2 One

He wanted to check on her first thing in the morning to make sure she'd spent the night okay. After everyone had left, Caspian had asked Isolde to get some food and clothes for Celeste. She didn't look malnourished but he wasn't a doctor therefore couldn't tell if she was fine or not. So he'd summoned Pennington, their pack doctor who had assured him the child was healthy and there was nothing to worry about. There were no visible bruises or any sign of abuse which meant he wasn't going to have to track down some bad guys and kick their asses.

It was odd, how he was beside himself with worry over her when he didn't even know who she was or where she'd come from. He was naturally protective of women and children but this was different. Caspian didn't know why he was acting that way. Maybe because by falling on his lap, she'd chosen him as her protector or it could have been because she was so young and vulnerable. He couldn't decide. Watching him, Evan had shook his head to indicate his disapproval but hadn't said a word.

Caspian knew what his beta wanted to say. That he shouldn't trust a witch. They were clever and cunning, always looking for ways to get the upper hand on them. The relationship between werewolves, vampires and witches was complicated. Had been for thousands and thousands of years. As one of the strongest Alphas, he had done everything he could to try and bring peace among the three races but it was impossible. Especially when each wanted to be on top of the food chain. Witches believed they were stronger and wanted to dominate them. Vampires on the other hand wanted the one thing witches had vowed never to give it to them. The ability to walk under the sun, roam freely during the day without turning to ash. A few older ones could tolerate it but the rest had to wait until sundown in order to come out. Werewolves wanted the curse gone.

While they could change into their wolf form any time they wanted, whenever the full moon came out, it was mandatory and painful. A lot of them hated being forced to change but in Caspian's opinion, they had a better deal than the vamps. It only happened once a month. A price they all had to pay for having their own world where they could walk freely without fear of humans hunting them. He didn't understand why the other wolves couldn't appreciate that small gift their ancestors had given them.

A long time ago, someone had made the mistake of exposing them to the world. That action had led to a war that resulted in bloodshed, so much so that the gods had come together and created a different world. Separating the supernatural from the mundane. It was a wise decision since humans couldn't stand sharing the same space with them. They'd been called monsters, abominations that shouldn't have been allowed to exist in the first place. Because they were half man, half beast and had a few extra supernatural powers, their existence was seen as an atrocity. In reality, humans were just scared of them so they'd started hunting them down and killing them mercilessly. Of course they'd tried to make them understand that they weren't a threat and would never harm them but human beings were stubborn.

Sometimes Caspian wondered why it was so hard for different races to coexist in peace. And it wasn't just the difference between them. Even now when they had their own world, they still managed to come up with petty reasons to start a war. If the rogues weren't stirring up trouble, then it was the packs fighting over a piece of land or because some young pups had trespassed into the neighboring pack. Any little misunderstanding led to Alphas challenging other Alphas, which in turn led to a war. They made the idea of living in peace seem quixotic.

But no matter how bad things were between them, he would never harm an innocent. Celeste was between ten to twelve years old. He'd asked her and she'd said she didn't know. She also had no idea where she came from, just that a nice man had saved her from a bad woman. The only way to get information from intruders was to torture them. But doing that to a child was inhumane and something he would never allow any of his pack members to do. He wanted to find out more about her origins and he would ask any burning questions later. If she could remember even a small detail, it would help them figure out who she was and where she'd come from. As a matter of fact he was going to start.... Isolde grumbled when he moved away from her.

"It's too early my love. Stay a while longer" she said turning her head to face him. His eyes took in her bare back, the small but round ass that was always his undoing. She knew it and had insisted on sleeping naked so they could both have unrestricted access to each other. Sometimes he woke up to her mouth wrapped around his cock, other times she was taking liberties with him.

Taking her in his arms, he dragged her body on top of his, relishing the feel of silky smooth skin against his. She braced her hands on his shoulders and parted her legs, straddling him then she was sinking into his morning erection. Caspian loved this morning routine. He'd wake up and she would insist on making love and in the process, mark him a few more times to keep the other females away. Although no woman had dared approach him after he'd claimed Isolde as his mate. They understood he was taken and wouldn't disrespect his mate like that. Still, Isolde had said she couldn't take the chance since there were people who wouldn't care if he had a mate or not. Leaving her prints on him had become a ritual he looked forward to.

His moved his hands to her waist but let her set the pace. She was a softspoken woman with a kind heart and a brilliant mind. However, she turned into a different person in the bedroom. A sinfully, wicked temptress with an insatiable appetite. Not that he would ever complain about it. He loved her hunger for him, hoped it would never be satisfied. His wolf purred in content as Isolde moved above him, unbridled. She arched her back, her long black hair flowing behind her and making her look ethereal. Sweat covered her skin, trickling down in small beads. Sensing she was close, Caspian sat upright and took over. His fast movements sending them both over the edge. Isolde cried out in pleasure as his fangs sunk into her neck, marking her for the hundredth time.

"One day you're going to bite my head off" she whispered in his ear. He laughed because they both knew it wasn't him that liked the biting but his wolf.

"I'm sure we can sew it back on and even manage to go another round" he joked. She slapped his back playfully then tried to move off him. He wouldn't let her.

"I thought you were in a hurry"

"Not anymore" Caspian tightened his arms around her. What he wouldn't give to stay inside her like that all day long. After the mating ritual, they'd stayed in a secluded house in the mountains that was reserved for newlyweds. It had been a little paradise and he'd been really pissed when rogues had decided to choose that moment to attack his pack. Killing them had been the only way to appease his wolf and himself. Most of them left their packs because they were tired of following rules or simply wanted to do anything without being held responsible. He'd given some of them a chance to join the Prime Howlers. Especially the ones who'd been kicked out of their packs but only a few accepted his invitation. Caspian wondered why they chose to be rogues.

Werewolves excelled in packs than they did alone. Why anyone would choose to be a rogue was beyond him. Sighing, he ran his hands up and down Isoldes' back 

"What is it now?"

"I don't want to leave but I have to. There are times I dislike being Alpha" Caspian replied, slipping out of her. He could only admit such things to his mate. His pride wouldn't let him tell anyone else about his struggles.

"Are you meeting up with Herrick?"

"No. I want to check on Celeste first, see if she slept well and if we can figure out where her parents or guardians are"

"She's a lovely child. I really hope she's reunited with her family soon"

"I hope so too. Since she's a witch, the other members won't like her staying here" he could already feel their uneasiness through the link. They let it flow to him as their way of opposing his decision to let Celeste stay, instead of saying anything.

"Don't worry. Once they meet her, you'll see how fast they will change their minds"

Caspian kissed her one last time then headed to the shower. He didn't particularly have a morning routine. There were times he chose to spar with Herrick, his head enforcer or Evan and sometimes he'd go straight to his office to handle business. As usual, Evan was waiting for him just down the hallway. Judging from the way he was tapping his foot, Caspian knew what his beta wanted to say

"I don't want to hear it"

"Tough luck. Rumor has it Marmon is building an army"

"Who is his target now?"

"No one knows. Do you think he's going to pick a fight with us?"

Marmon was the leader of the rogues. Reckless, stupid, tactless. Those were among the many adjectives that could be used to describe him. The only reason other wolves followed him was because he was good at talking. A lot of Alphas had fallen for his bullshit and it had cost them.

"We're always ready for him"

"Yeah, especially now that we have a witch on our side. Right?"

"Leave her alone. She's just a kid" Caspian growled, baring his fangs at him. Evan continued, unfazed.

"Kid or not she's a witch Cas. You can't trust her"

He stopped, shooting him a glare over his shoulder "Since when did you become a pussy Eve? Are you that scared of a child? A female one at that?"

"When it comes to witches, females are the worst. At least I can have it out with a warlock if he rubbed me the wrong way. What am I supposed to do to that kid? Slap her around a few times? Or refuse to give her dessert?"

"Then stop following me and go do whatever shit you usually do"

"No, I want to make sure she hasn't built a shrine in her room"

Caspian shook his head. There were times he wondered if Evan really had beta genes. His actions contradicted his position. If he thought about it, he was the bravest man to trust him with his life. What with him being a coward and all, it was a wonder they'd kept their position as the strongest pack. Stopping outside the room they'd given Celeste, he said,

"If you do anything to scare her I will skin you and sell your fur to the highest bidder"

"Gee Cas, you'd think she was your child or something"

"Try me Eve, just try me" Caspian added pushing the door open. Just like all the other rooms in the pack house, there was a bed in the middle and nothing else. Once someone moved in, they were allowed to decorate it however they saw fit. They expected..... No, Caspian didn't know what to expect. His breath caught in his throat and without thinking, his hand shot out and pushed Evan back. He didn't notice he'd used too much force that his beta had slammed against the wall then proceeded to fall to the floor like a ragdoll.

And how could he when the person standing in front of him stark naked was a young woman?

"Hey, it looks like I outgrew my clothes overnight. Is there something I can wear?"

"Celeste?" Caspian whispered, not believing his eyes. She'd outgrown her clothes? Overnight?

*****************************************

Hard to believe, right? *Inserts evil laugh*

Buckle up.