The sun was setting in the west, and Caleb Manning quietly shifted into human form, standing in the shadows at the edge of the tribe.
He watched as Chloe Callahan smiled sweetly, accepting a Beast Bone Necklace from another Beastman, her fingertips seeming to glide casually across his chest.
He knew that move all too well. Back then, she had seduced him in the same way—just as she'd seduced Nolan Sterling...
"Looks like all my worrying was pointless."
He turned to leave, but was stopped by the sharp-eyed Pearl Vance:
"Caleb, you're back?"
She ran over, her eyes full of delight, but paused when she saw Caleb's cold expression. "Caleb, what's wrong?"
Caleb's golden eyes swept over her, his voice low. "How much do you know about Chloe?"
Pearl's heart gave a little jolt, but her face remained calm. "Sister Aria is really popular lately. Everyone says she has some kind of treasure that helps people break through—even Beastmen from The Bear Tribe are courting her."
