There was an old barn on the edge of the property that the pack didn't use anymore.

"Jack and I used to hide in here all the time," Caleb said.

He held my hand leading me to the end of the yard. The sun was just setting, turning the sky a light pastel pink.

Inside the barn the ground was covered in a layer of hay, and it smelled of dirt and grain. Caleb lead me up the stairs towards the loft. There were a few discarded hay bales that were barley staying together and some old crates that were mostly broken set off to the side.

Caleb pulled a dusty blanket off of one of the hay bales and shook it out, laying it on the floor.

My heart was practically beating out of my chest from how nervous I was. I had resorted to wringing my fingers together to distract me.

"Come here," Caleb softly commanded, holding his arms out for me.

I stepped into his arms and rested my head against his chest, his heart beat was steady, calming even.

"I love you," he whispered to me, gripping me tighter.

I pulled my head away from his chest to look up at him. His caramel eyes shined brightly down at me, letting me know his words were true.

I first met Caleb almost a month ago and in that time he has somehow convinced me to fall deeply in love with him. I suddenly felt like my heart wasn't my own anymore. He was the sole owner of everything I had to offer.

"I love you," I said.

Caleb pulled me in for a passionate kiss. I set my hands on the base of his neck and buried a few fingers in his dark hair.

His lips moved from mine and began peppering kisses along my neck.

"Your heart is beating like crazy," he told me, setting a hand on my chest.

"I'm nervous," I stated simply, laughing, bringing his lips back to mine.

Our kiss became feverish. We were practically clawing at each other as we were overcome with passion. I had never experienced a feeling of need so strong in my life.

Caleb led me down to the blanket, both of us resting on our knees.

His fingers slipped under the hem of my shirt and ran along the bare skin there. His touch was hot, burning even.

He toyed with the bottom of my shirt before lifting the fabric over my head.

He grabbed the neck of his own shirt before pulling it off and discarding it as well.

I laid back against the blanket as Caleb climbed over me. He hovered over me for a moment, just searching my face.

"What?" I asked, suddenly self conscious.

"You're just so beautiful," he said, resting a gentle hand on my cheek. "I can't believe that I get to love you forever."

I didn't have any words to give back to him so I pulled him close and pressed my lips against his.

I couldn't believe the turn my life had taken since moving to Homer.

Within just a month of living here I had stumbled across my soulmate. A year ago I would have argued that there was no such thing, but being here with Caleb there was no doubt in my mind that this was where I was meant to be.

Caleb's lips trailed down my neck as he fingered the button on my jeans.

His eyes flickered up to me, asking for permission. My breath had already picked up and I was having trouble forming words, so I gave him a quick nod.

He unfastened my pants and I lifted my hips to assist him in pulling them off.

As he slipped the jeans over my ankles he ran his electric touch along the sensitive skin of my thighs.

My underwear was quickly removed and then I watched as Caleb stuck two fingers in his mouth, wetting them, before playing with my entrance.

I gasped as he pushed his fingers through the tight space, my head rolling back against the wooden floor beneath me.

His tongue was quick to join his fingers and I was surprised that I could already feel myself edging towards my release.

"Caleb..." I struggled to speak as I neared my peak.

"Go on baby, let go," he said before working his tongue against me faster.

My legs stiffened as I rode out my high, before my body relaxed. I was trying to catch my breath as Caleb took off his pants.

I had begun to feel cold, a layer of goosebumps covering my body. Caleb slowly climbed on top of me, his warm body soothing my chill.

I arched my back for him as he unclasped my bra and slid the straps down my arms.

I could feel his hesitation so I looked up and was met with his caramel gaze watching me.

I smiled at him, trying to express that I was ready without words.

Caleb used a gentle hand to brush my hair away from my face. He leaned down and pressed his lips against mine.

He rested his forehead against mine before he slowly pushed into me.

His presence was uncomfortable, and I could only think about how sore I was going to be in the morning.

"C-Can I move? Are you okay?" Caleb asked, I could see his internal struggle to keep still.

"I'm okay," I said.

Caleb slowly began to move his hips against me, soft moans tumbled from his lips and met my ears.

I couldn't help but revel in the fact that I was the reason he felt like this. That my body was giving him pleasure. It was an empowering feeling.

I moved my legs up higher to try and ease some of the pressure I was feeling but it didn't help much.

Sex, however, wasn't as painful as I thought it was going to be.

I could tell that Caleb was nearing his climax as he picked up his movements.

"Fuck," he cursed, nuzzling his head into my neck. "Are you ready?" He asked, running his canines along the sensitive skin of my neck. He set a strong hand behind my head to hold me in place while his hips were still moving against mine. "Say something, Beatrice," he said, an edge to his voice.

I could tell he was growing impatient.

I took in a long, shakey breath, trying to prepare myself for what was coming next.

"Do it," I said.

Then he plunged his sharp teeth down, breaking the skin and releasing a searing pain.

I did my best to try and keep my composure, but then he bit down harder sending another wave of pain through me.

His strong hands held me in place, his fingers digging into my skin. There was no where for me to go as he scarred my skin.

A tear slipped down my cheek before I tapped his arm, trying to convince him to let me go.

"Caleb-" I choked out as he bit down harder.

A few more tears slipped down my cheeks as the fire crept up my neck, spreading along my skin.

I pushed at his chest but his jaw was locked on me until his hips stopped grinding into mine at his release.

His teeth let go of my skin and his body went limp against mine. His full weight rested against me and then I noticed it. I could feel his heartbeat.

At first I thought it was just our close proximity but I realized that my heart now beat in time with his. I could feel the bond we had just sealed.

Not only could I feel his heart, but I was connected to him in a way I could've never expected. It was like I could feel everything he was feeling.

I was suddenly consumed with the love he felt for me. I was wrapped up in a warm blanket of comfort and trust.

I felt Caleb's body stiffen above me. When he pulled away his expression became concerned at my state.

"Are you okay?" He asked, moving off of me.

"It hurts," I said, sitting up.

That's when I noticed the blood dripping down Caleb's chin. I put my hand up to my neck, but when I pulled it back it was slick with red.

"Oh my God," I said, feeling like I could faint for the second time today.

"It's okay," Caleb grabbed his shirt off the ground and pressed it against my wound. "You'll be okay."

"It hurts," I said again, flinching as I moved because of the pain between my legs. "Everything hurts."

Caleb helped me put my clothes back on before lifting me into his arms and carrying me down from the loft.

"How..." I hesitated, "how was it?" I asked, embarrassed.

Caleb smiles before pressing his lips to my forehead. "You were perfect."

I could feel that he was telling the truth. I could feel how consumed by me he was, the same way that I was consumed by him.

I held his shirt to my neck firmly as he carried me back into the pack house and towards the infirmary, where I had woken up earlier.

He turned us around as he reached the door so that he could push it open with his back.

Dorian was sat at his desk, his nose in a book, when he noticed Caleb walk in with me.

Caleb sat me down on the bed. I was still pressing the shirt to my neck when Dorian walked over to look at me.

"Well I guess a congratulations are in order," he said, pulling the shirt away to get a good look at my wound.

My cheeks turned red at his statement. I shifted my gaze to Caleb who looked awfully proud of himself.

After placing a bandage on my neck, Dorian opened a drawer and pulled out a bottle of pills.

"Antibiotics," he said, handing them to me, "just to be safe. I've known Caleb since he was a boy, so I know how disgusting he is."

"Hey!" Caleb said with mock offense.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm turning in for the night," Dorian said, he stopped next to Caleb and set a hand on his shoulder. He didn't say anything, only gave him a smile before walking out the door.

I didn't know much about Dorian, given that I'd only met him today. But from the feeling that was swelling in my chest, I could tell that he was important to Caleb.

I was enjoying my new super power. I would never have to guess what he was thinking or how he felt.

Caleb's attention turned to me.

"Do you want to go to bed?" He asked, brushing a piece of hair behind my ear.

"I would love to," I said, taking his hand as he led me out of the infirmary. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked.

"Tell you about what?" He asked, pulling me against him.

I placed my hand against his chest.

We stopped in the middle of the hallway.

"Can you feel my heart like I can feel your's?"

Caleb leaned down and pressed a kiss against my lips.

"No," he said, "that's only a privilege for the marked."

We reached his bedroom door and I let him lead me inside while I waited for him to continue.

"I gave you a part of myself when I marked you."

Caleb backed me up until the back of my legs met his bed frame.

"Well," I said, loosely wrapping my arms around his neck, "you're really missing out."

"What are you feeling now?" He asked, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"It feels like my whole life I've just been floating in space," I began to play with the ends of his hair, "and now you've grounded me. I'm tethered to you."

Caleb nuzzled his head into the uninjured side of my neck.

"Forever."

"Forever."