Chapter 46 – Caden

“You can open your eyes now.” I mumble out, my eyes never leaving Grace’s face as her eyes slowly open. I watch as her face goes from a smile to one of shock and disbelief as she takes in the crystal clear lake in front of us with a small sailboat bopping gently on the waves.

"Is that a boat?" She gasps out in surprise, her head moving to look at me, then the boat, then back at me. I chuckle, wrapping my arms around her from behind and pull her towards my chest. Resting my head on her shoulder, I place a kiss on the crook of her neck where my mark will one day be.

"Yes Grace, that is a boat." I whisper close to her ear, feeling her shiver. I can feel her excitement to climb onto and explore the boat, one that I have a feeling she will be spending a lot of time on. Goddess I love this woman so much.

"Would my Princess like to take a cruise on Lady Silver?" I ask, moving to stand in front of Grace as I offer her my hand. She takes it, her brows furrowed as I inwardly sigh.

"You named a boat after me!” She exclaims in annoyance, frowning as I lead her towards the small sailboat.

“Caden what did I say about -" She continues and I can already tell a lecture is on the tip of her tongue. Without thinking, I pull her into my arms and capture her lips in my, a heated kiss ensuing. Any protest she might have had is ended as her eyes flutter close and she melts into my arms, her lips moving against my just as frantically as mine move. As our kiss comes to an end, I smile at her slightly dazed look and blushing cheeks before placing a gentle kiss onto her forehead.

"Yes, I named a boat after you and I know you hate it when I name things after you in any way.’ I begin to explain, watching as her misty eyes slowly turn into slits as she glares at me.

“But since this is your boat. You can rename it Grace." My statement is said calmly and I smirk as I watch her shocked expression take over. I chuckle as she looks towards the boat once more then back at me, then at the boat again, feeling a small victory in my heart as she pulls away from my embrace to step close to the boat.

"This is mine?" She asks in a small whisper as she runs her hand along the side, a smile on her lips.

“Its yours Grace.” I confirm, slowly walking towards her as she studies the small sailboat.

"Now you can go sailing whenever you want and go swimming in the ocean. That is after we move the boat." I continue, pulling her into my arms once again and poking her nose. She giggles, the sound causing my heart to quicken. Getting to know her and her pack, I have learned that Grace is usually the strong stoic type. Her pack mates quickly learned how capable of a Beta she is, always solving problems as they arise with Amelia. They are a formidable pair and if I wasn’t the Alpha King, I would be her support as the Beta under Bryden. It isn’t until she is alone with those she considers family that the childlike innocents in her comes out. When she laughs and giggles like a regular twenty year old she-wolf instead of a scowling Beta.

Her eyes continue to study the ship and I think back to our first date when she explained how she spent her summer days in her maternal families pack. Fishing at sea and swimming in the ocean. Her goals to one day own a boat of her own where she can sale to her hearts content. To know I made one of her goals happen makes me happy to be hers.

"Would you like to board the ship Captain Grace?" I ask, watching her eyes widen in excitement.

"Yes I would!" She excitedly answers, pulling away from my embrace to rush to the back of the boat where a small platform sits just above the water. I hold out my hand to help steady her as she leaps onto the platform but she surprises me by landing gracefully close to the edge, her heals barely hindering her steps and watch as she ascends the steps. With a chuckle, I follow suit and carefully leap onto the platform where she once stood, following her up the steps and smiling when I see her standing before the large banquet with multiple pillows for comfort set with dining wear set up for two and a picnic basket and a bottle of wine sitting in an ice bucket sitting in the middle waiting to be opened. Quietly padding till I am behind her, I slowly lower myself onto one knee and take out the box that has been in my pocket all day, one that holds my mother’s ring that Amelia helped me size to fit Grace.

“Caden, this is increda-” She stops mid sentence as she turns around, her sapphire eyes once again wide with shock and surprise. I smile sheepishly, my heart fluttering as she looks at the ring box in my hand. Taking a deep breath to settle my nerves, her scent of lavender and mint wraps around me, reminding me that this is the woman I want to belong to.

“Grace.” I begin, looking into her eyes filling with tears.

“Will you-”