Chapter 24
Caleb leaned back, stretching his shoulders as he glanced around the nearly empty packhouse. His arms crossed, his scowl deepened as he stared out the window, watching the night fall over Shadow Pack.
“Did you get any details from her mother?” Alpha Caleb asked, his voice low.
The high–ranking wolf, Dorian, nodded slowly, his gaze distant. “She mentioned a Mateship Ceremony at Moonlight Pack, but it didn’t make sense-
“Wait. She told me before she was attending one–for a friend.” Caleb frowned, shifting uncomfortably. The thought of Marissa leaving without a word. left him feeling hollow, as if he were missing something crucial. “I’ll go and make sure to drag her back.”
Just as Caleb turned toward the door, Ivy‘ s
80% 14.54
1/5
Chapter 24
soft voice floated into the room.
“Alpha. You‘ re… leaving?” She asked, standing there with wide, uncertain eyes.
Caleb exchanged a brief look with Dorian before he answered, his tone neutral.
“Yes. I’m going to check on Marissa.”
Ivy took a step closer, her gaze flicking between them as her lip quivered slightly. “But it’s late, and… and I’m not feeling good. Maybe you should wait until morning? Our baby wants you presence.”
Caleb’s eyes hardened, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. “That can wait, Ivy. This is more important.
“But Marissa will be fine,” Ivy insisted, her voice barely more than a whisper. She wrapped her arms around herself, glancing down as if ashamed. “You know how strong she is. But our baby is fragile.”
Caleb, who had been silent, turned to face. Ivy with a look that was neither harsh nor particularly kind. “Look, Ivy,” he said,
80% 14:54
2/5
Chapter 24
his tone firm, “this isn‘ t up for discussion. Marissa means a lot to me.”
She blinked, and for a moment, her face softened with something resembling hurt. But it passed quickly, replaced by a look of gentle submission as she nodded. “Of course,” she murmured. “I just… I worry about you.”
Caleb’s mouth curved into a half–smile, though it was as cold as winter. “Save your concern. Just take care of the child,” he said, giving her a nod before heading toward the door.
“Be careful,” Ivy called softly, her voice clinging to the air like a fading scent. But Caleb didn’t spare her another glance as he left the packhouse, his steps brisk, determined.
Outside, the night was alive with the faint.
rustle of trees and the distant howl of
wolves in the mountains beyond. Caleb. shifted his weight, his impatience obvious. as he looked toward the forest, Moonlight
D80% 14 54
3/5
Chapter 24
Pack just beyond the range.
His brows knitted together as he thought of Marissa, her sudden departure, the way casually broke their relationship up without even explaining!
Caleb shifted into his wolf, paws meeting the cold ground, and took off toward Moonlight Pack with swift, powerful strides. The wind ruffled his fur as he ran, his instincts sharp, carrying him swiftly through the darkened woods. The silence between him and Dorian was comfortable but charged, each of them lost in thought, wondering what they would find when they reached Marissa.
Hours passed, and as the moon rose higher, the familiar scent of Moonlight Pack grew stronger. Caleb stopped on a ridge overlooking the valley where the pack’s village lay, the lights of their gathering halls glowing in the night.
“That’s Alpha King Idris‘ s territory,” Caleb remarked, his voice laced with an
80% 14:54
4/5
Chapter 24
undertone of both respect and tension.
You might also like
