Page 44 of Howl You Doin'

"It's nearly healed." At her skeptical look, he added, "Mostly."

"You're impossible." She stepped closer, close enough that he could count the freckles dusting her nose. "And if he challenges you?"

"Then I'll accept." The words came out softer than he intended, distracted by her proximity. "It's what an alpha does."

"What an alpha does," she mimicked his gruff tone, "is not get himself killed being stubborn."

"Says the woman who called Victor a coward to his face."

"That's different."

"How?"

"Because I'm naturally antagonistic. You're just..." she waved her hand vaguely at him, "all noble and self-sacrificing."

The way she said it,like it personally offended her, made him want to kiss her. Instead, he settled for saying, "Someone's got to be the responsible one between us."

Caleb watched the emotions play across Fiona's face, her green eyes darkening like storm clouds. The scent of her worry tinged the air between them.

"I don't like it," she said finally, "but I get it. Just... try not to do anything stupid and heroic before then?"

"Me? Stupid and heroic?" He pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. "I'm wounded."

"You literally are wounded," she pointed out, poking his side gently.

He caught her hand, surprised by how natural it felt to hold it. "Speaking of things I need to do, I've got to pick up Sarah from the train station. She's probably worried sick after missing the festival."

"Fiona's thumb traced absent patterns on his palm, sending tingles up his arm. "Didn't you mention that she's a lawyer?"

"Yes. Though she prefers 'legal goddess extraordinaire.'" He rolled his eyes fondly. "She got called out of town last minute for a case."

"Well, I should let you go then." Fiona withdrew her hand, and Caleb's wolf whined at the loss of contact. "I need some time to clear my head anyway. Process everything that's happened."

"You sure you don't want company?"

"Sometimes a witch needs her space to brood dramatically and possibly set things on fire." She gave him a small smile. "I'll see you later?"

"Try to keep the property damage to a minimum," he called after her as she walked away. She shook her head and kept walking.

Watching her leave,Caleb couldn't help but marvel at how quickly she'd become essential to his pack - to him. His wolf paced restlessly, already missing her presence.

"You've got it bad, boss," Wade's voice came from behind him.

"Don't you have something to patrol?" Caleb grumbled, but there was no real heat in it.

18

FIONA

Fiona stirred her lavender-chamomile tea and watched the steam curl up from the mug in lazy spirals. The Cauldron & Cup was empty except for her. The warm lighting cast a cozy glow over the worn wooden tables. A cleaning charm swept across the floor, the bristles making soft swishing sounds against the floorboards.

Nina approached, wiping her hands on her apron. "I heard about what happened at the community center. Are you holding up okay?"

"The building's a wreck." Fiona sighed, running her finger along the rim of her mug. "All that work rebuilding the playground, and now..." She shook her head. "But everyone's alive, that's what matters."

"You've done more for that pack in a few weeks than most outsiders do in years." Nina pulled out a chair, the legs scraping against the floor. "Not many would stand up to a rival alpha pack."

"They're worth it." The tea warmed Fiona's hands as she lifted the mug. "They've become like family."

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