Chapter Forty-six
Caleb’s POV
A few days later, Hunter’s control slipped again, this time in front of the council members during a formal dinner.
Faelen and the other maids were serving, moving silently around the table as the men discussed various matters.
I noticed Faelen out of the corner of my eye, carrying a tray of wine glasses.
She was about to serve one to Alex, one of the older councilmen, when he leaned forward slightly, his voice low and teasing. “You’re new, aren’t you? What’s your name?”
Faelen hesitated, glancing at him in an uncertain manner. “Faelen, sir.” She answered.
“Faelen, huh?” Alex repeated, giving her a friendly smile. “A pretty name for a pretty girl.”
I saw it happen in slow motion… Hunter’s hand tightening around his wine glass, his gaze turning cold as he watched the interaction.
For a moment, I thought he was going to shatter the glass in his grip. But then he spoke, his voice surprisingly calm, but with a sharp edge.
“Faelen,” he said, drawing everyone’s attention to him. “Go help in the kitchen. I think you’ve served enough here.”
Faelen blinked in surprise, then quickly nodded and left without a word, her movements stiff.
Alex turned to Hunter, raising an eyebrow. “Did she do something wrong, Alpha?” he asked lightly, though there was a hint of worry in his tone.
Hunter’s smile was tight, almost predatory. “No. But she’s not here for conversation. She’s here to serve. We didn’t buy her to chit chat, did we?”
The councilmen exchanged glances, a few of them shifting uncomfortably in their seats.
It was obvious to everyone at the table what was really happening… Hunter was showing his disapproval of anyone even talking to Faelen, let alone complimenting her.
But no one dared call him out on it, not directly.
“Of course,” Alex murmured, inclining his head. “My apologies.”
Hunter didn’t respond, just took a long sip of his wine and looked away, his jaw clenched tightly.
I watched him silently, noting the tension in his posture, his barely restrained anger boiling just beneath the surface.
After the dinner ended, I stayed behind as the councilmen left, watching as Hunter paced the room, clearly agitated.
When I approached him, he looked up, his expression stormy. “Don’t,” he warned, his voice low.
“Don’t what?” I asked, faking innocence. “Mention what happened just now?”
He glared at me, his eyes blazing. “There’s nothing to mention. Alex was out of line, and I set him straight. That’s it.”
“Out of line?” I repeated skeptically. “All he did was compliment her, Hunter. You acted like he was making a pass at your mate.”
Hunter stiffened at the word ‘mate,’ his gaze hardening. “She’s not my mate.”
“Right. She’s just a servant,” I said slowly, watching his reaction carefully. “Then why do you care so much if someone talks to her?”
“I don’t care,” he growled, but the way his eyes shifted told me everything I needed to know. He cared too much, and it was driving him crazy.
“Hunter,” I sighed, shaking my head. “This isn’t you. You’re acting strange, like… possessive.”
“I’m not possessive!” he snapped, his voice sharp. “I’m… I’m just…” He said, but then trailed off, frustration visible in every line of his face.
“You’re just what?” I prompted gently.
“Being protective,” he muttered finally, looking away. “She’s part of the pack, Caleb. I’m looking out for her. That’s all.”
But I could see the truth in his eyes and in everything he did, of course, the way he refused to admit what was really happening.
He wasn’t just protecting Faelen… he was guarding her, shielding her from anyone who might get too close, even if he didn’t realize it himself.
And the more he denied it, the more obvious it became to everyone around him.
***
Despite Hunter’s insistence that he was merely protective of Faelen, the atmosphere in the pack slowly began to shift as a result of that.
The servants and warriors had started to notice his uncharacteristic behavior, and it wasn’t long before the gossip began to circulate.
I overheard conversations while walking through the castle, the whispers growing louder each day, drawing attention to his growing interest… or better put, obsession… with Faelen.
One afternoon, I was heading toward the training yard when I bumped into Mia, one of the higher wolves.
She stood with a group of women, and I could see the way their heads turned, eyes narrowing as I approached.
“Hey, Caleb,” Mia said, a smirk tugging at her lips. “You seen Hunter around? He’s been hovering over Faelen like a hawk lately.”
I shot her a look. “What did you say?”
“Oh, come on!” Mia laughed, shaking her head. “He practically chases off half the pack off her. The other day, when Alex made that comment about her, I thought he was going to explode right there.”
I frowned, trying to ignore the way my stomach twisted. Then with a long sigh, I collected myself. “There are things you don’t know and shouldn’t speak of as if you do, Mia. He’s… he’s just looking out for her.”
Mia raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Looking out for her? Or is it something more? It sure seems like he’s claimed her for himself.”
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “You watch what you say, Mia. She’s a servant, for crying out loud. It’s not like they’re…”
“Not like they’re what?” she interrupted. “In love? Because I’m telling you, something’s going. We both know it’s not of Hunter to show the jealous act.”
Before I could respond, I caught sight of Faelen across the yard as she carried supplies some supplies.
I wanted so much to defend Hunter, but everyone was already beginning to see through him, and there was only so much I could do.
Without saying anything, I step away from Mia and then turned to walk away. I just didn’t know what to say or do to defend him anymore.
That night, the council had gathered for an unexpected strategy meeting as Hunter instructed me to summon everyone.
During the meeting, I brought up the latest intelligence reports from the Steeprock pack.
The atmosphere was thick with tension as I detailed the movements we’d seen. Hunter was unusually quiet, his focus not on the information but somewhere else.
“Hunter,” I said, trying to draw him back into the conversation. “Are you with us?”
He blinked, shaking his head as if waking from a dream. “Yeah, sorry. Continue.”
I pushed on, but it was clear his mind wasn’t in the room. I glanced around to see what was distracting him, and there she was, Faelen, who had just set down a tray and caught Hunter’s eye.
For a split second, there was a spark of something between them, a shared connection that sent a shock of electricity through the air.
Then, just as quickly, Hunter’s expression hardened, and he looked away, irritation flashing across his features.
After the meeting, I pulled him aside in the dim corridor outside the hall. “What’s going on with you?” I asked, crossing my arms. “You’re not focused at all man.”
“I’m fine,” he snapped, his voice sharp.
I took a step closer, lowering my voice. “You can’t keep pretending this isn’t happening, Hunter. Everyone is noticing. You’re acting possessive, and it’s drawing attention. Why don’t you just go ahead and mark her? Be done with it.”
His jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might snap at me. Instead, he took a deep breath, looking past me. “I’m just trying to do my responsibility as Alpha. Didn’t you tell me to do more?”
I paused, my breath caught in my throat as I thought of the absurdity of his answer.
“Is it truly just about that?” I finally challenged, pushing back. “Because it is clear even to a child that there’s more at play here. People are beginning to talk around in the estate.”
Hunter’s expression darkened, and I braced myself for his rage. “Who’s been talking? What lies have they been spreading? Tell me, Caleb!”
I shook my head slightly. “What do you expect, Hunter? People have eyes, and even though you’re the Alpha, they have mouths as well, and will always talk.”
After a moment of him looking into the air, he looked away, the rage in his eye softening and turning to something resembling guilt.
“It doesn’t matter,” he then muttered. “They can talk all they want. I don’t have time to deal with this right now.” He finished and then walked away.
Over the next few days, I watched as Hunter continued to dance around his feelings for her, attempting to act as though she meant nothing more than a servant to him.
But the jealousy remained clear in his eyes and actions, often leading to outbursts and tense moments whenever anyone else so much as glanced her way.
I kept my eye on him, watching as he struggled to balance his feelings with the expectations of being Alpha, uncertain how to help him.
The more he tried to deny his emotions, the more obvious it became to everyone around him. Nobles and slaves alike.
It was awkward really, and as much as I wanted to help him get through this, like I always did, he didn’t give me many options… if only he wasn’t so stubborn!