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“No,” Anna’s father answered shortly, and a few glances were cast toward Caleb. He shifted uncomfortably, but didn’t speak. The Daniels were one of the families that didn’t support Caleb as Alpha and the reason Zeke hadn’t already been initiated.
“Why aren’t they here?” I called out, having noticed the Daniel’s absence. Zeke and his father should have been at the meeting.
“They had a prior engagement,” Anna’s mom spoke up, as the only woman on the Council her diplomacy had become a valued skill.
“Why don’t you just say the truth? They’re not here because of me. Same reason Zeke hasn’t initiated. They don’t want me as their Alpha,” the bitter voice broke through the low murmurs of the crowd, silencing them. My gaze shot to Caleb as he stepped forward, the crowd parting before him as he stood in the center of the room, in clear view of everyone. “Has it ever occurred to you that maybe I don’t want to be your Alpha?” A few shocked inhales were heard, but no one spoke. “That I don’t want to risk my life for you. That I don’t want to decide your fates?” His gaze scanned the room and more than a few dropped their eyes as he came to them. I tucked my hands in my pockets, listening as he spoke.
“I hear the whispers, I know how you feel. It’s impossible to hide your emotions from me. You question if I can do it, if I’ll be like my father, if Dom or Hank wouldn’t be a better choice. I hear you and I ask myself the same thing.” The room was frozen as they listened and across the room I could see Anna’s eyes glistening. “And if you really want the truth, I don’t know.” He paused, lifting his hands. “I don’t know.” He took a deep breath and I could almost feel the room exhale with him. “I do know that when challenged, I killed a man to protect this Pack. That I would do it again in a heartbeat.” There were a few nods of respect around the room. “You wonder if I’m too young, if it was too much losing my father and taking the mantle of Alpha.” He shrugged. “Maybe.”
His raw honesty made my eyes burn because I could feel the intensity through our Pack bond, the intensity hitting every shifter in the room. “I know I’m not my father. That things will change. They need to change.” Caleb’s gaze met mine across the room, and gone was the lighthearted teenager, in his place stood a man who had to assume responsibility far too early. “I will be your Alpha if you want me. I will protect you with my life. I will be fair and honorable. I will listen to you and heed your words.” He paused for a long moment. “What I won’t do is force you to follow me. I’ve made my decision. I am Alpha of the Navarre Pack. What you do is up to you.” He dropped his gaze from the room and walked out.
I met my Dad’s eyes and watched him nod. I slipped from the room, figuring the meeting was officially over after that little speech. I followed my instincts and went around the back in time to see Anna kiss Caleb. I reared back, keeping out of sight and downwind. I pressed against the wooden wall when I heard them part, their heavy breathing making me wish I hadn’t chased after Caleb.
“I care about you, Caleb. I have for years,” Anna admitted. “You were there for me when I first shifted.” I winced at the reminder of Anna’s first shift. She hadn’t been initiated, no one had suspected she could shift, we’d all believed she was a breeding female and nothing more. She’d been alone when it first happened and disoriented. Caleb had been the one to find her and convince her to shift back even though he hadn’t had his first shift yet. After that, Anna’s mom had insisted on a seat with the Council, believing it was only fair to have a female representative for her daughter.
“I care about you too, Anna,” Caleb replied, his voice thick. “I want to apologize. I haven’t been a good friend to you.”
“Is that all you want? Friendship?” Anna asked pointblank and my eyebrows shot up.
Shock zipped through the Pack bond from Caleb at her forwardness and I knew she felt it too when she sighed. “The damn bond,” she muttered before laughing bitterly. “You can’t hide a damn thing.”
“I want it to be different,” Caleb said hollowly. “But things aren’t the same. Not anymore.”
“No, they’re not,” she whispered, and I heard the scuff of a foot on the ground. “I wish –” She cut herself off before she finished and a trickle of sympathy went through me. We’d all known about her crush on Caleb and the fact that he’d returned it, at least until his Dad died. The rollercoaster of emotions he’d went through then and was still going through made it impossible for him to be there for her.
