13. Fire and Frost.

Caleb’s POV

I sat outside in the garden, sipping my champagne and finally enjoying a bit of quiet. The moon was up, the air calm ... for once, no council orders, no vampire attacks, no Alpha mood swings from Adrian. Just peace.

I leaned back and sighed. “Finally,” I muttered to myself.

Then I caught the faintest sound ... soft footsteps, hesitant breathing. I smiled slightly.

“You do know we’re werewolves, right?” I said without turning. “We can sense presence even when you think you’re invisible.”

A small pause. Then Lucy slowly walked out from behind the hedge, looking a bit caught.

“I was just passing by,” she said quickly, trying to sound casual.

“Sure,” I said, still smiling. “Just passing by... and decided to hide behind a bush?”

She frowned, crossing her arms. “You’re annoying.”

“I get that a lot.” I gestured toward the chair opposite me. “Sit. You look like you need a drink.”

She hesitated, then sat reluctantly. I reached for the extra glass on the table and poured her some champagne. “Don’t worry, it’s not poisoned. You can trust me ... most times.”

Lucy gave me a side-eye but took a small sip.

“I know how you feel,” I said after a moment. “Adrian can be... difficult.”

“Difficult?” she repeated. “That’s putting it mildly. He acts like I’m not even here.”

I shrugged. “That’s Adrian for you. Cold, proud, focused. He’s always been like that.”

She sighed. “I was ordered to be here. To be his Luna candidate. I didn’t ask for this. But he could at least treat me like a person.”

I looked at her then ... really looked. For a second, I saw how frustrated she was. “You think I don’t get that? I’ve known Adrian my whole life. He doesn’t let anyone close. But he’s not trying to hurt you. He just doesn’t want to feel.”

Lucy turned to me sharply. “Don’t defend him.”

“I’m not.” I leaned forward a bit. “I’m just saying... don’t take it personal. He’s like a storm ... you can’t control him, you just brace for it.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re his Beta, his best friend. You can handle him.”

“Maybe,” I said softly. “But you ... you should just mind his business. Don’t fight him, don’t chase him. He hates both.”

Her jaw tightened. “So you want me to sit and take it?”

“I’m saying...” I sighed. “Don’t lose yourself trying to prove something to him. Adrian only notices people who don’t try to impress him.”

That did it. She suddenly stood up, her eyes flashing.

“You think I’m trying to impress him?” she snapped. “You think I’m some desperate tool who just came here to please him because the council said so?”

I didn’t answer.

Her voice shook slightly, but she didn’t back down. “I’m not a tool, Caleb. I’m a soldier ... a general. I’ve fought battles you’ve never even seen. I don’t need his approval or yours.”

I raised my hands slightly. “Hey...”

“No,” she cut in. “If not for the council’s stupid order, I wouldn’t even be here wasting my time with a spoiled Alpha who thinks the world bows to him.”

That one stung a little ... not for me, but for Adrian.

She took one last gulp of her drink, slammed the glass on the table, and glared at me. “Tell your Alpha he can stay cold all he wants. But one day, that ice is going to melt, and he won’t like what he finds underneath.”

Then she turned and stormed off.

I exhaled, shaking my head. “Damn,” I muttered. “She’s got some fire.”

I took another sip of my champagne, watching the direction she disappeared to.

“Adrian, my friend,” I said under my breath with a smirk, “you might just be in trouble.”

---

Lucy’s POV

I walked fast through the hallways, my hands clenched. My heart was still racing.

Caleb was right about one thing ... Adrian was difficult. But that didn’t mean I’d let him treat me like I didn’t exist.

I didn’t come all the way from the council for this. I was a warrior, not some trophy Luna to fill a seat.

When I reached my room, I shut the door and leaned against it, breathing hard.

“He thinks I’m just a tool,” I whispered to myself. “Let’s see who ends up being used.”

For a moment, I felt something tighten in my chest ... frustration, anger, maybe a hint of pain I didn’t want to admit.

Because deep down, even though I hated it, part of me cared what Adrian Wolfe thought.

And that was the most dangerous part of all.