Page 36 of Howl You Doin'

"I needto-"

"Nope." She grabbed his wrist, tugging him toward the break room. "Wade's got the patrols covered, everyone's either home or at the hospital, and I'm not above using my fire magic to make you take care of yourself."

"You wouldn't dare."

She raised an eyebrow, a tiny spark dancing on her fingertip. "Try me."

The autumn night air nipped at Fiona's skin as they stepped out of the community center. Her feet ached from hours of cleanup, but she felt oddly energized. Maybe it was the leftover adrenaline from the fight, or maybe it was the way Caleb's shoulder kept brushing against hers as they walked.

"You really don't have to walk me home," she said, though her heart skipped when he fell into step beside her.

"After tonight? Not a chance I'm letting you walk alone." His eyes scanned the shadows between buildings. "Besides, we should talk about what happened during the fight."

"You mean when I saved your furry behind with that fireball?"

"I had that situation under control." He nudged her gently with his elbow. "But no, I meant the connection. I heard your voice in my head."

Fiona stopped walking. "Wait, that actually happened? I thought I imagined it."

"Mind links are common in the pack, but they don't happen with outsiders." His fingers brushed against her arm. "Ever."

"Oh." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly very aware of how close he stood. "Is that... bad?"

"Bad? No."The streetlight caught the blue in his eyes, making them gleam. "Unexpected? Definitely. Interesting?" His lips curved into a smile. "Very."

A cool breeze rustled the leaves overhead, carrying the scent of his cologne. Fiona's magic stirred under her skin, warm and responsive, like it recognized something in him.

"So, what does it mean?" she asked, starting to walk again to hide her flustered state.

"I have some theories." He matched her pace. "But right now, I'm more concerned about getting you home safely."

"My knight in shining fur," she teased, trying to ignore the way her pulse quickened being next to him.

The porch light cast a warm glow over Fiona's small craftsman house as they reached her front steps. Through their newfound connection, she sensed a dangerous undercurrent of rage beneath Caleb's calm exterior. It felt like static electricity dancing across her skin, making her magic respond in kind.

"Okay, spill it." She turned to face him, crossing her arms. "What incredibly stupid thing are you planning?"

Caleb's jaw tightened, surprised that she sensed his plan while in human form. "I'm taking Wade and our strongest fighters to Nightfang territory tonight."

"Oh yes, because storming into Victor's den in the middle of the night is a brilliant plan." She rolled her eyes. "Did you hit your head during the fight?"

"He attacked innocent people, Fiona." His eyes flashed with barely contained fury. "Children were there. The elders could have been seriously hurt. I won't let him think he can get away with that."

Fiona felt his anger pulse through their connection, hot and fierce. Her own magic flared in response, warming her fingertips. "And getting yourself killed proves what exactly?"

"I'm not afraid of him."

"Being brave and being stupid are not mutually exclusive concepts. In fact, they often go hand in hand. Especially with stubborn alphas who don't think things through clearly."

"I have thought it through."

"Really?" She arched an eyebrow. "So you've considered that he'll have home field advantage? That he'll probably have traps set up? That he's probably expecting you to do exactly this?"

Caleb's silence was answer enough.

"Fine." Fiona sighed, fishing her house keys from her purse. "If you're determined to walk into an obvious trap, I'm coming with you."

"Absolutely not."

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