Chapter 7

The housekeeper shook her head. "Caleb hasn't come back at all."

Riley frowned. "It's been over a week. Tomorrow is the Full Moon Festival — how could he not be back yet?"

The housekeeper, who had worked for the family for many years and had a soft spot for Caleb, replied coldly. "I wouldn't know."

Riley wanted to ask more.

Wesley rolled his eyes impatiently and clung to her arm, whining.

"He'll come back eventually. Sister, forget about him. Come see the new book I bought. You can read it to me tonight."

Riley suddenly felt irritated.

She remembered how Wesley had spoken Caleb's name with contempt in the Caribbean — slipping out of the careful public voice for one second when he'd thought neither of them was listening.

Now he clearly didn't care that Caleb had been gone for days.

How much sincerity was there in his constant use of "brother"?

The housekeeper turned back toward the kitchen, muttering.

"Since Alpha doesn't care about Caleb anymore, why even bother asking?"

Those words pierced Riley's heart like an invisible thorn.

Wesley complained under his breath. "He's a grown man. He's not going to get lost."

Anger flared up from nowhere, and Riley violently shook off the hand clinging to her.

With a cold face, she walked straight upstairs.

Behind her, Wesley wailed dramatically.

"Sister, did I say something wrong? Won't you read with me anymore?"

Riley didn't turn back, only saying coldly. "You're fifteen. Can't you read by yourself?"

Wesley's aggrieved crying started immediately.

In the past, Riley would certainly have turned back to comfort him.

Whenever he cried, she would fulfill any request he made.

She had always thought that not being good to Wesley would be failing her parents and failing the warrior who had tried to save them.

But it had been four years. Four years.

She had catered to Wesley's every whim, convinced she was doing right by the warrior who had perished in the flames trying to save her parents.

But what about Caleb? What about her own brother?

Riley went upstairs and stood in front of Caleb's bedroom.

She pushed open the door to find it completely empty.

She went in and looked around, only now realizing he had taken so many of his belongings.

A sudden unease welled up inside her.

Like invisible, fine vines gradually climbing up her neck, making it difficult to breathe.

She sat on the bed and opened her phone, scrolling back and forth, finding no missed calls or texts from Caleb.

No updates on his social media either. Nothing at all.

Why hadn't he come home yet?

She scrolled through her contacts list repeatedly, finally giving in and calling Professor Smith, Caleb's academic advisor.

The call connected quickly, and the middle-aged professor's steady voice came through.

Riley beat around the bush, talking in circles for a while.

Finally, awkwardly, she asked. "Has Caleb been giving you any trouble these past few days?"

Professor Smith's voice was confused. "Caleb? How could he possibly give me any trouble now?"

For some reason, Riley's temple suddenly began throbbing intensely.

"Isn't he away with you on business? He hasn't returned yet, has he?"

There was a long silence before the professor's voice came back, heavy with undisguised sadness.

"Riley, what kind of joke is this? Yes, I escorted Caleb there, but how could he possibly come back with me?"