Chapter 227. Reflects on the Future: pt. 2

Caleb’s POV

I saw his fingers clenched tightly into a fist before he forced them to relax. “And every time she laughed, I felt like I was hearing it for the first time. Every time she looked at me like she trusted me, it made me want to be worthy of that trust. I kept telling myself it was just friendship. That I was just being a good packmate. That I wasn’t crossing any lines. But… somewhere along the way, I did. I don’t even know when it happened, but I crossed it. And now…” His voice broke a little.

“Now I’m standing here, trying to undo feelings I shouldn’t have allowed to take root in the first place.”

That was when Caroline stepped forward, arms crossed, but not in that usual intimidating way. This was her concerned stance—the one she only used when she was speaking from a place of deep love and duty. Her expression was soft, but her words were firm, wrapped in the protective steel only a true warrior could pull off so effortlessly. “Jade,” she said, a