet you instantly jump to that conclusion. You do not trust me Daphne, and I am starting to wonder if you ever will.” I can detect the pain behind his words, even through the anger. Caleb quickly turns and he is out of the kitchen before I can even register his actions.

I hop off of the counter and scurry after him. “Caleb where are you going?” His hand is already on the front door. He looks back at me and I can see the frustration, anger, and hurt swirling in his eyes.

“I need to go for a run. I have a lot to think about.” With those words he is out the door, and I am left staring at it stupidly. Oh, Goddess what have I done?