Chapter 267 - Under The Stars

"It's not people," Ashton mumbled. Caleb raised an eyebrow to which Ashton added. "You'll see".

As soon as Caleb was about to get into the car, he was stopped by Ashton by putting a hand on his wrist. "No Car"? Caleb raised an eyebrow. 

"No Car" Ashton smirked. An amused smile appeared on Caleb's face as soon as he noticed the smirk on his mate's face. 

"Aren't you a mysterious helper?" Caleb remarked. He led them through the empty road towards an unknown direction. Caleb wasn't quite sure where they were headed but it didn't matter since they were together. And being together is all they needed. 

"You know, being werewolves we are always used to running around in our paws. It's nice to walk in peace for a change". Caleb mumbled. 

"I'm sorry, did you say werewolves? Do you believe in such myths"? Ashton teased.

Caleb ended up rolling his eyes followed by a laugh. "I see you don't believe in such stories. Too bad." Caleb shook his head. 

"Tell me something…" Ashton trailed off. "What made you want to be a sheriff? Did you always want to become one"? He asked.

"Honestly… I dunno. I never thought about my future as much. My primary goal was to become stronger than I am perceived. To prove my worth… to be more than just some male omega…" Caleb pursed his lips, "But, after losing you… I realised that there are more threats in the world that don't include my pack." Caleb explained.

Ashton remained quiet allowing Caleb to continue, "After what happened with Warren and Karolyn… After I got Connor… I wanted to protect him at all costs. I guess choosing to be a police helped that to a certain extent. That way I had authority as a human as well" Caleb smiled. 

"Well, Connor is lucky to have a Dad like you," Ashton commented. "I am lucky to have a mate like you".

"We are breaking characters are we"? Caleb asked.

"Yeah.. I can't do that any longer." Ashton chuckled. "I know I am your mate, and I always will feel a part of what you feel. This connection goes both ways… but I don't think I can ever understand the pain you went through for all these years. If I could turn back time… I will, and I will decide to stay" Ashton replied with guilt.

"We all make stupid decisions, some we regret more than the others. But it's okay. Because deep down I always knew you would come back" Declared Caleb.

"How could you have such faith"? Ashton asked.

"I love you… that's how" Caleb mumbled.

Ashton halted, prompting Caleb to hold still as well. "What"? Caleb asked. Without any further words Ashton pulled Caleb into an embrace and hugged him tightly. Caleb was stunned for a moment by the sudden affection before he hugged him back.

"I love you.. So so much" Ashton whispered in Caleb's ears.

"I know" Caleb chuckled and patted his back.

After a while, Ashton pulled back and declared, "We're here"

"In the middle of the road"? Caleb looked around and questioned.

"No," Ashton laughed. "Come" he led him through the bushes to the brink of a waterfall. This was one of the few places Ashton brought him for dates when they were younger. Caleb never visited this place alone. It always held a special place in his heart. Something that belonged to just them. He couldn't come back here just by himself.

But being back here… once more relieving all those memories, a nostalgic era threatened to escape his eyes. He couldn't believe how long it had been. The memories in his head were so fresh that it still felt like yesterday.

"I didn't bring a rug, but if it's okay with you we can sit down. The grass is still a bit wet from the rain" Ashton mumbled. Caleb didn't reply as the surge of emotions made him mum. "Caleb"? Ashton whispered.

"I would like to sit down", Caleb whispered through his quivering voice.

"Caleb are you okay"? Ashton froze as soon as he heard his voice. "We can leave if you don't like it." Ashton blurted.

"No, Ashton. I wanna stay" Caleb smiled at him and nodded. Taking the lead he sat down on the wet grass after which he pulled Ashton's hand to make him sit as well. "Coming back here just reminded me of old times. I guess that's why I got so emotional." Caleb chuckled.

"I see," Ashton mumbled. "I used to come here a lot… especially a lot with you" Ashton shared. "I don't express my emotions much, so I used to come here to vent since this place is so… quaint"

"I can see that," Caleb smiled. A yawn escaped through Caleb signifying how tired he was after the day he had. He was about to lie down when Ashton put his hand on Caleb's back.

"What are you doing"? Ashton asked with a frown.

"I am lying down," Caleb declared as a matter of factly.

"The grass is wet, and muddy!" Ashton reminded him. "You are wearing a light colored shirt. It'll be stained." Ashton tried to reason with him.

"Ashton, I am very tired. I really don't care" Caleb shook his head in annoyance.

"I got ya" Ashton nodded. Ashton declared and slid behind Caleb and made Caleb lie down on his own chest. "This is comfy enough?'' He asked.

Getting further comfortable he mumbled, "Perfect. This way I can look at the stars without dirtying my shirt" He chuckled.

Ashton looked up to see a foggy sky, with a distorted crescent moon. Since it was the time of rain, the sky was foggy and therefore stars weren't visible. "There aren't any stars," Ashton commented with a frown.

"They are behind the clouds. I can't see them, but I know they are there. Sometimes that's just as good" Caleb mumbled whilst closing his eyes.

"What"? Ashton frowned. He had a feeling Caleb was trying to pull a metaphor, but he had no idea what.

"You wouldn't get it" Caleb smirked before he went quiet.