Chapter 4

• Convinced that this couldn't be real, Althea's confusion turned to instinctual self-defense. In a state of shock and disbelief, she impulsively reached out and slapped Caleb across the face, hoping to wake herself from this surreal nightmare.
• As Althea's hazy vision cleared, she could discern Caleb's appearance, seemingly unscathed and exuding an air of composure. His chiseled features boasted high cheekbones, accentuating his striking good looks. His eyes, a mesmerizing hue of chestnut, held a mix of surprise and pain from the unexpected slap.
• He was dressed immaculately, as if untouched by the chaos of the previous night. His attire consisted of a crisp, tailored shirt and well-fitted trousers, further emphasizing his polished demeanor.
• Caleb winced, his hand instinctively rising to his stinging cheek. "Ow," he uttered, a tinge of disbelief in his voice.
• Althea's initial remorse gave way to a surge of defiance. "Sorry? No, not sorry," she retorted, her voice filled with simmering anger. "You deserved that and a lot more. What are you doing in my room?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
• She sat up slowly, resting her back against the wall, her face blank.
• Caleb laughed anxiously, his hand instinctively running through his chestnut hair as he tried to pacify the tense atmosphere. "Easy there, darlin'," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "I didn't mean to startle you. I came here because... because I needed to talk to you."
• Althea's eyes narrowed, her patience waning. She bristled at his attempt to soften the situation with endearing words. "Keep your 'darlin' to yourself," she snapped, her tone laced with irritation. "I asked a question: What are you doing here?"
• A dangerous growl rumbled in Althea's throat, a warning to Caleb not to overstep her boundaries. Her stance grew more assertive as she awaited his response, her eyes filled with a fiery determination that dared him to provide an explanation worthy of her trust.
• Caleb took a deep breath, his voice tinged with apprehension as he began to explain. "Look, Althea, your father let me in. He said he wanted us to talk things out, find some resolution."
• Althea rolled her eyes, a mix of exasperation and resignation crossing her face. "Of course, that's so typical of my father," she muttered under her breath. "Always meddling, thinking he knows what's best for me."
• Her gaze fixed on Caleb, her tone firm and resolute. "Well, I'm sorry, but I don't need his interference or your explanations. Get out. Get out now," she demanded, her voice carrying the weight of her frustration and determination to assert her independence.
• Caleb's insistence persisted, his determination blinding him to Althea's boundaries. He took a step closer, his voice pleading, "Darling, please, just listen to me. I need you to understand."
• Althea felt a surge of anger and frustration welling up within her, the primal instincts of her inner wolf beginning to take hold. In a moment of instinctive defense, she allowed her transformation to take over, her body halfway shifting into that of a powerful wolf. Her claws extended, she swiftly swiped at Caleb's arm, leaving behind angry gashes that began to bleed.
• Caleb recoiled, his eyes wide with shock and pain. "You bitch!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and hurt.
• Althea's laughter rang out, her half-wolf form emanating an air of dominance. "Well, I am a female wolf," she retorted with a mischievous grin. "And just like dogs, it seems you can't keep your thing in your pants."
• The realization of her own strength and the satisfaction of asserting herself against Caleb's betrayal filled her with a renewed sense of empowerment.
• Caleb, clutching his bleeding arm, mustered the courage to speak, his voice strained with remorse. "Althea, please... it was a mistake. I never meant to cheat on you. I don't even know how it happened."
• Althea's eyes narrowed as she stared at him, a mix of skepticism and anger evident in her gaze. "A mistake?" she scoffed. "Do you expect me to believe that? How do you accidentally cheat on someone?"
• Caleb's voice wavered with a hint of desperation. "I can't explain it. I was weak, and I made a terrible choice. But I regret it deeply. You have to believe me."
• Althea's wolfish features softened slightly, but her guard remained high. "Regret isn't enough, Caleb. Trust once broken is not easily repaired. How could you betray me like this?"
• Caleb's face displayed genuine pain and remorse. "I know I messed up, Althea. I can't change what happened, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it right, to earn back your trust. Please, give me a chance to prove myself."
• As Caleb began tried to look at her with sad eyes, Althea's voice cut through the air, laced with a mix of bitterness and defiance. "Prove yourself? Prove yourself to do what? For me to trust you again? Over my dead body."
• Her words hung in the air, the weight of her pain and betrayal palpable. Althea couldn't help but add a snarky retort, unable to contain her resentment. "And by the way, cheater, good luck finding someone who will ever trust you again."
• Caleb flinched at her biting words, his remorse deepening. He turned back briefly, his eyes meeting Althea's with a glimmer of sorrow. "I understand if you can't forgive me, Althea. But I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it right."
• Althea's expression hardened, her determination unwavering. "Rest assured, Caleb, you won't be spending the rest of your life trying to make it right with me. We're done. Now, leave."
• Caleb's face twisted with a mix of anger and desperation as he refused to heed Althea's command to leave. His voice dripped with venom as he lashed out, his words intended to wound. "Oh, you think you can just walk away? Well, let me tell you, Althea, you're going to spend your years alone, withering away like a vegetable. No one will ever marry you. You'll be nothing but a lonely, pathetic soul for the rest of your life."
• Althea felt a surge of fury rise within her, his hurtful words striking a raw nerve. But instead of succumbing to his verbal assault, she found strength in her own resilience. "Is that so, Caleb? Well, I'd rather spend my life alone and free than be shackled to a cheater like you. I won't let your toxicity define my future. Now, leave before I make you regret ever crossing my path."
• With determination burning in her eyes, Althea held her ground, refusing to let Caleb's cruel words seep into her soul. She knew deep down that she deserved better than the love tainted by betrayal, and she would not allow his attempts to undermine her worth and happiness.
• "...I was drunk and they used that as the perfect timing to bring her to me. They used me so that their daughter would not go to the mating ball."
• She gritted her teeth. Are people really these shameless? Do they really think like that?
• They just decided to plan their child's future with another man just like that? How disgusting can they be?
• As Caleb tried to regain his composure, Althea's controlled and firm voice pierced through the tension. "I see that. I see it all. But I am not about to cry over spilled milk."
• Caleb froze momentarily, his confusion evident in the furrowing of his eyebrows as he straightened up, his hands falling to his sides.
• Then, Althea revealed something that caught Caleb off guard. "Her parents have discussed this 'incident' with mine."
• 'Incident? Of course, that was how they would refer to it,' Althea thought cynically, but she chose to focus on the facts and asked, "And...?"
• Caleb took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to express himself. "Althea, I want you to know that I love you very much. I want us to be together. I do want to build a family with you."
• Althea's expression remained stoic, and her response was laced with skepticism. "I am sure that wasn't what you guys concluded on."
• Caleb took a deep breath, the weight of his next words evident in his expression. "Althea, there's something I need to tell you," he began hesitantly. "I... I will be getting married to Josephine."