Page 8 of Howl You Doin'

"Just saying, she's the first person besides me who's told you off since you became alpha."

Caleb growled softly, but his eyes tracked Fiona's movements as she navigated through the crowd, somehow making everyone feel heard while still getting things done. Maybe Nina's recommendation wasn't so random after all.

Caleb stood in the doorway of the community center as the sunset painted the sky in shades of orange and pink. The place hummed with renewed energy - a stark contrast to the chaos of that morning. His wolf preened at how quickly order had been restored.

"Final report of the day?"Fiona approached, a stack of color-coded folders tucked under her arm. The scent of cinnamon and accomplishment rolled off her.

"Let's see - the walls are clean, Mrs. Henderson's stopped threatening to call the local news, and I haven't heard the word 'crisis' in at least two hours. I'd call that a win."

"Don't forget the new security protocols I drafted." She pulled out a bright yellow folder. "And the reorganized class schedule."

His lips twitched. "Seems like you've thought of everything."

"Almost." She shifted her weight, a hint of uncertainty crossing her face. "Except whether I actually got the job or not."

Caleb's wolf nudged him forward. "The position's yours if you want it. Though I should warn you, the health insurance doesn't cover any magical mishaps."

"I'll take my chances." Her smile lit up her entire face. "When do I start?"

"How's tomorrow sound?"

"Perfect. I already have ideas for-"

"Of course you do." He shook his head, amused despite himself.

4

FIONA

Fiona straightened a stack of flyers on the community center's front desk, hyper-aware of the brooding presence behind her. For the fifth day in a row, Caleb Rivers loomed like a storm cloud in a perfectly good sky. His reflection in the window showed him scanning the room, arms crossed, jaw set in that perpetual scowl.

"You know, if you keep frowning like that, your face might stay that way," she said, not bothering to turn around.

"Just doing my job."

"Which apparently involves haunting this desk like a particularly grumpy ghost?" The corners of her mouth twitched as she heard him shift his weight.

"Making sure everything runs smoothly."

Fiona spun in the chair, raising an eyebrow at him. "Right. Because the potted plants might stage an uprising?"

His blue eyes narrowed, but she caught the slight quirk of his lips before he smoothed his expression. The security cameras in every corner caught her attention again. Something had happened here - something that had the mighty alpha wolf prowling around like a watchdog.

"Just keep me updated on any... unusual activities."

"Define unusual. Because Mrs. Henderson's interpretive dance class gets pretty wild on Thursdays."

That earned her an actual chuckle, brief as it was. Progress. She'd counted exactly six laughs from him in five days - not that she was keeping track.

Whatever had happened here had left morethan physical marks. She could feel it in the way the pack members glanced at the doors, in the tight set of Caleb's shoulders. But asking outright would probably get her nowhere with Mr. Broody McAlpha.

Later that day, Fiona adjusted the thermostat, letting a touch of her fire magic warm her fingertips. The community center's ancient heating system wheezed and clicked, struggling against the autumn chill. A group of teenage shifters huddled near the entrance, shooting her suspicious glances.

"The basketball court's open for another hour," she called out, keeping her tone light. "Unless you'd rather stand there giving me the evil eye?"

One of the boys - Travis, she remembered - shuffled his feet. "We're good."

"Suit yourself. But I hear standing around being suspicious burns zero calories."

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