The Wolf’s Whisper: The Complete Series

53. Caleb

I t turned out recovering from an all-out assault was tricky. Though the battle had ended, we couldn’t just rest right away. We spent the next several hours putting out the fires and hunting around for those who couldn’t make it back to the Chapel, where our makeshift clinic had been set up. Anyone grievously wounded, we took to the hospital, but we wanted to avoid that if we could. It’d be hard to explain some of the injuries, and the city might get suspicious if there was a five hundred percent increase in wild animal attacks in a ten-hour period.

With Daphne gone and only one other doctor present, Emily was instrumental: cleaning bandages, setting up IVs, giving meds, washing wounds so they’d rapidly heal—anything the doc needed, she provided, and with a smile, too. She was a revelation to watch, as always, and I felt something had shifted within her, pun not intended. Somehow, she was even more .

I loved her for that.

When we finally fell asleep, it wasn’t even dark out but rather the early rays of dawn. Nevertheless, we curled in her bed together, filthy, and let sleep take us.

There were no words to describe falling asleep in the arms of the woman I loved, knowing we were safe.

When we woke the next day, part of the pack had already returned, and many were on their way. There was a lot of clean-up to do, but first, Zach called a meeting with his inner circle. Exhausted as I felt, I knew it was too important to skip.

However, Emily and I brewed an entire pitcher of coffee and brought it with us. While she hadn't been asked to attend, I figured she was partly responsible for all of us still standing, so she deserved a seat at the table. Besides, we’d been separated by Gray twice already. I was done with that.

Coffee in hand, the two of us joined Tayen, Carl, Lucas, Zach, and several of his men in the dining room, closing the sliding door that led to the living room and kitchen area. Emily and I sat next to each other and poured ourselves two cups. Something told me we’d need it.

“It’s good to see all of your faces here,” Zach said, sounding much more restored from the previous night. “I wasn’t sure we’d make it to see the dawn, but we’re here.”

There wasn’t quite a chorus of cheers after that, but rather a small ripple of positive sounds. All of us had wondered if we’d get through the night, and I’d forever be grateful for what we had here… even Carl.

“But we’re not without casualties,” Zach added.

“What is the count so far?” Tayen’s voice was grave.

“On our side? So far, we’ve counted about twenty, which might just be a miracle. But we’re searching for two missing girls.”

“The pair that trapped me in the bakery said they were ordered to hunt down hostages,” Emily said.

“That’s unfortunate, but good to know,” Zach said.

“With their alpha gone,” Lucas said, “they’ll just abandon whoever they took and run for the hills.”

“But in the meantime, I have people searching for them,” Zach said. “What about you, Tayen? Are all your men accounted for?”

“Unfortunately, two of my pack moved on to see the ancestors last night,” Tayen said somberly. “Adriel and Munedowk were fine warriors. He was young but brave. She trained my brother and me on how to fight. Their presence will be missed among the Black Hawk people.”

My heart ached at the lives needlessly lost, all over greed. I’d had plenty of issues with my pack for a long time, but they’d mostly been born out of hurt and rejection. None of them deserved to die.

“We cannot thank you enough for your sacrifice, or for the information you provided,” Zach said to Tayen.

I heard the raw tone of his voice—he was right. I never thought we’d be aligning ourselves with the Black Hawk on anything , yet we were a much more powerful force together than as enemies.

“I think it’s safe to say that we, the people of the Lincoln Hills Pack, are ready to negotiate peace as soon as you and your people are ready,” Zach added.

“We, the people of the Black Hawk, are ready as well,” Tayen said. “We’ve wasted far too much time and energy being at each other’s throats. It’s time for peace.”

“Agreed.”

With that, Zach stood and offered his hand. Tayen stood as well, his dark eyes shining with emotion, and took the offered hand. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen the two head alphas shake on something, but it was the first time the gesture held so much meaning. With one small gesture, the Cold War between our packs was over.

It was time for a new era.

This time, we did cheer, everyone clapping, with Keller giving an extra loud whoop. While my friend had missed a lot of the fight, he was instrumental in helping dozens of non-fighting shifters get up to Wyoming, only to turn back around and return to camp just in time to help fight the fires. There’d been property loss, but that was fine. We could rebuild.

“I do worry about the power vacuum that might come from Gray’s death, and we can’t let our guard down too much,” Zach acknowledged. “But that’s a matter for another day. For now, let’s celebrate.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Tayen said, smiling in a broad, easy grin. “If you’re amenable, my pack would like to stand in and foster you for today. Should I give the word now, by the time the sun sets, they’ll bring enough food to have each person in your pack sleep with a full belly.”

“Now that I can get behind. But before that…” Zach turned, and his gaze landed on me. I raised an eyebrow, but he just grinned like he knew something I didn’t. “I want to make an announcement. For quite a long time, I’ve had no direct second, and though I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am now without Carl, Lucas, and even you, Keller, I realize I need another alpha to further strengthen and protect our pack.”

Wait, he couldn’t be… could he?

“So, Caleb, if you’re ready and willing, I want you to be my second. I can think of no other person I could trust more. I know our paths haven’t always been congruent, and for a long time, you were wrongly ostracized from this pack. But you’ve proven that not only are you a huge asset, you’re a true guardian. Lincoln Hills is lucky to have you.”

I had no idea what to say, and for a second, I was completely silent. But Keller was over the moon, leaping to his feet and cheering while Emily clapped with excitement. Looking around, even Carl didn’t look displeased with the news.

“You can think about it if you need to,” Zach said. “But I wanted to let you know because it’s you or no one. Fighting by your side last night opened my eyes: I know this is the right choice for our pack.”

Me? A second?

For so long, I’d acted like a scourge on the edge of our society, a free traveler who roamed where he could, then lived in solitude in an isolated cabin. I was a fuck-up. A failure. A guy who ruined chance after chance until even my own grandfather died disappointed in me.

Yet, I’d changed.

Caleb from five years ago wouldn’t have faced Gray down, let alone fought his men. That Caleb wouldn’t have been reliable enough for a relationship. Hell, he thought he hated relationships and swore them off. I was a new wolf now.

A wolf who wanted to protect not only his mate, but also the pack she belonged to.

“No, I don’t need to think about it,” I said as I rose out of my seat. “I accept. I’ll be your second.”

To my surprise, cheers erupted once more, then Zach was shaking my hand, followed quickly by Tayen. It was good the two head alphas moved quickly because then I was practically dive-tackled by Keller and Emily.

“Look at you!”

“Caleb, this is amazing!”

They spoke at the same time, but I got what they meant. Swept up in emotion, I picked them both up and squeezed them as tight as I could.

Somehow, against all odds, I’d found the family I’d lost all those years ago. I’d had to grow and learn to be someone who deserved them, but God, now that I had them, I wasn’t ever letting go.

Once I put Emily and Keller down, I turned to my mate and pulled her into a deep, longing kiss. I knew she didn’t fully understand what being a second was, but that didn’t matter. She was obviously so happy for me to be accepted into the pack, and it never would’ve happened without her. I owed her everything.

Hopefully, I’d have the rest of my life to repay that debt.

There were even more cheers over our kiss, and though I felt the blush creeping up Emily’s face, I didn’t break it until we were both breathless. Once we separated, I looked to our head alpha with a cheesy grin.

“So, what was that about a party tonight?”