22. Fiona
22
FIONA
T he morning air held a crisp bite as Fiona walked beside Caleb toward the territory border. Her heart hammered in her chest, but she kept her chin high. The grass crunched beneath their feet, still frosted from the night before. Behind them, Wade and several other Eclipsed Moon members followed in formation.
Across the invisible line that separated the two territories, Victor's group emerged from the tree line. Fiona's fingers twitched, heat building under her skin as she spotted Rachelle among them.
Rachelle's lips curled into a sneer. "Well, if it isn't Caleb's little witch. Still nursing those battle scars?"
"Oh honey," Fiona crossed her arms, letting a small flame dance between her fingers. "I was just thinking about how much I missed our little playdate. Though next time, try bringing more than just two friends - might actually make it challenging."
"Big words from someone who ran away."
"I prefer to call it a strategic retreat. You know, the thing your pack does every time they face Caleb head-on?"
Rachelle's eyes flashed dangerously. "At least I know my place in a pack. What are you? Their token witch? Their mascot?"
"Better than being Victor's attack dog. Does he at least give you treats when you follow commands?" Fiona felt Wade stifle a laugh beside her.
Rachelle's face contorted with rage. Fiona noticed Victor place a restraining hand on Rachelle's shoulder.
The tension crackled between the two groups like static electricity. Fiona could feel Caleb's solid presence beside her, ready to move if needed. The weight of what they'd come here to do pressed against her chest, but she refused to show any sign of worry.
Fiona's heart skipped as Caleb stepped forward, his shoulders squared and jaw set with determination.
"Victor," Caleb's deep voice carried across the frost-covered grass. "I'm officially issuing a one-on-one challenge. Just you and me. Winner takes leadership of both packs."
Victor's eyebrows shot up, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "Finally showing some backbone, Rivers?"
"Unless you're too scared to face me without your lackeys backing you up."
Fiona bit back a smile. She'd been rubbing off on him - that was definitely her kind of sass.
"Scared?" Victor laughed, the sound sharp and cold as the morning air. "I've been waiting for this. Tomorrow, at the pack arena."
"Noon," Caleb confirmed. "Traditional rules."
"Traditional rules," Victor agreed, then smirked. "Better say goodbye to your little witch tonight. She won't want to stick around once you're dead."
Heat flared in Fiona's palms. She opened her mouth for a retort, but Caleb beat her to it.
"Funny," Caleb said, "I was about to tell Rachelle the same thing."
Wade snorted behind them, and Fiona couldn't help but grin. Even Rachelle looked taken aback by Caleb's newfound snark.
Victor's face darkened. "Tomorrow then. Don't be late for your own funeral."
As Victor's group turned to leave, Rachelle shot one last glare at Fiona. Fiona responded by creating a tiny flame butterfly that fluttered mockingly in Rachelle's direction.
Wade clapped Caleb on the shoulder. "That was some quality trash talk, boss. Been taking lessons from your girlfriend?"
Fiona's cheeks warmed at the word 'girlfriend', but Caleb just smiled and slipped his arm around her waist. "Maybe I have. Someone has to keep up with her."
"Oh please," Fiona rolled her eyes, trying to mask how much she loved his casual touch.
Fiona walked alongside Caleb, her earlier bravado melting away with each step. The morning frost had given way to muddy earth that squished beneath her boots, matching the churning in her stomach. She stole glances at his profile, memorizing the sharp line of his jaw, the way his dark hair caught the sunlight.
"That butterfly was a nice touch," Caleb said, breaking the silence. "Though I think you showed remarkable restraint not setting Rachelle's tail on fire."
"Don't tempt me with good ideas." Fiona tried to keep her voice light but worry gnawed at her insides. The thought of him facing Victor tomorrow made her hands tremble. She shoved them into her pockets.
Wade had fallen back with the others, giving them space. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and winter's approach. Fiona's throat tightened.
"You're quiet," Caleb noted, his blue eyes studying her face. "Usually by now you'd be planning victory fireworks or something equally explosive."
"I'm saving those for tomorrow." The words stuck in her throat. "After you win."
Caleb caught her arm, turning her to face him. His touch sent warmth spreading through her chest, making her heart flutter like one of her flame butterflies. "Fiona."
"I know, I know. You have to do this." She pressed her palms against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath her fingers. "But I just found you, you stubborn wolf. The thought of losing you..."
"Hey." He cupped her face in his hands, his thumb brushing her cheek. "I'm not going anywhere if I can help it."
He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers. "Besides, I have something worth fighting for now. Someone who makes terrible dinners and creates petty flame insects just to annoy my enemies."
Fiona laughed despite herself, blinking back tears. "That's not all I do."
"No?" His lips quirked up in that half-smile that made her knees weak. "You also reorganize my filing system and criticize my coffee."
"Someone has to." She gripped his shirt tighter, breathing in his woodsy scent. "Just... come back to me tomorrow, okay? I don't care if you have to fight dirty. Use whatever dad jokes and terrible puns you've picked up from me."
"Now that's fighting dirty." He kissed her forehead softly, and Fiona melted into him, trying to memorize every detail of this moment.
The community center buzzed with nervous energy as Fiona stood beside Caleb, watching him address the gathered pack members. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows casting shadows across the newly polished floors. Her fingers itched to create a small flame - a nervous habit - but she kept her hands still.
"Tomorrow at noon," Caleb announced, his voice carrying through the hall, "I face Victor in a challenge match for leadership of both packs."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Fiona caught snippets of worried whispers and fierce declarations of support. Her heart swelled at how many faces showed unwavering faith in their alpha.
Emmett stepped forward first, his weathered face creasing into a warm smile. "You have our blessing, Caleb. Show that pup what real leadership looks like."
Two other elders nodded in agreement. The older woman among them - Margaret, Fiona recalled - reached up to pat Caleb's cheek like a grandmother might. "Just remember to duck, dear. No need to take unnecessary hits to that handsome face of yours."
Fiona stifled a laugh as Caleb's ears turned pink. He really was adorable when he got flustered.
Pack members formed a line to wish him well. A young girl, no more than twelve, presented him with a friendship bracelet. "For luck," she explained seriously. "I made it in your favorite colors."
"Blue and gray?" Fiona whispered to Wade, who stood nearby.
"Actually," Wade grinned, "his favorite color is purple. He just won't admit it."
Caleb shot them both a look that only made them laugh harder. The tension in Fiona's chest eased slightly as she watched him interact with his people. They weren't just following him out of obligation or fear - they genuinely loved him.
"You better win," an elderly man declared, jabbing a finger at Caleb's chest. "I'm too old to learn Victor's stupid pack rules. Besides, he doesn't appreciate a good joke like you do."
"That's because Victor wouldn't know humor if it bit him on the tail," Fiona quipped, earning several appreciative chuckles.
As the well-wishers continued, Fiona noticed how Caleb remembered everyone's names, asked about their families, and treated each person's concerns with genuine care. No wonder Victor couldn't win them over - he'd never understand this kind of connection.
A commotion at the community center's entrance drew Fiona's attention from the line of well-wishers. Sarah burst through the doors, her designer suit wrinkled and her usually perfect dark hair escaping its bun. Her blue eyes - so similar to Caleb's - were wide with panic.
"Caleb Rivers!" Sarah's voice cut through the crowd. "Were you planning to tell your sister about this challenge, or was I supposed to hear it from my paralegal?"
Fiona bit back a smile as Caleb winced. Sarah had that effect on him - turning the mighty alpha into a scolded brother with just a look.
"I was going to call you," Caleb said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"When? After the fight?" Sarah elbowed her way through the crowd, her heels clicking against the floor. "Or maybe you'd just send me a text. 'Hey sis, fought Victor today. NBD. LOL.'"
Fiona couldn't help it - she snorted. "He doesn't know what LOL means."
"I know what LOL means," Caleb protested.
"You thought it meant 'lots of love' until last month," Sarah pointed out, reaching them. She turned to Fiona, pulling her into a quick hug. "Please tell me you tried to talk him out of this?"
"Have you met your brother?" Fiona raised an eyebrow. "I'd have better luck teaching a cat to fetch."
Sarah's lips twitched. "Fair point." She turned back to Caleb, jabbing a finger at his chest. "But seriously, what's this about fighting Victor tomorrow?"
"It's the only way to end this," Caleb said. "Before anyone else gets hurt."
"Anyone else?" Sarah's gaze snapped to Fiona, taking in the fading bruises from her encounter with Rachelle. Her expression darkened. "Oh, that's it. I'm filing so many lawsuits against Nightfang, they won't be able to afford kibble."
"Sarah," Caleb warned, but Fiona could see the affection in his eyes.
Fiona watched Sarah and Caleb bicker for several more minutes, a knot tightening in her stomach.
Even surrounded by the warmth of pack support, the thought of tomorrow's fight made her feel like she was suddenly standing in a blizzard.