17. Caleb
17
CALEB
T he midday sun beat down on the town square as Caleb surveyed the crowd gathering before him. His side still ached from last night's injury, but he kept his posture straight and proud. The security detail he'd arranged stood vigilant at strategic points around the perimeter.
His heart skipped when he spotted Fiona's distinctive red hair among the faces. She wore a green blouse that made her eyes pop even from this distance. He waved her forward.
"Glad you could make it," he murmured as she took her place beside him. Her steady presence helped calm his nerves, though he'd never admit it.
"Wouldn't miss it."
He cleared his throat and addressed the crowd. "Last night, the Nightfang attacked our festival. They tried to hurt us, to frighten us. But look around - we're still here. Still standing."
"Standing, but for how long?" someone called out.
"What's your plan, Alpha?" another voice called out. "Victor's not going to stop."
"No, he won't," Caleb agreed. "But neither will we. I need to know - are you still with me?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Then an elderly voice cut through the noise. "The boy's earned my trust," Betty declared. "When my grandson was sick last winter, who spent three nights helping us get to and from the hospital? Caleb did."
"And who rebuilt Mrs. Peterson's roof himself when that storm damaged it?" someone else added.
"Yeah, but can he protect us from Victor?" someone else asked.
"He already has," Fiona stepped forward. "Last night, while you were safe, Caleb and others fought off the Nightfang. He was injured defending you, but he's still here, still fighting. That's what a real alpha does."
Caleb shot her a look - he hadn't wanted anyone knowing about his injury - but her words seemed to be having an effect on the crowd.
"The Nightfang will answer for last night," Caleb promised. "But I won't act rashly and put any of you at risk. We're stronger together. The question is - are we together?"
Everyone grew silent as Emmett stepped forward, his weathered face creased with determination. Caleb felt a wave of affection for the old wolf who'd been there since his first uncertain days as alpha.
"Let me tell you something about leadership," Emmett's voice carried across the square. "I've seen alphas come and go. Some rule through fear, others through respect. Victor?" He spat the name like it left a bad taste. "He's the kind who'd have us crawling on our bellies."
Caleb watched his people lean in, hanging on Emmett's every word. The elder had that effect - when he spoke, others listened.
"But our Caleb here?" Emmett's eyes crinkled. "Two winters ago, my arthritis was acting up something fierce. Couldn't even shift properly. Know what he did? Showed up at my door every morning to help with my exercises. Never mentioned it to anyone, never used it to score points."
Heat filled Caleb's cheeks, an unfamiliar sensation. Beside him, Fiona nudged his shoulder, a small smile on her lips.
"And this young lady here," Emmett gestured to Fiona. "First outsider I've seen in years who actually gives a damn about our community. Together, they're making us stronger. Victor?" He shook his head. "He'd tear us apart."
"But the attacks-" someone started.
"The attacks show exactly who Victor is," Emmett cut in. "A coward who strikes in the dark. Meanwhile, our alpha stands in broad daylight, asking for our trust." He turned to face Caleb directly. "Well, son, you've got mine. Always have."
The tension in Caleb's chest eased slightly. He caught Fiona wiping at her eyes and had to resist the urge to pull her close.
"Besides," Emmett added with a mischievous glint in his eye, "any alpha who can handle this spitfire's sass has my vote." He winked at Fiona, who turned as red as her hair.
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
After Emmett's words, Caleb watched in amazement as more pack members stepped forward. His chest tightened with emotion as Mrs. Chen hobbled to the front, her silver hair gleaming in the sunlight.
"When my Marcus was just a pup, struggling with his first shift, Caleb spent hours teaching him control." She smiled warmly. "That's the kind of alpha we need."
Elder Thompson, usually so reserved, raised his walking stick. "The boy's got heart. More than that - he's got sense. Doesn't rush in without thinking, unlike some I could name." He cast a meaningful glance at the direction of Nightfang territory.
"All in favor of keeping Caleb as our alpha, raise your hands," Wade called out.
Caleb's breath caught as hands shot up across the crowd. He counted quickly - easily over three-quarters of the pack. The weight that had been pressing on his shoulders since taking the alpha position years ago began to lift.
"Well," Fiona whispered beside him, "looks like you're stuck with us."
He fought back a grin. "Seems that way."
"The pack has spoken," Elder Thompson announced formally. "Caleb Rivers remains our alpha."
The crowd erupted in cheers. Pack members surged forward, some offering handshakes, others hugging him outright. Someone started up an impromptu howl, and soon others joined in, their voices rising in harmony.
Caleb felt something warm and wet on his cheeks and quickly wiped it away before anyone could notice. Except Fiona did, of course. She always noticed everything.
"Are those actual tears from our big bad alpha?" she teased gently.
"Must be allergies," he muttered, but couldn't stop smiling.
Wade clapped him on the shoulder. "Never doubted you for a second, boss."
Looking at his pack - his family - celebrating around him, Caleb finally felt his tension dissolving. This was what being an alpha meant. Not ruling through fear like Victor, but earning trust and respect through action and dedication.
His gaze found Fiona again, her green eyes sparkling with pride. She'd helped make this all possible, this fiery witch who'd stormed into his life unexpectedly and turned everything upside down in the best possible way.
As the crowd dispersed, Caleb guided Fiona toward a quiet corner near the old oak tree. Her scent - cinnamon and something uniquely her - mingled with the crisp autumn air.
"So that went better than expected," Fiona said, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear. "Though I'm pretty sure Emmett calling me a spitfire wasn't exactly a compliment."
Caleb couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. "Coming from him? It definitely was."
Her expression sobered. "What happens now? Victor isn't going to just back off because the pack chose you."
The smile faded from his face as he leaned against the oak's rough bark. "No, he won't. If anything, this will make him more determined."
"There has to be another way besides fighting him." Fiona crossed her arms, her green eyes blazing with that familiar determination that made his wolf want to howl. "Maybe we could challenge him to a bake-off instead?"
Despite the gravity of the situation, Caleb laughed. "Have you seen me try to bake?"
"Fair point. Though watching you and Victor duke it out with wooden spoons might be entertaining."
"As amusing as that would be," Caleb sighed, running a hand through his dark hair, "it'll probably come down to a challenge match. Victor won't walk away, and I won't let him terrorize my people any longer."
"Your injured people," Fiona reminded him pointedly, gesturing to his side.
"It's nearly healed." At her skeptical look, he added, "Mostly."
"You're impossible." She stepped closer, close enough that he could count the freckles dusting her nose. "And if he challenges you?"
"Then I'll accept." The words came out softer than he intended, distracted by her proximity. "It's what an alpha does."
"What an alpha does," she mimicked his gruff tone, "is not get himself killed being stubborn."
"Says the woman who called Victor a coward to his face."
"That's different."
"How?"
"Because I'm naturally antagonistic. You're just..." she waved her hand vaguely at him, "all noble and self-sacrificing."
The way she said it, like it personally offended her, made him want to kiss her. Instead, he settled for saying, "Someone's got to be the responsible one between us."
Caleb watched the emotions play across Fiona's face, her green eyes darkening like storm clouds. The scent of her worry tinged the air between them.
"I don't like it," she said finally, "but I get it. Just... try not to do anything stupid and heroic before then?"
"Me? Stupid and heroic?" He pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. "I'm wounded."
"You literally are wounded," she pointed out, poking his side gently.
He caught her hand, surprised by how natural it felt to hold it. "Speaking of things I need to do, I've got to pick up Sarah from the train station. She's probably worried sick after missing the festival."
"Fiona's thumb traced absent patterns on his palm, sending tingles up his arm. "Didn't you mention that she's a lawyer?"
"Yes. Though she prefers 'legal goddess extraordinaire.'" He rolled his eyes fondly. "She got called out of town last minute for a case."
"Well, I should let you go then." Fiona withdrew her hand, and Caleb's wolf whined at the loss of contact. "I need some time to clear my head anyway. Process everything that's happened."
"You sure you don't want company?"
"Sometimes a witch needs her space to brood dramatically and possibly set things on fire." She gave him a small smile. "I'll see you later?"
"Try to keep the property damage to a minimum," he called after her as she walked away. She shook her head and kept walking.
Watching her leave, Caleb couldn't help but marvel at how quickly she'd become essential to his pack - to him. His wolf paced restlessly, already missing her presence.
"You've got it bad, boss," Wade's voice came from behind him.
"Don't you have something to patrol?" Caleb grumbled, but there was no real heat in it.