Howl You Doin’ (Saltwater Grove Romances)

1. Caleb

1

CALEB

T he wood of Caleb's desk cracked under his grip. "He did what?"

"Victor's been showing up at the community center," Wade said, leaning against the office doorframe. "Manager's been letting him and his goons hang around, intimidating our people. Got the security footage right here." He waved his phone.

Caleb's nostrils flared, catching the lingering scent of his second's anger mixed with the leather of his jacket. The afternoon sun streaming through the window did nothing to warm the ice in his veins. "Show me."

Wade crossed the room. The video played out in grainy black and white: Victor's smug face as clear as day, while pack members hurried past with their kids, heads down.

"Son of a-" Caleb's chair scraped against the floor as he stood. "That community center is supposed to be a safe space." His wolf stirred beneath his skin, hungry for action. "And Thompson just let them walk right in?"

"Thompson's been taking payoffs. Found the transfers this morning."

"Fire him. Now."

"Already done. But Cale-"

"Double the security. I want cameras everywhere, better ones."

"What about Victor?"

Caleb's lips pulled back, showing teeth. "Let him try that shit again. I'll personally escort him out - through a window if necessary."

"You know that's what he wants, right? To provoke you into-"

"Into what? Defending our territory? Our people?" Caleb paced, his reflection fragmenting across the wall of windows. "This isn't just about territory anymore. He's going after families now. Kids."

"We could call a council meeting, get the other packs involved."

"Politics." Caleb spat the word like it was poison. "While we're filling out paperwork in triplicate, Victor's out there terrorizing our people. No. We handle this our way."

Wade sighed, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. "Your way usually involves property damage."

"Property can be replaced. Peace of mind can't." Caleb grabbed his jacket. "Come on. Let's go make sure our people know they're safe."

"Where are you going?"

"To the community center. To remind everyone exactly why Eclipsed Moon doesn't bow to bullies."

Caleb stalked down Main Street, the cobblestones still slick from the morning's rain. The salt-tinged breeze carried snippets of conversations from the Cauldron & Cup's outdoor seating area, where a group of witches quickly averted their gazes as he passed. News traveled fast in Saltwater Grove.

"Remember when Victor tried to challenge you at last year's Midsummer Joust?" Wade matched his stride, hands tucked into his jacket pockets. "Man couldn't even stay on his horse."

"The horse had more sense than he did." Caleb's lips twitched at the memory. "Bucked him right off into that big pile of manure."

"Good times." Wade chuckled. "Before he got... whatever this is."

Caleb's amusement faded. Five years of territorial disputes, three failed attempts to absorb smaller packs, and now this. Victor's obsession with power had grown from annoying to dangerous.

"He's always wanted more than he deserves. Remember when he tried to convince the Shadow Pack that their alpha was 'unfit to lead' because she preferred diplomatic solutions?"

"Yeah, that backfired spectacularly. Jill kicked his ass in front of everyone at the winter council."

"And now we're the last ones standing between him and his delusion of becoming some sort of supreme alpha." The wolf inside him bristled at the thought.

A group of kids ran past, toy swords clashing as they played shifters versus vampires. One small boy with plastic fangs waved shyly at Caleb.

"At least the kids still think you're scarier than Victor," Wade said.

"That's because they haven't seen him try to dance at the Autumn Enchantment Fair." Caleb waved back at the kid. "That was pretty terrifying."

"Speaking of terrifying, you never told me what happened at that peace talk last month."

"You mean when he suggested we 'merge our packs for the greater good'?" Caleb rolled his eyes. "I told him I'd rather french kiss a troll."

"Harsh."

"The troll would probably have better breath."

Caleb kicked a loose cobblestone, sending it skittering across the street. "If Victor wants to prove he's such a big bad alpha, he should come challenge me directly instead of harassing innocent pack members. Coward's way out."

The salty breeze carried the scent of fresh bread from the bakery, mixing with the ever-present tang of ocean air. A group of merfolk hurried past, their scales glinting in the afternoon sun as they gave Caleb a wide berth. His reputation for protecting his territory preceded him.

"You know that's not his style," Wade said. "He's trying to wear everyone down first. Make them doubt."

"Yeah, well, I'm done playing his game." Caleb's wolf prowled beneath his skin. The beast understood what needed to be done - show strength, protect the pack. "Time to remind everyone why Eclipsed Moon's still standing after all these years."

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking it's time for a pack gathering. Right in the town square." Caleb's lips curved into a predatory smile. "Let Victor watch from the shadows while we show exactly how united and strong we are."

"A show of force?" Wade raised an eyebrow. "That's... actually not a bad idea."

"Try not to sound so surprised." Caleb dodged a witch's familiar - a rather plump orange cat that shot him a disapproving look. "We'll have food, music, maybe some friendly sparring matches. Show everyone that we're not hiding."

"And if Victor shows up?"

"Then he'll see exactly what he's up against." The wolf in Caleb's chest rumbled with satisfaction. "And maybe, if we're lucky, he'll finally grow a pair and face me properly instead of picking on cubs and elders."

"You really want that fight, don't you?"

"Want? No." Caleb paused at the intersection, watching another group of pack children chase each other through the magical fountain's spray. Their laughter echoed off the old buildings, reminding him exactly what he was protecting. "But I'll end it if he forces my hand. Nobody threatens our people and gets away with it."

The red-brick community center loomed ahead, its weathered facade a testament to decades of pack gatherings, celebrations, and sanctuary. Caleb's jaw clenched at the sight of the "Open to All" sign. That welcome had been weaponized against them.

"Third one this month," Caleb muttered, running a hand through his dark hair. "First the bookkeeper, then that new security guard, now Thompson."

"Could be worse." Wade dodged a puddle. "Remember when Victor tried bribing the entire janitorial staff at the town hall?"

"Yeah, with counterfeit leprechaun gold." Caleb snorted. "Turned their hands green for weeks."

The community center's double doors swung open, releasing a group of young shifters from their after-school program. Their laughter faded as they spotted him, eyes wide with recognition. Caleb softened his expression, offering a reassuring nod.

"I'll handle the center myself for now," he said, watching the kids scamper off. "At least until we can find someone trustworthy."

"You?" Wade's eyebrows shot up. "Mr. I-Set-The-Microwave-On-Fire-Making-Popcorn wants to run a community center?"

"That was one time." Caleb shot him a look. "And in my defense, those instructions were clearly written by a vampire. Who measures time in heartbeats?"

They climbed the worn stone steps, the afternoon sun warming the railings beneath their hands. Inside, the scent of floor cleaner mingled with traces of anxiety from their pack members - and underneath it all, the lingering smugness of Victor's presence.

"You can't run this place alone," Wade said, following him through the lobby. "You've got enough on your plate with-"

"Watch me." Caleb's wolf stirred, responding to the challenge in Wade's tone. "My pack, my responsibility. Besides," he grinned, "how hard can it be? File some paperwork, organize a few events, keep Victor's goons from terrorizing everyone-"

"Schedule maintenance, manage the budget, coordinate with other community leaders, handle complaints-"

"Okay, fine." Caleb stopped at Thompson's - former Thompson's - office door. "So maybe I need help. But finding someone we can trust? That's like trying to find a honest pixie at a poker game."

"What about your sister?"

"Sarah?" Caleb barked out a laugh. "The same Sarah who organized last year's pack picnic and somehow ended up with three rival covens of witches fighting over the potato salad?"

"Good point." Wade leaned against the wall. "Still, better than you trying to do everything yourself. You're already running yourself ragged."

"I'm fine."

"Sure. That's why you showed up to Tuesday's pack meeting wearing two different boots."

"They were both black," Caleb muttered, but his lips twitched. "Besides, I started a new fashion trend. Half the younger pack members showed up mismatched the next day."

Caleb opened the door to the office and sat down at Thompson’s old desk. His fingers drummed against the desk as memories surfaced. "You know, Victor wasn't always like this. Remember when our packs used to do those joint full moon runs?"

"Back when his ego could still fit through doorways?" Wade settled into a chair next to the desk. "Yeah, those were fun times."

"Until he decided being alpha of one pack wasn't enough." The wood beneath Caleb's fingers warmed with his touch. "Remember that camping trip? Six years ago?"

"The one where he tried to prove he was the better alpha by catching more fish?"

"And ended up wrestling that selkie who thought he was hitting on her." Caleb chuckled. "She dumped him in the bay. Twice."

His wolf stirred at the image of Victor, sputtering and soaked, his precious designer clothes ruined by saltwater. Back then, their rivalry had been almost friendly. Competitive, sure, but not this... whatever it had become.

"You'd think after Sarah broke his nose at the Winter Solstice ball, he'd have learned some humility." Caleb smirked at the memory.

"In his defense, he didn't know she was your sister when he grabbed her ass."

"No, but he definitely knew after she introduced his face to the punch bowl." Pride colored Caleb's voice. His little sister had always been a spitfire. "That's when everything changed. His pride couldn't take being embarrassed in front of both packs."