Chapter 2- Cal

After lunch with Skye I head back to the shop to finish working on a customer's car. Shit. I never thought she’d want to prospect. I was planning on asking Skye to be my mate after the prospect selection. As a prospect she can’t be my mate unless she becomes pregnant with my child. I could tell her my plans to make her my mate, but I feel like I would be undermining her. I owe it to her.

Skye doesn’t know the truth. We killed her father. Her father was my godfather just like my father is hers. Unfortunately, Skye's father, Jensen, was a royal asshole. He made bad choices for the club and we even suspected him of abuse, but we could never prove the abuse part. The bad business, the stealing, and the corruption we could prove. We had to take him out. Skye suffered. His death took a toll on her. With her mother gone and then her father she was on her own.

Of course we were going to take care of her. She’s important to both of us. My dad thought he could find a family within the pack for her to stay in. I knew that wouldn't go over well. People judge her for having a dormant wolf. I know that is going to be a challenge for her as a prospect. It’s been a challenge for her entire life. It isn’t easy for a dormant werewolf to survive in the pack. She’s only a beta because of her father’s status.

I don’t care about her status in the pack or her dormant wolf. I’ve known for years now that she is my mate. She understands me and I trust her. She’s also gentle, sweet, and loyal. I’m not sure how that will help her as a prospect. It won't help her. Fuck what is she thinking? What am I thinking with sponsoring her? Shit, I have to tell my dad and the other officers in our meeting which is in a few hours.

At the meeting it’s all the officers. We are in church. It’s our meeting room. Normally patched members would sit in with us and prospects if we allow them. For this meeting it’s just the officers. We always have a meeting a few days before the prospect selection. Doris sits on one side of my father while I sit on the other side. Sean sits next to Doris. he’s our secretary and the pack doctor. He’s a few years older than me. We are good friends. Our sergeant of arms is Sam. He makes sure the rules get followed.

My father taps his gavel on the wood of the table to signal the start of the meeting. “Alright, let's make this meeting quick. Sam, you are in charge of the prospect selection. How many do we have this year?”

“We have a good turn out. Twelve total with two being female.” Sam reports.

“Actually, make it thirteen and three female prospects. Skye wants to prospect to honor her father and I agreed to sponsor her.” I inform them.

“Are you insane, son? She has a dormant wolf.” My father looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“I know, but we owe her. We killed the girl's father for fucks sake,” I pause to compose myself. I don’t want to be so emotional. “What if I make Skye mine? I was going to make her my mate anyway. If I claim her as mine while she is a prospect I can offer her protection and make sure she doesn’t get pregnant with someone else's pup.” All the officers are aware that I plan to make Skye my mate. The only one not thrilled is Sam.

“It’s been done. An officer has the right to claim a prospect for themselves and offer protection. She’d have to get marked. The mark has to be visible. If she is yours then she can only become pregnant with your pup then you can make her your mate anyway.”

“She might go on the pill. A lot of the female prospects go on some type of birth control. Ruby and Scarlett have already been to see me for prescriptions. Skye hasn’t come to me yet, but she might.” Sean comments. His southern accent is a little more prominent than the rest of us.

Sean’s a transplant from another pack in New Orleans. Sean’s parents were killed by rogue vampires looking for revenge. He came to us when he was twelve. His former Alpha thought it would be best for him to have a fresh start somewhere new. Skye’s dad decided to take him in. He quickly earned a place in the pack. He showed really great potential as a doctor. Doctors for supernaturals are important and unfortunately not overly common. The pack paid for him to go to college as most packs aim to have at least one doctor and some nurses within the pack.

“I won’t stop her from taking precautions. I haven’t even offered the option to her yet. She might not want my protection.” I state.

“She will need it and Skye isn’t stupid. She stays in the kitchen working with me. Don't try to reassign her. She’s the only good worker I have. The other two are useless half the time.” Doris states with her arms crossed over her chest.

“We wouldn't dream of reassigning her, Doris.” Dad assures her.

“So, adding Skye to the prospect list then?” Sam asks one more time looking between my father and I.

“Yes. Put her on. Cal, try to get her to accept your protection. I’ll feel better knowing she is in your bed than being passed around by the brothers. I don’t think she can handle men using her like that. What is she thinking?” The last part he mostly asks himself. It’s the question we all are asking.

I’m going to get Skye to take my protection one way or another. I know I benefit the most from it because I’ll finally get to have her as mine. It’s all I’ve wanted for a while now. It’s why I put a damn couch in my room for her to sleep on. I didn't want her to live with another family. If she did we wouldn't have seen each other as much and I didn’t want that. She had finally started hanging out again.

For a while Skye disappeared. Jensen claimed she was sick, but when I asked Skye about it she half assly played along with what I assume was a lie. It’s why we suspected abuse. When Skye's mom, Roxy, left. We knew it was for a reason. She was far too nice and bubbly for her to just leave her pup behind, but Roxy clearly had secrets of her own. She was a stray wolf we took in.

The pack doesn’t take strays in often, but Jensen insisted he had to save her. Save her from what? The asshole never said. It didn’t take long for them to hook up. I was young at the time and barely remember it. Werewolves have amazing memories. Some of us can even remember our births. Thankfully, I don’t remember mine. I remember everyone being so excited that Roxy was going to have a pup. It was finally time for the alpha to have a pup of his own. It didn’t take long for us to realize Skye’s wolf was dormant.

While werewolves don’t normally shift till they hit puberty, there are still ways to tell. It became clear that Skye didn’t heal the way she should and that her senses were weak by a werewolves standard. The pack doctor then was able to diagnose a dormant wolf. Jensen was angry about it. There’s no doubt that he blamed Skye and Roxy for the issue. It’s when he changed.

Uncle Jensen was always fun and relaxed. He was also my godfather like my dad is Skye’s godfather. Our dads grew up together. They were so close at one point till Jensen started doing shady things. At first he didn’t strike me as someone who would do half the shit he did. I never saw him as a potential abuser nor did I see him being corrupt. Maybe he was just good at hiding it, or maybe it was always there and his daughter’s dormant wolf triggered it. Either way it’s not Skye’s fault.

My mind drifts for the rest of the meeting. I’m going to offer my protection to Skye. I don’t know how she will feel about having Property of Cal on her body, or if she is going to want to have sex with me. I won’t force her, but her actions will determine if she is willing to be my mate. I’m not blind. I know Skye has feelings for me. I can smell her desire when she’s close to me. I’ve seen her with other guys, she never smells like desire around them. Only me. I’m not the only one who’s picked up on it. Skye doesn’t know. With her senses not being as strong she can’t sense emotions like that. She has no idea that I can smell her desire for me.

It’s driven me insane for years. I’ve been patiently waiting to make her mine. There is no doubt that she will agree. I’d truly be surprised if she didn’t take it. I’ve never admitted how I feel about her to many. Only the other officers know. I’ve let Skye and everyone else think I’m searching for my mate even though I’ve found her. I’ve slept with other girls while I’ve waited for Skye. I can’t help the high libido that comes with my wolf. Besides, it’s never good for a werewolf to not have sex. It leads to rape and murder.

Hell is where I’ve been for the last few years watching Skye develop into a woman. I’ve wanted nothing more than to fuck her. I could have easily had her already. It’s not about the hunt with her. There have been dozens of moments over the years where I could have easily seduced her, but that’s not the thrill with her. With Skye it's more primal. It’s more than just fucking her. I want to be with her. I want her to be my mate. I want to have pups with her. I want to claim her as mine and mine alone. I want to be more than friends. I can sense she wants the same thing.

That’s why I’m so thrown off by her wanting to be a prospect. I get her need to honor her father. I’d do the same if I was her. I wish I had talked to her sooner about being my mate. I could be a dick and tell her now, but then I feel like I’m undermining what she wants. I can’t do that to her. If I claim her as mine then I can still make sure she can be my mate. I don’t even care if she gets pregnant while she’s a prospect, I just want her to be only mine. The thought of someone else doing anything with her makes my blood boil. Yeah this could get ugly.

After the meeting I head back to the shop. On my way Sean joins me. I know he’s going to ask about Skye. “What can I help you with, Dr. Mason?” I ask him. I call him Dr. Mason when I want him to fuck off.

“Oh, you’re not getting off that easy this time. I know what Skye becoming a prospect means. If she doesn’t except your protection I’m worried you will murder the brother that takes her virginity.”

“She will accept it. She’d be a fool if she didn’t. Besides, we know she has feelings for me.”

“There is no doubt that girl is in love with you, but that doesn’t mean she will accept your protection. She’s stubborn. She might want to do this on her own. Have you considered what taking your protection would mean for her? Sure she might be safe from being passed around. She will be spared dangerous jobs and she’ll get special treatment not just from you, but we all know Skye holds a soft spot for both your father and Doris. Even if she doesn't accept your protection she will have two other officers looking after her. She knows this and so does everyone else. Ruby and Scarlet will hate her even more if she is claimed by you. They don’t have a chance of being claimed by an officer, you know that. Think of what taking your protection means for her.”

“I know, Sean. Alright. I know, but I’m holding out hope that she is smart enough to do it. Even if she doesn't take my protection her virginity is mine. No one will challenge me on that.”

“No, but she might.”

“I doubt that.”

“Alright, she will at least give you that. I hope she takes your protection too. I think things will be far worse for her if she doesn’t. Mentally, I’m not sure she could handle being a prospect without your protection.”

“Why do you say that?” I ask, stopping before the shop.

“If she was abused by Jensen, which we know there is a pretty damn good chance, that means she deals with PTSD.”

“Then why would she risk the life of a prospect. She knows she will be used for her body. If she’s been abused why would she risk being passed around like a sex toy? Why would she risk putting herself in situations that might trigger her?”

“Maybe she thinks she can handle it. There are dozens of reasons why she would risk it. I’m just saying you need to figure out if abuse happened. It will help us help her and help avoid potential triggers.”

“You don’t think I haven’t wanted to ask her because I have. I don't know how to ask her something that is so sensitive.” I confess.

“Do you think we are wrong in assuming abuse?”

“No, dad and I are positive that it happened. There’s too much evidence and given where Jenson was when he died, it’s more than possible.” I reply

“I’ve observed Skye in the past from a distance. I may not be a psychiatrist, but I can see evidence of the abuse and PTSD. Let’s hope she isn’t triggered.”

“What would a trigger do to her? She can’t transform nor does she have full strength or abilities.”

“It’s not so much of her hurting someone else as her hurting herself, or having a panic attack at the wrong moment. She may have a dormant wolf, but that doesn’t mean her breakdown wouldn’t be dangerous.”

“Well, thanks for giving me more shit to have anxiety about.” I say sarcastically and frustradly walking back to my work space.

“I’m not trying to stress you out, I’m trying to be honest. I’m your friend, Cal. I’m worried about you.”

“I’m fine. I just want this damn prospect ceremony over with.” I state, irritated.

“We all do. All the officers hate it. Breaking in new prospects is a pain in the ass. Hell, we are still breaking in some of last years.”

I sigh. “Yeah I know.”

There’s always one or two prospects that give us hell. They don't listen, they break the rules, they get in trouble with the law, they sleep with humans, and they’ll do just about anything to make a name for themselves. Most prospects we can break in pretty quickly, some might take a bit long, but then there is that one or two that may or may not ever be broken in. The thing is if they don’t get patched in they die. We don’t kill them, but they will get themselves killed one way or another. About half the prospects will die in the first year from dumb shit because ever prospect wants to prove themselves.

After the first few deaths the rest of the prospects tend to fall in line quickly. This year we have three female prospects. We normally only see a few every few years. Most females stay clear of the MC for one reason or another. The only females that hang around are mates of the brothers, females in the MC, and club whores. There are a group of females that love to sleep with members of the MC. Mainly because they get free drugs and alcohol.

Sean leaves and I get back to work. Focusing on the engine in front of me as metal blars in the background. I’m not the only one who works in the shop and like the rest of the brothers I prefer rock and metal. It’s easier to have speakers that play music for us than us trying to listen to our own shit. I try to focus on my task, but my mind goes back to Skye.

I have to shift gears with her. My plan is taking an unwanted detour. She’s now my prey. I might have to seduce her. If I can get her to at least agree to let me be the one to take her virginity then I have a shot of getting her to agree. I’m going to try to get her to agree before that. I need her to be mine and mine she will be.