Page 23 of Fated
Ryker snorted, grin widening as he clutched his chest and staggered back a half-step in theatrical dismay. “Complicated? After that entrance? Yeah, well, if you need me to punch him, just say the word.” He flexed his arm with exaggerated pride, winking at a nearby wolf who happened to glance their way.
A soft laugh escaped her, and the pressure in her chest relaxed. She glanced at Ryker, grateful for his unrelenting joy andsupport. He’d always been her rock, the one person who could make her laugh no matter how dire things felt.
The laughter died in her throat as her gaze drifted back to the hallway where Kai had disappeared. Elara’s nose pressed against the boundary between wolf and female, tracking their mate’s fading scent. Their bond throbbed like a fresh wound, each pulse sparking pain through nerve endings that hadn’t existed before today.
Complicateddidn’t even begin to cover it.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CALEB
The summit lodge loomed ahead, an imposing structure of timber and stone nestled against the dramatic backdrop of snow-dusted peaks. Caleb stepped out of his truck, awestruck by the grandeur of the scene before him. The hum of power was palpable, a near-tangible current in the air as auras from dozens of alphas and betas mingled. The faint scent of dominance, ambition, and territorial energy lingered, a cocktail that made his wolf stir uneasily within him.
“This is what they call unity?”Fenrir huffed.“Feels more like a battleground.”
Caleb brushed off the edge of Fenrir’s sarcasm, though he couldn’t entirely disagree. The energy surrounding the lodgewasn’t just political—it was primal. He could almost taste it in the air, thick and heady with possibility and threat. Even the pack banners seemed to reflect the tension flapping restlessly in the crisp evening breeze.
Crescent Fang had no banner here. Not because they lacked what others valued—their territory housed Selene’s first blessing, their bank account rivaled packs twice their size—but because Caleb refused to participate in this display of peacocking. These alphas would measure him by the acres of his land and the gold in his vaults, missing entirely what had sustained Crescent Fang through generations: unwavering devotion to their Goddess. Selene had rewarded that devotion with favor and blessing and power that no amount of political posturing could match. Let them underestimate him. Let them see only whattheyvalued, while overlooking everything that truly mattered.
Asher stepped out of the truck behind him, bringing instant relief. The larger male adjusted his cuffs casually, but Caleb knew better. Asher’s sharp gaze swept over their surroundings with the measured calm that had kept them both alive more than once.
“Well, this is...overwhelming,” Asher murmured, in a tone meant only for Caleb’s ears.
“It is,” Caleb admitted, rolling his shoulders to release tension. “But this is why we came. To remind them who we are, right?”
Asher’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. “Then you’d better make sure they remember.”
Caleb chuckled, finding Asher’s hand as they entered the lodge. The energy inside was even more intense—voices echoed against the high ceilings, laughter and the occasional territorial growl punctuated the space. The distant clink of glasses from the banquet hall hinted at the liveliness of the ongoing event, but Caleb’s focus was on the check-in desk. They’d purposely arrivedlate to avoid being pulled into the social chaos, preferring to settle in and prepare for tomorrow.
The desk agent, a young wolf with wide eyes, greeted them nervously. Caleb could feel the ripple of his alpha aura brushing against the male, and he pulled it back to avoid overwhelming him. Even restrained, Fenrir’s presence made the young wolf’s scent spike with anxiety.
“Welcome, Alpha Crescent Fang,” the agent stammered, glancing at the ledger. “You’re...um, you’re in room 412.”
Caleb nodded, but the male hesitated, his gaze darting between the ledger and Caleb.
“Oh, there seems to be a mistake. We only have one room under the reservation...with, uh, one bed?”
Caleb arched a brow, aura unfurling like a shadow spreading across the room. The action wasn’t meant to intimidate—just to make a point.
“There is no error. One room. One bed.” To punctuate his words, Caleb placed a possessive hand on the back of Asher’s neck.
The desk agent looked away, hands fumbling to pass over the room keys, but not before Caleb caught the flash of understanding in his eyes. “Of course, Alpha.” The agent’s cheeks reddened.
Asher leaned into the touch, body language effortlessly confident. Caleb’s hand slid down to the small of Asher’s back, palm resting on the curve of his ass as they walked toward the elevator. The gesture and their mingling scents were a silent message to any wolves nearby:mine.
The elevator doors closed with a ding, tension waxing in the small space. Asher leaned casually against the wall, lips quirking into that knowing smirk that always made Caleb and Fenrir stir in equal measure.
“You know,” Asher said, “if you keep pushing your alpha aura out like that, you might end up topping me this week.”
Caleb’s breath caught as a vivid image seared through his mind—Asher face down, broad shoulders pressed into the mattress, submitting to him for once. Fenrir growled approvingly, a rumble of possessive hunger that made Caleb’s blood heat.
“Careful,” Caleb warned. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”
Asher’s grin widened, scent thickening with arousal in the confined space. “Am I? Or am I just giving you ideas?”
The elevator chimed again, breaking the moment, though the tension lingered between them. Caleb let out a sharp breath, stepping out first. Asher followed behind, close enough that Caleb could feel the heat of him.
By the time they entered their suite, Caleb had regained control, though Fenrir still paced restlessly in the back of his mind. The room was warm and inviting, its large bed dominating the space—a sight that made both wolf and male take notice despite their attempts to focus on business.
