บท 14: Family

Caleb spent most of the week in the bed, except when he had to go to use the washroom. It was painful for him but he couldn't help but feel bad for bothering them like this. Of course many people tried to reach out to him while he was in pain, but the only call he picked up was from his brother

His brother was always there for him, so he wanted to be honest about everything. But he felt a pang in his heart when he thought about exposing Ashton's secret.

When Caleb was determined to protect his secret, Ashton helped him out and went through so much trouble, even giving up his own bedroom to him. He could not repay this with a betrayal. He wasn't sure if he told his brother the whole truth how he will or the whole pack will treat him. Ashton was kind of a wanted criminal after James and his friends died.

On the last few days when his scent had subsided down to a considerable amount he wondered if he should go back. His trip was meant for a day so he did not have any Alpha Pheromones with him. He should wait for the scent to wean down even further. Even then it will be a risk, but that was the only option he was left with.

He was submerged deep in his thoughts when he saw Ashton walk in. For the few days he had been here, this is the first time he saw him ever since he grabbed his stuff the other day and left.

"How are you feeling"? Ashton asked him awkwardly while standing at the door itself.

"Better". Caleb nodded. "Can we talk"? I asked him.

"Sure…" Ashton said.

"What happened that day? The day James died. You told me you were there"? Caleb asked him.

"I see you still don't believe me". Ashton whispered but Caleb still caught it.

"No, I do. Even before I knew whom that scent belonged to". Caleb straightened himself up on the bed properly to have a serious conversation. "The other day the claw marks were loaded with wolfsbane. Whoever killed him wanted to make sure that they died. But the thing is no wolf will ever dip their own claws in it. Forget killing someone else, they will end up killing themselves". He gave a long explanation.

"What if a pureblooded Alpha can withstand it". Ashton asked him while he sat down next to Caleb in the bed.

"I am confused. I thought you wanted me to trust you"? Caleb looked at him skeptically.

"I do, but not because I helped you". He sighed. "It's easier to get manipulated by small acts of kindness, you should still be careful whom you trust". Ashton whispered as he recalled his own past memories.

Caleb didn't comment anything on that. He could tell that whatever Ashton meant, he was speaking from experience. He did not want to bother him any more than he already has, so he let it slide.

"Anyways, can you please tell me what happened"? He sighed. "The sooner we figure this out the sooner you are off the wanted list".

Ashton narrated him the whole event and by the time he was done he could Caleb was visibly clutching his fist as if he was about to punch something.

"It bothers you"? Ashton asked him due to his reaction.

"Anything that happens which is disrespectful but without any proper reason bothers me. If I were you I would have actually killed him. I may not be that close to my family, but I will kill for them". He said with utmost determination.

Ashton smirked seeing his reaction. Caleb raised his eyebrows at him, confused by the reaction but Ashton simply shook his head.

Ashton was a bit amused by Caleb. He had met a lot of werewolves in his life, even when he did his best to avoid them. No matter which omega he met, irrespective of the gender they were always weak and had a very calm demeanor. Caleb however was completely opposite to it. If his genes were a bit different he would actually make a great Alpha. Ashton mused quietly at that thought.

"Why are you looking at me like that"? Caleb asked Ashton skeptically.

"Like what"? Ashton was lost in his thought for a moment, so he didn't realise what expression he had on his face.

"I dunno, its...creepy". Caleb pretended to cringe.

"Still scared of me"? Ashton smirked.

"Not really. But if you try anything funny, I am scared 'for' you". Caleb smirked back at him.

"Well, it seems you're feeling better already. When are you leaving"? Ashton asked.

"Are you kicking me out"? Caleb pretended to be hurt as he faked a gasp.

"Yes" Ashton told him bluntly. "I miss my room, and my bed. My spine hurts". Ashton stretched a bit.

"Don't worry, I'll leave soon, I'll just let the smell wean off first. I don't have any alpha pheromones on me, so it's tricky". Caleb told him.

"Actually, I got some for you" he dug out his pocket and handed him over a bottle that looked like a bottle of cologne.

"Why"? Caleb raised an eyebrow at him amused by him.

"Well, I usually get them for my sisters. Figured you might need one too". Ashton shrugged.

"Thanks". Caleb whispered. He was really touched by his gesture.

"So, the reason why I am here" Ashton sighed, "Wanna join us for dinner today"?

"As in, with the rest of your family"? Caleb gulped. He was comfortable with his mom by now, but he wasn't sure of his Dad or his sisters. Ashton nodded at him, and to not come of as rude, he nodded back at him. "Alright, I'll do it".

They got down for a proper meal and Caleb was surprised how the family was gathered together. It was a small table, way smaller than the one at their mansion, but somehow it felt nicer.

"Thank you Mrs Parker, for everything". He said sincerely.

"Oh don't be silly, I'm glad I could help. By the way you can call me Sue, Mrs Parker sounds way too formal". She smiled at him.

He saw two girls who looked eerily similar, as if they were twins. They had a few differences which might give away who is whom. Like one of them had waist length hair while the other had bob cut.

"Hi, I am Ariel," the girl with the longer hair introduced herself to Caleb.

"And I am Ava". The other sister followed the same suit.

"I am Caleb". He was in awe at how adorable they were.

"You are very handsome", Ava told him bluntly.

"Ava"! Ashton scolded her for her bluntness but Caleb and Mrs Parker just laughed at her.

"Are you in Ashton's year"? Ariel asked him.

"No, I am a senior. I am two years older than him", Caleb told her with a smile.

"Then why are you his friend? He has no friends", Ava asked him this time.

"Well…" He hesitated on what to tell them. Friend was a bit of oversimplification, he wasn't sure what he would call their relationship.

"That's enough girls". Mrs Parker scolded them. "More eating, less talking". She scolded them.

They had a lovely meal and the girls kept bothering Caleb from time to time, but Mrs Parker kept them in line. It was weird how uncomfortable and yet so comfortable those intrusive questions made him. It was nice that someone was interested in him as a person and not as some leader. Maybe because he belongs from a royal family he was used to having a cold aura all the time, but somehow this family felt really warm. He felt happy here and maybe a tad bit jealous of Ashton for having such a wonderful family.