Chapter 40

Caleb

I stared out past the rails on the balcony, watching the stars twinkle into view. The party had been going for hours now, and although it was now night, the energy had not yet died down. The music was still going strong, and the chatter of overlapping conversations drifted past me.

“Caleb!” I heard Joseph’s voice call from somewhere inside the crowd. I turned around to see him jogging up to meet me, “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been looking for you for ages.”

“Oh you know, I’ve been around,” I said, turning away from him to hide the expression on my face. I had known Joseph for a long time, and if there was anyone who would be able to read exactly what I was thinking, it was him.

“Well, not around nearly enough,” he said, “Duchess Kesterly has been trying to start deals with some of the Bears to make her own businesses more profitable, and I heard rumors that some of Lucas’s firm supporters wanted to defect to you after your speeches earlier tonight.”

I raised an eyebrow, “The first part we’ll need to intervene, but the second part is good news.”

“Good news?” Joseph laughed, his head tilted backwards. “Caleb, this is great news. This night could not be going better.”

“I’m glad to hear it. You know how much we need this to be a success, our ascension to the throne is riding on public opinion and how well the Ball goes over.”

Joseph nodded seriously, “So far, Lucas doesn’t seem to be trying to cause any trouble, and since that was the biggest concern, I’d say we’re in the clear.”

“Good,” I responded. I was genuinely pleased, but after the revelation with Ruby’s love letter to Lucas, it was difficult to act optimistic.

“What’s going on?” Joseph asked, waving his hand in front of my eyes like I had been zoning out. “Is anyone home?”

I pushed him out of my face, but couldn’t help smiling. “Asshole.”

“You should be happier about this, I just don’t understand what’s gotten into you.”

“Nothing has gotten into me, I’m just tired. You know what a long process this has been, I’m just happy we’re almost done with it.”

Joseph nodded, resting his elbows on the balcony railing. I looked down to the ground where a group of reporters with their news trucks had gathered in front of the palace entrance. Their new anchor voices were completely drowned out by the noise in the ballroom behind us.

“I can understand that,” he said, his voice soft like he was deep in thought. “But we have poured so much energy and work into this night, I think we are allowed to sit back and enjoy the show.”

“Mm,” I hummed in agreement.

“Especially with everything Ruby did. Have you been hearing the Bears interacting with our officials? They want to work with us, and with the businesses and industry in the Lycan Kingdom. We couldn’t have done that without her.”

“Yeah,” I said, falling right back into my anger again.

“I know your relationship with her has been a bit rocky, and you don’t always get along, but you have to admit how much of this success you owe to her. I mean, it was brilliant to bring Rachel in–”

“Yes, Ruby is smart, we don’t have to sing her praises all night.” I said shortly, avoiding Joseph’s gaze.

“So you’re back off again?” He asked, sounding somewhat amused.

“I don’t think we were ever on,” I responded, thinking of the passionate words in her letter to Lucas. If she could say those things to him so casually, how could I ever trust her to be honest with me?

Ruby

I had walked up the stairs to the second level of balconies outside the ballroom, and was watching the light show over the indoor fountain. The levels of color were mesmerizing and as exhausted as I was from the evening of chatting with diplomats, it was easy to get lost in the display.

I sighed, wondering what had happened to Caleb. The dirt on his hands was strange when I last saw him storming through the ballroom crowd, and I desperately hoped he hadn’t accidentally gotten himself into a fight.

I needed to talk to him as soon as I saw him again, especially with the Alpha Ball nearly behind us, it was more important than ever that we showed a united front. He was childish when he was upset, but I had to make him understand the stakes.

“Ruby?” I heard behind me, and I turned to see Daniel climbing the final step.

“You made it!” I exclaimed, running over and jumping into his embrace. “I was wondering where you were all night, I didn’t think you were going to be able to come!”

“And not get to see the party that you planned?” He said, grinning. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

I pulled him over to the inner rails, pointing out the beautiful lights and sparklers. “I think I did a pretty good job, wouldn’t you say?”

He pushed my arm playfully, “It’s alright, but I’ve seen better.”

I laughed, “I don’t think you’ve seen any at all. When was the last time you went to a Ball with a royal invite?”

Daniel raised his hands in mock defeat, “You got me there.”

“So, what do you think?” I asked excitedly, “Did you try any of the food before you walked up here? How were the hors d’oeuvres? The tomato and smoked confit was my favorite–”

“Everything was delicious, Ruby. You did an incredible job.” He said. “Honestly, I thought the donation boxes were a great touch, too.”

I crinkled my brow. “Wait, donation boxes? What do you mean?”

Daniel cocked his head like he didn’t understand the question. “The donation boxes around the ballroom? I assumed you put those up, they have different requests for food, clothes, money, shoes.”

I shook my head, “That wasn’t me.”

“Oh,” Daniel said, as we both realized Caleb must have been responsible. “It is a really great thing to do, especially when you have so many wealthy people in attendance who are able to donate to these important causes.”

I scanned the room from above, and realized that many of the elaborate floral arrangements were actually emerging out of mailboxes, with paper slips around them for guests to check off their donations.

The sight nearly brought tears to my eyes, but I wiped them away before Daniel could see. I knew he accepted that I trust Caleb, but it was still clear to me he didn’t particularly like my choice of fiance.

“I think I need to have a talk with someone, do you mind if I head back to the floor?” I asked.

Daniel opened his mouth to speak, but I turned and dashed down the spiral stairs.

I looked up from the last step to see Caleb and Joseph at the other end of the balcony. The breeze blew Caleb’s dark auburn hair out of its neatly set waves, and for a brief moment I thought I saw the boy he might have once been. A boy who grew up to care about people so deeply, he couldn’t give up any opportunity to help them.