5. Caleb
5
CALEB
T he three massive wolves bounded toward them, their teeth bared in what Caleb swore was mockery. His muscles tensed, rage building at the sight of Rachelle's distinctive gray coat leading the charge.
"Really? This is getting pretty old," Caleb muttered, shrugging off his jacket. "Wade, left flank now."
"Already on it." Wade moved into position, his stance ready for a fight.
The three guards fanned out behind them, creating a protective wall in front of the community center. Caleb's wolf itched restlessly beneath his skin, all too eager to burst free and meet the challenge head-on. But he held back, wanting to see what game Victor was playing this time by sending his second.
"They've got some nerve showing up here like this," one of the guards growled.
"Nerve isn't exactly what I'd call it." Caleb cracked his neck. "More like a death wish."
The approaching wolves slowed their pace, Rachelle's lips pulled back to reveal rows of gleaming teeth. Her companions - both larger males, one russet and one dark brown - spread out to flank her.
"Three against five?" Caleb snorted. "Math isn't their strong suit."
The wolves were close enough now that Caleb could see the murderous gleam in Rachelle's yellow eyes. His wolf snarled inside him, recognizing the challenge in her stance. Victor wasn't even bothering to show up himself anymore - just sending his attack dog to do all his dirty work.
"Wade," Caleb said through gritted teeth, "if Victor really thinks sending his second to intimidate us is going to work-"
"He clearly doesn't know you very well," Wade finished for him, a hint of amusement in his voice despite the tension in the air.
The guards shifted restlessly behind them as Rachelle and her companions closed the remaining distance at an almost leisurely pace. Caleb's blood burned with the need to shift, to meet them on equal ground, but he forced himself to wait. Let them make the first move. Let them show their hand.
The air crackled further with tension as Rachelle and her companions shifted back to human form. Caleb kept his eyes fixed on their faces, refusing to give them the satisfaction of any discomfort at their nudity. The two males quickly pulled on clothes they'd strapped to their legs, while Rachelle took her time, clearly enjoying the show she was putting on for us.
"For someone who claims to be so superior, you sure love playing to the cheap seats," Caleb said, crossing his arms.
Rachelle's high-pitched laugh rang out across the parking lot. "Oh, honey. If I wanted to put on a show, I'd have brought better backup dancers." She gestured to her two companions. "I come in peace."
"Peace?" Caleb's wolf stirred beneath his skin. "Last I checked, peace doesn't usually involve property damage and harassment."
"Such hostility." Rachelle clicked her tongue. "And here I thought we could have a civilized conversation."
"Keep pushing me and I'll send you back to Victor in pieces. Small ones."
"Tsk tsk." Rachelle smoothed down her hastily donned red dress. "Threats already? That's not very diplomatic of you. Victor won't take too kindly to any harm coming to his people. For every scratch on us, he'll return it twofold." Her wicked smile turned predatory. "But that's not why we're here. Victor sent me with a message for you."
Wade shifted closer to Caleb's side. "Since when does Victor send messages instead of throwing tantrums?"
"Since he decided to be generous." Rachelle's eyes gleamed. "He's offering you a chance to handle this transition of power peacefully. Play nice, cooperate, and everyone stays happy and whole."
"Transition of power?" Caleb's wolf snarled inside him.
"Oh yes." Rachelle's voice dropped to a silky purr. "Because one way or another, Victor will become supreme alpha. He'd prefer to do it without bloodshed, but..." She shrugged one shoulder. "He's not above using more... brutal methods to secure his position."
Caleb's jaw clenched as he stepped forward, placing himself between Rachelle and the community center entrance. The wolf inside him demanded action, but he kept his voice strong and steady.
"Victor will never be alpha of Eclipsed Moon. And if he thinks threatening innocent people will change that, he's more delusional than I originally thought."
"Such confidence." Rachelle traced a finger along her pale collarbone. "But how many of your people need to get hurt before you realize the inevitable?"
"Get off my property." His words came out in a low growl. "Now."
"Think of all those sweet little cubs who come here after school." Rachelle's gaze drifted to the playground. "Would be a shame if something happened while they were playing. Accidents do happen."
Wade took a menacing step forward. "That's enough."
"Oh, I'm just getting started." Rachelle's smile widened. "Victor wanted me to paint you a picture of what resistance looks like. All those elderly pack members doing their morning tai chi, the teenagers at their study groups, the single mothers at their support meetings..." She clicked her tongue. "So many vulnerable people."
The rage building in Caleb's chest threatened to explode. "Last warning. Leave."
"You know, your father would have been smarter about this." Rachelle's words hit their mark. "He would have known when to bow out gracefully."
"My father would have torn out Victor's throat for threatening children." Caleb's eyes flashed. "Now get out of here before I show you exactly why I'm alpha."
Rachelle's laugh echoed across the parking lot as she stripped off her dress. "Have it your way." Her body contorted, bones cracking as she shifted back to wolf form. Her companions followed suit, their clothes falling to the ground as they shifted.
The three wolves turned tail and ran, Rachelle's gray form disappearing into the tree line.
Caleb turned abruptly to the guards. "Double the patrols. I want eyes on every entrance, every window, every shadow." He ran a hand through his dark hair. "No one gets within fifty feet of this place without us knowing about it."
"Yes, Alpha," the guards responded in unison.
Wade moved to his side. "Want me to put extra security on the playground?"
"Everything." Caleb's gaze remained fixed on where the wolves had vanished. "We protect everything."
Caleb's shoulders relaxed marginally as his guards and Wade dispersed, but the tension snapped right back when a throat cleared behind him. He'd completely forgotten about Fiona.
"So," she said, crossing her arms. "Want to explain what that little wolfy showdown was about?"
He turned to find her green eyes blazing with determination. The same look she'd worn when she'd first walked into his office. "Not particularly."
"Three giant wolves show up, there's threats, dramatic stripping, and more threats." She ticked off each point on her fingers. "And you expect me to just go back to organizing the potluck schedule?"
"That's exactly what I expect you to do." Caleb moved to walk past her, but she stepped directly into his path.
"They're the ones who vandalized the community center, aren't they? This Nightfang pack?"
The accuracy of her deduction stopped him short. Her scent carried notes of frustration and curiosity, but not fear. Most people would be running for the hills after witnessing that confrontation.
"You're not going to let this go, are you?"
"Not a chance." A smile tugged at her lips. "I've been told I can be quite stubborn."
"You don't say." He ran a hand through his hair again, studying her. "Fine. Short version - Victor, the Nightfang alpha, thinks he should rule all the packs in town. I disagree. He's trying to force the issue."
"By destroying property and intimidating people?" Her eyebrows shot up. "Sounds like a real charmer."
"You have no idea." Despite himself, Caleb felt the corner of his mouth twitch. "Look, this isn't your problem. Just focus on running the center."
"Running a center that's apparently caught in the middle of a supernatural turf war?" She shook her head. "Sorry, but that makes it my problem too."
"Fiona-"
"Besides," she interrupted, "I'd say I handled myself pretty well just now. Didn't scream, didn't faint, didn't even comment on the gratuitous nudity."
A surprised laugh escaped him. "No, you didn't."
"Though I have to say, as far as dramatic exits go, that was a bit over the top. Does everyone in your world have such a flair for theatrics?"
The lighthearted mood evaporated quickly as Fiona's expression shifted to something more serious. Her fingers twisted the hem of her jacket, a nervous gesture that caught Caleb's attention.
"That woman - Rachelle. When she talked about hurting people here..." Fiona's voice trailed off, her green eyes searching his face. "She wasn't just posturing, was she?"
Caleb's wolf bristled at the memory of Rachelle's threats. "No. Victor's pack has already proven they're willing to cross lines." The admission tasted bitter on his tongue. "They don't care who gets caught in the crossfire."
"Then let me help."
The offer caught him off guard. His wolf perked up with interest as Fiona stepped closer, her scent carrying notes of determination and something else - protectiveness?
"You've been here less than a week," he pointed out.
"And in that time, I've seen how much this place means to everyone." She gestured to the building behind them. "Mrs. Chen's arthritis support group, the after-school program, even Emmett's chess club. They all matter."
"Which is exactly why you should stay out of it." His wolf disagreed, wanting to keep her close, but Caleb pushed that instinct aside. "This isn't your fight."
"I'm making it my fight." Fire flickered in her eyes - literal fire, he realized with fascination. "Besides, you could use someone they won't expect. When's the last time Victor's pack dealt with a fire witch?"
Caleb studied her for a long moment. His wolf rumbled with approval, and he had to admit - the idea had merit. "I'll consider it."
"That's not a no."
"It's not a yes either."
"Yet." Her confident smile stirred something in his chest that he wasn't ready to examine too closely.