Page 31 of Fated
“I’m Caleb, Alpha of Crescent Fang,” he said, extending his hand. “And this is my beta, Asher.”
The younger male stood, grip firm as he shook Caleb’s hand. “Cian, Alpha-heir of Moonshadow. This is my father’s beta, Aiden.”
Asher exchanged a polite nod with Aiden before settling into the chair beside Caleb.
Cian perked up with interest. “It’s nice to meet you. My nan used to tell my twin sister and me the story of Crescent Fang’s creation. She loved that one.”
Caleb raised a brow. “Did she now?”
“She did.” Cian chuckled, warmth threading through his voice. “She always said Crescent Fang was proof of Selene’s vision. A pack born to lead. To guide. I imagine she’d be thrilled to know you’re here.”
Caleb’s eyebrows rose, lips parting. Moonshadow’s reputation for loyalty and honor had preceded them, but Cian’s genuine warmth caught him off guard. Fenrir perked up, awareness sharpening in a way Caleb had rarely experienced. The wolf focused intently on Cian’s aura, detecting something Caleb’s human senses couldn’t fully grasp—an old energy, reminiscent of Crescent Fang’s own sacred connection to Selene.
“Trust this one,”Fenrir urged, the wolf’s immediate acceptance surprising Caleb.
“We’re glad to be here,” Caleb said, his tone genuine.
Asher shifted beside him, a subtle signal of agreement.
Cian leaned forward, his interest clear. “How does it feel, coming back after so long?”
Footsteps echoed through the room as more leaders filtered in before Caleb could answer.
Cian leaned closer. “If you’re free for lunch, we’d love to continue this conversation.”
Caleb glanced at Asher, who nodded almost imperceptibly. “We’d like that.”
The four exchanged small smiles before turning their attention to the elder seated at the head of the table. The room grew quiet as the meeting was called to order, the start of the summit settling over them like a heavy cloak. Yet something about the exchange with Cian left both Caleb and his wolf feeling lighter.
As Caleb settled into his seat, a flicker of hope bloomed his chest. Asher’s unwavering presence beside him, Fenrir’s quiet approval, the unexpected respect in Cian’s words—it all hinted at something deeper than politics.
For the first time since taking his oaths, Caleb glimpsed a future where Crescent Fang thrived within the larger community while honoring their sacred purpose. A new beginning where his choices could serve both his pack and his commitment to Asher.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
LENA
The dining hall buzzed with early morning activity, scents of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon mingling with the low hum of chatter. Lena sat across from Ryker at a small table tucked in the corner, her scrambled eggs and toast largely untouched. Elara lurked beneath the surface of Lena’s skin, nostrils flaring at phantom traces of orange and nutmeg in the air.
Ryker tore into his second helping of waffles with unrestrained enthusiasm. “I’m telling you, Lena”—he leaned in conspiratorially, fork waving between bites—“last night waswild.”
She glanced up from her coffee, visions from the night before clinging to her consciousness—Kai’s piercing gaze, his breath against her neck, his dominating presence. Even now, his scent teased her senses, pulling a plaintive yearning from Elara that echoed through their bond.
“Earth to Lena!” Ryker waved a hand in front of her face. “Are you even listening to me?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah.” Lena blinked rapidly, pulling herself back to reality. “You were saying something about...last night?”
Ryker smirked, clearly delighted to have her attention again. “Only thegreatestnight of my life! So, there I was, in the Redridge suite, right? Thurston’s daughter is on her knees, and she’s got meallworked up. It was so fucking hot. I had her pressed down, chin to balls, choking on my cock, and then—wait for it—out ofnowhere,she shoves a finger in my ass!”
Lena choked on her coffee, sputtering as Ryker leaned back in his chair, howling with laughter. “Goddess, Ryker!” she shrieked, grabbing the toast from her plate and lobbing it at his head. “I didnotneed to know that!”
He caught the toast midair, unbothered by her outrage. “What? It’s rude to kink shame, you know.” He took a bite, winking at her. “I didn’t even have time to freak out. I came so hard I thought Axel left my body.”
Lena smacked his arm, face burning with both horror and amusement. His usual raunchy banter helped ground her, even as Elara continued her incessant hunt for traces of their mate. “I fully support you letting your freak flag fly, but for the love of Selene, can wenotdiscuss this over breakfast?”
“Fine, fine.” Ryker shrugged, grin never wavering. “But for the record, I’m still trying to figure out if I liked it.”
Lena rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she tried to suppress a laugh. Ryker had a way of dragging her out of her own head,no matter how heavy her thoughts felt or how insistently Elara pined for their mate.
