Page 16 of Howl You Doin'

CALEB

Caleb followed Fiona into Thompson's old office. Fiona had already made the space her own in the past day - organized filing cabinets replaced the previous chaos, and cheerful potted plants dotted the windowsill.

He shut the door behind them with a soft click. "Take a seat."

Fiona settled into her chair, raising an eyebrow. "Is this where you finally tell me I'm fired?"

"Actually, it's the opposite." Caleb leaned against the edge of her desk, crossing his arms. "I've been watching how you handle things here. The way you organized those volunteers today, got them working together. Even the way you got Marcus to help out despite his grumbling."

"Marcus just needed someone to listen to his stories about the good old days first." A smile tugged at her lips. "And maybe a promise of my grandmother's secret cookie recipe."

"That's exactly what I'm talking about. You see solutions where others see problems." He uncrossed his arms. "I need that right now. With Victor and the Nightfang... I've been so focused on protecting the pack that I haven't been leading them. They're scared, divided."

"So, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying I want your help. Not just with the community center, but with the whole situation. You've got good instincts, and you're not afraid to tell me when I'm being..." He searched for the right word.

"A stubborn ass?"

"I was going to say overcautious."

The late afternoonsun streaming through the window caught the red highlights in her hair, making them glow. She sat there, green eyes wide with surprise, now completely silent for the first time since he'd met her.

Caleb shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't used to asking for help, especially from someone outside the pack. But watching her today, seeing how she'd brought people together despite their initial mistrust, he knew he'd made the right decision. Even if her continued silence was making him question his delivery.

"This is usually where you say something. Preferably yes, since I'm not great at speeches."

Fiona drummed her fingers on the desk, her brow furrowed in thought. She finally spoke. "Why not just go to the police? Or the council? Surely they'd step in with all this harassment."

Caleb couldn't help but chuckle at her suggestion, though there wasn't much humor in it. The sound echoed in the small office space. "The council has a strict non-interference policy when it comes to pack politics. As long as we keep our squabbles away from the general public, they consider it an internal matter."

"That's ridiculous." She crossed her arms. "What about property damage? Threats?"

"Welcome to supernatural politics." He straightened up, stretching his back. "Each group handles their own. Witchcovens settle their disputes through their own channels. Dragon wings handle their territory fights privately. Hell, even the vampire courts keep their power struggles under wraps."

"So, you're telling me that if Victor came in here right now and-" She made a slashing motion across her throat.

"As long as no humans witnessed it, and he cleaned up after himself? The council wouldn't bat an eye." The thought made his wolf bristle, muscles tensing involuntarily. "It's why pack leadership is taken so seriously. An alpha isn't just responsible for keeping order - they're the only real protection their pack has."

"That's..." Fiona's face scrunched up. "Actually explains a lot about why you've been hovering over my shoulder like an overprotective mother hen."

"I do not hover."

"Please. You practically growled at the UPS guy yesterday."

"He was acting suspicious!"

"He was sweating because it was hot outside and the air conditioning in his truck broke." She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. "But I get it now. You're not just being paranoid - you're trying to keep everyone safe."

The way she said it, without judgment or mockery, made something in his chest loosen. Most people outside pack structure didn't understand the weight of responsibility that came with being alpha. But here was this witch, who'd known him less than a week, cutting straight to the heart of it.

Fiona tapped her fingers on the desk again. "So, what did Rachelle mean about securing leadership peacefully?"

Caleb ran a hand through his dark hair, buying time to organize his thoughts. The question brought up memories of his own rise to alpha status - the challenges, the doubt, the constant pressure to prove himself worthy.

"Being an alpha isn't just about who can bite the hardest." He paced the small office, his boots silent on the carpet. "It's about strength and respect. Both have to be earned."

"Like a supernatural political campaign?"

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