Chapter 44

Silence lingered still.

“Why haven’t you taken over yet?” Cedric demanded, his voice echoing through the mind link.

Caleb’s response was delayed, creating a tense pause before he finally replied, tone-heavy, “It’s not that simple.”

Cedric scoffs at that, “You’re a coward, Caleb.” He supplies curtly, and with that, he severs the connection just as abruptly as he’d initiated it, leaving Caleb to contemplate the gravity of his brother’s words.

As Cedric awaited the arrival of the promised meal, conflicting emotions swirled within him. The thought of the girl lingered, a distraction from the turmoil that enveloped his existence. The bond with the pack, once an unbreakable tie, now strained and frayed, reflected the fractures in Cedric’s identity.

When Caleb heard Cedric’s voice echoing in his head, he nearly stumbled over in shock. Fear gripped him tightly, memories of their father’s voice resurfacing after such a long time. Cedric’s voice held a chilling r