“If it’s not my fault, then it can’t be yours.” Trey said sensibly.
They were currently in the smaller gym doing a light workout. None of the others were around and they had the place to themselves.
Trey had almost fully recovered from the attack, but Doctor Phillippe wouldn’t let him return to training just yet. Sitting around and doing nothing was driving him insane. In the end, Kelton had relented and agreed to help him out with some light exercise to ease him back into it.
“This isn’t some kind of game, boys.” Kelton rolled his eyes. “It’s my fault, no it’s my fault, no it’s my fault. You’re like bickering kids.” He mocked.
Trey couldn’t help laughing and Kelton relished the sound. The poor kid had really gone into himself over the last few months and was only just starting to come around. He knew that they must have sounded like a couple of bickering kids and it felt good to lighten the mood.
“You both need to accept that it happened and there was nothing anyone could have done to prevent it. It would have happened regardless.”
“But with the mark...” Caleb started to interrupt.
“You have no idea what could have happened. There has been unrest in the pack for some time. They haven’t appreciated my friendship with Patrick among other things. This could have happened whether you received the warrior mark or not.”
Caleb didn’t reply. He kept on working up a sweat on the pads with Trey, easing him back into the training. No matter what Kelton said, he’d still feel the guilt. There was too much for him to ignore. Hopefully in time, the feeling would ease, but for now? He hated himself.
“I think it’s time for us to call it a day. We don’t want you doing too much before you’re ready” Kelton said as he took off his gloves.
“I think you may have done too much already.”
They all spun around when they heard the stern voice of Doctor Phillippe coming from the door. Kelton started to apologise as he didn’t intend to derail any of her recovery work, but Marion laughed. “It seems like you’re ready to get back to it. I don’t see why you can’t start training with the others again if you promise to take it easy.”
Trey grinned. “Really?”
“Really. I think it’ll do you good.” She turned to Kelton. “Can I have a quick word?”
“Of course.” Kelton glanced over at Caleb and Trey, “You two, get tidied up in here and I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”
Caleb and Trey gathered up their belongings, leaving quickly before the doctor could change her mind. Trey was so happy to be allowed to train again. It was so hard for him to sit back and do nothing, especially now that his mind was a little clearer.
Things were finally looking up.
Cala was sick and tired of being on her own. All those years of being kept under her sisters shadow, and the way she’d been treated like a second class citizen by her mother and sister, had robbed her of any self-confidence she may have had. Now that she was out on her own in this place, the loneliness was almost suffocating.
The worse thing about it all was that it was a self-imposed loneliness. Aisline and some of the others tried their best to include her in their activities on numerous occasions, but Cala didn’t have the guts to join them. What would she say? How was she supposed to act? The worry was almost painful.
Now that she had stopped training, life was getting seriously boring. Kayleigh had managed to speak to one of the professors who gladly accepted Cala as an unofficial assistant, but it wasn’t all she thought it would be. Filing and putting books back in their correct places wasn’t exactly brain taxing.
Boring, boring, boring.
She still hadn’t heard anything from Rhian or her mother. It was no surprise really, and to be honest, she didn’t miss them. She did miss having someone around, but Cala didn’t miss being treated like something they found on the bottom of their shoe.
When they’d had first ended up at the academy, Cala had assumed that she and Rhian would be together all the time, just like they had been all the way through their school lives. However, the warriors had different ideas about that and put them into separate training classes. For some reason, Rhian was lucky enough to be put in Aisline’s class, but Cala was left with a group of boys. They were all really nice and tried to help her as much as she’d let them, but it wasn’t the same as going through it with another girl.
She’d tried her best with the training, she really had, but it was exhausting. The rest of the trainees seemed to step up to the challenge and relish in everything that was thrown at them, but Cala seemed to struggle at every turn. The guys all tried to help her as much as possible, but she didn’t want to be a burden to them. She wanted to be able to overcome it on her own. It hadn’t quite turned out like that, though. It had been a complete failure.
When Aisline had first started talking to her, it was pretty obvious for anyone to see that she was trying to size her up, to see how much like her twin she was. Not that Ash ever had anything to worry about. They were nothing alike. Rhian had every hateful trait known to mankind and it was Cala’s mission in life to be nothing like her. Ash found that out soon enough.
Luckily, even with a bitch of a sister and her crippling shyness, Ash hadn’t given up on her. They were still taking their friendship slowly, but that was strictly down to Cala. She was wary of people, especially of other girls after living with Rhian and their mother. She’d learned from an early age that girls were not to be trusted.
When she’d found out the lengths that her mother had gone to trying to get to Master Warrior Kelton, and all the lies she’d told, any faith and trust Cala had left in her had been shattered. It would take a lot of time to build that back up and learn to take each person on their own merits.
It wasn’t all bad, though. Her time at the academy had taught her some things. Meeting Kayleigh had proved that all women weren’t like her mother. So even after a life of emotional and psychological abuse dished out to her by her mother and sister, she now developed a little hope and faith that there were still people out there with redeeming qualities.
The stunt that her mother had pulled could have destroyed her. She could have lost all faith and given up on life. Did people only ever care about themselves? Coming to the academy and seeing the warriors striving to protect the community showed her that people did still care and that they didn’t only think about themselves.
The warrior mark on their faces hadn’t been real. When Cala had finally heard that damning conversation and had learned the truth, it all made sense. They weren’t cut out for this kind of life and it was all a play for their mother to get her claws into Kelton. At least that made sense as to why she was struggling with the training so much! However, she had tried. Rhian hadn’t even made any attempt to get into the training. It was a wonder that she or anyone else hadn’t seen through the rouse before that.
She could still remember her mother dropping that bombshell on them. Cala had grown up without a father figure in her life and had learnt from an early age not to ask any questions about him. As a kid, if she ever mentioned her father, her mother would fly into a screaming rage.
It was only when her mother found him again, with thanks to a Matris friend of hers, that she started to speak of their romantic encounter and start to plot her next move.
That was how this whole mess had come about. Cala could never understand why her mother would befriend every Lamia Matris she came across. In all other aspects of her life, her mother had high standards, including only the richest of friends. Although, if they were Lamia Matris, she didn’t care if they were penniless. It was all a ploy to find a way to get back into Kelton’s life.
When Cassandra came up with the idea of the spell for a warrior mark, it was the perfect excuse for her to get in contact with the Sons of Satrina. Hearing how the mark had started appearing on females and on other races gave her the perfect excuse to use her daughters to get to him. She put her master plan into motion.<
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Fortunately for all involved, the plan royally backfired on her. Kelton already had a woman that he loved. In those brief moments that Cala had seen Kayleigh on the night that they’d arrived, it was clear for anyone to see how much he loved the woman. Her mother’s outrageous flirting had been embarrassing, and ultimately pointless.
And even with Kayleigh gone for all that time, Cassandra hadn’t been able to win her battle and Kelton had stayed true. After spending time getting to know Kelton and Kayleigh, Cala was eternally grateful that her mother hadn’t been able to come between them. Those two were meant to be together. If only she had been born to parents like Kelton and Kayleigh, it made her wonder what her life would have been like.
It would have been a tragedy for everyone if Kelton had fallen under her spell again. After Cala had learned what her mother had done to him in the first place, she’d been ready for when they got face to face, which was why she’d been quick enough to stop her this time. In their time together at the academy, Cala had kept a close eye on Rhian also. She didn’t trust either of them and wouldn’t put it past Rhian to follow in her mother’s footsteps. They were like two peas in a pod, doing anything and trampling over anyone to get what they want.
Kelton would have been a broken man if Cassandra had managed to get her poisonous claws into him. Kayleigh wouldn’t have been able to take it again. Luckily, he was stronger and smarter than that and did everything in his power to keep away from her.
At first, it hurt that Kelton didn’t want anything to do with either of the twins, but even at the time, Cala found it understandable. She looked just like the woman that had torn his life apart by springing two children on him and making the woman he loved walk away. It would be a lot for any man to handle. Lucky for them all, they were moving past that now.
She was glad to have the chance to get to know him now. It was quite an adjustment to think of him as her father, but they were getting there. The more Cala watched him, the more she saw how similar they were in their ways. He was very reserved, not letting many see the man behind the warrior. Even though they had a very shaky foundation, Cala hoped that they would be able to build on that.
The signs were looking good because even though he was still somewhat nervous and stiff around her, he’d gone out of his way to include her in his family with Kayleigh and his son.
Their son, her brother! It was crazy to think that she’d managed to walk away from such vile people that she once called family and had now been taken in by people that were a close knit family. This was what it was supposed to be like. It was almost like she was in some kind of fairy-tale, and just hoped that it wasn’t too good to be true.
And Elias was such a beautiful little boy, so happy and content. He had every good trait from each of his parents. It had been nerve-wracking when Kelton had first taken her up to meet them, but Kayleigh was extremely friendly and soon put her at ease. Each and every time she went to see them, the easier it got. It was quite shocking how well they were getting on, considering the circumstances.
Walking down the stairs, Cala couldn’t help but smile to herself. All her life she’d dreamt of having the perfect family. It was a dream that took her far away from the harsh reality she’d had to live through. Her home life had never been happy, heck, it had almost unbearable. Sitting in that suite and having a polite conversation with Kayleigh while bouncing Elias on her knee, it was the closest she had ever got to that dream coming true.
“You look happy.”
Cala looked up sharply to see Caleb standing directly in front of her. “I didn’t see you there.”
“You looked like you were off in your own world.”
“I was just thinking. I’ve been up to see Kayleigh and Elias.”
“How are they doing?” he asked.
“He’s adorable.” Cala smiled, a little confused as to why Caleb was talking to her, but she wasn’t about to be rude. They’d never really spoken much before, but Ash was always saying how much fun he was, so she wasn’t about to send him away.
She’d watched Caleb, knowing that there was plenty going on behind that harsh, brooding exterior. He was intriguing. Cala hadn’t ever met anyone like him before.
“I really can’t imagine Kelton as a father.” Caleb carried on walking for a beat before his wide eyes swung to Cala in shock. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t think.”
Cala chuckled. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I just sometimes forget that you are, you know, related to him.”
“Honestly, it’s fine. The situation was a bit of a shock for everyone so it’s not like we could fall straight into a father/daughter role.”
“I didn’t mean to be rude. I more meant, it’s so weird to see such a big, badass warrior with a tiny baby.”
Cala grinned. She couldn’t help it. It was a strange sight, but a heart-warming one. Whenever she saw Kelton holding the baby, it was clear to see that he would never let anything happen to the little guy. “He’s really good with him.”
They carried on walking down the stairs in silence until Caleb paused, glancing shyly at Cala. “Do you fancy a coffee? Or a walk?”
She didn’t know what to say. They’d all been welcoming at the academy and helped her with her training, but she’d shied away from socialising with them. Ash tried to get her to come out of her shell, but she always tried to make an excuse to get out of it. One on one with Ash was one thing. Hanging out with a group of them? That was too much for her just yet. Could she manage being with Caleb? He was quiet and shy and she didn’t fear him, but….
Should she wait for Aisline like she’d planned? Or should she…?
“Okay.”
“Which do you want to do? Coffee or a walk?”
“A walk.” She said, surprising herself.
“Come on, then.” Caleb smiled and led her through the reception area. He’d been waiting for a moment to get to know Cala and this was as good a time as any. She was so shy and never seemed to talk when they were all in a group. Maybe this would be easier for her? Caleb hoped so. He wanted to get to know her better.
They kept walking and headed outside. It was a fine day and they didn’t need jackets. The wind was light and the sun was shining.
It felt good to be outside. After all that had happened lately, they’d all been cooped up inside, everybody on guard and not wanting to relax for a moment. It was evident outside with the extra guards, but still it felt good. Cala loved the feel of the warm sun on her face.
“Where are we going?” she asked as they rounded the corner. She felt a little nervous but reassured herself that she was with one of the toughest trainees. Caleb wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
“Not far.”
She followed along behind him, getting a little more nervous with every step. Aisline had sung his praises but she’d never really had much to do with Caleb. Should she really be following him blindly? Was the shifter to be trusted? Especially when no one knew where they were.
Caleb was a shifter. She knew all about the troubles with the shifters, before she’d been there and since arriving. It had been a scary situation when the shifters had descended. She hadn’t been able to fight, there was nothing she could do to help. Rhian hadn’t even bothered to leave her bedroom, but Cala had wanted to do something to help.
She’d seen him training. He was impressive. What was more impressive was that if you put them all in a line, you wouldn’t be able to pick him out as different. He was as badass as the rest of them and fit in well at the academy. He could keep up with the training better than most.
Caleb was quite like her. He seemed quite shy and introvert, only coming out of his shell when the guys ribbed him or when his younger brother was around. Perhaps he wasn’t as comfortable as she thought?
Was it wise being out there alone with him? Shifters were unpredictable. It wasn’t so much that she didn’t trust Caleb, she didn’t like the fact they were at the place where the shifters had forced their way in
. It scared her. Her thoughts were getting the better of her. “Caleb, I think we should go back.” Cala hated how her voice shook.
He smiled back at her, “No need. We’re here now.”
She frowned at him, looking around. She didn’t see anything of interest. “I don’t see anything.”
“This is a place I found when I first came here. It’s a good place to think.” He crouched down and crawled through a gap in the bushes, disappearing from sight.
Cala was intrigued. He seemed quite excited to show her this, whatever it was. She didn’t think she was in any danger, but who knew? At least if they were out of sight, nothing could happen to them. It seemed the safest thing to do was to follow him. Not knowing what to do for the best, she crouched down to stare after him.
“Come on in!” Caleb laughed.
She shook her head, wondering at her sanity, and followed him through. It was like a little hidey-hole. It was cramped inside with the two of them, but with the full foliage coverage they were entirely hidden from sight.
“What is this place?” Cala looked around. She no longer felt nervous. How could she when Caleb was looking so content?
“I found this place when I first came here. I needed somewhere to get away, but as you know, that isn’t easy around here.”
Cala nodded. When Rhian had been at the academy, Cala had never been able to have a moment to herself. Now that she was gone, it was the same. Everyone seemed so worried about her that even in her room, she didn’t get a moments peace. Either Ash would come knocking, or Kayleigh or Kelton. Sometimes, she just wanted her own space to get her thoughts together, so she totally understood what Caleb was saying.
“I stumbled on this place one day. I like to come out here when things get too much.”
“I can understand how no one could find you out here.”
“After everything that happened, I sometimes need time to myself.”
Cala wasn’t sure if she should ask, but seeing as he was the one that brought it up, she guessed he wanted to talk about it. “You don’t talk to your pack anymore? At all?”
End of an Era: A Sons of Satrina Novel (The Sons of Satrina Book 4) Page 22