"Bang!" The gunshot rang out, and in an instant, the crowd on the street screamed and scattered in all directions. Serena's body instinctively stiffened, but before she could react, a figure lunged at her like a gust of wind, slamming her to the ground. A bullet whizzed past her ear, embedding itself into the wall of the building behind her with a spark.
"Serena, don't move!" Caleb's urgent, low voice sounded in her ear. His arm shielded her head, his body almost entirely covering hers, like an unbreakable shield.
The gunman in the gray hoodie clearly hadn't expected interference. He cursed under his breath and turned to fire again. But Caleb was faster—almost instantaneous. He released Serena, darted forward in a single stride, and grabbed the gunman's wrist with one hand, twisting it hard. A sharp crack echoed as the gunman's scream barely escaped before Caleb's knee slammed into him, sending him crashing to the ground. The pistol skidded far across the pavement.
The entire sequence took mere seconds. Caleb's movements were clean and ruthless, carrying the ferocity of a beast. Serena pulled herself up from the ground, brushing off the dust, her gaze settling on Caleb. His shirt was torn, revealing taut, solid muscle beneath.
"Let's go!" Caleb didn't give her time to think. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the dispersing crowd, vanishing around a corner. The gunman writhed on the ground for a moment before being subdued by company security, but Serena knew this was only the beginning.
Minutes later, they arrived at a concealed underground parking garage. Caleb let go of her hand and scanned their surroundings, ensuring it was safe before turning to her. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but his tone remained gentle. "You okay?"
Serena rubbed her bruised shoulder and fixed him with a cold stare. "Who are you, really?"
Caleb froze for a moment, then gave a wry smile, lowering his gaze to avoid hers. "I'm still your assistant, Serena. Just… there are things I haven't told you." He paused, then looked up, his eyes resolute. "But my loyalty to you has never wavered."
"Loyalty?" Serena narrowed her eyes, her tone laced with skepticism. "The speed and strength you just showed—that's not something an ordinary person can do. Don't play games with me, Caleb."
He took a deep breath and finally revealed a partial truth. "I'm not ordinary. I'm… a werewolf. But don't worry—I'd never hurt you. I'm here to protect you."
Serena's pupils contracted slightly, but she didn't show much surprise, only letting out a cold huff. "A werewolf? Fine, that explains your skills. But now's not the time for this—who sent that gunman?"
Caleb's gaze sharpened instantly. He crouched down, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped the blood from his hands, his tone steadying. "I don't know who exactly, but I'll find out. You head back to the hotel. I'll handle this."
Before Serena could respond, he was already moving. He picked up a button the gunman had dropped, held it to his nose, and sniffed, his brow furrowing. "This scent… it's familiar." Then he pulled out his phone and dialed a number, speaking in a low, firm voice. "Jack, take a few guys to Fifth Avenue. Check the surveillance from noon today for any suspicious vehicles. And have someone keep an eye on Oscar."
Hanging up, he turned to Serena and explained, "The scent on that guy—it's from the Group's building. It could be someone from the inside, but I need to confirm."
Serena leaned against the car, arms crossed, watching him quietly as he worked. She had to admit, Caleb wasn't just physically formidable—his mind was sharper than she'd expected. He didn't panic; he analyzed clues methodically, leaving no detail unchecked. An assistant like this was indeed a stroke of luck.
Over the next hour, Caleb moved like a true predator, weaving through the city. He tapped into his werewolf senses to track the gunman's escape route and made calls to discreet contacts, gathering intel. Serena sat in the car, listening as he issued commands with an undeniable authority in his voice.
By nightfall, Caleb returned to her side. His shirt was soaked with sweat, his golden-brown hair plastered to his face, but his bright eyes shone undimmed. He caught his breath and reported, "The gunman's a mercenary with a clean record, paid in cash upfront through the dark web. I checked the footage—a black SUV was parked across the street before he fired. Fake plates. But…"
He paused, his tone growing grave. "The tires had a specific type of mud on them. The only place nearby with that soil is a warehouse owned by the Group in the suburbs. I suspect this isn't just an internal family feud—someone from the outside might be involved."
Serena listened, silent for a few seconds, then let out a cold laugh. "Outsiders? Seems I have more enemies than I thought." She looked up at Caleb, a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Good work, Caleb. You're coming back with me tonight. I need you close."
Caleb gave a shy smile. "As long as you need me, I'm here."
The car started, rolling into the depths of the night. Serena leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, while Caleb's gaze remained fixed on her—like a loyal wolf guarding his queen.