9. Caleb
9
CALEB
T he Cauldron & Cup looked different after hours. The usual warm glow of hanging lanterns had been replaced by stark overhead lighting, and the absence of the typical coffee shop chatter left an eerie silence. The cleared space where tables usually stood created an arena-like atmosphere that made Caleb's skin crawl.
Nina leaned against her counter, arms crossed. "Ground rules, gentlemen. No shifting, no fighting, no property damage. Break anything, you buy it. And trust me, everything in here is expensive."
"Understood." Caleb paced the empty floor, his boots echoing against the hardwood. The scent of coffee and herbs hung thick in the air, masking any trace of approaching wolves. He didn't like that.
Wade positioned himself near the door. "You sure this was smart, coming here?"
"Safer than meeting in either territory." Caleb checked his phone. No messages from Fiona. He'd told her to head straight home, but knowing her... "Besides, Nina won't let things get out of hand."
"Damn right I won't." Nina's fingers sparked with purple energy. "I've got wards up that'll turn any shifter who tries anything into a very confused chihuahua."
One of Caleb's pack members, Derek, snorted. "That'd be an improvement for Victor."
"Focus," Caleb said, but his lips twitched. The image of Victor as a yapping chihuahua would keep him entertained for days. "We're here to negotiate."
Caleb ran a hand through his hair, thoughts drifting to Fiona. She'd suggested trying diplomacy first, and he had to admit, her way of thinking had merit. Usually, he'd have challenged Victor outright, but there was something about her determination to find peaceful solutions that made him want to try harder.
"They're late," Derek said, checking his watch.
"Victor's always had a flair for dramatic entrances," Caleb said, remembering their academy days.
Nina rolled her eyes. "Men. Doesn't matter if you're human or wolf, you're all the same with your posturing."
"I resent that," Wade said. "Some of us are naturally this impressive."
The bell above the door chimed as Victor and his pack sauntered in. Caleb's nostrils flared at their scents mixing with the coffee and herbs - like oil contaminating clean water. He planted his feet firmly, shoulders back, as Victor's group spread out in a loose semicircle.
Rachelle's lips curled into a predatory smile. "Nice choice of venue. Hiding behind witch's skirts now, Rivers?"
"Better than hiding behind Victor's," Derek shot back.
Wade stepped forward. "At least we showed up on time. What's wrong, got lost following your own tails?"
"Children." Nina's voice cut through the tension in the air. "Need I remind you about the rules again?" Purple sparks danced between her fingers.
One of Victor's pack - a stocky guy with a neck tattoo - snorted. "What, you gonna turn us into puppies?"
"Chihuahuas, actually." Nina's smile didn't reach her eyes. "And trust me, sweetie, the spell won't wear off until I decide it does."
Caleb watched Victor, who hadn't said a word yet. His rival stood with perfect posture, wearing an expensive suit that probably cost more than most people made in a month. Show-off. The memory of Fiona's words about diplomacy echoed in his mind, tempering his usual impulse to throw the first punch.
"You know," Nina continued, moving behind her counter, "since you're all here, would anyone like a coffee? I have a new blend that's excellent for reducing aggressive tendencies."
"We're not here for coffee," Rachelle sneered.
"Shame." Nina shrugged. "It might improve your personality."
Wade coughed to cover a laugh, and Caleb had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from smirking. Trust Nina to treat two rival wolf packs like misbehaving children at a tea party. He could practically hear what Fiona would say if she were here right now - probably something about testosterone-fueled drama queens.
Caleb drew in a deep breath, tasting the bitter notes of espresso mixed with Nina's herb collection.
"Look," he said, meeting Victor's steel-gray eyes. "We've known each other since we were pups learning to shift without losing our pants. Remember Mrs. Henderson's fence? The one we crashed through during practice?"
Rachelle made a disgusted sound. "Is this a peace talk or a trip down memory lane?"
"Let him talk," Nina warned, purple sparks dancing between her fingers again.
Caleb continued, spreading his hands. "Two biggest packs in Saltwater Grove. We could be working together instead of..." He gestured at the empty cafe. "Whatever this is. Your people intimidating mine, vandalizing our community center - for what? So you can prove you've got the biggest fangs in town?"
Victor remained silent, his expression unreadable. The expensive suit couldn't hide the predator beneath - Caleb had seen him take down three challengers at once during their academy days. But they weren't teenagers anymore, and this wasn't about proving who could bench press the most at gym class.
"No one needs to get hurt," Caleb said, thinking of Emmett and the other elders, of the kids who couldn't use their playground because Victor's pack had trashed it. Of Fiona, who'd thrown herself into helping his pack without hesitation. "We've got enough territory for both packs. Enough resources. Hell, we could probably solve half the town's problems if we worked together instead of against each other."
Wade shifted his weight, ready to move if needed, but Caleb held up a hand. He'd promised Fiona he'd try talking first. Fighting could come later - preferably after Nina's vintage espresso machine was safely out of the blast radius.
"So, what do you say?" Caleb asked. "Truce? Or are we going to keep playing these games until someone gets seriously hurt?"
Victor finally broke his silence with a laugh that set Caleb's teeth on edge. "Destiny isn't about sharing, Rivers. It's about taking what's meant to be yours." He adjusted his platinum cufflinks, the motion deliberately slow. "And I am meant to lead every pack in this town."
Caleb's muscles tensed as he fought the urge to leap across the cafe floor. The coffee grinder whirred in the background, Nina pointedly making noise as she watched them. "Strength isn't everything, Victor. You can bench press a truck, sure, but respect? That's earned."
"Like the respect you're trying to earn with your little festival?" Victor's smirk widened as Caleb stiffened. "Oh yes, I heard all about your planned celebration at the community center. Such a touching gesture. Trying to show your people how much you care?"
The coffee beans in Nina's grinder crackled like breaking bones. Caleb's mind raced - they'd only finalized the festival plans today. The only people who knew were his inner circle and... another traitor. His stomach twisted in knots at the thought.
"Your intelligence seems about as reliable as your fashion sense," Caleb said, eyeing Victor's overpriced suit. "That tie with those shoes? Really?"
Rachelle snarled, but Victor held up a hand. "Mock all you want. But festivals can be such dangerous events. All those people gathered in one place. Anything could happen."
"Is that a threat?" Wade stepped forward, but Caleb blocked him with an arm.
"It's a prediction," Victor said smoothly. "One that wouldn't need to come true if you'd simply step aside."
The urge to shift and tear Victor's throat out was almost overwhelming, but Fiona's voice echoed in Caleb's head again, reminding him about diplomacy. Though right now, he was pretty sure she'd support setting Victor's expensive suit on fire.
"Funny thing about predictions," Caleb said, keeping his voice level despite the rage building in his chest. "They don't always come true. Kind of like your destiny."
Caleb leaned forward further. "You know what, Victor? If you're really destined to be alpha of Eclipsed Moon, a little festival shouldn't scare you at all. Unless..." He paused, letting a smirk play across his face. "Unless you're worried about looking weak in front of everyone?"
Victor's jaw twitched - a tell he'd never managed to control, even back in their academy days. "Scared? Of your little community potluck? Please."
"Then prove it." The coffee grinder whirred again as Nina pretended to be busy. "Show up. Let the pack see both of us. Let them decide who they want to follow."
"Or," Rachelle cut in, "we could save everyone the trouble and-"
"I wasn't talking to you." Caleb didn't take his eyes off Victor. "Unless you need your second to do your talking for you now?"
Wade snorted behind him. "Wouldn't be the first time."
Victor straightened his already perfect tie. "I'm not afraid to show you your place, Rivers. In fact, I look forward to it."
"Right. Because that worked out so well for you last time." Caleb remembered their last physical confrontation - Victor had limped for weeks. "How's that shoulder healing, by the way?"
"Get out," Nina interrupted, purple sparks now crackling around her entire body. "Before I turn this whole drama club into a chihuahua convention."
As they filed out into the night air, Caleb's mind raced. The leak about the festival bothered him more than Victor's threats. Someone close had betrayed them - again. The thought of another traitor in his ranks made his stomach churn.
Wade fell into step beside him as they walked back toward pack territory. "That went well."
"About as well as trying to reason with a brick wall." Caleb shoved his hands into his pockets. "A brick wall wearing a three-thousand-dollar suit."
"At least Nina didn't have to turn anyone into a chihuahua."
"Night's still young." Caleb stopped at the corner, looking back at the café. "We need to find out who leaked the festival plans."
"Could be anyone who was at the center today."
"That's what worries me." Caleb thought of Fiona's excited face as they'd planned the event, the way her eyes had lit up with each new idea. He pushed the image away. "Get everyone together tomorrow. We need to figure this out before-"
"Before Victor crashes our party?"
"Before I lose my mind trying to guess who I can trust." The words came out more bitter than he'd intended.