Page 58 of Howl You Doin'

He wanted to tell her everything would be fine, that Victor didn't stand a chance. But he wouldn't lie to her. Instead, he tightened his arms around her and said, "I’ll try my best."

The movie droned on, neither of them paying it any attention as they held each other in the soft darkness of his living room.

Fiona suddenly sat up straight, her eyes blazing with that dangerous spark Caleb had come to recognize. The one that usually preceded either brilliance or chaos.

"We should go hit them now," she said, jabbing a finger toward the window. "Tonight. While they're not expecting it. Get the pack together and-"

"No." Caleb kept his voice gentle but firm.

"Why not? Victor wouldn't see it coming. We could-"

"Because I already issued the challenge."He shifted to face her fully, taking in the way her hair caught the TV's flickering light. "Going after them now would be like..." He searched for an analogy she'd understand. "Like showing up to throw down at a scheduled wedding instead of waiting for the actual cage match."

"That's a terrible analogy." She crossed her arms. "And weddings are overrated anyway."

"The point is, it would dishonor everything my pack stands for." His wolf bristled at the mere thought. "Besides, I'd still have to fight Victor in the end."

"Then we'll just take him out first!" A small flame sparked between her fingers - a sure sign she was getting worked up.

"Fiona."

"What if we just set his fancy mansion on fire? Just a little bit?"

"Fi-"

"Or I could turn his pretentious sports car into a barbecue."

Caleb couldn't help it - he laughed. The sound seemed to startle them both. "Has anyone ever told you you're slightly terrifying when you're protective?"

"Only slightly?" She tried to maintain her fierce expression, but her lips twitched. "I must be losing my touch."

He pulled her back against his chest, nuzzling her hair. "Trust me, you're plenty scary. But this is something I have to handle the right way."

Fiona's shoulders slumped, the fire in her eyes dimming as she curled deeper into his side. Caleb's wolf whined at the sight, wanting to erase that defeated look from her face. The scent of her anxiety filled his nostrils.

"I just... I hate feeling helpless."

Caleb ranhis fingers through her hair, marveling at how the strands caught the light like dying embers. "You? Helpless? The woman who took on three Nightfang wolves and lived to critique their fighting style?"

"That's different." She picked at a loose thread on his shirt. "I could actually do something then. Tomorrow I just have to watch."

"Hey." He tilted her chin up, meeting those green eyes that had somehow become his anchor. "Remember what you made me promise?"

"To win?" A ghost of a smile touched her lips.

"Exactly." His thumb stroked her cheek.

"This can't be your last night, Caleb. I won't accept that."

Something in her voice made his heart stutter. He pulled her closer, breathing in her scent. "If it was though," he murmured against her hair, "I'm glad I'm spending it with you."

Caleb gently pulled Fiona down beside him on the couch, arranging them so she fit perfectly against his chest. Her hair tickled his nose, carrying the scent of cinnamon and woodsmoke that was uniquely her. His wolf preened at having her so close, safe in his arms.

"You're like a furnace," he murmured, nuzzling a spot behind her ear.

"Fire witch, remember?" She wiggled back against him, sending sparks of awareness through his body. "Though you're not exactly cool yourself."

"Wolf thing." His hand found hers, fingers intertwining against her chest. "Higher body temperature."

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