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Once the newlyweds had finally pulled themselves apart, they went about greeting their guests and introducing Ashleigh to all those that hadn’t had a chance to meet her yet. They received congratulations and blessings, followed by questions about when they would be bringing a new heir to the Summer throne.

Caleb always managed to direct the conversation away from the subject as he felt the slight panic in Ashleigh each time it was brought up.

After finishing their rounds, they retreated to their cabana, taking a seat on the couch and relaxing in each other’s arms as they watched their people enjoy the festivities.

“This is beautiful,” Ashleigh said quietly, looking out at the decorations and the tables.

It was simple and yet lovely, classy. Understated but inviting and comforting.

“I was nervous about this party,” she said.

Caleb looked at her, a soft smile on his lips as she offered her worries without him asking first.

“I was afraid it would be big, lots of lights, decorations, a show or some kind of stage that I had to sit and smile and be watched at all times by everyone in attendance,” she said.

Caleb looked around, catching the glances of several wolves that smiled at how comfortable the Alpha and Luna were with their affection.

“Do you think we are not on stage now?” he asked with a chuckle.

Ashleigh smiled.

“We are, but we would be no matter what. So this,” she said, waving her arm to indicate the cabana, “at least feels like a layer of privacy.”

Caleb rested his head against hers as he listened to her speak._.

“I feel welcome. I feel embraced,” she said. “But I don’t feel like a sideshow or some kind of doll on display.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Caleb whispered, kissing her head.

“Besides,” she smiled. “It reminds me of our honeymoon.”

Caleb laughed.

“Yes,” he said. “Now I know why Clara was asking me all about where we stayed.”

Ashleigh smiled and leaned into him, feeling his heartbeat, listening to his soft breaths.

“Is there something on your mind?” he asked.

Ashleigh swallowed.

“I was just wondering,” she said quietly. “I didn’t see Galen.”

Caleb clenched his jaw, and Ashleigh felt him pulling away.

“He already had the approval to visit Bell before we moved the celebration, I saw no reason to take that time away from them,” he said.

Ashleigh sat up and turned to look at him. He looked away but not before she saw the flash of anger.

“I thought we agreed to be more honest with each other,” she said.

Caleb lifted his eyes to her and then looked away.

“Nothing I said was a lie,” he sighed.

“No,” she smiled. “But it wasn’t the whole story.”

“Ash…”

“Caleb.”

Caleb clenched his jaw and sat forward with his elbows on his knees.

“What do you want to hear?” he asked. “Yes, I got angry, I punched him. Once.”

“Caleb…”

“I didn’t do anything else; I didn’t hurt him, and I didn’t send him away,” he growled softly.

Ashleigh reached out and took his hand in hers. He looked back at her.

“Why are you so angry?” she asked.

“What?” Caleb asked, shocked by her question. There was a sudden rush of anger in his system. He growled. “Ash… he tried to kill you!”

Ashleigh touched his cheek to try and calm him.

“Shh… it’s ok,” she whispered. “Listen, I understand that it was shocking. But Galen didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Are you kidding me?” Caleb demanded.

“Caleb…”

“Ashleigh!” he growled and stood up angrily.

Ashleigh licked her lips as she looked at the concerned eyes that turned to them. Then, finally, she stood up and grabbed his hand.

“Let’s take a walk,” she suggested, pulling him away.

Corrine and Fiona gave each other a knowing glance before standing to mingle and distract the crowd.

Ashleigh led Caleb away from the courtyard. They found a small corner between two of the residential buildings.

Caleb sighed and leaned back against the wall.

He was angry, furious. He thought he could let it go. He hoped he could. But every time he thought about it, every time he saw Galen holding the knife above Ashleigh, ready to strike her down. His heart clenched, and he was filled with such rage he feared he couldn’t control it.

Caleb had been relieved when he heard that Galen had left that morning. He hated being angry at his brother and hated feeling relieved at his departure. But he was more afraid of what would happen if he lost his temper.

“Caleb,” Ashleigh called to him.

“Ashleigh, I don’t want to talk about this,” he sighed. “It will just make me angrier.”

“Caleb, I can’t just ignore this. I caused a problem between the two of you. I need to try and–”

“He caused the problem,” Caleb growled.

“He was scared and confused. He was trying to protect your mother, Caleb,” Ashleigh sighed.

“He tried to kill you, Ashleigh!” Caleb shouted.

“I tried to kill him first!” Ashleigh shouted back, frustrated by his unwillingness to listen.

Caleb was stunned.

The memory was called back without any effort on his part. He watched as Ashleigh shoved Galen hard. He lifted off the ground and flew back, his body slamming against the building behind him. A sickening thud and pained groan echoed through Caleb’s memory.

Galen’s hand moved up to press against his lower abdomen. He cried out in pain as he touched the deep crimson stain on his shirt.

Caleb remembered his deep rage and the overwhelming need to protect his brother. He swallowed and pushed the memory away.

“That was different,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Yes,” Ashleigh nodded. “I didn’t have a good reason to hurt him… but Galen did.”

“No, he–”

“I almost killed your mother, Caleb!”

Caleb looked up at her with eyes wide. He took deep breaths through his nose and clenched his jaw tight.

“No… you didn’t…” he struggled to respond.

“I did.”

Caleb swallowed and licked his lips, looking away from her.

“How can you be angry at Galen for almost hurting me and not be angry at me when I actually hurt Fiona?” Ashleigh asked.

“Because it wasn’t you,” he said. “You didn’t know what you were doing.”

“Do you really think he did?” Ashleigh asked. “Do you really think he thought clearly in his mind, ‘I am going to kill Ashleigh right now’?”

Caleb sighed.

“All he knew was that his mother was in danger. So he did the same thing any of us would do. I tried to do the same thing when I saw Granger ready to kill you. He tried to protect his family.”

Caleb clenched his jaw and looked away.

He was quiet. His chest hurt.

“But he’s supposed to protect you too,” Caleb sighed sadly. “As his Luna, as his sister. I trusted him… more than anyone else.”