The wind was starting to blow harsher, winter was just on the cusp I could feel it. No snow was on the ground yet. I'm sure that made it easier for the ones cleaning up the backyard. The battle that took place left a huge mess and most of the ground was up turned, so Caleb put together a group of volunteers to landscape it.

I took a sip from the steaming hot mug in my hands, another indicator that the seasons were changing, my throat had become scratchy and sore over the past few days. From our balcony I spotted Jack and Sophie walking together. They were smiling, Sophie bumped into Jack's side after something he'd said. I couldn't deny how cute they looked together.

"Aren't you cold?" Caleb asked, walking up behind me. He placed his arms on the railing on either side of me, trapping me in.

I hummed, leaning back against his chest. "Not anymore," I said, taking another drink from my tea.

We were quite for a moment, watching the same pair walk and laugh together.

"That was really generous of you," I said, turning to face him, "to let them be together. Despite pack rules."

He shrugged, placing a kiss on the top of my head, then resting his forehead against mine. "It was the least I could do. Though, I don't think he'll ever forgive me."

Jack hadn't spoken to him since Caleb apologized. Even when Caleb granted them permission to mark one another, Jack said nothing. He felt betrayed. Who was supposed to be more loyal than a brother? The fact that Caleb had known, when he'd realized I wasn't sure, and continued to be with his brother's mate out of duty. I understood Jack's anger. However, Caleb was just as duty-bound as Sophie was. No one had much of a choice in anything.

Caleb agreed with my proposal to edit the duties of the Beta's daughter. The council would never agree to completely throw away the position, but under the circumstance that she found her mate, she was given the same rights as an Alpha. However, I think Caleb would agree to anything I'd ask for right now. I could feel the anxiety in him everyday, mixed with my own. We didn't talk much about the deal he'd made with Alec.

"I think he will," I said. "Just give him some time. After a few weeks of not having to hide his feelings for Sophie anymore, he'll be so drunk on love we'll be going on double dates before you know it."

"Sure," he chuckled, rubbing his hands up and down my arms to warm me. "Let's go inside."

On one of my restless nights, I had arranged the room back to how it originally was. Really all I had done was move the couch back in front of the fireplace. After setting down my tea, I dropped onto the sofa dramatically. Caleb sat next to me, lifting my legs so he could sit under them before resting them across his lap.

"We got everything squared away with your school," he said. Caleb pulled off my shoes one after the other, and began rubbing my feet gently. "Your grandmother's accident was no doubt traumatic, so your absences won't be counting against you. Jack will bring home the work you missed, and you can return when you feel comfortable."

"And?" I probed.

"Your grandmother is doing well with her physical therapy, she'll be discharged soon and allowed to return home. I hired a nurse to help her adjust over the next few months."

"Thank you," I said, sitting up. "And what about the elephant that you're avoiding?"

Caleb's hands paused for a moment, but continued. "I was hoping we could postpone your departure until after we finished hashing out new boarder lines, but Alec isn't budging. He doesn't trust me, especially since you've refused to see him every time he's here. He thinks I'm trying to keep you away, or that I won't hold up to my end of the deal."

I'd been avoiding Alec as much as I could. Ideally, I wanted to keep my contact with him down to the one week out of the month that was required. I figured that if majority of my time was with Caleb then, surely, my feelings wouldn't change.

"His pack is still getting settled. They are restoring some of the old buildings already in place there, and he's assured me that yours will be ready and up to code before you arrive. You'll be with him for the last week of the month." He stopped messaging my feet and looked at me, his gaze intense. "If, at any time, you are uncomfortable, or want to come home, call me and I will come get you."

I sighed, leaning forward I laid a gentle hand on his cheek. His eyes closed from my touch. "Thank you," I said, full well knowing I couldn't do that.

Caleb was still under the impression that I was scared to be alone with Alec. I didn't plan on changing his mind. If everything went the way I hoped it would, he'd never know the reason for my caution. I hoped he'd never know the way I truly felt about his brother.