Chapter 183
Elena's POV
The sunset painted brilliant oranges and purples across the sky as Caleb and I sat by the campfire. The flames cast dancing shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes.
Everything was moving in the right direction.
"Do you want to go inside?" he asked.
My heart raced, but it wasn't nervousness—it was excitement.
"Not yet." I smiled, watching the last rays of sunset.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
"It really is."
"Thank you," I said softly.
He turned to me, curiosity in his expression. "For what?"
"For all of this. For everything." I took a deep breath. "I never thought we'd get here."
"Elena," his eyes softened as he took my hand.
"I always thought I wasn't good enough for you, and..."
"If anyone isn't good enough," he interrupted, his voice low and intense, "it's me not being good enough for you." His grip tightened slightly. "You've been through so much because of me, and you're still here."
The sincerity in his voice made my heart race.
"Because I love you," I said simply. "I believe in what we have. Our life together is just beginning. We're just starting to really know each other."
"I love you too, Elena. More intensely than any feeling I ever imagined." He brought my hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles.
The fire crackled, a log shifting and sending a shower of sparks toward the darkening sky. He moved closer, his arm wrapping around my shoulders.
"Don't get me wrong—you do make me angry sometimes."
"I do make you angry sometimes," he murmured against my hair. "But my goal is to make you happy. To keep making you happy."
"I like that goal." I leaned into him, enjoying the solid warmth of his body.
A yawn escaped my lips.
"We should go inside," he suggested, noticing my reaction. "It's getting dark."
I looked up at the sky. The full moon was beginning to rise.
"Yes, let's go in."
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine," I assured him, though I wasn't entirely convinced myself. "Can I take a shower?"
"You don't have to ask me, sweetheart. The bathroom is the last door on the right."
Inside, the cabin felt safe and cozy. He carried my overnight bag to the bathroom door, setting it down carefully.
"Take your time," he said. "I'll find something for us to watch."
I nodded, suddenly finding it difficult to speak. My skin felt unusually sensitive, every nerve ending alive and tingling. "Okay," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Once in the bathroom, I closed the door and leaned against it, breathing deeply. My heart was racing, my palms sweating, and a strange heat seemed to radiate from deep within my body.
I turned on the shower, hoping the sound of running water would mask my uneven breathing. As I undressed, I caught sight of myself in the mirror—flushed cheeks, dilated pupils.
What's happening to me? I stepped into the warm spray. The water felt good against my heated skin, but it did little to calm the excitement coursing through me.
I wrapped myself in a towel, grabbing another to dry my hair. I'd towel-dry it and let it air-dry naturally.
Opening the door cautiously, I found him waiting in the hallway. Phone in one hand, beer in the other.
"Have you been waiting here the whole time?"
"Are you sure you're okay?" He pocketed his phone.
I stepped into the hallway, water droplets still clinging to my skin. "I feel different, but I think it's the moon," I confessed.
"The moon hasn't even fully risen yet, but its effect on you is stronger than expected."
"Yeah, I noticed."
"Please talk to me about how you're feeling," he continued, his voice gentle but insistent. "Between mates, especially tonight, honesty is crucial."
He was right. This wasn't just about me.
"Let me get dressed first," I said, retreating to the bathroom to put on comfortable clothes.
When I emerged and joined Caleb in the living room, he was searching for something to watch.
"Hey." I sat down next to him.
"This stupid thing never works," he muttered, tossing the remote aside. He turned to me. "If you don't want to be here, you'd tell me, right?"
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be," I grabbed his hand, making him look at me. I didn't want to be with anyone but him. "Especially tonight."
He squeezed my hand. "I need you to be honest with me about what you're thinking and feeling. I need to know this is your choice, not something you're doing for me."
I moved closer to him on the couch. "I'm nervous," I admitted. "But not in a bad way. It's different from normal nervousness."
"How is it different?"
"I have almost no sexual experience. Somehow it feels like a completely new first time. I'm nervous, but I'm also incredibly eager. It's crazy." I rolled my eyes. I wasn't used to pouring out my thoughts to him like this. This damn full moon was driving me insane.
A hint of a smile appeared on his lips. "It's a first time for me too."
I frowned. "This matters to me, Caleb."
"Sweetheart."
"Sex is a big deal to me."
His expression immediately softened. "It's a big deal to me too, Elena."
I grabbed his hand, meeting his gaze directly. "I want to be here. I want to be with you. I want to make love with you. God, I really, really want to."
Did I actually just say that out loud?
He smiled. "Is that what your heart is telling you?"
"No joke." I wanted to share that wonderful feeling with him. I wanted to reach climax together with him.
"I really want to make love with you too." His arm went around my shoulders as he kissed the top of my head. "But I understand your anxiety. I get that feeling. I know it doesn't look like it, but I feel the same way."
"I know." We were both equally terrible at this, except he was better at hiding it.
"It's not time for the next step yet."
"Right."
"I'll be right back. I need to shower too."
While Caleb showered, I sat alone in the living room, feeling the moon's influence growing stronger with each passing moment. I could feel it beneath my skin—that tingling, that burning heat. I turned off the TV, preferring the quiet.
I made myself a cup of tea, then stood at the back door gazing at the now-bright full moon. It hung in the night sky, large and luminous, seeming close enough to touch.
After another glance at the sky, I found myself smiling. Whatever else was happening, I was ready to take this step. I closed the door and returned to the living room, adding more sugar and milk to my tea, enjoying the peace. I lay down on the couch and closed my eyes, feeling completely relaxed.
I didn't hear Caleb return, only felt his lips press gently against mine. I opened my eyes to find him leaning over me, his skin still damp from the shower.
I responded to his kiss instinctively, feeling a powerful desire rising within me.
I wanted him.
"Take me upstairs, Caleb," I whispered against his lips.