Caleb’s POV
I was sitting at the kitchen table, staring blankly at the half-empty cup of coffee in front of me, when my phone buzzed. The message was from Camilla, and it was short, and to the point.
“Meet me at the spot. No calls. It’s not safe anymore.”
I read the text twice, feeling the weight of each word settle over me. Something had changed. Camilla was always careful, but this message was different, urgent.
Phone calls had always been risky, but we’d managed to keep communication open. Now, it seemed like that option was gone too.
I stood up, pulling my jacket over my shoulders as I made my way to Ashley. She was reading in the living room, her legs curled up under her like a cat, completely unaware of the brewing storm around us.
“I’m stepping out for a bit,” I said, keeping my voice casual. “Work-related. I won’t be long.”
She glanced up from her book, giving me a quick nod before returning to her reading. “Stay safe,” she murmured, her attention already elsewhere.
I stepped out of the house, feeling the crisp night air hit my face as I headed toward my car. As I started the engine, I pulled out my phone and dialed Rolan. The phone rang twice before he answered.
“Caleb,” Rolan’s voice was steady, as always. “What’s going on?”
“I got a message from Camilla,” I said, glancing around as if someone might be listening. Old habits die hard. “She’s asking to meet at our usual spot. No calls, says it’s not safe anymore.”
There was a pause on the other end. “That’s not good,” Rolan finally replied. “She must have some new intel. Be careful. Griffin’s no fool, if he suspects her or anything at all, things could get dangerous.”
“I’ll handle it,” I assured him. “I’m on my way now. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
We hung up, and I focused on the road ahead. The drive to the secret location we’d agreed upon was short, but the silence stretched on as my thoughts raced.
Camilla had been working as our informant for months now, embedded deep in Griffin’s camp. She knew the risks better than anyone, but if she was reaching out like this, something had shifted. I could feel it.
When I arrived, the place was deserted. A wide, open space surrounded by thick trees, far enough from the pack’s territory to avoid attention but close enough to make a quick escape if needed.
I parked the car and got out, scanning the area. My phone buzzed again, but when I looked down, I noticed there was no service.
Great. Just what I needed.
I was about to turn around and head back to the car when I saw her, hurrying toward me through the trees. She looked exhausted, her hair disheveled, her eyes wide with urgency.
“I don’t have much time,” she said breathlessly as she approached.
“What’s going on?” I asked, stepping forward to meet her.
“Griffin’s planning something,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. She glanced around nervously as if expecting someone to jump out from the shadows.
“After the full moon festival, he’s going to attack the palace. He wants to kidnap Kiara and use her as leverage against Wilson. He thinks he can blackmail the palace into backing down if he has her.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. “Kidnap Kiara?” I repeated, the weight of her words sinking in. “That’s insane.”
“I know,” she said, her voice trembling. “He’s becoming more erratic, more paranoid. He’s starting to suspect me, Caleb. That’s why I asked to meet here. I don’t think it’s safe for me anymore.”
I placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her. “Don’t worry. Your ticket out of the pack is secured. The Alpha and I have everything in place. You just need to hold on a little longer. Have you gathered your essentials? You can’t make him suspicious.”
Camilla nodded quickly, but there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. “I’ve packed what I need. He doesn’t suspect anything.”
I didn’t want to push her, but I needed to make sure everything was in place. “You’ll be out before he has a chance to act. Just stay low, keep your head down.”
She turned to leave, her steps hurried, but as she moved, her foot caught on a root, and she stumbled. I reached out instinctively, catching her before she fell, but something caught my eye, her shirt had loosened just enough for me to see the bruises around her neck. Dark and unmistakable.
For a moment, I froze. The marks were fresh, and they told me everything I needed to know. Griffin had been losing control. I kept my expression neutral, pretending I hadn’t seen anything, but inside, my anger flared. Camilla was risking her life for us, and this was how she was being treated.
I helped her steady herself, keeping my tone light. “Careful. You don’t want to trip in the woods.”
Camilla forced a weak smile, her eyes darting away from mine. She knew I had seen the bruises, but neither of us said anything. There was no need. We both knew what was at stake.
“I have to go,” she whispered. “Griffin’s expecting me back soon.”
“Stay safe,” I said softly. “We’ll get you out of there soon. I promise.”
She nodded, turning quickly and disappearing into the darkness of the trees. I stood there for a moment, watching her go, the weight of everything pressing down on me.
Camilla was strong, but even she had her limits. If Griffin was already resorting to violence, we had less time than I thought. I hurried back to my car, my mind racing as I started the engine.
I needed to get back to the pack and let Rolan know what was happening. There was no time to waste, Griffin’s plan was already in motion, and if we didn’t act fast, Kiara’s life would be in danger.
As I sped down the road, the weight of the situation settled over me like a dark cloud. Camilla was trapped, and I didn’t know how long she could hold out.
Griffin’s paranoia was growing, and it was only a matter of time before he made his move. We needed to be ready.