Caleb’s eyes go to him instantly, and I catch the way his posture sharpens with alertness. Even if Jack has been around all day, he seems to already know something is up.
Jack leans in and speaks low to him, voice too quiet for me to catch through the noise. But whatever he says makes Caleb’s expression shift in an instant.
Disbelief, then confusion. Something darker follows, but it happens so quickly that I can’t read it fully.
The bond pulls tight as a cold front moves down it, and those sudden emotions thread into mine. I stiffen at how turbulent they feel, almost coiled tight.
His emotions are usually so controlled, aside from the occasional glimmer of care or desire. But never this chaotic.
Then, Caleb’s gaze falls on me, and with a crease between his brows, he approaches.
Dominic trails off with whatever he was saying, looking at him as he cuts through the space like ice. His brows go up, but he instinctively takes a small step away. “You alright, Graves?”
Caleb doesn’t even spare a look at him. “We’re leaving.”
He doesn’t raise his voice despite what his hard expression suggests, but his tone doesn’t leave any room for argument.
My heart rams against my ribs. “What’s going on?”
“We’re going home,” he repeats, finally throwing a glance in Dominic’s gaze that seems like a silent message I can’t understand. Then, without waiting another moment, he’s ushering Astrid and me out of the park and away from the celebration.
I half expect someone to call after us, or to ask where we’re going, but nobody points out how strange it is for him to sweep us away so soon. Instead, Caleb moves with sure, practiced ease that silently demands obedience.
The walk is brisk but silent. Tense.
A hundred questions move through my head at once, having no idea what happened or how his mood could shift so quickly.
What the hell did Jack tell him?
Astrid hums to herself while she leans sleepily against my shoulder, unaware of the fire burning in Caleb, and of the tension coursing through my body.
By the time we reach the house, the bond pulses with agitation that only grows tighter with every step, and dread fills my system in response.
Caleb doesn’t say a word as he opens the door for us, not following immediately while he scans the tree line for any threats. When he does slide inside, the door closes with a note of finality in the way it clicks shut, sending a small tremor down my spine.
I don’t know what to expect, but I can only hope it doesn’t make our night go up in flames.
Chapter 22 - Caleb
Astrid is in bed when Lila eventually returns to the kitchen, shoulders tight, while hesitation and worry move through her eyes when she looks at me.
Everything in me is raging to come out all at once, but I try to hold it in as long as I can. I don’t want to scare her. I don’t want her to hate me all over again.
My heart is pounding, and my hands have the faintest tremor in them. Too many overwhelming thoughts race through my mind while I look at her, body numb.
I don’t realise I’m shouting until it’s too late. The words slip from me before I can stop them, piloted by confused instincts and half-confirmed suspicions.
“Is she mine?”
Lila flinches as if the question is a physical blow, and the shock floods her expression. It’s too real and far too telling to ignore. Her lips part to speak, but nothing comes out.
I can hardly hear anything over the blood roaring in my ears.
She swallows hard, dropping her gaze to the floor as her shoulders slump. “Caleb…”
“No,” I say sharply. Pain and fury tangle inside me, making it harder to breathe. “Don’t try to soften it. Answer the question.”
Lila hesitates again, expression dropping as if she’s been caught.
