Page 69 of Fated (The Bonded Legacy #1)

“Alpha Caleb,” Kai repeated. His attention darted toward Lena before steadying on Caleb. “Thank you for coming to Bloodstone’s aid. We are in your debt.”

Caleb held the younger wolf’s gaze, offering a small nod. “There’s no debt between neighbors, Kai. Helping Bloodstone was an honor.”

Caleb could sense the gratitude in Kai’s posture, the way his shoulders eased just slightly. Yet beneath it all, there was still tension, a crack in the heir’s composure, that spoke volumes.

Ryker stepped forward, breaking the formality with his gentle, playful smile. “We miss you at Moonshadow, brother.” He pulled Kai into a hug. “Things aren’t the same without you.”

Jace nodded in agreement, clapping Kai on the back as he added, “Our condolences for Elias. We’ve heard that he was an exceptional wolf and would have been a phenomenal gamma.”

Kai’s lips pressed into a thin, bloodless line. His eyes clouded momentarily, focusing on some middle distance as grief surfaced. “Thank you. He was—” Kai’s words faltered, overcome by his loss. “He was the best of us.”

Shared sorrow thickened the air before it was interrupted by a shift.

A tall blond appeared at Kai’s side, her arrival as abrupt as her presence was invasive.

She slipped her hand into his, fingers intertwining in a gesture that felt both possessive and performative.

Pressing close to Kai’s side, she offered a sweet but pointed smile to the group.

“Hello,” she said with practiced brightness. “I’m Ava, Kai’s girlfriend .”

The words sliced through the tentative warmth. Lena’s shoulders drew back, golden-brown eyes shuttering as they fixed on a distant point. Ryker and Jace flanked her in an instant, fingers interlocking with hers. A silent display of solidarity that tensed the air between both groups.

Muscles worked in Kai’s jaw and tension coiled in his shoulders as his eyes darted between the three of them. His grip on Ava’s hand spasmed, a jerk that might have been an attempt to pull free or silence her. Caleb couldn’t tell.

Ava’s smile brightened. “Alpha Caleb.” Her voice took on a musical quality, smoothing over the earlier sharpness in her tone with sugary warmth. “Your bravery and the bravery of your warriors…it’s inspiring. You saved my life.”

Her words were deliberately crafted, landing with the obvious intent.

She wrestled her hand from Kai’s stern grip, sliding it up to rest over his chest. She traced idle circles with her fingers as she continued, voice softening to a near-coo.

“If the battle hadn’t turned when it did…

who knows what might have happened. My future alpha wouldn’t have been able to endure losing me. ”

Ava tilted her face up toward Kai, expression painted with adoration, but the faintest smirk tugged at her lips. “Right, my love ?” Her hand dropped, gripping his again until her nails left marks.

A shudder of resistance passed through Kai’s frame, the tension in his shoulders rippling down the length of his body.

Something passed across his face—reluctance?

Maybe regret? It burned for a heartbeat, before Ava’s nails pressed deeper, smothering it completely.

She continued to squeeze until a single word fell from his lips, flat and almost mechanical.

“Right.”

Only then did Ava’s hand relax, fingers slipping from his with a delicate finality as though she hadn’t just forced his response.

“See?” She faced Caleb again, saccharine smile firmly in place.

Satisfaction flickered beneath her expression—a silent victory over the male standing beside her.

Not love—control wearing affection’s mask.

“Two-faced,” Fenrir warned . “See how he diminishes in her presence? Darius has failed to see the danger she represents.”

Caleb dipped his chin in acknowledgment, hazel eyes assessing Ava before returning to Kai. “Bloodstone has strong allies in Crescent Fang. I hope you know you’ll always have them.”

Kai’s shoulders dropped a fraction, before the mask slipped back into place.

The charged atmosphere between the group remained, unspoken hostility weaving through the air like an invisible tether.

Caleb watched the interplay between all of them, the subtle way Ryker’s thumb traced soothing circles against the back of Lena’s hand, the icy glare Jace directed at Kai—a stark contrast to the warmth and affection the males had shared just moments prior.

The warmth vanished from Kai’s expression, his features hardening like cooling wax as his gaze fixed on Ryker’s, Jace’s, and Lena’s intertwined fingers. Ava appeared oblivious—or perhaps uncaring—as her smile remained unshaken.

“Bloodstone’s future is fraught with uncertainty , ” Fenrir murmured. “But that is not your burden to carry.”

Caleb breathed deep, allowing Fenrir’s words to settle him. For now, he would observe and learn, but his focus would remain on the connections that strengthened his own pack and those he called allies.

Ava studied the group, eyes narrowing as if assessing the unspoken tension simmering between Kai, Lena, Ryker, and Jace.

Her hand rose to Kai’s chest again, and she turned to him with a polished smile.

“My future alpha, we should go stand with your father.” Her voice dripped with saccharine deference.

“The grieving families need our support, and he’ll want us at his side. ”

Kai hesitated. His eyes sought Lena’s—a flicker of longing extinguished.

Ava yanked his focus back to her. “Come.”

With a sharp breath, Kai nodded. The ease drained from his posture, replaced by a rigid formality as he allowed Ava to lead him away.

The discomfort Ava left in her wake lingered like a heavy fog. Caleb rolled his shoulders back, allowing the unease to dissipate as he turned back to the group. “I’m afraid I must also leave,” he said. “I need to get back to Crescent Fang before dawn. Please tell Cian congratulations for me.”

Lena looked up at him, golden-brown eyes softening. “Will do,” she said, voice quiet but sincere. “It was good to see you again, Caleb.”

Caleb leaned in, speaking quietly so only she could hear. “You were exceptional tonight. Fenrir and I…we were in awe of your grace. You will be a transcendent luna.”

Lena’s lips parted, eyes widening with surprise before she acknowledged the compliment with a gentle tilt of her head.

“Thank you,” she whispered. She offered him a small smile, though something guarded remained in her expression.

Her response settled uncomfortably in Caleb’s chest, a challenge he hadn’t expected but found himself willing to meet.

Fenrir pressed against Caleb’s mind. “Her light will shine again.”

He turned to the two males. “Enjoy your sleepover,” he said with a grin.

“Take care of Lena—she deserves a little pampering after everything she’s done for Bloodstone this week.

” He fixed Ryker with a knowing look. “And don’t give Cian too much grief about his mating.

He’s heading into a huge transition, your role is to anchor him as he steps into leadership. He’ll need both of you.”

Ryker’s usual smirk softened into something more genuine as he nodded. “We’ve got him,” he said firmly. “And we’ve got Lena too.”

Jace clasped Caleb’s forearm, ice-blue gaze earnest. “Safe travels, Alpha.”

Caleb’s attention returned to Lena for a moment before he bid farewell to the group. “I’ll see you all in a few days.”

The cool night air brushed Caleb’s face as he stepped outside, leaving the din of the dining hall.

Fenrir clawed at him from within, hungry for earth beneath paws and moonlight on fur.

Caleb paused, pupils dilating to capture every detail as his gaze lifted to the moon, its pale light spilling across the Bloodstone lands.

Fenrir’s approval flooded their shared consciousness like sunlight breaking through clouds, warming Caleb from marrow to skin. “You’re no longer on the outside. You’ll be the bridge between faith and the future. But remember—challenges still lie ahead for all of us, Alpha.”

The events of the evening settled in Caleb’s chest as he crossed into the shadows of the forest. Lena’s quiet determination, Cian’s joy, and even Bloodstone’s simmering tensions replayed in his mind.

His thoughts inevitably turned to Crescent Fang.

Asher would be waiting, no doubt eager for an update on the ceremony—and perhaps far too curious about the Moonshadow wolves.

Caleb’s lips curved faintly. They’d have much to discuss.