The Human |✔|

Caleb's pov

Earlier that night

"Hey bro. Where's Luka?" I glanced over my shoulder to see Ty sitting on the couch typing away on his laptop.

"He went for a run. He should be back before midnight" I shrugged my coat off and kicked off my boots. The day been exhausting yet fun.

"So how is he?" He asked, finally looking up from my laptop.

"He seems good so far. He obviously had fun today. He needed it, especially today" He nodded in understanding as I walked further into the room. I left out the part about when he was acting all weird.

Anyone who didn't know him would think that he was being normal, but I spent a whole year studying the guy-- he doesnt say things like 'I love you bro'. Something was off but I dont know what yet.

Or maybe he was just getting better.

I've been worried about him from the start, and I've been seeing some improvement. But I couldn't take the risk of him having a relapse today out of all days. Yet, I had to respect his space and alone time.

I don't even know why I cared so much. Even though we hated each other when we were growing up, he was the closest thing I had to a brother and I couldn't just sit and watch him ruin himself.

Who knows? Maybe the universe is on his side and he'll find love again.

I occupied myself in some work that I left behind this morning, and I got really lost it in. I didn't even notice how tired I was until a yawn broke from my chest. I also noticed that it was almost 10 in the night, over an hour since I got back. Where is Luka?

Maybe he wanted some alone time, but he wouldn't be running on human territory this long, and I couldn't feel the link in my mind so I knew he wasn't on our territory.

I started pacing in my office in frustration. I knew I shouldn't have left him. I had a bad feeling that something was wrong.

Taking out my phone, I dialed his number for the first time in ages. Given that we're wolves and we were barely more than forty miles apart, we always used our mind link. Cell phones were merely for emergencies. Emergencies like this. It rang three times before his voicemail came on.

What the hell?

I tried a couple more times, but received the same result. It was then that I really got worried. It wasn't like Luka to be out like this with no communication whatsoever. He's a grown man, but I still felt like I had to look out for him.

As if right on time, Ty busted through my office door, looking equally worried.

"Where's Luka? I thought you said he went for a run! Shouldn't he have been back by now? I cant even link him" He seemed frustrated and angry. Angry at me.

I sighed. "I don't know man. I didn't want to cluster him because he was getting better. Just being on his tail all the time would've made him feel like a kid"

"But he's unstable Caleb! Give him space any other day but not today!" He closed his eyes, calming down a little. "Did you know he's suicidal?" I snapped my head to him. What?

"I heard him talking in his room once. It was on Ella's birthday three months ago and I heard him say that he was going to join her. At first I didn't know what he meant, but I heard some ruffling then it went silent so I panicked and went in his room. He was no where to be seen so I went in his bathroom only to see him taking all kinds of different pills out the cabinet, and he had wolfsbane in his hand," He sighed, walking closer to me, sitting on my desk.

"He looked shocked to see me, but he didn't give himself away, said he had a headache and was looking for some aspirin. He said he found the wolfsbane in there and he was gonna get rid of it. But I could see through his lies.

"I called him out and he got pissed and started pushing me out his room. When I wouldn't budge, he made me promise that I wont tell anyone, and he gave me his word that he wouldn't attempt it again. He kept his word; I know because I kept an eye on him and he seemed fine since" He paused and made eye contact with me. "Until today".

My breath hitched. How come I've never noticed it before? And here I thought he was getting better..

Ty continued. "Today when I saw him come downstairs, he had that same detached look he had three months ago, and I knew another big day like this might have had an effect on him. I didn't want to be a dick and tell him not to try anything, so I simply depended on his word that he gave me. He seemed fine and I'm pretty sure that I started to see improvement but I know he was always hurting" He looked pained as he sighed deeply, running his hand over his face.

" Caleb, I know nobody can have a brother-like relationship with him like you, but he is still my brother. As an Alpha, I can feel the emotions of my pack members but I learnt to put them all at bay so it doesn't drive me crazy. It intensifies with family, and I never shut his emotions out.

"He's been hurting bro, especially today. I know I shouldn't blame you for not dragging him back home, but I can't help but imagine the worst. When we were growing up, he always took care of me and Emma, made sure we were okay and protected. I just-I just feel like it's my turn to take care of him." His voice cracked as he ended with a pained expression on his face.

How could I be so blind? All this time I was so focused on him healing, that I didn't take a moment to assess the damage. I failed him. I failed Ella once again. Throwing my head in my hands, I let out a shaky breath I didn't even know I was holding.

"Hey don't feel bad bro. I know its not your fault" He assured while patting my back.

My ringtone brought me out of my thoughts, and I saw an unknown number flashing across the screen. I picked up at the first ring.

"Hello?" I answered, trying not to make the worry in my voice evident.

"Hey Caleb. My name is Victoria and I have your friend" The woman on the phone said smoothly.

"You have Luka?" I almost shouted, feeling relieved. Ty perked up at my question.

"Uh yea he's asleep but I'll send you my address and you pick him up tom-"

"I'll come right now" I cut her off swiftly.

"Hey hey relax bro. It's been a long day and he's asleep. You can come by tomorrow. Don't worry, I wont kill him" She teased with a hint of amusement in her voice. Her tone annoyed me, since she obviously didn't understand the seriousness of the situation.

"I'll text you my address. You can pick him up tomorrow before eight. Be on time because I have work. If you make me late, I'll have your ass" she added a little too confident. She didn't know who she was talking to.

"Well goodnight Caleb, don't make me wait up for you now" She ended the call before I could answer. Oh you wont have to wait on me darling.

My phone flashed with a text, I assumed it was from this Victoria girl. Grabbing my keys and my coat, I started to make my way to the door.

"Hey where you going man?" Ty asked, looking at me as if I was crazy.

"I'm going for my friend"