Chapter 135
Caleb's POV
Now, sitting in this hotel room with darkness falling outside, I processed what I'd learned.
Ellie Green: Computer science major, wealthy family in Mapleton, able to draw the complete attention of two different men simultaneously. No significant social media presence, which was unusual and suggested someone trying to stay hidden.
Smart. Cautious.
I stood and returned to the window, adjusting the telescope. The Green family was moving now—standing, stretching. Dinner must be over. They were heading toward the living room, settling in around what looked like a board game on the coffee table.
I focused the lens on Ellie again, watching her expression as she laughed at something. The Christmas lights reflected in her eyes—were they amber? Hard to tell from this distance, but the color seemed unusual. Distinctive.
Wolf eyes.
Ellie Green was a werewolf. Hidden, concealed, living among humans with her family as cover. Just like Jackson.
If Jackson had found his fated mate—if they'd already completed the marking ceremony—then he was no longer just a cousin with alpha bloodline. He was a genuine threat to everything. To Father's leadership. To my inheritance. To the entire future I'd been promised since birth.
The kind of threat that couldn't be negotiated with or controlled.
The kind of threat that had to be eliminated.
No. I forced myself to breathe, to think logically. I didn't have all the information yet. Had Jackson marked her? Or were they still in the early stages, vulnerable to disruption?
I needed more data. Needed to get closer, to observe them directly. Needed to see if Ellie bore Jackson's mark—the distinctive scar that bonded mates carried, usually hidden at the junction of neck and shoulder.
I pulled out my laptop and opened the encrypted family channel, my fingers flying across the keyboard.
To: Tristan Delgado
Subject: URGENT - Placement Required
I need a position at Cedar View University within one week. Computer science department, ideally in student advising or tutoring. Use whatever leverage necessary. This is alpha inheritance priority—highest classification.
Tristan would understand. He'd been with our family for three generations, had served my grandfather and my father before me. If I told him this was about securing my position as alpha heir, he'd move mountains.
My phone buzzed almost immediately.
From: Tristan
CVU isn't in our usual territory. Will cost political capital and financial resources. How urgent?
To: Tristan
Critical. Jackson Wilson might have found a potential fated mate. Need direct observation of both subjects. Bond status unknown. Authorization to spend whatever required—call in any favors, make any promises necessary.
Three dots appeared as Tristan typed. Then:
From: Tristan
Understood. This changes everything. Will activate full network. Expect update in 48 hours. Preparing contingency protocols in case bond is complete.
Good. Tristan was efficient when properly motivated.
I closed the laptop, returning to the window. The lights in the Green house were dimming now—late evening settling in. I could see movement through the windows, people preparing for bed.
What now?
I forced myself to think strategically, analyzing the scenarios.
Best case scenario: Ellie was just a regular werewolf, someone Jackson was dating casually. No fated mate bond, no marking, just a relationship that might fizzle out naturally. Minimal threat level. I could monitor from a distance, maybe even use their relationship as leverage to control Jackson if necessary.
Moderate threat scenario: Fated mates, but bond incomplete. No marking ceremony yet. They'd recognized each other, were drawn together by instinct, but hadn't sealed the connection. That gave me options. The bond could be disrupted—poison it with doubt and suspicion, create conflicts, drive wedges between them. Humans broke up relationships all the time. With werewolves, the stakes were higher and the methods required more finesse, but the principle was the same.
Worst case scenario: Fully bonded, marked, connected at the soul level. Jackson's alpha potential already awakening, his power growing exponentially with every day the bond strengthened. In that scenario, I had limited options. A completed fated mate bond was nearly impossible to break—trying to separate them would only make them cling tighter, make Jackson more protective and dangerous.
If they were fully bonded...
My phone buzzed again. Tristan.
From: Tristan
Found opening at CVU. One of their CS advisors is taking emergency medical leave spring semester—family crisis, indefinite timeline. Can arrange replacement position through our education network contacts. Need three days to finalize paperwork and create cover identity.
To: Tristan
Acceptable. Fast-track it. I need to be embedded on campus before spring semester begins. What's the cover story?
From: Tristan
Visiting scholar from European university system, specializing in cybersecurity education and international student integration. Your "research focus" will be helping first-generation college students adapt to technical majors. Gives you legitimate access to Ellie Green's academic life and advising records.
I smiled. Perfect. Tristan always did understand the value of a good cover story.
To: Tristan
Approved. Have full credentials and documentation ready by December 28th. I'll need background materials, teaching philosophy, everything that would stand up to faculty scrutiny.
From: Tristan
Consider it done. Will also prepare contingency plans for various scenarios. If the bond is complete, we'll need... alternative strategies.
I knew what he meant. If Jackson and Ellie were fully bonded, disruption wouldn't work. We'd need to consider more permanent solutions.
Eliminate the mate, eliminate the power source.
It was a cold calculation, but Father had raised me to make cold calculations. Sentiment was weakness. Mercy was vulnerability. The alpha who hesitated was the alpha who fell.
I wouldn't hesitate.
I turned back to the window one last time. Snow was falling harder now, coating Mapleton in pristine white. The Green house sat peaceful in the darkness, smoke still curling from the chimney, Christmas lights creating a warm glow against the cold night.
Soon, Jackson, I thought. Soon I'll stand in front of your precious Ellie Green, look her in the eyes, and know the truth. I'll see if she bears your mark. I'll sense the depth of your bond.
And if you're truly a threat to everything I've worked for...
I'll eliminate you before you even understand the danger you're in.
The Christmas lights on the Green house flickered once, then steadied. Inside, four people slept peacefully, unaware that a predator watched from the shadows.
Sweet dreams, cousin.
Enjoy this peace while it lasts.
Because come January, everything changes.