Push Away

After Ashton returned home he was questioned for his reason for being late. However, since they knew he went to a friend's house they weren't as worried way too much. When he told his mother everything that happened, she was beyond horrified. Despite every reassurance she twirled him around to check for injuries. 

She even made him his favorite roasted beef, for which she went to shop around in the evening, just to cheer him up. Since Ashton was abducted he actually didn't get to shop for his family.

After they were done with dinner he went straight to bed. He contemplated falling asleep but the events from earlier the day just kept him wide awake. 

Ashton was glad that he didn't leave the area yet, despite being thrown out of there. He was baffled when Caleb's wolf form tried to kick him away from the situation, especially when he could have been more helpful. For this reason he had no idea why Caleb didn't want him there. Maybe because he knew wolves were coming?

He would have had to explain Ashton's disappearance despite that since Matt saw him, unless Caleb tells him the truth now that his secret was out to him. At this point even he was unsure of his own future, and the uncertainty was killing him.

When he spotted the wolves roaming around searching for the lost wolves he knew they needed some help. So he howled to grab their attention before he made a run for it.

He did not stick around to see the entire situation. He simply assumed everything would be under control. Alas, this was just his assumption, and the anticipation of not knowing what happened was killing him. Just what happened to his resolution to mind his own business from the time he moved in?

He was tossing and turning around in the bed when he suddenly recalled that he did have Caleb's number and maybe he can call and find out. It was probably late to call him, but he didn't care. He dialed the number and waited for the other to reply.

It kept on ringing and Ashton was about to hang up when Caleb picked up. "Hello"? Caleb answered from the other side. His voice was crystal clear which meant he was wide awake and was not awakened by Ashton's call. Then why did he pick up late?

"Are you alright? Did they get her? Is everything alright"? He bombarded the other with questions. 

"Don't worry about it. I am fine. Did you make it back properly"? Caleb asked him.

"Yeah". Ashton replied in a soft voice. Neither of them spoke for a whole minute. Either they had nothing to talk about or they did, but didn't know how to put them into words. 

"I am sorry you got involved in all this mess". Caleb spoke up after the silence. 

"I am glad that I did". Ashton replied without skipping a beat. Even Ashton didn't realise what he spoke until a moment after when Caleb asked him, "What"?

"What"? Ashton asked back, flustered by his own words. "I meant, I was able to help you. I just regret not doing it sooner". 

After a heavy sigh Caleb spoke. "Thanks for doing that. But you don't have to do that for me anymore". 

"Wait what are you talking about"? Ashton was taken aback by that statement. 

"I'm sorry for being intrusive. Maybe if I hadn't been like that things would have gone differently" he paused for a moment "Try to stay out of my business, and I will stay out of yours". Caleb spoke and without waiting for any reply he hung up.

Ashton stared at his phone as he tried to figure out the interaction he just had. He could not comprehend no matter how much he racked his brains. Caleb was usually a very chill guy and never once did he hesitate sharing stuff with Ashton once he found out his biggest secret. 

It wasn't like he was in any kind of real danger today. In fact his presence there turned out to be more beneficial. Then why was Caleb pushing him away now? Exactly what happened there after he left.

He had hoped that this one phone call would make him calmer, but instead it raised his anxiety levels. He tried to fall asleep the whole night but he stayed awake. Apart from the fact he was worried about what happened, he also felt bad for Sara.

He would not agree with her tactics, but he would agree that she was wronged. The wolves indeed had the upper hand in this area. If her parents were killed simply for just being witches, they would surely come after him for being a pureblooded Alpha once they discover his true identity.

He always thought the strict rules here would mean something different, but who was he kidding? It was unfair to anyone whom they could subdue by power. He himself needed to be careful now. Maybe staying away from Caleb is not such a worst idea after all. But then again, he was not sure if he will be able to or not.