Simply His (+18)

"Rush"

*Caleb*

"How in the world did that happen?! Alex, you better go through their security cameras tonight," I hit my desk with a fist as I was trying to contain my anger.

"Hey calm down. I will look over them don't worry."

"Pass me to Cara," I said as I was really trying hard to hold my temper.

"You better be careful how you talk to my wife, or you will end up without a beta," He threaten me. I was in shock, he actually said that? "I am sorry Alpha, I will pass you to her." He apologized after an uncomfortable couple of seconds, and I took a deep breath, then I heard him turn on the speaker.

"Alpha..." I heard her voice and I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. What was I going to do with her? She had just lost her son a week ago.

"Cara... please explain to me, in detail, what happened," I managed to ask before I would say something that could hurt her.

"Yes, Alpha. The day began with her going straight to her office with no much traffic on the way. Once there, we could observe through the cameras there was a small incident in her office with the guy who she is having trouble with, identified as Gideon. He maliciously tried to spill coffee on her, but she managed to avoid it. After that, she fired someone who was caught doing illegal things on the job. Finally, she left for lunch and met with the woman identified as Sheila, they went to the 45th Street mall and had a light lunch before going through some stores. She didn't pay attention too much to the shopping task, my instinct tells me she avoided temptation. When they headed to the Zoo, I spotted a car following them. Alex hit the plate records and identified it as a rental car. A few minutes later we were able to get the information on a John Doe, and we knew it was a fake name." Damn, she was good, she got my full attention.

“Please, continue Cara,” I encouraged her.

She took a deep breath before she continued. "When we arrived at the Zoo we continued monitoring but only from the car, then the alarms went out, and we knew something was wrong the minute we got out of the car, I could smell him. I didn't see him, but I was pretty sure it was Gideon. We are going to go through the surveillance videos of the Zoo as soon as we can get into their main security frame, but it hasn't been easy. Apparently, they have it on a server that has no net access. But I am sure Alpha, it was him. That is why when she approached me I had to mention something to her. She has been careful, but she needs to be alert now. This human is trying to harm her beyond job facilities." I growled as I fought my wolf for control. I didn't realize I was about to break the desk until I heard the wood creak. Both Alex and Cara were silent.

"Thank you, Cara. I guess this makes my trip back one day earlier. I am going to take the flight there tonight. Thank you, both of you... Alex?"

"Yes Alpha?" I heard him on the speaker.

"I will send you my flight info and will be expecting you at the airport. Cara, don't leave her out of your sight."

"Yes, Alpha." I heard them both said just before I cut that call; then I needed to make a more difficult one, to Meadow.

I looked at the clock and took a deep breath. My palms were sweaty as it took her four rings to pick it up.

"Hello..." She said a bit quietly. I sighed and closed my eyes.

"Meadow...?" I was not sure how to do this. I could lead an army of savage wolves to battle, I could tear my enemy apart. But she disarmed me with just a word.

"I... I am a bit confused. I don't know..." She sighed too.

"Meadow, let me start by saying this. Cara is Alex's wife, my friend. They were the ones who lost their child a week ago."

"Oh..." I heard her say with a bit of surprise. I needed to continue now more than ever, I knew this was the right approach, a truth that was not wholly a lie.

"Alex, apart from being my best friend, has been my right hand at work too for as long as I remember. After what happened to his son, he wanted to come back to work with me, but I needed him to stay, to try to mourn his loss together with his wife. You see..." I started pacing around my office, once I began, I couldn't hold myself anymore, I kept going with the truth. "For the first two days, Alex wouldn’t say a word to anyone, including his wife nor me. We were very worried. It was only after we found you at the cemetery, and we buried his son, that he started to talk again. I asked him to stay there and look over you, so during the process, he would spend time with his wife and talk with her. She had been really broken and lost without him. To be honest, I didn't think you would need actual safety until today. For as much as you allowed me to know you, all I can say is that you are a smart, kind, hard working and cautious woman, you were my perfect excuse for him to stay there and solve his personal issues without feeling he was getting special treatment." I stopped myself and held silent for a moment, hoping she was still listening.

After a while, she finally spoke. "What happened today that made you change your mind about my safety?" I sighed, I didn't want to go over this on a phone call, but as I didn't have her with me, I needed to make her feel she could trust me.

"Alex told me yesterday that he and Cara talked and they were working things out. So Cara joined him today to look around your building and then follow you; a perfect time for them to spend it together. That is when they saw a car on your tail at a distance, it was Cara who spotted Gideon. They believe the incident at the Zoo was also caused by him. He is dangerous... Meadow I am apprehensive about your safety now."

There was a long pause again before I called her name. "Meadow?" Then I heard her sob and my world tumbled down. My wolf whimpered and I shook my head, I couldn't be this far from her when she was feeling like this.

"This... this is too much... I can't understand why he targeted me. I am sorry Caleb, for doubting your intentions. It's just... I don't know... everything! I don't know why I feel so different around you, and right now, I just wish you were here... "

I grabbed my wallet and walked out of my office, mind linking Craig to call to the airport. "Meadow... I am coming for you..."

I heard her stop sobbing and tense. "What... what did you just say?"

"I am flying over there tonight. I should be there in a couple of hours. Cara is close by while Alex is trying to gather evidence against Gideon. Call in sick tomorrow, please...? Wait for me..." I said with the hope that she would listen to me, all the while I started the car. "Meadow...?"

"Ok... I will call in the morning." She almost whispered. At least she was safe until I arrived.

ღ ~~~~~~~ ☽ⓈⒽ☾ ~~~~~~~ ღ

*Meadow*

I couldn't sleep well. I tried to, but all I had were nightmares of shadows chasing me. The shadows and this overwhelming void inside were consuming me. Am I going crazy, or was he really traveling to see me? I really wanted him here, I felt safe with him, happy. But why was I feeling so insecure? I have always been a strong independent woman. I wanted to have him here and feel his arms around me, hear his words as he talked me into some sense. Nothing else made sense.

I looked up at the mirror in the bathroom and saw dark circles encasing my eyes. I fought back some tears and washed my face before grabbing the phone and calling in sick. They didn't object my absence, in my 2 years at the company I never asked for vacations. I just had two days off when my mother died, that was it. My boss thanked me for being so good to his daughter and wished me a prompt recovery.

I sighed and sat in my only chair, staring at the TV but not really paying attention. When I heard some knocks on my door, I jumped out of my seat, I was suddenly alert and cautious, probably too paranoid. I felt like I should have hidden under my bed but then I felt drawn to the door. I started walking slowly, and when I was about to turn back, I heard him.

"Meadow? It's me." I recognized his voice so I rushed to the door and opened it, finding his eyes, the one and only thing that would keep me sane then.

"Caleb..." I whispered and he looked at me with so much worry, I felt my heart was going to break.

"Oh no.. Meadow!" He whispered and pulled me into his arms. I sobbed but squeezed him tight to me in return.

At some point, he lifted me up and carried me in. My apartment wasn't that big, not many places to go, my dining room was at the same time my living room, but he sat on my single couch and pulled me into his lap letting me rest my head on his shoulder, where I hid my face in the crook of his neck. He caressed my back slowly making small circles, and with a hand, he grabbed mine squeezing it. I didn't care anymore, if we are going too fast or anything between us is happening too soon. I couldn't deny that I felt better with him and right then I needed him badly.

He held me in silence for what it felt like hours, and I finally was able to sleep. I remember I had no specific dreams but I was relaxed and calm, I knew I was safe.

When I woke up, he was still with me on the couch, he had been brushing my hair and holding me tenderly. What did I do in this world to deserve such man? I moved slowly and snuggled better, I felt him chuckle, and then he kissed the top of my head. "Hey there... how do you feel?"

I sighed, closing my eyes to take a deep breath and fill myself with his perfume. "I am feeling many things... I am so angry with Gideon, how could he put Sheila in such danger? She has nothing to do with the hatred he has for me... I feel helpless... because without evidence I can't act against him, and no accusations means he will remain free... And I feel relief, that you are finally here. What did you do to me, Caleb?" I ended in almost a whisper.

He nuzzled my hair and took a deep breath. "Whatever spell you are under, felt over me as well Meadow... I can't stop thinking about you." I blushed and didn't move an inch, I was processing his words slowly. He actually said he couldn't stop thinking about me.

I felt his lips spreading little kisses on top of my head, he gently caressed my face as his lips touched my forehead; I felt him kiss my closed eyes, then the top of my nose, making me giggle. He rested his forehead against mine, and I felt my heart pounding hard; his breath was intoxicating, his touch needed. He had been haunting my thoughts and dreams all these days, and now he was there in the flesh, making every experience enhanced.

"I have... this urge..." He said lowly, then he made a sound, similar to a groan, it brought goosebumps in my skin.

"An urge...? For... for what?" I asked, aware of his proximity.

He rubbed his nose against mine while returning both hands on my back pulling me closer, then he whispered: "To kiss you... taste you..."

His words made me release a soft moan of my own, almost needy. He lifted his gaze, and I opened my eyes in time to see that faint green glow into his dark eyes. "Meadow..." He whispered and I lost it. I closed my eyes and he took the sign immediately. His lips met mines and fireworks exploded. I could feel every fiber in my body ignite; his tight grip on my arms became a fierce embrace. I felt every part of me awaken to new and more intimate sensations while pressing against his chest and body. His hand moved slowly from my shoulder to my neck, spreading the heat all over me. He reached my face and held me with such tenderness, I was moved. We finally broke the kiss so we could both catch our breaths, and I knew I had an effect on him too, he was panting, and I felt his own body having tensed with mine. After a few seconds, he started to chuckle and shake his head. "You are driving me wild... primal... Meadow, you wake up the beast in me..."