Chapter 76: The Alpha’s Watchful Eye Lucas’s POV

After the festival preparations, Anna and I headed back to the cabin in the crisp evening air that carried the faint buzz of faraway chatter. She took a few steps forward, her shoulders stiff. Even though the Crescent Grove Pack was warm, we both felt the pressure to fit in.

At the door, Anna stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Is Darius buying it, in your opinion?"

I hesitated since I knew the truth would just make her more anxious. "I have no reason to believe otherwise."

She appeared unconvinced, but she nodded and entered. The cramped but cozy cabin was a sharp contrast to the unforgiving circumstances we had faced prior to coming here.

Before I could even take off my boots, there was a gentle knock on the door. Anna's eyes darted to me as she froze.

"I’ll get it," I muttered, walking to the door.

On the opposite side, Gareth stood with an unreadable look. "Caleb, the Alpha wants to see you. By himself."

My expression remained neutral, but my stomach grew tight. "Now?"

He nodded. "It won’t be long."

Behind me, Anna’s voice was piercing. "What does he want?"

Gareth shrugged. "You’ll need to ask him directly."

I turned to look at Anna again. "Stay here. I’ll be back soon."

She didn’t complain, but her lips formed a thin line. As Gareth led me to the Alpha's cabin, I walked outside, feeling the frigid night air sting my skin. My head was buzzing with options, and every stride felt heavier than the one before. How much did Darius already know, and what did he want?

As I got closer to the Alpha's house, I could smell a hint of smoke and pine. The Alpha wanted to talk to me alone, and Darius's messenger had made that clear.

My knuckles brushed the rough wood as I knocked once, and the door creaked open almost instantly.

Darius's keen eyes lifted from a map laid in front of him as he sat behind a solid wood desk. His face was covered in deep shadows from the flickering light, giving him a calm yet menacing appearance.

He pointed to the chair across from him. "Ah, Caleb," he said with ease. "Enter. Take a seat."

With my feelings sharpened, I entered. The room was modest but comfortable, with bookshelves lining the walls and a faint hint of ink and herbs in the air. However, there was a hint of something more solid, a weight in the room.

As I sat down, I said, "Alpha Darius," in an indifferent tone.

For a moment that seemed a bit too long, he leaned back and studied me. "How is Crescent Grove treating you?"

"Calm," I answered. "After everything we've been through, this is a welcome change."

Though it didn’t reach his eyes, a slight smile flashed across his lips. "I think so. I was told by Gareth how he came upon you and your sister. Was it running from a rogue attack?"

I gave a nod. "We were fortunate to live."

Darius's gaze sharpened, the weight of his inspection pressing down on me. "Caleb, luck is erratic. It runs out when we need it most."

The caution in his tone wasn’t lost on me. I straightened, keeping my face neutral. "We’re just happy to be here, Alpha. Your pack has been generous."

"Yes, we have." His fingers drummed against the desk, his tone changing to something more conversational. "You’ve made quite a mark already. The younger warriors appear to admire your skill in training, and Lia’s been aiding the omegas seamlessly."

“She’s good with people,” I stated, keeping my answer short.

Darius inclined his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And you, Caleb? What are you good at, aside from fighting?"

The question caught me off guard, but I hid it quickly. "Surviving."

A low laugh rumbled from him, though it bore little humor. "A necessary skill, no doubt. But living often comes at a cost, doesn’t it?"

I clenched my jaw. "On occasion."

With his arms resting on the desk, Darius leaned forward. "Tell me, Caleb. Do you believe that situations lead rogues to act violently, or do you think that they are dangerous by nature?"

I knew better than to react impulsively, and the change in tone was intentional. I replied cautiously, "I think it depends on the rogue. Some people are victims of their situation. Others... make decisions that take them in more sinister ways."

Darius whispered, "Wise answer," but his eyes stayed hard. "However, the truth isn't always told by wisdom. And a pack is kept safe by truth, Caleb."

My pulse quickened as I swallowed forcefully. "I get it, and..."

He sat back and inspected me for a long time. "All right. Because I’ve watched the consequences of burying the truth. It spreads to everything nearby as it festers. Additionally, sickness spreads quickly in a pack like Crescent Grove."

The air was heavy with unsaid meaning, and the room felt even heavier.

"I'll try my best to keep the pack safe," I said quietly.

There was a slight smile on Darius's lips, but it was far from soothing. "I’m positive you will."

He got up before I could answer, signaling that we were done talking. "Caleb, one last thing."

I stood up and looked him in the eye.

With a softer tone, he stated, "The rogues have been getting bolder lately. They're pushing the limits of packs like ours if they’re not targeting lone travelers. It won’t be long before they push too hard."

I gave a nod. "I’ll remember that."

His voice was low and slow as he said, "Good. Because when they do, I’ll need every strong wolf to stick around and back me. Then, pasts and lies won’t matter. Only loyalty."

As I stepped outside the cabin, the cool night air was a sharp contrast to the worry I had just experienced. The weight of his words still hung over me.

Anna was pacing the small cabin with her arms folded tightly across her chest. As soon as I entered, she narrowed her eyes and glanced up.

"What did he want?" she asked.

After closing the door, I stopped to collect my thoughts. "Just a discussion."

She raised her eyes. "About what?"

"As usual. Our origins and our present situation. He also brought up the rogues."

She scowled, clearly uncomfortable. "And?"

I lied while keeping a steady tone, saying, "And nothing. He just wanted to remind me to know where my loyalty lies, I guess."