Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

R ochelle stirred, her body slowly waking to the sensation of heat against her skin. It was the sun rising. That occasion was typical enough. But there was something else—something unfamiliar.

This morning, she wasn’t alone.

The realization settled over her, slow and gentle like the sunlight itself. For so many mornings after the full moon, she had woken up by herself. She’d either run from the hotel room before dawn, wanting to maintain her distance. Or Caleb had left, knowing she preferred to wake alone. But today was different.

Caleb’s arms were wrapped around her, his body warm and solid, his steady heartbeat a comforting rhythm against her back. Rochelle took in the moment, the sensation of the bond between them pulsing softly, steady and sure. It felt right. She felt settled—like something inside her had finally clicked into place.

She smiled to herself, her body sinking deeper into the warmth of Caleb’s embrace. The scent of him wrapped around her like a protective shield. She felt safe. She felt secure. She felt loved.

A flicker of responsibility tried to nudge her—work. She was supposed to be at the bank soon. She was going to be late if she didn’t get up.

The thought drifted away like a leaf on the wind. Rochelle couldn’t bring herself to care. Not today. Not when this was the first morning she had woken up in Caleb’s arms, fully with him. Their bond finally accepted.

She tilted her head up, feeling the warmth of his breath against her hair as she settled more comfortably into him. Caleb stirred behind her, his arms tightening around her as if he sensed her thoughts of leaving. He pulled her closer.

Rochelle turned her head just enough to meet his gaze. There was a question in his eyes—uncertainty mixed with hope, as if he wasn’t quite sure what this morning meant. His amber eyes, still a little heavy from sleep, flickered with something that made her heart squeeze.

Instead of answering, she leaned up and kissed him softly. Her lips brushed his in a slow, tender caress. Caleb kissed her back, his grip on her tightening, his lips warm and sure. When they pulled apart, his eyes searched hers, still waiting, still questioning.

“I’m going to be late for work.” Her voice was low, as if speaking too loudly might break the magic of the moment.

A shadow of something crossed his expression—hesitation, a flicker of doubt? Rochelle realized with a pang of worry that he might think she was telling him to leave, to go back to how things used to be. Just one night, that’s all it had ever been with them. One night, and then back to the distance, back to the routine.

But not anymore.

She lifted her hand and cupped his face. Her thumb brushed against the rough stubble on his jaw. Caleb’s gaze softened at her touch, his breath stilling as he waited for her next words.

“Walk me to work?”

His eyes brightened in surprise. It was like watching the sunrise after a long winter's night. The corners of his lips pulled into a smile. The hesitation that had darkened his expression just moments before melted away. He looked at her with a kind of happiness that made her heart swell.

She had mostly seen him in the moonlight before now—his wolfish features sharpened by the silvery glow of the full moon. But here, bathed in the warm light of the morning, he looked different. Softer, more open.

“Yeah,” Caleb murmured, his voice warm and husky. “I’d love that.”

He gazed at her like she was his entire world. She had never imagined she’d want this—waking up with someone, sharing the small moments of life. But now, with Caleb, it felt inevitable, like she had been waiting for this all along without realizing it.

She smiled and pressed another soft kiss to his lips before pulling back slightly. “Good,” she whispered, snuggling deeper into his chest, unwilling to move just yet. “Because I’m not planning on waking up without you again.”

Caleb’s arms wrapped tighter around her, his voice a low murmur against her hair. “I don’t plan on letting you.”

They lay there for a while longer, the sun rising higher in the sky, casting golden light across the room. The bond between them was alive and humming with a sense of rightness. It was no longer something to resist, to deny. It was part of her, part of him, and it filled her with a quiet, profound happiness.

The morning air was crisp and cool against Rochelle’s skin as she and Caleb walked side by side down the quiet street. Despite her later than usual start, the town was just beginning to wake up, the soft light of the rising sun casting a golden hue over the rooftops. The lingering scent of dew and earth filled her lungs, mingling with the faint trace of Caleb’s familiar scent—pine, wood smoke, and something warm and comforting, uniquely his.

Their hands were entwined, her fingers laced with his. Though they’d walked together before, it had never been like this. Not openly, not with this weightless sense of belonging. She glanced sideways at him, the warmth of his presence anchoring her in a way she hadn’t expected.

As they strolled, the streets slowly filled with the familiar sounds of the town coming to life. The clang of shop doors opening, the distant chatter of people preparing for the day ahead, the scent of freshly baked bread from the bakery they passed. Everything felt brighter, sharper, as if the world itself had shifted just slightly.

Maybe it had. Or maybe it was just her.

For years, she had fought this—fought him. She had convinced herself that accepting the bond would mean giving up a part of herself, losing the independence she had worked so hard to maintain. She had built walls around herself, around her career, believing that allowing Caleb into her life would somehow diminish who she was.

But now, as they walked through town, their fingers intertwined for everyone to see, it didn’t feel like an end to her independence. It felt like the beginning of something more. She glanced up at Caleb again, the steady strength of him beside her, the quiet confidence in his stride, and realized maybe she didn’t have to choose.

She could still have her career, couldn’t she? She could still be the woman she had always been, ambitious, driven, focused. Caleb wouldn’t stand in the way of that. He wasn’t an obstacle. He wasn’t trying to hold her back. He never had. He'd always let her have her way.

As they passed familiar faces, Rochelle noticed people glancing their way, smug smiles forming as they saw her with Caleb. Whispers and knowing looks followed in their wake. Once or twice, money exchanged hands, like a bet had been won or lost.

They reached the bank all too soon, the familiar building standing tall against the soft morning light. Rochelle’s heart gave a slight flutter as they stopped in front of it, the reality of the day ahead tugging at her. She felt a sudden rush of emotion, a wave of gratitude and love that made her heart race. Without thinking, Rochelle wrapped her arms around Caleb’s neck, pulling him close. He blinked in surprise, but the moment their eyes met, his expression softened, and that familiar warmth flooded his gaze.

Her lips found his in a kiss, soft at first, then deeper, as if she were pouring every unsaid word, every lingering doubt, into that single moment. When they pulled apart, Rochelle felt breathless, her cheeks warm from more than just the morning sun. Caleb smiled down at her, his eyes glowing with a quiet joy, as if he had been waiting for this moment for far longer than she had realized.

A series of wolf whistles and catcalls echoed from down the street. Rochelle turned her head just in time to see a group of townspeople gathered nearby, watching the scene with grins and teasing smiles. Some were clapping, others whistling, their voices playful and filled with approval.

Rochelle stepped into the bank, the familiar scent of paper, ink, and the faint lingering smell of coffee welcoming her as she crossed the threshold. The moment the door closed behind her, the quiet of the outside world was replaced by the low hum of conversation and the rhythmic click of keyboards. Normally, it grounded her, this routine she’d grown used to. But today, everything felt different.

She was different.

The warmth of Caleb’s kiss still lingered on her lips, and she could feel the faint hum of their bond, steady and constant, pulsing just beneath her skin. She had never felt more sure of herself, of the path she was on, and yet there was a small pang of nostalgia as she glanced around the familiar office. She had spent so many years here, building her career, shaping her future. And now, with her promotion looming, it all felt strangely bittersweet.

As she made her way through the bank, she caught a few curious glances from her coworkers. Her thoughts, however, were focused on one thing: she needed to speak with her boss about Herb. What had happened the night before still gnawed at her, even with Caleb’s presence calming her.

Rochelle reached the door to her boss’s office and knocked softly. After a moment, she heard the familiar voice call, "Come in."

She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation. “I need to talk to you about Herb.”

She watched as her boss's expression shifted, his brows lifting expectantly and then furrowing slightly in concern. Rochelle sat down, folding her hands in her lap to keep them from fidgeting. The memory of the previous night flashed through her mind—Herb’s too-close presence, the way he had crossed the line, the way Caleb had stepped in. She felt a small surge of anger, but she pushed it down, focusing on the facts.

“He crossed a line last night. He made an inappropriate pass at me after hours. It wasn’t just unprofessional, it was—unsettling.”

Her boss’s eyes widened, and his expression shifted from concern to disbelief. “He… did what?”

Mr. Evans ran a hand over his face, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. He exhaled slowly, nodding after a long moment of silence. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that. I’ll take care of it immediately. Herb will be replaced. That’s not the kind of behavior we tolerate here.”

A wave of relief washed over Rochelle, and she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She had been worried about how this conversation would go, but Mr. Evans’ response was firm and reassuring.

“Thank you.”

Mr. Evans leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk as he studied her for a moment. His sharp eyes softened, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“You know,” he said, his voice taking on a more personal tone, “I’m really going to miss having you here. This bank won’t be the same without you.”

Rochelle’s heart gave a small pang of regret, but she nodded, smiling despite the bittersweet feeling. “I’m going to miss it too. It’s been home for a long time.”

“You’ve outgrown this place, Rochelle. You’re destined for bigger things. I’ve always known that.” His smile widened, a mix of pride and sadness in his eyes. “The new bank is lucky to have you. You’re going to do big things over there, I’m sure of it.”

As the words sank in, the pang of leaving began to shift into something else—excitement. A new territory, a fresh start, and this time, Caleb would be by her side.

“I can’t wait,” she said, her smile brightening. “It’s going to be a whole new adventure for me… for us.”