bChapter /bb16 /b

Caleb’s PO.V

Caroline’s grip on my wrist was firm, her fingers digging into my skin as she dragged me away from the scene. My blood was still boiling, my breathsing out in sharp, uneven bursts. I wanted to go back, to finish what I had started–to bash Damien’s smug face into the ground until there was nothing left of that infuriating smirk. But she didn’t let me.

She pulled me into the shade, pushing through the locker room doors with a force that told me she was just as angry, though not for the same reasons. The door mmed shut behind us, and I could hear Jade’s footsteps following closely. Outside, I caught a glimpse of Mia and Shane, their worried expressions barely visible through the crack in the doorway before Jade turned around and blocked them.

“Give him some space, Jade ordered firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Mia hesitated, shitting on her feet, but Shane pulled her back gently. “Fine,” he muttered, though I could see the concern in his eyes before the door shutpletely, cutting them off from whatever mess was about to unfold inside.

The moment we were alone, I ripped my arm out of Caroline’s grasp and turned on her, my fury barely contained. “You shouldn’t havee in between us, I snapped, my voice harsh and unforgiving. “I fully intended to bash Damien’s head in.”

Caroline didn’t flinch. If anything, she lifted her chin defiantly, meeting my re head–on with that infuriatingly calm expression of hers. “I know,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. “And that’s exactly why I had to stop you.”

I let out a sharp, humorlessugh. “Oh, so now you’re my babysitter? Since when did I need you to hold my damn hand, Caroline?” My hands curled into fists, the urge to punch something–anything–still raging inside me like a wildfire. “You should’ve let me handle it.”

“You mean you wanted me to let you start a full–blown fight right in front of everyone?” she countered, her voice dangerously even. “What do you think that would’ve solved, Caleb? You think throwing a punch at Damien would make you feel better? Maybe for a second, sure. But then what? What happens when Alpha Camden hears that the future Alphas of two allied packs were acting like rabid dogs in front of half the

school?

I clenched my jaw, but I had no answer for that.

Caroline took a step closer, her green eyes shing with something between frustration and concern. “We have a peace treaty, Caleb. Or did you forget that? Our packs are on good terms right now, but that can change. Do you really want to be the reason that happens? Do you really want to be the one who disappoints Alpha Camden?”

Her words hit harder than I expected, cutting through my rage like a de. Disappoint Alpha Camden…my father. The thought made my stomach twist ufortably. He had always expected more from me, trusted me to be better, to lead with strength, not reckless aggression.

But damn it, Damien deserved it. That arrogant bastard had gotten under my skin for as long as I could remember, and I had finally had enough.

I turned away, exhaling sharply, my shoulders still tense. “He deserved it, I muttered, my voice quieter now but stillced with anger.

Caroline sighed, stepping beside me. “Maybe he did. But picking a fight with him in broad daylight, with witnesses? That’s not how you handle it, Caleb. You know that.”

I pressed my fingers against my temple, trying to push back the lingering rage. She wasn’t wrong. That was the worst part–Caroline was rarely

wrong.

Jade, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up from where he leaned against the lockers. “She’s right, you know,” he said, his voice softer than Caroline’s but just as firm. “We’re not saying you have to let it go. We’re just saying… be smart about it.”

I dragged a hand through my hair, letting out a slow breath. “I hate when you two gang up on me.”

Caroline smirked, and for the first time since she pulled me away, some of the tension in the air eased. Then maybe don’t make it so easy for

us.”

I groaned, rubbing the back of my head as I sat on the edge of the bench, my knuckles still throbbing from the fight. I swear, Caroline, it wasn’t me who started it, I muttered, shaking my head in frustration. “Damien was running his mouth again, saying all sorts of

“Caleb,” she cut me off, her tone firm, leaving no room for argument. I looked up at her, and her arms were crossed over her chest, her expression unreadable but somehow still disapproving. It doesn’t matter who started it.”

1 frowned. “But-

“No,” she interrupted again, stepping closer. “What matters is that you should have been the bigger guy. You should have walked away.” Her voice was steady, calm, but there was an edge of disappointment in it that made my stomach twist. “You let him get to you, Caleb. You let him win the moment you threw that punch.”

I exhaled sharply, my fingers tightening into a fist on myp before I forced them to rx. She was right. I hated admitting it, but she was right. Damien knew exactly which buttons to push, and like an idiot, I let him push them. I let him drag me down to his level. I ran a hand down my face, sighing. “Yeah… yeah, I know,” I mumbled, finally meeting her gaze. “It was my fault. I let him get under my skin.”

Caroline’s expression softened just a little, and she ced a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You need to rest up,” she said, her voice quieter now. “You’re not going to do yourself any favors if you keep stewing over this.”

I watched as she stepped back, already moving toward the door, and something in her demeanor made me pause. “Where are you going?‘ I asked, tilting my head.

She hesitated for half a second, and that alone told me she wasn’t nning to answer me. I’m just going to get some air,” she said, her voice light, casual. Too casual.

“Caroline-

“Just rest, Caleb,” she said, throwing a small, fleeting smile over her shoulder before slipping out of the room.

I stared after her, my chest tightening with something I couldn’t quite name. I knew she wasn’t telling me the full truth. I knew there was something else going on. But right now, all I could do was sit there, my fists still aching, and let her go.

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