赤裸裸的滑稽故事

“I promise,” he whispered, “I’m real.”

She squeezed her eyes tight and patted his back weakly. Relief, sorrow, and joy all overlapped in her heart and mind.

It was him. It was really him.

“Shh,” Caleb whispered soothingly as he gently stroked her hair. “It’s all right. I’m not going anywhere.”

Fiona nodded and tried to reign in her emotions, calm her tears, and take a deep breath. It took several minutes, but finally, she could place her hands on Caleb’s arms and gently pull away to look up at him.

“You look exactly the same,” she whispered, reaching her hand up and touching his cheek. “As though hardly a day had passed since we said goodbye.”

Caleb smiled and leaned into her hand.

“I know,” he whispered. “I’m sorry you had to go through all this. If I could have come back sooner… I swear, I would have.”

Fiona smiled, and then her smile shook. She swallowed as the emotions welled in her heart again.

“I truly thought I had lost you,” she said in a pained whisper.

Caleb’s smile fell, and he pulled her close again, hugging and squeezing her tight.

“I know…” he said.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, tears falling once more.

“No,” Caleb replied, shaking his head. “No, there is nothing for you to be sorry about.”

“I failed you,” she cried into his shoulder, “I failed you, Caleb.”

“No,” Caleb whispered, shaking his head and continuing to hug her. “Never, you never failed me.”

“Yes, I did,” she insisted. “I should have waited. I never should have stopped believing you were coming home!”

Caleb shook his head.

“No,” he said. “No, Mom… I never wanted you to stop living for me… never.”

Fiona pulled back and looked up at him. Her eyes were red from the strain of her tears. The expression on her face filled with guilt and fear. It gave Caleb a painful feeling in his chest.

He reached his hand up and touched her cheek tenderly.

“Mom,” Caleb whispered. “There’s a lot for us to talk about, a lot of time to make for… but it doesn’t have to happen right now.”

He smiled lovingly at her.

“You’ve had quite a shock,” he said. “And honestly, I just flew straight here with little sleep myself. I think we both need some rest. But I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

Fiona was hesitant to let go of him. She knew he was right. Her body felt weak, and her head was spinning. But she was afraid to go to sleep and wake up to realize this was just another dream. Another hopeful nightmare.

“Trust me,” Caleb said. “We have time.”

She looked up at him again, and suddenly, it wasn’t just Caleb she saw. It was Cain, his reassuring smile, and the warmth of his eyes. Feeling that connection between them released the last bit of tension that tied her stomach in knots. Swallowing down the lump in her throat, she smiled and nodded.

“We have time…” she whispered.

Caleb smiled and squeezed her shoulders affectionately as he nodded.

Fiona took a shaky step back. Landon had already moved behind her, ready to offer whatever she needed. She looked back at him and allowed him to put his hands on her hip and arm to support her.

Caleb raised his brow as he watched his mother move into the young Alpha’s arms. Landon glanced up, catching Caleb’s eye.

“I will take her to rest,” Landon said.

Caleb nodded. Landon began leading Fiona away but stopped just as they passed Caleb.

“I am happy you’re back, Caleb,” he said. “I hope we can find time to get to know each other better soon.”

One side of Caleb’s mouth lifted into a grin.

“Oh, you can count on it,” he said.

In return, Landon gave a slight smirk and nodded before leading Fiona out of the room.

Caleb watched curiously as Landon led his mother away, the half grin never leaving his face as they disappeared into the hall.

“Well…” he began, turning back toward the one person in the room. “That was a little weird.”

Caleb chuckled as he looked at Galen.

Galen stood in the same spot he had been when Caleb entered the room. His expression still held the shock from seeing his long-lost brother.

“I guess you must be used to it by now,” Caleb continued warmly. “Ash says it’s been almost two years?”

Galen still didn’t respond. Caleb cleared his throat and moved toward his brother. He smiled and opened his arms, preparing to hug Galen and reassure him that he was still him.

But, to Caleb’s surprise, before he got close enough to touch him, Galen dropped to his knees before Caleb.

Caleb furrowed his brow and dropped his arms.

“What are you—?” Caleb began to ask.

“I’m sorry,” Galen whispered, dropping his head.

Caleb looked down at his best friend, his brother. Kneeling before him with his head hung in shame. He thought of his mother, begging for forgiveness.

Caleb took a deep breath.

15:10

He squatted down in front of Galen.

He had seen Ashleigh\'s pain over his disappearance, and he knew his family had missed him. But he had never expected this. His mother and brother groveling apologies toward him as if anything that had happened was their fault.

“I’m sorry,” Galen whispered again. His voice shook, and his entire body trembled under the weight of his guilt. “I never wanted to take anything from you… I never wanted to give up… I swear.”

Caleb took a deep breath.

He squatted down in front of Galen.

“Look at me,” he said.

Galen swallowed, hesitating.

“Look at me,” Caleb insisted.

Galen slowly lifted his head and looked up into Caleb’s silvery eyes. He swallowed, feeling a heaviness in his chest that made him worry he couldn’t take a breath.

“Thank you,” Caleb whispered.

Galen furrowed his brow.

“For taking care of our family, our people,” Caleb continued. “For knowing that you needed to step up and do what only you could.”

Galen took a shaky breath as he listened to Caleb’s words and looked away.

“Not before Summer turned on itself…” he said shamefully.

Caleb sighed.

“Nobody’s perfect,” he said. “But I’m proud of you, Brother. You kept your promise… even though I know it hurt you to do it.”

Galen closed his eyes.

“You’ve done an amazing job,” Caleb whispered. “Just like I always knew you would.”

Galen sniffled and opened his eyes. Filled with tears, he stared back at Caleb.

Caleb smiled.

Galen lunged forward and hugged Caleb, who laughed but returned the hug.

“I missed you, Brother,” Galen whispered.

Caleb took a deep breath and nodded.

“I missed you, too.”

They stayed like that for a few minutes until Caleb finally forced them both to their feet.

He took a deep breath and smiled at Galen.

“Now,” Caleb said softly, “let me do this properly.”

Galen furrowed his brow, unsure of his friend’s meaning.

Caleb smiled.

He stood up straight, and, making a solid fist, he brought it firmly to his heart. Galen’s eyes widened as Caleb lowered his head.

“Greetings, my Alpha,” Caleb said proudly.