“Caleb?” I curl a brow at the disrespect.
Carson sobers. “Alpha, I just?—”
“I’m tired of hearing you talk,” I grumble. “I’d shut your mouth if I were you.”
He visibly pales as I exit the basement and head back upstairs. Felix is catching up with the guards, who tell me Carson wasn’t followed and came alone. Probably desperate to see his family again and make sure they’re alright, but that doesn’t mean his actions don’t have consequences.
“Plans with him?” Felix asks.
“Not sure yet. I’m going to speak to his wife.”
“I don’t think she’ll want you killing him.”
I shrug. “It’ll set an example, I guess. If anyone tries to go behind my back again, they’ll know what’s coming to them.”
“Think about his family.”
My head whips to Felix. “And what about mine?”
Evan might only be my mate, but he is family.
Felix chews on the inside of his cheek. “Maybe I’m biased because Zara is pregnant, but I’d do anything for those two, even if I had to give away secrets. We all would for those we love.”
“Packs are about loyalty,” I state.
“Yes, they are. But sometimes family comes first.”
I ponder his words. “We are a family as a pack. End of.”
“I know.” He clears his throat. “Just…think about it, or at least sleep on it.”
All I can do is give him a nod in response. “I’ve got to get back to organise new training and put out the new schedules.”
Felix follows me back to the main house. “And Zara’s party?”
I huff. “Fine, we can have the damn party.”
“She’ll love you forever.” Felix chuckles. “It’ll be good for all of us. We need some light after so much darkness.”
But I can’t think about light when Evan isn’t here. Guilt swarms me for these thoughts because I know he needs to dothis for himself, and I’d never take that away from him. My heart weeps to see him after everything we’ve been through.
He might not think he shines, but he does. So brightly that my chest warms every time I look at him, touch him, think about him. I remind myself this isn’t forever, and soon, I’ll have him back by my side.
67
CALEB
There’s an entire room full of people, but it’s missing one. The only one I want to see right now. People are drinking, laughing, and talking. It’s good to see our pack come together. Zara wanted to celebrate me, but I don’t think there’s much to celebrate.
I hate attention and fuss at the best of times, although it’s a good way to get the pack together. I’ve had several people come up and apologise for the way they judged me when I took over the pack. I told them there are no hard feelings, and I pray we can move on from this stronger than ever.
Things have felt different. A shift in the atmosphere now that they know I’ve always been on their side and will protect them until the day I die.
“How are you holding up?” Felix asks as he approaches my side.
I nod as I hold my full beer in my hands. I haven’t even taken a sip.
“Yeah,” I murmur. “Doing okay.”
