Page 35 of Howl You Doin'

"That wasn't actually a question." She grabbed his arm and pulled him to sit. "Shirt."

He chuckled, wincing slightly as he lifted the fabric. "Anyone ever tell you you're bossy?"

"Only everyone I've ever met." She examined the healing wound. "Could be worse. Though your dancing definitely needs more work than this."

"We were interrupted," he said softly.

Their eyes met, and that moment from earlier sparked between them again. Then someone called for Caleb's help with the lights, and the moment passed.

The fluorescent lights flickered back to life, revealing the full extent of the destruction. Fiona surveyed the damage - shattered windows, overturned tables, and decorations strewn across the floor like confetti after a particularly violent party. Her carefully planned festival lay in ruins.

Caleb stormed past her, his jaw clenched. "Wade, gather the fighters. We're going after them."

"Oh no you don't." Fiona grabbed his arm, surprised by the warmth of his skin under her fingers. "Your people need you here right now."

"They need me to show strength." He tried to pull away, but she held firm.

"They need you to show leadership." She gestured to the chaos around them. "Look at this place. There's broken glass everywhere, tables crushed, and Mrs. Henderson's prize-winning quilts are hanging in tatters."

"The Nightfang can't-"

"The Nightfang will still be out there tomorrow." Fiona crossed her arms, meeting his intense gaze. "But right now, your pack needs to see their alpha helping them rebuild, not running off for revenge."

His nostrils flared as he glanced around the room. An elderly woman was trying to sweep up glass with trembling hands. Two teenagers struggled with a fallen beam. Someone's child was crying over a ruined art project.

"Fine. But I'm not happy about it."

"Really? I couldn't tell by that sunny disposition of yours."

As Caleb moved away, Fiona couldn't help but notice how his shirt stretched across his shoulders as he lifted the heavy beam. She shook her head, focusing instead on organizing clean-upcrews. Romance would have to wait until after they dealt with the broken windows and crushed furniture.

"You know," Wade said, appearing beside her with a broom, "that's the first time I've seen someone talk him down from a fight."

"Someone has to be the voice of reason around here." She created a small flame to melt together the broken pieces of a plastic chair. "Though I'm starting to think that's a full-time job with him."

"You're not wrong."Wade chuckled. "But he listens to you."

Fiona watched Caleb gently help an older pack member to her feet, his earlier rage tempered by concern for his people. Maybe Wade was right - maybe Caleb did listen to her. The thought made her smile as she turned back to her task of restoration.

Caleb paced the length of the community center's main hall as Fiona directed the remaining pack members to board up the windows near the front entrance. The last car filled with guests had just pulled away.

She turned to Caleb. "If you keep that up, you'll wear a trench in the floor," she said, perching on the edge of a salvaged table. "And I just got this place looking decent again."

He stopped, running both hands through his hair. "I should be out there hunting them down right now."

"You should be right where you are." She conjured a small flame, letting it dance between her fingers. "Your people saw their alpha helping them tonight, not abandoning them."

"Doesn't feel like enough."

"Tell that to Mrs. Henderson. You personally rescued her quilts." Fiona smiled. "I thought she was going to adopt you on the spot."

A reluctant chuckle escaped him. "Those quilts are practically pack heirlooms."

"Speaking of pack..." She slid off the table, extinguishing her flame. "When was the last time you ate anything?"

He waved off her concern. "I'm fine."

"That's not what I asked." She poked at his chest gently again. "Even big bad alphas need food. And I happen to know there's perfectly good sandwich supplies in the break room that survived the chaos."

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