Page 18 of Mated By Sunrise

As they passed familiar faces, Rochelle noticed people glancing their way, smug smiles forming as they saw her withCaleb. Whispers and knowing looks followed in their wake. Once or twice, money exchanged hands, like a bet had been won or lost.

They reached the bank all too soon, the familiar building standing tall against the soft morning light. Rochelle’s heart gave a slight flutter as they stopped in front of it, the reality of the day ahead tugging at her. She felt a sudden rush of emotion, a wave of gratitude and love that made her heart race. Without thinking, Rochelle wrapped her arms around Caleb’s neck, pulling him close. He blinked in surprise, but the moment their eyes met, his expression softened, and that familiar warmth flooded his gaze.

Her lips found his in a kiss, soft at first, then deeper, as if she were pouring every unsaid word, every lingering doubt, into that single moment. When they pulled apart, Rochelle felt breathless, her cheeks warm from more than just the morning sun. Caleb smiled down at her, his eyes glowing with a quiet joy, as if he had been waiting for this moment for far longer than she had realized.

A series of wolf whistles and catcalls echoed from down the street. Rochelle turned her head just in time to see a group of townspeople gathered nearby, watching the scene with grins and teasing smiles. Some were clapping, others whistling, their voices playful and filled with approval.

Rochelle stepped into the bank, the familiar scent of paper, ink, and the faint lingering smell of coffee welcoming her as she crossed the threshold. The moment the door closed behind her, the quiet of the outside world was replaced by the low hum of conversation and the rhythmic click of keyboards. Normally, it grounded her, this routine she’d grown used to. But today, everything felt different.

She was different.

The warmth of Caleb’s kiss still lingered on her lips, and she could feel the faint hum of their bond, steady and constant,pulsing just beneath her skin. She had never felt more sure of herself, of the path she was on, and yet there was a small pang of nostalgia as she glanced around the familiar office. She had spent so many years here, building her career, shaping her future. And now, with her promotion looming, it all felt strangely bittersweet.

As she made her way through the bank, she caught a few curious glances from her coworkers. Her thoughts, however, were focused on one thing: she needed to speak with her boss about Herb. What had happened the night before still gnawed at her, even with Caleb’s presence calming her.

Rochelle reached the door to her boss’s office and knocked softly. After a moment, she heard the familiar voice call, "Come in."

She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation. “I need to talk to you about Herb.”

She watched as her boss's expression shifted, his brows lifting expectantly and then furrowing slightly in concern. Rochelle sat down, folding her hands in her lap to keep them from fidgeting. The memory of the previous night flashed through her mind—Herb’s too-close presence, the way he had crossed the line, the way Caleb had stepped in. She felt a small surge of anger, but she pushed it down, focusing on the facts.

“He crossed a line last night. He made an inappropriate pass at me after hours. It wasn’t just unprofessional, it was—unsettling.”

Her boss’s eyes widened, and his expression shifted from concern to disbelief. “He… did what?”

Mr. Evans ran a hand over his face, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. He exhaled slowly, nodding after a long moment of silence. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that. I’ll take care of it immediately. Herb will be replaced. That’s not the kind of behavior we tolerate here.”

A wave of relief washed over Rochelle, and she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She had been worried about how this conversation would go, but Mr. Evans’ response was firm and reassuring.

“Thank you.”

Mr. Evans leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk as he studied her for a moment. His sharp eyes softened, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“You know,” he said, his voice taking on a more personal tone, “I’m really going to miss having you here. This bank won’t be the same without you.”

Rochelle’s heart gave a small pang of regret, but she nodded, smiling despite the bittersweet feeling. “I’m going to miss it too. It’s been home for a long time.”

“You’ve outgrown this place, Rochelle. You’re destined for bigger things. I’ve always known that.” His smile widened, a mix of pride and sadness in his eyes. “The new bank is lucky to have you. You’re going to do big things over there, I’m sure of it.”

As the words sank in, the pang of leaving began to shift into something else—excitement. A new territory, a fresh start, and this time, Caleb would be by her side.

“I can’t wait,” she said, her smile brightening. “It’s going to be a whole new adventure for me… for us.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Caleb pushed open the door to the coffee shop. The soft hum of conversation and the occasional clink of mugs filled the air. Today, Caleb’s senses were sharper than normal. He could hear every word, every movement, as if the world was magnified in the wake of his bond with Rochelle. Everything felt more vibrant, more alive.

He spotted the barista behind the counter, her eyes lighting up for a moment when she saw him. The brief flash of hope quickly dimmed when she noticed the subtle shift in his demeanor. The bond that now pulsed through him, an undeniable claim that marked him as Rochelle’s mate. It was clearly bright enough even for a human to sense. Holly's disappointment was visible, her smile faltering, but she quickly composed herself and backed off, turning to the next customer with professional detachment.

Caleb barely noticed her response, his mind still swirling with the intoxicating feeling of having had Rochelle by his side as they walked into town, of finally being together—truly together. For years, he had waited, hoped, and now the weight of all that waiting had been lifted. He felt light, as though his feet barely touched the ground.

He weaved through the tables until he spotted his brothers. Gideon and Elijah sat by the window, mugs of steaming coffee in hand. They looked up as he approached, grinning widely when they saw him. Caleb slid into the chair across from them, the sunlight catching the gleam of pride in his eyes.

“Well, well, well,” Elijah said, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed with a smirk on his face. “Look who finally sealed the deal.”

Gideon clapped Caleb on the back, his smile broad. “About damn time, brother.”

Caleb couldn’t help the grin that stretched across his face.

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