Page 75 of Wolf's Providence

Her body stilled, her teapot forgotten, looking at me with something shifting in her eyes. “Okay.” Pulling out a chair, she sat down, her gaze fixed on mine. “What is it?”

Why had this been so much easier in the shower?

The small distance between us felt like miles. Breaking eye contact, I looked away, immediately chastising myself for showing weakness.

“You saw what happened yesterday,” I began, my voice low. “As we thought, they came after you when they thought you were alone. And now we know why they’re doing it.” I avoided her gaze, focusing on the slight scar she had just above her right eyebrow. “They want Shadowridge Peak and they’re willing to go through you to get it. Which means they’ll keep coming for you unless I do something about it.”

Willow’s brows knit together, darkening her response. “So…what does that mean? What happened with the guy from yesterday?” There was a nervous edge to her voice, like she already knew the answer but was asking anyway.

“He won’t bother you again.”

This time, she was the one who looked away. “And your friend, the guy who helped?”

“Eamon is still here. He’s going to be here for a while yet.”

“Why?”

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what I was about to say settle into my chest. “It means…I need to leave, Willow. At least for a while.”

The words hit like a punch, and her face froze. “Leave? Caleb, what are you talking about?” She leaned forward, her voice thick with worry. “How is leaving supposed to fix this?”

“I’ll be close,” I said quickly, the words tumbling out before I could second-guess them. I didn’t want her to think I’d abandon her completely—not yet, not ever. “But if I’m not here, they won’t be able to use you against me. And it’ll give me space to figure out why they’re doing this, why now, and why they’re targeting me so intensely.”

I raked a hand through my hair, the frustration building, clawing at my control. I hated this—hated the idea of leaving her, of not being able to protect her with my own two hands—but the gnawing, primal instinct inside me was screaming for distance. “You’ll be safer if I’m not around, Willow. And right now, that’s the only thing that matters to me.”

Her jaw tightened, and I could see the spark of fury in her eyes before she even spoke. “They attacked me because they thought youweren’there! You leaving means they’llknowyou aren’t here!” She walked towards me, her voice rising with every word. “If you want to keep me safe as you claim, then that’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever said to me, Caleb.”

Her words were full of disbelief, but I held her gaze, refusing to back down. My flat look seemed to make her flush with anger, but she didn’t waver.

“And the fact one of them is now dead means their anger and focus is only onme,” I said sharply, the growl in my voice barely contained. My wolf prowled beneath the surface, demanding I make her understand, demanding I assert control over this conversation—over her.

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, I thought she might step back, but she didn’t. She stood firm, her chin lifted in defiance. “Then why not stay?” she asked, her voice quieter now but no less determined. “If they’re coming for you, you’re the best defense I have.We’rethe best defense I have.”

I shook my head, turning away from her sharp logic. “You don’t get it, Willow. If I stay, they’ll push harder. They’ll use youto get to me, and that’ll break me. It’s not just about protecting you—it’s about making sure I can still fight. If you’re in their hands…” My voice cracked, and I swallowed hard, the thought unbearable.

“It won’t come to that,” she said softly, and I hated how much I wanted to believe her.

But I couldn’t.

I exhaled heavily, dragging my hands through my hair again. “This isn’t just a fight, Willow. It’s a claim. They want to destroy everything…everything I am. And if I can’t hold onto my control…” I stopped myself, not wanting to say the rest, not wanting to admit that part of me already felt like it was slipping. “This is the best thing to do.”

Her mouth opened, then closed, her gaze hardening. “And you think that’s up to you to decide?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Caleb, I…I chose to be where you are. I know what’s at risk. Do you really think you can protect me better from a distance?”

My chest ached at her words, but the beast in me refused to yield. The part of me tied to the territory, to my packlands, was louder than ever. It demanded action, separation, dominance.

“I’ll be close,” I said again, the words hollow now. My feet already felt as though they were moving without my permission, pulling me away from her.

Worry filled her eyes, and as she stepped toward me, her voice was low. “Caleb, are you sure this is right? It doesn’t feel right.”

“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I know that every time I’m near you, I feel like I’m one wrong step from losing control.” I forced myself to look at her, to let her see the truth in my eyes. “You looked at me yesterday, and you were afraid. And I can’t live with that, Willow. Not when I know that stepping back might be the only way to keep you safe.”

Her face softened, the anger and worry giving way to something else, something deeper. She reached across the counter, her hand brushing mine, and for a second, I thought maybe I could stay. Maybe I could keep it all together for her sake.

But I knew that wasn’t the truth. And maybe, deep down, she did too.

“I know you’ve made your mind up. I can see it,” she said finally, as I moved my hand away, her voice small but steady. “But don’t think I accept this.” She pushed away from the counter, walked to the sink, and turned the faucet on to rinse her cup. “You’re going back to Shadowridge Peak?”

“I have to.”

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