Page 39 of Howl You Doin'

As they turned to go, Caleb's enhanced hearing picked up Rachelle's whispered, "Should we stop them?"

Victor's silence was more unnerving than any threat could have been.

They made it halfway across the grounds before Fiona spoke up. "You know, his eyebrows did this twitchy thing when I called him unrefined. I think that really got to him."

"You," Caleb said through gritted teeth, "have no idea what you just did back there."

"But wasn't his face worth it?"

Wade, walking slightly behind them, cleared his throat. "I've got pictures."

"Delete those," Caleb ordered.

"Already sent them to the pack group chat."

Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose, wondering how this had become his life. A fire witch with no self-preservation instincts, a second-in-command who'd apparently joined forces with her, and a rival alpha who was probably plotting their painful demise.

16

FIONA

The moonlight cast long shadows across the sidewalk as Fiona and Caleb walked in tense silence. Her heels clicked against the concrete, matching the rapid beat of her heart. The night air held a distinct chill, but that wasn't what made her wrap her arms around herself.

Caleb hadn't said a word since they'd left Victor's mansion. His jaw remained clenched, muscles twitching beneath his skin. The quiet was starting to drive her crazy.

"So, are you going to sulk the whole way to my house?" Fiona asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm not sulking." He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets. "I'm processing the monumentally stupid thing you just did."

"Oh please, like storming onto his territory wasn't equally stupid?"

"That's different. I'm an alpha."

They reached her front porch, the old wood creaking beneath their feet. Fiona fumbled with her keys, hyper-aware of his presence behind her.

"My point is that you just painted a target on your back," Caleb said. "Victor doesn't take kindly to being insulted."

She turned to face him. "And I wasn't about to let him stand there acting all high and mighty after sending his goons to wreck our festival."

"Our festival?"

Her chest tightened. "The pack's festival. You know what I meant."

"You didn't need to defend me."

"Someone hadto point out he was being a coward. Besides, you're the one who insisted on this little field trip despite my objections. So don't lecture me about making bad decisions."

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You really have a comeback for everything, don't you?"

She tilted her head and met his gaze. "Usually."

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, Fiona thought he might kiss her. Instead, he took a step back. "Get some rest."

"Always the alpha," she muttered, unlocking her door.

Fiona had her hand on the door when she caught Caleb's slight wince as he turned away.

"Hold it right there, tough guy." She crossed her arms. "That wound isn't healing, is it?"

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