24

Caleb’s POV
I had this grand fantasy that Lily, still high from the bungee jump, would leap into my arms and kiss me senseless right then and there. I’d even warned Merrick beforehand to make himself scarce if things got steamy. But no sooner had we touched solid ground than she was back to yelling at me.
Don’t get me wrong-it was hot. There’s something irresistibly sexy about Lily when she’s pissed: the way her eyes narrow like she’s got you in her crosshairs, the tight press of her lips, even the subtle twitch of her ears. It’s all so uniquely her, and it drives me crazy.
“Lily, I’m so proud of you. That was incredible,” I said, my voice soft with admiration as she stood up.
She shot me a scowl so sharp it could’ve cut through steel. Snatching up her purse, she stalked toward the car. Merrick gave me an encouraging thumbs-up, but I wasn’t feeling it.
By the time she reached the car, she didn’t stop; she just kept walking. My wolf growled low in my chest, a deep, instinctive protest. We’d been so sure this whole thing would bring us closer, give her a reason to see us in a different light. Instead, I’d managed to screw it all up.
I jogged after her, catching up to take her hand in mine. I needed the contact, any contact. Her skin against mine-it was grounding, even if she was still furious.
“I don’t like surprises, Caleb,” she said, her voice trembling ever so slightly. “First thing you should know about me: I don’t like being cornered or having my choices taken away.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. She pulled her hand back sharply, turning her face away as if even looking at me hurt. Then, without another word, she marched toward the car.
*What do I do? What do I say?* I begged Fang, my wolf.
*Be calm. Be sweet. And for the love of the goddess, don’t call her ‘Luna,’* he reminded me, as if I needed telling.
Everything I’d ever seen or read about finding your mate painted it as this magical, life-changing moment-like the universe finally clicking into place. For my brother Caden and me, it *had* been that. Finding Lily was nothing short of a miracle, the most pivotal moment of our lives.
But to Lily? It was a death sentence.
She didn’t see it the way we did. For her, the bond was a weight, not a gift. And as much as we wanted to understand, we just couldn’t.
We should’ve been celebrating by now, happily mated, building a life together. Instead, nearly a week had passed, and the closest I’d gotten to intimacy was my own hand in the dead of night.
My parents, blissfully oblivious, were already planning the dream home we’d build for her. Caden, ever the planner, was losing sleep sketching layouts and obsessing over every detail. He wanted Lily’s input desperately, especially for her office, which would have a spectacular view. But we couldn’t even broach the subject of paint colors, let alone a house, when she flinched at the word *Luna*.
I drove in silence, holding her hand in mine even though she didn’t look at me. The silence stretched, tense but not unbearable. At least she wasn’t pulling away.
After twenty minutes, I turned into a gated driveway leading to an imposing mansion just inside the city limits. Her eyes widened, a mix of curiosity and wariness lighting her face.
“Caleb… whose house is this?” she asked, her fingers tightening around mine.
“It belongs to an old friend of my grandfather’s,” I said, keeping my tone casual, though I knew she wouldn’t let it go at that.
As we pulled into the roundabout, the grand front door swung open to reveal an older she-wolf stepping out. She was dressed impeccably, as always, in a tailored pantsuit that radiated quiet authority. Ophelia Moon had a knack for slipping into any situation, charming her way into getting precisely what she wanted. It reminded me a bit of Lily-the thrill of the chase, the mastery of the game.
Lily gasped softly, covering her mouth with one hand. I stepped out quickly, circling the car to open her door and offer my hand. She hesitated, momentarily frozen, and I couldn’t help but wish I had Caden’s camera to capture this rare, speechless moment.
“Hello, sweetheart. You’re looking fit as ever,” Ophelia greeted me warmly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten our last game.”
I kissed her cheek, pulling her into a quick hug. It had been over a year since I’d last seen her. Her mate emerged from the house, his sharp gaze flicking over to Lily, and I felt a faint blush creeping up my neck.
“Ophelia Moon, meet my mate, Lilith Emory,” I said, stepping aside so they could face each other. “She’s a huge fan of yours.”
Ophelia’s expression softened with genuine delight. “Ah, it’s a pleasure to meet you, dear,” she said, extending a hand. “Caden called just yesterday, positively beside himself about meeting his mate. And to think, you’re an investigative journalist! What are the odds? So few women have the courage for that kind of work-and even fewer are truly exceptional at it.”
She giggled, a girlish sound that belied her years, and for the first time that evening, I saw a flicker of awe in Lily’s eyes.
Lily’s smile lit up her face, but I could tell she was starstruck. *Please be happy. Please let this make you happy.* My nerves were on fire. She was impossible to read.
“It’s an absolute honor to meet you, Mrs. Moon,” she finally said, extending her hand with the kind of poise that made my chest swell with pride.
Ophelia took her hand enthusiastically, her energy as warm and vibrant as ever. Her mate, Theron, joined us moments later, introducing himself with a firm handshake and an easy smile. They led us out to their sprawling deck, which offered a breathtaking view of the city. Drinks were already waiting, and the atmosphere was effortlessly sophisticated.
I watched as Ophelia hooked her arm through Lily’s, pulling her close like they were old friends. Within seconds, they were laughing, chatting, and trading stories as if they’d known each other forever. I let out a slow, relieved breath.
Ophelia’s personality was magnetic, and in so many ways, she reminded me of Lily-fearless, unapologetically direct, and entirely uninterested in pandering to anyone. She said exactly what was on her mind, consequences be damned. That kind of honesty was rare and refreshing, especially in the circles we moved in. Most people lived their lives straining under the weight of appearances, too scared to be real.
*As Alpha, you’ll have to care what others think. That often means walking on eggshells,* Fang, my wolf, reminded me as he relished the sight of Lily’s happiness.
He wasn’t wrong. My parents lived their lives under a microscope, constantly setting the standard for the pack. Every word, every action was deliberate, calculated to maintain respect and order. Could I step into that role, coming straight from the chaos of campus life? Caden and I didn’t feel anywhere close to the level of responsibility our fathers carried when they became Alphas at 18.
But then again, my parents had met young. By the time my dad took over, they were deeply bonded, fully in sync, and my mom wasn’t eager but she embrace her role as Luna. She dreamed of it, planned for it, and made the Blood Moon her life’s mission.
Lily didn’t have those dreams. If anything, the idea of pack life seemed to repel her. How could I convince her to even *visit* the pack, let alone see it as her home?
“So, what’s this I hear about an auction on Saturday?” Theron asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned back in his chair. “It’s all over town. Whittaker even snagged a front-page feature for it-must’ve cost him a fortune.”
I chuckled at his tone. Among the elite in this area, Elio Whittaker and the Moons family were at the top of the social ladder-and not exactly the best of friends. The tension between them was old and unspoken, and now definitely wasn’t the time to dig into it.
“The four of us-Lily, Dahlia Whittaker, Caden, and me-are being auctioned off for charity. Bring your checkbook, and I’ll make sure you have the time of your life,” I said, winking as I raised my glass of scotch. It was leagues above anything I’d had in college, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever drink anything less again.
Theron let out a hearty laugh. “A hot night with the Ashford twins? Now that’s a steal. Although the last time I followed you and your father on a hunt, it ended in quite the fiasco.”
I grinned, the memory bubbling to the surface. That hunt had been wild-a mixed crowd of a dozen men, spanning generations, with me as a wide-eyed seventeen-year-old still getting used to my wolf.
We stumbled onto an orgy at the edge of our packlands-thirty shifters tangled together in ways I’d never wanted to see, especially not with my dads and grandfather standing beside me. Some joined in, others watched, and a few, like me, made a quick exit. Theron, though? He’d stayed to watch, thoroughly amused.
Shaking off the memory, I nodded in approval as Lily and Ophelia rose from their seats, heading toward the garden. I’d give anything to be a fly on the wall for *that* conversation.
“So, what can we do for you, son?” Theron asked, leaning in slightly. “Does she want a job?”
“I think so,” I admitted. “But I don’t want her to feel like she’s being handed anything because of our connection. Lily’s fiercely independent. She needs to know she’s earned everything on her own merit.”
Theron chuckled, his gaze softening as it flicked toward his mate. “I know all about that,” he said, the pride in his voice unmistakable.
The way he looked at Ophelia-like she was the center of his universe-made my chest ache. Even after fifty years, they were still madly in love. Both sets of my grandparents were the same way, their bonds unshakable. I’d kill to have Lily look at me like that someday.
“I’ll mind-link Ophelia and let her know. No freebies. But with a mate like yours? I don’t think she’ll have any trouble standing out on her own.” He paused, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “But how exactly is this going to work, Alpha? Do your parents know about… this situation?”
I scratched my chin, exhaling sharply. He wasn’t being rude-Theron had pledged his loyalty to two generations of Ashfords before me. Now, I’d be the third.
“That’s the million-dollar question,” I admitted, accepting another drink. “And no, they don’t know. Not yet.”