《Broken Bond》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 1 CALLUM A lot of little boys idolize superheroes. I¡¯ve always identified more with the viins. It¡¯s not like I had designs on growing up to be some sort of evil mastermind, but some part of me has always recognized that desperate darkness that lurks beneath the surface of the viin in the story. The tortured soul behind the manic fa?ade. Nobody roots for the viin, and nobody has ever rooted for me, either. My stepdad ensured that by painting me as the ck sheep of the family from the moment I took my first breath. I was always the problem child, the nuisance he was forced to live with but never wanted. The product of an anonymous hookup that my mother regretted before I was even born, because she met the love of her life when she was six months pregnant with another man¡¯s child. A man I¡¯d never meet, because apparently, he didn¡¯t want me either. Ain¡¯t life a bitch? The viin in the story neveres out on top, but you¡¯ve gotta admire their tenacity. The world¡¯s against them, they know they¡¯re bound to lose, and still, they go all-in on their efforts. I can¡¯t imagine giving enough of a shit about anything to risk it all like that, but hey, I¡¯ll give credit where it¡¯s due. When you think about it, maybe the true hero of the story isn¡¯t always the good guy with the strict moral code. Maybe it¡¯s really the one who keeps on fighting until he has nothing left to lose. My childhood wasn¡¯t all bad. Growing up as a wolf shifter, I had pack life to fall back on as an escape from my shitty home life. Shifter packs are small, close-knitmunities that are often isted from the outside world, and my own is no exception. Even without an arsenal of social skills at my disposal, I managed to form a bond with other pups my own age. The rowdy group of boys I fell in with has now be an even rowdier gang of teenagers, still wild as ever, loyal to a fault, and thick as thieves. There are six of us that have run together since we were small. There¡¯s Alec and Dare, a pair of fraternal twin brothers that look nothing alike but seem to share a mind; Levi, the pretty boy that can get a girl to drop her panties with a single smile; Miles, the rich kid who is always ying games and taking risks tobat the boredom of his perfect life; and Chase, the son of the Alpha, the future leader of our pack, and the unofficial leader of our little band of brothers. Then there¡¯s me. The one people tend to steer clear of. Even now, with the party at the packhouse in full swing, the hapless partygoers grant me a wide berth as I make my way to the bar in the corner to pour myself a drink. We¡¯ve been throwing these parties every weekend for the past two months- Levi¡¯s idea, as a way to try to pull Chase out of the funk he¡¯s been in since his dad died. The other guys seem to think that surrounding him with a constant flow of booze, weed, tits, and ass will drag him out of the darkness, but I know better. That kind of darkness burrows deep, festering until it consumes. The others think he¡¯ll just snap out of it one day and go back to being the old Chase, but what the guy really needs is an outlet for his rage, not a distraction from it. The music in here is so loud tonight that it¡¯s rattling therge windows that span the back wall of the living room. Earlier, I heard some girlining that she could barely hear herself think over the music, but that¡¯s the whole point, isn¡¯t it? That¡¯s why people have been showing up here week after week, the crowd growingrger with each party as word spreads. They don¡¯te here to think; they come to lose themselves for the night, to drink and smoke and hook up. To escape reality and forget about the war that took so much from us. The war that we won, but that cost our pack its Alpha.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. I sift through the liquor bottles crowding the surface of the bar to pick my poison for the night, settling on top-shelf vodka and tipping it into a red stic cup. There¡¯s no shortage of booze at these parties, though I don¡¯t even know where ites from. Miles is in charge of procuring it, so he probably just throws his family¡¯s money around until someone looks the other way and hands it over. We¡¯re all eighteen now, still a few years shy of the legal drinking age in the United States, but our packs tend to live by their ownws, turning a blind eye to underage alcohol consumption. Since we¡¯re shifters, we process alcohol differently- it takes a hell of a lot more to get us drunk than it would an average human. Not that we don¡¯t make a valiant effort. It¡¯s really fucking irresponsible for the six of us to be left here to our own devices, but when Chase¡¯s dad was killed in the war against the shadow pack two months ago, the Alpha title wasn¡¯t the only thing he inherited. The packhouse is now his; an enormous, ten-thousand square foot yground that was built to house the ranked pack members and host pack gatherings. Our weekend ragers count as ¡®pack gatherings¡¯, right? ¡°Yo Cal!¡± Alec calls out, diverting my attention from the drink I¡¯m pouring. I nce over to where he¡¯s seated on the sectional near the bar and Alec lifts his chin, flickering his gaze to the other side of the room in warning. Before I can even turn to follow his eyes, I hear a fucking cackle that makes my skin crawl and I know who exactly whose presence he¡¯s alerting me to. I m the vodka bottle back down on the bar, my fists clenching as I slowly turn, raking over the crowd of people gathered in the packhouse in search of him. Sure enough, I find him standing right across the room, running a hand through that flouncy xen hair of his and shing a winning smile at some poor girl hanging off his arm. My half-brother. The fucking apple of our parents¡¯ eye; the golden child they always wanted. A growl rumbles in my chest as I pick up the stic cup from the bar, tossing my drink back in a single swallow and crumpling the cup in my hand, chucking it aside. My boots clomp against the hardwood as I start making my way across the room, anxious partygoers scrambling out of my way to let me pass. Spencer White and I may share blood, but that¡¯s about the only thing we share. He¡¯s your ssic clean-cut, all-American kid; the living embodiment of a ken doll with his perfectly styled light blonde hair and pale blue eyes. He¡¯s a straight-A student, a star athlete, popr among his peers¡­ basically every parent¡¯s wet dream when ites to what they¡¯d want in a son. I, on the other hand, am a parent¡¯s worst nightmare. A grungy high school drop-out with no future, no shortage of demons, and no ability to keep his own temper in check. People look at my brother like he¡¯s prince charming, while cowering from me like I¡¯m the monster that hides under their beds. What they tend to forget, though, is that monsters aren¡¯t born. They¡¯re created. And the same parents who molded Spencer into their perfect little golden boy are the ones who made me what I am. ¡°The fuck you doing here, Spence?¡± I growl as I approach him, my lip curling back from my teeth in a sneer. His eyese to mine, his mouth sliding into a mocking smirk as he greets me with a nod, like we¡¯re old friends or some shit. ¡°Conway.¡± He¡¯s trying to get a rise out of me by calling me by myst name, a pointed dig at the fact that it¡¯s different from his own. I don¡¯t even flinch. As if I¡¯d want to share ast name with this asshole. I fold my arms over my chest, staring him down and conveying a silent threat. I don¡¯t need words to intimidate. It¡¯s theck of words that makes people ufortable. My gaze stays locked on his, eyes unblinking, until his smug little smile starts to falter, his shoes scuffing against the hardwood underfoot. ¡°What¡¯s the big fucking deal, Cal?¡± he finally murmurs, dropping his voice low and leaning in. Probably trying to save face in front of his stupid friends and his blonde arm candy. ¡°Let¡¯s just stay out of each other¡¯s way, eh?¡± Spencer lifts a hand like he¡¯s going to p me on the shoulder, but the snarl that leaves my throat has him thinking better of it and he shoves it in his pocket instead. ¡°Leave,¡± I deadpan. He rolls his eyes, taking a step backwards and scoffing. ¡°Whatever, man.¡± He raises his voice, gesturing around the room. ¡°This party sucks anyways.¡± Lie. This party is tits and he knows it, but he also knows that I¡¯m about two seconds away from forcibly removing him, and he wants to save himself the embarrassment. Spence may be many things, but he¡¯s not dumb. He puffs out his chest, turning on a heel and waving a hand to the buddies he came here with. ¡°C¡¯mon, guys, let¡¯s roll.¡± His friends exchange looks of disappointment, but they follow Spencer toward the door like good little soldiers, shaking their heads and muttering under their breath. Probably something about how I¡¯m an asshole, but I couldn¡¯t give a shit what they think. This is my turf, and I won¡¯t tolerate Spence encroaching on it. I stay rooted to the spot I¡¯m in until Spencer and his merry band of idiots are out the door. Good riddance. I¡¯m sure that little interaction will earn me a phone call from his father at some point, but that¡¯s a problem for tomorrow. For tonight, I¡¯m ready to get back to having a good time with my friends. They¡¯re more like brothers to me than that prick will ever be. Family isn¡¯t always defined by blood. I head to the bar to pour myself another drink, but quickly think better of it and just snatch the whole damn bottle before reiming my spot on the huge leather sectional at the far side of the room. That¡¯s where the rest of my boys are posted up; the perfect vantage point to keep an eye on the rest of the house while staying isted on our own little ind. The other guys in here know to keep away from our spot. The girls, on the other hand, spend all night swarming the sectional like fucking cockroaches. As our pack¡¯s future Alpha, Chase is like royalty, and that same allure seems to trickle down to us as his closest friends. The guys respect us, and the girls want on our dicks. Alec and Dare have already selected a few females to entertain them for the night- a redhead named Felicity is grinding all over Dare¡¯sp, while Alec has a little blonde named Britt seated on his left and another that I don¡¯t recognize on his right. She must be from another pack around here; there are six in our territory that make up our alliance. The collective is referred to as the ¡°six-pack¡±- I shit you not- because apparently when you¡¯re facing down the possibility of war, all creativity goes out the window. Our pack was thest to join the alliance and im our own piece of the sprawling territory in Colorado years ago, but in throwing these parties over the past couple months, my boys and I have made quite the name for ourselves amongst the packs that reside here. Every week, more and more strangers from other packs show up to join in our debauchery. I take a swig of vodka straight from the bottle, my gaze lifting to the two girls that have hopped up to dance on the coffee table positioned in front of the sectional. Melody and Alexis, both from our pack. I make it my business to keep tabs on everyone who shows up here because it gives me some semnce of control over my surroundings. Less surprises that way. I fucking hate surprises. Fuckin¡¯ Spence. I scowl at the thought of him, raising the bottle to my lips for another pull as I watch Melody and Alexis shake their asses to the music in a desperate bid to capture Chase¡¯s attention. He¡¯spletely zoned out, but that doesn¡¯t seem to diminish their efforts. Melody whips around, smacking Alexis in the face with her long dark hair before dropping her ass low and slowly rolling her body back up. I crack a smile when I see the fury in Alexis¡¯ eyes, chuckling to myself as I rest the rim of the vodka bottle against my lower lip. These two chicks might act like they¡¯re best friends, but watching them dance, it isn¡¯t hard to pick up on the subtle nuances of their true rtionship. People are tricky beasts. Everyone¡¯s always ying a role; putting on a front to conceal their true nature. If you pay attention, though, it¡¯s easy to see through the cracks in people¡¯s masks. Take these girls, for example. Melody is jealous of Alexis, probably because she¡¯s prettier. I can see it in the way that she¡¯s trying too hard, peeling her shirt up to show off hercy bra and using her friend like she¡¯s nothing but a prop to dance on. Alexis is obviously annoyed by Melody¡¯s antics, but she puts up with her because she doesn¡¯t have a lot of other friends. She was ousted from herst group after snitching on Stasia, the queen bee, for cheating on her boyfriend at the time. Nowadays, Stasia¡¯s been riding on Chase¡¯s dick whenever she has a chance, so Alexis probably figures that a night with Chase would give her social standing the boost it needs. Too bad Chase hasn¡¯t even noticed that these girls are in the same room as him. His head is buried in his hoodie, a whiskey bottle dangling from his fingertips as he stares past Melody and Alexis, completely zoned out. I start to zone out, too. Between the music and the roar of the crowd, my ears feel like they¡¯re bleeding, but I¡¯ve never liked the quiet. In silence, my own thoughts be too loud, so I constantly seek to drown them out with noise. I¡¯m not a fan of most people, either, but crowds tend to fill silences, so I stomach them in favor of the alternative. I¡¯m still gazingzily toward Alexis and Melody¡¯s grinding bodies when an annoyingly perky voice cuts through the noise, a pair of slim legs d in dark denim stepping into my field of vision. ¡°Hi! I¡¯m Nessa.¡± My mouth curls into a scowl as my eyes snap up to take in the girl who deigned to step into my space, but as soon as they meet hers, my expression falters. She¡¯s fucking stunning. As in, stepped out of a film screen, stepped off of a Victoria¡¯s Secret runway, stunning. My pulse goes haywire. Long, darkshes fan out around her almond eyes, and plush, red-painted lips frame her gorgeous smile. Stick-straight dark hair falls down loosely around her bare shoulders, the lightened ends brushing the curve of her waist. Her skin is bronzed like the sun worships her, and fuck, it should. She¡¯s radiant. Her smile doesn¡¯t even waver when I return it with one of my own- a demonic grin that usually scares people off, but this girl is either a master of concealment or truly na?ve enough not to know when she¡¯s come face to face with a predator. ¡°Well aren¡¯t you sweet,¡± I drawl, searching her eyes for any flicker of recognition. My reputation usually precedes me, but those innocent doe-eyes give no indication of fear. She just keeps smiling warmly like she¡¯s waiting for an invitation. Interesting. I lean back on the couch, swiping a hand over my chin and flicking a nce in Chase¡¯s direction. I assume he¡¯ll want toy im on a creature this exquisite, but historically, he¡¯s not above sharing. I¡¯ve never gone there with one of his conquests, but for her, I might just have to make an exception. He hasn¡¯t seemed to notice her yet, his stare fixed somewhere behind her. Even better. I slide my gaze back to the captivating stranger standing in front of me. ¡°I¡¯m Cal. And I¡¯m sure you know Alpha Chase.¡± I tick my head to indicate the vacant space on the couch between the two of us, eyes locking with hers again. ¡°Why don¡¯t you join us?¡± Nessa¡¯s smile widens and she grabs for someone¡¯s hand, yanking a short brte girl to her side. I immediately recognize who her friend is- Vienna, an uptight waitress from the Cedar Ridge ski lodge that Levi has a boner for and that Chase won¡¯t admit he likes. I¡¯ve only met her once, but I might¡¯ve been nicer to her if I knew thepany she kept. Nessa plops down beside me on the couch, her thigh brushing mine as she sinks onto the leather sofa. The cushion dips under her weight, forcing our bodies closer, and my eyes nearly roll back in my head when I inhale her scent for the first time. She smells like cherries and spring florals; the freshness of thebination has me practically salivating, my wolf sitting up and taking notice. I lick my lips like I can taste her scent on the air between us, my heart thumping in my chest at a chaotic beat. ¡°Is that short for something?¡± she asks, and I raise a brow in question, wondering what the hell I missed between the time she introduced herself and sat down beside me. ¡°Huh?¡± She smiles again, and I notice a little dimple sink into her left cheek. Fucking cute. ¡°Cal. Is it short for something?¡± I nod, raising the vodka bottle to my lips and taking a pull, swallowing it down before responding. ¡°Callum.¡± ¡°Callum,¡± she repeats, my name rolling off her tongue like the sweetest sin. ¡°I like it, it suits you,¡± she decides with a nod. She¡¯s still got that wide-eyed, innocent look about her, and I narrow my gaze, trying to figure out what she¡¯s hiding beneath her mask. Everyone has something to hide. I¡¯ve always been able to read people, but this girl has me stumped. I raise the liquor bottle to her in offering, and I study her face as she considers before taking it from me and raising it to her lips. She curls them around the rim, tipping the bottle back. What I wouldn¡¯t give to be that fucking bottle right now. Her throat works with a swallow and her face pinches up in disgust as she shoves the vodka back toward me, shaking her head. ¡°Ugh, that¡¯s nasty,¡± she coughs, shaking her head harder. ¡°How can you drink that stuff?!¡± She amuses me. The corner of my mouth kicks up before I even realize it¡¯s happening, and it catches me off guard. Nessa wipes her own mouth with a wrist, settling back into the cushions of the couch and turning her head to gaze over at me. ¡°So what¡¯s your story, Callum?¡± she asks, her expression conveying genuine interest. She clearly hasn¡¯t heard about me, and I can¡¯t decide if that¡¯s a good thing or a bad thing. I just shrug, raising the liquor bottle and resting the rim against the corner of my mouth. Nobody calls me by my full name, but I can¡¯t bring myself to correct her when it sounds like honey on her lips. ¡°I¡¯m sure yours is more interesting,¡± I say, taking a pull of vodka and enjoying the burn as it slides down my throat. Before she can respond, Levi pops up out of fucking nowhere, shoving red stic cups toward Nessa and her friend. ¡°Ladies,¡± he says smoothly, tossing Vienna a wink. Chase also seems to be fixated on Vienna, and I have to wonder if these guys are fucking crazy to have not noticed how hot the girl sitting right beside her is. I mean sure, Vienna¡¯s cute, but Nessa is¡­ damn. Words can¡¯t urately convey how beautiful this fucking girl is. She¡¯s gotta have some major damage or something. Perfection like hers doesn¡¯t just¡­ exist. It has to be tainted somehow. Nessa takes the cup from Levi with a smile, thanking him politely before lifting it and taking a sip. ¡°It¡¯s jungle juice,¡± he exins as the red liquid meets the seam of her lips. ¡°Tastes like kool-aid, but watch out, that shit is potent.¡± Nessa swallows it down, her tongue snaking out to lick her lips, and damn if it isn¡¯t sexy as fuck. I have the strongest urge to lean over and run my own tongue along those pouty lips of hers- an urge that¡¯s completely fucking foreign to me. Historically, the only ce I¡¯ve ever desired to have a girl¡¯s mouth is around my cock. ¡°Ooh, this is yummy,¡± Nessa hums in approval, nudging her friend. ¡°Try it, Vee!¡± She swings her head back around to face me, lifting her cup. ¡°This is way better than that,¡± she deres, eyeing the vodka bottle dangling from my fingers. She licks her lips again, my eyes tracking the movement as I fight to hold back the groan threatening to slip from my throat. Like a knee-jerk reaction, I lean in closer until my lips are hovering beside the shell of her ear, my voice dropping to a dangerously low decibel. ¡°If you don¡¯t keep that tongue in your mouth, sweet girl, I¡¯m going to start getting ideas of other uses for it.¡± An offended little gasp leaves her lips and I lean back to look into her eyes again, our gazes locking together like we¡¯re in a staring contest. I can read every emotion that passes over her face. When she gets past her initial shock, her cheeks redden in embarrassment. Then a flush crawls up her neck, like the idea of what I¡¯ve just said excites her. She¡¯s quick to regain herposure, a glint of something defiant ring in her eyes as her lips part to respond. ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re the one with the dirty mouth, Callum. Maybe you should worry less about mine and more about cleaning up your own.¡± I don¡¯t expect her to be so quick-witted, and for once, I don¡¯t have aeback on the tip of my tongue. A chuckle vibrates from my chest as I shake my head, my gaze dropping down Nessa¡¯s body. Her legs are crossed at the knee, her feet pointed toward me. By all indications, she¡¯s interested, though for the life of me I can¡¯t figure out why. ¡°Well, I¡¯m officially intrigued,¡± I murmur, my eyes crawling back up to meet hers. She shrugs, bringing her cup to her lips again and hiding her smirk behind it. ¡°Guess that makes two of us.¡± Chapter 2 Chapter 2 2 VANESSA I¡¯ve never been a big drinker, but if all alcohol was masked by the taste of cherry Kool-Aid, I¡¯d probably be a lush. I¡¯m a big fan of cherry anything. Cherry lip gloss, cherry gum¡­ even just straight-up maraschino cherries from the garnish tray at the bar where I work. I¡¯m not sure what else is in this jungle juice, but it¡¯s officially my new favorite drink. Vienna has vacated her spot beside me in favor of joining Levi on the other side of the couch, and a blonde guy slips in to steal her ce, tapping my cup with his own. ¡°Want a refill?¡± I turn to meet his hazel eyes, giving a little shake of my head. ¡°Nah, I should probably pace myself,¡± I say, all too aware of how easily the first half of this drink has gone down. ¡°I¡¯m driving.¡± ¡°Fair enough,¡± he replies easily, reclining back on the couch and stretching his arms, not so subtly propping one onto the top of the cushion behind me. It¡¯d be a smooth move if he wasn¡¯t so painfully obvious about it. ¡°I¡¯m Miles, by the way.¡± ¡°Nessa,¡± I smile, nodding politely. Miles is cute in a boy-next-door type of way, butpared to his friend, it isn¡¯t enough to hold my attention. I find myself swinging my gaze back to the boy seated on my left, my eyes catching with his. I¡¯ve never met anyone quite like Callum before. He¡¯s got this beautiful, haunted quality to him that calls to me from behind those blue-green eyes; a dangerous allure that pulls me in a little bit more with every nce. It doesn¡¯t hurt that he¡¯s ridiculously good looking, too. His jawline is so sharp that it looks like it was cut from stone, his roguish features startlingly symmetrical. His light brown hair is cropped close on the sides and longer on top, an errant strand flopping down over his brow carelessly. Callum is ssically handsome, but he¡¯s not a typical pretty-boy. There¡¯s something grittier about him; something dark and mysterious. Something that excites me. I should probably stop checking him out so obviously, especially when he''s looking back at me like he wants to eat me alive. Should that frighten me? Probably. It doesn¡¯t, though. I¡¯m more curious than anything. ¡°Don¡¯t mind Miles, he just assumes everyone¡¯s a degenerate like him,¡± Callum snickers, looking past me to throw his friend a mocking smirk. Miles rolls his eyes, unphased. ¡°And you¡¯re the picture of an upstanding citizen, right?¡± he tosses back as he drops his hand to my bare shoulder, his fingertips brushing my skin. ¡°I¡¯m surprised this guy hasn¡¯t scared you off yet,¡± he mutters, leaning in closer. Ugh, I hate when guys try to get handsy with me right off the bat. They often mistake my friendliness for interest, then use me of being a tease when I shut them down. ssic male sense of entitlement. I subtly shrug Miles¡¯ hand off of my shoulder as my gaze flickers back toward Cal. ¡°Guess I don¡¯t scare easy.¡± Our eyes meet, something passing between us while Callum¡¯s lips curl into a sinister grin. ¡°Lucky me.¡± My heart pounds faster. He doesn¡¯t have any shortage of confidence, that¡¯s for sure. I roll my eyes, chuckling to myself as I take another sip of my drink, savoring the sweet cherry vor on my tongue. Levi was right; this juice concoction is definitely dangerous. The music switches to a bass-heavy Rihanna song and Cal lets out an audible groan, a handing to his temple. ¡°Jesus, who¡¯s running the music tonight?¡± heins aloud. His friends seem too preupied with their own conversations to respond, so I guess I¡¯ll bite. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with this song?¡± I query, arching a brow. He levels me with a look of disapproval, but I just shrug him off, continuing. ¡°I¡¯ve heard it on the radio a few times, it¡¯s catchy.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t real music,¡± Cal grumbles, taking another swig of vodka straight from the bottle. I don¡¯t know how he can stomach that stuff- I still regret the sip that I took; it burned my throat like jet fuel. ¡°No? What would you ssify as¡­¡± I lift a hand to make air quotes, ¡°real music?¡± His head drops backwards, eyes drifting up to stare at the ceiling. ¡°Something with actual instruments that wasn¡¯t butchered to all hell in a studio,¡± he murmurs. ¡°ck Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Slipknot¡­¡± ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re a metalhead,¡± I conclude with a resolute nod. ¡°That tracks.¡± He lifts his head, turning his gaze back on me and narrowing his eyes skeptically. ¡°How do you figure?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got that whole dark, tortured vibe going on,¡± I say with the wave of a hand. ¡°Think you¡¯ve got me all figured out, huh?¡± he grumbles, the corner of his mouth pulling into a sexy smirk. I shake my head as a giggle slips past my lips, the alcohol already working its way into my system and lowering my inhibitions. ¡°Hardly. But your musical tastes don¡¯t exactlye as a surprise.¡± He¡¯s got me trapped in his stare, those hypnotizing blue-green eyes holding me captive. I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ve ever seen eyes like his before- in the dim lighting, they almost look turquoise. ¡°And let me guess,¡± Callum drawls, running his tongue over his straight white teeth. ¡°You¡¯re a big Taylor Swift fan, huh?¡± ¡°What?¡± I snort, shaking my head. He shrugs a shoulder and gives me another scathing once-over. I nearly shiver in response to the way his gaze slowly drags up and down my body, like he¡¯s undressing me with his eyes. ¡°Tell me I¡¯m wrong, babe,¡± he purrs. ¡°Tell me you¡¯re not a sweet, bubblegum pop type of girl.¡± Another giggle bubbles up from my throat. ¡°Nice try, Callum, but you¡¯ve got me all wrong.¡± I push up from the couch, tossing my long hair over a shoulder and ncing around the crowded packhouse. Without missing a beat, Miles hops up to stand beside me. ¡°Change your mind about that refill?¡± he asks hopefully. I give a quick shake of my head. ¡°Restroom?¡± Miles¡¯ face falls in disappointment, like it would¡¯ve made his dang night to get me that drink. ¡°Oh, uh, just down that hall,¡± he provides, pointing to a dark corridor branching off the left side of the room. ¡°Thanks!¡± I sh Miles a bright smile in appreciation before turning to head that way, bobbing and weaving through the crowd. This ce is packed, and finding my way through the sea of staggering bodies is akin to tackling an obstacle course. I almost catch an elbow to the face when I try to slip past a drunk girl dancing with her eyes closed, and narrowly save myself from falling when I stumble over someone else¡¯s foot. It¡¯s absolute chaos, but I can¡¯t deny that I¡¯m having fun. These guys sure know how to throw a party. I¡¯ve been curious about these weekend ragers at the Norbury packhouse since I first started hearing about them from another waitress at work, so when Levi wandered into the restaurant of the Cedar Ridge ski lodge to extend a personal invitation to Vienna, it felt like it was kismet. Not only has it been way too long since either of us had a decent night out, but Vee has been in a major slump since she and her ex broke things off. Even more so since she moved back home a couple months ago and started working at the lodge. It took some convincing to get her here tonight, but she needs it. I do, too. I find the restroom easily enough, though I have to wait in line behind someone else before I can get in. Once I do, I take a quick pee and wash my hands, leaning over the sink to reapply my cherry red lipstick in the mirror as the voices of a couple girls waiting outside the door carry through it. ¡°Who is she, anyways? I¡¯ve never seen her at one of these before.¡± ¡°I have no idea, but I¡¯ve been trying to get on Cal for months. If he¡¯s taking anyone home tonight, it¡¯s gonna be me, not some random skank.¡± I freeze, flickering my gaze toward the closed door of the bathroom. Maybe they¡¯re talking about someone else¡­? ¡°Girl, do you have a death wish? Callum Conway is scary as fuck. He¡¯ll probably chop you up into little pieces and feed you to his wolf.¡± ¡°Oh, he can eat me, alright¡­¡± They both dissolve into fits of giggles while I pop the cap back on my tube of lipstick, slipping it in my pocket and smoothing my hair in the mirror. My heart¡¯s banging against my ribs at a frantic rhythm as I digest their words. ¡°Guess you¡¯ll have to work on getting him away from that other girl first. Just point her to someone else¡¯s dick! Sluts don¡¯t discriminate, right?¡± I grit my teeth against their titters ofughter, reaching for the knob and pulling the bathroom door open. As soon as they see me, the women waiting on the other side snap their mouths shut, the laughter dying on their tongues as they blink at me like a couple of deer caught in the headlights. Judging by their shock, they clearly had no idea that I was in here while they were so rudely discussing me. Surprise, bitches. ¡°Don¡¯t worrydies,¡± I say with a friendly smile, stepping out into the hall as they scramble backwards, wide-eyed. ¡°I¡¯m not nning on going home with anyone tonight, so have at it.¡± I toss them a wink, my hair whipping behind me as I spin on a heel and strut away confidently. I hear them mumbling to one another as I retreat, but their trash-talking doesn¡¯t phase me. Maybe it¡¯d bother me if there was a modicum of truth to anything they said, but those girls don¡¯t know me, and they couldn¡¯t be more wrong. If they actually knew me, they¡¯d know that there¡¯s no chance I¡¯d have a one-night stand with someone I just met. I¡¯m not that girl. I don¡¯t even date, so it¡¯sughable that they perceive me as a threat. Kill them with kindness. That¡¯s what my mom always told me- if someone badmouths you, prove them wrong by being kind. Even when it¡¯s hard to do. Especially when it¡¯s hard to do. It¡¯s difficult to keep talking trash about someone who has been nothing but nice in return, and if they do, it says more about their character than your own. I fight my way through the crowd again, and when I return to therge U-shaped sectional at the far side of the living room, I pause for a moment in hesitation. ¡®Callum Conway is scary as fuck.¡¯ The rude girl¡¯s words echo in my mind as I stare at Cal. He¡¯s pulled up the hood of his sweatshirt and it casts an ominous shadow over his handsome features, his square jaw set tightly. I suppose in this lighting, he could be perceived as scary to some, though I wasn¡¯t lying when I said I don¡¯t scare easy. I¡¯m not sure if that¡¯s foolish or brave. Miles¡¯ gaze lifts to meet mine and his face splits into a wide grin as he beckons me back over with a wave. I force a smile to my lips and move toward him, flicking Callum a sideways nce as I step around his spread knees to retake my spot on the couch. He doesn¡¯t meet my eyes, and I try to ignore the little stab of disappointment in my gut. ¡°So I¡¯m gonna call bullshit,¡± Cal murmurs as I settle back into the spot between him and Miles. I turn toward him in surprise, my eyes mapping the sharp lines of his profile. ¡°On?¡± He slowly swivels to face me, lips curling into a menacing grin. ¡°You¡¯re definitely a Swiftie.¡± Augh bursts from my throat and I shake my head, elbowing him yfully. ¡°Prove it, then,¡± Cal challenges, pinning me with his stare. There¡¯s something about him that I¡¯m inexplicably drawn to, like a fish to a lure. In danger of being caught. ¡°How?¡± I ask, fighting a grin. He holds out a hand, palm-up. ¡°Give me your phone.¡± I heave a sigh, pressing my feet into the floor and lifting my butt up from the couch to slide my cell phone out of the back pocket of my jeans. ¡°Fine,¡± I concede, pping it down into his waiting palm. He smirks, holding my phone up to my face to unlock it before navigating to my Spotify app on the home screen. He pulls up my most recent ylist, scrolling through it slowly as I hold my breath. ¡°Hmm,¡± Cal muses as his eyes scan the song titles. ¡°You¡¯re right, I pegged you all wrong, emo girl.¡± He tosses me a side-eyed smirk and my heart stutters in my chest. I open my mouth to respond, but before I can, Miles speaks up. ¡°So, you¡¯re from Riverton?¡± he asks, pulling my attention away from Callum as he continues to scroll through my ylist. I swivel my gaze around to Miles, nodding my head. ¡°Yep, Vee and I grew up together,¡± I provide, nodding in Vienna¡¯s direction. She¡¯s still seatedfortably beside Levi, but she doesn¡¯t exactly look thrilled to be there for some reason. She keeps ncing over at Chase, and the broody Alpha is completely fixated on her. I file that away forter, looking back to Miles as he begins to speak again. ¡°Nice. All of us guys grew up together, too.¡± ¡°Your poor parents,¡± I tease. ¡°They must¡¯ve had their hands full with a group like yours.¡± Miles chuckles, scrubbing a hand over his face. ¡°You have no idea. I mean, Alpha used to keep us in line, but¡­¡± he trails off, his throat working with a swallow as he darts a nce toward Chase. ¡°Er, well, you know.¡± I nod sadly as Cal drops my phone back onto myp. I swear, it¡¯s like these two are ying tug-of-war with my attention right now. I grab my phone, arching my back off the couch cushion and lifting up to slip it back into my pocket. ¡°Guess I stand corrected,¡± Callum says, eyeing me with renewed interest as my butt hits the cushion again. He swipes a hand over his chin, his blue-green eyes boring into mine. ¡°I¡¯m usually better at reading people.¡±Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll have to actually get to know me before passing judgment,¡± I suggest. He runs his tongue over his teeth, giving me another shiver-inducing once-over before his eyes lock in on mine again. ¡°Maybe.¡± Chapter 3 Chapter 3 3 CALLUM When the party finally starts winding down, Nessa and her friend take off, and I¡¯m oddly disappointed when she goes. Not that I expected her to linger in hopes of an invitation to stay. A lot of girls pull that move at the end of the night, but that doesn¡¯t seem to be Nessa¡¯s M.O., if she even has one. I still can¡¯t figure that girl out. Everyone has damage, but she must be really good at hiding hers, because I¡¯m stumped. She just seems so¡­ pure. And I have no idea why the fuck she chose to spend her evening with me, of all people, because I¡¯m decidedly not. So, I can only conclude that she¡¯s either a danger junkie or honestly can¡¯t see the monster beneath my skin that¡¯s so apparent to everyone else. Either way, she held my interest all night, and a girl hasn¡¯t done that since¡­ ever. When she leaves, it¡¯s like she takes all the energy in the room with her. I¡¯m about to call it a night, but then Miles sparks up a joint and I¡¯mpelled to linger a little longer. It¡¯ll help me sleep. I hardly ever sleep worth a fuck. He passes it to me after lighting it and I take the joint between my fingers, bringing it to my lips and inhaling. The paper crackles and burns as I suck the smoke deep into my lungs, holding it in for a beat before blowing it out. ¡°So, Vanessa Diaz,¡± Miles murmurs as I pass the joint back to him. I tilt my head in question, searching his eyes, and he throws his head back on augh. ¡°The fucking girl that was sitting here all night, man. Did you honestly not even get her name?¡± Miles shakes his head as he brings the joint to his mouth, taking a puff. ¡°Not her full name,¡± I grumble as I rake a hand through my hair, melting back into the couch cushion. I flick a nce in Miles¡¯ direction. ¡°What about her?¡± He shrugs a shoulder and blows out the smoke, passing the joint back to me. ¡°She¡¯s a fuckin¡¯ ten, bro. The question is, which one of us is gonna hit that first?¡± I roll my eyes, tucking the joint between my lips to take another hit. Miles chuckles softly. ¡°What, you not interested?¡± ¡°Never said that,¡± I reply, my voice strained as I hold the marijuana smoke in my lungs. I turn toward Miles and blow it right in his face, the corner of my mouth twitching up in a smirk. ¡°It¡¯s funny that you think you¡¯ve got a shot, though, considering you have no game.¡± ¡°What the fuck ever,¡± he barks, snatching the J from my fingers as augh rumbles in my chest. ¡°I could get that girl if I wanted to. I wasn¡¯t even trying.¡± ¡°Suuuuure,¡± I mock, rolling my eyes and sinking further back into the soft leather couch. ¡°What, you think you could?¡± Miles challenges. ¡°Tond a girl like that, you¡¯d actually have to be nice.¡± I shrug. ¡°I can be nice.¡± Miles levels me with a stare, and I can¡¯t help but crack a smile. He¡¯s right. I¡¯ve never been used of being a ¡®nice guy¡¯. ¡°Whaddya say we make a little wager,¡± he suggests as he brings the joint back to his lips to take a drag. I arch a brow and turn my gaze on him, waiting for him to go on as the cherry glows bright with his inhale. He takes his sweet ass time, puffing on the joint and exhaling the smoke slowly. ¡°First one to nail her, wins,¡± Miles finally finishes. I roll my eyes again. ¡°Fuck off.¡± He barks augh, elbowing me in the ribs. ¡°What, I¡¯m serious! If you think your game is so much better than mine, then let¡¯s put it to the test.¡± I narrow my eyes on Miles, trying to discern his angle here. ¡°What are the stakes?¡± I ask slowly, swiping a hand over my chin. I mean, I¡¯ve already considered sleeping with her, so why not get something else out of it? His eyes light up. The guy thinks he has me on the hook, but I haven¡¯t agreed to anything just yet. Miles is always ying these childish fucking games with the other guys. I usually don¡¯t bite, so the fact that I¡¯m even indulging him right now has him extra eager. ¡°You still rebuilding that old Corvette? Needs a new transmission, right?¡± ¡°That¡¯s like four grand,¡± I grumble. Miles waves a hand like it¡¯s nothing to him. ¡°You know I¡¯m good for it. Plus, you¡¯d actually have to win.¡± I snatch the joint back from my friend, pinching it between my lips and sucking in the smoke as I mull over his challenge. I¡¯m not a gambler, but I¡¯ve been saving up for that transmission for the better part of a year. It¡¯s thest thing I need to get the Corvette running again. ¡°And what is it that you¡¯d want from me?¡± I ask on an exhale, coughing out the words. ¡°You know I don¡¯t have that kind of money.¡± He grins. ¡°No. No fucking way.¡± I shake my head adamantly, disturbing the tendrils of smoke lingering in the air around me. ¡°I already told you, I¡¯m not giving up my spot.¡± ¡°Thought you were sure I wouldn¡¯t win?¡± Miles teases, stealing the joint back. He looks smug as fuck right now, probably because he already knows I¡¯m about to agree to y his stupid game. Dangling the last part I need to restore the Corvette in front of me was the right y; tempting me with the ticket to my freedom. I scowl, scrubbing a hand over my face, knowing I¡¯ll regret this. ¡°You won¡¯t.¡± ~ My body¡¯s wired all wrong for sleep. When it¡¯s dark, I don¡¯t sleep worth a damn, but as soon as the sun comes up, I can usually manage to grab a few hours. It¡¯s less than ideal, but that¡¯s how I¡¯ve always been. It¡¯s also why I tend to stay upte. Less tossing and turning when I finallyy down to rest. My friends aren¡¯t cursed with the same bizarre sleep cycle, so when I wake up around ten, I figure most of them are already gone. We all typically crash here at the packhouse after a party since we¡¯re usually pretty wasted by the end of the night and there are plenty of guest rooms to go around. It¡¯s definitely convenient for post-party hookups;mon for my friends, though a rarity for me. It¡¯s not the hooking up that I have a problem with, it¡¯s the fact that most girls expect to sleep over after, and I can¡¯t stomach the thought of lying beside someone else all night. Too intimate. Reaching onto the nightstand for my cell phone, I¡¯m not even surprised when I pick it up to see that I have two missed calls from ¡®Fuckface¡¯- a.k.a. Troy White- a.k.a. my stepdad. After my run-in with golden boy Spencest night, I knew it was only a matter of time. I groan in annoyance and push delete on the notifications, then climb out of bed d only in my ck boxer briefs, slipping my jeans on over them and not even bothering to button them up. They ride low on my hips as I pad barefoot down the corridor toward the living room, spotting a rough looking Chase sprawled out on the sectional as soon as ites into view. He¡¯s got a liquor bottle in one hand and a joint smoldering in the other, and he lifts his head when he hears meing, his dark eyes meeting mine. ¡°Hair of the dog?¡± he asks, tipping the whiskey bottle back and forth tauntingly as I emerge from the hallway. I grimace, shaking my head. Chase shrugs. ¡°More for me.¡± He lifts the bottle to his lips as I make my way over to him, kicking a stic cup out of my path and sending it skittering across the floor. It¡¯s quiet in here. Too quiet. I flick on the power for the stereo as I pass it, hitting the Bluetooth button so I can connect my phone. I pause to slip it out of my back pocket, queuing up a ylist and turning the volume down to a low level before hitting y. The familiar guitar rift at the start of ¡®Killing In The Name¡¯ by Rage Against the Machine bleeds out from the speakers, stealing the silence from the room, and I immediately rx. ¡°Jesus, it looks like a bomb went off in here,¡± I murmur as I continue toward the leather sectional, raking a hand through my hair and surveying the damage fromst night along the way. Every surface in here is littered with liquor bottles and stic cups, joints and cigarettes stubbed out on the ss surfaces of the end tables. There¡¯s a ckcy bra hanging from one of themps and a huge red stain on the rug by the back patio, likely from the Jungle Juice that was going aroundst night. People are fucking pigs. ¡°The cleaners should be here soon,¡± Chase mumbles, unphased by the mess around him as he lounges on the sofa. I flop down beside him into my usual spot, kicking my bare feet up onto the coffee table. ¡°Everybody else already leave?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Chase replies, popping the P. He brings the whiskey bottle to his lips again, taking another pull. ¡°You can¡¯t drink it away, you know,¡± I grumble, flicking him a sideways nce. The joint is still burning in his fingers, a tendril of smoke curling up in front of his face. ¡°Don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°Your dad.¡± ¡°My dad was a fucking liar,¡± he spits, every wordced with venom. There¡¯s something else behind those words, though. Pain. ¡°Your dad¡­¡± I sigh, leaning over to snatch the joint from his fingers. He gives it up easily, and I flick the ash off the end into an abandoned cup on the coffee table before rxing back against the couch again. ¡°Your dad always meant well. You know it.¡± He narrows his eyes on me usingly, like I¡¯m taking a side that isn¡¯t his. I bring the joint to my lips, slowly inhaling the smoke. ¡°He kept secrets because he thought he was helping people,¡± I say, voice strained as I hold the smoke in my lungs. ¡°He helped me out, ya know. Kept mine. I¡¯m sure that¡¯s what he was doing for you, too.¡± I blow the smoke out with a whoosh, a grey cloud sailing toward the ceiling. ¡°Yeah?¡± Chase challenges bitterly. ¡°And what good did it fucking do me?¡± I shake my head, taking another hit. ¡°Come on, man. You always used to go on and on about your moming back when we were kids. Would you have rather known what she really became? That she stayed away on purpose?¡± I blow the smoke right in his face and he snatches the joint back from me with a scowl, holding it in front of him and watching the paper burn with morbid fascination. ¡°No.¡± Well, that¡¯s a start. I heave a sigh, my head flopping back onto the couch and my eyes drifting to the ceiling. ¡°You¡¯ve gotta channel all that rage into something else, bro. Getting wasted ain¡¯t it.¡± ¡°Speaking of channeling rage¡­¡± Chase grumbles, leaning forward to stub the joint out on the coffee table. He turns to look at me, raising a brow. ¡°Why does Miles seem to think he¡¯s taking your spot on the mission next month?¡± I roll my eyes, lifting my head to gaze back at him. ¡°Miles is an idiot.¡± Following the war with the shadow pack, the six-pack alliance¡¯s army, aptly named the ¡®security squad¡¯, started sending teams off on missions to track down and eliminate splinter groups that formed from remaining shadow pack loyalists. Miles and I both applied to be included in the next mission, but he narrowly missed making the cut and he¡¯s been salty as fuck ever since. He¡¯s officially next in line for the mission if someone drops out, hence his ask in the bet we made. I don¡¯t even know why he wants to go so badly. Going on a hunt and spilling blood is the kind of shit I live for, but pampered, rich-boy Miles doesn¡¯t have the stomach for the kind of brutality needed to carry out this mission. Honestly, I think he¡¯s just sopetitive that he can¡¯t take the shot to his ego in me being selected over him, and that¡¯s why he wants my spot so badly, just so he can have one up on me. ¡°Well, you might wanna take that up with him, since he was bragging all about it this morning before he left,¡± Chase murmurs, resting his elbows on his knees. ¡°Any idea why?¡± I blow out a breath, stabbing my fingers through my hair. ¡°He wants me to make a stupid bet with him. Give up my spot to him if he wins.¡± Chase chuckles lowly, shaking his head. He knows as well as any of us about the games that Miles likes to y. ¡°You gonna take the bet?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± What I don¡¯t tell him is that I already have, and in the light of day, I¡¯m already regretting it. Chase¡¯s brows fly up, his curiosity piqued. Like I said, I¡¯m not a gambler, so I haven¡¯t taken Miles up on a bet in quite some time. ¡°What¡¯s the wager?¡± he asks. I give a little shake of my head, pulling my feet off the coffee table and sitting up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± And just in case he decides to pry, I quickly change the subject. ¡°Surprised Levi didn¡¯t stick around.¡± Chase frowns, annoyance coloring his features. ¡°He¡¯s been getting on my nervestely.¡± ¡°Oh yeah? Anything to do with that little waitress from the lodge?¡± My lips curl into a grin as I study Chase¡¯s reaction. His shoulders tense, his jaw twitching and brow furrowing. ¡°No.¡± Bullshit. After seeing them together at the partyst night, there¡¯s one thing I know for certain- Chase and Vienna clearly want one another. They¡¯re both just too stubborn to admit it. They couldn¡¯t keep their eyes off each other all night, and even though Vienna spent most of it cozying up to Levi, her body language screamed her disinterest in the poor guy. She was leaning away from Levi, legs crossed, feet pointing toward Chase. The whole y with Levi was to make Chasey boy jealous, and from the way his nostrils red and his fists clenched every time he looked over at Vienna and Levi, her little game worked like a charm.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. Chase won¡¯t admit it, though, and now it¡¯s his turn to abruptly change the subject. ¡°You know, you could just let Miles have that spot on the mission,¡± he suggests. ¡°You could stick around here, be an official enforcer for the pack. I know that¡¯s what my dad was grooming you for.¡± ¡°Aww, you gonna miss me, Alpha?¡± I tease, pressing a hand over my heart like his deration moves me. ¡°I¡¯m touched, really.¡± ¡°Fuck off,¡± heughs, leaning over to shove me yfully. ¡°You know I want you here.¡± ¡°Well shit, if you stepped up to take your ce as my Alpha, you could order me to stay.¡± He goes to shove me again, but I hop up from the couch, dodging his onught. In all fairness, I probably deserve it, though. I¡¯m sure what I just said struck a nerve. Chase has been shirking his responsibilities and avoiding formally taking his ce as our pack¡¯s Alpha since his father died, and while I know it¡¯s all part of his grieving process, he¡¯s gotta get his head out of his ass one of these days. Our other friends walk on eggshells around him when ites to that shit, but I¡¯m not afraid to tell the guy how it is. Probably why he keeps me around- because he knows he needs someone to call him out. ¡°I¡¯d better get going,¡± I mumble, kicking at a red stic cup on the floor. ¡°We doin¡¯ it again tonight?¡± Chase shrugs a shoulder, leaning back and bringing his hands up to rest behind his head,cing his fingers together. ¡°Thought maybe we could take the party to the pit instead.¡± I grin. The ¡®pit¡¯ is our bonfire pit at the edge of the territory, and fuck, I love fire. There¡¯s just something about its destructive quality that calls to me. From the look in Chase¡¯s eyes, I know he feels the same way. I give him a nod, turning to head back to the guest room to gather the rest of my clothes. After I take a couple steps, though, I pause, swiveling back around as an idea strikes me. ¡°Cool if I invite a friend?¡± ¡°Since when do you have friends other than us?¡± he snorts. I shrug a shoulder. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m a likable guy.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± he replies dubiously before waving me off. ¡°Invite whoever, I don¡¯t give a shit.¡± I nod again, turning away to continue toward the hallway that houses the guest rooms, sliding my phone out of my pocket and firing off a text to Nessa on the way. I had the bright idea to steal her numberst night while I had her phone, sending myself a text from it, and now in light of the bet I made with Miles, it was a fucking good call. Callum: Hey there, emo girl. Wanna get hot tonight? Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Chapter 4 VANESSA Here¡¯s the thing- I don¡¯t give out my phone number to guys. Ever.So imagine my surprise when I was stocking the coolers at work this morning and my phone vibrated against the bar top with an iing text message from Callum Conway. His number wasn¡¯t saved in my phone, but I immediately knew the message was from him, and it didn¡¯t take long for me to figure out how he got ahold of my digits. The sneaky devil must¡¯ve sent himself a text from my phone when he was checking out my musicst night. If it were anybody else, I¡¯d probably be annoyed with the underhanded way he went about getting my number, but instead I found myself smiling down at my phone, heart pounding as I considered how to respond. Exchanging messages is harmless, right? At least that¡¯s what I kept telling myself as we texted back and forth all morning while I smiled down at my phone like a fool. I might¡¯ve gotten away with it, too, if I wasn¡¯t working the same shift as my best friend. Vienna knows I don¡¯t give my number out, so she was baffled by the fact that I was so caught up in texting with Callum, and honestly, same. All of this is so foreign to me, but there¡¯s just something about Cal. He¡¯s bold without being sleazy. Clever without being clich¨¦. And for the first time, I''m...curious. A lot of girls my age date around, Vienna included, but I never have. She thinks I¡¯m crazy, and she¡¯s said as much when I¡¯ve turned down dates or refuted advances from good-looking, smooth -talking guys that other girls would jump at the chance to go out with. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I¡¯ve never seen the point of dating or getting close to someone when I have a fated mate out there somewhere waiting for me. Humans talk about soulmates, but in shifter culture, finding that person is a very real possibility. Once we turn eighteen, every full moon presents a chance for us to find them. Our packs shift and run together under the light of the moon, and if you¡¯re lucky enough to be in the proximity of your fated mate on one of those nights, you¡¯ll feel it- the pull. My parents say it¡¯s like an irresistible force that draws you to your mate, and once youy eyes on one another, BAM! The bond snaps into ce. Even though all of us have a fated mate out there, not everyone is lucky enough to find theirs. Statistically, less than half of us will actually find them and get to experience that magical fated mate bond, but I¡¯m an optimist. My parents are fated mates, and I¡¯ve seen how deep that connection goes. They really are two halves of a whole. I want that for myself, and I¡¯ll hold out as long as I have to in order to find my other half. Which is why it¡¯s so out of character for me to be acting the way I am right now, carefully applying my makeup and straightening my hair, changing my clothes five times before settling on an outfit that screams casual, yet sexy. I¡¯m nervous.I don¡¯t get nervous around guys. What the hell has gotten into me? "It¡¯s not toote to back out, you know," Vienna sighs from the doorway of my bedroom, and I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s due to her own apprehension or if she¡¯s sensing mine. I know she¡¯s just as anxious about seeing Chase tonight, but she¡¯s gone the opposite way of me, putting minimal effort into her hair, makeup, and attire. She''s trying to send the message that she doesn¡¯t care enough to dress up for him, but I think she looks even more beautiful when she goes casual and lets her natural beauty shine through. If the Alpha has designs on ying it aloof with her again tonight, he doesn¡¯t stand a chance.I shake my head as I cross the room to Vienna. "Nice try," Iugh, snatching her by the arm and threading mine through the crook of her elbow. "We¡¯re doing this." "But it''s like ten degrees outside," she grumbles as I pull her toward the staircase. "Let it go, Vee.The cold never bothered me anyway." She stops in her tracks, hitting me with a dubious stare and raising a brow at my Disney reference. "Frozen? Really, Ness?" I giggle, starting down the stairs and yanking her with me. "It¡¯s Mia¡¯s favorite right now." Her lips pull into a smile at the mention of my four-year-old sister. Vee¡¯s an only child, while I¡¯m the oldest of seven.She¡¯s over here often enough that she¡¯s basically a member of the family, and my littlest sister Mia has Vee wrapped around her finger. "What happened to her Little Mermaid obsession?" she queries as she follows me down the staircase. "That wasst week," I say with the wave of a hand, ncing back at her over my shoulder. "Next week it¡¯ll be something else.You know how she is." I bound down the rest of the stairs, stepping over to the front door and calling out to my mom as I slide my feet into my boots. "I¡¯m heading out!" "Have fun!" my mom calls back instantly, her voice carrying from the back of the house. She¡¯s prettyid-back as far as parenting goes- I¡¯ve never given her a reason not to trust me, so she doesn¡¯t give me the third degree or question where I¡¯m going.She knows I''ll be responsible ande home at a decent hour, because that¡¯s what I¡¯ve always done.Plus, I¡¯m neen, so I¡¯m technically an adult now.I just haven¡¯t moved out because I like living here with my big, crazy family. "You sure you don¡¯t want to head to the bar or something instead?" Vienna asks as we make our way toward her car at the curb, snow crunching underneath our boots. "Positive," Iugh, giving her a yful shove. "Stop trying to get out of this!" The passenger door creaks on its hinges as I pull it open and drop into the seat, rattling with a hollow, tinny sound as I close it behind me. Vienna¡¯s car is a hunk of junk, but I''l] never say that out loud because I know how proud she is of it. She worked her butt off to buy it with her own money, so even if it feels like a rolling death trap, I¡¯ll act like we¡¯re riding in luxury every time. The engine starts with a groan and we pull away from the curb, heading out of town and toward Norbury¡¯s territory. It¡¯s right next to our own territory of Riverton, so the drive isn¡¯t a long one. Still, it¡¯s enough time for Vienna to give me the third degree about Callum once again when my phone lights up with an iing text message that I can¡¯t help but smile at. Callum: You stilling? "I just don¡¯t get it," Vienna grumbles, shaking her head in disapproval. "I mean, Cal? Out of all people?" "I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re reading into it so much," I reply with a casual shrug of my shoulders.I resist the urge to pick up my phone and text him back, knowing that Vee will see it as me being too eager. "I don¡¯t even know the guy." "Exactly! So why are you suddenly texting him like it¡¯s a thing?" Troll my eyes. "It¡¯s not a thing.You¡¯re the only one making it into a thing." My phone is practically burning a hole in the thigh of my ck jeans, my fingers itching to reach for it.Vienna shoots me a dubious side-eyed nce. "So you''re not dragging me out here tonight so you can see him?" "A bonfire sounded fun," I say nonchntly. "It was either this or watching Frozen with Mia for the hundredth time."She¡¯s quiet for a moment, but I can practically hear the gears turning in her head before she finally mumbles, "he just gives me the creeps." I bark out augh, swatting at Vee¡¯s arm with the back of a hand. "You''re ridiculous! You don¡¯t know him either, Vee.You can¡¯t judge a book by its cover." "Maybe you should, if the cover gives you the heebie jeebies." I shake my head, finally giving into the urge to pick up my phone and reply to Callum¡¯s message. Vanessa: On our way! Vienna is suspiciously quiet for the rest of the drive, but I think part of that is her own anxiety about tonight. Even if she won¡¯t admit it, there''s a palpable tension between her and Chase, and I think she¡¯s nervous about seeing him again after the wayst night ended. He went upstairs with some girl, and Vee practically dragged me out of the packhouse like it was on fire immediately after, like she couldn¡¯t bear to be under the same roof while he was hooking up with someone else. If that¡¯s not jealousy, I don¡¯t know what is. We park among a bunch of other cars at the side of a forest road deep in Norbury¡¯s territory, climbing out and trudging through the trees while allowing the sound of music and carrying voices to lead us to our destination. The orange glow of the firees into view up ahead, and I can feel the tension rolling off Vienna in waves, making me second guess whether it was the right decision to drag her here with me tonight. I told myself this was for her, to bust her out of the funk she¡¯s been intely, but were my reasons more Callum, smiling shyly when our eyes meet. He¡¯s reclined back ina big wooden chair, his long legs spread and his dark hoodie slung up over his head. His handsome features are partially shadowed by his hood, giving his grin this eerie, ominous quality as it forms on his lips. Even though the fire is hot at my back, a shiver races down my spine. "Ladies," Levi drawls, shaking me out of my temporary trance when he reappears with a bottle of beer in each hand, offering them to Vee and me. I smile appreciatively as I take it, curling my fingers around the cold neck of the bottle. A whistle brings my attention back to Cal, and I snap my gaze back to him as he nods to the empty bench beside his chair, beckoning me. I''m not a huge fan of being whistled at, but I find myself blindly following hismand, reaching for Vee¡¯s hand to drag her with me over to the bench.I sink down onto it, Vienna taking the spot next to me. For a long moment, he doesn''t say anything, the tension of his silence causing a knot of anxiety to form in my gut.It¡¯s silly that I¡¯m nervous- he invited me tonight, after all.He clearly wanted me toe, but it¡¯s the question of why that has me holding my breath in anticipation. "You made it," Callum finally utters, the deep timbre of his voice seeping inside me and unraveling the tightness in the pit of my stomach. I turn to look at him and his eyes are already on me, focused and unblinking. They look darker tonight, his pupils blown out so wide behind the shadow of his hood that only a sliver of his blue-green irises are visible.I part my lips to respond, but my breath gets caught somewhere in my throat when he suddenly reaches out to take the bottle of beer from my hand, his fingers brushing mine and sending a zip of electricity running through my body.I barely conceal my flinch, watching as he brings the beer bottle to his mouth, pops the cap off with his teeth, and hands it back to me. "Thanks," I breathe, taking a slow sip from the bottle.I¡¯m not much of a beer drinker, but right now, I¡¯d benefit from loosening up a little bit. "Where¡¯s yours?" I ask once I swallow it down and notice that he¡¯s empty handed. Callum shrugs. "I¡¯m not a big drinker." I narrow my eyes on him skeptically. "Coulda fooled mest night. Straight vodka, was it?" "That was an anomaly," he murmurs, his gaze sliding from me and lingering on the fire, the reflection of the mes dancing in his dark eyes. "Something set me off and I needed it.Most of the time, I like to keep a clear head." Funnily enough, right as he says that Chase passes him a joint.He takes it between his fingers, raising it to his lips. "What was that you were saying about keeping a clear head?" I tease, eyeing the joint and watching the cherry glowing red with his inhale. Cal chuckles slowly as he coughs out the smoke. "This just takes the edge off," he exins, holding it out to me in offering. "You want?" I sink my teeth into the cushion of my lower lip, giving a little shake of my head. His eyes dip to my mouth, then travel back up to Meet my own, narrowing. "You''re a good girl, aren¡¯t you?" he asks in that deep, rumbling voice of his, and my heart beats a little faster, my thighs squeezing together tighter. I keep my eyes trained on his, arching a brow. "So what if I am?" Heughs softly to himself and takes another hit of the joint before passing it back to Chase. "Nothing wrong with that.Just trying to get a read on you." He exhales the smoke toward the fire, sinking back farther in his chair. My lips twitch into a smirk as I watch him, the picture of a teenage heartbreaker. "And let me guess, you¡¯re a bad boy type, huh?" Callum¡¯s gaze flickers back to meet mine and he grins menacingly, running his tongue over his straight white teeth. "The worst, babe." Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Babe.I¡¯m not one for pet names, but surprisingly, I don¡¯t hate the way it sounds rolling off his lips. He¡¯s still pinning me with his stare, like he¡¯s daring me to be the first to look away. "Is this the part where you warn me to stay away from you?" I ask, tilting my head as I hold his gaze. Cal leans in a little closer. "If it was, would you listen?" He wins. My cheeks heat in a blush and I turn away to conceal it, taking a swig of beer from the bottle and staring absently into the fire. "Maybe.Though I prefer to make my own judgments about people." "Hm." I swing my head back around to face Callum, arching a brow. "What?" "Nothing," he grunts, swiping a hand over his chin. "You''re just...different." I narrow my eyes on him. "Good different or bad different?" The corner of his mouth turns up slightly. "Undecided." I roll my eyes, wrapping my lips around the rim of the beer bottle and taking another swig.I don¡¯t miss how his eyes track the movement - it¡¯s like he¡¯s always watching, always quietly observing. A lot of people would probably find that unnerving, but I find it slightly fascinating, like I¡¯m beginning to unravel what makes this mystery man tick. Levi delivers fresh beers to Vee and me, kicking some poor schmuck out of the seat next to Vienna so he can take it and try to flirt with her. She barely engages him, but I¡¯ve gotta give the guy credit for his persistence. He almost starts to make some headway with her, too, until she gets up and announces that she has to pee, leaving the fireside to trudge off into the forest. She isn¡¯t gone for two full seconds before Miles is sliding onto the bench beside me to take her spot, his thigh brushing mine as he scooches closer. "Hey, Nessa," he coos, hitting me with a bright smile. "d you came out tonight, I was hoping I¡¯d see you again." Cal throws Miles an annoyed re, and I can¡¯t help butugh to myself as I turn my attention to Miles, smiling politely. "You guys have a cool setup here," I say, gesturing around with my beer bottle. "Yeah, this is kinda our spot," Miles brags, his handnding on my thigh. "Need another beer or anything?" "No thanks," I murmur, slyly brushing his hand away as I lift my leg to cross it over the other. "Cool.Just let me know if you do." I nod, taking another sip of the beer in my hand and staring into the ze of the fire.I feel Miles move closer, leaning in beside my ear. "I ''know, I was a little bummed that you leftst night before I could get your number..."I fight back an eye roll. Miles is clearly interested in me- it was obvious from the first moment he sat down and introduced himself at the party with that eager look in his eyes- but he¡¯s trying way too hard. Guys often confuse my friendliness for flirtation, and it seems that Miles is no exception. "It was gettingte and Vee wanted to get going," I exin, brushing past his thinly veiled request for my phone number and hoping he¡¯ll take the hint. "So can I get your number now, then?" Or not.I force a smile to my lips. "I don¡¯t make a habit of giving out my number to guys I don¡¯t know." Miles isn¡¯t deterred by my brush- off. "Guess we¡¯ll have to get to know each other better, then," he replies, waggling his eyebrows. Yeah, this dude isn¡¯t great at picking up subtext. "Maybe," I say, swinging my gaze back around to Callum. Our eyes connect immediately and his lips curl into a grin. The guy looks smug as hell, but to be fair, I didn¡¯t give my number to him, either.He stole it. Something tells me he has a habit of bending the rules to suit him.I hear the pounding of footsteps in the distance, looking up right as Vienna emerges from the treeline at a full sprint.I know something''s wrong right away, and that¡¯s when I notice that Chase¡¯s chair is also vacant- did he follow her out there or something? I sit up straighter as Vee makes a beeline straight for me, her eyes wide and wild. "We¡¯ve gotta go," she says breathlessly, reaching for my arm. At the same time, Levi''s phone rings and he answers it, responding to whoever¡¯s on the other line in a clipped tone. "What''s going on?" I ask Vee as I allow her to pull me to my feet, but before she can answer, Levi¡¯s tucking his phone away and rising from his chair, cupping his hands around his mouth to call out to everyone around the bonfire pit. "Party¡¯s over, guys! There¡¯s a possible rogue nearby and the squad''s on their way!" "What?!" I squeak, grabbing onto Vienna¡¯s arm and squeezing as fear prickles up my spine. Rogues are packless wolf shifters that have gone feral, and they¡¯re both dangerous and unpredictable. If there¡¯s one close by, then we need to get the hell out of here.She nods in confirmation, taking my hand and pulling me away from the fire. "Like I said, girl, we¡¯ve gotta go." She doesn¡¯t need to tell me twice. People are already jogging away from the bonfire pit, heading back toward the road where we parked Vee''s car, and the two of us fall in with the mass exodus. It isn¡¯t until we¡¯ve made it back to the car that I realize I never said goodbye. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Chapter 5 CALLUM The Cedar Ridge ski resort is a winter tourist trap that sits just outside the edge of the six-pack¡¯s territory, owned and operated by the six shifter packs that reside within. Since we generally keep to ourselves, the ski resort was built as an ie stream to keep our towns afloat, as well as the Cedar Ridge brewery just down the road. The ski resort is shuttered in the summer months, but the brewery is open all year round so we have consistent revenue. It¡¯s a smart setup, but it also tempts us into wandering off-territory more than we probably should. My boys and I spend a lot of time at the ski resort in the winter, though we generally stay away from the human tourists as best we can since one of the fundamental rules of shifter culture is to keep our existence a secret. We¡¯ve all been snowboarding for years, and we take full advantage of the fact that we''ve got a full- service ski resort right in our backyards. The runs here are second to none, and while the guests staying at the resort pay hundreds of dors a day for lift tickets and equipment rental, the six of us just show up whenever we want to board, free of charge. It¡¯s a pretty sweet setup, one that I never take for granted. There¡¯s a big lodge at the heart of the ski resort where the guests stay,plete with a restaurant and bar. We¡¯ve typically steered clear of the lodge in the past to avoid tangling with the human poption, but ever since Chase discovered that Vienna works there, it has be a regr stop- off after wee down from the mountain. I¡¯ve been less against it since learning that Nessa works there, too, but I¡¯ve yet to catch her on a shift. Ever since the potential rogue sighting the other night, our packs have been on high alert. Chase, ever the opportunist, somehow manipted that into getting Vienna to give him a ride home at the end of her shift today under the guise of protection, so it¡¯s just Levi and I in his truck as we depart the ski resort, Miles and Dare hopping in to ride with Alec like they usually do. Right as we¡¯re about to pull out of the parking lot, my phone vibrates with an iing call, the name ¡®Fuckface¡¯ appearing on the screen. He¡¯s persistent, I¡¯ll give him that. I mash the red button to ignore the call, tossing my phone into the cupholder in the center console of Levi¡¯s truck "Troy again?" Levi asks, shooting me a side- eyed nce as he pulls out onto the forest road to head back to Norbury. I grunt in confirmation and scrub a hand over my face. I know I can¡¯t avoid my stepdad forever- it¡¯s only a matter of time before he gets sick of me dicking his calls and shows up at my door to ruin my fucking day in person- but for now, I don¡¯t have the energy to listen to his bullshit. It¡¯s quiet in the cab of Levi¡¯s truck, so I flick the button to turn on the radio, scrolling through the stations to find something worth listening to. I finallynd on one when my phone vibrates loudly against the cupholder and I bristle, ncing down at what¡¯s visible of the screen. It isn¡¯t Fuckface calling twice in a row, though - it¡¯s an iing text. I pick it up to get a better look, snorting when I read the message. Vanessa: Would you rather be 11 feet tall or 9 inches tall? Shaking my head with a chuckle, I open it up and start typing out a response. Callum: Definitely 11 feet. Chicks dig tall dudes. You? Vanessa: Nine inches. I¡¯d be able to sneak into small spaces and listen in on everyone¡¯s private conversations like a tiny spy. 1 I choke on augh and Levi darts me a suspicious nce, his eyes dropping to my phone screen to try to sneak a peek. I''m quick to conceal it from the nosy bastard by shoving my phone in my jacket pocket and staring out the windshield. Nessa and I have been texting on and off since the night of the bonfire, mostly silly would -you-rather hypotheticals that I can¡¯t even remember how we got started with. Gotta keep the conversation going so I can win this bet, right? Ugh. Just the thought of Miles¡¯ stupid game makes my skin prickle in irritation, effectively un-doing all the progress I made on de- stressing by cutting up the mountain all morning. Snowboarding is great and all, but it isn¡¯t nearly enough to keep my particr demons at bay. "You got a fight lined up for me yet?" I grind out, eyes still focused on the forest road ahead. "Nah, man, nobody¡¯s stupid enough to take you on.Especially after thest one." An annoyed growl rumbles in my chest and I scrub my hand over my face again. I can feel that dark, ugly thing building inside of me like it always does, and I know that if I can¡¯t find a way to let it out soon, it''ll start to take over. The only thing that seems to work is violence. Alpha Vaughn understood that- he helped me harness my rage, channel it into something productive by setting me on enforcement tasks for the pack. Those were never public knowledge, though, so after he died, those opportunities died with him. I was on the verge of losing my shit, but then some drunken asshole challenged me to a fight one night, and I achieved that same catharsis from beating his face in. It was entertaining as shit for the boys to watch, so they found me another opponent the next week and encouraged me to do it again, turning it into a regr thing for the past couple months. That is, until they couldn¡¯t find any more takers.I guess that¡¯s the downside of people being scared of you. "Keep trying," I grumble, barely concealing my agitation. I need a joint.I dig into my pocket for one bute up empty. Levi waves me off like it¡¯s nothing. "Yeah, yeah.I will." He shifts in his seat, his jaw twitching as he navigates the curves of the forest road.I don¡¯t miss how tense his shoulders are and the way he¡¯s white knuckling the steering wheel. Something¡¯s bothering him, and I¡¯ve got a pretty good idea as to what that might be. "You think he¡¯s into her?" he mumbles. There it is.I heave a sigh, flopping my head backwards against the headrest.I don¡¯t have the patience for this kind of trivial shit right now, and for the life of me I still can¡¯t figure out why Chase and Levi are fighting over Vienna like a couple of dogs over a bone. Especially when her friend is ridiculously hot, and beyond all logic, neither of them have seemed to take notice. "Yeah, man," I reply, swiping my hand over my chin. "It''s obvious." Levi grunts, clearly not liking my answer. "Then why hasn¡¯t he said anything to me? He knows I like her.""Do you like her, or do you just want to fuck her?" I challenge, swinging my gaze on him.He furrows his brow. "What¡¯s the difference?" "Well if you just wanna fuck her, then what¡¯s the problem if he¡¯s interested, too? Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re above Chase¡¯s sloppy seconds." Levi tears a hand off the wheel, balling his fist and swinging his arm sideways to deliver a jab to my bicep.I don¡¯t even flinch; I absorb the pain like an addict getting a fix. "Asshole," he mutters. Then, after a beat, "You think she¡¯ll be at Serena¡¯s birthday thing this weekend?" I shrug a shoulder. "Probably.She''s friends with a few of the Lunas, isn¡¯t she?" "How do you know?" Because I fucking pay attention.I just shrug again. Levi clenches his fists around the steering wheel again, his jaw set in determination. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. "Well if she shows, I¡¯m gonna make my move.Maybe you can be my wingman, help me get Vienna and I''ll help you get on that friend of hers." My eyes roll so far back in my head that I practically see my skull.As if I''d need his help. "Get me that fight and I''ll consider it," I grumble. Levi¡¯s lips slide into a grin and he shoots me a side-eyed nce, waggling his eyebrows. "Well hey, if all else fails, you can always fight Miles over her." "Right," I snort. "Try finding me someone who can actually throw a punch, eh?" "Yeah," he sighs, waving me off again. "I¡¯m on it." Levi didn¡¯t get me that fucking fight.I''m so on edge by Saturday night that I feel like I¡¯m about to crawl out of my skin, and thest ce I should probably be is out at a packed bar full of drunk assholes. The Stillwater Tap is busier than I¡¯ve ever seen it with the crowd that turned out for Serena¡¯s birthday celebration, and if one more person inadvertently bumps into me as they pass by, I''m liable to lose my shit. Trust me when I say nobody wants to see that.I might fuck around and kill someone, and Alpha Vaughn isn¡¯t around anymore to help clean up my messes. It seems that Chase is right there with me since Vienna showed up here tonight on the arm of some other dude, and his agitation is rubbing off on me, only further fueling my own.I shouldn¡¯t stay here.I know it, but I can¡¯t bring myself to leave, either, because I know Nessa ns oning, and I¡¯ll be damned if Miles is gonna get one up on me by having her all to himself tonight. It¡¯s just about the bet. It has nothing to do with her as a person, or the maddening truth that I still can¡¯t figure out what the hell it is she¡¯s hiding behind that sugar-sweet facade. It definitely doesn¡¯t have to do with the way that I¡¯ve been texting her all week despite the fact that I don¡¯t fucking text. A means to an end. A pawn on a chessboard. When the guys start ripping more shots, I take that as my cue to step out, desperate for another way to take the edge off. While getting belligerently drunk does seem appealing right now, I know better than to go down that road when I''m in this state. My temper¡¯s already on a hair trigger. Adding whiskey to that fire will only fuel it, and chances are, I''ll wind up doing something stupid that I¡¯ll live to regrete morning. The cold night breeze smacks me in the face as I push through the door to exit the bar, dragging in a greedy lungful of fresh air. The air inside that ce is thick, stagnant, and reeks of booze and sweat. I¡¯m pretty sure the whole town of Stillwater came out for Serena¡¯s birthday tonight since she¡¯s their Luna, and Chase dragged us here because he¡¯s got this weird friendship with her. I¡¯ve never been fond of Serena since she starteding around and encroaching on our tight group of six, but I put up with her because she¡¯s mated to Reid, one of the six-pack Alphas, and I know Chase needs to get in with them if he¡¯s going to step up to lead our pack. Doesn¡¯t mean I have to like it, though. I stride away from the bar entrance, seeking out a dark corner near the edge of the building to post up at while I spark up a joint. Just to take the edge off so I can go back in there and try to make it through the rest of this night without unraveling. It¡¯s not a sure bet, but it¡¯s worth a try. I''m dragging the thick marijuana smoke deep into my lungs when the sound of heels cking against the asphalt draws my attention, my gaze lifting to the far end of the parking lot to see a figure emerge from the darkness. She¡¯s walking with a determined stride; confident, yet not overly so. She carries herself like she knows who she is, her curvy hips swaying with every step. The dress she¡¯s wearing looks like it¡¯s painted on, clinging to her slim waist and the swell of her breasts. They¡¯re round and perky, bouncing temptingly with every step she takes. She draws closer. Her legs are long, toned, and look like they were dipped in bronze, carved by the gods themselves. They¡¯ re so fucking long, and it¡¯s not just an optical illusion created by the stiletto heels on her feet. My eyes linger on them as tendrils of smoke leave my lips and I raise the joint to take another puff. She steps out of the shadows, suddenly bathed in light emanating from a streemp high above her. I¡¯m finally gifted with a good look at her, and I choke on the smoke I¡¯m inhaling, my throat burning as my lungs try to force it out. I''d recognize that face anywhere, and not only because it¡¯s the one I pictured while I was jacking my dick in the shower this morning. Almond eyes, high cheekbones, and plump lips that I want to sink my teeth into. Her long hair is styled in loose curls, bouncing around her heart-shaped face as she struts toward the entrance of the bar,pletely unaware that I¡¯m stalking her from the shadows. She suddenly slows her approach, like she senses a predator in her midst, and I push off from the brick building, stepping out from under the cover of darkness. Nessa¡¯s head swivels around, her eyes finding mine instantly as she sucks in a little gasp of surprise. "Callum?" Chapter 6 Chapter 6 6 VANESSA I feel him before I see him, watching me from a dark alcove near the front entrance of the bar. Always watching. When Callum steps out, he looks like a demon emerging from the shadows. His are teeth bared in a malevolent grin, his sharp jawline illuminated by the neon bar sign hanging in the window beside him. His name leaves my lips in question as my eyes drink in the sight of him; tall, broad¨Cshouldered, and dressed in dark denim, a faded grey t¨Cshirt, and a beat¨Cup ck leather jacket. His hair is deliciously disheveled, a stray lock flopping down over his forehead and skimming his browline. He¡®s the picture of a beautiful nightmare; a bad boy fantasye to life. My pulse races in nervous excitement as I swivel away from the front door of the Stillwater Tap to take a step in his direction instead. ¡°Hi.¡± My voicees out in a breathy whisper; so damn husky that I hardly even recognize it. ¡°Hi,¡± he answers back in that deep, raspy timbre. I shiver. My heels snick against the pavement underfoot as I continue in his direction.¡° What are you doing out here?¡± Callum holds up a hand, a joint smoldering between his fingers. I smirk, pausing a few feet away from him and folding my arms over my chest.¡° Keeping a clear head, I see.¡± ¡°Always.¡± He tosses the still¨Cburning joint to the ground, grinding it into the pavement underneath the sole of one of his big boots. ¡°It¡®s a madhouse in there,¡± hements, tipping his head to indicate the building that houses the Stillwater Tap. ¡°Yeah?¡± I take another step toward him. ¡°Yeah,¡± he echoes, closing the remaining distance between us in a single stride. He¡®s suddenly so close that we¡®re breathing each other¡®s air. He smells like juniper and smoke, leather and spice¨C a heady, masculinebination that my wolf immediately responds to. I feel her stirring in my chest, pushing her way forward in sudden interest. His eyes are hypnotizing. Turquoise, like the Caribbean sea, with little shimmering specks of silver. His wolf peeking back at mine. His tongue snakes out to wet his lips, and my gaze immediately drops to them, mapping the dip of his cupid¡®s bow, the swell of his plump lower lip. They look so soft. Kissable... His fingertips meet my jawline and my eyes snap back up to his. His touch is electric. My heart pounds faster as he trails his fingers along my jaw, and I¡®m thankful the music pulsing from the bar beside us is loud enough to mask it. I suck in a breath through my teeth, my eyes sliding closed as I revel in the sensation of his featherlight touch. ¡°Want to go somewhere quieter?¡± A Wait, what the hell did I just ask? My eyes fly open in disbelief that those words just left my lips. I don¡®t know what¡®s gotten into me all of the sudden, but I¡®m obviously not thinking clearly. Those soft, kissable lips twitch up into a sinful smirk and his hand slides down to cup my chin, pulling my face closer. His eyes are so close to my own that they cross a little in an effort to focus. ¡°You got a car?¡± 1 My head bobs as I nod wordlessly. ¡°Alright. C¡®mon.¡± Callum releases my chin and slings an arm around my shoulders, tucking me into his side and starting toward the parking lot. His body is so warm in contrast to the bitter winter chill that I find myself leaning into him, seeking that warmth. Seeking him. Holy hell, what am I doing?! My heart thunders against my ribs as we walk toward the back of the lot, my mind racing. Don¡®t overthink it. Easier said than done. What if he took that as an invitation to hook up? ¡°Which one¡®s yours?¡± Cal asks, lifting his chin toward the line of cars. ¡°The silver one.¡± I pop open my clutch and fumble around inside for my keys, clicking the unlock button on the key fob once I find them. The tail lights blink and Cal¡®s arm drops from around my shoulders as he strides around to the passenger side. I take a deep breath as I open the door and drop down onto the drivers¡® seat, taking my ce behind the wheel. He slides in beside me as I¡®m fastening my seatbelt. ¡°Where to?¡± I ask, trying to y it as casual as possible while I hit the push¨Cto¨Cstart button and fire up the engine. ¡°Head toward Norbury.¡± Crap, is he taking me back to his ce? I¡®m so out of my depth here. Callum immediately turns on the radio and starts messing with the dial to find a station, the noise a wee reprieve from the errant thoughts pinging around in my brain. I tamp down my anxiety as I pull out of the lot, navigating through town and turning onto the forest road that connects the six¨Cpack territories. ¡°So what was it like?¡± I ask, a feeble attempt to make casual conversation.¡± Serena¡®s party.¡± ¡°Crowded,¡± Cal grumbles. I dart him a sideways nce, momentarily mesmerized by the way the shadows dance across the sharp lines of his profile. ¡°Did you see Vee?¡± He grunts in affirmation. ¡°She showed up with some other dude.¡± ¡°What?¡± I gasp, my eyes flying wide. I know my friend, and she would¡®ve told me if she was nning on going to the party with a date. He chuckles softly. ¡°Chase just about lost his shit.¡± ¡°I knew he had a thing for her!¡± I exim, pping a hand against the steering wheel. Callum tosses me a nce, smirking. ¡°He¡®s not fooling anyone, huh? Except maybe himself.¡± He swipes a hand over his chin, his aqua eyes glinting in amusement. ¡°Him and Vee both,¡± I giggle. I rx more as we fill the duration of the drive chatting about our friends and the party at the Stillwater Tap, almost forgetting about our destination. The lighthearted banter puts me at ease until Cal points out the turn for Norbury, and once I take it and he starts giving me directions, anxiety creeps back in. ¡°Take this left,¡± Callum instructs, pointing out the windshield to indicate. My muscles start to lock up as I turn the wheel, my frantic thoughts rushing to my lips like word vomit. ¡°If you think this is a hookup, you¡®ve got me all wrong,¡± I blurt, my hair whipping me in the face as I snap my head toward him. ¡°If you¡®re bringing me back to your ce, I...¡± He cuts me off with a bark ofughter, his handnding on my bare thigh. ¡°I¡®d fuck you, but we could¡®ve just done that in the parking lot,¡± he murmurs, smirking. ¡°And if you think I bring women back to my ce, then you¡®ve got me wrong, too.¡± Huh? My brows draw together in confusion as he leans forward, pointing to the wide shoulder of the road. ¡°Pull off here.¡± I hit the brakes to slow down, pulling over and sliding the gear into park. Now I¡®m even more confused. We¡®re in the middle of nowhere, there¡®s nothing but trees all around us. Is this some kind of sick joke? His hand squeezes my thigh, sending a swarm of tingles racing through my body. ¡°You got anything other than those heels? Might be hard to walk through the snow in them.¡± ¡°Uh, yeah,¡± I breathe, unclipping my seatbelt and opening my door. We both get out and Callum meets me at the trunk as I¡®m popping it open to retrieve a pair of snow boots. When my mom urged me to keep a pair in here in case of roadside emergencies, something tells me this isn¡®t what she had in mind. I grip the edge of the trunk for bnce as I slide my stilettos off my feet, recing them with the clunky fur¨Clined boots. ¡°Got a jacket?¡± Callum inquires, and I respond with a shake of my head. Without missing a beat, he shrugs his own off his shoulders, passing it in my direction. I should probably be questioning this more than I am right now. Callum Conway, a guy that most people fear, just directed me to drive him to the middle of nowhere in the dead of night. And now he¡®s bundling me up like we¡®re going for a hike or something, separating me from my vehicle so I have no way out of here. When exactly should I start panicking? The inside of his jacket is still warm when I slide my arms into the sleeves, and damn, it smells like him. Like juniper and smoke and man. I barely contain a satisfied groan as I wrap myself up in it, the sleeves hanging down past my hands. ¡°C¡®mon.¡± He ms the trunk closed with a palm, turning on a heel and gesturing for me to follow him into the woods. Am I crazy enough to do this? No turning back now, I guess... The snow crunches underneath my boots as I follow his path, surveying my surroundings to try to get my bearings. There¡®s something familiar about the route we¡®re taking, but I can¡®t quite put my finger on it. At least, not until we reach a break in the trees and I see a clearing where a bunch of old chairs are circled up around a firepit. ¡°Here?!¡± Iugh incredulously, still following him as he marches straight for therge bonfire pit encircled in stones. He throws me a smirk over his shoulder. ¡°What, did you think I was leading you into the woods to kill you?¡± Maybe. ¡°Our time here was cut short the other night,¡± Cal shrugs, stepping past the pit to a woodpile, brushing a layer of snow off the top. I wrap my arms around myself for warmth and bury my face in the cor of Callum¡®s jacket, breathing in his scent as I watch him start hauling logs into the pit. ¡°Aren¡®t you worried about the rogue?¡± I question. ¡°Nah.¡± He keeps tossing logs on, and once he¡®s got a sizable stack, he reaches for a bottle of lighter fluid, squirting it all over the pile of firewood. My nose wrinkles as the pungent aroma taints the air and I bury my nose further into Cal¡®s jacket. I wonder if he wears cologne. No man has the right to smell this good. He lights a match, tossing it into the pit, and the whole stack of wood ignites with a whoosh, the heat immediately seeping into my skin. I blink against the harsh light that it puts put off, watching Callum stare into the mes in morbid fascination. 1 He¡®s definitely a fire bug. I file that little tidbit away forter, adding it to the growing list of things I¡®ve been learning about Callum Conway. He¡®s not at all what I expected, but then again, people rarely are. I¡®m not sure why I¡®m so fascinated by him. He has me acting like I¡®m somebody else,pletely out of my element. I¡®m not sure yet if that should worry me. Cal strides over to the same big wooden chair he was seated in the other night, sinking down onto it and beckoning me with a lift of his chin. It¡®s a cocky move, but one I find myself responding to nheless. With my arms still wrapped around myself and my hands buried inside the jacket sleeves, I walk toward him, eyeing the bench that I upiedst weekend. He notices, tapping his leg with a palm. I pause in front of the bench, then sidestep and drop down onto hisp. I can only conclude that someone else is living in my body right now. There¡®s no other exnation for this reckless behavior. He probably needs me for warmth, considering he gave up his jacket¨C but when Callum¡®s arm snakes around my waist, pulling me backwards to rest against his chest, it¡®s hard, broad, and radiating heat. Shifters generally run hot. The cold doesn¡®t bother us like it would the average human; spending time outdoors like this in the dead of winter is perfectly normal for us, while humans would be freezing their butts off. I gaze into the fire, watching the bright orange mes dance toward the sky as my head drops back against Callum¡®s shoulder. I¡®ve never sat like this with someone before, and it¡®s actually... nice. It¡®s comfortable. Which is strange, considering who I¡®m with. ¡°Why are people afraid of you?¡± I murmur, thinking aloud. ¡°Because I¡®m not a good person.¡± His answer is instant, like he¡®s fielded that question a hundred times. Heaving a sigh, I sit up, twisting sideways in Callum¡®sp to look into his eyes. I shake my head. ¡°I don¡®t believe that.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. His eyes narrow and he gives me this funny look, like in all the times he¡®s answered that question, he¡®s never had someone disagree. It makes me sad for him. ¡°I know you think you¡®re some sort of idealist,¡± he rasps, his arm tightening around my waist. He leans in a little closer, my heart rate quickening. ¡°But sometimes when people tell you exactly who they are, you should believe them.¡± A giggle bubbles up from my throat and I shake my head again, punctuating it with an eyeroll.¡°Why are you so intent on trying to scare me off?¡± Iugh. ¡°You know I don¡®t do this, right?¡± ¡°Do what?¡± he asks, his brow creasing. I lift a hand, gesturing between us. ¡°This. Date.¡± Now it¡®s his turn tough. ¡°Good, because I don¡®t either.¡± Yet even though we just agreed on that, it feels like we¡®re drifting closer together, our bodies maized to one another¡®s. ¡°Then what are we doing?¡± I ask, arching a brow as a coy smile pulls at my lips. His are so close to my own, just a whisper away, and my gaze drops to them unwittingly. ¡°Just going with it.¡± Callum leans in, his lips brushing against mine as every synapse in my body springs to life. His lips are as soft as they look, touching mine gently, tentatively, almost like he¡®s seeking permission. And I... go with it. I reach up to cup his jaw, squeezing my eyes closed and pressing my lips against his. Beyond all reason, despite all logic, I kiss him. My lips slide against the softness of his own, a little clumsy and unsure, but he doesn¡®t leave me hanging this man knows what he¡®s doing. A growl rumbles in his chest and he pulls me in closer, crushing his mouth against mine as I gasp his air. My whole body feels like a livewire, crackling with energy and molten heat as Callum deepens the kiss like he wants to devour me. He licks my lips with his tongue, teasing the seam until I part them to grant him entry. His mouth tastes sinful, his tongue wickedly tangling with mine in an intoxicating fury of desire. I follow his lead, kissing him harder, losing myself in the passion of the moment His hands are on my body, mine are in his hair, tugging the strands as his teeth nip my lips and a moan escapes my throat. This isn¡®t me. I don¡®t kiss boys, unless you count Craig Ferguson in the fourth grade or Tommy Bleeker in the sixth. I¡®ve never been kissed properly, not like this. I never knew it could be like this. If I did, maybe I would¡®ve tried to do it sooner. His kiss is rough, yet gentle. Demanding, yet cautious. It¡®s somehow everything that it should be, and when we finally break it to catch our breath, we¡®re both panting, eyes alight like we just cracked some secret code that neither of us knew existed. His thumb traces the outline of my lower lip as I stare at him in wonderment, my skin hot, cheeks flushed. ¡°Callum, I...¡± ¡°It¡®ste,¡± he snaps, something in his gaze shuttering as his hand drops from my face. His arm falls away from my waist. ¡°You should go.¡± 1 And just like that, the moment¡®s over. I turn away before he can see the bewilderment in my eyes, scrambling off of hisp and finding my footing in the snow. ¡°Sure. Yeah.¡± What just happened? My mind¡®s all tangled up again, my legs unsteady from the foreign sensations still rushing through my body. Was I a bad kisser? Callum pushes up from his chair, stepping closer to me. ¡°Hey.¡± He loops his arms around my waist, holding me steady. ¡°You alright?¡± I tilt my chin to gaze up at him. I¡®m tall for a girl, but he¡®s a good six inches taller. It¡®s almost too much to look into his eyes, at his lips... Before I can even blink, they¡®re descending on mine again, liquid fire coursing through my veins. Our mouths connect in a frenzy of lips and tongues and teeth, a kiss so scorching hot that it puts the first one to shame. My knees buckle, my heart races. I don¡®t even want toe up for air. I can barely breathe when he pulls away, his eyes a storm of conflicted lust.¡° Fuck,¡± he hisses, stumbling backwards and scrubbing a hand over his face. ¡°You need to leave,¡± Cal growls. 1 The threat in his tone sends a shiver racing up my spine. It¡®s not him I¡®m afraid of, though¨C it¡®s my own body¡®s reaction to him; the heat flooding my veins and the desire pooling between my thighs that has me terrified. He slowly backs away, shaking his head, molten eyes pinning me in ce. ¡°Don¡®t you need a ride home?¡± I stammer, still breathless and trembling. ¡°No. Go.¡± I grasp ahold of my bearings and do what any normal, rational person would do in this situation. I turn around and run. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 7 VANESSA ¡°I¡®ll be out of your hair in a few days,¡± Vienna exins to my mom as she takes a dish of green beans from her hands. ¡°Oh, stop,¡± Mom scolds, swatting Vee on the butt with a kitchen towel. ¡°You know you¡®re wee to stay as long as you like. We love having you here!¡± I pick up a basket of rolls, shooting my friend a wide grin. ¡°Yeah, just think of it as an extended sleepover!¡± She smiles wryly, following me to the kitchen table to deposit the food. The whole house smells amazing¨C my mom always cooks hearty dinners, but she pulls out all the stops when we havepany. Although Vienna can hardly be considered¡®pany¡®¨C she¡®s practically family. This isn¡®t the first time Vee has crashed at my house, but it¡®s the first time she¡®s arrived with a duffel bag in tow and expressed her intention of staying for longer than a single night. I¡®m d she did. When she called me early this morning, I could tell by the tone of her voice that something was wrong, and when she showed up at my door, the look on her face confirmed it. I¡®m pretty sure her mom¡®s boyfriend has been hitting her. It¡®s little things I¡®ve picked up on¨C fading bruises, the way Vee flinches when I mention him. I keep waiting for her toe clean and tell me what¡®s going on, but so far, she hasn¡®t. I¡®d confront her if I thought she was in any real danger, but she¡®s trained as a warrior for the security squad; she fought in the war against the shadow pack. The girl is a scrapper who can hold her own. I¡®ll be here for her when she¡®s ready to talk about it, but until then, I¡®ll support her in any way I can, like giving her a ce to crash. Because that¡®s what best friends do. Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. I duck out of the way as my dad sets a huge tter of roasted chicken in the center of the table. ¡°I think you¡®ve outdone yourself, babe,¡± he calls back to my mom, hitting her with a dazzling smile. ¡°This looks incredible.¡± Mom smiles back, a blush forming on her cheeks. Even after all these years, the man still makes her blush. Damn, I want that. 1 ¡°Ness, will you tell your brothers it¡®s time to eat?¡± Mom asks, reaching behind her back to untie her apron. I nod and make my way out of the kitchen and into the living room. Marco and Matias are sitting side by side on the couch, both zeroed in on some zombie video game they¡®re ying as their fingers mash the buttons on the controllers. They¡®re eleven¨Cyear¨Cold twins, little carbon copies of one another in so many ways andpletely inseparable. I march up to the couch, leaning over it to reach for the big gaming headphones on Marco¡®s head and tugging them down. As soon as I do, he whips toward me with his mouth agape in protest, but I just hit him with a big grin. ¡°Dinner time, zombie hunters.¡± I half expect the twins to put up more of a fight, but they both toss their controllers aside in near¨Cperfect synchronicity, hopping up from the couch toply. ¡°Lucas and Raf?¡± I question, ncing around the living room in search of my other two little brothers. They¡®re six and eight, and the two of them are always either raising hell or somehow hiding in in sight. ¡°Upstairs working on their pillow fort,¡± my teenage sister Elena provides as she strolls into the room from the foyer. ¡°Mia, too.¡± ¡°Wanna go grab them?¡± I ask. ¡°Dinner¡®s ready.¡± She groans like a typical moody teenager, but she spins on a heel, trudging back toward the foyer to retrieve our siblings from upstairs. I stroll back into the kitchen to find the others already taking their seats around the table, eager to dig into the feast my mom prepared. Dad takes the lead in passing around the food while Mom tes up dinner for the younger kids, and once the little kidse down and everyone settles in, Mom immediately starts in on teasing Vienna. ¡°Only one piece of chicken?¡± she tuts. ¡°That¡®s why you¡®re so tiny! Here, take another.¡± Before Vienna can protest, Mom picks up the tongs and snatches another piece from the tter, dropping it unceremoniously onto Vienna¡®s te. I chuckle, shaking my head as I cut into my own piece of chicken. ¡°Leave her alone, Ma.¡± I shoot my friend an apologetic nce, but for the first time since she arrived, she has a genuine smile on her face, augh slipping from her throat. Maybe this is what she needed after what was clearly a rough night¨C a little slice of normalcy. My mom has been teasing Vee about her petite stature since we were children, offering her food like she¡®s one good meal away from a growth spurt. It¡®s her way of showing she cares. ¡°Has the lodge been busy this season?¡± Dad asks, making casual conversation as he cuts into a chicken breast. ¡°Definitely,¡± I reply as I start in on my own. I nod toward Vienna. ¡°Vee has been picking up a bunch of extra shifts. Seems they¡®re always short¨Cstaffedtely.¡± Elena has been focused on her dinner te, but she suddenly perks up, our conversation catching her interest. ¡°Is it true about the rogue?¡± she inquires, wide¨Ceyed. ¡°Some kids at school said they heard one was spotted up there.¡± ¡°The squad¡®s on it,¡± Vienna answers between bites of food. ¡°Nothing to worry about.¡± I catch my parents exchanging nces, but they don¡®t say anything. If they¡®re concerned, they¡®ll bring it upter without the little kids around. Too bad the boys already heard the word ¡®rogue¡®, though, because their interest is officially piqued. ¡°A real rogue?¡± Lucas asks, blinking. ¡°Did you see him?¡± Raf demands. ¡°What did he look like?¡± Lucas cuts in again. Viennaughs, shaking her head as she stabs another piece of chicken with her fork. ¡°Yes, I saw him,¡± she says, popping the bite into her mouth and chewing. The boys stare at her in anticipation as she chews, practically vibrating with excitement. ¡°And?¡± Raf presses, unable to contain his curiosity for another second. Vee shrugs. ¡°He just looked like a man. Honestly, it wasn¡®t a big deal.¡± My brothers scowl, clearly disappointed by her anticlimactic answer. ¡°It¡®s a big enough deal for Alpha Chase to be checking in on you,¡± I quip, shooting Vienna a wink. I jump as I get a kick to the shin under the table while she res daggers back at me, but it¡®s toote ¨C my mom¡®s now zeroed in on Vienna, her eyebrows raised so high that they practically reach her hairline. ¡°An Alpha, huh?¡± Mom asks slyly, a smirk creasing her lips. ¡°The young one from Norbury?¡± ¡°That¡®s the one!¡± I chirp, smiling brightly at Vienna while she continues to re at me. Mom chuckles, nudging Vienna with her elbow. ¡°Good for you, Vee. All you girls do is work, it¡®s about time you had some excitement in your lives.¡± ¡°It¡®s not... we¡®re not...¡± she stammers, suddenly flustered. Leave it to my mom to render Vienna Vega speechless. ¡°They¡®re still getting to know each other,¡± I supply, hitting Vee with a teasing smirk. She continues to glower at me. Mom can¡®t wipe the smile off her face, unable to conceal her delight. Vienna¡®s like another daughter to her, so the prospect of her dating an alpha is an exciting one that has her beaming with pride. She pops a forkful of green beans into her mouth, still grinning as she chews. 1 ¡°What about you, Nessa?¡± Dad asks, arching a brow in my direction. ¡°Any special guy in your life these days?¡± I roll my eyes and reach for my water ss. They always ask this question, even though my answer is always the same. My parents know I don¡®t date. Still, that doesn¡®t stop them from not¨Cso¨Csubtly encouraging me. ¡°Maybe the alpha has a friend for you,¡± Mom suggests teasingly. My stomach drops and my cheeks heat. She doesn¡®t know how right she is. Now it¡®s Vienna¡®s turn to hit me with a smug smirk, sliding her gaze over to my parents as she swallows down a bite of food. She sets down her fork, folding her hands in front of her. ¡°Actually, Nessa...¡± ¡°Ow!¡± Elena screams out, wincing as she shoves back in her chair dramatically and leans down to rub her shin. Whoops¨C I must¡®ve identally kicked my sister when I was aiming for Vienna. ¡°What happened?¡± Mom asks, her eyes rounded in concern. ¡°Nessa kicked me!¡± Elena whines. Dad turns his surprised gaze on me. ¡°Nessa!¡± I hold up my hands in surrender. ¡°It was an ident!¡± 1 Lucky for me, the topic of conversation is lost in themotion, Elena ying up her injury like a damn drama queen while my parents scold me for not being more careful. By the time the excitement dies down, the twins have wolfed down their food and are begging to return to their video game, while Mia is lobbying for us all to watch Beauty and the Beast after dinner. TT ¡°What happened to Frozen?¡± Vienna asks Mia. ¡°That wasst week,¡± Mom and Dad reply in unison. Their eyes meet and they share a knowing smile. They¡®re so in sync that it¡®s scary sometimes. After we¡®ve all cleaned our tes and most of my siblings have disappeared from the table, I feel my phone vibrate in the back pocket of my jeans and resist the urge to grab for it. I¡®ve been texting with Callum on and off today, but I¡®ve had to be discreet about it with Vienna around. She asked me this morning why I didn¡®t make it to Serena¡®s partyst night, and rather than spilling my guts to her like I usually do, I panicked and told her that I stayed in because I wasn¡®t feeling well. I¡®m not sure why I lied. I¡®m not a liar by nature, and I don¡®t lie to Vienna. At least I didn¡®t, until now. I guess I¡®m still a little freaked out aboutst night, and I¡®m trying to make sense of it all in my own head before I admit what happened out loud. The problem is, every time I let my mind wander, I¡®m right back at that bonfire pit, kissing Callum. Heat crawls up my neck just at the thought of it, my fingers itching to reach for my phone and check my messages. This is all uncharted territory for me: the texting, the giddiness, the kissing. The lying. I keep asking myself why now, why him? Yet somehow, it¡®s like the kiss itself answered both of those questions. It felt right. Magical. And... I definitely want to do it again. ¡°Vee and I can clean up,¡± I offer, plucking my napkin off myp and dropping it down onto the table. ¡°Can we watch the movie now?¡± Mia begs. Momughs, nodding as she rises from her chair. ¡°Let¡®s go, chiquita.¡± My sister squeals with glee and my parents take her in the other room to get her movie set up, while Vienna and I immediately start clearing the table, depositing the tes and cutlery in the sink and packaging up the leftovers. The whole time, my phone feels like a lead weight in my back pocket. Even though we have a big house, my family is bigger. I share a room with my sister Elena and now that Vee¡®s staying here, she¡®s bunking in with us. We¡®ve got her set up on a futon mattress on the floor, and after we all settle in for the night, I lie awake for what feels like forever, listening for the two of them to fall asleep. Tonight was definitely an exercise in restraint, because I¡¯ve ignored my phone since dinner. I feel a little guilty for keeping Vee in the dark about what¡®s going on with Callum, but until I figure out what it is the two of us are doing, I want to keep it just between us. I have no idea what I¡¯m doing. As soon as I hear the sound of Vienna and Elena¡®s breathing even out, I grab for my phone, throwing the covers over my head and pressing the home button to illuminate the screen. There¡®s a new text message from Callum waiting, and my heart starts to pound as I open it up beneath my cocoon of nkets. Callum: Would you rather win $25,000 or have your best friend win $100,000? I can¡®t keep the dopey grin from spreading across my face as I read it. I¡®ve lost count of how many would¨Cyou¨Crather questions we¡®ve volleyed back and forth at this point, but I¡®ve been enjoying the game. You can learn a lot about a person based on their answers, and I¡®m slowly but surely getting to know the mysterious Callum Conway through these silly hypotheticals. Vanessa: Easy. 100k to my bestie. Callum: How¡®d I know that would be your answer? I chuckle softly to myself, pulling the covers tighter around me to conceal the light from my phone. Vanessa: Well to be fair, I bet she¡®d share her winnings with me. Vanessa: Which would you choose? The little grey bubble pops up to indicate he¡®s typing, and after a beat, my phone vibrates in my hands, his responseing through. Callum: I¡®d take the 25,000 and run. My best friend doesn¡®t need it, he¡®s loaded. Vanessa: And if he wasn¡®t? Callum: That wasn¡®t part of the question, was it? I drag my lower lip between my teeth, rolling my eyes. Vanessa: Okay, fine. Would you rather take that 25k in cash, or travel the world for free for a year? His response is instant. Callum: Travel. I grin. Vanessa: Me too. Callum: Do you ever think about it? I furrow my brow, not understanding his meaning. Vanessa: About what? Callum: Leaving. I just stare at my phone screen for a moment, my eyes tracing over the letters of that word over and over. That¡®s the problem with text messages, they¡®re missing crucial parts ofnguage, like the inflection in a voice and the expressions that apany it. I can¡®t tell if he¡®s being sarcastic or serious, so I decide to go with a lighthearted response. Vanessa: I¡®d make a terrible rogue. Not nearly intimidating enough ;) I watch the little bubble pop up that shows he¡®s typing a response, but then it disappears. I continue to stare at my phone for a while longer, but it doesn¡®te back, and eventually my eyes start to get heavy. I drift off to sleep with my head still under the covers and my phone resting on my chest, wondering what he truly meant by that question¨C and if it was the most telling one about him yet. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 8 CALLUM The sound of a fist rapping loudly against my apartment door rouses me from a dead sleep. I¡®m a little disoriented as I lift my head from the pillow, swiping drool from the corner of my mouth with a forearm while using my other elbow to push myself up against the scratchy cotton sheets. What time is it? Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. The knocking continues. Whoever¡®s there isn¡®t giving up, so I pry myself from bed with a groan, the rusty old springs of my mattress answering with a groan of their own. Finding my feet and blinking against the harsh sunlight streaming in through the blinds in my bedroom, I swipe a pair of sweatpants off the floor and stumble into them as the pounding on my front door continues. ¡°I¡®ming!¡± I growl out, not even attempting to mask my annoyance. A quick nce at the clock on my nightstand tells me it¡®s 10:30 a.m., which is about typical for my fucked¨Cup sleep pattern. Still, with how deeply I was sleeping, I could¡®ve gotten another hour in if this prick wasn¡®t pounding on my door. Whoever it is isn¡®t going to get a warm reception, that¡®s for sure. The banging is getting even more insistent, only stoking my irritation. ¡°I said I¡®ming!¡± I bark loudly, stabbing my fingers through my hair to tame my bed head and dragging my feet against the vinyl nk flooring as I make my way down the short hall from the bedroom to the front door. It¡®s practically rattling on its hinges while the person on the other side continues to beat on it. I flip the deadbolt and turn the knob, yanking the door open with my teeth bared and a growl rumbling in my chest. ¡°The fuck do you want?!¡± My stomach drops when I see who¡®s on the other side, his fist still raised mid knock. I groan loudly and go to shove the door shut, but my stepdad sticks his foot over the threshold and it bounces off his boot, swinging back. ¡°You haven¡®t been answering my phone calls,¡± Troy says as he shoulders his way inside. I step away, giving into the inevitability that he¡®s not leaving until he fulfills whatever agenda he has. ¡°Please,e in,¡± I grumble sarcastically, rolling my eyes and turning away to step into the small galley kitchen just off the front entrance of the apartment. I hate having my back to him¨C the feeling of his eyes boring into me makes my fucking skin crawl as I step over to the cab beside the sink. I open it to retrieve a ss from inside, turning on the faucet below and sticking the ss underneath. I hear Troy¡®s boots scuffing against the floor and the creak of the door closing behind him, followed by the snick of thetch as it closes. I bristle, gripping the ss so tightly in my fist that it feels like it could give way and splinter into shards at any moment. ¡°Is there a reason you¡®ve been ignoring my calls?¡± Troy asks, the sound of his familiar monotone grating on my nerves. Water spills over the top of the ss and onto my hand. I turn the faucet off, lifting the ss to my lips as water beads from my hand and runs down my bare chest. I take a big gulp of the water, fighting to muster myposure before slowly turning around to face my stepdad. ¡°Been busy,¡± I shrug, leaning back against the sink. The muscle in Troy¡®s jaw ticks as he stares at me from just outside the doorway to the kitchen. ¡°Too busy for your family?¡±. I stare right back at him, unblinking, not bothering to dignify his question with a response. ¡°Hm,¡± he muses, his lips sliding into a condescending smirk. Then he turns away, striding further into my apartment, and my hackles raise. I don¡®t like anyone in my space. Ever. Miles has an apartment two doors down, but I hardly even let him in here. It¡®s my sanctuary; my fortress of solitude. And now Fuckface is here, tainting it with his presence. I grit my teeth while I step out of the kitchen and follow him into the living room. ¡°Spence told me you¡®ve been giving him trouble,¡± Troy sighs, stepping over to the beat¨Cup blue couch and plopping his ass down onto it. He spreads his arms across the deted cushions behind him, crossing an ankle over his knee. I don¡®t like howfortable he¡®s making himself in my space. I make my way over to the old leather recliner at the far corner of the living room, putting as much space between the two of us as possible while still remaining in the same room. ¡°And?¡± I question, settling the ss of water on the side table with a clink and grabbing a maroon zip¨Cup hoodie off of the back of the chair, sliding my arms into it. I don¡®t bother zipping it up before flopping down into the recliner. Troy¡®s judgmental gaze is still zeroed in on me. ¡°And making him leave a party is a bit unnecessary, don¡¯t you think?¡± He arches a brow. I reach for the water ss. ¡°How so?¡± I take another sip. His jaw ticks again. That¡®s his only tell that my evasive responses are getting under his skin ¨C Troy never outwardly shows emotion. ¡°Well, it was a party at the packhouse, wasn¡®t it? Is Spencer not a part of this pack?¡± ¡°It was my friend¡®s party,¡± I reply, setting the water ss down again. It¡®s too fucking quiet in here. I can hear the tick of the clock on the wall, the heavy breaths that Troy is drawing. I grind my mrs, my pulse quickening. ¡°Ah, yes,¡± Troy nods. ¡°And your friend is going to be taking his ce soon as Alpha of this pack.¡± I I don¡®t like the way he says ¡®friend¡®. Like he thinks it¡®s a facy for me to have one of those. ¡°So?¡± I ask. Troy¡®s mouth slides into that slimy smirk again. ¡°So given Chase¡®s position, don¡®t you think it would be advantageous for Spencer to get closer to him?¡± I snort, shaking my head. There¡®s the agenda. ¡°Why is that my problem?¡±. He sighs, uncrossing his legs and sitting up straighter. ¡°Because like it or not, you¡®re still part of this family, Callum. What¡®s good for one of us is good for all of us. Spencer has what it takes to pull rank in this pack someday, and the first step to doing that is for him to be friendly with our Alpha.¡± He leans forward resting his elbows on his knees. ¡°And rather than allow him the opportunity to do that, you made him ufortable and forced him to leave the party.¡± I shake my head, rolling my eyes and grabbing for the water ss again. ¡°Do you even know what goes on at those parties?¡± I scoff. ¡°Trust me, that isn¡®t something you want your golden boy to get mixed up in anyways.¡± I take a slow sip from the ss, still fighting to keep my temper in check. Troy¡®s unimpressed with my suggestion. ¡°Then why do you go to them?¡± I swallow, setting the ss back down with a chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m the bad one, remember?¡± His gaze locks in on mine. ¡°If Spencer decides toe to another party at the packhouse, you won¡®t interfere with him being there,¡± he snaps, his voice still gratingly monotone. ¡°You may not live under my roof anymore, but I won¡®t have you embarrassing this family by chasing your own brother away from somewhere that he has every right to be. Do we understand one another?¡± I re at him, my fists clenching on the arms of the recliner. Troy¡®s eyes flicker down to them, a smirk returning to his lips. ¡°Temper, temper,¡± he chides, his eyes slithering back up to meet mine. ¡°You always did have a problem keeping that in check.¡± I want nothing more than to lunge at him and haul my fists into his face, see the red of his blood paint the beige rug at his feet. Instead, I take slow, deep breaths, keeping the monster inside of me tightly caged. That¡®s what he wants, after all for me to freak out and give him a reason to try to get me tossed from the pack again. I won¡®t give him the satisfaction of besting me. Troy gets to his feet with a sigh, ncing around my small living room in obvious distaste. It isn¡®t much ¨C just a few pieces of mismatched furniture, a worn ¨Cout rug, a couple of end tables and a crappy old tube TV. It¡®s home, though¨C my home, and he isn¡®t wee here. Troy eyes linger on the wall behind me; the one where I have all of mytest sketches taped up. Bile crawls up my throat. Those are personal, and if I had it my way, I¡®d gouge his eyes out for even looking at them. ¡°The Alpha was far too soft on you after what you did,¡± he murmurs, his eyes stillbing over the designs. ¡°If that were me...¡± ¡°Well good thing it wasn¡®t then,¡± I bite back, shooting to my feet and sidestepping to position myself between the sketches and his judgmental stare. I¡®m so close to the edge that my body is practically vibrating with dark energy. It¡®s one thing for Troy to barge in here and give me shit for something I¡®ve done. That, I¡¯m used to. But if he expects me to stand here and listen to him speak ill of Alpha Vaughn, he¡®s got another thinging. Something deep in my chest aches every time I think of our fallen Alpha. I¡®ve always been a fuck¨Cup, but Chase¡®s dad was the only adult that ever seemed to give a shit about me. I resisted it when I was younger because I didn¡®t trust him, but then the day came when I had to, and he didn¡®t let me down. He got me out of my parents¡® house and hooked me up with this apartment, rent¨Cfree in exchange for performing maintenance work around the building. He helped me furnish it with old stuff from the packhouse and guided me into finding a purpose. An outlet. And he did it all while keeping my secrets, never expecting anything in return. 1 Alpha Vaughn was a true leader. I see a lot of him in his son. If Chase gets his head out of his ass, there¡®s no doubt in my mind that he¡®ll be the leader that this pack needs. Troy gives me a once¨Cover, clocking my tight posture, clenched fists, and deep scowl. He smiles. ¡°Looks like you could use a time¨Cout, boy.¡± Those words. The room tilts, panic gripping in my chest. ¡°Get out,¡± I snarl. His smile spreads until he¡®s shing his teeth. He gives me a little nod in satisfaction, turning to head toward the door. My hands start to tremble. ¡°Come by and see your mother sometime,¡± Troyments as he reaches for the knob, pulling the door open. 2 I don¡®t respond. I don¡®t even realize that I¡®m holding my breath until after the door closes behind him and all the air leaves my lungs on a heavy exhale. ¡°Fuck,¡± I murmur, scrubbing a hand over my face. I start pacing back and forth across the floor, fisting a hand in my hair. ¡°Fuck, fuck, FUCK!¡± I whirl around and lunge toward the wall behind the recliner, tearing down my sketches as Troy¡®s words echo in my brain, dark memories ying in my mind on repeat. Deafening silence. Pitch ck. The ¡®time outs¡® that I was so often treated to as a child, locked in a room in the basement where my monster was born. Troy neverid a hand on me, but the damage he did to my psyche was far worse. Not all abuse is physical, but that doesn¡®t mean it can¡®t scar. I spent years building up defenses in my mind; mental roadblocks to stop his words from filtering in. They¡®d still find their way past them to inflict their intended damage, though. The deepest scars aren¡®t always visible to the naked eye. 1 My chest is heaving, shreds of paper littering the floor at my feet. I need to do something. Go somewhere. Get the fuck out of this apartment, where I can still picture Troy sitting on the couch, kicked back like he owns the ce with that smug ass smirk on his lips. I should fucking burn the sofa. Scorch the memory away. It¡®s too fucking quiet. My bare feet p against the vinyl flooring as I make my way back to my bedroom, snatching my cell phone and ear buds off the nightstand. I shove the buds in my ears and swipe the screen to unlock my phone, only to find an unread text message waiting for me. I blow out a shaky breath, sinking down to perch on the edge of my bed as I open it up. Vanessa: What are you doing today? A wave of calm washes over me as I read her words. Sweet Nessa, with her idealistic outlook and wide¨Ceyed naivety. She¡®s quite possibly the only person who doesn¡®t see me for the monster that I am, and there¡®s something liberating about that. Like without the expectations of the worst, I can just... be. Though it¡®s only a matter of time before I taint that, too; show her the beast lurking beneath my skin. Then she¡®ll run away, as she should, and faster than she did a few nights ago. I absently run my finger along the curve of my upper lip, conjuring up the memory of hers against mine. I can still feel her; taste her. With how timid she was leading up to it, I wasn¡®t expecting a kiss like that. So uninhibited and steeped in sin, primal and greedy and unapologetic. A little cautious at first, but then dripping in confidence, like everything else about Nessa is. I don¡®t make a habit out of kissing women, so it took me by surprise how much I wanted to kiss her in that moment. How much I liked it. So much that I knew I had to put a stop to it before I took it too far and scared her off for good. It only left me craving more of her. All of her. If the thick scent of her arousal was any indication, she wants more of me, too, so with any luck I¡®ll soon be gettingid and score a new transmission for the corvette. Win¨Cwin. As long as I can keep a tight grip on my control until then. With how rattled I am from the run¨Cin with Fuckface, I know I should probably cool my heels for a little while. Then again, just thinking of Nessa has already calmed my beast considerably, so I can only assume that seeing her would have the same effect. I hit reply on her message, typing out a quick response. Callum: Not shit. Wanna hang? I fire it off, and before I can even set my phone back down to drag my ass into the shower, it vibrates again with her reply. Vanessa: I thought you¡®d never ask :) Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Read Broken Bond by C.J. Primer Chapter 9 ¨C VANESSA Like always, I feel him before I see him. The energy in the air shifts somehow, almost crackling, and I know he¡®s nearby. I nce toward the tall rocks that line the outer edge of the natural hot springs, listening to the sound of crunching snow as he strides closer, still out of sight I blow out a slow breath that fogs the air in front of me, mingling with the steam rising from the pool of warm water. Callum finallyes into view as he rounds the rocks, brows lifting as he takes in the sight of the crystal¨Cclear water and my state of partial undress. ¡°Well... this is a surprise,¡± he drawls, stalking closer. I sent him the location by dropping a pin so he could use the maps feature on his phone to find his way here. This ce is technically off¨Cterritory, located on the grounds of the Cedar Ridge ski resort. It¡®s easy to get turned around in these woods, so the resort offers guided trips out here for guests who want to take a dip in the natural hot springs¨C but since I work there, I know for a fact that none are nned for today. We¡®ve got this little oasis all to ourselves. I¡®d also nned on stripping down and getting in the water before he got here, but he¡®s more punctual than I expected. ¡°Skinny dipping?¡± Cal asks as I drop my sweatshirt to the ground, his eyes mapping the bare skin of my stomach before slowly raking up over my ck bralette, lingering on my breasts for a beat before they finally rise to meet my own. The corner of his mouth lifts. ¡°Not what I expected from a self¨Cprofessed good girl.¡± Goosebumps pebble my skin, and I¡®m not sure if it¡®s from the cold or him. ¡°Underwear stays on,¡± I say firmly, pointing a finger in his direction. His lips spread into a wicked grin. Maybe this wasn¡®t the best idea. I try my best to ignore the heavy weight of his stare as I pop open the button on my jeans, shimmying them down my hips and kicking them off my legs. I¡®m not a frilly underwear type of girl, so I¡¯m just in my usual in cotton bralette and a matching pair of cotton bikini briefs. From the devious look in those blue green eyes, Callum doesn¡®t seem to mind my boring underwear choice one bit. He¡®s giving me that look again¨C like he wants to eat me alive. ¡°You sure?¡± Cal challenges as he shrugs out of his jacket and slowly peels hist shirt off over his head. My mouth runs dry when I catch sight of his bare chest. I already knew he was muscr judging by the fit of his clothes, but imagining and seeing are two very different things. My gaze roams over the dips and curves of his well¨Cdefined abdominal muscles, my pulse racing as I take in the sharp V¨Cshape of his Adonis belt that disappears beneath the waistband of his boxers. His jeans ride low on his hips, and he unfastens the button, tugging them down to reveal a pair of ck boxer briefs. My eyes unwittingly drop to the sizable bulge between his legs. ¡°You¡®re not curious about what I¡¯m packing?¡± Callum teases as he shamelessly adjusts himself. My eyes snap back up to meet his, a furious blush forming on my cheeks. ¡°... you... what¡®d I tell you about that dirty mouth?¡± I stammer,pletely flustered. I run my hands through my hair, distracting myself by looking away while I pull it back into a ponytail and secure it with an stic. Cal chuckles, kicking off his boots and stepping out of his jeans. ¡°You didn¡®t seem to mind my dirty mouth the other night.¡± My head whips back around and I gape at his audacity, sputtering like a fish out of water. ¡°Rx,¡± he murmurs, striding closer until he¡®s standing right in front of me, his muscles rippling with every movement. He sets his hands firmly on my shoulders and his maic gaze locks in on mine. My heart skips a beat. ¡°I¡®m just messing with you, babe.¡± I can feel the heat radiating off of his body, and with him this close, all I can think about is that kiss at the bonfire pit. I could kiss him again. All I¡®d have to do is lift up on my tiptoes¡­ Callum¡®s eyes flicker to the steaming pool of water beside us, then return to my own. ¡°Are we getting in or what?¡± His minty breath fogs in the space between 1. us. I nod, my ponytail bouncing behind me as I take a step backwards to free myself from his hold and calm my racing pulse. I¡®m usually confident and self assured around guys, but my body has never reacted like this to anyone else. It¡®s confusing and frustrating that I can¡®t control my own impulses when I¡®m around Callum. What is it about him that makes my senses go haywire? My long ponytail ps me in the face as I whip around, starting toward the water¡®s edge with a determined stride. The steam curling from the surface of the pool beckons me with every step, and I carefully navigate around the mossy rocks at the edge until I can dip my toes in. The water is delightfully warm, and I don¡®t waste any time sinking further beneath the surface, the heat rxing my tight muscles. I¡®m forever amazed by nature¡®s miracles. Natural hot springs like this one defy all logic, staying warm all year round while thekes freeze over in the frigid winter temperatures. I submerge myself in the heated water, sighing in satisfaction as itps at my shoulders. My body quickly adjusts to the temperature and i kick off the edge to swim out to the center of the pool, spinning around and lifting my gaze to Callum. He¡®s still standing at the water¡®s edge, watching me with rapt fascination. I shamelessly check out his lean, sculpted body again, my eyes lingering on the colorful ink decorating his thighs and forearms. I didn¡®t know he had tattoos. They only add to his bad¨Cboy image, and I¡®m suddenly all too eager to see them up close. ¡°Are you just going to stand there, or are youing in?¡± I tease, smiling widely up at him while I tread water in the center of the pool. His lips spread into a predatory grin and he moves forward, a lock of hair falling down over his forehead as he ambles over the rocks at the edge and gracefully enters the water. It ripples around his body as he slowly sinks beneath the surface, caressing the taut ridges of his abs and the corded muscles of his forearms. I trap my lower lip between my teeth, watching his every move like a total creep. Did the water just get hotter? Callum blows out a breath as his shoulders dip below the surface, his eyes sliding closed. ¡°Damn, this is nice,¡± he rasps before flopping backwards, spreading out his limbs to float in the water. It¡®s suddenly hard to breathe. I tear my eyes away from him, kicking around and trying to distract myself from the devastatingly handsome boy floating nearby. He rights himself in the water, raking a hand through the wet strands of his hair and pushing them back off his forehead. ¡°How¡®d you find this ce?¡± ¡°You¡®ve never been here?¡± I ask incredulously. I just figured it wasmon knowledge since it¡®s a feature of the ski¨Cresort. He shakes his head, droplets of water scattering. ¡°The tourists love it,¡± I say, running my hands over the surface of the water and watching it ripple underneath my fingers. ¡°When Vee and I started working at the lodge, we¡®d sneak out here after our shifts.¡± I smile fondly at the memory.¡± Haven¡®t been in a while, though.¡± Callum swims over to the edge of the pool, taking a seat on a rock ledge beneath the water and spreading his muscr arms across the stones behind him. His eyes stay trained on me while I continue to tread water, his heated gaze threatening to incinerate me on the spot. He beckons me with a lift of his chin. Before I can even decide to join him, my body is drifting in his direction, feet slicing through the water to propel me closer. Once I¡®m within his reach, he takes me by surprise when he lunges forward to snatch me by the waist, strong hands gripping my skin underneath the surface. I draw a short gasp as he pulls me in closer, water sshing between us as he drags me onto hisp. My legs spread to straddle his waist, hands grasping onto his strong shoulders to steady myself. ¡°Hi,¡± I whisper, staring into the alluring depths of his turquoise eyes. He reaches up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear, the corner of his mouth lifting. ¡°Hi,¡± he rasps, and liquid fire ignites beneath my skin. His eyes drop to my mouth, then crawl up to lock with my own again. ¡°Tell me, Nessa...¡± he growls, and I hold my breath in anticipation of his question, my shoulders tensing. ¡°Would you rather fight to survive in a robot apocalypse or a zombie apocalypse?¡± A giggle bursts from my lips and I rx in his hold, looping my arms around his neck and sinking down onto him. ¡°Zombie. My brothers are always ying this zombie hunting video game, so they¡®d be able to protect me for sure.¡± I reach to sweep his damp hair back off his forehead, gazing into those dazzling eyes of his and tilting my head in question. ¡°You?¡± His lips tip into a grin. ¡°Same. I¡®d rather fight something living. Easier to kill.¡± ¡°Zombies aren¡®t technically living, they¡¯re dead already.¡± Cal¡®s shoulder lifts in a shrug. ¡°Still easier to fight flesh than metal.¡± ¡°Guess that¡®s a good point,¡± I sigh, settling into hisp. His arms wind around my waist, holding me upright in his firm grip. ¡°Would you rather...¡± I muse, tapping my chin. ¡°Have ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife? 01 have a knife, but never be able to use spoons?¡± 1 Instant, ¡°Knife.¡± I giggle, shaking my head. Somehow I knew that would be his answer; the whole dangerous vibe that he puts off calls for knives. ¡°But how would you eat ice cream?¡± I challenge. Callum wrinkles his nose. ¡°Never been a big fan.¡± 1 ¡°What?!¡± I gasp, my eyes flying wide. ¡°Everybody likes ice cream!¡± ¡°Never really got the hype. My parents were against sugar, so I didn¡®t even try it until a few years ago.¡± ¡°You¡®ve gotta be kidding me! That¡®s practically child abuse,¡± Iugh. His body stiffens beneath mine momentarily, but then I feel him rx again, his fingertips tracing the curve of my spine underwater. ¡°It gave me more of an appreciation for sweet things,¡± he remarks, wetting his lips with his tongue while his eyes drop to my mouth. ¡°Oh yeah?¡± I arch a brow. ¡°Like what?¡± Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. One of his hands leaves my waist, lifting out of the water between our bodies. All the air leaves my lungs when he takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger, then presses the pad of his thumb against my lower lip, his eyes still fixated on my mouth. ¡°You may just be the sweetest thing I¡®ve ever tasted.¡± ? My heart is pounding wildly against my ribs, heat crawling up my neck. ¡°Then... why¡®d you make me leave the other night?¡± I pant, finally daring to ask the question that has been weighing so heavily on my mind since. His lips part, gaze lifting to mine. ¡°Because too much of a good thing can drive a man to madness.¡± I don¡®t understand his meaning, but I don¡®t want to try to decipher it right now all I want to do is kiss him again. I lean forward boldly, brushing my lips against his. ¡°Kiss me, Callum,¡± I whisper, pressing my eyes closed and breathing in his delicious scent. Juniper and smoke and spice and man, so intoxicating that my senses go haywire. His arm tightens around my waist and he yanks me in, the skin of my chest pping against his while his lips m against mine. Hot. Damn. He kisses me like he¡®s starved for it, nipping my lips until they part for his demanding tongue. My arms constrict around his neck, fingers sinking into the damp tresses of his hair while my lips slide against his and my tongue fights his for dominance; tangling and twining until I¡®m not sure where my mouth ends and his begins. His fingers grip my hips with bruising force, and it¡®s then that I realize that I¡®m grinding against him unabashedly, my center gliding over the thick ridge of his hard¨Con through our underwear beneath the water. My god, it¡®s hard as stone, and it feels huge. S My toes curl and I mewl into his mouth while he continues ravaging mine, his fingers beginning to toy with the waistband of my underwear at either side of my hips. I break the kiss with a desperate gasp, pushing back against his chest with my palms and shaking my head firmly. ¡°I told you, underwear stays on.¡± His eyes drop to my chest, zeroing in on my breasts and zing over with lust. I nce down to find that my cotton bralette is stered to my skin, my nipples pebbling up underneath the fabric. A flush crawls up my neck. ¡°That¡®s fine,¡± Cal rasps, his breathing ragged as his eyes meet mine again. His lips crease in a devilish smirk. ¡°You think I need to get your panties off to make youe?¡± 1 Before I can ask him what he means by that, his thumb suddenly brushes my center through my underwear. I suck in a sharp gasp through my teeth, my brain short¨Ccircuiting and my whole body shuddering in his arms. ¡°Does that feel good?¡± he murmurs against my lips, applying more pressure to my most sensitive area while stars burst behind my eyelids. ¡°Yes!¡± I whisper sharply. Caution gs wave wildly in the back of my mind, an internal war raging. I barely know Callum. Nobody has ever touched me like this. I shouldn¡®t let him. But it feels so good... I squeeze my eyes closed tighter, pleasure coiling in my belly. ¡°Oh god...¡± ¡°You¡®re praying to the wrong deity, baby,¡± Callum chuckles darkly. His lips m against mine again, his tongue diving into my mouth while his deft fingers circle my clit through the thin fabric of my panties. I¡®m... melting,pletely boneless in his arms as he works my body with expert precision and I grind down harder onto his erection. I¡®m writhing, moaning, but he greedily swallows every sound I make, still kissing the life out of me while he drives me to new heights with deliberate strokes of his fingers. Then he licks my teeth, releasing my lips with a loud pop. Sudden pinpricks of pain spread over my scalp as he yanks my head back by my ponytail, his mouth dropping to my neck. He licks along the column of my throat, sucks his way to the side of my neck, then bites down hard, my pleasure and pain receptors somehow getting all jumbled up in my brain. Liquid lightning shoots through my limbs and I cry out his name as I crest the peak of an explosive climax, trembling and shaking and practically choking him as I hold on for dear life, my arms squeezing tightly around his neck. 1 His fingers continue to work my clit as I fall apart, his rock¨Chard dick twitching beneath me like it wants to get in on the action. ¡°That¡®s it, sweet girl,¡± Cal purrs in my ear as I ride his hand through my orgasm. ¡°Don¡®t stop, take what you need,¡± he coaxes. I¡®m whimpering, trembling as shockwaves erupt through my body. ¡°You shatter so fucking beautifully.¡± Ie so hard that I swear I go blind for a few seconds, ck dots spreading across my field of vision. When I finallye down, I gopletely limp in Callum¡®s strong arms, struggling to catch my breath. My face is hot, an embarrassed blush overtaking my cheeks as reality creeps back in. I lift my head to look into his eyes. As soon as our gazes lock, his dick twitches beneath me again and I freeze, blinking back at him. I can¡®t believe I just let him do that. Am I supposed to return the favor? Before I can overthink it, I reach down between us, grabbing ahold of his thick cock through his boxers. He grunts and water sshes as his body jerks, but before I can even fully grasp ahold of him, he snatches me by the wrist and yanks my hand off his manhood. His eyes sh with something sinister, boring into mine with ferocious intensity. ¡°If you want our underwear to stay on, then I wouldn¡®t,¡± Cal warns, flexing his fingers around my wrist like he¡®s holding himself back from gripping it harder. I snatch my hand away, my throat working with a hard swallow. ¡°Don¡®t you have to...¡± my eyes drop down to his hard¨Con, then rise to his again. ¡°Take care of that?¡± A low chuckle rumbles in his chest, his handsnding on my hips. ¡°Give me some credit, Nessa. I¡®m not all animal.¡± I shrug, hoping my ring inexperience isn¡®t showing. ¡°I just thought, ya know ... tit for tat.¡± Heughs¨C an honest to goodness, realugh¨C shaking his head. ¡°I don¡®t know what kind of guys you¡®ve been with, but it isn¡®t a damn business transaction.¡± Cal scrubs his hand over his face. ¡°Jesus, where did youe from?¡± He squints, studying my features intently like I¡®m a puzzle that he¡®s struggling to solve. ¡°Riverton,¡± I answer, and his eyes flicker with amusement. ¡°Are all Riverton girls like you?¡± His fingers flex around my hips. ¡°Well, you¡®ve met Vienna,¡± I say, reaching behind me to sweep my long ponytail over a shoulder. He snorts. ¡°That¡®s a no, then.¡± ¡°What¡®s wrong with Vienna?¡± I ask, narrowing my eyes on him. ¡°She¡®s annoying.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± I protest, whacking his chest with the back of a hand. The wetness of our skin makes the p sound much harsher than it actually is. ¡°That¡®s my best friend.¡± ¡°Would you rather I lie just because she¡¯s your friend?¡± he asks, reclining back and sliding his hands down to rest atop my thighs. ¡°No. But she¡®s not annoying, she¡®s great. Your friend Chase seems to agree, too,¡± I say smugly. ¡°You know they¡®re sleeping together, right?¡± ¡°That¡®s not really newsworthy when ites to Chase,¡± Cal grumbles, his gaze wandering down the front of my body again like he¡®s trying to map out every inch of my skin. He wets his lips with his tongue, his fingertips applying pressure to my thighs. His eyes snap to mine and the intensity of the look in them steals my breath. ¡°You¡®re really fucking beautiful, you know that?¡± My heart stutters and I reach up to toy with the end of my ponytail absently, my gaze fluttering down. ¡°I know I¡®m pretty, Callum. People tell me all the time.¡± ¡°You certainly take apliment well,¡± he murmurs. I lift my gaze to meet his again. ¡°A truepliment would be that I¡®m smart, or funny, or strong. Something about the real me, not just the way I look.¡± He swipes a hand over his chin, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Why can¡®t I figure out what you¡®re hiding?¡± 1 I roll my eyes, pushing off his chest andunching myself backwards into the water. I kick my legs to propel myself across the pool until I reach the other side, pushing up against the rocks on the edge and casting a nce back at him over my shoulder. ¡°What you see is what you get with me, Callum,¡± I say, but he¡®s not looking at my face. I¡¯ve lifted myself out of the water up to my thighs, and his eyes are glued to my ass. I smirk to myself, climbing out of the water the rest of the way and strutting over to my pile of clothes with a purposeful sway of my hips. Then I spin around, wringing the water out of my ponytail as he begins to cross the pool, staring up at me from the water like a hungry shark. The way he looks at me makes my insides turn to jelly. My heart¡®s racing as I reach down for one of the towels I brought along, busying myself by drying my limbs before wrapping it around my body and securing it in the front. When I look back to the hot springs, Cal is climbing out, wisps of steam wafting off his skin as his sculpted body hits the cool air. Hotness personified. I blush like a schoolgirl and reach down to pick up the other towel, tossing it his way. He snatches it out of the air with a mumbled ¡®thanks¡®, rubbing the towel against his head and leaving his hair sticking out in all directions as he starts to dry the rest of himself off. ¡°Come to the packhouse on Saturday?¡± I fold my arms across my chest, attempting to appear nonchnt while shamelessly checking him out. ¡°For?¡± ¡°Another party. The usual.¡± He slicks back his hair with a hand, slinging the towel over his shoulder. ¡°Um, yeah. I can probably make it.¡± ¡°Cool.¡± Callum steps away and scoops his clothes off the ground, tucking them under an arm before striding back over and grabbing me by the chin. I don¡®t even have time to react before he dips his head and nts a hard kiss on my lips, pulling back with a grin and running this tongue over his teeth. ¡°See you Saturday, Nessa.¡± My heart pounds, my throat tightening so much that my replyes out as a squeak as he takes a step backwards and turns away. ¡°See you Saturday.¡± Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Read Broken Bond by C.J. Primer Chapter 10 ¨C CALLUM I leave the hot springs with the worst blue balls of my fucking life. I go straight home, hop in the shower, and jack my dick to get the poison out, but then I start thinking about the sounds Nessa made when she was falling apart on my fingers and I¡®m instantly hard again. So I jerk off twice. Even then, it¡®s not enough¨C not when I can still picture the flush of her cheeks right after she came, how swollen and puffy her lips were as she fought to catch her breath I¡®ve never been a giver. When I¡®ve hooked up with girls in the past, it was always about my own pleasure, not theirs. I didn¡®t kiss them if I could help it, and I sure as hell didn¡®t rub them out without getting anything in return. I grew bored with hookups quickly, and then it got to a point where I stopped even bothering because it was easier to just jerk off to relieve the tension rather than hassling with the neediness of another human being. But this is different because of the bet, right? Nessa isn¡®t easy prey; I have to employ other tactics to ensnare her. Sacrifice my own pleasure to win her over, try to make her think that I¡®m not like those other assholes she¡®s been with that always expect something in return. y it smart so she doesn¡®t pick up on my nefarious intent. It¡®s just about the bet. Fuck, it isn¡®t just about the bet. It¡®s her. The bright¨Ceyed curiosity where there should be fear. The way my name sounds when it rolls off her lips. The fact that she looks like a goddamn fashion model, but doesn¡®t rely on her looks or even seem to recognize how fucking stunning she is. I want her, and it has nothing to do with Miles¡® stupid wager. She¡®s fascinating; a puzzle that I haven¡®t been able to solve, while remaining intriguing enough to hold my interest. It doesn¡®t hurt that she¡®s a knockout, either. Seeing her in her underwear today was a fucking treat. Imitted every line and curve of her body to memory, and I could¡®ve watched the water roll off her bronzed skin all day long. She¡®s like a work of art; almost too wless to be real. I have no idea why she¡®d grant a monster like me the privilege of touching her, but far be it for me to question her motivations when my own are less than noble. With one of my appetites satisfied in the shower, I get dressed and rummage around in my fridge to satisfy another. There¡®s a lone apple that looks like it¡®s a day or two from turning, so I settle on that as my snack. I never waste food; I can¡®t afford to. I nudge the fridge closed with a shoulder as I slide my phone out of my pocket to check the online message board for maintenance requests in our apartment building. I check it a couple times a day in case there¡®s anything urgent, honoring my agreement with Alpha Vaughn in exchange for living here. Today, there¡®s a message from Ms. Donnelly next door waiting for me, requesting help with her leaky kitchen sink. If it were anybody else in the building, I¡®d probably put it off untilter¨C but I like Ms. Donnelly. She¡®s a cranky old kook and we mostlymunicate by exchanging insults, but that¡®s what I like about her. She doesn¡®t fake niceties or pretend to be someone she¡®s not. I respect that. I stuff my phone back into the pocket of my jeans and tuck the apple into the front pocket of my hoodie, deciding to head over now to take a look at Ms. Donnelly¡®s leaky sink. When I pull open the door to head out, though, I spot Miles walking down the hall with a determined stride, making his way from his own apartment to the exit door of the building. ¡°Where are you off to?¡± I ask as he draws closer. ¡°The lodge,¡± he replies with a shit¨Ceating grin. ¡°A little birdie told me that Nessa¡®s working this afternoon, so I¡®m gonna go pay her a visit and invite her to the party this weekend.¡± I lean a shoulder against the doorframe as he passes by, pulling the apple out of my hoodie pocket and buffing it against my shirt. ¡°I already invited her.¡± I lift the fruit to my mouth and bite into it with a loud crunch. Miles skids to a stop, whipping around to face me, his mouth agape. ¡°What? When?¡± ¡°We met up earlier today.¡± I shrug and take another bite, grinning widely as I chew. Yeah, I¡®m smug as fuck right now, but it¡®s worth it to see the way Miles¡® face reddens with frustration. Words aren¡®t his forte, so while he struggles toe up with something to say, I finish chewing and swallow, licking the juice from my lips. ¡°Honestly, you shouldn¡®t make bets that you have no chance of winning. You can save yourself the embarrassment, though. Just get me that transmission and we can call the whole thing off.¡± ¡°Yeah right,¡± he scoffs. ¡°You haven¡®t fucked her yet, have you? There¡®s still time for you to screw this up. And when you do, I¡®ll be waiting to swoop in.¡± Irritation prickles up my spine at his cavalierment, but I don¡®t let it show. I shrug nonchntly, sinking my teeth into the apple for another bite, then chew slowly, enjoying how my silence rattles him. He shuffles his feet, shaking his head with a scowl. Then, wordlessly, he turns on a heel, striding toward the exit again. ¡°Hey, where you goin¡®?¡± I call after him with augh, but Miles just flips me the bird over his shoulder, muttering curses under his breath as he pushes out the door. The party at the packhouse is in full swing on Saturday night when Nessa and Vienna arrive. I¡®ve been on edge since it started; on high¨Calert for Spence to walk through the door given Fuckface¡®s visit earlier this week. My half¨Cbrother hasn¡®t shown his face yet, though, and Nessa¡®s arrival serves as a wee distraction. Those impossibly long legs of hers are on full disy in her tiny ck mini¨Cskirt and matching ankle boots, and I can¡®t take my eyes off them as she weaves through the crowd to make her way to the sectional where me and my boys are posted up. She looks good enough to eat, and tonight, I¡®m starving. Even though Nessa let it slip the other day that Vienna and Chase have been secretly hooking up, Levi still falls all over himself to greet Vienna, somehow still under the delusion that he has a chance with her. There¡®s no fucking way. Vienna goes rigid when he leans in to kiss her cheek, darting nces in Chase¡®s direction while Levi chats her up and orders Miles to get her a drink. If the guy knew anything about body language, he¡®d be able to pick up just how Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. uninterested she is, but nobody¡®s ever used Levi of being observant. Miles returns with a cup of punch for each of the girls and proceeds to try to start a conversation with Nessa when he hands her one. She¡®s not looking at him, though. She¡®s looking past him. She¡®s looking at me. Our eyes meet, gazes locking together, and I lift my chin, beckoning her to join me on the couch. With a polite ¡®excuse me¡® to Miles, she obliges, leaving him ck¨Cjawed as he watches her stride over to the couch and drop down beside 1. me. ¡°Hi,¡± I rasp, sliding an arm around her shoulders if only to further embed myself under Miles¡® skin. It feels a little too natural, though. Toofortable. But when Nessa leans in, her sweet cherry scent enveloping me, I forget why that even matters. Her bright smile lights up her whole face. ¡°Hi.¡± A pink blush tinges her cheeks and she covers it with her cup, taking a sip of the fruity punch that Levi mixed up for the party. She swallows it down, running her tongue along her lips to lick off the residue. ¡°How¡®s your night been?¡± ¡°Boring, until you showed up.¡± The corner of my mouth lifts and I take a sip of my own drink; the gin and tonic I¡®ve been nursing it for the past hour. Gotta keep a clear head just in case Spencer does decide to show up. ¡°Oh yeah?¡± Nessa muses. She smirks, and that cute¨Cas¨Cfuck dimple sinks into her left cheek. ¡°I would¡®ve been here to cure your boredom earlier, but my little sister threw a fit when we were leaving. Vee got roped into reading her a bedtime story, which led to another, and another...¡± she waves a hand, rolling her eyes. ¡°You know how little kids can be.¡± She mentioned brothers the other day, and now a sister? ¡°How many siblings do you have?¡± I wonder aloud. ¡°Six.¡± My brows shoot up. ¡°No shit?¡± ¡°Yeah, I know. My parents are breeders.¡± Nessa giggles, shaking her head. I crack a smile because that little giggle of hers is damn contagious. It¡¯s like if sunshine had a sound. ¡°Where do you fall in among the brood?¡± + ¡°I¡®m the oldest,¡± she states, and given what I know of her personality, that definitely tracks. ¡°I¡®ve got four brothers and two sisters. My youngest sister is only four, but she¡®s got everyone in our house wrapped around her little finger.¡± She smiles fondly, raising her cup and taking another small sip. ¡°What about you? Any siblings?¡± ¡°One,¡± I grunt, the grin fading from my face. ¡°A half¨Cbrother. We... don¡®t get along.¡± Nessa¡®s eyes round in sympathy. ¡°That¡®s a shame.¡± ¡°Nah, not really,¡± I shrug. I nod toward my friends seated around us on the sectional. ¡°These guys are the only brothers I really need.¡± ¡°Well, if we¡®re counting friends, then I¡®ve got three sisters,¡± she amends, grinning. ¡°Vee¡®s practically family. She¡®s even staying with us for the time being, so she¡®s officially joined the Diaz zoo.¡± ¡°You still live at home?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she replies, taking another sip of her drink. She swallows it down and licks her lips again, and I swear if this girl doesn¡®t stop licking her lips like that, I¡®m going to bite them. ¡°I mean, I¡®ve thought about moving out,¡± she continues, shrugging. ¡°But I¡®d miss the chaos.¡± I nod in understanding, although I can¡®t rte. I couldn¡®t get out of my parents¡® house fast enough. Truthfully, Nessa and I don¡®t have much inmon at all. It¡®s a wonder that we have anything to talk about, but I can¡®t remember thest time I enjoyed making casual conversation this much. She¡¯s fascinating; a beautiful enigma that I¡®m still trying to work out. Time passes quickly, and I¡®mpletely caught up in her. I forget to watch for Spence to walk in the door. Forget to clock theings and goings of the other party guests. I¡®mpletely enraptured by Nessa, pulled further in with every smile, every little giggle. I don¡®t even notice that Chase and Vienna have slipped away until Nessa¡®s gaze lifts and her lips part in surprise, and I follow her line of sight to see Chase starting up the stairs with Vienna wrapped around him. Guess those two are over being subtle. ¡°Looks like your girl¡®s spending the night,¡± I mumble, finishing off the drink I¡®ve been sipping on all night. Nessa sighs, shaking her head with an amused smile. ¡°Guess so. She must¡®ve forgotten she was my ride home.¡± ¡°I can give you a lift,¡± I offer. I don¡®t have my own vehicle¨C at least not one that runs¨C but I doubt Chase would mind if I borrowed his truck. From the looks of it, he¡®s preupied and won¡®t be needing it. ¡°Uh, yeah,¡± Nessa replies, finishing off her drink and depositing her empty cup on the coffee table in front of us. ¡°That¡®d be great.¡± Her tongue snakes out to wet her lips. I pause, my gaze dropping to her lips to track the movement. ¡°Or you coulde to my ce.¡± Every expression on her face is so readable. Surprise. Interest Consideration. Excitement. I¡®m not sure I¡®ve ever met anyone who wears their emotions as openly as she does, which only leaves me more intrigued. She smiles shyly and purses her lips, but I already know what she¡®s decided before she verbalizes it. Her expression gives her away, and I¡®m practically buzzing with anticipation. Nessa nods, sliding her hand on top of mine and weaving our fingers together.¡± Okay.¡± Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Read Broken Bond by C.J. Primer Chapter 11 11 CALLUM My heart¡®s pounding as I stick the key in the lock of my apartment door, twisting it to hear the heavy click of the deadbolt unlocking. What the fuck am I doing? This is my safe space; my sanctuary. It isn¡®t somewhere that I bring girls for hookups. Hell, I rarely even let my own friendse inside. We could¡®ve stayed at the packhouse. There are plenty of guest rooms to go around, and that¡®s where I usually crash after a party anyways. I bet I could¡®ve gotten Nessa to follow me into one of them, just like she followed me into my apartment building from the truck. The thought crossed my mind. Still, I invited her here. It didn¡®t feel right to ask her to steal away to a room in the packhouse with me like a cheap hookup. She deserves better. So, she¡®ll be the first woman to enter my space, and I¡®m choosing to ignore the significance of that right now because I¡®ve had a hard on for this girl since the first time Iid eyes on her, and I¡®m pretty sure we¡®re about to seal the deal. I¡®m not going to cockblock myself by getting caught up in my own head. ¡°This ce is really nice,¡± Nessaments, ncing curiously around the interior hallway of the apartment building. ¡°Thanks,¡± I mumble as I turn the knob and push my apartment door open. I feel her wander in behind me as I step inside, and though it¡®s dark, I don¡®t bother hitting the lights. Instead, I whirl around to face her, half¨Cdrunk on the scent of her arousal and the frantic pounding of her heart. ¡°Come here.¡± I yank her in with a growl, pressing a hard kiss to her lips and swallowing her little gasp of surprise while I kick the door closed behind us. She makes this cute little ¡®umph¡® sound, almost in relief, and her arms wind around my neck instantly, her lips and tongue fitting with my own like her mouth was made for me to kiss. I drag her lower lip between my teeth as I pull back, my hands cruising down to rest on her hips. ¡°I¡®ve been waiting to do that all night,¡± I rasp, my forehead falling against hers. She¡®s panting, staring up at me through her eyshes in the dark. ¡°Then why didn¡®t you?¡± ¡°I prefer not to have an audience,¡± I murmur, nipping her lips. ¡°Want you all to myself.¡± I slide my hands around to her ass, a pained groan slipping from my throat as I grab handfuls of her round cheeks. Is there anything about this girl that isn¡®t absolutely fucking wless? Almost in answer, Nessa¡®s lips crash into mine again, pouting and twisting and sending my pulse skyrocketing. I scoop her up by the backs of her thighs while iming her mouth in a filthy hot kiss, trapping her between the wall behind the door and my own body. Her long legs wind around my waist, thighs tightening against my hips, and I can feel the heat of her center through the fabric of my jeans. My dick¡®s straining painfully against the zipper, fighting for release from its denim prison. Fuck, I want her so much that it physically aches. I grind against her shamelessly, her head falling back against the wall on a breathy moan. ¡°Callum...¡± I¡®ve never liked the sound of my own name¨C especially my full name¨C until I heard it from Nessa¡®s lips. Now, it may just be my favorite sound in the fucking world, second only to the little moans and whines she¡®s currently driving me crazy with. Wrapping one arm around Nessa¡®s waist and sliding the other underneath her ass, I back away from the wall, turning to carry her down the darkened hallway to my bedroom as she kisses her way up my neck. My bed¡®s unmade, the sheets a tangled mess¨C a testament to how impulsive the decision was to bring her back here. I bend at the waist, gentlyying her down at the bed before rising to my full height, standing over my prey and casting my shadow down onto her. Her little skirt has ridden up¨C it¡®s bunched around her waist, revealing a simple pair of ck cotton panties. Nothing fancy or fussy, but just perfectly her. I¡®ve been thinking about those panties since that day at the hot springs, and this time, when I slide my thumbs beneath the waistband at either side of her hips, she doesn¡®t stop me from peeling them down. I drag them down her thighs, her legs pressing together modestly as I slide them all the way off over her booted feet, slyly tucking them into the back pocket of my pants. Mine. Then I pull off her boots one by one, dropping them unceremoniously to the floor with a resounding clunk. It¡®s quiet. All I can hear is our ragged breathing, but for once, I¡®m not itching to fill the silence. I don¡®t want to miss a single sound Nessa makes; I want to hear every cry of pleasure I can draw from her body and commit it to memory. I nudge her knees apart and she lets them drop open unabashedly, revealing her pretty pink pussy, shining with arousal. ¡°Damn,¡± I growl, licking my lips as I gaze down at her. ¡°Gonna need to taste that pretty pussy of yours, baby.¡± She props herself up on an elbow, hitting me with a mischievous smirk as a blush forms on her cheeks. She swings her thighs back together with a smack. ¡°Why are you still dressed?¡± Nessa queries, arching a seductive brow. Fair question. I reach behind my back, grabbing onto my shirt and yanking it off overhead, tossing it on the floor beside me. By the time I do, she¡®s already got her own shirt off, and I watch with rapt attention as she slips off her ck bra, her tits spilling out, nipples hardening into stiff peaks as they hit the air. ¡°Goddamn...¡°I can¡®t evenplete that thought before I pounce on her, gathering her tits in my hands and kneading the soft flesh, flicking her nipples with my thumbs and drawing a gasp from her throat. Her hands tangle in my hair as my mouth descends on one of her nipples, sucking and biting it gently at first, then harder until she¡®s squirming beneath me on the bed. I give her other breast the same treatment as the first, then drag my tongue down the valley between her tits, licking around her navel, her hipbone, until I reach the apex of her thighs. The sweetness of her scent makes me dizzy, and she fists my hair and cries out when I lick into her slowly, tortuously, dragging my tongue up her slit and flicking her clit. ¡°Callum!¡± she screams, her back arching off the bed as pinpricks of pain break out over my scalp from her grip on my hair. ¡°Don¡®t stop, don¡®t stop...¡± I chuckle against her and she shudders at the vibration. I¡®m not nning on stopping anytime soon. I could die between this woman¡®s thighs with no regrets. I continue my assault on her pussy with languid strokes of my tongue, circling her clit, then dipping down to thrust my tongue into her opening, fucking her with it. She¡®s alternately fisting my hair and the sheets, scratching at my shoulders, panting and writhing and moaning. It¡®s the most beautiful symphony I¡®ve ever heard. I feast on her until I feel her reach her peak, acutely attuned to every sound and movement she makes. Her thighs tighten around my ears, her muscles trembling, and I suction my mouth over her clit to push her off the edge. A wanton scream tears from her lips as she goes off like a rocket, riding my face while I savor every drop of her release on my tongue. Her climax seems to go on forever, and I¡®m smugly satisfied that I was the one to draw it out of her; to deliver the pleasure that she¡®s reveling in. Nessa¡®s breathing isbored as shees back down, and I lift my head to grin up at her, licking my lips. ¡°You shatter so fucking beautifully,¡± I murmur, kneading her thighs with my fingers. She sits up suddenly, pressing her palms against my chest and pushing me backwards until my feet hit the floor and I¡®m rising to stand over her once again. ¡°My turn,¡± she purrs, gazing up at me with a mischievous glint in her eye as she reaches forward for the button of my jeans. I don¡®t stop her this time. I hold my breath as she pops the button and drags the zipper down, then grabs onto my pants and boxers at my hips, yanking them to the floor. Her eyes widen in the most adorable way when my cock springs free, bobbing right in front of her face with a drop of pre¨Ccum shining from the tip. I¡®mpletely unprepared when she leans forward and darts her tongue out to lick it off. I groan, burying my hands in her hair and tipping her face up, her eyes meeting mine through the darkness. ¡°You¡®re going to fucking ruin me,¡± I rasp, dragging my thumb across her pouty lower lip. I dip it inside her mouth, pressing down on her tongue as I continue to stare into her eyes intently. There¡®s no way she doesn¡®t see the monster lurking beneath the surface. I drop my mask, stripping myself bare for her so she can gaze into the ckness of my soul, see what she¡®s getting herself into if she doesn¡®t turn back now. I¡®m giving her an out, though part of me hopes she doesn¡®t take it. The part that¡®s standing tall between my legs, hard as stone for her. To my surprise, there¡®s no fear in Nessa¡®s eyes. Only desire. She wraps her lips around my thumb, sucking it hard and releasing it with a loud pop. Then her gaze drops to my rock¨Chard cock and she dips down, taking the head between her plush lips and sucking. I groan loudly, thrusting forward into her warm mouth, reveling in the sight of my dick slipping in deeper. She takes me eagerly, inch by inch, until I¡®m bumping the back of her throat, making a guttural sound and barely managing to hold back from blowing my load. Another fucking mystery, where this girl¡®s concerned. In past hookups, it always took me a while to get off. I¡®d eventually have to close my eyes and focuspletely just to tip myself over the edge. Not with Nessa, though. Everything about this girl has me feeling like a two pump¨Cchump, hovering on the precipice of an embarrassingly early release. Everything about her just does it for me. She wraps a hand around the base of my cock, squeezing gently and pumping in time with the bob of her head. She¡®s good. I won¡®t allow myself to consider how much practice she¡¯s had, because I suddenly realize that the thought of her with anyone else makes me murderous. She¡®s too pure, too perfect. Too mine. I pull back, staring down at her with a wild look in my eyes as my thoughts rage. I shouldn¡®t. But seeing her looking back up at me, so demure and sweet with her dark hair falling in front of her face, I know I don¡®t have the willpower to stop. I stoop down and gather her in my arms, dragging her back to the center of the bed as my lips find hers. Her legs part, her slick center rubbing against my cock while her arms wind around me, her tongue tangling with my own. My dick is throbbing, eager to get inside her, to take and im and ravage her. Breaking the kiss, I prop myself up on an arm, staring into her eyes as I reach down to fist my cock. I want to look at her when I sink inside; see every expression y out on her face so I canmit it to memory. I rub the head of my cock along her slit, gathering moisture and teasing her a little before I press the tip to her entrance. I¡®m about to shove in when she stops me by pressing a hand firmly to my chest. ¡°Just,¡± she gasps, looking into my eyes earnestly. ¡°Go slow?¡± Her teeth sink into her lower lip, a coquettish smile tugging at them. ¡°It¡®s my first time.¡± I freeze, my brain short¨Ccircuiting. What did she just say? My dick twitches in my hand, impossibly hard and ready to plunge into her wet heat. ¡°What?¡± I growl out, rocking back to sit on my heels. ¡°You¡®re a virgin?¡± I blink down at her through the darkness, my mind still ying catch¨Cup with her admission. ¡°Well yeah.¡± Nessa props herself up on her elbows, innocently tilting her head in question like she didn¡®t just drop an atomic bomb. ¡°That a problem?¡± I scrub a hand over my face, gritting my teeth. Yes, it¡®s a fucking problem. The realization of what I¡®ve been trying to figure out about Nessa all this timees crashing in¨C that she¡®s truly as pure as she seems. She¡®s not hiding anything behind a mask or concealing her damage behind that sweet and innocent fa?ade; she really is exactly who she portrays herself to be, honest and uncorrupted by this cruel world. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. I won¡®t be the one to taint that. I won¡®t be the one to ruin her for the sake of a goddamn bet. ¡°I can¡®t do this,¡± I grumble, lurching backwards and stumbling off the bed. Nessa¡®s eyes round in confusion, her mouth falling open. ¡°What?¡± She gathers the sheet in her hands, pulling it over her body and sitting up. I fist my hair, shaking my head as I back away from the edge of the bed. ¡°I can¡®t... take that from you.¡± Her brow furrows, anger and embarrassment shing in her eyes. ¡°Isn¡®t that my decision?¡± She scoots to the edge of the bed, rising to her feet and letting the sheet drop. It slides away from her body, and fuck me, she¡®s so stunning that my heart trips over its valves. ¡°I want you, Callum,¡± Nessa purrs, stepping closer and setting a hand on my chest, right over my frantic heart. It inexplicably calms at her touch. I lift a hand and wrap it around her wrist, lifting hers off my skin. ¡°No, you don¡®t,¡± I rasp, staring down into her wide eyes. ¡°You just don¡®t know it yet.¡± She scowls, flinching back like my words have physically assaulted her. I can¡®t look at the hurt in her eyes, so I turn away, stooping down to snatch my jeans off the floor. I stumble into them clumsily and yank them up my hips. When I straighten and turn back, Nessa¡®s no longer in front of me¨C she¡®s rooting around for her own clothes, tugging them on hurriedly. Something in my chest squeezes painfully. ¡°Nessa, L...¡± She whips around to face me, straightening her skirt. ¡°Just don¡®t,¡± she snaps, her gaze shuttered. ¡°I already know what you¡®re going to say. It¡®s not me, it¡®s you, right? Because you¡®re bad and I¡®m good and I should be scared of you. But guess what, Callum?¡± She steps closer, getting right up in my face and ring at me in challenge. ¡°I¡®m not scared. You are. So let me know when you decide to stop self¨Csabotaging and actually allow yourself to have something good in your life. Until then, I¡®m out.¡± 6. She scoops her boots off the floor, strands of her long hair whipping my chest as she turns sharply and struts out of my room. I¡®m rooted to the spot I¡®m standing in, unable to move. Unable to breathe. Distantly, I hear the front door of my apartment open and then m closed, but I¡®m still frozen in ce. The silence creeps in, my throat tightening as Nessa¡®s words echo in my mind. She¡®s wrong, though. I don¡®t deserve anything good in my life. She¡®s just too sweet and na?ve to see me for who I really am. A monster. That ugly, ck thing inside of me unfurls, my vision tinting red. My fists clench, my feet move. Suddenly I¡®m in front of Miles¡® apartment door, rapping my fist against the wood so violently that my knuckles split. The door swings open, a sleepy looking Miles appearing on the other side. ¡°What the fuck, bro? Can¡®t anyone get some sleep around here?¡± ¡°Bet¡®s off,¡± I growl, turning away. ¡°What?¡± Miles blurts, blinking the sleep from his eyes and furrowing his brow. ¡°Why?¡± I twist around to face him again, struggling to take measured breaths. ¡°She¡®s a virgin.¡± 1 His face lights up like a damn kid on Christmas, a delighted smile splitting his lips. ¡°No shit?¡± Miles chuckles, scrubbing a hand over his face and shaking his head. ¡°Damn, that makes this even better. Bet¡®s still on, and the first to pop her cherry...¡± I take a threatening step toward him, my fists clenching at my sides as my wolf rears to the surface. ¡°Stay the fuck away from her, Miles,¡± I growl menacingly. ¡°I¡®m warning you.¡± Heughs in my face, and it takes everything in me to keep my shit together rather than releasing my inner beast on my friend. ¡°A bet¡®s a bet, Cal,¡± he tuts with a patronizing smile. ¡°You can¡®t just call it off. If you want to forfeit, then you¡®ve gotta pay the price. You know what that is.¡± ¡°What?¡± He shrugs. ¡°Your spot on the mission.¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then we¡®re still on?¡± I growl in frustration, stabbing my fingers through my hair. ¡°Why does this matter so much to you?¡± I demand, still seething. ¡°You already know she¡®s into me. You won¡®t win.¡± ¡°I¡®ll win either way.¡± ¡°How do you figure?¡± He grins, and it takes everything in me not to punch that stupid smile off his face. ¡°Because even if I lose the bet, you¡®ll fuck things up with her. You know you will. And then she¡®ll need someone to lean on while she¡®s all heartbroken and shit, and I¡®ll be right there, waiting.¡± He waves a hand flippantly. ¡°I don¡®t really care if you break her in first, I¡®ll still get her in the end.¡± 4 )) The thought of that has me seeing red again, but I keep my monster tightly caged. ¡°She¡®s not a fucking object,¡± I mutter in disgust. ¡°No? Then why¡®d you take the wager in the first ce?¡± Bile crawls up my throat. I grind my mrs, shaking my head firmly. ¡°No, we¡®re not doing this. Bet¡®s off.¡± I point a finger at him, leaning in and pressing it to his chest in warning. ¡°And if you know what¡®s good for you, you¡®ll stay the fuck away from her.¡± 1 Before Miles can object and start spewing more of his bullshit, I turn away, stomping down the hall back to my own apartment. He calls something after me, but I don¡®t hear it over the blood rushing to my ears. Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Read Broken Bond by C.J. Primer Chapter 12 VANESSA I was a lot like my little sister Mia when I was her age. I was obsessed with princess movies ¨C the kind where a handsome prince or a white knight would rush in and sweep the princess off her feet, then they¡®d ride off into the sunset together and live happily ever after. As I got older, I recognized that life wasn¡®t a fairytale, but that didn¡®t stop me from daydreaming about falling madly in love someday and finding my own happy ending. My parents did. Their rtionship is like a real¨Clife fairytale, so it didn¡®t seem far¨Cfetched to dream of one day having something like that for myself. 1 Turns out, rtionships are far moreplicated than I imagined, especially with a dark knight bent on pushing away anyone who gets too close. I took a chance on Callum because he made me feel things that nobody else ever has. He ignited something in me that made me want to take a leap of faith and see where the spark between us could go. Mates or not, he¡®s the first man I¡®ve had real feelings for, and despite how things ended the other night, I haven¡®t given up on him. How can I when he¡®s still taking up so much space in my head and heart? Going home with him wasn¡®t a snap decision. We¡®ve been getting to know each other for a couple weeks now, and I can¡®t deny how much my feelings for him have grown. I¡®m smitten. After the way he touched me at the hot springs, I ached for more, and when I epted his invitation to go back to his ce, I was fully prepared to give myself over to Callum, mind, body, and soul. Evidently, he wasn¡®t on the same page¨C or if he was, he changed his mind when I admitted to my inexperience. I felt the sting of his rejection well into the next day, but now that I¡®ve had more time to think about it, I realize that it doesn¡®t change how I feel about him. If anything, it only confirmed what I already knew¨C that beneath that hard exterior of his, he¡®s thoughtful and kind. He¡®s a good man, worthy of affection. Worthy of a second chance. So even though I walked out on him, I¡®m still hopeful he¡®ll change his mind and take a chance on me, too. His timing sucks. I haven¡®t called, haven¡®t sent a text to him since that night, giving him space toe to his own decision of what he wants. I¡®d reach eagerly for my phone each time it vibrated, hope blooming in my chest only to be dashed when it wasn¡®t his name on the screen. And as luck would have it, when his name finally does appear, I¡®m not the first to see it. Vienna 1. is. It couldn¡®t havee at a worse time. Vee stormed in this morning after spending another night with Chase, already on the warpath and unwilling to talk about whatever was upsetting her, and of course that¡®s when Callum happened to finally call. She snatched my phone off the bed and held it up in front of me, showing me the iing call on the screen while using me of keeping secrets from her. Everything devolved from there. We shouted at one another, she packed her bag, and she stormed out, leaving me standing in my bedroom blinking back tears and wondering when everything in my life got so damnplicated. Vee and I don¡®t fight. She¡®s always the person I go to when I¡®m upset, so in this instance, I¡®m at a loss for what to do. And then Callum calls again, almost as if in answer. I lift my phone in shaky hands, clicking the button to pick up the call with a sniffled ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°What¡®s wrong?¡± he asks instantly, his low,manding tone sending butterflies scattering in my belly. I draw a deep breath, trying to steady my voice enough to respond. ¡°Vienna and I just had a big fight,¡± I manage. ¡°Oh.¡± He sounds almost relieved. ¡°Sorry... that sucks.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± We¡®re both silent for a moment, listening to each other breathe as I continue to fight back tears, my argument with Vienna still ying on repeat in my brain. ¡°Hey Callum?¡± I ask quietly, wiping a stray tear from the apple of my cheek. ¡°Can Ie over?¡± My heart pounds at a rapid rhythun while I await his response, kicking myself for even asking. It¡®s stupid, considering how things went down thest time I was at his ce, but for some reason, he feels like a safe harbor. Even the sound of his voice is calming. If I can¡®t fix things between Vienna and me right now, maybe I can mend whatever went wrong between the two of us. ¡°Yeah, babe,¡± he replies without hesitation. ¡°C¡®mon over¡± 1 blow out a relieved breath, my tense shoulders rxing. ¡°Okay,¡± I sniffle. ¡°Be there soon.¡± By the time I get to Callum¡®s apartment, I¡®m already feeling marginally better. I¡®ve stopped crying, at least. There¡®s still a gnawing feeling of regret in the pit of my stomach that¡®s been there since the fight with Vienna, but navigating my way here helped to take my mind off it and lessen the ache. Good thing I¡®ve got an impable sense of direction, or I wouldn¡®t have been able to find my way back. I wasn¡®t exactly thinking clearly when I left the other night, and I didn¡¯t make use of the roads since I shifted and ran home through the forest. Still, I recall enough of our drive here after the party to make it back, and upon entering the lobby, I even remember which door is his. Though if I didn¡®t, the Avenged Sevenfold song I can hear ying softly from inside would¡®ve been a dead giveaway. I take a deep breath as I raise a fist to knock, holding it as I hear his footsteps draw closer from the interior of the apartment. The knob turns and the door opens, and when I meet those striking blue¨Cgreen eyes, my heart constricts, the scorching memories of ourst encounter flooding back I swallow hard, then breathe out a quiet, ¡°Hi.¡± ¡°Hi,¡± he rumbles in response, pulling the door the rest of the way open and stepping aside to allow me entry. His hair is messy like he recently woke up, sticking out haphazardly in all directions. He¡®s shirtless ¨C because evidently I haven¡®t been tortured enough by the mere thought of his chiseled physique¨C and I feebly try to keep my thirsty gaze off of his body as I step around him to enter the apartment. His scent assaults me as soon as I walk inside; juniper, leather, smoke, spice. It¡®s a delicious combination that I can¡®t get enough of, and although I¡®m trying my best to remain calm andposed, I can¡®t control how my pulse picks up with every step. I nce around curiously as I wander further inside, taking in the interior of Cal¡®s residence. Even though I¡®ve been here before, it was pitch ck¨C and I wasn¡®t exactly attuned to my surroundings while he was kissing the life out of me. Now, the light of day, I¡®m seeing it for the first time, and I¡®m... surprised. I expected it to be cold and impersonal, like the vibe that Callum puts off, but it¡®s not. The living room is crowded with mismatched furniture that appearsfortable and inviting, and the wall behind the sofa is even painted in an ent color¨C a deep blue, like the ocean. What draws my eye the most, though, is the wall across from that one, behind an overstuffed recliner and a clunky side table. It¡®s cluttered with pages taped to the surface; stunningly detailed sketches that could only have been created by an adept hand and a beautiful mind. My feet carry me closer, my eyes roaming over the pages littering the wall with rapt fascination. Some of them are just ck and white outlines, while others are shaded with grey or boast vibrant colors. A single page rests on the side table beside some sort of strange equipment, and I reach out to pick up the paper, running my fingers over the design as I feel Callum prowl up behind me. ¡°Did you draw this?¡± I ask incredulously, turning to look at him over my shoulder as my fingertips linger on the design. He rakes a hand through his disheveled hair, his gaze darting down to the paper in my hands, then snapping back up to meet mine. ¡°Yeah.¡± My breath catches in my throat as I nce back down at the drawing, eyes drinking in the delicate lines he sketched out. ¡°Callum, this is incredible.¡± His warm chest presses against my back, his arming around me to take the paper from my hand. ¡°It¡®s just a hobby,¡± he replies, returning the drawing to the side table. I struggle to breathe when he wraps both arms around my waist from behind, burying his face in the crook of my neck and inhaling deeply. ¡°Sorry about the other night,¡± he murmurs, and I shiver at the sensation of his lips brushing my skin. Almost involuntarily, my body melts back into his, my soft curves melding with the hard lines of his brawny chest. ¡°Does that mean you changed your mind?¡± I ask cautiously, covering his hands with my own and leaning my head back against his shoulder. It¡®s hard to think clearly when he¡®s this close to me. The way he growls into my ear sends a shiver racing down my spine. ¡°It means I¡®m not ready to let you go.¡± My lips spread into a grin, warmth blooming in my chest. I twist around in his grip until I¡®m facing him, pushing up on my tiptoes to brush my lips against his. ¡°Then don¡®t,¡± I whisper, reaching up to cup his sharp jaw in a palm and staring into the turquoise depths of his eyes.¡± Don¡®t push me away, Callum,¡± I implore, searching his eyes with my own. ¡°I want to know you, but you have to let me in.¡± He lifts a hand to my face, tracing the curve of my lower lip with his thumb as his gaze drops to track the movement. ¡°How?¡± Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Well for starters, tell me more about these.¡± I push off his chest and spin back around, gesturing toward the wall of impressive sketches, ¡°Like I said, it¡®s just a hobby.¡± He steps around me, reaching to the side table to gather up the strange array of objects scattered across the surface¨C a pair oftex gloves, a razor, a stack of paper towels, little jars of what looks like paint... ¡°What¡®s all that stuff?¡± I wonder aloud, watching him clear the clutter and ce everything in a little box. He raises a strange looking contraption. ¡°What, you¡®ve never seen a tattoo gun?¡± He drops it in the box with the other stuff while my eyes fly wide, my brows practically hitting my hairline. ¡°Seriously?¡± I gasp, blinking as the pieces start to slot together in my brain. He¡®s got tattoos crowding his thighs and forearms, which seems like strange cement when the rest of his body is a nk canvas ¨C unless he¡®s been doing them himself. Those would be the easiest ces for him to reach. ¡°Did you tattoo this one?¡± I ask, picking up the drawing from the side table again. ¡°I was working on it,¡± he replies with a shrug of his shoulder. ¡°Can I see?¡± The corner of his mouth lifts in amusement at my eagerness. ¡°Sure.¡± Cal blows out a breath, sidestepping in front of the recliner and dropping down onto it. He lifts the leg of his gym shorts to reveal a white bandage taped over his thigh, peeling it back to show me what¡®s underneath. Sure enough, it resembles the drawing on the paper in my hands, though it¡®s not nearly as detailed. It¡®s just thin outlines, like the start of a sketch. ¡°How do you do it?¡± I ask, shuffling closer to get a better view of the ink of Callum¡®s thigh. He scoops an arm around my waist, spreading his legs wide and tugging me in to sit on his other thigh. ¡°Just freehand,¡± he purrs into my ear as I lean forward to get a closer look. ¡°I draw it out on paper, then use that for reference when I tattoo it.¡± He describes his process with such nonchnce, like he¡®spletely unaware of how insanely talented he is. I nce toward the box of tattoo supplies, then back to the unfinished artwork on this thigh.¡± Can I watch?¡± ¡°It¡®s not as exciting as you think,¡± he chuckles while reaffixing the bandage to his leg. I reach up to cup his jaw, hitting him with my best pleading doe¨Ceyed expression when our gazes meet. ¡°Please?¡± He pauses, studying my face with narrowed eyes, then slowly nods in response, sliding me off hisp and rising from the recliner. I barely contain my squeal of delight as he drags an ottoman over, dropping it in front of the recliner and gesturing for me to take a seat. I¡®m giddy with anticipation while he removes everything from the box again, preparing his equipment while I watch in eager fascination. Lots of people get tattoos ¨C my best friend, included ¨C but the prospect of watching Callum ink himself in his own living room feels oddly tititing. He retakes his seat on the recliner beside me and removes the bandage on his thigh, and I flinch at the buzzing sound the tattoo gun makes when he turns it on, inhaling sharply. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± I ask as he dips the tip in one of the little vials of ink and starts to lower it onto his skin. ¡°Depends on what you ssify as pain,¡± he murmurs. ¡°I have a high threshold.¡± I watch, wide¨Ceyed, as he sinks the needle into his thigh and starts to drag it, etching a thin ck line into his skin. ¡°The silver burns a little, but I think it feels good,¡± he continues, still moving the needle across his skin as I watch in awe. ¡°Adding liquid silver to the ink is the only way to make it permanent. Otherwise, shifter healing just forces the ink out.¡± I watch him silently for a little while, marveling at the slow, controlled strokes of the tattoo needle and the beautiful image that starts to take shape. I¡®m basically hovering over his leg from the ottoman beside his chair, but he doesn¡®t seem to mind. If I¡®m distracting him at all, you wouldn¡®t be able to tell from hisser¨C focus on his task and the meticulous movements he makes with the needle. ¡°Do you ever tattoo anyone else?¡± I ask, and from the breathy way ites out, I suddenly realize that I¡®m panting, heat crawling up my neck. Jeez, am I getting hot and bothered from watching him do this? Something about it feels decidedly intimate, even though we¡®re both still fully clothed. Well, I am, at least. Cal¡®s still shirtless, and I unwittingly lick my lips as my gaze travels up to his hard abs, lingering there for a beat. ¡°Never have,¡± he murmurs, still intently focused on the tattoo. He alternates strokes of the needle with wiping a paper towel across his skin to mop up the little drops of blood that rise. ¡°Would you tattoo me?¡± For the first time since he started, he pauses, switching off the gun and lifting his head to look up at me curiously. ¡°You really want to mark up that perfect skin?¡± His hungry gaze crawls up my body slowly, like he¡®s mapping out where he¡®d ink me, if given the chance. I shift my weight on the ottoman, a steady thrum starting between my thighs. ¡°Why not?¡± His eyes meet mine again, his heated blue¨Cgreen stare threatening to incinerate me on the spot. ¡°Maybe someday,¡± he growls, wetting his lips with his tongue. Good lord ¨C I feel like I need to fan myself. It isn¡®t fair how this man can set my body aze with a single nce. I shift my weight on the ottoman again, squeezing my thighs together tightly in an attempt to relieve the ache between them. As if he knows what he¡®s doing to me, the corner of his mouth briefly lifts in amusement¨C but then he drops his gaze and switches the tattoo gun back on, getting right back down to business. I take a beat to calm my racing heart and steady my breathing, watching the disciplined strokes me makes with the tattoo gun. ¡°You could make a career out of this,¡± I murmur as I watch him work, still completely fascinated. My eyes drift up to the wall behind him, scanning over the pages of artwork. ¡°You¡®re really talented. Have you ever showed these to anyone?¡± ¡°I¡®ve posted a few online,¡± he mumbles. ¡°A band from Denver contacted me recently about using one for album artwork. They¡®re ying a show in Breckenridge on Friday, so I¡®m thinking about driving out there to meet with them.¡± 1 ¡°Really?!¡± I squeal, unable to contain my enthusiasm. My lips spread into a wide smile, and when he lifts his gaze to meet mine, I¡®m positively beaming. ¡°That¡®s so cool! You definitely should.¡± He shrugs a shoulder, chewing on the inside of his cheek. ¡°Maybe.¡± He wipes at his thigh with the paper towel again, switching off the tattoo gun and setting it on the side table. Then he gets a fresh bandage, peeling off the adhesive backing. He affixes it to his thigh over the tattoo, his gaze lifting to meet mine. ¡°Would you, uh... wannae? If I go?¡± My heart thumps. ¡°To Breckenridge?¡± ¡°Yeah. Just out there and back, but we could stick around to watch the band for a little while if you want.¡± He shrugs again, so damn casual as he leans over and begins cing his tattoo equipment back in the box. I reach out and ce a hand on his arm, his eyes snapping up and colliding with my own. ¡°I¡¯d love that, Callum,¡± I reply sincerely, a wide smile stretching my lips. He leans forward to gather me in his arms and hauls me into hisp, my knees spreading to straddle his waist. ¡°Cool,¡± he smiles against my lips, then crushes his against them in a steamy, toe¨Ccurling kiss. Tingles spread through my body as my lips part and our eager tongues graze. I grasp his shoulders and rock my center against him, mewling into his mouth when I feel the stiff ridge of his dick twitch to life beneath me. I start to kiss him harder, rougher, but he suddenly pulls back, breaking the kiss before things can escte and effectively dousing water over the mes raging inside me. ¡°Hop up,¡± he grumbles, patting my butt. Breathless and confused, I wriggle off him, finding my footing on the floor in front of the recliner and rising to my feet. His gaze drops to his thigh, and I follow it to see that the bandage on his leg is bunched up, two sides havinge loose from the friction of me riding hisp. He tears it off, reaching onto the side table for a new one to rece it with. I draw measured breaths as I watch him, steadily calming my racing heart. We should probably cool things off until we can have a meaningful discussion about where we stand. Right? Ah, who am I kidding ¨C I¡®m already a goner. Chapter 13 Chapter 13 13 CALLUM ¡°Of course,¡± I mutter under my breath as I look up at the house in front of me, my navigation app confirming that I¡¯ve reached my destination. I mean, ites as no surprise that Nessa¡¯s family home is picture perfect, but the literal white picket fence out front is a little over the top. Everything about the setting screams that a happy family resides here, and even from my spot at the curb, I feel ufortably out of ce; like my mere presence will somehow darken the vibe. I curl my fingers around the leather steering wheel of Levi¡¯s truck- my borrowed ride for the evening- and look expectantly toward the front door as it swings open and Nessa steps out. I swear, every time I see this fuckin girl, it¡¯s like the first time. She¡¯s effortlessly gorgeous, the wintry breeze catching strands of her glossy dark hair like she¡¯s a model on a photoshoot. She smooths it away from her face with a hand and starts down the front walk, my eyes lingering on the exposed skin of her bronze thighs as I hungrily drag my tongue across the seam of my lips. She¡¯s dressed the part of a girl going to a rock show in thigh high leather boots, a dark denim mini skirt, a faded cropped T, and a leather moto jacket- and damn does she wear it well. By the time she reaches the passenger door of the truck, I¡¯m practically salivating, my heart banging around in my chest at a chaotic rhythm. 1 ¡°Hey, handsome,¡± Nessa purrs as she climbs inside, fastening her seatbelt and hitting me with a megawatt smile. I drag in a deep breath through my nose, reveling in that sweet cherry and floral scent that surrounds her. ¡°You look like fuckin¡¯ trouble,¡± I groan, giving her a slow and purposeful once-over as I shamelessly adjust my junk. Her eyes track the movement and her cheeks pink in a blush, her wolf making herself known through metallic shimmers in her irises. ¡°You look good, too,¡± Nessa smiles. She doesn¡¯t even try to mask her roaming gaze, nibbling her lower lip while making an obvious show of checking me out. I square my shoulders and puff out my chest as I shift the truck into drive, not minding the weight of her appreciative stare one bit. I punch our destination into the GPS as we roll down the street, hesitant about the evening ahead but eager to spend it with the little minx seated beside me. She almost bailed after her bestie wrecked her car yesterday, but Chase swooped in and stole Vienna away to recover at his packhouse, relieving Nessa of any duty to stick around to take care of her friend. Honestly, had she cancelled, I probably wouldn¡¯t have bothered making the trip on my own. ¡°I hear Vienna¡¯s doing better,¡± Iment as I pull out of her hometown of Riverton and onto the main road that winds through the forest. ¡°She is. Chase finally let mee see her this morning.¡± Nessa sighs dramatically, folding her arms over her chest. ¡°I swear, that friend of yours had better get his shit together if he¡¯s serious about Vienna. One minute he¡¯s using her of being a gold digger, and the next, he¡¯s begging to take care of her, threatening me to get out of his way¡­¡± ¡°He threatened you?¡± I growl, my head snapping in her direction as a wave of instinctive protectiveness rolls through me. It catches me off guard, but before the foreign emotion has a chance to escte, she relieves it with a soft giggle. ¡°Well not literally,¡± Nessaughs, tossing her hair over a shoulder. ¡°He went all caveman on me at the infirmary, though. Said if I didn¡¯t get out of the doorway and let him in, he¡¯d forcibly remove me.¡± She punctuates her story with an eyeroll, flopping her head back on the seat. ¡°What¡¯s his deal, anyways?¡± ¡°He¡¯s just going through a rough timetely,¡± I murmur, flexing my knuckles on the steering wheel. ¡°Losing his dad really fucked him up.¡± That familiar pang hits me in the chest like it does every time I mention. Alpha Vaughn. Nessa sinks her teeth into her lower lip, her eyes sympathetic. ¡°I can¡¯t even imagine,¡± she whispers, shaking her head. We ride in afortable silence for a while, listening to the radio and navigating out of the six-pack territory and onto the highway. When we start to lose the station, she insists that we should listen to the band that we¡¯re going to see, finding a few of their songs on Spotify, connecting her phone to the car stereo, and pumping them through the speakers. It¡¯s not the genre that I typically listen to, but I enjoy the little show she puts on dancing in the passenger seat to try to hype me up. She shimmies her shoulders, throwing me suggestive little winks and waggling her eyebrows. It¡¯s pretty fuckin¡¯ adorable. When we¡¯re about ten minutes out, I reach into the pocket of my leather jacket, fingering a joint and debating whether I need it to take the edge off. Just being around Nessa seems to level me out, but the situation I¡¯m about to walk into is full of triggers- critical eyes on my art, wandering eyes on my girl, and drunk, aggressive humans that I absolutely can¡¯t lose my temper with. Given my shifter strength and the restlessness of my inner beast lately, killing someone is a very real possibility; one I¡¯d prefer to avoid. I pull the joint out of my pocket, holding it up and side-eyeing Nessa. ¡°You care if I ze before we get there?¡± She gives a little shake of her head, watching me pinch the joint between my lips and light the tip. I drag in a deep inhale, holding the smoke in my lungs for a few beats. ¡°Can I try?¡± she asks from the passenger seat, and I choke on a cough, turning to her in surprise. ¡°You serious?¡± She smiles shyly and shrugs a shoulder. ¡± Why not?¡± I take another puff and pass the joint over to her, alternating between keeping my eyes on the road and stealing nces at the beauty beside me. Nessa raises it to her plump lips, wrapping them around the end and puckering as the cherry burns bright with her inhale. For some reason, the sight of her sucking on the joint like that has my cock thickening beneath my zipper. She lowers the J from her lips and immediatelyunches into a coughing fit, sputtering as she expels the smoke from her lungs. I chuckle, reaching over to pluck the smoldering joint from her fingers while she coughs. ¡°Oh my gosh,¡± she wheezes, clutching at her chest. ¡°It burns!¡± I take another drag whileughing at her expense, offering her another hit once she¡¯s caught her breath. She wrinkles her nose and shakes her head, so I take a few more drags before chucking the spent joint out the window, already feeling the calming effect of the THC rxing my body and mind. 2 ¡°Did I do it wrong?¡± Nessa asks, still stifling a cough. ¡°Nah, you just have to get used to it,¡± I reply as I slide her a smirk. The Breckenridge exites up fast, and once we enter the city, the venue isn¡¯t difficult to find. The band is ying at a popr bar downtown, and after exchanging messages with their frontman about the art he¡¯s interested in, he said he¡¯d put my name on a list so that we could use the back entrance rather than fighting our way through the crowd to get backstage. Even though Nessa only had one hit, she¡¯s giggly as she climbs out of the truck, her big brown eyes half-lidded. I grab the folder of artwork that I¡¯d stashed in the center console and make my way around to the passenger side, scooping an arm around Nessa¡¯s waist to steady her. ¡°You alright?¡± I ask, slipping the folder under my arm and brushing her hair out of her face with my fingertips. She looks up at me through her eyshes and nods solemnly, then cracks a mischievous smile. ¡°I feel a little floaty.¡± I snort, shaking my head. Fuck, she¡¯s cute. ¡± Maybe letting you smoke wasn¡¯t such a good idea.¡± Her jaw drops in offense. ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± she deres defensively, swatting at my chest with the back of a hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go in, I wanna dance.¡± I chuckle to myself as I steer her toward the back entrance of the bar, dropping my name when we encounter the guy posted up outside. He checks his list and lets us in, passing us off to another guy inside who leads us through the back hallway and to arge dressing room, knocking twice before opening the door and ushering us inside. The interior of the room is dim, the scent of stale smoke and booze clinging to the walls. within. There¡¯s arge sectional in the far corner where three guys are posted up, one with a sleazy looking blonde draped over hisp. The other two are bent forward over the coffee table, shooting shots of clear liquor. As soon as they drink them down, they ssh more into each shot ss from arge bottle, tipping them back again. Two more guys are leaning against the wall nearby, chatting in low voices. They look over when we enter, and the shorter of the two pushes off the wall, advancing in our direction. ¡°Cal Conway?¡± I nod, tightening my arm around Nessa¡¯s waist and tucking her in closer to my side. The guy shes an easy smile, extending a hand as he approaches. ¡°de. I¡¯m the one you¡¯ve been messaging with.¡± 1 I take his hand and give it a firm shake, holding eye contact. ¡°Nice to finally meet you, man.¡± ¡°Likewise,¡± he drawls. His gaze drifts to the beauty beside me, raking up and down her form unabashedly. He licks his lips, grinning in satisfaction. ¡°And you are?¡± ¡°Nessa,¡± she chirps, sticking out her hand. I grind my mrs as he takes it, shaking it gently. ¡°Nice to meet you, Nessa,¡± de replies smoothly, his gaze lingering on her a beat longer than I¡¯m comfortable with before he turns back to me. ¡°You two want a drink? We¡¯ve got vodka, or¡­¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Vodka,¡± one of his bandmates from the couch provides with a snicker, lifting the bottle and sloshing the liquid around. Nessa slips out from my grip around her waist, wandering boldly toward the sectional. ¡°Any mixers?¡± she asks hopefully. My jaw clenches. This girl is too damn friendly for her own good. ¡°For sure,¡± the guy drowning under the blonde provides. ¡°Redbull, cranberry¡­¡± ¡°Cranberry,¡± Nessa answers immediately. The two guys who were shooting the vodka when we walked in exchange devious nces, then get to work mixing a drink for Nessa. I watch their every move like a hawk to ensure they don¡¯t try to slip anything into it, their sleazy leers at my girl putting me on edge. : ¡°Wanna show me what you brought?¡± de asks, gesturing to the folder still clutched under my arm. I wait until Nessa has her drink in hand before turning back to him, clearing my throat and nodding. Sensing my apprehension about taking my eyes off Nessa, de ps me on the shoulder, offering me anotherzy grin. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about your girl, Greg and Marco will take good care of her while we talk business.¡± Every muscle in my body tenses until he removes his hand from my shoulder, spinning around and gesturing for me to follow him to a high-top table on the other side of the room. I p the folder down on the surface and another guy rounds my other side, boxing me in between him and de. ¡°Steve,¡± he introduces himself, offering me a hand. ¡°I manage the band.¡± I shake it firmly. ¡°Cal.¡± Nessa giggles, and I nce back over my shoulder to see her ambling around the coffee table, taking a seat on the empty side of the sectional with her ss of red liquid clutched in both hands. Her gaze lifts to meet mine and she tosses me a flirty little wink, then turns back to the guys, resuming whatever conversation they were embroiled ¡°So can we see them?¡± de presses, and I steer my attention back to him, flipping open the folder on the table and spreading out the pages inside. After these guys contacted me about what pieces of mine they liked and what they were looking for, I worked up several new designs that fit their specifications. Steve and de both lean over the table, staring down at my sketches critically as they thumb through the pages. I watch the expression on de¡¯s face carefully as he eyes each one, scrunching up his nose and frowning at a few, sliding them away. He finallynds on one that has his eyes lighting up, the corner of his mouth lifting. ¡°This is sick,¡± he murmurs, dragging it closer. ¡°Could you do something to make the skulls pop? Make them neon or something?¡± I shrug a shoulder. ¡°Sure, whatever you guys want.¡± ¡°Stop,¡± Nessaughs, the sound of it verging on ufortable. My hackles raise and I turn over a shoulder to look in her direction, her eyes immediately locking in on mine. The stupid fucker who offered her a drink is now seated right beside her, his palm squeezing her bare thigh as she tries to squirm away. I see red. ¡°The fuck¡¯s going on over here?¡± I spit as I wheel around and stomp across the room toward them. The guy is clearly as dumb as he looks, because he res back at me in challenge, digging his fingertips deeper into Nessa¡¯s thigh. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, artist boy,¡± he sneers, turning back to her leaning in close, his lips hovering beside her ear. ¡°Nessa and I were just getting to know each other, weren¡¯t we, sweetie?¡± She responds by elbowing him hard in the ribs, scrambling away and getting to her feet as he doubles over with a shocked cough. ¡°Fucking bitch,¡± he sputters, and that¡¯s all it takes. The whole situation in this room already had me on edge, and when those words leave his lips, I. Fucking. Snap. I pounce over the coffee table, my fist connecting with the guy¡¯s face in a sickening crunch of bone and a hot spray of blood. The blonde girl screams and the other guys rush in to pull me off, fists flying at me from all sides. I¡¯m like a machine, pushing and punching and kicking, my knuckles splitting and my vision tinting red. One of them manages to yank me backwards and I crash down onto the coffee table, pain shooting through my limbs as my spine makes contact. I fight him off with a hard crack to his jaw, fueled by pain and adrenaline as I spring back up, chest heaving and the strong coppery taste of blood coating my tongue. Bodies lunge at me from both sides, and I fight them off with ease, fists flying and my wolf dangerously close to the surface. I¡¯m not sure if it happens as fast as it feels or if I ck out for a few minutes. ¡°Callum!¡± Nessa screams out, and the terror in her voice pulls me from the fog, dragging me back into reality. All five guys in the room areid out, groaning and struggling to right themselves. The blonde girl is cowering in the corner, and de is pushing to his feet nearby, wiping blood from his lips. ¡°I¡¯m calling the cops, you fucking psycho,¡± he snarls weakly, yanking his cell phone from his pocket. 2 I feel Nessa¡¯s hand slip into mine, giving it a little tug. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she whispers sharply, tugging harder on my hand when I don¡¯t budge. I turn to her, blinking, still trying to settle the darkness raging within. When our gazes collide, those big brown eyes of hers are rounded in fear, panic written all over her face as she stares back. Something inside of me breaks. 2 This is exactly why I warned her to stay away. It was only a matter of time before I showed her this side of myself, and I know that after this, she¡¯ll never look at me the same way again. 2 I should¡¯ve known. I should¡¯ve kept my distance. Nobody could ever love a monster. Chapter 14 Chapter 14 14 VANESSA The ride home is tortuously void of conversation. As soon as we get in the truck, Cal cranks the stereo so loud that I can barely hear myself think. I elect to give him time to cool down, nibbling my lip nervously while I try to think of something, anything to say to alleviate the tension hanging thick in the cab of the truck. Ie up empty, so I just stare out the windshield, sliding him asional side-eyed nces. His clenched jaw twitches. His fingers flex and tighten around the steering wheel, his knuckles going white. His throat bobs with every hard swallow, and his posture is so rigid that his muscles must be aching. Still, he says nothing. My mind wanders, images of the gruesome scene in the band¡¯s dressing room shing through my brain. Was it my fault? Violence is never the answer, but then again, I was the first one to throw an elbow into someone¡¯s gut. Maybe if I hadn¡¯t, things wouldn¡¯t have escted the way they did. Maybe we could¡¯veughed it off as a misunderstanding and walked out of there amicably. Though judging by the look in Cal¡¯s eyes when he stalked over to threaten the guy trying to grope me, a peaceful resolution wasn¡¯t on the menu. There was nothing calm or understanding in those eyes; only dark, twisted rage. Rage that he unleashed on every man in that room who dared to step in his path of destruction. It was scary as hell, seeing those guyse at him from all sides like that. Even scarier to see how easily he fought through all of them without even breaking a sweat. It was like hepletely disconnected in that moment and became someone else. Something else. Something savage. And it was all in my defense. Is it wrong that it made me kinda hot? I contemte that while suffering through his silence until we finally reach the familiar forest road of the six-pack territory. Hoping the night is still salvageable, I decide to speak up in an effort to clear the air, abruptly leaning forward to turn down the volume on the stereo and ncing over at Callum. ¡°Can we go back to your ce?¡± I ask cautiously, and he whips his head toward me so fast that I instinctively flinch. ¡°What?¡± The cold edge to his tone catches me off guard and I draw a shallow breath, staring down at my hands and wringing them in myp. ¡°Well since our ns kind of imploded back there, I thought we could just hang out or something.¡± I shrug, looking up at the dark knight in the drivers¡¯ seat. ¡°It¡¯s still early enough, right? Those jerks don¡¯t have to ruin our whole night. ¡°Them?¡± Cal furrows his brow, shaking his head. ¡°I was the one who lost control back there, Ness.¡± I slide a hand over the center console, resting it on his forearm. His muscles flex underneath my palm as he handles the steering wheel in a death grip. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I breathe. ¡°It¡¯s not fucking okay,¡± he grits out. His fingers tighten around the wheel, his knuckles turning white again. ¡°Don¡¯t you get it?¡± Callum growls, darting me a nce. ¡°I¡¯m no good for you. I¡¯m dangerous. I lose my shit and people get hurt.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t hurt me,¡± I counter. ¡°How can you say that?¡± he scowls. ¡°You don¡¯t know half the shit I¡¯ve done.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need to. I know you¡¯re a good person. ¡°No, I¡¯m not,¡± Cal snaps. ¡°I¡¯ve hurt people. Killed with no remorse.¡± He scrubs a hand over his face, shaking his head. The turn-off for Norbury appears around the bend ahead, but he makes no move to start slowing down for it. 1 My heart thumps against my ribs, my anxious mind spinning. His confessiones as no surprise- I know he fought in the war against the shadow pack. There were casualties on both sides. It doesn¡¯t make the confirmation any less jarring, though, especially in light of the havoc I saw him wreak tonight. But it was in my defense. Shouldn¡¯t that earn him a pass? ¡°Still want toe home with me now?¡± he scoffs, taking my silence as confirmation that he¡¯s scared me off. I¡¯ve already told him I don¡¯t scare easy. ¡°Yeah,¡± I reply confidently, turning at the waist to face Callum fully with my chin held high. ¡°I do.¡± He hits the brakes so hard that the seatbelt digs into my shoulder, swerving before he misses the turn for Norbury. The tires squeal on the pavement and a simr sound leaves my lips as I m my palms against the ceiling to brace myself. He retains control of the vehicle, but my heart leaps into my throat, my pulse thundering in my ears. ¡°Jeez,¡± I mutter under my breath, but Callum doesn¡¯t hear me; he¡¯s already cranked the volume on the stereo back up. He¡¯s obviously still in a mood. I chew my lip nervously as he navigates the streets of Norbury, whipping the truck into the parking lot of his apartment building and iming a space. I unbuckle and hop out after he cuts the engine, and almost as soon as my feet hit the ground, he¡¯s rounding the front of the truck to the passenger side, mming a hand up against the window and crowding me in. I draw a short gasp, looking up at Callum through my eyshes. The shadows dance off the sharp lines of his features, giving his face this eerie, haunting quality as he leans in closer, his chest heaving with rushed breaths. ¡°If you were smart, you¡¯d run while you still have the chance,¡± he murmurs, pressing his body tight against mine, caging me between him and the truck. ¡°I¡¯m not going to run,¡± I pant. His jaw ticks and he pushes off the truck, taking a step backwards and shaking his head. ¡°Then you¡¯re not as smart as I thought you were.¡± ¡°Callum!¡± I close the distance between us, grabbing his face in both hands. I stare into the turquoise depths of his eyes, conveying my sincerity with my own. ¡°I¡¯m not running. I¡¯m not afraid of you.¡± His handsnd on my hips, his breathing ragged. ¡°You should be,¡± he grumbles. I lean my face closer until we¡¯re breathing each other¡¯s air, our lips a whisper apart. Don¡¯t tell me what I should feel.¡± He closes the remaining distance between our bodies with a tug on my hips. My chest meets his and his lips brush against mine, his eyes sliding closed. ¡°You don¡¯t want this,¡± Callum sighs. I caress the stubble on his jaw with my thumbs, his eyes opening to meet my defiant stare. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what I want.¡± The words have barely left my lips when he ms his over mine. A jolt of electricity zings through me, sparks simmering between every point of contact of our skin. Cal muffles my gasp of surprise with his hungry mouth, palming my ass and lifting me into his arms, kissing me with such fierce intensity that fireworks burst behind my eyelids. Our tongues twist and tangle, and I barely register that we¡¯re moving until he¡¯s mming my back up against his apartment door, fumbling in his pocket for his keys without breaking the kiss. He continues to devour me as he clumsily struggles with the lock, finally breaching the entrance of the apartment and kicking the door closed behind us. I get major d¨¦j¨¤ vu when he carries me down the dark hallway toward his bedroom, but my apprehension melts away with every glide of his lips against mine; every stroke of his tongue twining with my own. Cal lowers me to my feet and we tear at each other¡¯s clothes between urgent kisses, his hands pawing at my hips and my nails scoring the skin of his chest beneath his shirt. He tears it off over his head while I shrug out of my jacket, whipping my own top off and tossing it away. His gaze drops to my breasts and he wets his lips with his tongue. ¡°How¡¯d you know red¡¯s my favorite color?¡± Callum growls, tucking a thumb under the thin strap of my crimson bralette and toying with it. Suddenly emboldened, I unfasten the button of my skirt, shoving it down my hips. It hits the floor and I step out of it, relishing in the way Cal¡¯s gaze wanders down to my matching redce panties. Yeah, I might¡¯ve bought this set with him in mind. He licks his lips again, admiring my body with those stunning blue-green eyes. The way he¡¯s looking at me has me feeling like I could catch fire. I step closer, reaching out to stroke up the muscr contours of his bare chest with both hands. ¡°I want you, Callum,¡± I breathe, batting myshes as my heart threatens to beat out of my chest. ¡°Do you want me?¡± His hands drop to my hips again, fingers flexing against them as a pained groan escapes his lips. ¡°You have no idea how fuckin¡¯ bad I want you, Nessa.¡± He slides a hand up my belly, over the curve of my breast, then grabs my chin in a hand, yanking my face closer. ¡°No fucking idea.¡± ¡°Then take me,¡± I pant. ¡°I¡¯m right here.¡± He scoops me up with a growl, tossing me down onto the bed. My back bounces against the mattress and pulses of white-hot want race through me, goosebumps breaking out over my skin and liquid heat flooding my core. He steps back to unfasten his jeans, his eyes not leaving mine as I unzip and kick off my boots while he rids himself of his pants and shoes. Then he advances toward me, a predatory gleam in his eye as he mounts the bed and climbs over my body, nudging my legs apart with a knee. I spread my thighs and invite him in, wing at his biceps as he lowers his mouth to mine, capturing my lips in another filthy hot kiss as he covers my body with his. The hard swell of his dick nestles against the apex of my thighs, and I tear my lips from his on a gasp as he grinds against me, my blood turning molten in my veins. His mouth drops to my neck, his tongue feasting on my sensitive skin while I writhe and moan beneath him. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you,¡± he growls, nipping the column of my neck. ¡°You won¡¯t,¡± I gasp. He pushes up on an arm, looking down into my eyes as he slides a hand beneath my bra to cup my breast. ¡°I¡¯m not so good at gentle, baby.¡± He squeezes my boob and a shiver races down my spine, goosebumps covering my skin as he grinds his clothed erection into my center again. Then his hand slides down my belly, dipping into the waistband of my panties. My breath catches in my throat when his fingers brush my clit. I pant his name as my back arches off the bed, his fingers trailing down my slit, rubbing through my wetness. Christ, I¡¯ve never been this wet. My littlece panties are soaked, and a satisfied groan leaves Cal¡¯s lips as he glides his fingers through my folds, pressing the tip of one to my opening. My thighs tighten around his hips as he thrusts a thick digit inside of me and I cry out in pleasure, his mouth descending on mine again. He kisses me hard, iming my mouth as he pumps his finger in and out of my pussy, brushing my clit with his thumb. My whole body seizes, my back arching off the mattress as I mewl into his mouth. I slide a hand between us, my fingers gliding beneath the waistband of his boxers until my palmnds on his throbbing length. He shudders in response and I wrap my hand around his thick cock, stroking it in time to the rhythm of his thrusting finger. ¡°Think you¡¯re ready for me, baby?¡± Callum growls against my lips, nipping them. He twists his finger inside of me, pulling it out slowly and swirling my juices around my opening. ¡°You¡¯re fucking drenched.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I gasp, grinding into his hand shamelessly. His filthy words only make me hotter. ¡°Please, Callum¡­¡± He pulls his hand out of my panties and rocks back onto his heels, shoving his boxers down his hips. His massive erection springs free, and I lick my lips as it bobs in front of him, remembering how soft and velvety it felt in my mouth when I blew him. I wonder if it¡¯ll feel as good between my legs. Hell, I wonder if it¡¯ll fit. 2 I scooch backwards and wriggle my panties down my hips, sliding them off and tossing them aside, then sit up to fling off my bra, too. Cal¡¯s eyes zero in on my bare breasts and he immediately leans forward to attach his hands to them, kneading the soft flesh and pinching my hardened nipples. I¡¯m so worked up that I can hardly take it. I wrap my legs around his waist, drawing him in closer, flinging my arms around his neck and forcing his lips against my own. He kisses me gently, tortuously, moving his hips in a slow grind, his cock sliding through my wetness and bumping my clit. ¡°Please,¡± I beg for relief, panting and rubbing against him. He presses a palm to the mattress beside my head and pushes up on an arm, his muscles flexing as he reaches between us with the other hand, gripping his girth. He rubs the head of his dick against my clit, eliciting more needy whines from my lips before moving down lower, lining it up with my opening. His muscles tremble as he pushes forward, my inner walls clenching around him as he inches inside. He captures my lips in another kiss to distract me as he breaches my resistance, swallowing my cry as I fist the sheets and a ripple of pain rockets through me. He slowly rocks his hips, massaging the pain away with every gentle thrust, and when he thumbs my clit, the pain quickly warps into blinding, all- consuming pleasure. Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Callum breaks the kiss, pulling back to stare down at me, almost as if he¡¯s checking in to make sure I¡¯m okay. I answer by slinging an arm around his neck, drawing his lips back. to mine, plunging my tongue into his mouth. His tangles with my own as he buries his cock deeper, maintaining the same even tempo. He¡¯s holding back. His muscles are tense, his body trembling as he ims my body in a slow grind. ¡°Stop holding back,¡± I whisper against his lips, digging my fingernails into his shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you,¡± he rasps. I grab his face in both hands, pressing my forehead against his. ¡°You won¡¯t hurt me. I trust you.¡± He punches his hips forward and all the air leaves my lungs. I feel impossibly full, stretched to the limit andpletely consumed by the man on top of me. Being here in this moment with him surpasses every expectation I had for my first time. He thrusts harder, faster, both of us losing ourselves in uninhibited desire; losing ourselves in each other. I lose track of where my body ends and his begins; we move as one, our limbs tangling. ¡°Does that feel good, baby?¡± Callum asks, punctuating his question with a pinch to my clit. ¡°Yes!¡± I cry to the ceiling. ¡°God, you¡¯re so big, but it feels so good¡­¡± ¡°You can take it,¡± he growls, nipping my jaw. ¡°Your pussy was made for me, wasn¡¯t it?¡± He slides an arm around my thigh, drawing my leg up between us as he fucks me deeper, faster, drilling me into the mattress with every brutal thrust. ¡°Yes!¡± I scream, scoring his back with my fingernails as he hits a spot inside me that has me seeing stars. ¡°Yes, Callum, yes!¡± He rides me harder as the blinding wave of my orgasm crests, my body shuddering beneath his and my inner walls spasming around his thick cock. It hits me like a freight train, my vision tunneling. ¡°Fuck!¡± Callum chokes, his body tensing as he ms his hips against mine, finding his release while my climax continues to rocket through me. We cling to one another, trembling breathlessly as we ride the waves of our mutual orgasms, panting through the slow climb back down. We just lie there for a minute or two to gather ourselves, then Cal brushes my sweaty hair off my forehead, nting soft kisses on my lips as he eases out of me. He flops down beside me with a satiated groan and tugs me closer. I burrow into his chest, the dull ache and stickiness between my legs serving as a sobering reminder of what we just did. His fingertips trail up my spine, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. As we lie there naked and tangled, his hands stroking my body reverently, it hits me how much I¡¯m falling for Callum Conway. 2 And I have no regrets. Chapter 15 Chapter 15 15 Callum ¡°Do you have any coffee?¡± Nessa asks, her sweet voice pulling me from sleep. I peel my forearm away from my eyes, squinting them open to look up at her. She¡¯s bouncing on the bed on her knees beside me, d only in those little red panties and one of my old t-shirts. She looks sexy as sin with her bedraggled hair and sleepy eyes, the hem of my shirt sweeping the tops of her bronze thighs. How the fuck is it possible that she looks this good first thing in the morning? ¡°Top shelf of the cab next to the fridge,¡± I grumble, licking my lips as my hungry gaze traverses her body. ¡°Thanks!¡± she chirps, leaning in to give me a peck on the cheek before shuffling off the bed and padding out of the room. My eyes linger on her bare legs until she disappears through the doorway, heading down the hall and to the kitchen. I blow out a breath and tuck my arms behind my head, my mind conjuring up memories ofst night as I hear the coffee start to brew. The little cries of pleasure that left her lips. The way her pupils were blown, eyes clouded with lust. The way she wrapped those long legs around me and rocked her hips against mine, taking everything I had to give her like she was fucking made for me. 2 It may have been her first time, but she was so sexy and confident, so uninhibited. Last night was a first for me, too. It was the first time I actually connected with a woman while getting intimate; the first time I put her needs and pleasure before my own. The first time I slept beside someone else all night, and the first time I cuddled. Yeah, we fucking cuddled afterwards, and you know what? I don¡¯t regret a single thing. I got the best night¡¯s sleep of my life with Nessa wrapped up in my arms, her head against my chest, her warm breath fanning my skin. I didn¡¯t even have to shove my earbuds in and turn music on to fall asleep, I just listened to the sound of her soft breathing and for once, the quiet didn¡¯t bother me. I trace the pads of my fingers along my lips, remembering how she sunk her teeth into them as I pushed deeper inside. I held back because I was afraid I¡¯d hurt her, but she took it all and even asked for more. Fuck, Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. I¡¯m rock hard again just thinking about it. The sound of a knock at the front door of my apartment rips me from my delightful daydream and I sit up in bed, wondering who the hell could be here at this hour. It isn¡¯t even ten yet, for fuck¡¯s sake. Maybe they¡¯ll just go away. Then I hear the deadbolt unlocking and the creak of the hinges, bolting out of bed at the 2016 realization that Nessa has taken it upon herself to answer the door. 3 ¡°Oh hey,¡± she greets, a friendly lilt to her voice. ¡°Hey yourself,¡± I hear Miles reply as I stumble into a pair of sweatpants, darting out of my bedroom and down the hallway to intercept him. His gaze lifts to meet mine when I emerge from the hall, a shit-eating grin spreading across his face. ¡°Long night?¡± ¡°Something like that,¡± I grumble, raking a hand through my disheveled hair. Nessa peeks over her shoulder at me as I approach, smiling sweetly with a blue ceramic coffee mug clutched in her hands. I slide up next to her and wrap an arm around her waist, tucking her into my side possessively and leveling Miles with a warning re. He¡¯d better not say something stupid. ¡°I¡¯m gonna go take a shower,¡± Nessa says casually, passing me the coffee, lifting up on her tiptoes, and nting a kiss on my cheek. I turn to watch her walk away, my eyes fixated on the way the hem of my t-shirt brushes her upper thighs. Something about seeing her in my clothes triggers this primal, possessive part of me and has my wolf preening. The feeling quickly warps into agitation, though, when I turn back to Miles to see that he¡¯s also watching her, a smirk on his lips. I ball my fists at my sides, resisting the urge to punch that stupid look off his face. ¡°Looks like I¡¯ve gotta pay up,¡± he chuckles, nudging me with a fist. ¡°A deal¡¯s a deal.¡± 3 I scowl, shaking my head and dropping my voice low. ¡°I told you the stupid bet was off.¡± ¡°You never handed over your spot on the mission, so you never technically forfeited,¡± Miles points out. He¡¯s talking a little too loudly for my liking. ¡°We¡¯ll call it a wash then,¡± I murmur. The only way that fucker is getting my spot on the mission is if I¡¯m cold and dead in the ground. ¡°Nah, I pay my debts,¡± Miles replies matter- of-factly, folding his arms across his chest. ¡± Don¡¯t want anyone using me of not holding up my end of a bargain.¡± ¡°Callum!¡± Nessa calls from the bathroom, and I nce that way, my blood turning to ice in my veins. Shit, did she hear our conversation? 1 Miles¡¯ smirk deepens. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it,¡± he drawls, patting me on the shoulder and turning to exit the apartment. 1 I grumble under my breath, shoving him out the door, pushing it closed behind him, and flipping the deadbolt. My heart¡¯s pounding in my chest as I abandon the coffee on the counter and make my way down the hall toward my bedroom, my feet pping against the vinyl nk flooring. The door to the en- suite bathroom is ajar, and I poke my head in, the room already filling with steam from the running shower. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I ask warily, ncing around the empty bathroom. Nessa peeks her head out of the shower around the curtain, tendrils of wet hair clinging to her face. ¡°Do you have any conditioner? Or just this weird three in one stuff?¡± She blinks, little droplets of water clinging to her eyshes. I scrub a hand over my face to mask my look of relief. ¡°Er, no¡­ sorry.¡± She shrugs, pulling the curtain open halfway and smiling seductively. My eyes drop to her tight body, tracking the soap suds carving a path between her breasts and sliding over her pert nipples. ¡°Wanna join me?¡± she purrs, batting her eyshes. My eyes follow the path of the suds as they trail between her thighs and I lick my lips hungrily. Another knock on the front door interrupts me before I can answer. ¡°Jesus, who the fuck is it now?¡± I groan, fisting my hair as I nce toward the hall. I turn back to her, putting up a finger. ¡°Hold that thought, I¡¯ll be back.¡± 1 She tosses me a wink, pulling the curtain back over as I back out of the bathroom, stomping toward the front door as another knock sounds out. Miles must have a fucking death wish. I adjust my hard-on in my sweatpants as I flip the deadbolt, pulling open the door with every intention of taking my friend¡¯s head off. I¡¯m caught off guard when I see that it isn¡¯t him on the other side, though. It¡¯s Fuckface, no doubt here to ruin my goddamn day. Before I can step in front of the doorway to block his entry, Troy shoulders his way inside like he fucking owns the ce. ¡°You really need to learn to start picking up your phone.¡± Fuck. I need to get him out of here. ¡°What do you want?¡± I ask, agitated. I kick the door shut behind me, following him into the living room. He grinds to a halt, swiveling around to face me. ¡°You need toe home for dinner next week,¡± Troy murmurs. ¡°We have some things to discuss.¡± I narrow my eyes on him suspiciously. ¡± What things?¡± Troy shoves his hands in his pockets, a slimy grin sliding across his face. ¡°Come to dinner and you¡¯ll find out.¡± ¡°I¡¯m busy.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t even said which night yet.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Troy frowns. ¡°What are you so damn busy doing?¡± he asks, eyeing me with disdain. ¡± You¡¯re an unemployed high school dropout.¡± I grit my teeth, wondering how long he¡¯s been waiting to pull that one out. My stepdad never misses an opportunity to point out my shorings. ¡°Been busy with Chase,¡± I mutter, knowing that the one thing Troy can¡¯t argue against is me being of service to our pack¡¯s future alpha. Plus, it doesn¡¯t hurt that he resents the fact that Chase and I are so close, so it¡¯s a way to dig back at him. ¡°He¡¯s going through a lot, he needs his friends right now,¡± I shrug. ¡°Riiight, your good buddy Chase.¡± The patronizing prick rolls his eyes, picking a piece of lint off his shirt and flicking it onto the floor. ¡°I wonder if he¡¯ll be as lenient as his father was as Alpha. If he¡¯d keep you so close if he knew what you did.¡± 1 His threatening tone has me balling my fists at my sides. I shove them into my pockets to hide my reaction. ¡°Chase knows me,¡± I say, my voice calm. Troy lifts a brow. ¡°Does he?¡± The sound of soft footsteps in the hall draws both of our gazes in that direction and my heart leaps into my throat. ¡°Who was it?¡± Nessa asks as she strides from the hallway, running her fingers through her wet hair. She¡¯s wearing her denim skirt and cropped t-shirt fromst night, and she freezes when she sees Troy, her eyes widening and her mouth rounding in a cute little ¡®o¡¯. Fuck. Troy¡¯s lips curl into a grin as his gaze slides from Nessa back to me. ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you going to introduce us?¡± he asks mockingly. Fuck, fuck, fuck. ¡°Uh, Nessa, this is Troy,¡± I grumble, gesturing to Fuckface. ¡°Cal¡¯s stepfather,¡± he supplies, sticking out his hand for her to shake. 2 ¡°Oh! It¡¯s so nice to meet you!¡± She smiles brightly, crossing the room and taking his hand, shaking it eagerly. She steps back and I curl an arm around her waist, pulling her backwards into my chest. I wrap both arms around her protectively, hooking my chin over her shoulder and ring at Troy. His eyes are still fixated on her in morbid fascination. ¡°I didn¡¯t know Cal was seeing someone,¡± he drawls smoothly. ¡°You shoulde by for dinner next week with him.¡± ¡°No,¡± I snap. Nessa¡¯s body tenses in my arms and she cranes her neck to look up at me, a flicker of hurt in her eyes. ¡°Aw, c¡¯mon,¡± Troy goads, his gaze returning to mine. ¡°Your mom would love to meet your girlfriend.¡± I grind my mrs, leveling him with a re. ¡°Alright,¡± he shrugs, taking a step toward the door. ¡°Give it some thought. I¡¯ll call you next week.¡± Troy strides to the door, pulling it open and turning back to nce at me over his shoulder. ¡°Oh, and Cal? Pick up your phone so I don¡¯t have to keep making these visits, eh?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± I grumble, the muscle in my jaw twitching. ¡°So nice meeting you, Nessa,¡± he calls on his way out the door. ¡°You too!¡± she chirps. As soon as the door closes behind Troy, Nessa wriggles out of my arms. ¡°Hey, where are you going?¡± I protest, reaching for her. ¡°I¡¯ve got a shift at the lodge today,¡± she replies dryly. ¡°Can you drive me home?¡± ¡°Ness¡­¡± I reach out for her, snatching her hand and pulling her into my chest. She lets out a little puff of air as our bodies collide, staring up at me through her eyshes. Please don¡¯t take the dinner thing the wrong way, okay?¡± I tuck her wet hair behind her ears, curling a finger underneath her chin and tipping it up. ¡°My rtionship with my family is¡­plicated. I¡¯m just trying to spare you.¡± She stares up at me, searching my eyes. After a moment, she nods, rxing into my hold. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Are we good?¡± She nods again. I breathe a sigh of relief, dipping my face. down to press a kiss to her lips. She cups my jaw, her lips sliding against mine, her body pressing closer. My hands tangle in her wet hair, tugging at the strands as my tongue traces the seam of her lips. Fuck. I have half a mind to carry her into the bathroom and take her up on her prior offer of a shared shower. I could grab onto that perfect ass of hers, lift her up and pin her against the wall¡­ ¡°Hey Ness?¡± I murmur against her lips. ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°Would you rather go to work today, or blow it off and we can stay in bed all day?¡± She pulls back, grinning at me. ¡°Nice try, mister.¡± Nessa wriggles out of my arms, ducking away and swinging her hips as she struts down the hall to the bedroom to gather the rest of her things. I trail behind her, not minding the view one bit. ¡°For the record,¡± she tosses back at me over her shoulder when she hits the doorway of my room, hitting me with a sultry little smirk. ¡°What I¡¯d rather do and what I have to do are two very different things.¡± Damn. Would tying her to the bed and forcing her to stay be out of the question? I grin at the thought of that, watching her with a predatory gleam in my eye. She has no clue what she¡¯s doing to me. I¡¯m fucking hooked on this girl. Chapter 16 Chapter 16 16 VANESSA ¡°Just like that,¡± Callum murmurs, running his tongue over his teeth. ¡°Like this?¡± I breathe. ¡°Yeah.¡± His gaze is so intense that it feels like it¡¯s searing my skin. My heart pounds. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. The corner of his mouth ticks up. ¡°Fucking gorgeous.¡± My cheeks burn as Cal¡¯s eyes drop back down to the page of his sketchbook, his pencil scratching against the page. A crease forms between his brows as he works, his gaze constantly flickering between me and the page in front of him. 1 I can¡¯tin about the view. He¡¯s seated in a chair at the end of the bed, d only in his boxers with all that mouthwatering lean muscle on disy. I drink him in, mapping out the tattoos on his thighs and forearms, wondering if I¡¯ll inspire the next work of art he inks on his skin. ¡°So am I your muse now?¡± I joke, still diligently holding my pose. His lips draw into another smile, his eyes returning to mine. ¡°What makes you think you haven¡¯t been for weeks?¡± 2 My heart stutters in my chest, skipping a beat. He always says the right things. I¡¯m falling head over heels for Callum Conway, which is why after he brought me home yesterday morning, I returned herest night. He¡¯s all I could think about while I worked my shift at the lodge- I couldn¡¯t wait to get back to him. I know it¡¯s reckless to jump in with both feet like this, but something about me and Cal feels undeniably right. So I¡¯m jumping, trusting he¡¯ll catch me. The scratching of his pencil resumes and I press my thighs together tightly, still feeling the ache between them from our morning romp in his sheets. I should be satiated, but kneeling here on the end of his bed while held captive under his stare has me feeling all hot and bothered again, aching for him to put his hands on me. Or his tongue¡­ ¡°Almost done,¡± Callum mutters, as if he can read my dirty thoughts. He hits me with a wicked grin, pulling his lower lip between his teeth and cocking his head. Then he drops his gaze to the paper again and continues sketching, that little crease reappearing between his brows and a lock of hair flopping down over his forehead. Damn he¡¯s sexy. My heart continues thumping against my ribcage, a steady thrum starting between my legs as my mind drifts to the way he ravaged mest night and again this morning. My lips part, my breathing out in short pants as I squeeze my thighs together tighter. ¡°You¡¯re killin¡¯ me, babe,¡± Cal growls, his nostrils ring as he pins me with a stare. I bat myshes. ¡°What do you mean?¡± I ask, feigning innocence. He sets his pencil down on top of his sketchbook, tucking a hand underneath it to adjust himself in his boxers. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± ¡°Last night,¡± I admit, darting my gaze away. ¡°And this morning.¡± Callum chuckles, shaking his head and setting his sketchbook aside. ¡°You¡¯re insatiable.¡± ¡°Only with you.¡± The growl that rumbles in his chest and the appearance of silver flecks in his irises tells me his wolf likes that response. ¡°Can I see it?¡± I ask. He grabs his hard-on through his boxers, arching a brow. ¡°Didn¡¯t you get a good enough look this morning?¡± ¡°I meant the drawing,¡± Iugh, plucking a pillow off the bed and chucking it in his direction. Cal chuckles again, batting it out of the air and reaching for his sketchbook. He tosses it onto the bed beside me and I peer down at the page, my eyes going wide. ¡°Oh my gosh,¡± I breathe, picking it up to get a better look. I stare at the pencil sketch,pletely in awe. ¡°This is amazing, Callum,¡± I say softly, running my fingers over the drawing. I look up at him, meeting his turquoise eyes. ¡°Can I keep it?¡± He shrugs a shoulder. ¡°Sure.¡± Then he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as a devious grin stretches his lips. ¡°If you tell me what exactly you were thinking about that got you so worked up.¡± An embarrassed blush stains my cheeks. 1 ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± he coaxes, leaning back and slowly stroking himself through his boxers.¡± I wanna know what turns you on.¡± 1 The way he¡¯s looking at me has me feeling like I couldbust. I blow out a shaky breath, running a hand through my hair. ¡± The way you touched me,¡± I say quietly. He cocks a brow, a wicked glint in his eyes. ¡± Show me.¡± I slide a hand down my belly, dropping it between my thighs. ¡°Here,¡± I whisper. 2 Callum reclines back farther in his chair, wetting his lips with his tongue, his hand still stroking his thick cock through the fabric of his underwear. ¡°Show me,¡± he repeats. My heart feels like it¡¯s about to pound out of my chest. My body¡¯s on fire. His dirty talk is next-level, emboldening me to acquiesce to his every demand. Still on my knees, I spread my thighs, dragging my panties to the side and brushing my fingertips along my bare slit. ¡± Like this,¡± I grit out, a shudder running through me as I start rubbing my clit. His eyes are fixated on my ministrations, his hand dipping into his boxers. ¡°Fuck,¡± he grunts, watching me with rapt attention. ¡°Let me see you, too,¡± I pant, nearlying undone from the intensity of his stare alone. He pulls his cock out, rock hard and thick in his grasp. His gaze lingers on the apex of my thighs as he strokes his hand up and down his length. I continue touching myself, equally as enraptured by the way he fists his dick, his fingers flexing and his hand twisting slightly each time he reaches the crown. So that¡¯s how he likes it. ¡°Come here, sweet thing,¡± Cal murmurs, lifting his chin and beckoning me. I drop to my hands and crawl toward him, feeling like a damn sex kitten as he watches me with lust- filled eyes. I slide off the end of the bed when I reach it, stepping toward his chair until we¡¯re toe-to-toe. His gaze rakes up my body like he¡¯s trying to map every inch of my skin. Then he reaches out, my breath hitching when his fingertips graze my hips, curling around the waistband of my panties and slowly dragging them down. I step out of them when they hit the floor, his handsnding on my waist and guiding me to stand over hisp, my legs straddling the chair. He reaches down to grasp his length again, dragging the silky head along my drenched slit. I suck in a breath through my teeth when he rubs it against my clit in slow circles, teasing me, before sliding it back to notch at my opening. Then he pauses, his eyes meeting mine as if he¡¯s asking for permission to continue. Can¡¯t he tell by the look in my eyes that I¡¯m on fire? I grip onto Cal¡¯s broad shoulders, our gazes locked as I lower down into hisp, impaling myself on his cock. My body shudders at the intrusion and a choked sound leaves Callum¡¯s lips. I smother them with my own, taking a moment to adjust to the stretch as I kiss him hungrily. His tongueps against mine, his hands gripping my hips as I start to rock against him. His fingertips dig into my flesh as I ride him in a slow grind, the friction of his pelvis against my clit driving me to new heights. His muscles tremble with his self-restraint, the muscle in his jaw ticking when I break the kiss to look into his eyes again. ¡°Stop holding back,¡± I breathe, cupping his tense jaw with my palm. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Callum rasps, a pained look in his eyes. His pupils are blown so wide that only a sliver of his blue-green irises is visible. ¡°Yes.¡± I press my forehead against his, grinding harder against him. His grip tightens around my hips as he lifts me, mming me back down on his dick. I cry out and throw my head back, my hands scrabbling against his shoulders as he starts thrusting up from below, pounding into me with furious intensity. I gasp and moan as he fucks me harder, deeper, every punch of his hips hitting a spot inside me that has me seeing stars. His rough hands slide up my sides, shoving my cotton bralette up to expose my bare breasts to him. A growl rumbles in his chest as he sucks one of my nipples into his mouth, biting down on the hardened bud and eliciting a needy moan from my lips. I bury my hands in his hair, tugging the strands while he continues pounding me, torturing my nipples with his tongue and teeth until I¡¯m so close to the edge that I can hardly take it. Then suddenly, abruptly, he grabs my ass with both hands, standing up from the chair and lifting me with him. I whine needily, afraid he¡¯s going to stop, but the wicked look in his eyes tells me he¡¯s nowhere near done with me yet. With his dick still buried inside me, he moves toward the bed, depositing me on the edge and dragging his tongue between the valley of my breasts before pulling back to stand over me. He presses a hand to the inside of each of my thighs, spreading me wide for him, and punches his hips forward with a brutal thrust. ¡°Callum!¡± I scream, fisting the sheets as my back arches off the bed. ¡°Yeah baby?¡± he pulls out halfway, then steals my breath with another hard thrust. ¡°Don¡¯t stop!¡± I gasp. A sinister smile stretches his lips, then he starts hammering into me at a savage pace, so hard and deep that it feels like he¡¯s splitting me open. My pain and pleasure receptors get all jumbled in my brain, liquid fire coiling tightly in my belly. He presses his thumb against my clit, rubbing it in tight circles, and I explode around him. Unintelligible moans leave my lips as my orgasm rips through me. Cal continues. ravaging my body as Ie, hissing and cursing until he punches his hips forward in a final thrust, spilling inside me with his own release. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s aftershocks of my first climax or if Ie again, but when I finally catch my breath, I¡¯m trembling, so delirious that I barely remember my own name. Callum pulls out and copses on top of me, stroking my hair and kissing my face before rolling off and tugging me into his side. I rest my head against his chest, listening to the rapid thump of his heartbeat as I stroke my fingers along his tight ab muscles. ¡°That was¡­¡± ¡°Unexpected?¡± I breathe, a giggle bubbling up my throat. I push up on his chest, gazing down into his eyes. ¡°So I get to keep the drawing?¡± He chuckles, yanking me closer until my lips crash into his. He ims my mouth in a filthy hot kiss that makes got hundreds of sketchesy toes curl. ¡°I¡¯ve y¡¯know,¡± he murmurs against my lips, and I can feel his own tighten in a grin. ¡°You can have as many as you want if you always pay so¡­ generously.¡± Iugh, pulling away and pushing up against his chest with my palms, gazing down at him. ¡°Oh yeah? Is that the going rate these days?¡± He reaches up to tuck my hair behind my ear. ¡°Only for you.¡± My heart constricts. I lean down, peppering his broad chest with kisses. ¡°Hey Callum?¡± I ask between pecks.¡± About that dinner with your family¡­¡± His body tenses, and when I push up to look at him again, his gaze is shuttered. ¡°I want to go,¡± I say. He blows out a breath giving 21. giving a little shake of his head. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ not a good idea. My rtionship with my family isplicated.¡± ¡°I know, you said that,¡± I reply, thinking back to our conversation in the truck when he took me home yesterday. He told me a little bit about the strained nship with his family and said they bring out the worst in him. ¡°But¡­¡± I drag my lower lip between my teeth, running my fingertips along the sharp line of his jaw. ¡°I still want to. I know seeing them will be tough for you, but that¡¯s why I want toe. Let me be there for you.¡± He sighs, wrapping his arms around my body and tugging me close. ¡°You do have a way of calming me down,¡± he mumbles into my hair. ¡°So is that a yes?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a maybe.¡± I smile against his chest, snuggling in closer. Good enough for me. Chapter 17 Chapter 17 17 CALLUM Miles wasn¡¯t kidding about holding up his end of our bargain. Even though I repeatedly told him the stupid bet over Nessa was off, I get an unexpected call from the garage in Goldenleaf on Monday morning. The owner, Brady, has been kind enough to allow me to store my Corvette there for the past several months in exchange for helping him out with simple mechanic jobs when I¡¯ve got time. He doesn¡¯t hold me to a schedule or anything, so when I see the iing call from him on my screen, it catches me off guard- even more so when he tells me toe down because my car¡¯s ready to be picked up. I catch a ride to the garage with Alec, not disclosing why I¡¯m going. He doesn¡¯t ask, either, because it¡¯s not unusual for me to get a ride to the garage to work for an afternoon, either on my own car or on something for Brady. He pulls up to the garage, idling as I hop out of his truck and toss him a wave over my shoulder. Gravel crunches underneath his tires as he drives away, and I shove my hands into the pockets. of my hoodie, trudging up the driveway and into the garage. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. The motion sensor chimes as I cross the threshold and Brady peeks out from behind the open hood of a car in one of the bays, his lips spreading into a wide smile when he sees me. ¡°I was wondering when you¡¯d show up,¡± he chuckles, wiping his oil -stained hands on a cloth and trudging toward me. ¡°Thought you¡¯d be here hanging over my shoulder when I dropped that transmission in.¡± ¡°If I knew, I would¡¯ve,¡± I grumble, striding across the garage to meet him halfway. Brady¡¯s brow furrows. ¡°You mean your friend didn¡¯t tell you?¡± I give a little shake of my head, frowning. While Miles told me he¡¯d pay up on the bet, he didn¡¯t say it¡¯d be this soon. I thought I¡¯d still have time to talk him out of it. Now that Nessa and I are a thing, there¡¯s no way this won¡¯te back to bite me in the ass. 5 Brady whistles, shaking his head. ¡°Damn, boy. Wish I had a friend like that. He had the transmission delivered from Denver on Saturday and paid me extra to get it dropped in ASAP.¡± 3 My frown deepens. Paying for the install wasn¡¯t part of the deal. ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Brady calls, turning on a heel and waving for me to follow him. ¡°It¡¯s in bay three. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re dying to see it. Wait till you hear the way that engine purrs.¡± While I¡¯m ufortable about this whole thing, Brady¡¯s right- I can¡¯t wait to get behind the wheel of the Corvette. I¡¯ve been working on it for the better part of a year, and the anticipation of finally getting it running has me itchy, my fingers twitching at my sides as I follow Brady across the garage. My heart thumps faster when my cares into view. It still needs a new paintjob, but it looks like Brady has waxed and polished the body for the big reveal, the original ck paint shining under the fluorescents overhead. ¡°Keys are already inside,¡± Brady supplies, grinning from ear to ear as he observes my reaction. I trail my fingers along the fender, approaching the drivers¡¯ side and pulling the door open. The interior still needs some work, too, but that cer- the priority has been to get this baby running again. For me, this is a lot more than a car. It¡¯s freedom. No more asking for rides to get around; I can go wherever I want, whenever I want. My pulse continues to race as I lower myself into the seat, finding the keys already in the ignition. 2 ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± Bradyughs, patting the hood of the car lovingly. ¡°Fire her up!¡± I hold my breath as I turn the key, reveling in the roar of the engineing to life. The car vibrates beneath me, purring smoothly as I hit the gas a few times to rev it up. Brady was right- it sounds like a dream. It sounds like sweet freedom. I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s IN running, and I can¡¯t wait to get it out on the road and take it for a spin. My eagerness must be written all over my face, because without prompting, Brady hits the button for the door to the bay the Corvette is parked in. A low hum sounds out as it begins sliding up. ¡°Have fun!¡± he calls, backing away and tossing me a wave. I rev the engine again, nodding to Brady in appreciation before shifting the gear into reverse and backing out of the garage. As I shift gears at the end of the drive to start down the road, I realize there¡¯s only one thing that could make my first ride in this car better- one person, rather. I pause to shoot her a text, then rev the engine again, the tires squealing as I take off in the direction of Riverton. ¡°Is this yours?!¡± Nessa asks excitedly as she pulls open the passenger door of the Corvette and slips inside. She runs her hands. over the leather seat beneath her, eager eyes taking in the interior of my car. ¡°It is,¡± I reply proudly, unable to keep from cracking a smile. ¡°Been working on it for a while and was finally able to get ahold of thest part I needed for the engine to run.¡± 3 ¡°It¡¯s sexy,¡± shements, throwing her long hair over a shoulder and tossing me a wink. ¡°You¡¯re sexy.¡± I lean over the gearshift, grabbing her chin in a hand and pulling her lips to mine. I swallow her little gasp of surprise, iming her mouth in a quick and dirty kiss before pulling back with a grin and resting a hand on the wheel. ¡°Buckle up, sweetness,¡± I drawl with a lift of my chin. The dazed look in her eyes is cute as hell, but she quickly regains herposure and reaches for the seatbelt, dragging it over herp and clicking it into ce. She¡¯s casually dressed in jeans and a sweater, but damn is she a knockout. Vanessa Diaz is hands down the most beautiful creature I¡¯ve ever laid eyes on. My gaze lingers on her for a moment longer before I turn back to look out the windshield, revving the engine. Nessa squeals in excitement and her enthusiasm is contagious. A wide grin spreads across my lips as I pull away from the curb, the engine roaring beneath us as we take off down the road. It¡¯s strange- I used to wonder if I even had the capacity to truly care for another person 4 outside of my close-knit group of friends. I¡¯d kill or die for any of them, no question, but part of the closeness that we havees from our history together and our understanding of one another. Our solid bond based upon themon ground we share. Miles may push my buttons more than the others, but I know ites from a ce of insecurity, growing up as the son of such sessful parents. He¡¯s always making wagers with us because when he wins one, he feels that it proves his worth. He doesn¡¯t realize that he doesn¡¯t need to prove anything to us; we value him exactly as he is. 3 Levi¡¯s arrogance and over-the-top charm is insufferable sometimes, but he¡¯s that way because he¡¯s always felt like he was in Chase¡¯s shadow. The two of them are simr, but Chase has always had the edge as the alpha¡¯s son. He¡¯s always been taller, stronger, better looking. Levi¡¯s constantlyparing himself to Chase, ovepensating because he feels like he can¡¯t measure up. He doesn¡¯t need to, though- he¡¯s funny as fuck and he¡¯s the life of the party. Levi¡¯s the one that brings the fun. Chase is stubborn and hard-headed at the best of times, but he¡¯s smarter than he seems, clever and courageous like his father. He may act out more often than the rest of us, but deep down, the guy always has the best intentions. He puts on a hard front, but he¡¯d give someone the shirt off his back if they needed it. It¡¯s what¡¯ll make him such a good alpha when he steps up to lead our pack. Leading comes naturally to him; he¡¯s been the unofficial leader of our group for as long as I can remember. Alec and Dare are both more sensible and cautious than the rest of us, partly owed to their strict upbringing. They¡¯re the bnce that our group needs, always working out every possible angle and oue when we set out to do something foolish- which is more often than not. They¡¯re also the glue that holds our group together, mediating when we have disagreements with one another so that no rifts between us everst long. They¡¯re our anchor. I understand my friends and we all share simrities. Nessa, on the other hand, is my pr opposite. She¡¯s everything I¡¯m not- sweet and idealistic with this na?ve innocence thatpletely boggles my fucking mind. It¡¯s like she only sees the good in the world, even when the bad is staring her in the face. Even when it¡¯s sharing her bed. By all logic, the two of us shouldn¡¯t bepatible. We don¡¯t make sense together. Yet I¡¯mpletely captivated by her; utterly enraptured in her presence. She makes me feel like I could be someone else. Someone¡­ better. Someone without a dark past staining their soul, harboring a monster inside that strikes fear in others. Despite everything, she¡¯s never been afraid of me. 4 I know I care for Nessa in a way that I¡¯ve never cared for anyone else. I know I¡¯d protect her with everything I have if it came down to it. But what if the person she truly needs protecting from winds up being me? We¡¯ve got a good thing going, but how can itst when we¡¯re so fundamentally different? 2 That¡¯s the question that keeps turning over in my mind as we drive through the forest, the rumble of the engine echoing through the woods around us. I used to wonder how some people could seem so damn happy all the time when life is an endless shitshow, but right now, driving down the open road in my Corvette with my girl by my side, I think I finally get it. This light feeling in my chest must be what happiness feels like. It¡¯s a feeling I want to hold on to as long as I can. I slide a nce to Nessa in the passenger seat and for the first time, I¡¯m reconsidering the mission I¡¯ve been selected for. I still haven¡¯t told her about it, and there¡¯s still the better part of a week left for me to back out. Miles would jump at the opportunity to take my ce, so I wouldn¡¯t be leaving the rest of them high and dry if I decided not to go. All I wanted before was to get away from this ce, but the girl beside me has me rethinking everything. ¡°Are you taking me out to the woods to kill me?¡± Nessa teases as I turn on a narrow forest road that winds up a mountain, the gravel crunching underneath my tires. I smirk, darting her a nce. ¡°The chances are low, but never zero.¡± ¡°The dangers of dating a bad boy,¡± she sighs, sliding her hand over to rest on top of mine. I turn it over, lacing my fingers with hers in a gesture that feels so natural that it unnerves me a little bit. Then again, I¡¯ll take any opportunity to touch this girl, even if it¡¯s something as cheesy as holding her hand. My phone vibrates in the cupholder and Nessa nces down at it, stifling a giggle.¡± Who¡¯s Fuckface?¡± I groan, ucing my fingers from hers and reaching down to silence the call. ¡°Troy.¡± Her brows shoot up. ¡°Your stepdad?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± She¡¯s quiet for a moment, her stare practically burning a hole in the side of my face. ¡°Do you need to call him back?¡± ¡°No.¡± I hit the brakes as we approach one of the scenic overlooks on the mountain, pulling onto the shoulder so we can get a better look at the view. It¡¯s a tactic to distract Nessa from the current conversation, and it works like a charm. Her eyes widen as she takes in thendscape, leaning forward in her seat and resting her hands on the dash as we roll to a stop. ¡°Wow. This is beautiful,¡± she breathes. She¡¯s looking at the picturesque scenery, but I can¡¯t look at anything but her. I wish I could see the world through her eyes. I watch her longshes blinking, her big brown eyes scanning the view before us. Then she turns to me, the corner of her mouth quirking up into a little smile and a faint blush staining her cheeks. ¡°What?¡± she asks. I smile, reaching over to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful.¡± Her blush deepens, then I remember our conversation at the hot springs, quickly tacking on an exnation. ¡°Not just on the outside, but the way you look at the world,¡± I add. ¡°Like you see the best parts of everything.¡± Nessa unbuckles her seatbelt, a look of determination in her eyes as she climbs over the center console toward me. It¡¯s a little bit clumsy given the tight space we¡¯re in, and even though she knocks her head against the ceiling on her way, she somehow makes it look graceful. She climbs onto myp, straddling me, and takes my face in both hands, grazing her thumbs along my stubble. ¡°How is it that you always say the right things?¡± I smirk, shrugging a shoulder. ¡°Just speaking the truth.¡± She leans forward, capturing my lips in a kiss so searing hot that it steals my breath. Her mouth slides against mine, her tongue slipping past the seam of my lips to meet my own. I plunge a hand into her hair, pulling her closer and tilting my head, devouring every pout of her full lips, every stroke of her soft tongue. She tastes like cherries dipped in sin, and the way she¡¯s grinding against myp has me breathless by the time wee up for air. Nessa licks her lips, gazing down at me with lust-filled eyes. ¡°Should we go back to your ce?¡± My dick twitches beneath her at her suggestion. To think that a few days ago, she was a blushing virgin, and now? The girl¡¯s a damn temptress. ¡°To do what?¡± I tease, rubbing the pad of my thumb along her lower lip. I want to hear that sweet mouth speak filthy words. It gets me going like nothing else. She leans closer, pressing her cheek to mine while her lips hover beside my ear. ¡°I think you know,¡± she whispers. I slide my hands down to rest on her hips. You¡¯re gonna need to be a little more specific, babe,¡± I murmur. She captures my earlobe between her teeth, tugging at it. I groan, squeezing her hips beneath my fingertips. Her warm breath fans my ear, her whispered words barely audible. ¡°I want you to make me scream, Callum.¡± 2 Fuck. Me. A growl tears from my chest as I lift her by her hips, wrenching her off myp and depositing her back in the passenger seat ¡°l beside me. If there was enough space in this car, I¡¯d take her right here, right now. Shends with a little ¡®umph¡¯ and I press the brake, wasting no time in shifting the gear into drive. 2 ¡°Buckle up,¡± Imand, shooting her a deviant re. ¡°Let¡¯s see how fast this car can go.¡± Chapter 18 Chapter 18 18 VANESSA ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Cal growls, rolling to his side and reaching out to grab for me. His fingertips brush my waist as I dart away, giggling as I scramble off his bed. I can feel his heavy stare burning into me as I search for my underwear on the floor, stepping into them once I find them and pulling them up my thighs. ¡°I¡¯m thirsty,¡± I exin, reaching down to scoop up his discarded t-shirt and pulling it on over my head. ¡°Gonna grab a ss of water.¡± His shirt smells like him. I inhale deeply, breathing in the subtle notes of juniper, leather, smoke, and spice before tugging my long hair out of the cor, darting him a nce over my shoulder. ¡°Think you¡¯ll survive without me for two minutes?¡± I tease. Callum smirks, his eyes dropping to my bare legs and raking up my form slowly before meeting mine again. ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± he rasps, running his tongue over his teeth with a devious grin. Christ, the man¡¯s insatiable. He just had me naked and screaming beneath him, but from the predatory gleam in his eyes, he¡¯s nowhere near done with me yet. My cheeks flush, my pulse racing as I spin around and pad out of the room, heading down the hallway toward the kitchen. I¡¯ve gotta replenish my fluids before diving in for round two. Not to mention the fact that my throat¡¯s scratchy from how much he had me screaming during round one. I smile inwardly, rounding the corner into the kitchen and striding over to the sink to retrieve a ss from the cab beside it. I hold it under the faucet and fill it up with water, then chug down the entire ss before filling it up to the top again. As I retreat from the kitchen with the full ss in hand, my eyes are drawn to the wall behind the recliner; the one full of Callum¡¯s sketches. There are a few new ones he¡¯s added on the outer edge, and my breath catches in my throat when I realize that one of them is a pencil sketch of me- a side profile of me curled up with my hand beneath my head, my hair fanning out over a pillow. Did he draw me while I was sleeping? It should creep me out, but instead, I move closer to the sketch, my heart squeezing in my chest as I study it. It¡¯s been drawn with such care; so much attention to detail. It¡¯s beautiful, leaving me completely in awe. ¡°Youing back, babe?¡± Cal calls from the bedroom. I giggle, rolling my eyes and shaking my head. So impatient. I start to turn to head for the bedroom, but something else catches my eye- Callum¡¯s box of tattoo supplies on the side table next to his recliner. A mischievous grin stretches my lips as I reach for it, tucking it against my chest with one arm while clutching the ss of water in my other hand, padding down the hallway toward his bedroom again on bare feet. ¡°That was longer than two minutes,¡± Cal grumbles as I step into the room, his eyes immediatelynding on the box I¡¯m carrying. He pushes up on his elbows, furrowing his brow. ¡°What are you doing with that?¡± My grin widens. I cross the room to him, sliding the ss of water onto his nightstand and jumping onto his bed, bouncing on my knees beside him. ¡°Tattoo me?¡± He shakes his head, falling back down onto the pillows and tossing an arm over his face. ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± I coax, setting the box down and throwing a leg over his body to climb on top of him, peppering his chest with kisses. ¡± Please, Callum? Pretty please?¡± ¡°Mmm, I like hearing you beg,¡± he murmurs, still hiding his face beneath his arm. He peels it back, looking up at me with a smirk. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ever beg for my cock like that?¡± I gasp, feigning offense, but I¡¯m a shitty actress- within a second, I¡¯m cracking a smile. ¡°As if I¡¯d ever have to beg for it,¡± I tease, raking my fingernails down his chest lightly. His dick twitches beneath me, proving my point. ¡°Fair enough,¡± he chuckles, grasping my hips and grinding himself against me. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault you¡¯re irresistible.¡± I try my best to ignore the heat pooling in my core in response to the feeling of him hardening beneath me. Eyeing him suspiciously, I arch a brow. ¡°Are you trying to distract me?¡± He clutches my hips tighter, angling me on top of him so that the head of his cock rubs against my clit. ¡°Now why would I do that?¡± I roll my eyes, wriggling out of his grasp and climbing off him, reaching for the box of tattoo supplies again. ¡°Please?¡± I ask sweetly, batting myshes as I hold the box out toward him. Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. His face scrunches into a scowl. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I wanna see what it feels like.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s permanent.¡± I shrug a shoulder. ¡°So? I love your art.¡± I lift the hem of his shirt from my thigh, dragging it up my belly to sh him some skin. ¡°Use me as your canvas.¡± His eyes zero in on my exposed flesh, and for a second, I think he¡¯s going to agree- but then he just shakes his head again, sitting up and stabbing his fingers through his hair as he scooches back to lean against the headboard. I set the box back down on the bed, plucking the tattoo gun out of it and testing its weight in my hands. ¡°Can I tattoo you, then?¡± I ask tenuously, returning my gaze to his. Something res in his eyes that looks awfully simr to desire- like the way he looks at me when he¡¯s about to ravage my body. His nostrils re, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. ¡°You wanna ink me?¡± I nod eagerly. A slow smirk creeps across his lips. ¡°Sure, babe.¡± Wait, what? My mouth drops open, my eyes rounding. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Sure, why not?¡± I bounce on my knees excitedly. ¡°What do you want? And keep in mind that I¡¯m not very artistic, it has to be something simple.¡± He watches me with amusement, leaning forward to grab for the box of tattoo supplies. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter to me. You choose.¡± While Callum slides off the bed, slips on a pair of boxers, and starts getting everything set up on the nightstand, I rack my brain for what to etch into his skin. I wasn¡¯t lying when I said I wasn¡¯t artistic- if I try to do something tooplicated, it¡¯ll turn out looking like a child drew it. ¡°What color do you want to use?¡± he asks as he sets out the little ink pots. ¡°Red.¡± I smile inwardly, remembering he said that red was his favorite color. He nods, selecting the red ink and uncapping the little vial. Then he sits on the edge of the bed, plugging in the tattoo gun and switching it on. ¡°Let me show you, first.¡± I scooch closer, watching as he dips the needle into the red ink. He brings it over his thigh where he¡¯s already got a tattoo of a red skull. ¡°Put your hand over mine,¡± Callum murmurs, and I do as he instructs, holding my breath as he guides the gun down onto his skin. ¡°Feel the amount of pressure? You¡¯ve got to dig in a little to get beneath the skin.¡± I sink my teeth into my lower lip, nodding and focusing on the way the needle looks pressing into his skin,mitting his instructions to memory. He pulls the tattoo gun back, taking my hand and wrapping my fingers around it. ¡°Now you try.¡± Hesitantly, I lower the needle to his skin, right over the area that¡¯s already inked in red. I press down slowly, inhaling sharply through my teeth. ¡°A little harder,¡± Callum coaxes. I apply more pressure. He winces a little, but that spark res in his eyes again, like he enjoys the pain. He trails his fingertips beneath the back of the t-shirt I¡¯m wearing, tracing my spine gently.¡± That¡¯s perfect, sweetness.¡± I grin in satisfaction, my hair whipping as I turn to look at him. ¡°Yeah?¡± The gun slips, drawing a crooked little line on his skin beyond the red skul;. ¡°Shit!¡± I hiss, yanking it back with wide eyes. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry!¡± Cal just chuckles, shaking his head. ¡°No big deal. I was nning on adding to that design anyways.¡± He takes the gun from my hands, switching it off and setting it on the nightstand. ¡°Alright, where do you wanna put it?¡± he asks, swinging his legs up onto the bed and reclining back against the headboard. I tap my chin, drinking in the nes of his chest and his muscr arms as I consider. Then I reach for his right arm, pulling it out toward me and examining the existing ink. ¡± Right here?¡± I ask, tapping the inside of his wrist. There¡¯s an open spot of unblemished skin between his other tattoos. He nods, grabbing for the gun again. He ces it in my hand and exins how and when to add more ink, and when he¡¯s satisfied that I¡¯ve absorbed all of his directions, he turns me loose, flopping his head back and closing his eyes. He¡¯s cing a lot of trust in a novice. I flick the gun on, dipping the needle in the ink and exhaling a shaky breath as I bring it over his skin. I¡¯ve watched him do this before, so I feel like I¡¯ve got a general grasp on the process. I grip his wrist in one hand and the gun in the other, and when I press the needle into his skin, Callum doesn¡¯t even flinch. I start to move the needle, and he makes a low groaning sound that¡¯s eerily reminiscent of how he sounds in bed. I feel like this is turning him on in some strange way, and I¡¯d be lying if his reaction wasn¡¯t making me a little hot. Still, I focus in on my task, gnawing on my lower lip as I drag the needle down, applying pressure like he showed me to. Between strokes of the needle, I wipe at his skin with a paper towel, and I¡¯m not sure how much of what I¡¯m wiping is blood and how much of it is ink. It all blends, but I¡¯m d for it, because if I saw too much blood, I¡¯d probably think I was hurting him. His reaction certainly isn¡¯t indicative of pain. His body ispletely rxed, his breathing slow and even. It seems like this is cathartic to him somehow. It doesn¡¯t take me long to etch the outline of a little heart into his skin. It¡¯s small- less than half an inch in diameter, and when I¡¯m finished, I¡¯m pleased with how it turned out. I¡¯m no artist, but at least I can make something basic like a heart look good. I switch the gun off and wipe at his skin with the paper towel once more, grinning as I examine my work. ¡°Done already?¡± Cal asks, squinting an eye open. I nod triumphantly, setting the tattoo gun back on the nightstand. He opens both eyes, sitting up and drawing his wrist closer to get a better look at his new tattoo. Any apprehension I have about his reaction melts away when I see the grin that splits his face. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°Told you it had to be something basic.¡± He chuckles, wrapping his arms around me and drawing me into his chest. ¡°It¡¯s great,¡± he murmurs, pressing his lips against mine. My arms wind around his neck as he kisses me harder. I haven¡¯t forgotten my original request, though, and I¡¯m not about to allow him to distract me. I pull away, breaking the kiss and gazing into his blue-green eyes. ¡°My turn. He hesitates, giving a little shake of his head. I thrust my lower lip out in a pout. ¡°Please?¡± I ask, carding my fingers through his hair. He blows out a frustrated breath, and before he even says it, I know I¡¯ve got him. ¡°Fine.¡± I squeal in excitement, hopping off hisp and reaching for the tattoo gun. ¡°Whoa, slow your roll,¡± Callum chuckles, taking the gun from my hand and sliding his legs off the edge of the bed. ¡°Do you even know what you want?¡± ¡°Surprise me,¡± I wink, grabbing for the hem of the t-shirt I¡¯m wearing and pulling it off over my head. ¡°I trust you.¡± His eyes drop to my bare chest, his pupils dting at the sight of my nipples hardening in the cool air. ¡°Focus,¡± Iugh, swatting at his chest with the back of a hand. I drop sideways over hisp, stretching out and tracing my fingers over the side of my ribs. ¡°I want it right here.¡± Cal swallows hard. ¡°Gonna need you to turn the other way,¡± he mutters. ¡°Won¡¯t be able to focus with your tits in my face.¡± 2 I heave an exasperated sigh, rolling over and scooching backwards until I¡¯m resting on my other side over hisp. ¡°Better?¡± I ask, craning my neck to peer up at him. He nods. I draw anxious breaths while I hear him getting his supplies together, my mind racing with the possibilities of what he¡¯ll ink onto my skin. I¡¯m sure that I¡¯ll love it, no matter what it is. The guy is insanely talented. I just hope it doesn¡¯t hurt too much. ¡°You ready?¡± Callum asks once he¡¯s cleaned my skin and has everything in order. ¡°Last chance to back out.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± I say quietly, still fighting to calm my racing heart. I flinch at the buzz of the tattoo gun when he turns it on, tensing up as I anticipate the prick of the needle against my skin. As if he senses my apprehension, Cal counts me down. ¡°One, two, three¡­¡± I yelp as the needle bites into my skin, my body jerking. His chest rumbles against my back with his chuckle. ¡°Told you it hurts.¡± ¡°I can take it,¡± I grit out, balling my fists. and tucking them into my chest. ¡°Go on.¡± He counts me down again, and though I flinch when the needle pierces my skin for a second time, I take measured breaths, squeezing my eyes closed and pushing through the pain. After the first minute or two, I get used to the sensation and the pain dulls. Something about it actually feels kind of¡­ good. I can understand the appeal. ¡°You alright?¡± Cal asks, checking in with me after a couple minutes. I respond in the affirmative and he continues working in silence, the only sound the incessant buzzing of the tattoo needle. About halfway through, he shuts off the tattoo gun and rummages around on the bedside table, presumably switching colors of ink. Then he starts up again, and while I flinch at the first press of the needle, I quickly rx into it. His tattoo takes longer than mine did, but it still feels quick. He turns off the gun and cleans my skin with a damp paper towel, and I nce over my shoulder to see him. grinning in satisfaction. ¡°Is it done?¡± ¡°Mmhmm,¡± he hums. ¡°Can I see?¡± Before he can respond, I¡¯m sitting up, lifting my arm over my head and craning my neck to see my side. A giggle bursts from my throat. ¡°Cherries?¡± There are two of them, side by side, connected by a green stem with a single leaf and delicately outlined in ck. I look back up at him and he¡¯s still sporting a proud smile. ¡°You smell like cherries,¡± he says, tugging me close and burying his face in the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. ¡°And you taste like cherries.¡± He lifts his head, capturing my mouth in a searing hot kiss, sweeping his tongue over the seam of my lips. 2 My skin tingles and my toes curl. ¡°I love it,¡± I pant when he pulls back, gently touching the raised skin on the side of my ribs. Callum reaches over to grab a bandage from the nightstand, peeling off the adhesive backing and carefully affixing it over the tattoo on my side. ¡°Keep this on for a few hours,¡± he instructs. ¡°Then keep it moist with lotion, but even with the silver in the ink, it should be all healed up by this time tomorrow. The benefit of shifter healing.¡± I nod, adjusting my position on hisp so I¡¯m straddling him, grabbing his face in both hands and forcing him to look into my eyes. ¡°Thank you.¡± A mischievous glint shes in his gaze, his lips curling into a smirk. ¡°There¡¯s another way you can thank me,¡± he murmurs, his hands sliding up my belly to cover my breasts. He pinches my nipples between his fingers and I draw a sharp gasp. ¡± Technically I just gave you another drawing.¡± Iugh, wriggling my hips over hisp and draping my arms over his shoulders. Our eyes lock and a smirk creeps across my lips. ¡°Guess I should pay up, then.¡± Chapter 19 Chapter 19 19 CALLUM ¡°Remind me how we let Chase talk us into this?¡± Miles grumbles as we slide boxes full of Vienna¡¯s belongings into the bed of Chase¡¯s truck. ¡°Because he¡¯s our alpha,¡± I say, turning around and leaning back against the tailgate. I retrieve a joint and lighter out of my hoodie pocket, sparking it up. Miles heaves a sigh and hops up to sit on the tailgate. ¡°Technically, he¡¯s not yet.¡± I blow out a plume of smoke, rolling my eyes and passing him the joint. ¡°Okay, because he¡¯s our friend, then.¡± I side-eye Miles as he takes a puff. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m more pissed that we¡¯re stuck on moving duty while Chase gets to have all the fun beating the fuck out of that dude.¡± Miles coughs out the smoke, chuckling as he hands the J back to me. ¡°You¡¯re sick, you know that?¡± I smirk, shrugging, and raise the joint to my lips again. Chase called us all together this morning to help him out with an issue concerning his girl. He just found out that she¡¯s been avoiding her house because her mom¡¯s loser boyfriend has tried to put his hands on her, so he¡¯s taking it upon himself to dole out a little justice. While the rest of us pack up and load Vienna¡¯s shit, he¡¯s teaching the dickhead a lesson for what he¡¯s done. ¡°Hey, save some of that for us!¡± Dare calls as he approaches with arge box clutched in his hands, Alec right on his heels with another. They slide their boxes into the bed of the truck, and I take onest drag of the joint before passing it off to Dare. ¡°Chase must be getting really serious about this girl, huh?¡± Alecments, snatching the joint from his brother¡¯s fingers, mid-inhale. ¡°Seems that way,¡± I murmur. ¡°Though either way, someone had to get involved.¡± ¡°Could¡¯ve left it for Alpha Brock to handle, though, since this is his territory,¡± Dare shrugs. ¡°The fact that he¡¯s doing all this himself must mean he¡¯s got it bad.¡± Alec passes the joint back to his brother.¡± At least he went to Alpha Brock first and looped him in. Can you imagine the mess this would¡¯ve turned into if Chase just charged in there half cocked?¡± ¡°Why would it matter if it was the same result?¡± Miles groans, leaning back on his elbows. Dare finishes the joint, tossing it onto the ground and stubbing it out with the sole of his shoe. ¡°Politics, man. The alphas don¡¯t step on each other¡¯s toes, that¡¯s why the alliance works so well.¡± ¡°Shows that Chase is finally thinking like an alpha,¡± I muse. ¡°That¡¯s at least a step in the right direction.¡± A silver sedan speeds up to the curb, tires squealing, diverting all of our attention. I immediately recognize the car, a chuckle rumbling in my chest when Vienna leaps out of the passenger side and starts charging for the house, a panic-stricken look on her face. ¡°Oh shit,¡± I mutter. ¡°What are the chances that Chase told Vienna that he was doing this today?¡± Dare asks tentatively. I scrub a hand over my face. ¡°Judging by her reaction I¡¯d say he forgot to mention it.¡± Nessa steps out from the drivers¡¯ side of the silver car, running a hand through her long hair and watching after her friend with concern. Once Vienna disappears into the house, her gaze slides toward us instead, her eyes immediately finding mine. I toss up a wave and she shakes her head with a scowl, starting in our direction. I push off from the tailgate, striding down the driveway to meet her halfway. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Nessa scolds, her brow furrowed in frustration. I shrug a shoulder. ¡°Wasn¡¯t my thing to tell.¡± Nessa¡¯s gaze drifts past me, and I follow it to see Levi emerging from the house carrying a box. ¡°This is thest one,¡± he grunts as he lifts it into the back of the truck. He brushes off his hands on the legs of his jeans, ncing suspiciously at Miles, Alec, and Dare. ¡°Did you guys ze up without me?¡± ¡°Sorry, man,¡± Alec chuckles. I tune them out, returning my focus to the beauty in front of me. ¡°You headed to work?¡± I ask, eyeing her white uniform polo with the ski resort logo, visible beneath her open jacket. She nods. ¡°When do you get off? Troy called this morning, he wants me toe for that dinner tonight.¡± The corner of her mouth ticks up into a little smug little smile. ¡°Is this your way of inviting me toe?¡± she asks. 1 I shove my hands into my pockets and shrug; the picture of nonchnce. ¡°Only if you still want to.¡± Her smile widens. ¡°Of course I do. I get off at three. What time do you wanna pick me up?¡± ¡°Five?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± she nods. ¡°Come to the door this time instead of texting me from the curb. My parents want to meet you.¡± My brows shoot up and my stomach plummets. ¡°Your parents?¡± ¡°Well yeah. No pressure, they just want to meet the guy I¡¯ve been spending all my time withtely.¡± She smiles demurely, batting hershes while I internally panic. ¡°Uh, yeah,¡± I mumble, raking a hand through my hair and staring down at the pavement. ¡°If that¡¯s what you want.¡± Nessa¡¯s handnds on my jaw, cupping it and drawing my eyes back to hers. ¡°Hey¡­ it¡¯s no big deal,¡± she coos. ¡°They just want to say hello. Five minutes, tops.¡± I usually pride myself on how well I can conceal my emotions, but it seems this girl is beginning to see right through my carefully constructed mask. And for some reason, I don¡¯t mind letting her. Her hand suddenly slips from my face, eyes widening, and I turn to look over my shoulder as Chase and Vienna emerge from the house looking like Bonnie and Clyde, crimson blood spattering their faces and clothes. Looks like Vienna got her pound of flesh from the man who wronged her, too, and I can¡¯t help but grin widely as they make their way toward us. I have to admit, Vienna¡¯s growing on me- even more in this moment, as she¡¯s stained in blood yet eerily calm. I recognize that look all too well. There¡¯s nothing quite as satisfying as punishing the deserving with violence.1 Chase and Vienna pause, whispering to one another, then Vee looks toward Nessa, breaking away from Chase and making a beeline for her. ¡°See you tonight,¡± I murmur, grabbing Nessa¡¯s hand and giving it a little squeeze before backing away to give her space to talk to her friend. I shuffle back over to the truck, eager to hear the y-by-y of what went down inside from Chase. Judging by the amount of blood on him, I can tell it¡¯s a story I don¡¯t want to miss. I feel like an imposter as I trudge up the front walk of Nessa¡¯s family home, my hands stuffed deep into the pockets of my leather jacket. I¡¯ve never dated before, so I¡¯ve never done the whole ¡®meet the parents¡¯ thing, but I¡¯m pretty sure I already know how this is going to go. I see the way people look at me. I¡¯m sure Nessa¡¯s parents will immediately judge me as a menace; not near good enough for their sweet, beautiful daughter. Still, I couldn¡¯t deny Nessa¡¯s request. When she looks up at me with those wide, hopeful eyes, it¡¯s hard to say no to her. So here I am, knowing this¡¯ll end in disaster and walking into it head-on nheless. The front door swings open as I approach, the sight of Nessa¡¯s smiling face stealing my breath. She¡¯s fucking gorgeous as always, the picture of doe- eyed innocence in a soft white sweater dress and brown suede boots. Her hair is styled in loose curls, her skin wless and her makeup perfectly understated. In contrast to me, she looks like the type of girl any parent would adore. ¡°Come on in!¡± she chirps eagerly, stepping back and gesturing for me to follow her inside. As I step over the threshold, an older looking version of Nessa rushes into the foyer, grinning twice as brightly as her daughter. ¡°You must be the infamous Callum,¡± she gushes, sticking a hand out in my direction. ¡°We¡¯ve heard so much about you.¡± I take her hand, shaking it firmly. ¡°Nice to meet you, Mrs. Diaz,¡± I reply politely. ¡°Elena was right,¡± she murmurs, elbowing Nessa with a smirk. ¡°He does look like a bad boy.¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Nessa protests, a furious blush spreading across her cheeks. ¡°What?!¡± Mrs. Diazughs, shaking her head. ¡°You know how curious she was thest time he pulled up in that muscle car. She waggles her eyebrows, tossing me a wink. ¡°Nice car, by the way.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± I breathe, a little thrown off by her mom¡¯s warm and weing demeanor. ¡°Did you restore it yourself?¡± Nessa¡¯s dad asks as he makes his way from the living room into the foyer, ncing out the window at my car parked on the curb. I suck in a breath, nodding. ¡°I did most of the work myself, yeah. Took almost a year, but it was worth it.¡± Mr. Diaz smiles, taking my hand gingerly when I reach it out toward him. ¡°I was somewhat of a gearhead myself when I was younger,¡± hements, shaking my hand in a firm grip. ¡°Always wanted to restore an old car, but priorities shifted when I met this one.¡± He nods to his wife with a loving gaze. I shift my weight ufortably, nodding. I have no idea what to say to these people. They¡¯re so nice, and I can¡¯t tell whether it¡¯s disingenuous or the real deal. Then again, if they¡¯re the ones who raised Nessa, I should give them the benefit of the doubt. Her kind and gentle nature had toe from somewhere. ¡°Well, we¡¯re gonna go,¡± Nessa says, sliding next to me and slipping her hand into mine, almost as if she senses my profound difort. Her dad tosses an arm over his wife¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Have fun,¡± he offers, both of them beaming at us. ¡°It was nice meeting you, Callum. You¡¯ll have to have dinner here with us sometime, meet the whole family.¡± 2 ¡°Sure,¡± I nod. ¡°Nice meeting you both as well.¡± Nessa tugs me toward the door and I toss her parents an awkward wave over my shoulder, following her out into the brisk winter chill. I drag a deep breath of cold hair into my lungs, my tight muscles straining with every step. ¡°See, that wasn¡¯t so bad,¡± Nessa murmurs, nudging me as we walk to my car. ¡°No,¡± I agree. ¡°Your parents are great.¡± Which is exactly why I don¡¯t fit in with them. Meeting them only served as a stark reminder of why Nessa and I shouldn¡¯t fit together. She grins proudly, dropping my hand as we split up to head to opposite sides of the Corvette and climb in. I was anxious about meeting her parents, but it¡¯s nothingpared to how nervous I am to bring Nessa into my shitshow of a home life. Troy and Abigail White are not nice people. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll put on a good show like they always do, smiling and acting like we¡¯re the perfect family, but it¡¯s nauseatingly fake. Everything about them is fake. 1 They act like they¡¯re model parents, but that¡¯s a far cry from the truth. No decent mother would turn a blind eye to their spouse¡¯s abuse of their child, rationalizing that it¡¯s just ¡®tough love¡¯. My mom didn¡¯t count anything Troy did to me as abuse because he neverid a hand on me. Instead, he dug his ws into my mind, twisting my psyche until I nearly broke. He created the dark, unpredictable monster that lurks inside Only a monster can create another monster. 3 As Troy¡¯s biological child, Spencer was spared the abuse, but the apple didn¡¯t fall far from the tree. He¡¯s just as toxic as Troy and my mom are, raised in their image to be a conniving egomaniac. We were pitted against one another from the beginning, so there¡¯s no love between us. No sense of brotherhood or familial bond. The only thing we have inmon is blood. My shoulders are so tense when we pull up to the little yellow house on Aspen Avenue that I jerk the wheel when I try to steer into the driveway. I slide the gear into park, cracking my neck and rolling my shoulders, drawing deep breaths as I stare up at the house where my family resides. From the outside, you wouldn¡¯t be able to tell what horrors lie within. It¡¯s clean and well-kept, warm light spilling from therge windows. Deceptively inviting. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Nessa asks, resting her hand on top of mine. She¡¯s perceptive, but it¡¯s not exactly like I¡¯m doing a good job of masking my anxiety right now. I nod solemnly, cutting the engine and slipping the keys into my jacket pocket. ¡°Fine,¡± I grit out. Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡± She flinches at my tone, hurt shing in her eyes, and I immediately realize how that must¡¯ve sounded. She¡¯s not to me for my foul mood- if anything, she¡¯s the only thing holding me together right now. I quickly backpedal, taking her hand,cing my fingers with hers, and giving it a little squeeze. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re here,¡± I say sincerely, leaning closer to nt a kiss on her lips. ¡°Thanks for doing this with me.¡± 1 The smile that my words earn from her warms me from the inside out, shoring up my confidence to face what¡¯s ahead. We both climb out of the car and head for the front walk. Nessa slips her hand in mine as we near the front door of the house, lending me her strength and reminding me she¡¯s right beside me. Most people would probably just walk right into their parents¡¯ house, but this ce has never felt like home to me. I raise a fist to knock, my hear thumping in my chest as I wait for someone to answer. Heavy footsteps echo from inside before Fuckface pulls the door open, his mouth spreading into a slippery grin that makes my skin crawl. 1 Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°You made it,¡± hements, his gaze quickly sliding from me to Nessa. I grit my teeth as he gives her an appreciative once-over, his grin widening as he steps aside, gesturing. ¡°Come on in.¡± Chapter 20 Chapter 20 20 CALLUM My throat tightens as I step over the threshold into the house. I can¡¯t stand this ce, the people that live here, or the memories it harbors. I hate that I¡¯m dragging Nessa into this mess, but I wasn¡¯t about to fuck up everything I¡¯ve built with her by shutting her out. She¡¯d assume that I didn¡¯t find her important enough to introduce to my family, while the truth is theplete opposite; she¡¯s too important. I¡¯d rather shield her from these people because she¡¯s sweet and pure and good, and they¡¯re fucking poison. ¡°Perfect timing, Abby¡¯s just getting dinner on the table,¡± Troy drawls as we shrug out of our jackets. I take Nessa¡¯s from her and hang them both on the coat tree beside the door, keeping close to her because my protective instincts are on overdrive in my stepdad¡¯s presence. ¡°Thanks for having us,¡± Nessa says politely, slipping her hand into mine again. Fuckface¡¯s eyes dart down to our intertwined hands, then snap back up to meet mine. ¡°So d you both could make it.¡± He hits us with another grin and turns on a heel, waving for us to follow. My feet are rooted to the spot I¡¯m in. Nessa steps in front of me, setting her hand on my chest and pressing her palm tightly over my racing heart. ¡°You ready?¡± Something about her touch instantly calms me. I swallow past the lump in my throat, nodding and forcing a weak smile. ¡°Yeah, babe,¡± I reply, reaching up to sweep her hair behind her ear. ¡°Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?¡± Her responding smile lights up her whole face. ¡°Not yet,¡± she winks, a soft pink blush staining her cheeks. ¡°But thanks.¡± I take her hand this time, leading her into the dining room where Troy¡¯s taking his seat at the head of the table and my mom¡¯s setting thest of the tes down. ¡°Cal!¡± she exims, putting on a show of being thrilled to see me. She rushes over, pulling me in for a hug. ¡°It¡¯s been too long,¡± she breathes, ruffling my hair in mock-affection. Then she steps back, beaming at Nessa. ¡°And who¡¯s this?¡± ¡°Vanessa Diaz,¡± she provides, smiling sweetly and extending a hand. ¡°My friends call me Nessa.¡± Mom pulls her in for a hug instead, really ying up this whole happy family vibe. So nice to meet you, Nessa,¡± she coos, withdrawing from the embrace and taking a step back to examine her. ¡± You¡¯re so pretty, what on earth are you doing with my son?¡± Her inflection is sarcastic, but I can discern the bite of sincerity behind her words. I know the woman too well. We haven¡¯t even sat down at the table yet, and she¡¯s already fired the first shot. 1 I expected nothing less. 1 The silver lining of bringing Nessa along tonight is that my family is forced to be on their best behavior. Their thinly veiled insults toward me are yed off as good- natured teasing, and we shockingly make it through the entire meal without any major blowups. Troy still hasn¡¯t gotten to the point of what this dinner¡¯s all about, though, so I¡¯m not holding my breath that we¡¯ll make it out of here unscathed. I¡¯m sure the worst is yet toe. I¡¯ve been on edge all night, but having Nessa here has helped. She¡¯s the calm to my storm, and just having her beside me has made a world of difference. She has alsopletely charmed my family. Spence can¡¯t take his eyes off her because she¡¯s hot as fuck and he¡¯s a teenage boy, and my parents have been hanging on her every word, infinitely more interested in her life than they¡¯ve ever been in mine and undoubtedly trying to figure out what a girl like her sees in a guy like me. That¡¯s still a mystery to me, too. ¡°I spoke with Ray Swenson the other day,¡± Troyments, wiping his mouth on his napkin and setting it on the table beside his empty te. ¡°He mentioned that he¡¯s nning on retiring next year.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Mom asks, poorly feigning her surprise. ¡°Did he say who¡¯d he¡¯d be rmending as his recement?¡± I toss my own napkin down, my gaze sliding between Mom and Troy warily. This is definitely rehearsed. Ray Swenson is the pack¡¯s lead enforcer, and they know as well as I do that if he¡¯s stepping down, his recement will ultimately be chosen by our pack¡¯s new alpha- who just happens to be my closest friend. ¡°Actually, yes,¡± Fuckface drawls, beaming at his son with pride. ¡°He¡¯ll be rmending Spencer.¡± I snort, shaking my head and chuckling lowly. ¡°Something funny?¡± Troy deadpans. ¡°Yeah, the fact that you think a high school kid with zero experience is going to be installed as the pack¡¯s lead enforcer,¡± I reply dryly, rolling my eyes. The muscle in Troy¡¯s jaw tightens, the only outward sign that I¡¯m getting under his skin. ¡°Maybe not right away, but after a few years of service as an enforcer¡­¡± ¡°Another position that the alpha would have to appoint him to,¡± I cut in. I shove back in my chair, narrowing my eyes on my stepdad. ¡°Is this why you called me here? To ask me to put a bug in Chase¡¯s ear about golden boy here being appointed to a position that he doesn¡¯t deserve?¡± Nessa¡¯s handnds on my thigh, squeezing gently. Her touch calms me marginally. Troy remains the picture ofposure, calmly folding his hands in front of him. ¡± It would be an honor to our whole family to have Spencer pull rank in the pack. What¡¯s good for him is good for all of us.¡± I narrow my eyes on him. ¡°Good for you, you mean.¡± ¡°Callum!¡± Mom scolds. ¡°I won¡¯t have you speak to your stepfather that way.¡± I turn my re on her. ¡°So I¡¯m supposed to just let him ambush me with this shit and go along with whatever he says?¡± I scoff. Mom pushes her chair out from the table, throwing her napkin down on her te. She levels me with a scathing look, then turns to my girl, stering on a fake smile. ¡°Nessa, dear, why don¡¯t you join me in the kitchen? We¡¯ll leave the boys to hash this out while we get dessert ready.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Nessa replies before I can protest, ever so polite and agreeable, though there¡¯s a hint of unease in her tone. I don¡¯t want her to leave. I don¡¯t trust my mother alone with her, nor do I trust myself to keep it together in her absence. I draw a deep breath, fighting to retain myposure as she stands, collecting our dinner tes and shooting me an apologetic nce over her shoulder before following my mother out of the room. It¡¯s like she takes all the light with her when she goes. ¡°Spence, why don¡¯t you head upstairs and work on your homework,¡± Troy murmurs, his icy tone conveying that it isn¡¯t a suggestion. Like the good little golden boy he is, Spencer acquiesces to his father¡¯s demand, pushing up from his chair and exiting the room without a word. Then it¡¯s just me and Troy. The monster and his creator. 1 ¡°You will ask Chase to appoint Spencer as an enforcer,¡± Fuckface says, his voice eerily calm. I shake my head in disbelief. ¡°Why the fuck would I do that?¡± 1 His lips quirk up into a smug grin and he steeples in his fingers in front of him. Because you don¡¯t want Chase finding out what you did.¡± His threat pierces through my armor, my mouth running dry and my calmposure slipping. ¡°For all I know, his dad already told him,¡± I mutter, clenching my fists beneath the table. This is his go-to threat, and I hate that he has something he can hang over my head. If he didn¡¯t, I¡¯d cut tiespletely. Troy stares back at me with a mocking smirk. ¡°I think you and I both know that isn¡¯t true, or he wouldn¡¯t be keeping you so close.¡± 2 I clench my fists tighter, my fingernails cutting crescents into my palm. He¡¯s got me backed into a corner here and he knows it. I might fight him on this more if Nessa wasn¡¯t in the next room, but I don¡¯t want her walking into this conversation. My jaw twitches as I force single word past my lips. ¡°Fine.¡± Fuckface¡¯s grin widens in satisfaction and he leans back in his chair. ¡°d we coulde to an understanding.¡± ¡°Whatever,¡± I mutter, pushing out my chair and shooting to my feet. I have to get out of here before I snap. ¡°We¡¯re gonna get going.¡± ¡°Nessa¡¯s a cute girl,¡± Troyments, and I freeze in my tracks. I don¡¯t like the sound of her name on his lips. I knew it was a mistake bringing her here; that he¡¯d try to use her against me somehow.¡± Sounds like shees from a nice family.¡± ¡°She does,¡± I reply through clenched teeth, unsure of what his angle is. Troy rises to his feet, taking a step closer and dropping his voice low. ¡°You should do her a favor and let her go before it¡¯s toote. Before she winds up like that poor woman from Boulder¡­¡± 3 Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. My heart ms against my ribs, my blood turning to ice in my veins. ¡°I¡¯d never hurt her.¡± ¡°Not on purpose,¡± Troy tuts. ¡°But you and I both know that you struggle to control that temper of yours. It would be a shame for a nice girl like that to get caught in your crosshairs if you slip up. For her to meet the same fate.¡± I shake my head adamantly, my internal panic seeping to the surface. ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± I choke out. He heaves a sigh, closing the distance between us and setting a hand firmly on my shoulder. He stares down into my eyes, his own shining with cruelty. ¡°She deserves better. You know she does.¡± His touch makes my skin crawl. I shrug his hand off my shoulder, flinching back. Even so, his words have their desired effect, slicing open old wounds within me and sending my mind into a tailspin. Deep down, I know he¡¯s trying to goad me, but¡­ fuck, what if he¡¯s right? The scent of sweet cherries hits my nose, and I jerk my head up to see Nessa and my mom appear in the doorway, back from the kitchen. ¡°We¡¯ve got dessert!¡± Nessa chirps, holding a small te in each hand. My eyes dart to her, that dark, ugly thing inside of me unfurling. ¡°We¡¯re going,¡± I say coldly, shouldering past Troy. ¡°Come on.¡± Nessa¡¯s jaw goes ck, a bewildered look on her face. She steps forward and slides. the tes onto the edge of the table, eyeing me with concern. ¡°Oh¡­ okay.¡± I hear her thanking my parents for dinner as I trudge into the entryway, ripping my jacket off of the coat tree and shoving my arms into the sleeves. Mom¡¯s apologizing to Nessa for my behavior, but my pulse is thumping in my ears so loudly that I can barely make out her words. I grab Nessa¡¯s coat, shoving it toward her as soon as she approaches. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± She still looks bewildered, but she quickly puts her coat on, not questioning our abrupt departure. I yank the door open, striding outside before she even has her jacket on all the way and dragging a deep breath of fresh air into my lungs. ¡°Thanks again!¡± Nessa calls over her shoulder as she follows me out, pulling the door closed behind us. She looks to me questioningly, but I just shake my head and turn away, starting for my Corvette parked in the driveway. I have to get away from this ce. If I¡¯m forced to spend one more minute here, I may lose itpletely. I hear Nessa¡¯s boots crunching in the snow behind me as I make my way to my car, throwing open the door and falling down into the drivers¡¯ seat with a grunt. Nessa climbs in on the passenger side, buckling up as I fire up the engine and gun it out of the driveway. She doesn¡¯t speak until we turn at the end of the block, and when she does, her voice. isced with concern. ¡°What happened when I left? Does your stepdad really think he can just order you around like that? Or that Chase will listen?¡± She chuckles dryly, shaking her head. ¡°As if he¡¯d choose your brother over you for pack rank¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it,¡± I interject, my voice gravelly. I know I¡¯m shutting her out, but it¡¯s better this way. I¡¯m seconds from exploding, and I don¡¯t want her to be on the receiving end. She doesn¡¯t deserve that. She deserves better. Nessa draws a deep breath, leaning back in her seat and fiddling with the seatbelt across her chest. ¡°Are we going back to your ce?¡± she asks carefully, shooting me a sideways nce. ¡°Not tonight,¡± I grumble. ¡°I¡¯ve got shit to do in the morning.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She chews her lower lip and I focus my stare out the windshield, avoiding looking at her for fear of the emotions a single nce will unleash. ¡°Alright,¡± she adds quietly. ¡°No problem.¡± I tighten my knuckles on the steering wheel, the deafening silence hanging in the car making every one of my muscles tense up. ¡°I have the day off tomorrow,¡¯ Nessa says after a beat. ¡°Maybe we can do something?¡± ¡°Maybe.¡± My own voice is so cold that I hardly recognize it and my head¡¯s a goddamn mess right now. Being in Nessa¡¯s presence usually calms me, but at this moment, Troy¡¯s words are on a constant loop in my brain. 1 The quiet doesn¡¯t help. I hit the power button to turn on the radio, cranking the volume up to drown out my own racing thoughts and any further conversation. I need the noise. I need the distraction. I need to get the fuck out of here and never look back. Chapter 21 Chapter 21 21 VANESSA I spent all night tossing and turning, obsessing over how cold and dismissive. Callum was on the way homest night. Something happened when I left the room with his mother; something that made him shut downpletely. He didn¡¯t tell me what it was, so my mind was clouded with spection over what urred. I¡¯m sure I would¡¯ve continued to obsess over it all day, too, if it wasn¡¯t for the news I woke up to. If I thought I had a rough night, it was nothingpared to the hellish ordeal my best friend endured yesterday at the hands of the rogue who has been haunting the six- pack territory for the past few weeks. He shot her with silver bullets, kidnapped her, and held her hostage- all part of some twisted revenge plot to take out Chase. I didn¡¯t get all the details, but it was something to do with Chase¡¯s estranged mom and the shadow pack war. Given how close Vienna is with my family, Alpha Brock called my dad this morning to tell him what happened, and as soon as he woke me up and filled me in, I started frantically blowing up Vee¡¯s phone. I waspletely panicked, about to hop in my car and drive over to the Norbury packhouse when Chase finally answered my call. He said Vienna was resting and assured me that she¡¯ll be fine, but I still spent the better part of my day worrying about my friend, waiting for her to wake up and call me back. The universe must really be against me because Cal isn¡¯t returning my calls either. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s busy helping Chase deal with the fallout from the rogue situation, but theck ofmunication today has made me a damn mess. When Vee finally does call, I¡¯m quick to jump in my car and head to Chase¡¯s packhouse to see her. Although she keeps telling me she¡¯s okay, I won¡¯t feel better until Iy eyes on her myself and see that she¡¯s in one piece. I swear all of that girl¡¯s recent drama is gonna give me a dang heart attack. I park out front, sprinting across thewn for the front door of the packhouse. I¡¯m so worked up that all manners go out the window and I let myself in without even thinking about it, breathless as I step inside. Vienna¡¯s in the kitchen, and as soon as we lock eyes, she¡¯s rushing to meet me, crashing into me. I wrap my arms around my friend, holding on tight as tears spring to my eyes. ¡°I was so worried!¡± I choke, burying my face in her hair and refusing to let go. ¡°I know, I¡¯m sorry,¡± she sniffles, clutching onto me just as tightly. I just hold her for a solid minute or two, then finally let her go and take a step back, giving her a once- over to assess the damage for myself. Thanks to shifter healing, there are no outward signs of injury other than some faded bruising on her torso made visible by her crop top. From what I heard, she¡¯s lucky to be alive- though Vee would never admit that. She¡¯s tough as nails and despises being perceived as weak. A stray tear slips down her cheek and she¡¯s quick to wipe it away, putting on the brave face that she always does. ¡°I¡¯m gonna head upstairs,¡± Chase mumbles, and my eyes lift over Vienna¡¯s shoulder to see him loitering a few feet away, leaning idly against the kitchen counter. I hadn¡¯t even noticed his presence; I hadplete tunnel vision when I ran inside, focused only on my friend. Vienna nces his way, her eyes full of adoration. I¡¯ve never seen her look at someone the way she¡¯s looking at Chase right now. My girl¡¯s got it bad for the alpha. He strides over to her, cupping her cheek and leaning down to nt a gentle kiss on her lips. ¡°Let me know if you need anything?¡± he murmurs, sweeping the pad of his thumb over her lower lip. She nods, grabbing his hand before he can retract it and pressing a kiss to his palm. Then he steps back, and the way he looks at her before he turns away gives me pause. It¡¯s the way every girl wants to be looked at by a man. That¡¯s love if I¡¯ve ever seen it. Vee watches after Chase as he retreats, then turns back to me, a faint blush forming on her cheeks. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve got a lot to catch me up on,¡± I smirk. Sheughs, grabbing onto my arm and pulling me toward the living room. We get situated on the big leather sectional, and before I can even start in with a barrage of questions, Viennaunches into a confession that I could seeing a mile away after her disy in the kitchen. ¡°So we¡¯re officially together,¡± she blurts, tucking her hair behind her ears and smiling bashfully. I grin back at her. ¡°So I gathered.¡± Vienna sinks her teeth into her lower lip, her eyes rounding in sincerity. ¡°He saved mest night, Ness. You should¡¯ve seen him, he was amazing. And after going through something like that, not knowing if we¡¯d make it out alive¡­ well, our real feelings came out. It made us realize what really matters, y¡¯know? And that we shouldn¡¯t keep torturing each other with trivial games or bullshit. So, now he¡¯s¡­¡± she trails off, starry-eyed. ¡°Your boyfriend?¡± I ask, finishing her sentence and cocking a brow. A furious blush paints her cheeks. ¡°Well yeah, he¡¯s more than that, actually.¡± She leans in closer, taking my hands in hers and dropping her voice low. ¡°He asked me to be his Luna.¡± My eyes practically bug out of my head. ¡°He what?!¡± I screech. She nods, and I scream again in excitement, throwing my arms around her and practically tackling her with a hug. ¡°Is everything okay down there?¡± Chase¡¯s voice drifts from upstairs in response to my outburst. ¡°Yes, babe,¡± Vee calls back, and we both lose ourselves in fits of giggles, clutching onto one another¡¯s hands giddily. ¡°Okay, wait, back up,¡± I wheeze when I finally regain myposure. ¡°I need to hear everything.¡± She nods, swallowing hard, the smile fading from her face. ¡°Well, you saw what happened yesterday at my house.¡± ¡°Uh huh. And I got that text from Char saying that I wasn¡¯t needed at work, but I thought you were going in?¡± Vienna blows out a breath, her gaze fluttering down. ¡°Yeah.¡± When she looks. back up at me, her eyes are shining with the hint of fresh tears. ¡°Did you hear about Char?¡± I can tell by the inflection in her voice that it isn¡¯t good. I shake my head. ¡°The rogue killed her,¡± she whispers, wincing like it hurts to speak the words out loud. ¡°He ambushed me at the lodge, and when I woke up, I was in one of the rental cabins, bleeding out.¡± ¡°Jesus,¡± I mutter, shaking my head. My heart constricts painfully as she continues on to recount the whole harrowing tale of her kidnapping and rescue, and I listen with rapt attention, drinking in every detail and thanking fate that my best friend made it out alive. ¡°When it seemedpletely hopeless, he looked at me and basically dered his love,¡± Vee discloses, a fond smile tilting her lips. ¡°Well actually, he said he hated me, but that means he loves me,¡± she adds. I snort, wrinkling my nose. ¡°You two are demented.¡± Her eyes glint with mischief. ¡°Maybe. Probably.¡± She waves a hand,ughing. ¡° Whatever, it may be weird, but it works!¡± Ourughter is interrupted by the sound of the packhouse door opening, and I lift my gaze to see Callum walk in, looking rougher than I¡¯ve ever seen him with dark circles etched beneath his eyes and his disheveled. hair sticking out in all directions. My breath catches in my throat and I nearly choke. He doesn¡¯t look up until he kicks the door closed behind him, but when he does, our eyes lock instantly and he freezes like a deer caught in the headlights. He definitely wasn¡¯t expecting to see me here. I¡¯m almost as surprised to see him, considering he still hasn¡¯t returned my calls or messages. ¡°Chase is upstairs,¡± Vee informs him nonchntly. The two of us remain locked in a staring contest for a long moment, and Vienna picks up on it, her gaze sliding between us suspiciously. There¡¯s something off in his gaze. He¡¯s not looking at me like he normally does- there¡¯s no warmth behind his eyes; just cold, distant detachment. A sick feeling twists in my gut, signaling to me that something¡¯s wrong. I¡¯m expecting him toe over and greet me in his usual way, with a cheeky smile or a filthy kiss. To pull me aside and tell me what¡¯s wrong, so I can help him work through it. What I don¡¯t expect is the aloof way he lifts his chin to me in acknowledgement before making a beeline for the staircase. I don¡¯t expect for him to grip the banister and charge up the stairs two at a time, disappearing without a word. My face burns, a stab of agony radiating from my chest as tears prick behind my eyes. Vienna¡¯s handnds on my arm, my eyes fluttering up to meet hers. ¡°What¡¯s¡­¡± she starts to ask as the first hot tear slides down my cheek. I wipe it away with a wrist, shaking my head. My throat¡¯s tight, but somehow, I force out a choked admission. ¡°We¡¯ve been seeing each other. For a while now, actually. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t tell you, I just didn¡¯t know what was going on between us and I wanted to figure it out for myself first, considering I had zero experience with dating.¡± I swallow hard, biting down hard on the inside of my cheek and forcing the tears back. She furrows her brows, a little crease forming between them. ¡°What happened?¡± I blow out a frustrated breath and scrub a hand over my face. ¡°I have no idea, Vee! We went to dinner at his parents¡¯ housest night- they¡¯re awful people, by the way- and something happened when I wasn¡¯t in the room that made him just¡­ shut down.¡± Her frown deepens, and when her lips part to respond, I head her off. ¡°Look, I know you don¡¯t like him,¡± I say. ¡°I ¡± But you don¡¯t know him like I do. He¡¯s creative and smart and thoughtful¡­ and he really sees me, ya know? It¡¯s not just about the way I look on his arm. He sees me for me.¡± I lean forward, burying my face in my hands. ¡°I know what you¡¯re going to say,¡± I groan. I feel Vienna¡¯s hand on my back, stroking in soothing circles. ¡°Ness¡­¡± She trails off and heaves a sigh. ¡°I may not be a fan of him, but I love you. So if he¡¯s the one you want to be with and he makes you happy, I¡¯ll learn to love him, too. It sounds like you two just need to talk and get to the bottom of whatever¡¯s got him acting this way.¡± I pick my head up, narrowing my eyes on her. ¡°Okay, who are you, and what have you done with Vienna Vega?¡± She snorts augh, shaking her head. ¡°Girl, I¡¯ve got a new lease on life after almost dyingst night. If I learned anything, it¡¯s that life¡¯s too short, and that love¡­ it¡¯s all that matters.¡± She gets a faraway look in her eyes, the ghost of a smile creasing her lips. ¡°Love,¡± I sigh, sinking back into the leather cushion of the couch. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if that¡¯s what this is, but it feels like it.¡± I swivel my head to face her and stare into her eyes earnestly. ¡°It really feels like it, Vee.¡± ¡°Holy shit,¡± she whispers, her eyes rounding. I swallow past the lump in my throat, ncing wistfully toward the staircase. ¡°I kinda thought he¡¯d ask me to run with him for the full moon tomorrow, but now everything¡¯s all screwed up.¡± Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Vienna reaches out to cup my cheek, forcing my eyes to hers. ¡°Talk to him, Ness.¡± I suck in a breath and nod. ¡°I will.¡± My heart clenches, simultaneously hopeful and terrified. Whatever happened at dinnerst night, I¡¯m sure we can talk through it. Callum and I are good together. I¡¯m almost certain that whatever¡¯s going on has more to do with his family than with me, so if I can just get him to open up, maybe we can get back on track. Maybe fate will conspire to give us the fairytale ending I¡¯ve always dreamed of. ¡°And hey, I¡¯d love it if you came here for the run tomorrow,¡± Vee adds, winking. ¡°Chase is introducing me to his pack as his luna, so I need all the moral support I can get.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± I smile, allowing hope to take root inside me, filling the deste spaces left byst night¡¯s endless worrying. My mom has always said that good things happen to good people. Fingers crossed that she¡¯s right. Chapter 22 Chapter 22 22 CALLUM There¡¯s an infectious energy coursing through the pack tonight, the air crackling like a livewire as the light of the full moon bathes the yard of the packhouse in a silvery glow. We look forward to every full moon. run, but this one is special. We¡¯ve been without a leader since Alpha Vaughn passed three months ago, and tonight, Chase is finally assuming his rightful position as his heir, stepping up to be officially inducted as Alpha. Everyone looks on in eager anticipation as Chase takes his vows, spilling drops of blood from a cut in his palm to seal his oath to the pack. Then Beta Rob raises Chase¡¯s bloodied hand into the air, announcing him as our new alpha, and the entire crowd ignites in frenzied celebration. I should be ted. I should be celebrating with everyone else. Instead, I¡¯m¡­ empty. I don¡¯t even have the energy to fake it tonight. I¡¯ve been drifting around soullessly for the past two days, haunted by the memories of my past and the shadow they cast on my future. I thought I could get past all that, be someone else, but the risk of history repeating itself is too high. If I truly care for Nessa, I won¡¯t put her in harm¡¯s way. I have to let her go. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. The trouble is, I don¡¯t know how to. Something inside me broke yesterday at the packhouse when she looked at me with that pleading gaze and I just walked away. I hid out in Chase¡¯s room like a fucking coward until she left, then turned off my phone so I wouldn¡¯t have to see her name appear on the screen only to ignore her attempts atmunication. I can¡¯t face hurting her, so I¡¯ve just been avoiding her. Real fuckin¡¯ mature. Chase shifts to his wolf and lets out a howl, and my fellow pack members tear their clothes from their bodies and shift to their wolf forms, following him into the forest for the run. Jubnt howls echo all around me, enticing my wolf to join in the revelry, but I¡¯m not in a celebrating mood. Not when I currently feel like I¡¯m being torn apart from the inside out. My wolf ws at my insides, nagging me to let him out to run. I finally give into my instincts, my movements jerky and robotic as I undress and leave my clothes in a heap on the packhousewn, tucking back into the recesses of my mind and calling my wolf forward. My bones begin to snap and rearrange, the air around me shimmering with my shift. This process was painful the first few times, but after a while, it became as easy as breathing. My wolf and I are fully integrated;pletely in tune with one another. The crisp night air whips through my fur as I spring forward on four paws, taking off in the direction of the treeline to fall in with the rest of my pack. Not even my wolf¡¯s delight in the full moon can quiet my inner turmoil tonight, though. I don¡¯t make it far before veering away from the others, loping off to suffer in solitude. I run mindlessly for a while, then the old hunting cabin at the edge of the territoryes into view, shrouded in shadows and calling to me like an old friend. I first found this cabin several years ago, after Troy let me out of the dark room in the basement following a particrly long time. out¡¯. Days in the dark left me craving fresh air and room to roam, and when I came out to the forest to scratch that itch, my first shift came on unexpectedly. I ran and ran, not yet versed on how to control my wolf or shift back to my human form, and I stumbled upon this ce, long since abandoned by hunters in a past life. In my mind, I imed it as my own right then, and as I returned time and time again, it became like a sanctuary for me. A ce to escape to where I could be alone with my thoughts. Twigs crunch under my paws as I circle the cabin, sniffing around for any signs of disturbance. It¡¯s exactly how I left it; there¡¯s no indication that anyone else has stumbled upon this ce in my absence. No strange scents linger around the perimeter, except¡­ I lift my nose to the air, my hair standing on end when I pick up the faintest hint of something different; something strange and alluring floating on the wintry breeze. Suddenly, I feel an odd tugging sensation in my chest, my instincts to follow the scent kicking into overdrive. My wolf and I be locked in a battle of wills; he¡¯s thrashing against my control, bing crazed as the scent grows stronger, while I refuse to move, confusion and suspicion circling in my mind. Snapping branches draw my attention to the dense brush across from the cabin, and my head whips around, my hackles raising. There¡¯s a war waging inside of me- my wolf wants to run straight into the brush, delirious from the now overpowering scent emanating from that direction. It¡¯s sweet and sharine, like spring florals and fresh linen and¡­ cherries. The brush rustles, more branches cracking as a sleek ck wolf slinks out, its glossy fur bathed in moonlight and its eyes immediately locking with my own. My heart pounds. The air shimmers like gossamer threads around her, and in the same moment, I¡¯m overtaken by my own shift, my wolf tucking back into the recesses of my mind as I retake my human form. And there, crouched across from me where the ck wolf stood, is the girl who owns every fractured piece of my soul. ¡°Ness,¡± I rasp, rising on two legs as emotions rush in, battering me with their intensity. She rises across from me, her eyes fixed on mine, and I feel something snap into ce between us- an invisible tether connecting our souls, fusing them as one. ¡°Mate,¡± she gasps, her wide brown eyes flooding with tears. Her lips split into a radiant smile, an ted giggle bubbling up her throat as sheunches herself forward, running toward me. The skin of our chests ps together when her body collides with mine, and then my mouth¡¯s on hers, devouring her like a ravenous beast as I lift her in my arms. Her arms and legs wind around me and her tongue thrashes against mine, our desperation pouring into one another through the kiss. We only break it toe up for air, both panting breathlessly. ¡°You¡¯re my mate,¡± Nessa giggles, pushing my hair back off my forehead with a hand and gazing adoringly into my eyes. ¡°I knew fate woulde through for us, I just knew it!¡± She¡¯s so fucking beautiful. The moonlight shines off her hair, her eyes sparkling and that cute as fuck dimple sinking into her left cheek. It almost feels wrong to hold something as perfect her in my arms, but I can¡¯t let her go. Everything I felt for her before is amplified tenfold; that cold, dead thing in my chest feels like it¡¯s ring back to life, filled with warmth and light. And love. I fucking love her. If I didn¡¯t know it before, I¡¯m certain now. I¡¯mpletely, ridiculously, irrevocably in love with Vanessa Diaz. Her soul calls to mine in recognition, like the missing piece I never knew existed. All of the bad shit is still there- the fear, the doubt, the nagging uncertainty- but right now, it¡¯spletely drowned out by the overload of serotonin, adrenaline, and endorphins coursing through my body, the biological response to the mate bond snapping into ce between us. I capture her lips again, drinking in her kisses like I¡¯ll never get enough of them. My hands grip her thighs firmly as I blindly stride toward the cabin with Nessa in my arms, her naked body pressed tightly against mine so we¡¯re fused together with every step. I fumble with the doorknob, pushing it open, and the old wooden door swings back and collides loudly with the wall, the old musty smell of the cabin wafting out to greet us. Nessa pulls back and inhales a sharp breath, looking around as I carry her inside. ¡°What is this ce?¡± she asks, blinking through the darkness. This cabin sits near the border of our territory- the border between Norbury and Riverton. She must¡¯ve crossed the border from Riverton during her pack¡¯s full moon run when she felt the pull of the mate bond. It¡¯s not much, but I¡¯ve brought things here over the years to make it morefortable for when I needed to hide out and get away. There¡¯s a bed pushed up against the far wall, covered in soft nkets that I brought in after freezing my ass off one winter night. An old kitchte is on the opposite side, the stove rusty from years of disuse and an abandoned teakettle resting on the counter. The only other furniture is a small table with a single chair, where I¡¯ve sat to draw in my sketchbooks countless times, and a tattered, threadbare couch with sagging cushions that has undoubtedly seen better days. ¡°I used toe here a lot to get away,¡± I admit, a little embarrassed that this ramshackle cabin was once my sanctuary. She slides her legs from around my hips, dropping her feet to the floor and taking a step backwards to survey the interior of the cabin. ¡°It¡¯s been abandoned for years,¡± I add. ¡°I¡¯m the only one whoes here, as far as I know.¡± Nessa¡¯s lips quirk into a coy smile. ¡°I like it,¡± she breathes, running a hand through her long tresses as she turns to step further inside. Then she whips back around, arching a brow. ¡°So nobody can find us here?¡± I cross the small room to her, drawn to her like a ma. I grip her hips in both hands, pulling her body flush with mine and gazing down into her eyes. ¡°Nope. We¡¯re all alone here, babe.¡± She licks her lips, running her hands up my chest and grinding her hips against mine. ¡± Good,¡± she whispers, a mischievous grin pulling at her lips. I dip my head down to crush my own against them, and then we¡¯re bothpletely lost again, tongues and teeth shing, hands grasping and roaming. I back her up until her calves meet the edge of the bed, urging her to lie back and crawling over her, palming her tits while kissing my way down her jaw, the column of her neck, along her corbone. I want to taste every inch of her skin beneath my tongue, consume every part of her like she¡¯s myst meal. Her fingernails score the skin of my shoulders as I suck one of her nipples into my mouth, rolling the hardened bud between my teeth and tugging. Her back arches off the bed, her soft tits crushing against my face as I alternate between them, teasing them with my mouth and hands, then licking a path down the valley between her breasts. She lets out a shuddering breath as I start to move lower, kissing my way down the soft flesh of her belly, licking around her navel and tracing my tongue over her hipbone. Her thighs fall wider, inviting me in, and I tten my tongue and dive into the apex of her thighs, licking up her slit and suctioning my lips over her hardened clit. ¡°Callum!¡± Nessa cries out, her hands flying to my hair, fisting the strands as I feast on her pussy. Her pants and moans of pleasure coax me on, her slick arousal painting my face as I kiss and suck my way lower, thrusting my tongue into her opening. She starts chanting my name like a prayer, pulling on my hair harder as I tongue fuck her. Then I lick my way back up to her clit, flicking the sensitive bud and screwing a finger into her tight hole. The most beautiful scream tears from her throat as shees undone, her body jerking and writhing with her climax, her inner walls pulsing and squeezing around my finger. I don¡¯t let up until she¡¯s nearly sobbing for relief, and when I push up on my arms to gaze down at her, I¡¯m struck by how fucking gorgeous she looks, naked and bathed in moonlight, wild and uninhibited andpletely sated. I rock back, sitting up on my knees and fisting my painfully hard cock, unable to tear my eyes away from her. She¡¯s perfection. She¡¯s¡­ Mine! my wolf roars from the recesses of my mind. I shift my knees to edge closer, hooking one of her thighs under an arm and rubbing the head of my dick through her slick folds.¡± Who¡¯s pussy is this, baby?¡± I growl, her body shuddering with an aftershock of her orgasm when I tap her clit with the tip of my cock. ¡°Yours,¡± she pants. I groan, sinking my teeth into my lower lip as I continue to tease her. ¡°It was made for me, wasn¡¯t it?¡± She jerks her hips up, craving the contact that I¡¯m depriving her of. ¡°Yes,¡± Nessa whines needily as I press the head of my cock to her opening, then drag it up her slit to bump against her clit again. ¡°Please, Callum, please¡­¡± Her fingers scrabble against my forearms, her hips grinding shamelessly. ¡°Please what?¡± I murmur, stilling my movements and arching a brow. ¡°You want me to fuck you, Ness? Want me to own your body like you own every damn piece of me?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± she cries, and I surge forward, plunging into her wet heat in a single hard thrust. My hips p against hers, her inner walls strangling my dick in a chokehold. I barely give her a moment to adjust to the intrusion before I¡¯m pulling out, mming back in, rutting into her like a wild animal. This is all I need; all I could ever want. Fuck rational thought, fuck anything that keeps me from iming what¡¯s mine. Fate saw fit to give Nessa to me, so who am I to question that? She reaches up to wrap a hand around the back of my neck, pulling me down until my lips are crashing against hers, our tongues. gliding together as our bodies join. My frantic thrusting ebbs into a slow grind as I kiss her deeply, my mind falling to the edge of oblivion. ¡°I love you,¡± I murmur against her lips, the words slipping out before my brain can catch up. ¡°I love you too,¡± she sighs, her words pouring into my mouth before our lips fuse together in another scorching kiss, the sensation of her mouth against mine and her pussy wrapped around me almost too much. Something in my mouth starts to feel funny, like a strange tingling sensation, and Ie mming back down to reality with the realization of what it is. My canines. My wolf wants to mark her; to seal the bond and bind her to us forever. I want to. I should. I can¡¯t. I abruptly break the kiss, jolting back and pulling out, rocking back onto my heels in rm. ¡°Wha¡­¡± Nessa starts to ask, but my canines are still elongated in my mouth, their sharp tips pricking my tongue. I can¡¯t let her see them. I grab her hips roughly, flipping her over onto her stomach and yanking her back until she¡¯s on her knees, her round ass lifted before me like an offering. She quivers as I run the head of my cock through her juices, then thrust inside, groaning as I bury myself to the hilt. She cries out, her inner walls fluttering around my throbbing dick as another orgasm overtakes her, and I fuck her through it, gripping her hip with one. hand and pressing the other to the center of her back to anchor her. I¡¯m startled when I catch my own reflection in the window across from the bed, my lips parted and my elongated canines glinting in the moonlight. I look like a demon, something dark and sinister, preying on the innocence of the angel beneath me. It¡¯s enough to make mee fully back to my senses, my canines receding into my gums while my hips continue pumping hard against Nessa¡¯s ass, skin pping together in a steady rhythm. ¡°Don¡¯t stop,¡± she pants, taking everything I¡¯m giving her and even reveling in the brutality of my thrusts. ¡°You wannae again, baby?¡± I taunt, leaning over her back and sliding a hand around her hip and between her legs, deft fingers teasing her clit. She sucks in a gasp, her pussy mping down on my dick. ¡°Please,¡± she whines, and fuck, when she begs like that, I can¡¯t deny her. I pound into her harder, rubbing her clit with my fingers until her moans be frantic and she starts toe undone. Her muscles seize as another orgasm rocks through her, and my own climax sneaks up on me like a thief in the night, barely giving me time to pull out before painting her ass with hot ropes of cum. ¡°Fuck,¡± I groan, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing my chest tightly against her back, struggling to catch my breath. We¡¯re both slick with sweat, panting and breathless, sated and content. When I finallye back down, I roll off of her, pulling her body over mine. She nuzzles into my chest, her warm breath fanning my skin as we lie there in blissful silence, our limbs tangled and our hearts beating in tandem. ¡°I¡¯m so happy,¡± Nessa whispers, and her words cut through me like a dagger to the heart. She may be happy right now, but now that the endorphins and adrenaline have begun to taper off, the reality of our situation is crashing in all around me, threatening to destroy everything I hold dear. I lift her chin with a finger, dipping down to meet her lips. I kiss her hard, like it¡¯s thest time. Because it is. I refuse to put her at risk for my own selfish desires. I love her, but I know I have to let her go. It¡¯s the only way to keep her safe. Breaking the kiss, she smiles up at me sleepily, resting her head against my chest again and cuddling in. I wrap my arms around her tightly, holding her close and memorizing what her body feels like in my arms; what her warmth feels like against mine. I have to leave tomorrow and go on the mission with the squad. It¡¯s the only way- she deserves a clean break. If I stay, I know I¡¯ll cave when I see her. I won¡¯t be able to stay away; to give her the space she needs to move on. The thought of leaving her rips open something in my chest. I feel like I¡¯m bleeding inside, fucking dying. Like leaving her might actually kill me. But it¡¯s the only way. If you love something, let it go. Nessa drifts off to sleep, and I lie there for what feels like hours, agonizing over what I have to do. She deserves an exnation, but I¡¯m too much of a fucking coward to give her one. I can¡¯t face her devastation while bleeding from my own. Instead, I slip out of bed like a ghost, padding over to the door. I make the mistake of ncing back before I open it, and what was left of my heart fucking shatters when my eyesnd on her peaceful, sleeping form. She deserves so much better. I never should¡¯ve gotten involved with her. An abandoned sketchpad on the little table by the window catches my eye, and I silently creep over to it, flipping to a nk page and picking up the pencil beside it. I scrawl out a note, then quietly tear the paper from the pad, folding it and carrying it over to the bed. I set it on the pillow I just vacated, then turn and walk out of the cabin before I can change my mind. Chapter 23 Chapter 23 23 VANESSA ** Four Months Later ** ¡°Let¡¯s go, Ness!¡± Vienna calls out, her voice echoing down the hallway of the guest wing of the packhouse. ¡°Just a minute!¡± I yell back. I¡¯ve been searching for my little gold clutch for the past ten minutes in vain; it¡¯s like it somehow grew legs and walked away. I¡¯m almost certain that I packed it when I moved into the Norbury packhouse a few months ago at Vienna¡¯s invitation, but for some reason, it¡¯s not where it should be among my other purses in the closet. I blow out a frustrated breath, spinning around and strutting over to the dresser to pull open the top drawer. I rummage through the random assortment of things I¡¯ve shoved in there in search of the clutch, hoping I might¡¯ve tossed it in here after the bar one night or something. As I push 1/18 through the mess of hair essories and odds and ends, a piece of paper falls out, fluttering to the floor andnding at my feet. I bend to pick it up with an annoyed groan, straightening with the paper clutched in my hands and freezing when I realize what it is. My heart squeezes painfully in my chest when I read the words scrawled on the page; four little words that sent my world crumbling down when I woke up alone in that cabin several months ago. I¡¯m setting you free. -C I stare at the paper, my eyes mapping the shape of the letters scrawled out in Callum¡¯s handwriting. I looked at it so many times in that first month that I¡¯ve memorized every loop and curve of the words, and looking at it now, that same feeling of devastation and despair grips in my chest. ¡°What¡¯s the holdup?¡± Vienna asks from the doorway, and I startle, dropping the paper into the open drawer and mming it shut. I whip around to face her, blinking. 2/18 ¡°I, uh¡­ I can¡¯t find my gold clutch,¡± I breathe, shaking my head to banish the intrusive thoughts associated with that damn note. (C Vee¡¯s lips stretch into a mischievous grin. You mean this clutch?¡± she asks sweetly, holding it up and wiggling it back and forth. ¡°You little thief!¡± Iugh, crossing the room to her and lunging forward to snatch it from her grasp. She pulls it back before I can grab ahold of it, tucking it under her arm. ¡°C¡¯mon, it totally goes with my outfit,¡± she whines. ¡°Can¡¯t you use a different one?¡± I roll my eyes, giving in easily. Rather than arguing with the most stubborn girl on the, I head back over to my closet and fish out my ck wristlet instead, returning to the dresser to stuff my phone and cash inside it. ¡°You could¡¯ve saved me like ten minutes if you¡¯d just asked to borrow it,¡± I chastise, smoothing my hair back as I spin around to face her and slip my hand through 3/18 23 the loop of the wristlet. ¡°You were in the shower,¡± Vee shrugs innocently. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d mind.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± I concede. Crossing the room to my friend, I slide an arm around her narrow shoulders, pulling her with me out the door. ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s go. I¡¯m sure the boys are getting antsy.¡± Vienna¡¯s heels click against the hardwood floor as we make our way down the hallway toward the main part of the packhouse. Even though I¡¯m not part of the Norbury pack, I¡¯ve be quitefortable here after moving in a few months ago. Ipletely fell apart after Cal took off, and although I love my family, having them breathing down my neck trying to ¡®fix¡¯ me was thest thing I needed. Vienna offered me a wee change of scenery and helped to slowly put me back together. I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ll ever be the same girl I was before he left, but I¡¯m seeing more and more of her resurface every day. There¡¯s something to that whole ¡®time heals all wounds¡¯ adage. 4/18 Mostly, I just try to avoid thinking about him. I suppose it was a kindness for him to leave the territory to go off on a mission with the squad, because without him here, I can shove all thoughts of Callum out of my mind and try to move forward. I¡¯m not sure how well I¡¯m doing, but at least I¡¯m trying. ¡°About time,¡± Chase huffs as Vienna and I stride from the hallway into the living room. ¡°Shut it,¡± Vee warns, pointing a finger in his direction and narrowing her eyes. A goofy grin spreads across Chase¡¯s face and he pushes up from the couch, crossing the room in a few long strides and scooping Vienna up, tossing her over his shoulder. ¡± Watch it, little devil,¡± he growls, delivering a sharp swat to her ass. Vee giggles and squirms, protesting for Chase to put her down. He finally acquiesces,ughing as he sets her on her feet and darting out of the way before she cannd a yful punch on his chest in retribution. Miles shuffles over, slinging his around my 5/18 shoulders and shing me a boyish grin. Hey, babe.¡± ¡°Hi,¡± I breathe, unconsciously tensing up at the contact. I slip out from underneath his arm, spinning to face him and forcing a smile. ¡°Where are the other guys?¡± ¡°They got impatient and took off already,¡± Chase provides. ¡°Said they¡¯d meet us there.¡± I nod, fiddling with my wristlet as I feel Miles ¡® lingering stare traverse my body. Then he leans in, his voice a breathy whisper that tickles the skin of my neck. ¡°You look great.¡± I meet his hazel eyes, offering him an appreciative smile. ¡°You always say that,¡± I tease. His grin widens. ¡°Because you always do,¡± he shrugs, his gaze roaming my body once more, like he can¡¯t help himself. We typically get all dressed up for bar nights, but Vee and I both opted to go for a more casual look tonight since the Stillwater Tap is throwing a party in the parking lot with a live band. Both of us are rocking 6/18 toff jean shorts, hers paired with a slinky ck tank top and gold hoop earrings, mine with a threadbare cropped band tee. Thest time I wore this top was when Callum and I took that trip to Breckenridge- the one that ended in disaster, then our first time together. I suppose it was all a disaster looking back at it now. I haven¡¯t been able to bring myself to wear this shirt since then, but I consciously made the decision to put it on tonight as a way of reiming those memories, stamping over them with new ones that don¡¯t hurt. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Vienna urges, tugging on Chase¡¯s hand as if a pipsqueak like her could move the colossus of a man. He chuckles at her efforts, yanking her in and tucking her under his arm. I pull myself out of my own head, stering on a bright smile and nodding in agreement, taking Miles¡¯ hand when he offers it. The four of us head out, piling into Chase¡¯s big pickup truck and heading out of town, turning on the forest road in the direction of Stillwater. We listen to music and chat 7/18 excitedly all the way there, eagerly anticipating the night ahead. This same band yed at the Stillwater Tap a few weeks ago- they¡¯re a group of twenty- somethings from Norbury who y covers by request and have a knack for getting the crowd riled up. I¡¯m d I opted for thefort of sneakers because I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be dancing the night away under the stars. It¡¯s already crowded when we arrive, the band ying a lively cover of a Journey song that has the audience singing along. Even though the sun has gone down, the air is still heavy, sticky with the oppressive summer heat. I hope I remembered to slip a hair tie into my wristlet, because I doubt I¡¯ll make it long before I have to get my hair off my neck, especially if I¡¯m going to dance. People clear the way for us as we walk into the fray, several of them offering Chase a respectful nod in recognition of his Alpha position even though this isn¡¯t his home territory. I¡¯ll never get used to going out with his group and being treated like I¡¯m part of a royal entourage or something. My 8/18 excitedly all the way there, eagerly anticipating the night ahead. This same band yed at the Stillwater Tap a few weeks ago- they¡¯re a group of twenty- somethings from Norbury who y covers by request and have a knack for getting the crowd riled up. I¡¯m d I opted for thefort of sneakers because I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be dancing the night away under the stars. It¡¯s already crowded when we arrive, the band ying a lively cover of a Journey song that has the audience singing along. Even though the sun has gone down, the air is still heavy, sticky with the oppressive summer heat. I hope I remembered to slip a hair tie into my wristlet, because I doubt I¡¯ll make it long before I have to get my hair off my neck, especially if I¡¯m going to dance. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. People clear the way for us as we walk into the fray, several of them offering Chase a respectful nod in recognition of his Alpha position even though this isn¡¯t his home territory. I¡¯ll never get used to going out with his group and being treated like I¡¯m part of a royal entourage or something. My 8/18 best friendmands that same kind of respect now as Luna of the Norbury pack, and I know she¡¯s still ufortable with the attention her new status draws. ¡°We were wondering when you guys would show up,¡± Alec teases as we approach him and his brother. Vienna narrows her eyes in warning and he throws his head back on augh, tossing an arm around her shoulders and shoving an unopened can of beer into her hand. ¡°Easy, little savage, I¡¯m just messin¡¯. Here, I got you a drink.¡± ¡°Hope you¡¯re not fond of that arm, because I¡¯m about three seconds away from tearing it off,¡± Chase growls, eyeing Alec with a devious glint in his eye and a smirk on his lips. I can¡¯t tell if he¡¯s joking around or if there¡¯s a hint of a real threat in his tone. I never can, with Chase- he¡¯s kind of a loose cannon, especially when ites to staking his im over his mate. Veeughs, wriggling out from under Alec¡¯s arm and whacking Chase¡¯s chest with the back of a hand in admonishment. She¡¯s got all of these guys wrapped around her finger, 9.18 attentive to her needs and eager to wait on her hand and foot like she¡¯s their queen. Since mating with Chase, she¡¯s fallen right in with their group like she¡¯s always been a part of it. I try not to think about how that could¡¯ve been my life, too. Before I can get too lost in my own head, Levi approaches us with an armful of beers and starts passing them out to the rest of us. I crack the tab on the can and take an eager sip, weing the refreshing coldness of the liquid as it slides down my throat. ¡°The beer girl totally wants me,¡± Levi deres confidently, ncing back over his shoulder at the waitress working the beer tub. She blushes under his attention and he tosses her a wink, grinning as he turns back to our group. ¡°See? Wonder how many free beers I can get tonight.¡± He waggles his eyebrows, taking a sip from his can. ¡°Bet you can¡¯t get her toe home with you,¡± Miles challenges, nudging Levi¡¯s elbow. 10/18 I roll my eyes, taking another drink of my own beer. These boys and their stupid bets. I¡¯vee to learn that it¡¯s like an addiction for Miles- he¡¯s always making wagers with the other guys over trivial crap. I want to point out that it¡¯s childish and unfair to the girl in question, but I bite my tongue, choosing to ignore it in favor of maintaining the lighthearted energy of the evening thus far. Levi snorts, tossing back another swig of his beer and wiping his mouth with a forearm. ¡± Easy. What¡¯s the prize?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pick up your bar tab the next time we go out,¡± Miles shrugs, never shy about tossing his money around. Levi grins. ¡°You¡¯re on.¡± He taps his can with Miles¡¯, then downs the rest of his beer, turning on a heel and making his way back over to the beer tub for another. Miles chuckles to himself and slides in beside me again, resting a hand on the small of my back. 11/18 I try not to flinch. It¡¯s not him, it¡¯s me- ever since Cal, every touch that isn¡¯t his just feels wrong. Yet another thing I¡¯ve been trying to work through. I just kinda fell into dating Miles. He was always hanging around the packhouse, always offering a sweetpliment or funny joke to lighten my mood in those first couple months after Callum left. I came to appreciate hispanionship, and after a while, he started actively pursuing me. He asked me out no fewer than ten times before I finally gave in, and even though I¡¯ve told him that I¡¯m not ready for a full-blown rtionship, he¡¯s been respectful of my boundaries thus far. Despite how my intimacy issues must frustrate him, he never pushes me into doing anything I¡¯m notfortable with. Things are easy with Miles. Uplicated. He makes meugh and smile and forget that I¡¯m still broken on the inside. 12/18 Vienna¡¯s hand slips into mine, tugging me away from the boys and toward the makeshift stage set up at the far end of the parking lot. ¡°We¡¯ve gotta dance to this one!¡± she implores as she pulls me along with her, weaving through the crowd to get closer to the band. They¡¯ve just started in on a cover of the Maroon 5 song ¡®Moves like Jagger¡¯ and the crowd is going nuts, pulsing along to the rapid beat. We find a spot to dance and start shaking our hips, cheering on the band and singing along to the lyrics. It¡¯s even hotter amongst the crowd, my hair sticking to my neck and face as I sway to the music. By the time the song ends, we¡¯re both covered in a thin sheen of sweat, panting and giggling and eager for the band to start in on the next one. I nce around to survey the crowd when I spot someone familiar approaching the parking lot party from the street- someone tall, lean, and tattooed, who my best friend just happened to date before she met Chase: Logan Evans. 13/18 I nudge Vee with an elbow. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that ¡­?¡± my voice trails off, my mouth running dry when Logan steps aside and I see who he¡¯s arrived with. I capture Vienna¡¯s hand in my own and grip onto it for dear life, my hearting to a grinding halt and all the air whooshing from my lungs. The blue-green eyes that have haunted my dreams for the past four months lock with mine, and it all rushes back. The adoring way he used to look at me. The deep timbre of his voice. The way he felt moving inside of me. The way he left. I can¡¯t breathe. Can¡¯t think. Can¡¯t look away. I swear I can physically feel the hollowness inside me where the mate bond between us used to reside before it was so cruelly ripped away. The band suddenly starts in on a cover of Blink 182¡¯s ¡®I Miss You¡¯ and the mncholic soundtrack to my own devastation nearly brings me to my knees. ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Vee demands, grasping my hand tightly and yanking me backwards. 14/18 My world tilts, my mind caught in a shocked daze as Vienna pulls me through the crowd, all the way to the door of the building that houses the Stillwater Tap. She pushes inside and I blindly follow, struggling for breath as she leads me through the nearly empty bar to the restrooms in the back. My ears are ringing as we enter the women¡¯s restroom, the door swinging closed behind us and sealing us inside. Vienna spins to face me, her eyes clouded with concern. ¡°Did you know?¡± I choke, blinking at her as I struggle to string words together. ¡°Did you know they were back?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she whispers guiltily. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t know he¡¯d show up here tonight, I swear to god, Ness. I would¡¯ve warned you. I was going to tell you they were back, but I wanted you to have onest night out before ¡°No,¡± I interrupt, shaking my head firmly.¡± ¡± 15-178 It¡¯s not your fault. I get why you didn¡¯t. I jus ¡°My voice breaks and I shake my head again, forcing back the tears stinging behind my eyes. I¡¯ve cried enough tears for Callum Conway to last a lifetime. I knew he¡¯d be back someday. I knew I¡¯d have to face him again. I just didn¡¯t know it would be today. I didn¡¯t know just seeing his face would break me apart all over again. I take a deep breath, steeling my resolve. I can do this. ¡°Do you want to leave?¡± Vee asks, her eyes rounded in earnestness. ¡°We can go back home, just say the word. I can have Chase pull the truck around¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± I say confidently. I ghost my fingertips over the cherry tattoo on my ribs, drag in another deep breath, then let it out.¡± Running away is his thing, not mine.¡± A smile creeps across Vienna¡¯s lips. ¡°That¡¯s my girl.¡± Iugh weakly, wrapping my arms around my friend and pulling her in for a hug. ¡°I can go out there and beat his ass for you,¡± Vee offers, her words muffled against my chest. Anotherugh escapes my lips and I pull back, shaking my head. ¡°No, Luna, you¡¯re not gonna do that.¡± I blow out a breath.¡± This is between me and him. I¡¯ll handle it.¡± I ball my fists at my sides, swallowing hard. ¡°I can do this,¡± I murmur, still talking myself into going back out there and facing the music. ¡°Damn right you can!¡± Vee deres, throwing her hands on her hips. ¡°That asshole never deserved you, and now he has the nerve to show up here like nothing happened?!¡± she scoffs. Her eyes re with a defiant spark, a smirk creasing her lips. ¡°Go show him what he¡¯s been missing out on, girl. Show him you¡¯ve moved on.¡± She reaches forward to take both of my hands, squeezing them tightly in hers. ¡°Make him hurt.¡± I blow out a shuddered breath, nodding resolutely. I¡¯m not sure what I would do without a friend like Vienna. She¡¯s the one who convinced me to cave and go on that first date with Miles, imploring me to take control of moving on with my life. I was stuck for so long, but now I¡¯ve finally got some forward trajectory, and I refuse to let Callum¡¯s sudden reappearance tear down everything I¡¯ve built back up in the wake of his abandonment. ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± she urges, pushing the door open with a hip and tugging me by the hand. Fire zes in her eyes when they meet mine, lending me confidence. ¡°You¡¯ve got this.¡± Chapter 24 Chapter 24 24 MILES It¡¯s so fucking hot. Sweat drips down my back as I stand around shooting the shit with the guys, lifting my beer can to press the cold aluminum to the back of my neck. This summer has been oppressively hot, and while the vibe of this parking lot party is great and all, I¡¯d kill for some AC right about now. My gaze drifts to Levi, who has been chatting up beer tub girl for the past fifteen minutes. He¡¯s trying to win our little wager, but what he doesn¡¯t know is that I hit on that same waitress on Serena¡¯s birthday a while back and was shot down because she said she was already taken. Hey, it¡¯s not my fault he took me up on the bet before getting all the facts. I take a swig of my beer as I watch Levi turn around and skulk back in our direction, dragging his feet. That¡¯s not the look of a guy who¡¯s about to seal the deal, and from the sheepish expression on his face, I already know I¡¯ve won. ¡°Struck out?¡± I ask as he approaches, hiding my knowing smirk behind my beer can. He blows out a huffing breath. ¡°She ims she¡¯s got a boyfriend.¡± I p him on the shoulder, chuckling at his expense. ¡°Guess drinks are on you tonight, then.¡± ¡°But I thought you had it in the bag?¡± Dare teases, giving Levi a yful shove. Levi rolls his eyes, shoving him back. ¡°Just because there¡¯s a goalie doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t score. The night¡¯s not over yet.¡± Dare snorts. ¡°Good luck, buddy. If her boyfriend shows up, you¡¯d better be ready to ¡­¡± he trails off as I take another sip from my can, his gaze drifting over Levi¡¯s shoulder. A wide grin spreads across his face and he throws up a hand. ¡°Cal!¡± I choke on my beer, whipping my head around to see Cal striding in our direction, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jeans and his trademark scowl firmly in ce. Then, almost instinctively, I swing my gaze around in search of Nessa. She¡¯s nowhere to be found. Shit. I knew this day woulde. Cal¡¯s back, and while I¡¯m thrilled to see my friend after so long, I¡¯m immediately on edge, unsure of what it¡¯ll mean for me and Nessa. Unsure of how he¡¯ll react to the fact that I¡¯m now dating his ex. We may be buddies, but even I know that scooping up the only girl he ever cared about is a major vition of bro code. I just couldn¡¯t help myself. I saw her first. That night that she and Vienna came to their first party at the packhouse, I noticed her right away. She¡¯s impossible not to notice- on a scale of one to ten, the girl¡¯s a fucking eleven. I would¡¯ve gone right over to introduce myself, but by the time I was able to shake the chick who¡¯d glommed onto me since the beginning of the party, Nessa and Vee were already posted up on the sectional with the rest of my boys. And for the first time in recent memory, Cal actually took an interest in a girl. My girl. I wanted her, but I saw the writing on the wall from that first night. She was clearly into Cal. Fate knows he wasn¡¯t dealt a fair hand in life, so I basically stepped aside, even sweetening the deal by making that bet with him so he could finally get that junky old car of his running. He¡¯s so damn stubborn that he refused help from me and Chase every time we¡¯d offered to buy him the parts he needed, so I saw an opportunity to help him out on the sly and I seized it. It worked out for him, too, until it didn¡¯t. I¡¯ll admit that the whole fated mates thing was a curveball I didn¡¯t seeing. He left Nessa alone and heartbroken, and even though I knew it was wrong to move in on his girl, I couldn¡¯t stay away. She¡¯s perfect. It¡¯s not my fault he didn¡¯t see that. The guy is basically programmed to self- destruct, and he did that spectacrly by up and leaving. Now he¡¯s back, and I can see it all slipping through my fingers before I could even fully grasp it. I¡¯ve been working so hard to crack Nessa¡¯s shell, imagining a future with a girl like her on my arm. The future he willingly walked away from, damnit. Chase is the first to greet him, stepping in front of the rest of us, wrapping his knuckles around Cal¡¯s, and pulling him in to p his back in a bro-hug. Before he can even move away, Alec and Dare crowd in, giving Cal the same treatment with warm greetings. I reach forward to give him an awkward fist- bump, and when our eyes meet, I can¡¯t help but smile. Asplicated as things are about to get with Nessa, I¡¯m d to see his ugly mug. I¡¯ve missed him more than I realized. ¡°d to have you back, man,¡± Chase says as Cal knocks his knuckles against mine. ¡°It hasn¡¯t been the same without you.¡± ¡°Tell me about it,¡± Levi groans. He shoulders past me toe up beside Cal, tossing an arm around his neck and ing from ear to ear. ¡°Heard you guys were able to take all those bastards out!¡± Cal elbows Levi away,nding a yful punch on his bicep. The guy has never been very touchy-feely, so I imagine this is a lot for him. ¡°Someone had to step up and do it,¡± he drawls, smirking. ¡°And you even had the balls to show up with the enemy tonight,¡± Alec muses, flicking a nce past Cal toward where Logan¡¯s posted up with a few other guys. Cal rolls his eyes. ¡°Logan¡¯s cool. He was our team leader for the mission.¡± Alec side-eyes Chase as if to gauge his reaction, but Chase just shakes his head and shrugs it off. ¡°I¡¯ve got no beef with Logan. He treated Vee well when they were together, and if he hadn¡¯t let her go, she wouldn¡¯t have found her way to me.¡± My brows shoot up. Chase¡¯s newfound maturity still shocks me sometimes. Angry used to be his default setting. ¡°So how was it?¡± Dare asks, looking to Cal uestioningly. He shrugs. ¡°Fine. It was nice to get away. Weird to be back.¡± He shuffles his feet ufortably, shoving his hands back into his pockets and staring down at the asphalt. ¡°I¡¯m gonna grab a beer.¡± Cal saunters off without another word, and as if on cue, that¡¯s when Vienna and Nessa reappear. Vee winds her arms around Chase¡¯s torso, attaching herself to his side, and I drift toward Nessa. ¡°Hey,¡± I say quietly, leaning in close to her. ¡± Don¡¯t know if you heard, but Cal¡¯s back.¡± Her eyes snap to meet mine and she gives me a curt nod, her lips pressed in a tight line. ¡°I know.¡± My jaw goes ck. She knows? Have they already talked? That question¡¯s answered when Cal makes his way back over, cracking his beer as he approaches with his eyes downcast. He lifts freezes in his tracks when h notices Nessa and Vee have joined our group. He visibly tenses, his muscles lockin up and his stare immediately fixing on the girl he left behind. She¡¯s staring right back, and the tension between them is so thick that you could cu it with a knife. The side conversations between the other guys quiet. It¡¯s like we¡¯re all collectively holding our breath, anxious to see how this is about to y out. ¡°Hi,¡± Cal murmurs, his intense stare unblinking. ¡°Hi,¡± she whispers back. Jealousy knots in my gut and I scooch closer to Nessa, sliding an arm around her waist. I feel her flinch at the contact. Cal¡¯s eyes ping down to my arm, then back up to meet Nessa¡¯s again. He clears his throat, the muscle in his jaw ticking like he¡¯s trying to control his reaction. ¡°How¡¯ve your been?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She shudders out a harsh breath, folding her arms across her chest and leaning back into my arm. ¡°Better than fine, actually,¡± she snaps. ¡°I¡¯m great.¡± Her long hair whips the side of my face as she spins toward me, a fake as fuck smile stretching her lips. ¡°Wanna dance?¡± ¡°Uh, yeah,¡± I reply, and the words have barely left my mouth before I feel her fingertips digging into my arm, tugging me away from our group in the direction of the makeshift stage the band is ying on. I don¡¯t recognize the song they¡¯re ying- some emo bullshit from a decade ago, if I had to venture a guess- but Nessa seems into it. I follow as she threads her way through the crowd, stopping a few yards away from the stage and throwing up her arms, singing along to the chorus and swaying her hips. I press in closer behind her, resting my hands on her hips and finding the beat to sway along with her. I¡¯m not an idiot. I know she¡¯s putting on a show for Cal right now. I can¡¯t find it in me her ass is rubbing against my crotch, though. This is the most action I¡¯ve gotten from Nessa since we started seeing each other, so I don¡¯t really give a shit what her motivations are. Not sure if that makes me an asshole, but a month of blue balls takes its toll on a guy. I¡¯ve had the patience of a saint when ites to this girl. The first time I tried to kiss her, she turned her cheek, and it was so fucking humiliating that I haven¡¯t tried again since. She seems to be giving me all the signals right now, though, so maybe her freeze-out is about to end. A guy can dream. I was nervous about Caling back, but shit, maybe I should be thanking him. It¡¯s hot as fuck in this crowd. There¡¯s not even the hint of a breeze, and the body heat radiating off of everyone else around us has me feeling like I¡¯m in fucking hell. We dance for a few more songs, and right when I¡¯m about to beg Nessa for a break, she spins around to face me, tiny beads of sweat clinging to her bronze skin. ¡°Wanna grab some beers?¡± she asks, lifting back of her neck with one hand and fanning herself with the other. My eyes track a bead of sweat rolling down the column of her neck. Fuck, I want to lick that neck. I want to wrap my hand around it while pinning her up against the wall, pounding into her until she screams my name over and over and¡­ ¡°Miles?¡± Nessa¡¯s voice yanks me from my dirty fantasy and I jerk my gaze up to meet hers. ¡± Huh?¡± Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Beers?¡± ¡°Oh, yeah.¡± I slyly reach down to adjust myself in my jeans, turning to search for an opening to escape the crowd. Nessa shoulders past me, leading the way, and I keep my eyes trained on her perfect ass in those little cutoff jean shorts as I follow her. Even after we break away from the masses gathered around the stage, there¡¯s no real reprieve from the heat. There¡¯s now a line of people in front of the beer tub, so we post up at the back of it to wait our turn to buy drinks as I continue to sweat my ass off. ¡°I really wanna get in some fuckin¡¯ AC,¡± I grumble, wiping sweat from my brow. ¡°I¡¯ve got beers at my ce¡­¡± Yeah, totally shooting my shot here. Nessa slides me a side-eyed nce, hesitation lingering in her gaze. Then she shocks the shit out of me when she shrugs and says, ¡°Okay.¡± Chapter 25 Chapter 25 25 VANESSA I have a feeling Miles was expecting more than a movie night when I took him up on his offer toe back to his apartment. He¡¯s been visibly agitated since the moment I suggested it, his knee bouncing and his posture tense from his seat beside me on the couch. It¡¯s Italian leather, by the way- everything in his ce is super nice, and he goes out of his way to brag about the finery of his furnishings whenever he has the chance, like he wants me to know how much money he has. I think it¡¯s his way of showing that he could provide for me, but I tend to find his boasting in poor taste. And if he thinks I¡¯m after money, he doesn¡¯t know me at all. I nearly breathe a sigh of relief when the credits roll, anxious for an excuse to head back home. I¡¯ve set clear boundaries with Miles, but he¡¯s been pushing them tonight, no doubt fueled by the beers that he¡¯s been downing like it¡¯s his job. There¡¯s a cluster of empty bottles on the marble coffee table in front of us, only one of which was mine. They knock together noisily when he bumps the table with his leg as he scooches closer to I¡¯ve moved away each time, but now I¡¯m officially out of room, pinned between him and the arm of the couch with nowhere to go. ¡°Nessa¡­¡± he croons in my ear, his handnding on my thigh. I shiver, and it¡¯s not the good kind. It¡¯s the ¡® get me out of here¡¯ kind. A shiver of panic. His fingers apply pressure to my thigh as he leans in closer, his eyes slipping closed, his mouth angled toward mine. Iunch myself forward, shooting to my feet and stumbling away from the couch, putting the coffee table between us. ¡°I should get going.¡± Miles¡¯ bewildered eyes fly open, his face reddening in embarrassment. He shoves up from the sofa, a little wobbly on his feet and his expression shifting to frustration. ¡° You¡¯re not gonna stay the night?¡± I wrap my arms around myself, giving a little shake of my head. He should already know the answer to that question- I¡¯ve never spent the night here. He knows I¡¯m not ready for a physical rtionship, and he has always seemed understanding of that. Until right now. ¡°But I thought¡­¡± Miles stammers, his voice trailing off as he scrubs a hand over his face. When he drops his hand, his eyes are narrowed on me, zing with a look I¡¯ve never seen from him before. ¡°You were all over me when we were dancing, and then you said you wanted toe back here¡­¡± I arch a brow in challenge, irritated by his insinuation. ¡°And?¡± He huffs in frustration, shaking his head. ¡± And I thought that meant you were ready to ¡­ that you wanted to stay.¡± I care for Miles, but right now, he¡¯s reminding me of everything I hated about guys when my ¡®no dating¡¯ rule was firmly in ce. The toxic sense of entitlement, like I somehow owe him something for being flirty. Like I¡¯m a tease that led him on. I won¡¯t let him make me feel guilty for dancing, as if that somehow obligated me to give him more. ¡°I never said I was going to stay the night,¡± I rify, remaining calm even though I¡¯m fuming internally. ¡°You won¡¯t even kiss me!¡± Miles blurts, throwing up his hands. I flinch back at his outburst and he draws a deep breath, pinching his nose between his thumb and forefinger and squeezing his eyes closed as if to collect himself. ¡°We¡¯re dating, Nessa,¡± he sighs, his eyes fluttering open and his gaze fixing on mine again. ¡°I¡¯ve been patient. I haven¡¯t tried to push you into doing anything you¡¯re notfortable with. I¡¯m trying to be respectful here, but how the hell am I supposed to get close to you if you won¡¯t let me?¡± His words sink in, chafing painfully at something inside me- a fresh scar that hasn¡¯t quite healed over yet. He¡¯s right, I have been keeping him at arm¡¯s length. I¡¯m scared for anyone to get too close, and that fear of letting anybody in makes me feel defective somehow. Because I¡¯m not the girl I used to be, who was open and loving and dreamed of fairytales and happy endings. I¡¯m broken. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Miles,¡± I whisper, staring down at the cushy area rug underfoot and hugging my arms tighter around my middle. ¡°I know it¡¯s not fair to you. I understand if you don¡¯t want to keep seeing each other.¡± I look back up at him and his gaze softens. He rounds the coffee table, my body tensing as he approaches me. ¡°Hey,¡± he coos, reaching out to set both hands on my shoulders and staring down into my eyes. That¡¯s not what I want.¡± He pulls me into an embrace, pressing his cheek against my hair. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have pushed. I¡¯m sure tonight couldn¡¯t have been easy for you, and I didn¡¯t mean to pile on.¡± I will myself to rx into his embrace, breathing in his clean, crisp scent. His fingers stroke through my hair and he pulls back after a long moment, gazing down into my eyes again. ¡°Can I give you a ride home?¡± I give a little shake of my head, offering him a weak smile. ¡°I¡¯m gonna walk. It¡¯s a nice night.¡± Miles nods, pressing a light kiss to my forehead before stepping back. ¡°Are we good?¡± I nod. He smiles, though it doesn¡¯t quite meet his eyes. I get why he¡¯s upset, I really do- but I gave him an out. Gave him a chance to walk away. And he didn¡¯t. I suppose that¡¯s more than I can say for Callum. I make my way out of the apartment building, ncing wistfully at Cal¡¯s apartment door as I pass by like I always do. The knowledge that he could actually be behind it this time has an ache blooming in my chest, echoing through the chasm of space that used to be filled by the mate bond. Now it¡¯s empty, hollow, an aching reminder of what I lost. Of the part of me that¡¯ll always be missing. Callum didn¡¯t just break me when he left, he broke our bond. He took away the one thing I wanted most; the connection I always dreamed of. My emotions are already on overdrive when I push through the door to exit the building, and I¡¯mpletely unprepared toe face to face with the pain of the past for a second time tonight. Turquoise eyes meet mine as Callum strides from the parking lot, and aside from the obvious look of surprise in them upon seeing me, his expression is an unreadable mask. I jerk my head down to look down at the pavement, my footsteps quick as I swerve to give him a wide berth as I pass. I make it a few paces away before freezing in my tracks, swiveling back around and ring at the back of his head. ¡°Why¡¯d you leave?¡± My voice trembles with my demand, my hands balling into fists at my sides. He stops, turning to look at me over his shoulder. His eyes meet mine again, holding my stare. For a moment, he doesn¡¯t say a word. We both stand frozen in silence, paralyzed by our past. The kisses, the touches, the little inside jokes. The way we came to know each other like nobody else ever had. All the little moments we shared that made up the story of us, the one that ended in tragedy. He turns the rest of the way around, the shadows partially obscuring his features while the light from the parking lot illuminates the sharp line of his jaw. His tongue snakes out to wet his lips as he parts them to speak, his voice hoarse, yet steady. I had to go on the mission.¡± Anger bubbles up inside me, thick and hot, rising to the surface at an rming rate. ¡± Bullshit,¡± I spit, stomping toward him. ¡°You could¡¯ve told me about the mission, but you didn¡¯t. You just left! And what the hell was that note?! I¡¯m setting you free? When did I ever ask for you to set me free, Callum?¡± I close the distance between us, thrusting my palms out and shoving at his chest. ¡°Huh?!¡± He stumbles back in surprise, scowling. ¡± Obviously it was for the best. You seem to be doing just fine without me.¡± He flicks an usatory nce back toward the apartment building I just vacated, then returns his piercing gaze to mine. ¡°Oh yeah, I¡¯m doing fine, alright,¡± I scoff. ¡°I was just fine waking up in that cabin to find that you abandoned me. I was just fine when I tried to call you and your phone was shut off, and I had to find out through the grapevine that you left. I was just fine when the next full moon rolled around and¡­¡± My voice breaks, a sob tearing from my throat. I turn away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing my tears. The memory of what it felt like to lose the mate bond is still so raw. I had no idea what I was in for- nobody I know has found their fated mate and failed to seal the bond with a marking before the next full moon, so I had no frame of reference for what would happen. Though even if I did, nothing could have adequately prepared me for the experience of what it was actually like. When the moon rose to its highest point in the sky that night, it started. The pain. It felt like my body was being ripped open, the bond being physically torn from of my skin. I couldn¡¯t do anything but scream and cry and writhe in agony, willing it to stop. It felt like I was being torn inside out, like the pain would never end. Then it did, and I¡¯ve never felt so empty. Like it stole away part of my soul with it. I force my tears back, draw a shuddering breath, and turn to face Callum again. When I do, I see it in his eyes- the pain that mirrors my own. He felt it, too. He endured the same torture of having the bond ripped away, but it¡¯s hard to pity him for it when he¡¯s the reason we lost the bond. He¡¯s the one who walked away. His chest expands with a deep inhale, his eyes still fixated on my own. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to hurt you,¡± he rasps, scrubbing a hand over his face. ¡°That¡¯s why I left. I figured that with me gone, you could move on from whatever damage I¡¯d already inflicted.¡± He gestures toward the building. ¡°And it looks like you¡¯re doing that, so¡­¡± ¡°You leaving is what hurt me!¡± I seethe, anger sinking its ws deeper into me at his pathetic justification for his actions. ¡°And I¡¯m not damaged, Callum, I¡¯m broken! You broke me!¡± My voice cracks, my chest heaving as I shake my head, fresh tears springing to my eyes. My gaze flutters down to the pavement, my voice dropping to barely a whisper. ¡°You broke me in ways that I didn¡¯t even know were possible.¡± Callum¡¯s throat clicks with a hard swallow, his shoes scuffing against the ground as he steps closer. ¡°Ness¡­¡± I snap my head back up, the tears swimming in my eyes obstructing my vision. ¡°Just tell me why. What¡¯s the real reason you left?¡± His mouth drops open, but no soundes out. Then he shakes his head, raking a hand through his hair and looking away. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± A tear slips down my face, carving a wet path over my cheek. His eyes follow it and his wolf peeks through in swirls of silver as he starts to move toward me again, reaching out for me. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± I throw up a hand, halting his advance. ¡°If you can¡¯t give me an actual exnation, then just don¡¯t, Callum. I can¡¯t ¡­¡± I shake my head, turning away. Every one of my steps of retreat are matched by one of his own as he follows. ¡°Nessa, please,¡± Cal pleads, his voice strained. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± His fingertips brush my arm, and I can¡¯t. I just can¡¯t. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. I take off in a sprint across the parking lot to get away from him, yanking my shirt off overhead and tossing it away, tearing through my favorite pair of jean shorts as I shift to my wolf form. My paws hit the ground and I run. I run and run and I don¡¯t look back. Chapter 26 Chapter 26 26 CALLUM I stuff my keys into the pocket of my jeans as I climb out of my Corvette in front of the Norbury packhouse, staring up at the familiar building for the first time in months. Thest time I was here, the trees out front were skeletal branches and there was a dusting of snow on the roof. Now, summer is at its peak. The trees are lush with foliage, thewn a vibrant green. Even in my absence, time has continued to march forward, relentless in its pursuit of the next season. I take a steadying breath, digging the heels of my hands into my eyes. I haven¡¯t slept. Afterst night, I couldn¡¯t. I smoked enough weed to put a lesser man into aa, but my racing mind wouldn¡¯t give me enough of a reprieve for sleep to take over. Every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was her. That pained look on her face when she said I broke her will haunt me for the rest of my days. When I met Nessa, she didn¡¯t have any damage. That was what was so damn rare and beautiful about her. She didn¡¯t see the world for the dark, ugly ce it is, but instead saw the good in everything, even me. The Nessa that confronted mest night wasn¡¯t the same girl I left behind, though. All the agony written on her face, the defeat in her eyes, was fresh damage. Put there by me. I took a beautiful, pure thing, and I broke it. I thought I was setting her free by leaving, but instead, I was destroying her. And I don¡¯t know how to fix it. Chase¡¯s white truck screams into the driveway right as I take my first jerky step toward the packhouse, stopping me in my tracks. Just the man I came to see. I swivel and start toward the driveway instead as he cuts the engine and climbs out, greeting me with a lift of his chin as he ms the truck door closed behind him. ¡°You¡¯re up early,¡± Chasements as he rounds the back of the truck, a cardboard drink carrier in hand. Nestled inside are three paper cups from the fancy-ass coffee shop in the town square, the Brewed Awakenings logo emzoned on the cardboard carrier. ¡°Didn¡¯t sleep,¡± I mutter as I close the distance, stopping short in front of my friend. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± ¡°Uh, you¡¯re gonna have to give me a little more context,¡± Chase grumbles, sliding the drink carrier onto the tailgate of his truck, folding his arms, and leaning back to rest. against the bumper. ¡°Nessa,¡± I deadpan. ¡°You said she was fine after I left. Happy, even.¡± Chase winces, heaving a sigh and shaking his head. ¡°Fuck, I know,¡± he mutters, fisting his hair and staring down at the driveway. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°So why didn¡¯t you tell me she wasn¡¯t?¡± I demand, stepping closer and barely keeping my rage in check. None of this is Chase¡¯s fault, but I need somewhere to cast the me right now. If I point it where it truly belongs, I¡¯ll self-destruct. He lifts his head, guilty eyes meeting mine. ¡± I wanted to, bro. I did.¡± He blows out a breath, his arms dropping to his sides. ¡°But honestly, what difference would it have made?¡± I just stare back at him, blinking. I don¡¯t have an answer. ¡°You made your choice when you left,¡± Chase continues. ¡°You went away on that mission, and I wasn¡¯t going to distract you with what was going on here and let you go and get yourself killed.¡± ¡°You still should¡¯ve told me,¡± I growl. He folds his arms over his chest again, arching a brow. ¡°Would you havee back?¡± I shove my hands in my pockets, kicking at the pavement as I mutter, ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe.¡± Honestly, I didn¡¯t even ask about Nessa the first few times I called Chase to check in while I was away. I didn¡¯t want to know; couldn¡¯t face what I¡¯d done. At least he gave me a heads-up about Miles before I came back. Fuckin¡¯ Miles. Chase blows out a breath, pushing off from the truck and stepping closer. He reaches forward to p a hand down on my shoulder, my eyes snapping up to meet his. The gesture and his demeanor remind me so much of his father that I nearly do a double take. ¡°Listen, man. You¡¯re like a brother to me. Nothing will change that. But I wouldn¡¯t be a good friend if I didn¡¯t call you on your bullshit. You care about Nessa, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Of course I do,¡± I snap, shrugging his hand off my shoulder as something in my chest. pinches painfully. His nostrils re, his voice rising. ¡°Then why the fuck did you leave? You could¡¯ve marked her to seal the bond and still gone away on the mission. She would¡¯ve understood. Leaving like that was just wrong. You want to know how she really was after you left? It fucking destroyed her. I sat and watched her cry her eyes out over you for months, and for what?¡± His words cut through me like a dagger to the chest, ripping open something inside and making me bleed. I shake my head, gritting my teeth against the internal pain. ¡± You wouldn¡¯t understand.¡± A silence hangs between us for a long moment as I stare at my friend, dropping my defenses. I let him see everything I¡¯m feeling- the regret, the anger, the hurt, the guilt. It¡¯s in my eyes, written all over my face. He stares back, a sharp edge to his sympathy, like he understands but won¡¯t offer his pity. Good. I don¡¯t need it, nor do I deserve it. I was the one who made this mess, and the worst part is, I truly thought I was doing the right thing. I let Troy get to me that night. I let him twist me into thinking I was no good for Nessa; that I could lose control someday and hurt her in a way I could nevere back from. While I may have hurt her by leaving, at least she¡¯s still alive. That thought cements my belief that it was the right call, even though I¡¯m questioning everything now that I¡¯m back. Now that I¡¯ve seen her face, seen her pain, felt the way it mirrors my own. If it was the right thing to do, why does it still feel so wrong? I drag in a deep breath, my eyes shifting to the drink carrier perched on the bumper of the truck. ¡°Since when do you drink that hoity-toity shit from Brewed Awakening?¡± I scoff, eyeing the paper cups with disdain. The corner of Chase¡¯s mouth tips up into a smirk. ¡°Vee ims their caramelttes are the ultimate hangover cure,¡± he chuckles, stooping to pick up the carrier. ¡°And judging by how she tied one onst night, I thought it¡¯d be a safe bet to have one waiting for her when she wakes up.¡± ¡°You romantic son of a bitch,¡± I tease, the ghost of a grin pulling at my lips. He shrugs a shoulder. ¡°Gotta keep my woman happy. Though I probably could¡¯ve waited to pick these up, I doubt the girls will be up for a while.¡± My brows shoot up. As far as I knew, Vee was the only female living in the packhouse. ¡± Girls?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Chase narrows his eyes on me, swiping a hand over his chin. ¡°You didn¡¯t know Nessa moved in?¡± ¡°No.¡± I flick my gaze to the packhouse, chewing on the knowledge that she¡¯s right inside. So much was left unsaidst night, and if I ever want to sleep again, I need to get it out. I have to try to fix what I broke. I stare at the front door, taking a determined step toward it. ¡°I need to talk to her.¡± Chase frowns as he edges in front of me, blocking my path with a little shake of his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, man, is now the right time? You haven¡¯t slept. You look like shit. Maybe you should think things over before ambushing her at seven in the morning.¡± My hackles raise. Since when is he so protective of Nessa? I guess it makes sense since she¡¯s his mate¡¯s best friend and all, but my wolf doesn¡¯t like it one bit. I stare him down, my gaze conveying a silent threat. Chase may be my closest friend and my alpha, but I¡¯m running on no sleep and too many conflicting emotions, dangerously close to snapping. He rolls his eyes, shuffling out of my way. Alright, fine,¡± he mutters, starting for the packhouse and waving for me to follow.¡± But if Vee wakes up and sees you, it¡¯s your funeral.¡± I wince at his implication, knowing I¡¯ve got work to do to make things right with our luna, but first, I¡¯ve gotta talk to Nessa. I have no idea how, but I have to try to make her understand why I did what I did, that thest thing I wanted to do was break her heart. I can¡¯t leave things the way they were left between usst night. Nessa¡¯s soft giggle carries through the doorway as I step over the threshold of the packhouse, my head immediately snapping toward the kitchen where I spot her perched on the edge of the counter, bare legs swinging. I balk when I see Miles standing beside her, my mind working overtime to process the scene in front of me. She¡¯s in a little pair of cotton sleep shorts and a tank top, her hair mussed and her eyes sleepy. Fuck, I miss her just rolled out of bed look. Miles, on the other hand, is fully dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, his hair styled and his sneakers on his feet. He looks too put together to have just woken up, so I can only conclude that he didn¡¯t spend the night here with her. Thank fuck. The thought of him touching her makes me murderous. Nessa¡¯s eyes meet mine, rounding in surprise as she pops a cherry in her mouth from a bowl nestled on herp. Of course she¡¯d eat cherries for breakfast. No wonder the girl smells like them all the time. Her back straightens as I take a few steps toward her, avoiding Miles¡¯ heavy starepletely, even as he shifts closer to my girl. ¡°Ness, can we talk?¡± She finishes chewing. Swallows. Then she just stares at me, her indecision evident in her gaze. Miles¡¯ eyes ping between the two of us and the guy looks a little fucking panicked. Especially when Nessa shifts the bowl off herp to set it on the counter beside her and hops down, brushing her hands off on her shorts. ¡°Okay,¡± she replies cautiously, giving me a little nod. ¡°Let¡¯s talk.¡± Miles stiffens, reaching out to grab Nessa by the wrist before she can advance. I fight the urge to rip his fucking hand off at the sight of him touching her. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this,¡± he murmurs lowly, probably intending for only her to hear, but I don¡¯t miss it, nor do I miss the tension in his posture or the apprehension written all over his face. Is he worried about her? No. He¡¯s worried about me. I see it in his shifty gaze, the way his fingertips tighten around her wrist. He sees her as his possession, and Miles has never been very good at sharing. Nessa flicks his hand away, shaking her head resolutely. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she supplies, sweeping her hair over a shoulder and taking a confident step in my direction. Miles¡¯ jaw ticks, his eyes pinging to me. Narrowing. ¡°Just leave her alone, man.¡± ¡°Like you did?¡± I scoff, squaring my shoulders and leveling him with a re. He res right back at me in challenge, and judging by the tight scowl on his face, I already know that the next words out of his mouth aren¡¯t going to be good. ¡°You already won the bet.¡± Fuck. Nessa¡¯s head snaps around. She gapes at Miles, then turns her bewildered gaze back on me. ¡°What bet?¡± I can¡¯t even look at her- I¡¯m still locked in a staring contest with Miles, channeling all my energy into keeping my rage in check. The guy may be one of my closest friends, but I¡¯ve never wanted to murder someone more than I do him right now. My fists clench at my sides, my fingernails digging crescents into my palms and my vision tinting red. Nessa clocks my reaction, anger ring in her brown eyes. ¡°What bet, Callum?¡± I half expect Miles to supply the answer since he already threw me under the bus, but it seems he has nothing to say now, content to just light the match, sit back, and watch. my world burn. As if I needed any help in setting the fire. So much for bro code. ¡°What bet?!¡± Nessa demands again, her voice strained, head swiveling between the two of us. I flinch at the sharp note of pain in her tone, like she already knows this is going to hurt. Fuck, she deserves to know, but I didn¡¯t want her to find out like this. Not like this. Clearly Miles isn¡¯t going to fess up, so I guess this one¡¯s on me. He may be able to just stand there silently and watch her squirm, but I can¡¯t. I turn my gaze to Nessa. When our eyes lock, my stomach bottoms out and my chest burns. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I hang my head in shame, then do the only thing I can. I rip off the band-aid. ¡°Who could sleep with you first,¡± I grit out. I look back up to see the shock of my admission y out on her face. Her eyes turn ssy, her jaw going ck. For the first time ever, she looks at me like she finally sees me for what I truly am. A monster. Then her pain morphs to anger as she takes a step in my direction. ¡°What¡¯d you win?¡± Nessa questions, her voice shaky. I scrub a hand over my face. ¡°The transmission for the Corvette,¡± I mumble. Her mouth pops open. I see the look of recognition dawn on her as the pieces click into ce- how I picked her up in the Corvette two fucking days after we slept together for the first time. As she puts it together, her eyes burn with fury, then the mes are doused by utter devastation. I thought losing the mate bond was the worst pain I¡¯d ever experience. I was wrong. Seeing her looking at me like she is right now is worse than anything I¡¯ve endured. Than anything I could¡¯ve imagined. The sharp twist of agony in my chest nearly brings me to my knees. She whips around, her bare feet pping the hardwood floor as she stomps away from me, heading toward the hallway that houses the guest rooms. ¡°Ness, wait! Let me exin!¡± I lurch forward to follow her, but then I see it out of the corner of my eye- the fucking smug ass smile on Miles¡¯ stupid face. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. I see red. I swivel toward him, turning my rage in his direction. His eyes go wide and his smile drops the moment it registers, but it¡¯s toote; I¡¯m alreadyunching myself toward him, practically on auto- pilot. Bone crunches under my fist as Ind a solid hit on his cheekbone, then another on his jaw. He throws up his hands and tries to fight me off, but he¡¯s no match for me. No match for my monster. Miles starts to crumple to the floor, my fists still flying, blood spraying from his nose. Every hit Ind feeds the beast within and spurs him on. I take Miles down to the ground, still pummeling his face and chest as he ils beneath me. Pouring all my fury into every hit. Distantly, I hear Nessa screaming. I hear footsteps pounding down the stairs. ¡°Stop! You have to stop! Help! He¡¯s gonna kill him!¡± The sheer panic in Nessa¡¯s voice is what finally cuts through the darkness. Ie back into myself and go still right as I feel Chase¡¯s thick arm curling around my waist, hauling me off Miles. As soon as I¡¯m on my feet Chase shoves me away, anger burning in his gold-flecked eyes. ¡°What the fuck, Cal?!¡± he spits as I stumble back, colliding with the corner of the kitchen counter. I hiss as pain shoots up from my lower back, but it isn¡¯t an unwee feeling. Pain is what I need right now. Pain is what I deserve. Chase stoops down to yank Miles upright by his shirt, pulling him into a sitting position against a lower cab. ¡°Miles, you alright man?¡± Chase barks, snapping his fingers in front of Miles¡¯ bloodied face. Miles makes a gurgling sound, groaning as his head falls back against the cab door with a thunk. He blinks his eyes a few times, dazed, but still breathing. He should count himself lucky. If Chase and Nessa hadn¡¯t intervened, I¡¯m not sure I would¡¯ve stopped. Not sure I could¡¯ve. My hands are still balled into tight fists at my sides, blood running off them and dripping onto the floor below. My chest heaves with ragged breaths. I lift my head, my eyes finding Nessa¡¯s instantly. She¡¯s shaking, her shocked gaze sliding between me and Miles. ¡°I tried to call it off,¡± I rasp. ¡°I didn¡¯t even want to make that stupid bet, and I tried to call it off. I¡¯m so fucking sorry, Nessa, I¡­¡± Before I can get another word out, she turns on a heel, her long hair flying out behind her as she spins around and stomps away. Chapter 27 Chapter 27 27 MILES ¡°Knock, knock,¡± I call, gently rapping my fist against the wood of Nessa¡¯s bedroom door as I push it open. She¡¯s curled up on her bed in the fetal position, her knees tucked tightly into her chest and a pillow clutched in her arms, hiding her face. She picks up her head when she hears mee in, frowning when our eyes meet and burying her face back in the pillow. ¡°Go away, Miles,¡± she grumbles, her words muffled. I blow out a breath, taking a tentative step into the room despite her protest. She¡¯s been holed up in here for hours following that ugly scene in the kitchen this morning. Chase kicked Cal out right away, but I stuck around, figuring Nessa woulde out eventually and need a shoulder to cry on. I iced my face and exined to Chase what went down between Cal and me, but then Vee woke up and called him back upstairs. So I sat in the living room by myself for what felt like forever, bored as shit, waiting and waiting until I couldn¡¯t take it anymore and decided toe seek Nessa out. While she¡¯s been over to my apartment a handful of times, I¡¯ve never set foot in her space here until now. The other guest rooms in the packhouse are stark and impersonal, but Nessa has put her stamp on this one in the months since she¡¯s moved in. Everything about it is distinctively girly, from the blush pinkforter on the bed to the ck and white art on the walls- romantic prints of old -timey couples and vintage Hollywood starlets. ¡°I just wanted to check on you,¡± I offer, my gaze traversing her bare legs. ¡°Make sure you¡¯re okay.¡± She peels her face away from the pillow and lifts her head again, narrowing her eyes on me. ¡°Funny, aren¡¯t you the one who got their face beat in?¡± ¡°Eh, wasn¡¯t so bad,¡± I chuckle, advancing further into the room to nce at my reflection in the mirror over her dresser. I¡¯m lying- it hurt like a bitch- but she doesn¡¯t need to know that. The pain already feels like a distant memory. ¡°Look, not a scratch,¡± I drawl, swiping a hand along my jaw as I turn back to her with a grin. ¡°Perks of shifter healing.¡± I toss her a wink, but judging by her frown, she¡¯s clearly not amused. Guess she¡¯s taking this whole bet thing harder than I thought. Nessa hides her face in the pillow again and I shuffle closer to the bed, heaving a sigh as I sink down onto the edge beside her. ¡°I know you¡¯re upset about that bet, but you deserved to know. Cal¡­¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t the only one to me.¡± She lurches up into a sitting position, clutching the pillow to her chest protectively and ring daggers at me. ¡°You made that bet, too. And just whose idea was it to ce a bet on me in the first ce, Miles? Hmm?¡± Well shit. She¡¯s got me there. I can¡¯t exactly say I was thinking straight when I called Cal out about our bet in front of her. Honestly, I panicked- I know their history, and I saw the way he was looking at her. The way she looked back at him. In that moment, I could picture it all falling apart; him exining himself, her forgiving him and leaving me in the dust. So in my panic, Ished out with the first thing that came to mind to prevent that from happening. Probably should¡¯ve considered how it¡¯d blow back on me, though. ¡°I mean¡­ I didn¡¯t know you back then,¡± I stammer, trying to find the words to somehow dig myself out of this hole. ¡°If I did, I wouldn¡¯t have¡­¡± She cuts me off again with a growl. ¡°I¡¯m a fucking person, Miles! My life isn¡¯t a damn game for you guys to ce bets on.¡¯ I flinch back, caught off guard by both her icy tone and her use of profanity. I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ve ever heard sweet, calm Nessa use the f-word before, which tells me just how epically pissed-off she is by this whole thing. How the hell am I gonna talk my way out of this one? ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I admit, hanging my head. Deciding that humility is probably the best way to go in this situation. ¡°It was stupid. If I could take it back, I would.¡± She studies my face for a moment like she doesn¡¯t quite believe me. Then, rather than pressing further, forcing me to own up to my role in the whole thing, she asks, ¡°Did he really try to call it off?¡± My jaw twitches. Well fuck. I don¡¯t want to lie to her, but I don¡¯t really want to tell her the truth either and shift more of the me onto myself. Or give her a reason to forgive Cal. Regardless of what went down with our bet, he still left. I purse my lips, unable to keep the scowl from forming on my face and drawing my brows together. ¡°He left you, Nessa.¡± Her frown deepens. ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked.¡± I chew on the inside of my cheek, fighting an internal battle over whether or not I should admit to what really happened. Cal had have put her through that. I may not be her fated mate, but I can make her happy, damnit. Shouldn¡¯t that count for something? Then again, Cal has been one of my closest friends since childhood. He¡¯s had a rough upbringing that none of us know the full details of, but it was pretty obvious that things weren¡¯t peachy at home since he avoided that ce like the gue. I want him to be happy, I really do, but what if that happiness is at the expense of my own? Do I bow out gracefully for his sake, or fight like hell for what I want? There¡¯s no easy answer. No obvious solution. Honesty is always the best policy, though, and I don¡¯t want my rtionship with Nessa to be built on lies. So, I swallow my doubts and my own stupid pride, and I answer her. ¡°Yeah, he did.¡± Nessa flinches back like she¡¯s been hit, blinking at me in surprise. ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you call it off?¡± I blow out a breath and stab my fingers through my hair. ¡°Because at that point I already knew he¡¯d win, and if he did, he couldn¡¯t fight me on getting him that part for his car that he¡¯d wanted for so long.¡± I shrug a shoulder, offering her a wry smile. ¡± The best intentions, right?¡± Her eyes darken. ¡°As if making a bet over a person could ever be well-intentioned.¡± Damn. This whole thing really backfired. Why the fuck did I have to bring up that bet, again? ¡°I really am sorry, Nessa.¡± I sigh, reaching out to take her hand in mine. ¡°I don¡¯t want this toe between us¡­¡± She yanks her hand away with a scowl. ¡°I think it¡¯s a littlete for that.¡± My stomach plummets, my heart mming against my ribcage. Panic takes root inside me, worse than before, because it sounds like she¡¯s about to¡­ She wouldn¡¯t, right? ¡°Nessa¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± she says with a firm shake of her head. ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with a lot of shit, but this is too far, Miles.¡± I study her face, searching her eyes for any flicker of indecision. There isn¡¯t one. She¡¯s clearly made up her mind about where she stands on this whole thing, and I¡¯m not sure where that leaves me. Where it leaves us. ¡°Don¡¯t me me for his mistakes,¡± I mutter bitterly. ¡°I¡¯m the one who¡¯s been there for you these past few months. You know I wouldn¡¯t do anything to hurt you, not on purpose.¡± Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± she snaps, dropping the pillow onto the bed and pointing an usatory finger at me. ¡°I¡¯m ming you for your own. You made that bet¡­¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t just me, though!¡± I heave an exasperated sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. ¡°Is that supposed to make it okay?!¡± Nessa scoffs. ¡°This is all just too much. I¡¯m not sure if I can trust you anymore.¡± She shakes her head sadly, picking up the pillow and scooching away. ¡°Just go,¡± she murmurs, turning her back on me and curling in on herself again, shoving her face into the pillow. My gaze slides down the curve of her waist as I draw deep breaths, my mind spinning. What the fuck am I supposed to do? How can I make it better? I wish life had a rewind button- I¡¯d for sure hit it, erase thest twenty-four hours, and start over. ¡°What does this mean for us?¡± I ask cautiously, dreading her response but needing to know where we stand. She wouldn¡¯t just end things over something this trivial, would she? It was just a bet. A stupid motherfucking bet. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Miles,¡± she groans, her voice muffled by the pillow. ¡°I need some time.¡± I cringe, not liking the sound of that. With Cal back, I feel like time¡¯s working against me. ¡°How much time?¡± ¡± Nessa sits up, hitting me with an icy re. As much as I damn well please,¡± she snaps. Damn, if looks could kill, I¡¯d be done for. I hold up my hands in surrender, rising to my feet and backing toward the door. Needing to get the hell out of here before she changes her mind and calls things off between us for good. ¡°Understood. I¡¯m going. Just¡­¡± I shuffle backwards, pausing when I reach the doorway and blowing out a defeated breath. ¡°For what it¡¯s worth, I really am sorry.¡± She doesn¡¯t reply. Instead, she flops back down on the bed, effectively ending our conversation. It¡¯s a shitty way to leave things, but it¡¯s salvageable. I just have toe up with a n. I close the door behind me as I exit, plodding down the hallway with a dejected lilt to my walk. Could this day get any fucking worse? ¡°You!¡± Vienna shouts as I emerge from the hallway, pointing a finger at me and charging down the stairs. ¡°Jesus, is it pick on Miles day or something?¡± I mumble, shaking my head and bracing myself for the worst. Sheunches off the second tost stair, leaping onto the floor below and using the momentum to propel herself in my direction. ¡°A fucking bet, Miles? Are you kidding me? What the fuck is wrong with you?!¡± I throw my head back on a groan, squeezing my eyes shut. ¡°I know, I know.¡± Vienna storms up to me and shoves her palms into my chest. ¡°You¡¯re lucky you¡¯ve already had your ass kicked once today, or I¡¯d be showing you what I really think about you idiots cing a bet on my best friend,¡± she scowls, giving me another hard shove for good measure. ¡°Douchebag.¡± Well, if I didn¡¯t already feel like a steaming pile of shit, I definitely do now. Vee¡¯s furious eyes are narrowed on me, her anger rolling off her in waves. ¡°So I guess I can¡¯t count on you to put in a good word for me with Nessa?¡± I joke. She doesn¡¯t even crack a smile in response. Instead, Vienna folds her arms over her chest, leveling me with a re. ¡°You should go.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m already leaving,¡± I grumble, pivoting away from her and dragging m feet as I make my way toward the front doo I can feel the weight of her stare on my bac with every retreating step. I can¡¯t let it pul me down, though- I have to focus oning up with a n to fix this mess I¡¯ve created. I¡¯m no stranger to trouble, but I¡¯m usually able to talk my way out of it. Or buy my way out of it, courtesy of the fat bank ount supplied by my dear ol¡¯ dad. I wish the solution to this problem was that easy. Something tells me it won¡¯t be. Chapter 28 Chapter 28 28 VANESSA I¡¯m a summer girl. While I appreciate tha we get the full range of seasons here in Colorado, summer is my absolute favorite; long days filled with soaking up the heat of the sun, deepening my tan, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. Not even my favorite season can lift me out of this funk, though. Summer is at its peak, and I haven¡¯t set foot outside of the packhouse in days. I¡¯ve been avoiding the outside world, drowning myself in my own sorrow and Vienna¡¯s experimental cocktails, always delivered with a kind word and a smile. You¡¯d think she¡¯d be a decent mixologist since she worked at the lodge bar for months. She¡¯s not. She dumps grenadine into everything she makes for me since she knows I like cherries, butpletely fails to consider how the vor will blend with the other ingredients. Gin and grenadine? Absolutely foul. Tequ and grenadine? Even worse. I don¡¯t have the heart to tell her though, so I¡¯ve either choked them down of secretly dumped them out in the bathroom sink. I know she¡¯s trying to be there for me, trying to distract me from my heartache, and I appreciate her efforts, however misguided. I know I can¡¯t hole up in here forever. At the very least, I should go for a walk or something. It¡¯s a beautiful day, and spending time outside in the fresh air is bound to lift my spirits. With that in mind, I force myself to shower and get dressed, throwing on a white cotton sundress that may just be the most comfortable thing I own. It¡¯s t-shirt material, so damn soft that I want to live in it. I don¡¯t bother with makeup or doing my hair. It can air-dry in the sun. All I grab on my way out of my room is a pair of sandals, slipping them on my feet before stepping into the hallway. I can hear Chase and Vee chatting in low voices somewhere past the end of the hall, and I strain my ears to try to discern whether anyone else is with them. Thest thing I want to do is walk out there just to run into one of the guys I¡¯m currently avoiding- though Vee has been pretty strict on enforcing my request for space, turning away any unwee visitors. She¡¯s just as pissed about the bet as I am, if not more. I emerge from the hallway to see Chase and Vienna lounging on the sectional, him sitting upright and her lying sideways with her legs thrown over hisp. They¡¯re embroiled in their own hushed conversation, so they don¡¯t notice me right away; not until I step further into the living room and clear my throat. ¡°I¡¯m going for a walk,¡± I announce. Vee¡¯s brows lift in surprise. She props herself up on an elbow, giving me a concerned once-over. ¡°Want me toe with you?¡± I shake my head. I appreciate the offer, but I need to be alone right now, and I know I¡¯m not good company. ¡°You sure?¡± Vee challenges. ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± I say, forcing a reassuring smile. ¡°I just need to get out of here for a bit, clear my head. Get some fresh air.¡± She nods, seemingly satisfied, and flops back down, her hair fanning the couch. cushion. Chase gives me a nod as well, offering his silent support. He¡¯s caught in a tough ce right now, considering I¡¯m his mate¡¯s best friend and the two guys responsible for my current state are his own best friends, but he hasn¡¯t picked sides or made me feel awkward about it. There was a time when I wasn¡¯t his biggest fan, but he¡¯s been there for me over the past few months in his own way. Plus, he treats my bestie like a queen, so the guy¡¯s solid in my book. I exit the packhouse through the sliding ss door in the back, heading straight for the treeline at the rear of the property. The forest is a lush green, brimming with life, and I set out on a familiar path with no real destination in mind. It feels good just to be out here. The change in scenery improves my mood almost instantly, and the peaceful tranquility of the forest is like a balm to my battered heart. The deeper I wander, the more rxed and serene I feel. It almost makes me forget my burdens. Almost. I may be able to push it aside for a few minutes, but the gut-wrenching reality of the truth is always simmering just beneath the surface, waiting to rear its ugly head and remind me why my heart is in tatters. I honestly thought I was numb to pain at this point after going through so much after Cal left, but when that bet came to light, something in me just snapped. What was left of my misced hope was shattered. I¡¯ve been wandering the forest for the better part of an hour when the old hunting cabin at the edge of the territoryes into view. I wasn¡¯t paying attention to where I was going, but I guess it figures that I¡¯d wind up here. I came here a lot after the night of the full moon- not to torture myself with the memories, but to try to understand. Like returning to this ce would somehow give me the answer to why Callum left. The worst was the first full moon after he left. I came back to the cabin with the pathetic hope that he¡¯d show up; that he¡¯d somehow return from the mission just in time to exin his absence, seal the bond, and make everything right again. That hope was ripped from my body right along with the mate bond that night. Still, I came back here. The next moon, and the next. Even a few times in between. I couldn¡¯t stay away, couldn¡¯t stop trying to find some sort of answer within these walls. This is the ce where I experienced the best night of my life. It¡¯s also where I experienced the worst. Subconsciously, I must be a masochist, because now I¡¯m here again, my feet carrying me to this ce on their own ord. As I gravitate closer to the shabby old hunting cabin, my memories assault me. Of the bond snapping into ce, of me running into Callum¡¯s arms. Him kissing me and carrying me inside. I swear I can still smell him- leather and smoke, juniper and spice. Heady and masculine andpletely intoxicating. This is where he told me he loved me for the first time. The first, and thest. The door¡¯s already ajar, so I step up to it and push it open, peering inside. My heart trips over its valves when I see him. At first, I wonder if I¡¯m imagining things, but even after I pinch myself, he¡¯s still right there. Sitting in the chair at the small table, hunched over with his pencil scratching against a page. It¡¯s a familiar position, one that I¡¯ve seen him in dozens of times, but never here. His forearm muscles constrict and flex as he sketches, that one unruly tendril of hair falling down over his forehead. His jaw clenched in concentration. He must really be in the zone, because he doesn¡¯t notice me for a long moment. I don¡¯t move, don¡¯t breathe. I just watch him, rooted to the spot I¡¯m standing in, watching the man who ran away with my heart. The one who broke me beyond repair. Suddenly, his whole body tenses up, his head whipping around to look over his shoulder. Our eyes meet, his rounding in surprise. A bright mix of blue and green, like the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean sea, pulling me in and threatening to drown me. ¡°Ness¡­¡± His voice is raspy, the deep timbre of it scratching open a wound deep inside my chest. He flips his sketchbook closed and rises from the chair. My sense of preservation is screaming for me to turn around and run, but my feet refuse to move. I¡¯m frozen in my indecision, staring at Callum with my eyes wide and my mouth agape. Can¡¯t move. Can¡¯t breathe. He takes a step toward me, and suddenly my feet be unglued. I back away, nearly tripping over the threshold of the doorway. He immediately halts his advance. His jaw clenches, his nostrils re. Sadness flickers in his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡± Funny, those are the same words I thought of saying to him a million times if I¡¯d been given the chance. Instead, he snuck away like a thief in the night, leaving me to wonder why. To wonder if I¡¯d done something wrong. Why¡¯d he leave me? Callum scrubs a hand over his face, heaving an agonized sigh. ¡°Fuck, babe, please. Can we talk?¡± My heart squeezes painfully in my chest. He seems so sincere, but I can¡¯t trust it. I thought I knew him, but the Cal I knew wouldn¡¯t have abandoned me. He wouldn¡¯t have left me to wonder why I wasn¡¯t good enough to keep. ¡°Now you want to talk?¡± I ask, drawing a measured breath and trying my hardest to keep my voice even. ¡°I wanted to talk to you after that night. You didn¡¯t give me the chance, didn¡¯t answer my calls. So why should I talk to you now? Why should I give you a chance when you didn¡¯t give me one? Callum Adam¡¯s apple bobs with a hard swallow, his shoulders sagging dejectedly. ¡°I fucked up,¡± he rasps. ¡°I thought I was doing the right thing, but¡­ I fucked it all up.¡± I just stare at him for a moment, unable to tear my eyes from his. Fighting to find the words to respond. My hands tremble, my voice wavering. ¡°Was any of it real?¡± I ask, forcing back the tears stinging behind my eyes as I raise my voice louder. ¡°Was it all a game, a bet? Was any of it real?¡± ¡°Of course it was real, Ness.¡± His voice breaks when he says my name and he shakes his head, stabbing his fingers through his disheveled hair. Then he returns his gaze to mine, the muscle in his jaw ticking as he brings his hands together in front of him and his thumb glides over his inner wrist. The one I tattooed. ¡°What you and I had¡­ it was the most real thing in my life.¡± At his admission, I lose the battle in holding my tears back. I feel one slip from my eye, sliding down my cheek. Then another. Then why¡¯d you run away, Callum?¡± I choke. ¡°Why¡¯d you leave me?¡± He crosses the room to me in two long strides, reaching out to cup my face in his hands. I don¡¯t step back or brush them off. Instead, I melt into his touch, allowing him to thumb my tears away. ¡°I was trying to protect you,¡± he murmurs, holding me captive with his stare. ¡°I¡¯m dangerous, Nessa. I didn¡¯t want¡­¡± his voice trails off and his throat works with a hard swallow. ¡°I honestly thought it was the only way to keep you safe.¡± He¡¯s so close that I can feel his body heat, hear the rapid pounding of his pulse. I haven¡¯t allowed anyone this close since he left. Haven¡¯t let anyone touch me like this. Every touch felt wrong, but despite our history, despite what he¡¯s done, his still feels right. I hate how right it feels. I drag in a deep breath, reaching up to take his wrists and lift his hands off my face. I can¡¯t think straight while his hands are on me. I let go and they fall limply to his sides as he heaves a defeated sigh. ¡°I thought I was doing the right thing,¡± Cal mumbles. ¡°I thought you¡¯d moved on. That you were happy.¡± Something inside me twists, sorrow and unresolved anger blurring together. ¡°Is that what you did?¡± I scoff, unable to keep the bite of usation from my tone. ¡°Just picked up and left and moved on?¡± He reaches out for me again, but I flinch back. ¡°Tell me why, Callum.¡± He shakes his head, his gaze shuttering. ¡°I¡­ can¡¯t.¡± And there it is. The nail in the coffin that was our love story. My emotions war with one another, sadness and anger and pain and devastation. Anger wins out, digging its ws into me and pushing its way to the surface. ¡°You didn¡¯t give me a chance. Didn¡¯t give me a choice,¡± I spit. ¡°And now you can¡¯t even give me a real exnation.¡± My eyes blur with tears, obscuring my vision. ¡°I never should¡¯ve trusted you. Never should¡¯ve cried over you. Not when you could just pick up and leave and not even give me another thought. I loved you, Callum! I gave you everything! And all you did was take. I mourned you every second of every day, and I bet you didn¡¯t even think about me once!¡± Anger res in his irises, punctuated by the silver glimmer of his wolf. Callum turns on a heel, stomping over to the table and scooping up his sketchbook in an arm. His pencil rolls off the table and tters to the floor as he whips back around, his brow furrowed and his lips drawn in a deep scowl. He¡¯s leaving again. Can¡¯t say I¡¯m surprised. Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org. His heavy footsteps echo in the confined space of the cabin as he stomps back over to me. ¡°You¡¯re wrong,¡± he growls, shoving the sketchbook against my chest. His intense gaze cuts into mine, shredding my already bleeding heart into ribbons. ¡°You¡¯re all I thought about.¡± He steps around me to duck out of the doorway as I stand there frozen, clutching the sketchbook in my arms, struggling to breathe as I listen to his retreat. I¡¯m still right there when the sound of his footsteps fadespletely, and that¡¯s when I finally allow myself to break down. A sob tears from my throat as I stagger over to the table, mming the sketchbook down on the surface and slumping down in the chair. 1 let my tears flow freely, sshing onto the dirty tabletop as a pathetic wail escapes me. It hurts so much. I cry and cry until I have nothing left, my broken sobs echoing in the cabin around me. I don¡¯t know how much time passes. It could be minutes, could be hours, but I finally get my shit together and grasp onto some semnce ofposure. Then I push away from the table, the wooden chair legs screeching against the floor, and rise to stand on shaky legs. Cal¡¯s sketchbook is still on the table. The cover is now stained with tears, the ck bleeding to grey like watercolor paint. I don¡¯t know why he gave it to me; why he¡¯d think I¡¯d want to look at his art after he ripped my heart out and stomped all over it. Something in me does, though, if only to remind myself that I¡¯m not a fool. That there¡¯s a side to Callum that nobody else. sees, and I caught a glimpse of it. It was real. We were real. I drop back into the chair, flipping the cover back to reveal the first page. My breath catches in my throat. Delicate lines trace the profile of a face, dark hair cascading down over bare shoulders. I¡¯d recognize that face anywhere. I see it in the mirror every day. I flip the page. The next sketch is close-up of my face, a wide smile stretching my lips, eyes crinkling at the corners. It¡¯s intricate and detailed, the shading so exquisite that it¡¯s reminiscent of a ck and white photograph. It looks like I¡¯mughing, blissfully happy. My heart ms against my ribs as I flip to the next page, this one a drawing of me from the waist up, a mischievous grin on my face. and my long hair covering my bare breasts. I flip to the next one. And the next one. Pages upon pages of my face, my body. There must be a hundred of them. Every single sketch is me. reeling because all I want to do is hold her and kiss the pain away and make everything better again, but I know I can¡¯t do that. I won¡¯t risk her safety for my own selfish impulses. I also can¡¯t just stand by and watch her suffer either, so I¡¯m at aplete loss for what to do. I snap my gaze back to Chase. ¡°You, uh, wanted to see me?¡± I grumble, schooling my expression and shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans. He nods, swiveling back around and gesturing for me to follow. My boots scuff against the hardwood underfoot as Chase leads me to his office, an odd sense of forebodinging over me as I pause in the doorway rather than following him in. I¡¯ve got mixed feelings about this room. I haven¡¯t set foot inside since Alpha Vaughn¡¯s death. The first time he pulled me in here was arguably the worst night of my life, yet my subsequent visits held rare moments where I actually felt understood; glimmers of hope that there was a path to redemption for me. Chapter 29 Chapter 29 29 CALLUM My pulse races as I walk into the Norbury packhouse, my gaze greedily sweeping over the interior. There¡¯s nobody in sight. The sound of approaching footsteps yanks my attention to the hallway off the kitchen, but the dark eyes that meet mine aren¡¯t the ones I¡¯m seeking. Chase emerges, his hulking form swallowing up the view of the hall behind him. I lift my chin in greeting, my eyes gravitating toward the opposite hallway that houses the guest rooms. ¡°She¡¯s not here,¡± Chase provides, knowing exactly who I¡¯m looking for, and my shoulders sag as a pang of disappointment stabs in my gut. Days have passed since our run-in at the cabin, and again, so much was left unsaid. That seems to be the theme every time Nessa and I see one anothertely. I¡¯m always left memories makes my pulse go linger in the doorway. I never got the chance. to tell Alpha Vaughn just how much those meetings meant to me. I wish I had, but none of us could have anticipated that he¡¯d be taken from us so soon, least of all the son who now takes his seat on the opposite side of the desk. Chase beckons me inside with a flick of his head, my movements jerky as I step into the room and take the seat across from him. It¡¯s strange seeing Chase in his father¡¯s chair; my childhood friend now technically my superior. I suppose he always had rank in the pack as the alpha¡¯s son, but I¡¯ve never really felt the effect of that rank until right now. ¡°You probably know what this is about,¡¯ Chase drawls, leaning back in his chair and crossing an ankle over his knee. His rxed stance puts me at ease and I blow out a breath I didn¡¯t even realize I was holding, sinking back in my own chair. ¡°No clue, actually. Thought we already covered the whole Miles thing.¡± Though I haven¡¯t been back to the packhouse since beating the crap out of Miles in the kitchen, I¡¯ve seen Chase several times over thest week, the first of which waster that day. Miles had already filled him in on the reason I jumped him, and Chase totally understood where I wasing from, even going so far as to apologize for throwing me out after the fight before he got all the facts. While he has to take a neutral stance as Alpha, I¡¯m pretty sure he would¡¯ve done the same had he been in my shoes. He alluded to as much. ¡°You guys work things out?¡± Chase asks, arching a brow. I shake my head. Truthfully, I¡¯ve been avoiding Miles because I¡¯m still so pissed off that I¡¯m liable to rip the guy apart if Ie across him. It wasn¡¯t enough for him to move in on Nessa after I left, he just had to drive an even bigger wedge between us upon my return. Fuckin¡¯ insecure prick. Chase heaves a sigh. ¡°C¡¯mon, man. We don¡¯t let shit like this linger.¡± ¡°No?¡± I challenge. ¡°What if he pulled that crap with Vienna?¡± The muscle in his jaw ticks. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t have had the chance,¡± Chase growls. ¡°I knew what I wanted and I imed my mate.¡± While he doesn¡¯t outright say it, I pick up on his stinging insinuation. I¡¯m the one who left. I¡¯m the one who gave someone else an opportunity to move in on my girl because I didn¡¯t im her when I had the chance. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That¡¯s not why I asked you toe over, though,¡± Chase breathes, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the edge of the desk. Heces his fingers together, leveling me with a weighty stare. ¡°I want to offer you a position as an enforcer for the pack.¡± My jaw goes ck. This is definitely not what I was expecting when he called me toe over today- and while I should be fucking ecstatic, I can¡¯t ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Alpha Vaughn was grooming me to be an enforcer. I¡¯m sure Chase knows that. What he doesn¡¯t know, though, is the secret that his father was protecting for me. The one that my stepdad has been holding over my head since Vaughn passed, threatening to out me to Chase if I don¡¯t toe the line and further his own agenda. Chase looks to me expectantly, a grin pulling at the corner of his lips, but it falls when I shake my head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, man,¡± I sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face, fucking hating that I can¡¯t just jump at the opportunity and ept his offer. Chase scowls, clearly taken aback by my hesitation. ¡°Why the hell not? You were practically born to be an enforcer. My dad thought so.¡± He narrows his eyes on me, studying my nk expression like he¡¯ll find the answer hidden there. ¡°I thought you wanted this?¡± My hands curl into fists on myp. I do want it, more than he knows, but if I take it, Troy will throw a fit. He¡¯ll use what he knows to sabotage me and clear the way for his own son. ¡°There are things you don¡¯t know about me, Chase,¡± I grit out. He rolls his eyes, waving a hand. ¡°Bullshit. I¡¯ve known you my entire fucking life.¡± I shake my head. ¡°But you don¡¯t know everything.¡± Chase squints like he¡¯s trying to see beneath my nk mask again, leaning over the top of the desk. ¡°What¡¯s this really about?¡± I blow out a breath, unfurling my fists and staring at my palms. I should tell him. It¡¯s the only way to get out from under Fuckface¡¯s thumb, and the only way to escape the shadow that has been hanging over me since Alpha Vaughn died. He deserves to know, both as my alpha and as my friend. Chase is like a brother to me. I trust him more than anyone. Shouldn¡¯t I be able to trust him with this? He¡¯ll never look at me the same way again once he knows. Then again, that¡¯s my own cross to bear; I can¡¯t take back what I¡¯ve done. And once I tell him, there¡¯s no going back from that, either. What if he takes action where his father didn¡¯t? No. Chase wouldn¡¯t do that. He knows me; understands me more than most. I have to tell him. I drag in a deep breath, steeling my resolve. Deciding to finally own up to my deepest, darkest secret, and hoping that things won¡¯t change between us as a result. My lips move, and the voice thates out doesn¡¯t even sound like my own. ¡°I¡¯m a killer.¡± My gaze snaps up to meet his. ¡°I¡¯ve killed before.¡± ¡°Yeah, so have I,¡± Chase scoffs, brushing off my admission with the wave of a hand. ¡°So has everyone who fought in the war against the shadow pack. We did what we had to do.¡± ¡°Before that,¡± I grumble, resting my elbows on my knees and burying my face in my hands. I don¡¯t even know how to get the words out. I haven¡¯t talked about it since that night. ¡°Remember the party up at the lodge for the fifth anniversary of the grand opening?¡± Chase snorts. ¡°Barely. We all got fuckin¡¯ blitzed that night after stealing those bottles of whiskey from the storage room.¡± I nod slowly, the memories flooding back now that I¡¯ve given life to them with my words. They¡¯re still so vivid. I rememberughing at my friends as they tried to dance, tripping over their own feet and bumping into people. I remember the heavy scent of perfume stinging my nostrils as a woman slid onto the barstool beside mine, leaning over to rest her hand on my forearm, her blue eyes twinkling with seduction. ¡°There was a woman,¡± I force out through clenched teeth. ¡°A human who was staying at the lodge. We started talking, and she invited me up to her room. I knew it was off limits for us to fraternize with the tourists, but I was seventeen, and she was hot. I was thinking with my dick.¡± I suck in a breath, feeling the weight of Chase¡¯s stare on me, though I¡¯m unable to meet his eyes. Afraid I¡¯ll lose my nerve if I do. ¡°I went up with her, and one thing led to another. We started fucking, and¡­ she liked it rough. She asked me to choke her.¡± I still remember how my hands looked wrapped around her delicate neck, the surge of power I felt when I applied pressure. The harder I squeezed, the more her eyes clouded with lust. She liked it, and fuck, I did too. I was so lost in the moment that I don¡¯t even know exactly when it happened- just that I suddenly realized how still her body was beneath mine. So, so still. ¡°I lost control,¡± I murmur, staring nkly at my hands. The same hands that took a life that night. ¡°I must¡¯ve been squeezing her throat too hard¡­ I killed her.¡± I see a sh in my mind of her lying on the bed, eyes closed and body motionless. ¡°And then I didn¡¯t know what to do, I fucking panicked. I put my clothes on and ran out of that room, but Troy was in the hallway. He¡¯d seen me leaving the party with her. He went in there to see what happened and I just fucking took off. When he found me, he brought me here, to your dad.¡± I nce around the office, choking on the memories of that night. Troy delivered me to Alpha Vaughn and demanded that I be dealt with. He said I was a danger to the pack and insisted on exile. I still don¡¯t know why Alpha Vaughn took pity on me. Why rather than punishing me, he helped to cover it ¡°Alpha Vaughn and Beta Rob looked into who she was,¡± I mutter. ¡°She was a call girl from Boulder. No family, no real ties. They got rid of the body and shredded any record of her being at the lodge that night. Then your dad sat me down and he¡­ I don¡¯t know why, but he decided to give me another chance,¡± I say, leaving out the grittier details of our conversation. I came clean to Vaughn about my home life growing up; the source of my deep-seated rage. He¡¯s the only person I¡¯ve ever told. ¡°Troy was pissed,¡± I continue. ¡°He didn¡¯t want a killer living under his roof, so your dad set me up with my apartment. Started training me to be an enforcer, helping me work through my aggression in a healthy way.¡± I swallow hard, staring down at myp. ¡°After he died, though, Troy started holding it over my head, threatening to tell you, which is why I¡¯m telling you now. So you have all the facts before deciding if you really want someone like me as an enforcer for the pack, and so you can hear it from me instead of him.¡± I heave a sigh, rubbing my temples with my fingertips. ¡°I probably should¡¯ve told you sooner, I just didn¡¯t know how.¡± I finally look up to meet Chase¡¯s eyes. He slumps back in his chair, watching me carefully as he digests my admission. It¡¯s clear from his reaction that he didn¡¯t know. Vaughn kept my secret, even from his own son. The room fallspletely quiet. My skin crawls. The deafening silence is too much, grating on my nerves and making my heart pound faster. I can¡¯t stand the quiet. After what feels like an eternity, Chase blows out a breath, swiping a hand over his chin and staring at me with an expression that I can¡¯t quite read. ¡°That¡¯s why you left, isn¡¯t it?¡± My mouth drops open, but no soundes out. I expected him to ask questions about the murder or the cover-up, but not this. I didn¡¯t expect him to be so perceptive. ¡°You thought you¡¯d lose control with Nessa like you did with that woman,¡± he mumbles to himself as he puts the pieces together. Thought you¡¯d hurt her.¡± I snap my mouth closed and nod once. Chase pushes back in his chair, scrubbing a hand over his face. ¡°Well fuck me. This is¡­ shit, this is heavy. I had no fucking idea. I mean I knew something happenedst year when you started doing side projects for my dad, and we all wondered why you weren¡¯t into random hookups like the rest of us, but ¡­ fuck.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± I watch him process everything, itchy with anticipation for the other shoe to drop. For him to give me that look and rescind his offer. He doesn¡¯t, though. When his eyes return to mine, they¡¯re brimming with newfound understanding. ¡°I¡¯m d you told me, but it doesn¡¯t change my mind,¡± he says. ¡°You¡¯re my brother. I trust you. I still want you to be an enforcer, and if your stepdad thinks he can hold that over you, he can go get fucked.¡± Chase¡¯s words of reassurance lift a weight from my shoulders that I hadn¡¯t even realized I¡¯d been carrying. I¡¯m flooded with relief, respect, and love for my friend- my brother, not by blood, but by choice. He shakes his head again, sighing as he leans forward and pins me with a stare. ¡± You¡¯ve gotta tell her, man.¡± My heart leaps to my throat. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± ¡°Then you¡¯ll never get her back.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t deserve her anyways,¡± I grumble. ¡°Oh stop with the self-sabotaging bullshit already,¡± Chase groans, throwing his head back in exasperation. ¡°Do you really think she¡¯s better off with Miles? You just gonna sit back and let him have your girl, your fucking mate? You two were literally made for each other.¡± The thought of Miles with Nessa but it¡¯s not like I can control who she winds up with. I set her free. ¡°She¡¯s safer with him,¡± I point out. Chase scowls. ¡°That¡¯s a fucking cop-out. You can¡¯t honestly tell me you think you¡¯d hurt that girl. I saw how you were with her. You loved her, didn¡¯t you? Probably still do.¡± I don¡¯t deny it. ¡°Stop getting in your own fucking way, Cal. Own up to your shit. Tell her the real reason you left. If not to get her back, then at least so she¡¯ll stop thinking that you leaving was her fault somehow. She doesn¡¯t deserve to carry that around.¡± ¡°She¡¯d never take me back if she knew,¡± I growl. ¡°And besides, it¡¯s toote.¡± He arches a brow. ¡°Is it?¡± I stare back at him, my heart pounding at a chaotic rhythm. ¡°The bond¡¯s gone.¡± ¡°So?¡± he challenges. ¡°You were into each other before the bond was even a factor. Obviously losing that didn¡¯t take away how you feel about each other.¡± I chew on the inside of my cheek, mulling over his words. I know he¡¯s right, but it just feels hopeless given everything that¡¯s transpired between us. And haven¡¯t I already put Nessa through enough? ¡°Dude, what do you have to lose at this point?¡± Chase shrugs. ¡°If she doesn¡¯t take you back, then fine, you¡¯re no worse off than you are now. But what if there¡¯s a chance? Fucking trust yourself to keep her safe and let yourself be happy for once.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± I grumble, shifting my weight on the chair. I need space to think. This room suddenly feels ustrophobic, like the walls are closing in. Sensing my difort, Chase waves me off. ¡°Go on, I can see how agitated your wolf is. Go for a run or something and think about it. And let me know about the enforcer thing once you¡¯ve sorted your shit out with your girl.¡± I grunt in assent, pushing up from the chair. Chase rises to his feet at the same time, rounding the desk and approaching me, pulling me in. He ps me on the back, lending his support, and though I¡¯m decidedly not a hugger, I appreciate the gesture and return it. ¡°I¡¯ve got your back, man,¡± Chase murmurs, pulling away. ¡°Always.¡± My throat clogs with emotion. I appreciate it more than he knows. And maybe he¡¯s right. I came clean with him, and my world didn¡¯t implode like I expected it to. Maybe it¡¯s time toe clean with her, too. Maybe it¡¯s the only way Chapter 30 Chapter 30 30 VANESSA Smoke. Leather. Juniper. Spice. Callum¡¯s signature scent barely lingers on this t-shirt anymore, but if I pull the cor up over my nose and breathe in deep, I can still smell it. And yeah, I¡¯m that pathetic girl right now lying in bed wearing my ex-boyfriend¡¯s shirt. I wish I could say this is the first time, but that¡¯d be a lie. I threw this t-shirt on to leave his ce once, and when I rediscovered it lying in a crumpled heap under my bed a week after he left, I clung to this damn shirt like a lifeline. I¡¯d put it on to drown myself in the illusion that he was with me; that he never left. Flipping through Callum¡¯s sketchbook has be like apulsion over the past few days since he gave it to me, and as I paged through it again today, I put on his shirt to feel closer to him. My emotions have been all over the ce since that day at the cabin. Seeing him was hard enough, but these drawings¡­ they¡¯re all done with such detail, such care. In handing over the sketchbook, it¡¯s like he bared his soul to me through his art, and now I¡¯m so confused that I have no idea which way is up anymore. If he cared this much, why¡¯d he leave? It was easier to think that he was just a jerk that didn¡¯t care, but his obsessive illustrations of me don¡¯t fit that narrative. There¡¯s something else to it, something that I¡¯m missing. That missing piece is driving me crazy. My nose is still buried in the cor of his t- shirt when Vienna knocks on my door, pushing it open before I can respond. I quickly yank the shirt down, blushing furiously in embarrassment as I flip the sketchbook closed in myp. ¡°Miles just stopped by again,¡± Vee groans, entering my room and padding over to the bed on bare feet. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I sent him away.¡± She flops down beside me, eyeing my attire with suspicion and pursing her lips. ¡± You¡¯re not really into Miles though, are you?¡± Heat crawls up my neck as I lift the sketchbook from myp, leaning over to slide it onto the nightstand. ¡°What makes you say that?¡± I ask, feigning nonchnce. Vienna gives me a deadpan look, her eyes flicking down to the shirt I¡¯m wearing, then back up to meet mine. ¡°You should really wash that thing,¡± she grumbles, wrinkling her nose. I roll my eyes and give her a yful shove. I should¡¯ve known she¡¯d notice the shirt right away. She¡¯s seen me in it enough times. ¡°You wanna talk about it?¡± Vee asks, stretching her legs out on my bed and leaning back against the headboard. I blow out a steadying breath. ¡°I don¡¯t know. My mind¡¯s a mess right now.¡± Vienna beckons me with a flick of her head, patting herp. It¡¯s a familiar gesture, and I twist around on the bed to lean back, lying down and resting my head in herp. She strokes her fingers through my hair softly. Up until recently, our roles were usually reversed in this position. Vee¡¯s life wasn¡¯t easy, and I was always there tofort her, buttely, she¡¯s been the one tofort me. ¡°I know I kinda pushed you toward Miles,¡± Vee murmurs, her fingertips gliding through my tresses. ¡°I honestly thought that dating someone else would help you get over him. Maybe part of that was selfish, because I was so furious about the way Cal treated you that I wanted you to stick it to him by moving on. But now that he¡¯s back, I think it¡¯s pretty clear that wasn¡¯t the answer.¡± She looks down at me, her soft brown eyes meeting mine. ¡°It was like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.¡± I grunt in agreement, my eyes sliding closed as she continues tob her fingers through my hair soothingly. ¡°So what¡¯s the answer then?¡± I mutter. I open my eyes to meet hers again as she blows out a slow breath. ¡°I want the best for you, Ness,¡± she grits out, ¡°but it doesn¡¯t matter what I think about Cal or Miles or fucking anyone. It¡¯s not about me, it¡¯s about you. What do you want?¡± I dart my gaze away, chewing on my lower lip. Afraid to admit the truth. ¡°I miss him,¡± I whisper. Her hand in my hair stills, and I look up at Vienna again. ¡°I know it¡¯s stupid after everything he did, but¡­¡± She shakes her head, cutting me off. ¡°No, it isn¡¯t. He was your first love. Of course you miss him.¡± Though I¡¯m ashamed of my own feelings, it¡¯s somewhat redeeming to have her validate them. It reassures me that maybe I¡¯m not going crazy- maybe it¡¯s perfectly normal to still miss Callum despite the hell he put me through. The past four months have been a nightmare, but before that, things were so, so good. We were happy. I¡¯ve never felt so alive. He painted my world in vivid color, as if I was seeing it for the first time. I never imagined he¡¯d be the viin in my story. ¡°Nothing¡¯s how I thought it was,¡± I mumble. She arches a brow. ¡°How so?¡± I sit up, leaning forward to grab the sketchbook off the nightstand. The pages inside feel private, like they should stay between Callum and I, but Vee won¡¯t understand unless she sees them with her own eyes. I twist around, pulling my legs up underneath me and handing the book to her. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± she asks, ncing down at it warily. ¡°He gave it to me,¡± I reply softly. Vienna sets it on herp and flips the cover back, sucking in a breath through her teeth as her eyes land on the first drawing. She flicks her gaze to me, then back to the sketchbook, flipping to the next page. Then the next. Her eyes get wider as she continues on, and after the first ten pages or so, she looks up at me. ¡°They¡¯re all you.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. She returns her wide-eyed gaze to the pages and leafs through a few more, pausing on one that just happens to be a very detailed sketch of me nude from the waist up. She lifts the book, turning it toward me and waggling her eyebrows. ¡°Damn, your tits look good here.¡± I roll my eyes, snatching the sketchbook out of her hands and flipping it closed. ¡°What?¡± sheughs. ¡°It¡¯s true! The guy¡¯s got talent. Think he¡¯d let me pose for him so I can surprise Chase with a sexy portrait?¡± I snort, shaking my head. ¡°I think Chase would probably cut his balls off if you posed for him.¡± Vienna shrugs a shoulder as a devious smirk pulls at her lips. ¡°Maybe he¡¯d deserve it.¡± I roll my eyes again and whack her on the arm with the sketchbook, twisting at the waist to return it to the bedside table. ¡°So what does that mean?¡± Vee asks, nodding toward it. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I sigh. ¡°That he missed me, too? Is that too much to hope for?¡± My cheeks burn with embarrassment, but she doesn¡¯t make me feel like an idiot for asking. Instead, her eyes round in understanding and she says, ¡°That depends. Do you want him to miss you?¡± I flop backwards on the bed with a heavy sigh, my head hitting the pillow. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± I throw an arm over my face to shield my eyes, feeling the bed dip with her weight as Vee scoots down to lie beside me. When I open my eyes and turn my head to look at her, she¡¯s lying on her side with her hands tucked beneath her head. ¡°Let me ask you this,¡± she breathes, and I roll to my side to mirror her position. ¡°Even after everything, would you give him another chance?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how I can,¡± I reply hoarsely. ¡± I still don¡¯t understand why he left. How can I even consider giving him another chance if he can¡¯t tell me why? How could I trust that he wouldn¡¯t just leave me again?¡± Vienna bites her lip, pondering as the question hangs heavily between us. She¡¯s got a funny look on her face that I can¡¯t quite decipher. She darts her gaze away, and after a beat, she looks at me again, her eyes locking with mine. ¡°Chase told me something,¡± she blurts. I sit up abruptly. ¡°What?¡± I demand, my heart threatening to pound out of my chest as I stare at her with my mouth agape. ¡± What¡¯d he say?¡± She drags in a deep breath, sitting up beside me and holding up her hands. ¡°Okay, if I tell you, you have to swear you won¡¯t say anything.¡± Instant, ¡°I swear.¡± Vee breathes in slowly again, prolonging my agony. My heart ms against my ribs. ¡± Chase met with Cal the other day to offer him an enforcer position with the pack.¡± I stare at her, blinking, not understanding what this has to do with me. ¡°Okay¡­?¡± She sinks her teeth into her lower lip again, pinning me with a serious stare. ¡°He thought Cal would jump at the opportunity, but he was really weird about it. Then Cal admitted that his stepdad had been holding something over his head. Something bad.¡± ¡°What was it?¡± I ask around the lump in my throat. She shakes her head. ¡°Don¡¯t know. But whatever it was had something to do with Cal leaving.¡± If I thought my mind was spinning before, it¡¯s nothingpared to now. My mouth. runs dry, it feels like the room tilts, and I¡¯m suddenly so dizzy that I feel like I¡¯m going to be sick. It makes too much sense. After that dinner at his parents¡¯ house, Callum waspletely withdrawn. He wasn¡¯t answering my calls, and though I excused his odd behavior given everything that had just happened with Chase, Vienna, and the rogue, I knew something was wrong. I felt it in my gut. I wouldn¡¯t have even seen him the night of the full moon if I didn¡¯t wander over the border of Riverton into Norbury. He hadn¡¯t invited me to run with him as I¡¯d expected him to. All the drama of the mate bond snapping in and him leaving overshadowed the events the days before, but now I¡¯m seeing all of it in a new light. Maybe it had nothing to do with that night. Maybe it had everything to do with the dinner a couple of nights before. Why did I never think of that? I¡¯ve only met Troy twice, but it was enough to know he¡¯s not a nice person. Did he threaten Cal in some way? Threaten me? Is that why he left? ¡°Chase started digging through his dad¡¯s old files and now he¡¯s waiting for Rob to get back from Denver so he can ask him about it,¡± Vee adds. ¡°I guess whatever it was happenedst year, and Alpha Vaughn was involved.¡± I barely hear her words through the ringing in my ears. It¡¯s as if my body is on autopilot as I turn away, sliding off my bed and hustling over to my closet to pull the doors open. I yank the first garment I see off a hanger- a light blue gingham sundress- then turn back around, stepping back over to the bed and tossing it down before tugging Callum¡¯s shirt off overhead. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Vienna asks in rm as I drop the shirt to the floor and pull on the dress instead. I scoop my hair up into a hurried ponytail, smoothing the top down with a hand and securing it with a hair tie from my wrist. ¡± Going to get some answers,¡± I say, grabbing the sketchbook from the nightstand and clutching it to my chest. I meet her confused eyes, steeling my resolve. ¡°I¡¯ve waited long enough.¡± Chapter 31 Chapter 31 31 CALLUM The tip of my pencil moves against the page in quick, sure, strokes as a Nine Inch Nails song sts through my earbuds, a heavy guitar rift drilling into my skull. The eyes I¡¯m currently drawing are etched into my memory; surrounded in a fan of long, darkshes and brimming with sadness. I wish I¡¯d never seen that sorrowful look in her eyes. I wish even more that I wasn¡¯t the one who put it there. And I wish I wasn¡¯t stuck in a masochistic loop of drawing her eyes like this over and over again, forcing myself to confront the cruel consequences of my actions. Sketching used to be my escape. Now, it¡¯s my penance. I¡¯m so in the zone that I¡¯ve tuned out everything around me- I don¡¯t even realize someone is knocking on my apartment door until the pounding grows more insistent, rattling the door on its hinges and causing pples to form in my water ss beside me. yank out one of my earbuds, jerking my ead up to stare warily in the direction of the oor. Whoever¡¯s banging their fist against the >ther side clearly isn¡¯t going away, and my nind immediately conjures up the worst- case scenario of who it could be. Fuckface has been blowing up my phone since I got back into town. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s figured out by now that I never put in a good word for Spence with our alpha before leaving, and he¡¯s no doubt pissed about me failing to follow orders like a good little soldier. I wish I could avoid the guy forever like the gue he is, but he always seems to find a way to track me down. I have half a mind to keep ignoring the knocking at my door, hoping he¡¯ll just go away, and I even go so far as to pick up my earbud and start to slip it back into my ear. Before I do, though, I hear a voice call out that stops me in my tracks. Her voice. ¡°Callum? I know you¡¯re in there.¡± My breath catches, my pulse skyrocketing. I tear my other earbud out, tossing them both onto the side table and shooting to my feet. My sketchbook and pencil tter to the floor, but I hardly even notice until I¡¯m stumbling over them, nearly tripping over my feet in my haste to get to my apartment door. I can¡¯t get it open fast enough; my heart pounds at a chaotic rhythm as I fumble with the lock, nearly tearing the door from its hinges when I finally get it open. The girl on the other side looks like a goddamn angel descended from heaven and dropped on my doorstep. Her light blue sundress contrasts with her glowing bronze skin, her dark hair swept back in a casual ponytail and her face makeup free. I swear Nessa has never looked more beautiful than she does right now standing in front of me, brown eyes wide and puffy lips slightly parted on a sharp intake of breath when our gazes meet. She¡¯s here. I don¡¯t know why or what it means, but I¡¯m not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Stunned into silence, I step aside and gesture for her toe in, her sweet floral and cherry scent assaulting my senses as she glides past me into my apartment. I kick the door closed, my eyes glued to Nessa as she wanders further inside, then spins around to face me. ¡°I thought you might want this back,¡± she says, and only then do I realize that she¡¯s got my sketchbook clutched to her chest, grasping it so tightly that her knuckles are white. ¡°You can keep it,¡± I mutter, shoving my hands into the pockets of my low-hanging sweats and striding toward her with jerky steps. ¡°There¡¯s plenty more where that came from.¡± She arches a perfectly sculpted brow. ¡°How many more?¡± I shrug, gesturing to the stack of sketchbooks on the small table beside the recliner. ¡°Take your pick.¡± Nessa eyes the stack with curiosity, shuffling closer and running her fingers along the spines. ¡°Are all the drawings like these ones?¡± she asks, depositing the book she carried in on the top of the stack and tapping the cover with a silver-painted fingernail. I swipe a hand over my chin, eyes roaming over her form appreciatively before meeting her own again. I probably shouldn¡¯t be checking her out right now, but fuck, I can¡¯t help myself. She¡¯s gorgeous. ¡°I told you before that you were my muse.¡± She turns away before I can read her reaction, sidestepping to peer up at the array of drawings taped to the wall instead. ¡± I need to know, Callum,¡± Nessa murmurs, her back turned to me. She suddenly spins around, her eyes zing with fierce determination as they lock with mine. ¡°No, I deserve to know. After putting me through hell, the least you can do is tell me the real reason why you left.¡± I heave a sigh, pinching my eyes closed and raising a hand to rub my temple. ¡°I want to, but¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± she interrupts. Nessa moves toward me, eating up the distance between us in a few quick strides until she¡¯s close enough to touch. She stares up at me in demand, pressing a palm to my chest, right over my pounding heart. ¡°No more excuses. The truth, this time.¡± Her touch has me tongue-tied. I don¡¯t respond, and my hesitation causes her demeanor to shift. She rips her hand away, and I immediately ache from the loss of her contact. Her eyes re in desperation and she folds her arms over her chest protectively. ¡°Don¡¯t you think I deserve to know?¡± she asks, a sharp edge to her voice that betrays her emotions. ¡°Why¡¯d you say you loved me only to walk out on me? Was I not enough for you? Was I not worth sticking around for?¡± I reach for her instinctively, my handsnding on her biceps and pulling her closer. ¡°Not enough?!¡± I scoff angrily, hating her insinuation. ¡°You¡¯re more than enough. You¡¯re fucking everything, Nessa.¡± She wrenches her arms out of my grasp, stepping back with fresh tears shining in her eyes. ¡°Then why, Callum? Why¡¯d you leave me?!¡± The pain in her voice slices through me, awakening an instinctive need to soothe it away. Without thinking, I move forward again, wrapping my arms around Nessa and yanking her into my chest. She doesn¡¯t resist or struggle; instead, her body melts into mine, every soft curve of her meeting every hard edge of me. She buries a muffled sob in my t-shirt and I hold onto her even tighter. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I choke, pressing my lips to the crown of her head. ¡°So fucking sorry. I should¡¯ve stayed. I know that now.¡± For the past four months, I¡¯ve ached to hold Nessa like this. I wish it was under different circumstances; that she was happy, rather than wetting my shirt with her tears. I soak up every second that I have her in my arms, though, because it could very well be thest time. I¡¯ve already resolved toe clean, and after what I¡¯m about to tell her, she may never let me get this close to her again. She allows me to hold her for another minute or two before she starts to wriggle away. Reluctantly, I relinquish my grip, my fingertips trailing down her arms until I take her hands in mine. Then they slip away. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I say, my shoulders. slumping in defeat. ¡°You deserve to know. But you aren¡¯t going to like what you hear.¡± I shuffle backwards to sink down onto the sofa and she takes the seat beside me, looking to me expectantly. I try to memorize the way she¡¯s looking at me right now. Her eyes are so wide, so vulnerable. She doesn¡¯t know the truth of who I am yet, and once she does, I have a feeling she¡¯ll never open herself up to me again like she is right now. What¡¯s that they say- the truth will set you free? For me, the truth feels like a death sentence. I can¡¯t see a life worth living without the girl beside me in it. I drag in abored breath, rubbing my hands over my face and fighting against my frayed nerves. It¡¯s time to man up and tell her, even if that means nothing will ever be the same. I¡¯ve already fucked things up beyond repair, so what¡¯s one more nail in my coffin? ¡°Last year, there was a party up at the lodge,¡± I begin, diving right in. Nessa¡¯s eyes stay trained on me as I recount the same story I told Chase, and even though it¡¯s a special kind of torture to see her reaction y out on her face, I don¡¯t look away. I watch as she takes it all in, and when I get to the part about how I killed the woman from Boulder with my bare hands, she sucks in a sharp gasp of rm. Still, she stays. She listens. She doesn¡¯t interrupt me, and I go on. I tell her how Alpha Vaughn handled it and how Troy held it over my head after his death. ¡°When we went to that dinner at my parents ¡®house, Troy reminded me of what I¡¯d done,¡± I grind out, my throat tightening. ¡± He reminded me that it could happen again, to you, and I just¡­ fuck, I knew I couldn¡¯t put you at risk like that, Ness.¡± A long pause hangs between us as she digests my confession. ¡°That¡¯s why you left,¡± Nessa whispers. I nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. ¡°I decided that night that I had to. It was the only way to make sure that what happened to her wouldn¡¯t happen to you. I¡¯d never fucking forgive myself if I lost control with you like that.¡± Nessa worries her lower lip between her teeth, wringing her hands in herp. ¡°But the full moon¡­¡± ¡°Made it so much harder to do what I had to,¡± I grumble, shaking my head. ¡°It killed me to walk away that night, but even the mate bond didn¡¯t change the risk of staying. I had to leave to protect you from me.¡± She stares at me with wide eyes while I absently trace a fingertip over the little heart she tattooed on my wrist. ¡°Do you get it now? Why we can¡¯t be together?¡± ¡°No.¡± Nessa pushes up off the couch, pacing away. She takes a few steps, then turns sharply and paces toward me again. I watch as she goes back and forth, practically seeing the wheels in her head spinning. I lean forward to rest my elbows on my knees, burying my face in my hands as I listen to her footsteps treading against the vinyl flooring. Suddenly they stop, and I lift my head to find her standing right in front of me, her arms folded tightly over her chest and her eyes rounded in sincerity. ¡°You¡¯d never hurt me,¡± she says resolutely. ¡°Not physically. I know you wouldn¡¯t. But leaving without a word? That hurt, Callum. It hurt so much.¡± I rise to my feet, reaching out to gather her in my arms. She falls into them, fisting my shirt and burying her face in my chest. ¡°You said you loved me,¡± she whimpers, her voice muffled. I grit my teeth, holding her close. Hating the fact that I walked out on her and caused so much damage. The painced in her words makes something inside me crack open and bleed, and I just wish I knew how to fix it. How to make it better. ¡°I still do, Ness,¡± I admit, feeling the thump of her heartbeat against my body, matching the steady thrum of my own. ¡°I never fucking stopped.¡± She pulls back, sniffling, and I cup her face with both hands, angling it up to mine and staring deeply into her eyes. ¡°I love you, but I¡¯m a fucking monster.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not,¡± she breathes, covering my hands with her own and shaking her head. ¡± You made a mistake. That doesn¡¯t make you a monster. I know you, Callum.¡± Fuck, there¡¯s that wide-eyed idealism. Her way of seeing the good in everyone. I don¡¯t deserve it. I blow out a breath, leaning down to press my forehead against hers. ¡°You¡¯re too good, you know that?¡± I grumble, sweeping the pad of my thumb over her lower lip. I sigh, my eyes sliding closed. ¡°You deserve better.¡± I open my eyes to stare directly into hers. She knows the truth now, but she¡¯s still right here. The fated bond between us is gone, but we¡¯re still connected in some deep, meaningful way, like our souls still call to one another, her light drawn to my dark and vice versa. It doesn¡¯t make sense. We don¡¯t make sense. But fuck if I don¡¯t want her more than I¡¯ve ever wanted anything in my life. We keep staring at one another for a long moment, drifting closer until our lips are a whisper apart. We both stop short there, lingering on the precipice, breathing each other¡¯s air. Neither of us daring to be the first to cross that line. Then, in perfect synchronicity, we collide. My lips m against hers, my hands diving into her hair to tug her closer. Her hands grasp the back of my neck, fire flooding my veins as her lips part and her tongue finds mine. The kiss is messy, hungry, desperate. It¡¯s like we¡¯re both starving, bent on devouring one another, lips sliding urgently and tongues tangling recklessly. Kissing this girl is fucking everything. It feels likeing home. I stumble backwards, pulling her with me, and when the backs of my calves collide with the sofa, we both go down in a tangle of limbs. Somehow I manage to catch us, barely breaking the kiss as I roll my body on top of hers lengthwise on the couch. Her thighs part, my hips nestling between them as she grabs my face and yanks my lips back to hers greedily. I kiss her harder, like I fucking mean it, swallowing her responding moan. I feel a zap of electricity somewhere deep in my chest, a spark of chaotic energy ring for a millisecond. A glimmer of something familiar; something I¡¯d thought was gone forever. Nessa gasps against my mouth, her palms pushing at my chest to shove me back. Her eyes meet mine, wide with rm. ¡°Did you feel that?¡± Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Fuck, she felt it too? My throat tightens, my mind reeling. All I can do is nod in affirmation. Her eyes widen further, a mixture of confusion and excitement swimming in them. ¡°Do you think¡­?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I reply quickly. We both just stare at each other for a long moment, held captive in one another¡¯s gaze. Both breathing heavily and silently struggling to make sense of what just happened. I¡¯m the first to move, rocking backwards and freeing her to scramble out from underneath me. Despite the awkward position, Nessa does it gracefully, smoothing her dress down over her thighs and swiveling to set her feet on the floor. Her ponytail is hanging crookedly to one side of her head, her lips swollen from the intensity of our kisses, but I can¡¯t even fully appreciate her adorably disheveled appearance right now- not when a thousand questions are pinging around in my brain. Her own confusion is apparent in her expression, reality mming back into both of us like a ton of bricks. That kiss happened in the heat of the moment, but things between us still remain unresolved. Though everything¡¯s out in the open now, there¡¯s still the issue of whether I trust myself enough to be with her. If we can work past that, then there¡¯s also the issue of whether she¡¯d even consider taking me back after everything I put her through. And who could forget the issue of my neighbor down the hall who may also be her current boyfriend? ¡°I should go,¡± Nessa breathes, rising to her feet and adjusting the straps of her sundress on her shoulders. ¡°I think I need some time to think about everything.¡± ¡°Yeah, I get it.¡± I shove up from the couch, raking a hand through my hair. The air in the room is suddenly thick with tension. She goes to breeze past me, but I reach out to capture her hand. She sucks in a breath, eyes colliding with mine. ¡°I¡¯ll call you,¡± I say, giving her hand a little squeeze before releasing it. She nods, skirting past me and heading for the door. Even after I watch her leave, I¡¯m frozen in ce, my mind reeling. Most of all, I¡¯m trying to make sense of that strange jolt of energy we both clearly felt. It shouldn¡¯t be possible, but¡­ what if it is? Chapter 32 Chapter 32 32 VANESSA ¡°You¡¯re really not going to tell me where we¡¯re going?¡± Iugh as Vienna pulls me by the hand down a well-worn forest trail. Half an hour ago, she busted into my room and told me to put on a bikini, all cloak and dagger about giving me any details as to where she was taking me. All she said was that it¡¯d been too long since I¡¯d had any real fun, and since I couldn¡¯t disagree with that, I humored her. I put on my favorite white crochet bikini and my second favorite pair of cutoff jean shorts ¨C since my favorites were a casualty of my hasty shift to run away from Callumst week- and hopped into Vee¡¯s Jeep with her. I thought it was safe to assume we were going swimming, so imagine my surprise when she pulled into the parking lot of the squadplex in Goldenleaf. Then my confusion only multiplied after we got out of the car and she bypassed the entry gate for theplex to head for this trail instead. ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± Vee answers conspiratorially, shooting me a devious smirk over her shoulder. My arm jerks in her grasp as she continues tugging me along, my flip flops pping against my heels with every step. If I knew we were going for a hike, I would¡¯ve chosen morefortable footwear- but given the fact that Vienna also wore sandals, I can¡¯t imagine that wherever we¡¯re going is a far jaunt. Though we¡¯re putting more distance between ourselves and theplex, I swear the dull hum of music is getting louder. I start to hear voices too, clueing me in that we won¡¯t be alone once we reach our destination. What¡¯s this girl up to? ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Vienna urges, veering sharply off the trail onto a narrower path and nearly pulling my shoulder out of its socket in the process. I stumble to follow her, a rogue branch catching in my hair. ¡°Slow down!¡± Iugh as I pull it free, wrenching my arm out of her grasp. We¡¯re headed down a gradual incline, I realize, and the music and chatter in the distance are now unmistakable. It sounds like there¡¯s a full-blown party happening in the woods and we¡¯re headed right for it. My suspicions are confirmed when we hit the end of the path, a break in the trees revealing our destination: a swimming hole. I skid to a stop, my jaw going ck as I take in the scene before me. For starters, the swimming hole itself is beautiful. It¡¯s bordered on one side by a tall rock face, a thin waterfall cascading down over the stone into therge pool below. The side we¡¯re on boasts a wide, t bank, and both the bank and the swimming hole itself are packed with bodies; guys in board shorts unting their bare, muscr chests and scantily d girls in skimpy bikinis. ¡°What is all this?¡± I ask incredulously, lifting my aviator sunsses to rest atop my head as my eyes ping from the throng of people to the beer kegs floating in tubs of ice, to the big speaker ying music. Vee grins proudly, linking her arm with mine. ¡°Party for the squad. They randomly throw these when it¡¯s too hot to train outside and we all need a break. Boosts morale.¡± She tosses me a wink, taking a step forward and urging me along with her. Now that I¡¯m here, I vaguely remember Vienna telling me about a party like this once before. Hearing about it and seeing it with my own eyes are two different things, though- the scene before me is straight out of a movie, hands clutching red stic cups, couples canoodling, and groups of friends sshing around in the water. I can¡¯t help but grin as we wander down the bank; this is definitely the pick-me-up I¡¯ve been needingtely. ¡°Hey, you made it!¡± Levi greets, approaching us with his signature charismatic grin. He¡¯s carrying a stic cup in each hand, foamy beer sloshing out of the tops with each step. ¡°Where¡¯s¡­?¡± Vee starts to ask, but her voice trails off into a scream when a thick set of arms wrap around her torso from behind, lifting her off the ground. She giggles and kicks as Chase hauls her up to nuzzle into her neck, nipping her skin yfully. Iugh at their disy while Levi rolls his eyes, thrusting one of the cups of beer in my direction. ¡°You¡¯ll probably need this,¡± he warns, his gaze flickering past me in warning. I turn over a shoulder to follow his line of sight, spotting a familiar shock of blonde hair and a pair of wide, apologetic hazel eyes. I whip my head back around with a barely disguised wince, taking the cup from Levi gratefully and raising it to my lips. He gives me a little nod, backing off as Mileses up behind me, his hand brushing my arm. ¡°Hey, can we talk?¡± he asks, my muscles tensing reflexively at his slight contact. I swallow down a big gulp of beer, my lips lingering on the rim of the cup as I slowly turn to face him. I haven¡¯t seen Miles since the day Cal punched him at the packhouse, though I know a conversation between us is long overdue. At first, I was avoiding him because I was still fuming over the stupid bet, but after that kiss with Callum yesterday, now I¡¯m the one feeling guilty. I nod, taking another long sip from the cup before lowering it. Miles blows out a breath, hanging his head sheepishly. ¡°I know I fucked up with that bet,¡± he grumbles. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry.¡± ¡°I know,¡± I reply quickly. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t want to rehash that whole thing. I just¡­¡± my voice trails off as I get a prickly feeling like I¡¯m being watched, and immediately, I know who it is. Just as before, I feel Callum¡¯s presence before I even see him. I turn to seek him out, my eyes drawn to his like a ma. My breath catches in my throat when our gazes lock. He¡¯s standing beside the beer keg, puffing on a joint while Logan fills his cup. The two of them are like bad boy eye candy with their chiseled, tattooed bodies, and I can¡¯t help the way my own body reacts to the sight of Callum. Heat crawls up my neck, my cheeks flushing. I look away, back toward Miles, but suddenly I¡¯m tongue tied, my mind going nk. What were we talking about, again? Miles isn¡¯t the most clever guy I¡¯ve met, but he¡¯d have to be blind not to pick up on the reason for my distraction. His gaze bounces from Callum to me, his throat bobbing with a hard swallow. The look on his face betrays his emotions, and damnit if I don¡¯t feel even more guilty when I see the defeated look in his eyes. I down the rest of my beer. ¡°This isn¡¯t going to work out, is it?¡± Miles asks, his voice soft. ¡°You and me.¡± I open my mouth to respond, but no soundes out. The people pleaser in me wants to say something to soften the blow and spare his feelings, but I know giving him false hope won¡¯t do either of us any favors. I tried with Miles, I really did, but I just never felt that spark. I didn¡¯t even realize how much I needed to feel that until Callum came back, and one look from those blue-green eyes set me aze. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Miles is a good person. Sure, everybody has their faults, but he¡¯s kind, loyal, and decidedly uplicated. He always offered a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear when I needed it. I doubt anyone else would¡¯ve been as patient with me as he¡¯s been. He would be the sensible choice, but deep down, I know something would always be missing. I grind my mrs, searching for the right words to say. ¡°Miles, you¡¯re a great guy, but I¡¯m not him,¡± he finishes. Exactly. I blow out a breath, eyes pricking with unshed tears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Miles heaves a sigh, hanging his head and kicking at the sandy bank dejectedly. I half expect him to get defensive or angry, but when he looks up at me again, his gaze is resigned. ¡°Hey, no hard feelings,¡± he offers. ¡°I kinda saw iting. I want you to be happy, you deserve that. But I deserve it, too.¡± His eyes slide between Callum and I once more. ¡°I hope I¡¯ll find someone someday who looks at me like that.¡± He¡¯s taking this way better than expected, which only makes me feel like more of a jerk. I don¡¯t know what to say to that, but thankfully, he doesn¡¯t stick around for a response. The blow to his ego is probably too much. Miles just offers me a weak smile and shuffles away without another word, only to be reced by Vienna secondster. ¡°How¡¯d that go?¡± she asks, wide-eyed in curiosity. I grimace, shrugging a shoulder. ¡°Better than expected. Guess I¡¯m officially single.¡± Vee shoots a nce toward Cal, snorting. ¡± Yeah, keep telling yourself that.¡± She smirks knowingly, reaching forward to pluck my empty cup from my hand ¡°Need a refill?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± I breathe. I don¡¯t have to look to know that Callum is still posted up by the keg; I¡¯ve felt his eyes burning into the side of my face ever since I looked his way. I¡¯m not quite ready to go over there and talk to him yet. I wrap an arm around my waist, fingertips brushing the little cherry tattoo on my ribcage. ¡°Remember to make him work for it,¡± Vienna clucks, tossing me a wink as she heads over to the keg to pour us fresh beers. I nce out toward the water, watching the hard-bodied squad fighters swimming and sshing around. The longer I stand out here under the scorching heat of the sun with beads of sweat rolling down my spine, the more inviting the water looks. ¡°You did the right thing,¡± Chase murmurs, approaching me with a rueful grin. I¡¯m not surprised that Miles already filled him in on our little chat. He takes a sip of his beer, licking the foam from his top lip. ¡°I know Cal has his demons, but he¡¯s trying to work past them.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think he did it, Chase,¡± I say decisively, shaking my head. I probably sound like a crazy girl in denial right now, but I¡¯ve been thinking about it since Cal admitted the truth, and something just doesn¡¯t add up in my brain. ¡°There had to be some sort of mistake. I know him, and it doesn¡¯t make sense.¡± Chase takes me by the elbow, tugging me closer to the treeline so we¡¯re out of earshot of the other people roaming the bank of the swimming hole. ¡°You didn¡¯t know him back then,¡± he reasons, his voice low. ¡°People make mistakes. It doesn¡¯t define them or mean they can¡¯t get past them.¡± I shake my head adamantly. ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand. Cal¡¯s the most observant person I¡¯ve ever met. You really think he wouldn¡¯t realize that he was¡­¡± I drop my voice to a whisper, leaning in. ¡°Killing someone?¡± ¡°I think it happened quicker than that,¡± he mutters. ¡°I went through my dad¡¯s old files, and when they went to investigate, her neck was broken. That¡¯s how she died, not suffocation. So it would¡¯ve been quick.¡± That little detail has my mind reeling, but I continue shaking my head in denial. ¡°It just doesn¡¯t make sense, he would¡¯ve felt that. And what was Troy doing there?¡± I hiss, whisper-shouting. ¡°That guy has it out for Callum, don¡¯t you think it was a little convenient that he was right outside?¡± Chase sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face. ¡°I thought that, too, but just because we don¡¯t want it to be true doesn¡¯t mean it isn¡¯t.¡± I scowl, not liking his implication. I swear I¡¯m not crazy. I can¡¯t be the only person who thinks that something just feels off about this whole thing. ¡°I¡¯m going to ask Rob about it as soon as he¡¯s back,¡± he adds. ¡°Maybe he can shed some light on the specifics.¡± ¡°Will you let me know what he says?¡± I ask eagerly. He hesitates for a moment, and I realize this is probably overstepping. I¡¯m not part of his pack. I have no right to be poking around in official pack business. I¡¯m surprised when he nods, though, and replies, ¡°Yeah.¡± I smile in gratitude, and before I can get another conspiratorial whisper in, Vienna reappears with fresh beers in her hands. What¡¯d I miss?¡± she chirps, passing a cup to me and lifting the other to her own mouth. Chase gives a little shake of his head. ¡°We were discussing that thing I told you aboutst night. I¡¯ll fill you inter.¡± ¡°Ahh,¡± Vee nods, eyes rounded in understanding as her gaze shifts between me and her mate. I suppose it makes sense that Chase would¡¯ve brought Vienna up to speed. Not only is she his partner, but she¡¯s the pack¡¯s Luna. It makes sense that she¡¯d be kept in the loop. ¡°Drink up,¡± she says, tapping her cup to mine and hitting me with a stern look. ¡°No more serious talk, today¡¯s about having fun.¡± I roll my eyes, cracking a smile as I raise my beer. ¡°Yes, Mama Vee.¡± Chapter 33 Chapter 33 33 VANESSA When Vienna brought me out here today, I underestimated hermitment to making sure I let loose and have fun. She pulled me into a game of beer pong against Fallon and Serena, talked me into partnering up with Alec for chicken fights in the water against her and Chase, and has replenished my beer every time it started to get low. I¡¯m not a big drinker but I¡¯m rolling on a solid buzz at this point, and I can tell that my girl Vee is past her threshold by the way she¡¯s ssy- eyed and hanging off Chase. Having endured more than enough of their PDA, I announce that I¡¯m going swimming, kicking off my flip-flops and shorts and heading for the water¡¯s edge. This ce is aplete contrast to the hot springs by the lodge- while that water is always piping hot, this water seems to be perpetually cold. It stings my skin like tiny needle points as I wade into the pool, my breath catching from the shock in temperature change. I flop backwards once I¡¯m waist-deep, spreading my arms and legs and floating on top of the water, releasing a breathy sigh of satisfaction. This is the life. The sun is hot, the water¡¯s cold, and my body¡¯s rxed from the copious amount of alcohol running through my bloodstream. My eyes slide closed as I float, losing myself in the moment and allowing my sluggish mind to go nk. My peaceful rxation doesn¡¯tst long. I¡¯m floating along, minding my own business, when I suddenly feel an arm wind around my waist, pulling my body down into the water. My eyes snap open, limbs thrashing as my mind struggles to catch up to what¡¯s happening. My head stays above water, but my body¡¯s yanked backwards against a hard chest. ¡°You¡¯ve been avoiding me,¡± a low voice rumbles in my ear, eliciting a tingle of excitement at the realization of who it is that has ahold of me. Callum¡¯s strong, tattooed forearm tightens around my middle, the hard ridge of his erection riding against the crack of my ass. Either that whole cold water causing shrinkage thing is a lie, or it¡¯s bigger than I remember. 2 Great, now I¡¯m thinking about his dick. Cal¡¯s lips tickle my ear as he speaks again in a throaty murmur. ¡°Remember thest time we went swimming?¡± A shiver runs through me, and I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s from the cold water or the memory that question ignites. How could I forget the first time he brought me to a toe-curling orgasm without even taking my underwear off? I don¡¯t need a mirror to know my face is crimson. I wriggle free from his grip, feet finding the rocky bottom of the swimming hole. Water sshes as I spin around to face him. Callum¡¯s turquoise eyes are ssy, azy grin spread across his lips. He looks¡­ different. More rxed than usual. ¡°You¡¯ve been drinking,¡± I think aloud. He runs his tongue over his teeth, nodding in affirmation. I arch a brow. ¡°What happened to always keeping a clear head?¡± Callum¡¯s handsnd on my waist, fingers tightening and tugging me closer. Cool water sloshes between our upper bodies from the force of the movement. ¡°Like that¡¯s possible around you these days,¡± he growls, his carefree smile dissolving into a tight frown. ¡°You and Miles¡­¡± ¡°Are over,¡± I supply. His eyes spark in delight, lips tipping into a smug smirk. Cal always keeps his emotions. so buttoned up- it¡¯s strange to see them y out on his face so inly. Hell, if I knew booze was all it took for him to wear his emotions on his sleeve, I probably would¡¯ve encouraged him to drink more often. Another shiver runs through me as Callum¡¯s hands slide down to my hips. His devious gaze and the flex of his fingertips against my flesh are more than enough to convey his wicked intentions. ¡°So¡­¡± he drawls suggestively. This man¡¯s touch is doing crazy things to me right now, but somehow, even through the fog of my beer buzz, I find the wherewithal to press my palms against his chest and push back to maintain some semnce of distance between us. ¡°We still have things to figure out.¡± Even as I say it, I know I don¡¯t want to talk about all that right now. It¡¯s not the time or ce. I just want to enjoy feeling of being close to someone else- to be touched by the only person who can do it without giving me the overwhelming urge to squirm away. I shut down after Callum left, but now that he¡¯s back, it¡¯s like parts of me are slowlying back online. Like I¡¯m finally remembering how to be myself again. He narrows his eyes on me, a dangerous smirk still dancing across his lips. ¡°Vee said you¡¯re going to make me work for it. I can¡¯t help but crack a smile of my own in return. Of course my bestie has already delivered a warning. If I know her, and I do, I¡¯ll bet it also came with a threat to cause bodily harm if he screws up again. ¡°Damn right I am,¡± I reply, wetting my lips with my tongue. His eyes track the movement, a hungry spark ring in them. He suddenly spins me around by the hips, locking an arm around my waist and yanking me back into his chest again. I shudder a gasp at the sudden movement, the warmth of his firm chest leeching into my back. ¡°I like a challenge,¡± Cal rasps, his other handnding t on my belly. ¡°Maybe I should start making it up to you right now ¡­¡± His hand glides down my stomach beneath the surface of the water, my breath hitching. ¡°Callum!¡± I hiss, squirming in his grasp. He¡¯s got me locked in tightly, though, and my fight is futile. His fingertips brush the top edge of my bikini bottoms, my eyes flying wide as they wriggle beneath the fabric. I¡¯m suddenly all too aware of the number of people in the water around us, my throat tightening in a strange mixture of panic and excitement. ¡°Shhh,¡± he whispers in my ear, walking us backwards through the water until his back collides with the rock face on the rear edge of the pool. The waterps against our shoulders, our bodies hidden beneath the surface, but I still feel like I¡¯m on full disy right now. If I wasn¡¯t a little buzzed, I would¡¯ve put a stop to this as soon as he grabbed for me. If he wasn¡¯t a little drunk, I doubt he would be this bold, especially given everything we¡¯ve gone throughtely. We¡¯ve been walking on eggshells around one another, but the alcohol has lowered our inhibitions just enough to have us both making questionable decisions. ¡°Do you want me to stop?¡± Callum rumbles in my ear, his fingers delving further into my bikini bottoms. They¡¯re so close to my clit that I¡¯m suddenly panting with need. Logically, I should say yes. I should tell him to stop. I should say we need to have a real conversation and figure our shit out before this goes any farther. I should point out the number of people around, and how it¡¯s entirely inappropriate for him to have his hand down my pants in front of an audience. But I haven¡¯t been touched like this in months, and every ¡®should¡¯ dies on my tongue before it can even form. I¡¯m hot and bothered, wound up in a way that can only be relieved by the man at my back. I squirm against him as he awaits my response, seeking friction that he¡¯s refusing to give me until I answer. My cheeks grow hotter as I whisper, ¡°No.¡± It¡¯s all the invitation he needs. He sinks his hand fully into my bikini bottoms, fingers. immediately finding my clit, and I have to bite down on my lower lip to stop from screaming out at the sudden jolt of pleasure. All my nerves fire to life, desire coiling tightly in my belly and aching for release. ¡°Can you be quiet, baby?¡± Callum asks, his voice gravelly as he continues torturing me with the methodic strumming of his fingers. ¡°Or are you gonna let everyone hear how you scream for me?¡± 4 Goddamnit, he knows what effect his dirty talk has on me. Heat floods between my legs, and I¡¯m already so close toing undone that I can barely think, barely breathe. He rocks his hips against me slowly, grinding his throbbing hard-on against my ass more insistently as he reaches down lower to sink a thick digit inside my pussy. I gasp at the intrusion, mping my mouth shut hastily and darting my gaze around in rm. Somehow, nobody seems to have noticed us tucked away at the edge of the swimming hole, pressed together so closely that not even the water can slip between our bodies. He begins thrusting his finger inside me with the same rhythm of his hips punching against my backside, my breath hissing out between my teeth in short, frantic bursts. I¡¯m biting my lip so hard to hold back my moans that tears spring to my eyes, the metallic tinge of blood coating my tongue. Four months. That¡¯s how long it¡¯s been since someone has touched me like this. I wish I could savor it, make itst to make up for all those lonely nights, but four months without it has my body on a hair trigger, ready tobust. He knows my body better than anyone else, just like I know his. We spent weeks exploring and memorizing each other, tangled up in and consumed by one another. He knows my tells, knows how close I am. He can feel it. ¡°Go on,¡± Cal coaxes, pushing another finger inside to stretch me wider while the pad of his thumb rubs my clit relentlessly. Let go, babe. I wanna feel you shatter.¡± 4 Yup, that¡¯ll do it. 1 Maybe it¡¯s because it has been so long, or maybe it¡¯s just because it¡¯s him. Either way, the coil in my belly snaps, my body jerking as an intense orgasm washes over ing like a tsunami. Callum holds my hips tightly in ce as they buck, my body jerking, ripples forming around us in the water. It takes everything in me to hold back my scream, only a small whimper escaping as I squeeze my eyes closed and ride out the waves of my climax. ¡°Good girl,¡± he rumbles in my ear, and I never thought I had a praise kink, but damnit if that doesn¡¯t spark something in me that sends another wave of pleasure crashing through my I¡¯m breathless when I finallye back down, blinking my eyes open to the harsh afternoon sunlight. Callum¡¯s arms are still wound securely around me as I go boneless in his grasp, dragging gulps of fresh air into my lungs. ¡°Fucking beautiful,¡± he murmurs, nipping my earlobe with his teeth. Holy crap. I can¡¯t believe I just did that. Realityes crashing back in, and my head jerks from side to side as I look around wildly, panicked that someone could¡¯ve just watched mee undone beneath Cal¡¯s fingers. I can¡¯t even describe the relief that washes through me at the realization that nobody¡¯s looking this way. We haven¡¯t drawn any attention to ourselves. Maybe we were really that discreet, or maybe everyone¡¯s just too lost in their own conversations and games. Either way, they¡¯re all oblivious to the fact that I just got off right in front of them. My cheeks burn with embarrassment as that sinks in and I twist around in Callum¡¯s arms until I¡¯m facing him, resting my hands on his broad shoulders. I¡¯m still buzzy and a little lightheaded, a nervous giggle bubbling up my throat and escaping through my lips. In stark contrast, Cal¡¯s gaze is scorching and intense, transfixed on my mouth. ¡°I want to kiss you so fucking bad right now,¡± he murmurs. Well, if we just did all that, what¡¯s a sneaky little kiss? I dive forward, mming my lips against his. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. And that¡¯s when I feel it. The jolt. The re. The spark. It¡¯s just like it was yesterday,sting a fraction of a second, a flutter of a heartbeat. Like a fment igniting in the dark space inside that was left when the bond was ripped away, only for the briefest instant. If I doubted it before, I can¡¯t deny it this time ¨C nor can I ignore the way he flinches back, his blue-green eyes widening. Maybe it¡¯s an echo of what used to be there between us. An aftershock. Or maybe it¡¯s something else. ¡­ something more. Chapter 34 Chapter 34 34 CALLUM A gust of warm air whooshes into my face as I push through the door to exit the squadplex, the summer sun beating down relentlessly overhead. We¡¯re in the middle of what feels like an endless heat wave. The grass of the practice field is crunchy underfoot as I step out onto it, dying of thirst and begging for rain, and despite the fact that I just showered off the sweat I worked up while training, my t- shirt is already clinging to my body like a second skin by the time I reach the outer gate to head for the parking lot. ¡°Yo Cal, wait up!¡± a voice calls from behind me, and I swivel to see Logan jogging my way, his clunky motorcycle boots thudding against the ground. I pause to wait for him, idly twirling the keys to my Corvette around a finger. He shes me a smile as he approaches, two rows of straight white teeth gleaming and a pair of dimples sinking into his cheeks. Handsome fucker. ¡°Think you can find some time this week to finish my chest piece?¡± he asks, fingers trailing over his left pec where he¡¯s sporting my ink beneath his shirt. ¡°Yeah, for sure. My schedule¡¯s wide open these days.¡± I rake a hand through my hair. ¡± Just let me know when you¡¯re up for it.¡± His eager grin widens. ¡°Shit, I¡¯d do it right now, but I¡¯m headed to Westfield to see Jax and Quinn. Maybe tomorrow?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± I shrug, though truthfully, I¡¯m just as eager as he is. I¡¯ve been fucking around with my tattoo gun on myself for a while now, but the only other person I¡¯ve ever tattooed is Nessa. That is, until Logan and I got to talking about our ink while we were away on the mission. When he found out I¡¯d done it all myself, he asked if I¡¯d do one for him, and I jumped at the chance. There¡¯s just a certain thrill thates with seeing my arte to life on someone else¡¯s skin. Logan ps me on the shoulder and the two of us start toward the parking lot, falling into an easy stride with one another. ¡°So can we count on you for the next mission?¡± he asks, swinging his gaze to me. ¡°The IT unit thinks they may have identified another offshoot of the shadow pack, wants to send a team to investigate.¡± ¡°Nah, man,¡± I grumble. ¡°Think I¡¯m gonna stick around here for a while.¡± He arches a brow in surprise, stopping short in front of his motorcycle parked at the curb. I swivel to face him as I palm my keys. ¡°Any particr reason?¡± he asks, a knowing smirk pulling at his lips. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Yeah, Logan knows about Ness. He was tasked with leading the mission, and he¡¯s the one person on our team that I really connected with- we¡¯ve got a lot inmon. with our mutual passion for art and ink. He noticed all my sketchbooks lying around the dingy motel rooms we holed up in while we were away, and when he thumbed through one, he happened to see a sketch or two of!!!! my muse. Or fifty. I can¡¯t help that all my recent sketchbooks are full of her face.OTR He doesn¡¯t wait for me to answer because he already knows. ¡°You get her back yet?¡± ¡°Working on it,¡± I grunt. Logan gets a mischievous glint in his eye, his smirk deepening. ¡°Was that what you were doing at the swimming hole yesterday?¡± 3 Shit, I¡¯d actually deluded myself into thinking Nessa and I had been discreet. Then again, I can¡¯t remember thest time I drank that much- it¡¯s not exactly like I was firing on all cylinders when I jumped her in the water. I reach up to rub the back of my neck, wincing. ¡°You saw that?¡± ¡°You two all over each other?¡± he snorts. Yeah, hard to miss.¡± While a natural reaction would probably be to feel something akin to embarrassment, for some reason, I get a surge of smug satisfaction, my wolf preening with pride for publicly staking our im. Not that I have any right to, not after the way I left. ¡°I still don¡¯t know where we stand,¡± I admit, heaving a sigh. ¡°We were both a little drunk yesterday. I have a feeling she might have woken up this morning with second thoughts.¡± ¡°Ah, you¡¯ll figure it out,¡± Logan says with a cavalier grin. ¡°Take her out to a fancy dinner or buy her something nice. Girls love that shit.¡± I shake my head, chuckling wryly. If only it were that easy. ¡°Not this girl,¡± I mumble. Even if I could afford to do that, Nessa¡¯s not the type to be impressed by shy presents or fine dining. It¡¯s more about the little things with her. She¡¯d take a scenic view over a stuffy restaurant any day, or a drawing out of my sketchbook over expensive jewelry. The things that make her eyes light up are the ones you can¡¯t put a price tag on. Logan shrugs, stepping up to his motorcycle and kicking a leg over. ¡°Find another way to get back on her good side, then. You¡¯ll think of something.¡± He starts the engine, the deep hum vibrating through my body as he revs it a few times. ¡°Flowers usually help, all girls like flowers. There¡¯s a floral shop in Summervale.¡± I wrinkle my nose at his suggestion and Logan shrugs again. Whatever you decide to do, do it soon, before she has a chance to sit and stew about yesterday. You know how girls overthink shit.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± I agree, pushing my hair back off my forehead, already damp with sweat after spending ten fucking minutes out in this oppressive heat. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡± He gives me a nod as he flicks up the kickstand with a boot, rolling away from the curb. ¡°Good luck,¡± he calls, shooting me a grin over his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll call you about that ink tomorrow.¡± I lift my chin in acknowledgement, turning away to head for my Corvette as I hear the roar of the motorcycle engine rumbling away. I¡¯m not sure when I decided to start soliciting rtionship advice, but I¡¯ve gotta admit that the dude¡¯s got a point. The longer I wait before seeking out Nessa, the longer she¡¯ll have to overanalyze what happened yesterday; the longer she¡¯ll have to decide that she regrets it. If I want to win her back- and I do- then then I¡¯ll need to head that off. Guess it¡¯s time toe up with a n. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Nessa asks cautiously, clutching the edge of the heavy wooden front door of the Norbury packhouse like a shield as she peers out at me from behind it. ¡°Taking you out.¡± I square my shoulders. and deliver the line with a confident swagger, but it¡¯s all false bravado. I¡¯m nervous as hell about how this is goin to go. My throat is dry, my palms are mmy, and my heart is pounding so hard that it feels like it¡¯s about to burst from my chest and stter into to a pulpy mess at my feet. 2 The Cal from six months ago would p the shit out of me right now for being such a pussy and getting all awkward and nervous around a girl. This isn¡¯t just any girl, though. Nessa¡¯s my girl. If she¡¯ll have me. 2 Her eyes drop to my side, widening in curiosity, and only then do I remember what¡¯s currently clutched in my hand, half hidden behind the back of my thigh. I lift the small bouquet of white flowers, thrusting them toward her in offering. ¡°Got these for you.¡± Nessa¡¯s face lights up as she reaches out to take them from me. ¡°Aw, I love carnations,¡± she breathes, her lips pulling into a bright smile as she fingers the soft white petals. They¡¯re seriously underrated.¡± Carnations? I could¡¯ve sworn they were peonies, but then again, it¡¯s not like I know much about flowers or have ever bought them for someone before. I didn¡¯t even think to ask the florist at the shop in Summervale what kind they were; I just went in there and asked for the biggest bouquet I could get for the rest of the cash I had in my wallet. Admittedly, I didn¡¯t have much, but for the amount of flowers I ended up walking out with, I thought I was getting a deal. Which reminds me, I need to ask Brady if he¡¯s got any work for me at the garage while I¡¯m waiting for my stipend from the mission to hit my ount. Nessa¡¯s eyes meet mine, longshes fluttering. ¡°They¡¯re beautiful,¡± she smiles, pulling the door open wider and taking a step backwards. ¡°Just let me put them in some water. C¡¯mon in.¡± Thank you, Logan. 5 I step inside while Nessa carries the flowers into the kitchen, fumbling in the cab for a tall ss and filling it at the sink. ¡°So where are you taking me?¡± she asks over her shoulder as she puts the flowers in the ss of water and arranges them just so, fussing over the way they fan out. ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± She spins around, eyeing me suspiciously, but I keep my expression neutral, not giving anything away. ¡°Fine,¡± Nessa relents, crossing in front of me to grab her shoes from beside the door. She bends at the waist to slip them on her feet, giving me a nice view of her ass in the little white pair of denim shorts she¡¯s wearing. She catches me staring when she pops back up, her cheeks flushing pink. ¡± Ready?¡± I nod, stepping aside and gesturing for her to exit ahead of me. I swear it¡¯s not to get another glimpse of her ass, but it¡¯s not my fault my gaze immediately drops to drink in another eyeful. It really is a perfect ass, perky and round. I get the sh of a memory of squeezing it in my hands, my fingertips sinking into her flesh as I bent her over and pounded into her. My cock thickens beneath my zipper and I subtly adjust myself as I step outside behind her and close the door. The two of us head down the front walk toward the driveway, and Nessa stutters a step as we approach the Corvette, her expression twisting. It doesn¡¯t register at first, but bile crawls up my throat when it hits me that she¡¯s probably associating my car with that stupid bet I made with Miles. I still remember the first time she saw the Corvette parked at the curb outside her parents¡¯ house. Her eyes lit up, and it struck me how despite its ws, she truly appreciated the beauty of the old, restored car that I had poured so much sweat and effort into. When she climbed in, I remember how she took in every detail of the dpidated interior, running her fingers over the old leather seats reverently. And when I started it up, I saw her shiver of excitement at the purr of the engine, the delighted smile on her face when we hit top speed on the forest road. She used to admire this car, but now she eyes it with apprehension, all the good memories painted over by the dark, ugly stain of my betrayal. ¡°Hey.¡± I reach for Nessa¡¯s hand, lifting it and pressing my keys into her palm. ¡± Wanna drive?¡± Her jaw goes ck, her eyes widening in shock as they ping between the set of keys in her hand and my face. ¡°Really?¡± I nod, and she turns to look at the Corvette, her expression slowly shifting from apprehension to excitement. ¡°But this car¡¯s like your baby,¡± she points out. ¡°You sure you trust me behind the wheel?¡± It wasn¡¯t easy to hand over the keys. Honestly, the thought of anyone else behind the wheel of this car makes me a little bit queasy, but I shove that down because I¡¯m really trying here. It¡¯s a gesture, one that I¡¯ll hope she understands for what it really is. ¡°That¡¯s been the problem all along, hasn¡¯t it?¡± I murmur, looking down at the keys in her hand and closing her fist around them. I lift my gaze to stare into her eyes earnestly. You gave me your trust before, but I didn¡¯t give you mine. I should¡¯ve trusted you with my secrets and let you make your own choice. And I should¡¯ve trusted myself to keep you safe rather than just bailing out on you.¡± I reach up to touch her face, running my thumb gently along the curve of her jaw. Her throat bobs beneath my knuckles with a hard swallow. ¡°I know I fucked up everything when I left, but I¡¯m trying to make it right. Figured the first step is establishing trust.¡± I flick my head toward the Corvette. ¡°So whaddya say? Wanna take her for a spin?¡± (6 The corners of Nessa¡¯s mouth tip up, a smile slowly, beautifully, spreading across her face. I feel her little tremble of excitement beneath my fingertips, see it spark in her warm brown eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡± She rounds the hood of the car for the drivers side while I open the door and drop into the passenger seat, feelingpletely out of ce on this side of the Corvette. I watch Nessa climb in behind the wheel, her long tan legs slipping inside, her lithe fingers gripping the key as she turns it in the ignition and the engine rumbles to life beneath us. I feel the deep, smooth purr of it down to my bones every time, my pulse picking up speed. 2 My throat tightens when she shifts the gear and backs the car out of the driveway. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust her with my car- I do- it¡¯s just that this vehicle is one of the few things in this world that I give a shit about, and relinquishing control of it ha me tightly wound, my hands curling into fists in myp and my knuckles going white. ¡°This is killing you, isn¡¯t it?¡± Nessa giggles from beside me, darting me a nce and clocking the tight set of my jaw and balled fists. ¡°Only a little,¡± I admit, shooting her a wry smile. I tip my head toward the windshield.¡± Eyes on the road, babe,¡± She rolls those eyes of hers instead, shifting the gear at the end of the driveway and lurching forward down the street. My lungs constrict. ¡°Which way?¡± she asks, braking a little too hard at the stop sign. I fight back a cringe, throwing a thumb to the left. She takes the turn, and I lean forward to hit the button for the radio, cranking up the volume to calm myself by filling up the quiet with a heavy Slipknot song. I direct Nessa out of Norbury¡¯s territory until we¡¯re on the main forest road, still not giving up our destination. She takes a few of the turns a little too fast for my liking, my hands scrabbling for purchase on the ceiling of the car, which she finds fucking hrious. Although my heart¡¯s in my throat, her giggle soothes my nerves like music to my ears. Nessa¡¯sugh is one of the things I missed most about her while I was away, and I¡¯ll trade my difort for her happiness any day. I point her to a road that leads up the mountain, cautioning her to slow down since it¡¯s a narrow one- lane road with sporadic ces to pull off to let other cars through. There¡¯s hardly ever any traffic, but thest thing I want is for her to chance it by going too fast and send the Corvette tumbling over the edge. The boys and I used toe up here to smoke sometimes, and there¡¯s a killer view up at the top that I know Nessa will appreciate. If we can make it there in one piece. ¡°Slow down,¡± I instruct as we near the peak, barely restraining myself from reaching over and grabbing the wheel. ¡°The road ends right up there.¡± ¡°I see it,¡± she grumbles, punctuating her words with another eyeroll. She does slow down, though, and when the Corvette finally rolls to a stop and she cuts the engine, I blow out a long breath, my muscles sore from being bunched so tensely the whole way here. 1 I reach down to unfasten my seatbelt, throwing it off my shoulder. ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± I urge, opening the door and twisting at the waist to step out. Nessa follows suit, climbing out of the drivers¡¯ side and meeting me in front of the car. ¡°Ever been up here before?¡± I ask, and I grin when she shakes her head, taking her hand in mine and tugging her forward. We reach the rocks at the edge in a few strides, and I hop up onto the top of the stony teau, offering her a hand to help her up. As soon as she climbs up to join me and looks out at the scene spread before her, Nessa¡¯s eyes round in awe, her jaw going ck. ¡°Oh my gosh,¡± she breathes, her head on a swivel as she takes it all in. I¡¯ve sworn off bets, but I¡¯d wager that this is one of the best views in the whole six-pack territory. From this vantage point, you can see the swell of nearby mountaintops and the snow-capped peaks of those in the distance. The lush foliage of the forest is spread out below, teeming with life, and the wide river that borders Stillwater¡¯s territory stands out in contrast, a winding thread of sapphire blue. ¡°Well?¡± I ask, eyes focused on her face as she drinks in the view before her. ¡°It¡¯s amazing,¡± Nessa murmurs closer to the edge. My protective instinct res up inching and I re out to grab her arm, tugging her back before she can take another step. ¡°Careful,¡± I warn, nodding toward the edge. ¡°That¡¯s a long drop.¡± She turns back to me with a smirk creasing her lips. ¡°So you didn¡¯t bring me out here to kill me?¡± she jokes. I flinch. I don¡¯t mean to, and it¡¯s the barest of movements, the slightest tic of my jaw. If she blinked, she¡¯d miss it. She doesn¡¯t, though. The smile drops from her face, her cheeks flushing. ¡°Shit, sorry, I didn¡¯t mean ¡­¡± Nessa rushes out, stumbling over her words. ¡°I was just kidding around, I didn¡¯t think¡­¡± ¡°I know,¡± I say, cutting off her rambling apology with a shake of my head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± She steps closer and grabs my hand, covering it with both of hers. ¡°I wasn¡¯t even thinking, Callum. I swear I didn¡¯t mean anything by it.¡± ¡°I know you didn¡¯t.¡± I give her hand a squeeze before tugging mine away, taking a step backwards and easing down onto the smooth rock below. I kick my legs out in front of me, spread and bent at the knee, resting my elbows on top and looking up at her with a beckoning tilt of my head. ¡± Wanna sit?¡± Nessa hesitates for a moment, her eyes mapping out the space beside me on the rock teau. She doesn¡¯t drop down beside me, though- instead, she steps in front of me, spinning around and lowering herself to sit between my legs. I reach forward instinctually to wrap my arms around her as she eases down, guiding her descent and settling her back against my chest. ¡°Sorry,¡± she whispers again as I wind my arms tighter around her, burying my nose in her hair. Her cherry and floral scent is like a drug. I breathe in deeply, dragging it into my lungs, filling myself up with it. Just being close to her does something to me. It¡¯s almost as if she pours her light into me, chasing away the darkness within. The wicked summer heat isn¡¯t as oppressive at this elevation, but Nessa¡¯s warmth radiates from every point of connection between our bodies, her legs resting loosely against the insides of mine, her back pressed firmly against my chest. ¡°It¡¯s so quiet up here,¡± she observes, idly tracing her fingertips along my forearm clutched around her middle. ¡°Does that bother you?¡± ¡°Not when I¡¯m with you,¡± I admit, dragging in another lungful of her sweet scent. Trust. That¡¯s the word on repeat in my head as I hook my chin over her shoulder, staring out at the snow- capped mountains in the distance. ¡°My mom was pregnant with me when she met Troy,¡± I begin, forcing the words past my lips. ¡°My biological dad was a random hookup from her home pack back in Oregon, and he didn¡¯t want anything to do with me. My mom was going to raise me on her own, but then she was visiting a friend in this pack and stuck around for the full moon run. That¡¯s how she met Troy, they¡¯re fated mates.¡± Nessa continues stroking her fingertips along the skin of my arm, listening quietly. ¡°Troy never wanted me either. Guess I was just a living, breathing reminder that my mom was with someone else before him. And having a kid of their own the following year only made it worse, because he was the son they both wanted.¡± I pause before going on, my gut twisting. I¡¯ve only ever told Alpha Vaughn this part, but even he only got the highlights. ¡°The first time Troy locked me up to punish me was after I pushed Spence and he fell and cut his forehead. Troy didn¡¯t scream or hit me or anything, just shoved me in this dark room in the basement and locked the door. Said it was my ¡®time out¡¯.¡± Nessa draws a short gasp, her body tensing in my arms. ¡°How long did he make you stay in there?¡± ¡°That time?¡± I chuckle dryly. ¡°A few hours, maybe. I was just a little kid, so it felt like forever. Until the next time, when Spence and I got in a fight over a toy and I hit him. My punishment for that was a full day in time out.¡± Nessa turns to look at me over her shoulder, her mouth hanging open and her eyes rounded in shock. ¡°That¡¯s why I don¡¯t like the quiet,¡± I supply. ¡°Why I have trouble sleeping when it¡¯s dark. It just¡­ fucked with me, being shut up in there so many times. Made me angry. Made mesh out. And every time I did, I¡¯d just get thrown in there again.¡± ¡°What about your Mom?¡± Nessa asks, eyes shining with the hint of tears. I shake my head. ¡°She turned a blind eye. She knew what he was doing, but she never stopped him. Said it was for my own good.¡± Her lip curls in disgust. ¡°That¡¯s horrible.¡± I shrug. ¡°It is what it is. It stopped when I was big enough to fight back, when Troy couldn¡¯t physically throw me in that room. anymore. The worst parts of it stuck with me, though. The dark. The quiet. And I feel like there¡¯s this¡­ thing inside me now. When I get really mad, I can¡¯t control it. It¡¯s like a piece of that darkness wed its way into me and never left.¡± I swing my gaze on her, pinning her under its intensity. ¡°Like that night we went to see that band. The morning in the kitchen with Miles. Something just snaps in my brain and I can¡¯t turn it off.¡± ¡°But you did,¡± Nessa points out. She gives my arm a little squeeze. ¡°Both times, you stopped¡­¡± ¡°Because of you.¡± I lift a hand, thumbing her plush lower lip. ¡°Something about you pulls me out of it. And that should¡¯ve been enough of a sign for me that I wouldn¡¯t lose control with you, that I wouldn¡¯t hurt you, but I couldn¡¯t see that at the time. I let Troy get in my head, twist everything up. Make me doubt myself.¡± ¡°I knew there was something off about him,¡± Nessa mutters. I heave a sigh. ¡°Only a monster can create another monster.¡± She shakes her head, nting her palm on my thigh and using it for leverage as she twists around in myp, throwing her legs over each of mine to straddle me. She takes my face in her hands, staring into my eyes with so much sincerity that my heart constricts painfully in my chest. ¡°You¡¯re not a monster, Callum,¡± Nessa says gently. ¡°You were abused. You¡¯re a survivor.¡± 1 Her words fall over me like a soothing balm, but I can¡¯t fully absorb them. Not when I know what I am; what I¡¯ve done. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to make excuses, I wanted to tell you about my past, my whole past, because I¡¯ve never trusted anyone else with it,¡± I say, my eyes intently focused on hers. ¡± And I want you to know what you¡¯re getting yourself into if you decide to give this another shot. There are parts of myself that even I don¡¯t understand, but I should¡¯ve trusted you with them. I am now, because I hope one day you can trust me again, too.¡¯ I¡¯m not expecting Nessa¡¯s lips to m down over mine. It takes me by such surprise that I suck in a gasp of her air as her mouth fuses over my own, fervent and demanding. My eyes m shut as I drink her in, weing every slide of her lips against mine, every stroke and curl of her tongue as it fights my own for dominance. Her hands clutch my face as my own explore her body reverently, fingertips pressing a silent apology into every inch of her exposed skin. There¡¯s a slight tremble to her muscles as she pulls back to break the kiss, like she¡¯s reluctant to sever the connection. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispers, her thumbs tracking through the stubble on my jawline. ¡°For telling me. For trusting me.¡± I pull her in and seize her lips again, capturing her mouth in another all- consuming kiss. I¡¯ve never put it all out there, stripped my soul bare for another person, but with Nessa, it feels right. It feels safe. I hope she feels it too. And when that shock runs through me, like a re of electric current, I know she does. She gasps against my lips, but I don¡¯t stop. I deepen the kiss, trying to prolong that surge of energy, that re of light. Because now that it¡¯s happened a few times, I¡¯m certain of what it is. It¡¯s an echo of what we used to have. A chance of what we could get back. Maybe we never really lost it after all. Chapter 35 Chapter 35 35 VANESSA I nce over at Callum as he drives, the shadows dancing ominously across his profile. He really is beautiful. His face is seared into my memory, but I still get caught up in looking at him sometimes, admiring his sharp jawline and impable bone structure. The symmetry of his features is almost too perfect to be real- like he was cut from stone, some sculptor¡¯s fantasy brought to life. Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. It¡¯s not his face that gets me, though. Or even his body, stacked with mouth- watering lean muscle that ripples with every movement. It¡¯s the way he sets me aze with a single nce. The way he puts on a hard front with other people but softens all of his sharp edges for me. The way he lets me see the real him, and the way he really sees me. It¡¯s the sweet words and the gentle touches and the all-consuming intensity of his presence. Every time I¡¯m with him, I¡¯m reminded why I fell for him in the first ce- and why even after everything he put me through, I¡¯m still hopelessly, crazily, irrevocably in love with Callum Conway. 2 We spent hours up on that mountain overlook today. We kissed and cuddled and spilled our secrets, then watched the sun set over the horizon. I didn¡¯t want to leave, afraid that the spell would wear off the moment we did. It hasn¡¯t yet, and now I¡¯m watching him from the passenger seat, contemting what life could look like if I opened myself up to trusting him again. The truth is, I want to forgive him. I want to move forward. It¡¯s not pride or stubbornness that¡¯s holding me back, it¡¯s the crippling fear that he¡¯ll abandon me again and I won¡¯t be able to survive it a second time. Loving and being loved by Callum isn¡¯t safe or sensible, but it sets my soul on fire. It makes me feel truly awake and alive, and now that I¡¯ve been without that fire and had it reignited, I know there¡¯s no going back. This is it. He¡¯s it. The way he opened up to me today revealed that there¡¯s a way forward for us, but it¡¯s still scary and uncertain. It doesn¡¯te with any guarantees. I just have to decide if I¡¯m willing to take the leap of faith; if I¡¯m willing to trust him to be there to catch me if I do. I¡¯m so tangled up in my own thoughts that I don¡¯t even realize we¡¯ve made it back to the packhouse until Cal cuts the engine of the Corvette, unbuckling his seatbelt and climbing out of the car to walk me to the door. As we start up the front walk, I contemte asking him toe inside, not ready to leave this little bubble of contentment we¡¯ve been in all day. The invitation is on the tip of my tongue when the door swings open before we can even reach it, Vienna peering out at the two of us anxiously. ¡°Good, you¡¯re back,¡± she breathes, ushering me inside. I hesitate, but then she looks pointedly toward Cal, beckoning him with a lift of her chin. ¡± You too, Romeo. Come on in.¡± My brow furrows in confusion, but Vee doesn¡¯t clue me in as to what¡¯s going on. My puzzlement is short lived, though- understanding quickly dawns on me when I cross the threshold and spot Rob and Chase standing together in the kitchen waiting for us. The happy little bubble of contentment pops, a frisson of nervous energy skittering up my spine. Chase said he was going to ask Rob about Cal¡¯s incidentst year when he returned from Denver, and here he is, back from his trip and looking at Callum with a stoic expression that I can¡¯t quite read. Chase crosses the room to us, greeting Cal with a fist bump and leaning in to speak to him in a low murmur. ¡°Not trying to ambush you with this, but after you told me about what happenedst year, I¡¯ve been digging through my dad¡¯s old files. Rob said he¡¯d talk to us about it, fill in some gaps so we have the full story. You cool with that?¡± Callum stiffens, his eyes flying to Rob, then pinging to settle on me. When I see his shuttered gaze, I suddenly feel guilty for asking Chase to do this, forcing Cal to dredge up his past yet again. My intentions are good, though. What if this could help him in some way? What if things aren¡¯t really what they seemed? I tip my head with a reassuring smile, and Cal¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobs with a hard swallow as he turns back to Chase, giving him a jerky nod in agreement. I release a breath I didn¡¯t even know I was holding. This is it the moment of truth. Maybe whatever Rob¡¯s about to tell us will help Callum to banish his demons once and for all. The five of us move into the living room, iming seats around the big leather sectional and settling in. I plop down right beside Cal, setting a hand on his thigh and giving him a pointed look.¡± You¡¯ve got this¡¯, Imunicate silently, and he covers my hand with one of his own, his thumb idly gliding over my skin like he¡¯s the one trying to reassure me. ¡°So for starters, you¡¯re right that Vaughn had doubts about what happened that night,¡± Rob says gruffly, diving right in. He leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees, a lock of his salt and pepper hair flopping down over his brow. ¡°That¡¯s why he wanted to investigate it himself rather than just sending our pack¡¯s enforcers.¡± Chase clears his throat andces his hands together in front of him, his expression stern. He can really turn on the whole serious Alpha thing like a switch-sometimes it¡¯s hard to reconcile the teasing, yful Chase with this version of him. ¡°What made him question it?¡± he asks. ¡°Well¡­¡± Rob blows out a breath, lifting a hand to rub his temple as if trying to jog his memory. ¡°Mostly, the way Troy hauled Cal in here that night, demanding exile. It¡¯s not every day that a father is eager to turn over their son like that.¡± 1 ¡°He¡¯s not my father,¡± Cal mutters, his body tensing beside mine. I give his thigh a little squeeze in support. Rob turns his gaze on Cal, sitting up and raking a hand through his hair. ¡°Fine, stepfather. Either way, that didn¡¯t sit right with Vaughn.¡± He turns back to Chase, eyes rounded in sincerity. ¡°He thought about what he would¡¯ve done if it were you that night. He¡¯d have asked for leniency, not exile. Maybe even taken the me himself. He would¡¯ve tried to protect you.¡± 2 Callum grunts, the leather cushion of the sofa creaking as he shifts his weight in his seat. ¡°Slight problem with thatparison,¡± he grits out. ¡°Troy isn¡¯t half the man Alpha Vaughn was, and he¡¯s never thought of me as a son.¡± Rob shrugs a shoulder as he looks to Cal again. ¡°Maybe not, but it still didn¡¯t sit right with him that Troy was calling for you to be exiled. Vaughn didn¡¯t believe in punishing people for honest mistakes. He saw how shaken up you were that night, so he knew it wasn¡¯t an act of malice.¡± ¡°We were drunk,¡± Chase murmurs, staring down at his inteced hands. ¡± Young. Stupid.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Rob sighs. A hushed silence falls over the room, and I can¡¯t help but feel a little bit deted. I was hoping that Rob would be able to provide something we were missing. The fact that Troy¡¯s a jerk who doesn¡¯t give a shit about Cal isn¡¯t exactly news. ¡°So then what¡¯d you guys find when you investigated?¡± Vienna questions, shifting eagerly on the edge of her seat. She¡¯s been really into true crime documentariestely, so this whole thing is right up her alley. Her eyes are sparkling with twisted fascination, her body practically buzzing with anticipation. (1) Rob frowns, clearly taking no pleasure in revisiting the memory. ¡°The woman was a call girl,¡± he says. ¡°Apparently she was staying at the lodge with some rich guy all week. He left the night before and paid up the room through the weekend, and she probably thought she could make some cash off of the other guests if she hung around.¡± ¡°She never asked me for money,¡± Callum grumbles, his eyes downcast. ¡°Maybe she was taking a night off,¡± Rob suggests. ¡°Or maybe she¡¯d already had a paying customer earlier, because she had a bunch of cash in her purse. Vaughn was more caught up on Troy¡¯s reaction to the whole thing, though. Given how pushy he was about you being punished, Vaughn thought that Troy being the one there who just happened to catch you seemed a little¡­ convenient.¡± Chase¡¯s brows fly up. ¡°He thought it was a setup?¡± Rob hesitates for a beat, frowning. ¡°He couldn¡¯t prove anything.¡± I feel vindicated, my heart soaring. I knew there was something off about this story, and based upon what Rob just told us, I¡¯m not the only one. Alpha Vaughn suspected something fishy, too. Armed with that knowledge, maybe now we can finally do what he couldn¡¯t- get to the bottom of what really happenedst year. If my hunch is right, then maybe we can finally put Troy in his ce. Maybe Cal can finallye to terms with everything and stop seeing himself as a monster. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Callum mutters, his voice so low that it¡¯s barely audible. He lifts his head, his pained gaze scanning over the others. ¡°It doesn¡¯t change what happened that night.¡± My hand slips from his leg as he abruptly shoots to his feet, mumbling that he needs some air and pacing toward the back door of the packhouse. I jump up to follow him, but Chase is already a step ahead, muttering ¡°I¡¯ve got this¡± as he passes me to go after Cal. I stand there frozen for a moment, watching after the two of them as they step out onto the back patio and close the door behind them. Through the ss door, I watch Callum pace away, then turn sharply, his mouth moving with words I can¡¯t hear. He tugs at his hair in frustration, slumping down into a patio chair. I turn away and drop back down onto the sofa, a heavy weight settling in my chest like a boulder. Maybe I should¡¯ve just let the past be. ¡°Hey.¡± Without missing a beat, Vee pops up from her spot on the couch, rounding the coffee table to come sit by me instead. She slings an arm over my shoulders as she flops down, pulling me in. ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking, and this isn¡¯t your fault.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± I offer her a weak smile, though I know it doesn¡¯t quite meet my eyes. Rob rises from the other side of the sectional, throwing an awkward thumb over his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m just gonna¡­¡± Vienna gives him a nod and he takes off, leaving the two of us alone in the living room. As soon as he¡¯s gone, Vee elbows me, giving me a hard look. ¡°Ness, seriously. Don¡¯t beat yourself up over this. You were just standing up for your man! I would¡¯ve done the same if I were in your shoes.¡± I whip my head around to the sou of the back door opening, throat tightening as Chase ducks inside. ¡°He¡¯s fine,¡± he provides before I can even ask, stooping to pull open the drawer of a nearby side table. He retrieves a lighter from inside, his other hand diving into his hoodie pocket to fetch a joint. ¡°We¡¯re just gonna hang outside for a little while,¡± Chase exins. I nod, ncing past him to look at Callum through the ss door again. He¡¯s sitting in a patio chair, shoulders hunched, heade down. I resist the urge to go to him, still feeling guilty for putting him in this position. ¡± ¡°They have to fight their own demons,¡¯ Vee murmurs to me after Chase exits again, nodding toward our guys on the patio outside. She understands better than most what that entails ¨C Chase was in a bad ce when the two of them first got together. ¡°You just have to decide if it¡¯s worth it to stick around while they do.¡± I¡¯m surprised how quickly the answeres to me- that it¡¯s definitely worth it. Callum is worth it. Even after everything, especially after everything. If we can get through this ande out on the other side, it¡¯ll make us both stronger. Closer. Unbreakable. He¡¯s spent the day lending me trust, and now it¡¯s time for me to do the same. Chapter 36 Chapter 36 36 CALLUM It¡¯s going to storm. I can smell it in the air even before I hear the faint echo of thunder in the distance, a warning of what¡¯sing. We need the rain. The blistering summer sun has made the grass brittle, the forest foliage withering with thirst. Even the river is lower than I¡¯ve seen it in years, in desperate need of a top-up. Sitting outside on the patio behind the packhouse, there¡¯s an unmistakable energy in the air, almost like the parchedndscape is quivering in anticipation for the storm to roll in. Within myself, the storm is already raging. It has been for a long time, born in a dark room in a basement, fed by anger and resentment. Until I found the one person who could calm it: Vanessa Diaz, my muse, my light. ¡°You good?¡± Chase asks, his eyes still bloodshot from the joint we smoked. I grunt in affirmation, nodding. My own high is already gone, but the weed calmed me down as it worked its way through my system, tempering my agitation. Pulling the skeletons out of my closet over thest week has taken its toll. Rehashing things with Rob didn¡¯t particrly bother me; it was the reason behind it that struck a nerve. I was fine right up until I saw that hopeful look in Nessa¡¯s eyes, like she was searching for some way to excuse my past indiscretions. Like she needed some sort of validation that I¡¯m not a cold -blooded killer. I¡¯d give anything to go back and change that night, but I can¡¯t. What¡¯s done is done, and it¡¯s a stain I¡¯ll bear on my soul for the rest of my life. There¡¯s no excuse or hidden exnation, it just is what it is; I am what I am. I thought she¡¯de to terms with it, but seeing that look on her face tonight, I realized that sweet, virtuous Nessa may not ever be able to reconcile the man with the monster. 3 That¡¯s what made me break. Chase leans forward in the wrought iron patio chair, fixing me with a solemn stare. ¡°Ready to go back in?¡± I nod again, thankful that he sat out here with me until I got my head on straight but recognizing that this isn¡¯t really his battle. It¡¯s up to me and Ness to figure out our shit; whether we¡¯ll be able to make this work now that all the cards are on the table. I was hopeful until I saw that look. Now, I¡¯m not so sure. 2 Chase pushes up from his seat first, leading the way back inside. The girls are still on the couch, both of them craning their necks to look over the back of it with wide, curious eyes as we enter. Nessa¡¯s gaze collides with mine and she immediately hops up, not breaking eye contact as I stride over to her. ¡°Can we talk?¡± I ask as I reach out to take her hand, my thumb gliding over her knuckles. ¡°Yeah,¡± she breathes, almost in relief. She threads her fingers with mine, stepping out from around the coffee table and tugging on my hand. ¡°C¡¯mon.¡± I¡¯m d she wants to have this conversation in private. Not that I have anything to hide anymore, but it seems like Vienna is always ring daggers at me these days. I suppose I understand. I can¡¯t fault her for wanting to protect her friend, and truthfully, I appreciate the fact that Nessa has someone like Vee in her corner. I nod to Chase and Vienna as we leave the room, thetter giving me a hard look, as if to say ¡®don¡¯t fuck it up¡¯. Yeah, I¡¯ll try not to. We¡¯re both quiet as I follow Nessa down the hallway that houses the guest roo our feet treading softly against the hardwood floor. When we arrive at thest door on the left, she turns the knob to open it, dropping my hand as she strides inside and flips on the light. I¡¯m immediately greeted by her scent- even if she hadn¡¯t led me to this room, I¡¯d know it was hers by the sweet smell of cherries that hangs in the air. And if that failed me, then I¡¯d definitely know it by a single nce inside. It¡¯s feminine and romantic and so perfectly her, exactly how I¡¯ve always imagined her space would look if I was invited in. Nessa strides over to the bed, breathing a heavy sigh as she sinks down onto the edge, coasting her fingertips over the fluffy pale pinkforter. She kicks off her shoes as she crosses one long tan leg over the other, then nts her palms behind her, leaning back and beckoning me with a flick of her head. She¡¯s the picture of a sweet girl nextdoor fantasy, my pulse racing as I stand frozen in the doorway, practically drooling. We need to have a conversation, but those legs, those eyes, that coy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth¡­ It takes me a second to snap out of it and push those nefarious thoughts aside. I stride further into the room, moving closer but keeping enough distance so I¡¯ll still be able to think straight. I stop in front of the dresser positioned across from the bed, folding my arms over my chest and leaning back against it, gazing at Nessa as I draw a slow breath. ¡°You were hoping Rob would have more to say,¡± I murmur, not as a question, but as a statement. When we sat outside, Chase disclosed that Nessa hade to him to express her doubts as to what really happenedst year. She¡¯d told him that she didn¡¯t believe I killed that woman, despite the fact that I¡¯d already told her exactly how it happened. Nessa sits up, folding her hands in herp. ¡°Well yeah, but I think he gave us enough to go on for now,¡± she replies, a determined glint in her eye. ¡°If Troy was involved, if it was a setup, then maybe we can find a way to get to the truth of it and make him answer for what he did. Maybe }) ¡°Is this about justice, or is it about trying to clear my name?¡± I interrupt, pushing off the dresser and taking a step toward her. ¡°Because I was there, Ness. Whether it was a setup or not, I still killed her.¡± I don¡¯t mean for it toe out as harsh as it does. She stills, her throat bobbing with a hard swallow as she peers up at me. ¡°I¡¯ve had to live with that,¡± I rasp, staring into her wide brown doe-eyes. The question is, can you?¡± Nessa doesn¡¯t break eye contact, but for once, I can¡¯t read her expression. She worries her lower lip between her teeth, wringing her hands in herp. I step closer, bridging thest bit of distance between us. Reaching down, I slide a finger under her chin, tipping it up. My throat tightens at the sight of the raw vulnerability in her gaze. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else to the story, if it happened exactly how I say it did, is there still a chance for us?¡± I ask, terrified of her answer but needing to hear it. It¡¯s so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. My heart pounds wildly against my (( ribs, and I know that this is it. The moment of truth. The one that¡¯ll change everything. Her eyes dart away, giving me my answer. My chest detes, shoulders sagging as I drop her chin and take a jerky step back. It was too much to hope for a second chance. Maybe if I¡¯d me to her with everything before, when things were good between us, she could¡¯ve epted my past. I fucked it all to hell when I left her. There¡¯s too much pain between us now, too much distrust, and it¡¯s my own damn fault. I never should¡¯ve doubted her. Never should¡¯ve left. ¡°I¡¯ll never stop loving you, Ness,¡± I mutter. Her eyes snap back up to meet mine, and my chest squeezes painfully at the connection. ¡°I know I can¡¯t change my past or the pain I caused you, and I¡¯ll regret the way I left every day for the rest of my fucking life. But I¡¯ll never regret what we had. I wouldn¡¯t change that for a thing.¡± 5 My throat burns as I turn away, my feet heavy as I start Ward the door. ¡°Wait.¡± My muscles lock up and I freeze in my tracks. Her approaching footsteps are almost silent, and suddenly she¡¯s right in front of me, staring up into my eyes as she presses her palm to my chest, over my heart. ¡°I can,¡± she says resolutely, nodding. ¡°I can live with it.¡± My pulse races, my throat tightening. (( ¡°I love you, Callum,¡± Nessa breathes, lifting her other hand to cup my jaw, warmth blooming beneath her touch. Even after you left, I never stopped. So yes, I can live with your past. As long as you can promise me a future.¡± My heart trips over its valves. One second I¡¯m frozen, and the next, I¡¯m lunging for her, grabbing her by the hips and yanking her body into mine. I m my lips down over hers, swallowing her little gasp of surprise as I im her mouth in a desperate, filthy kiss. She reacts with equal urgency, clutching my face and tugging me impossibly closer, parting her lips to let me in and hiking a leg up over my hip. It¡¯s messy. Sloppy. Uncoordinated. I nip her lips and lick her teeth and tangle my hands in her hair. She¡¯s pressing against me so hard that I stumble backwards, knocking into the dresser and sending things crashing to the floor, but we continue to devour one another, everything else fading into the background. Every encounter since I came back home has been building up to this, the tension between us finally snapping as we give in. ¡°You can¡¯t leave me again,¡± Nessa gasps against my lips, fingernails digging into my shoulder des like she¡¯s trying to anchor me. She doesn¡¯t have anywhere. I¡¯m not going ¡°Never,¡± I growl in response, kissing my way to her jaw. I lick a path down the column of her neck, sucking marks into her silky skin. ¡°I promise. A soft moan escapes her lips as I palm her ass, lifting her to wrap her thighs around my waist. I twist around to position her on top of the dresser and something else falls off with a tter in the process. Neither of us pay any mind to the havoc we¡¯re wreaking around us, though, because then she¡¯s tugging the hem of my shirt up my torso, fighting to get it past my shoulders. I stumble back a half step to assist her, yanking my shirt off overhead while she tears off her own. My gaze immediately drops to her flushed chest, her round, perky tits barely contained in a white cotton bralette. I sink my teeth into my lip, stifling a groan. Everything about this girl is fucking perfect. My eyes slowly climb back up to Nessa¡¯s face. Her cheeks are rosy, her lips puffy, her hair mussed. ¡°So fucking beautiful,¡± I think aloud, tucking my fingertips underneath the band of her bralette and yanking it up, her tits spilling out gloriously. I dive forward to capture her mouth again, kissing her hungrily as I palm her gorgeous tits in both hands, kneading the supple flesh and pinching her stiff nipples. She squirms and pants as I trail kisses down her neck, along her corbone, over the swell of her breasts. Her fingers tangle in my hair as I bite and suck her nipples, the sweetest little mewls and cries falling from her lips. ¡°The door,¡± Nessa whines, pinpricks of pain spreading over my scalp as she yanks on my hair. ¡°Callum, the door¡­¡± I release her nipple with a loud pop, stumbling back when she shoves at my chest. Even then, her words haven¡¯t quite registered, my mind in aplete fog of lust and obsessive want. Nessa shimmies off the edge of the dresser, covering her tits with an arm and shouldering past me to make a beeline for the bedroom door. That¡¯s when it clicks- the damn thing is still open. She pulls it closed and engages the lock, and by the time she turns back to face me, I¡¯m stalking toward her like a predator, the painful strain of my hard-on against my zipper making every step agony. Desire res in Nessa¡¯s eyes as she watches my approach intently, pressing back against the door and drawing heavy breaths. As soon as I reach her, I drop to my knees, yanking her shorts down her legs with my descent. Her pantiese off with them, and she gasps as I wrench her thighs apart, diving right in to lick a hot path up her center. 2 Nessa cries out, her legs ¡°Callum trembling against my ear as she buries her hands in my hair. I press a forearm against her belly to pin her securely against the door,pping up her sweet nectar like a man starved. I growl against her folds and the vibration makes her shiver, her hands fisting my hair tighter. I could die between this woman¡¯s thighs with no regrets. Every pant, every mewl, every breathy whisper of my name on her lips drives me fucking wild. I circle her clit with my tongue, flicking the sensitive bud until she¡¯s grinding down, riding my face,ing undone. She throws her head back against the door with a loud bang when she reaches. her climax, gasping and screaming as it rocks through her. I don¡¯t let up, licking and sucking her clit while fumbling with the button on my jeans, scrambling to shove them down and release my throbbing cock from their confines. Nessa¡¯s legs are still trembling when I shoot to my feet, throwing one of her thighs over my hip and sinking the head of my cock inside her, her inner walls still quivering from her release. ¡°Fuck,¡± I groan, squeezing her hips tightly as I inch deeper inside. It¡¯s been a while, so I¡¯m trying to hold back from pounding into her the way I want to, but damnit if it¡¯s not taking every ounce of my self- control right now. ¡°More,¡± Nessa moans, rocking against 1. I don¡¯t deny her. I punch my hips forward, gliding into her tight channel easily since she¡¯s so damn wet for me. Wrapping my arms around her thighs, I pin her against the door with my chest and spread her wide, sinking in to the hilt on a guttural moan. Her fingernails dig into the backs of my shoulders as I pull out halfway and m back home again and again, the door rattling on its hinges with every forceful thrust. A loud rumble of thunder sounds outside, a bolt of lightning punctuating a hard snap of my hips. Nessa¡¯s thighs strain against my hold on them, and I finally relent, wrapping them around my waist instead as I continue to fuck into her with reckless abandon. She starts to buck against me and I get thrown off bnce, my feet tangling in my jeans pooled at my feet. I stumble and try to right myself, but suddenly I¡¯m pitched backwards, going down fast. I somehow manage to catch myself on one arm to help break my fall while cradling Nessa against me with the other, augh spilling from her lips as shends on top of me. ¡°Fuck,¡± I mutter, wincing at the pain shooting up my back. It¡¯s quickly forgotten, though, because then Nessa¡¯s shoving my shoulders down, positioning herself on top of me and sinking down on my cock. I groan as she starts riding me, my handstching onto her bouncing tits, my gaze transfixed on the fire in her eyes and her swollen, parted lips. She¡¯s a vision, a goddess in the flesh, and my brain can hardly catch up to the fact that this is finally happening; that I¡¯m making her mine again. Something primal takes over and I yank her down, rolling us over on the floor and mounting her with a savage snarl. ¡°Did this pussy miss me, baby?¡± I growl out, hovering over her and snapping my hips forward with a brutal thrust. ¡°Yes!¡± she gasps. Her hands scrabble at my biceps, fingernails digging in. I punch in deeper, hard but not fast, dropping my thumb to rub against her clit. ¡°Who does it belong to?¡± Her pussy tightens around my cock, practically strangling it. ¡°You!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± I rasp, rubbing her clit harder, bringing her to the brink. When she¡¯s right on the edge, I withdraw my touch, a frustrated moan escaping her throat. ¡°Callum, please,¡± Nessa cries, her own. hand reaching between her legs. I grab her by the wrist, scooping my other arm around her waist to yank her upright in my arms. ¡°Not yet, baby,¡± I murmur, her arms and legs wrapping around me to hold on. I thrust up into her, liquid fire coursing through my veins. That¡¯s when I feel it again- the re of connection that feels so much like the mate bond. There¡¯s some sort of residual echo of its existence within us, and we both tense as it jolts through our bodies, bringing with it a wave of rapture. It¡¯s there and gone in an instant, but its potency lingers, driving both of us to new heights. Nessa clutches my shoulders, using them for leverage as she moves with me, meeting every hard thrust. 2 ¡°I fucking love you,¡± I growl against her neck, nipping her skin as I continue rutting up into her. ¡°I love you too,¡± she whines, taking everything I¡¯m giving her like a goddamn (( champ. Like she can¡¯t get enough. Callum, oh god, I think I¡¯m gonna¡­ }) I bury myself deep, grinding my pelvis against hers. ¡°Let go, baby.¡± Her inner walls mp down on my dick as shees, fingernails wing my skin so hard that I swear I feel a dribble of blood run down my back. I fuck her through it, harder, deeper, prolonging her orgasm until she¡¯s a shaking mess in my arms, tears of rapture running down her cheeks. The base of my spine tingles, my balls tightening, and the next thing I know, I¡¯m thrusting as deep as I can, shoving her hips down and shuddering against her as I pump her full of my own release. 2 It¡¯s the most intense orgasm of my life, bar none. Fireworks explode behind my eyelids and an incoherent string of expletives spill from my lips. With another loud crack of thunder from the storm raging outside, I swear it¡¯s like the heavens are opening up, bathing me in euphoria. It¡¯s possible that I ck out for a second, because when Ie to, Nessa is boneless in my arms, her own dangling limply around my neck while her heavy breaths fan my skin. It takes me a second to catch my breath and attempt to struggle to my feet, but I don¡¯t let her go. I lift her with me, stumbling to the bed,ying her down gently and crawling in next to her. Nessa¡¯s head lolls to the side, her eyes meeting mine. ¡°That was¡­¡± Another crash of thunder sounds before she can finish, and a giddyugh bubbles up from her throat as she gestures wildly toward the window. ¡°Exactly.¡± Iugh, too- an honest, genuineugh. Because fuck, I can¡¯t remember thest time I was this happy. Probably thest time I was with her and things were good. I roll onto my side, reaching out to palm one of her tits as I stare into her eyes. ?? We¡¯ve got a lot of time to make up for.¡± She arches a brow, parting her thighs teasingly. ¡°Ready for round two?¡± For as sweet and virginal as Nessa seems, she¡¯s a fucking minx. It drives me crazy. I shove up from the bed with a growl, crawling on top of her and positioning myself between her legs. I¡¯m still fucking hard as stone thanks to that shifter stamina, and she reaches between our bodies to grip my cock, my own shuddering as she gives it a languid stroke. ¡°Hope you didn¡¯t n on sleeping tonight,¡± I murmur as she guides the tip of my cock to her entrance. She moans in response as I push inside, and I swear to fuck that every time with this girl feels like the first. Her pussy¡¯s tight, her body soft and pliant, moving with mine as I set a slow rhythm. ¡°Gonna do this all fucking night, babe¡± I promise, sinking in deep and circling my hips, grinding against her. ¡°And maybe all day tomorrow, too. Fuck, I¡¯ll never get enough of you.¡± (1 I dip my head down, crushing my lips against hers. She returns the kiss with equal fervor, moaning into my mouth as I continue working my hips in a slow grind. Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. I mean every word, too. Now that I have Nessa back, there¡¯s no way in hell I¡¯m ever letting her go. If I have to spend all night, all day, the rest of my goddamn life proving that to her, I will. Because she¡¯s mine, and I¡¯m not leaving this bed until I¡¯m satisfied that she knows it. Chapter 37 Chapter 37 37 VANESSA ¡°Callum,¡± I whine, squirming atop the soft cotton sheets. Bright sunlight pours in through the window across from my bed, illuminating him in all his naked glory. He only grunts in response. I bury my hands in his hair, tugging on the strands. ¡°C¡¯mon, we have to leave this room,¡± I pant, a little tremor wracking my body as he hits a particrly sensitive spot. ¡°We at least have to eat¡­¡± He lifts his head with an arched brow, licking his lips and hitting me with a panty-melting smirk. ¡°What do you think I¡¯m trying to do down here?¡± He lowers his head between my thighs again before I can respond, his tongueshing against my clit, earning a hoarse moan from my lips. ¡°I¡­ I¡­ oh god, right there¡­¡± I babble, my back arching off the bed as he screws a finger into my tight hole again, curving it upwards to press against that same spot inside that has me falling to pieces against his face. I¡¯ve lost count of how many orgasms he¡¯s wrung out of me since we locked ourselves in herest night. We went at least three rounds before I passed out from exhaustion, but an hourter, I woke up to Callum between my legs again. That same cycle repeated throughout the night- an hour or two of sleep, incredible, mind-blowing sex, followed by a little more sleep then even more action. I¡¯ve been fucked so thoroughly that it¡¯s a wonder I¡¯m still whole. ¡°C¡¯mon babe,¡± Cal coaxes, his words vibrating against my clit tortuously.¡± Give me one more.¡± For a second, I doubt if I have it in me, but then he presses against that spot again, suctioning his mouth over my clit, and I¡¯m proven wrong. Deliciously, gloriously, wrong. I cry out as Ie undone, a wave of pleasure making me jolt and tremble until I¡¯m a writhing, panting mess atop the sheets. 2 A deviant grin spreads across Callum¡¯s face as he crawls back up my body, his lips shining with my desire. He runs his tonguenguidly over them before leaning down to capture my own in a toe- curling kiss. I taste myself on his lips and tongue, moaning into his mouth as my hands explore the hard nes of his chest. Then he releases my lips with a loud pop, rolling sideways to flop down on the bed beside me with a satisfied smirk on his face. ¡°Still wanna leave this room?¡± he asks with a mischievous glint in his eye, reaching over to pinch my nipple. I yelp, squirming away from him before he can get his hands on me again. My legs are wobbly as I climb out of bed, padding over to the dresser to retrieve some clothes. I feel Callum¡¯s heated stare burning into my backside as I tug on a pair of panties, cotton shorts, and a loose t-shirt,bing my fingers through my hair before whirling back around to face him. ¡°Food,¡± I demand, my stomach rumbling its agreement. With a resigned sigh, he finally rolls out of bed, roaming the room to collect his discarded clothes from the floor. I lean back against the dresser oddly entranced as I watch him pull them on. It¡¯s like a reverse strip-tease, his defined muscles rippling, then disappearing beneath the fabric of his clothes. Once he¡¯s fully dressed, Cal strides over to me and nts a hard, iming kiss on my lips, leaving me dizzy and breathless by the time he pulls back and palms my ass with a possessive squeeze. ¡°Ready?¡± I nod wordlessly, taking his offered hand and allowing him to lead me out of the room. We follow the smell of bacon down the hallway, and when we arrive in the kitchen, my eyes nearly bug out of my head at the sight of the spreadid out on the kitchen table. Chase and Vienna are upying two seats side by side, near- empty tes in front of them. My mouth hangs open, my shocked eyes snapping to my friend in question. ¡°Figured you guys would be hungry,¡± Vee winks, gesturing to the heaping tters of food as she and Chase exchange smug nces. My mouth waters as my eyes drift back down to the impressive breakfast spread. There¡¯s a hefty te of bacon, a towering stack of pancakes, eggs, breakfast potatoes, and even a tray of blueberry muffins. I¡¯m still in a state of shock because in my months of living here, Chase and Vee have only actually cooked a handful of times. This must¡¯ve taken a lot of work- and if I know my friend, a lot of patience. Chase is clueless in the kitchen. I remember them bickering nonstop when she tried to coach him through helping her make enchdas for dinner one night. Callum doesn¡¯t seem phased by the food spread out before us. He gives it a passing nce, then turns to slide me a smirk. ¡± Well, I already ate, but¡­¡± 2 I elbow him in the ribs, my face burning in embarrassment as I avert my eyes. Chase snorts, poorly concealing his amusement while Vee loses herself in a fit of giggles. ¡°Oh,e on, don¡¯t be a prude, Ness,¡± Viennaughs. ¡°It¡¯s not like you guys were the only ones in this house getting somest night.¡± She flicks Chase a sultry little nce, reaching over to run her hand down his chest. She drags it lower until it disappears under the table, and when his body jerks, I know exactly where her handnded. I blush even harder, dropping into a chair across from them and avoiding Vee¡¯s gaze as I start to pile food onto my te. ¡°Never would¡¯ve pegged you as a screamer,¡± Vienna teases, plucking a piece of bacon from the tter in the center of the table. ¡°Then again, the sweet, innocent ones usually are¡­ ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± I admonish, my eyes snapping back up to meet hers. She throws back her head on another He rolls his eyes, pulling out the chair beside me and sinking into it. ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± he grumbles, sliding a hand onto my thigh and giving it a little squeeze in reassurance. I smile coyly and he starts to lean in for a kiss, but before his lips can meet mine, I lift a blueberry muffin between us and sink my teeth into it, groaning in satisfaction at the sweet taste on my tongue. I know better than to let him distract me again before I get some sustenance in me. Cal grunts in discontentment, adjusting himself slyly as his gaze remains locked on my mouth. Seriously, does this guy not have an ¡®off¡¯ switch? I know he said he wanted to make up for lost time, but jeez¡­ ¡°Eat,¡± I demand around a mouthful of muffin, flicking my head toward the food on the table. He heaves a sigh, leaning forward begrudgingly to start filling his te. Our sex marathon worked up quite the appetite. It¡¯s like I can¡¯t get the food in my mouth fast enough- I wolf down the muffin, then start shoveling in forkfuls of breakfast potatoes, so ravenous that I completely forget my table manners. Feeling the weight of a stare on me, I nce up to see Chase watching me with a smug grin on his lips. ¡°What?¡± I mumble, only breaking stride to gulp down a sip of orange juice. ¡°Oh nothing,¡± Chase smirks. ¡°Just d to see your appetite¡¯s back.¡± I cut him a re, though I can¡¯t help but crack a smile. Chase was there for me when I was nursing my broken heart. Not just as Vee¡¯s mate, either; he became a real friend to me. And he has a point, I was barely eating during that time. Callum starts in on his breakfast as I continue devouring my own, Vee and Chase sitting across from us sharing a silent conversation with their eyes and facial expressions. ¡°So, team¡­¡± Vienna leans forward, folding her hands in front of her. ¡°Now that we¡¯re all happy and in love and all the drama is behind us¡­¡± I snort, rolling my eyes at my friend and cutting Callum a smirk. ¡°What are we going to do about Troy?¡± she finishes. I stop chewing, nearly dropping my fork as I whip my head toward Cal to gauge his reaction. He¡¯s still calmly eating his breakfast, as if Vee didn¡¯t just call attention to the giant elephant in the room. Chase clears his throat, tossing an arm over the back of Vienna¡¯s chair. ¡°If you want us to leave it alone, that¡¯s your call,¡± he says, eyes focused on Callum beside me. ¡°But personally, I¡¯d like to see whether there¡¯s any truth to my dad¡¯s theory. If Troy had something to do with what happened that night, then he shouldn¡¯t be able to get away with it. Justice should be served.¡± 2 Cal¡¯s throat bobs as he swallows down a bite of bacon, turning to me slowly. ¡± What do you think, babe?¡± I scrunch my nose, furrowing my brow. ¡± Me?¡± He nods. ¡°We¡¯re in this together now, right?¡± My chest swells with warmth, my heart fluttering. ¡°Right,¡± I say, pulling my lower lip between my teeth and searching his eyes for an answer. Will it be too much for him to dredge this up again? Should we just leave it alone? ¡°Don¡¯t you think it was weird that he was right outside?¡± I ask cautiously. ¡°I guess I never really thought about it,¡± Callum grumbles, leaning back with a heavy sigh and raking a hand through his hair. ¡°He¡¯s been there for all the worst moments of my life, the guy never misses an opportunity to see me fail.¡± 1 The rasp in his voice and the concealed pain in his gaze serves as a stark reminder of what he recently confessed about his childhood; about who Troy really is. He¡¯s nothing but a bully, an abuser who made Callum¡¯s life hell just because they don¡¯t share the same blood. The thought of him locking Cal away when he was young, tormenting him by burrowing into his psyche and making him feel like he didn¡¯t matter enrages me to the point that my hands curl into fists. atop the table. ¡°Chase is right, he shouldn¡¯t get away with it,¡± I grit out. I look Callum in the eye, dropping my voice lower. ¡°With any of it.¡± He nods slowly, his gaze dropping to his te as he blows out a breath. The he lifts his head, looking to Chase. ¡°So what are we going to do about it?¡± 1 Chase¡¯s lips curl into a grin. Beside him, All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Vee is practically vibrating with giddy energy, a wide smile stretching her face. She¡¯s a victim of abuse herself- if she knew everything Callum had gone through, she¡¯d be even more gung-ho than she is right now to exact a pound of flesh from his stepfather. Even without that detail, though, she¡¯s eager to exact retribution for someone who was wronged. A true Luna. ¡°We need a n,¡± I say resolutely, pushing my te away. My appetite for food has suddenly vanished, but my appetite for vengeance is alive and well. ¡°Agreed,¡± Chase nods. He leans forward sporting a grin almost as devious as Vienna¡¯s. Those two really are a perfect match. He runs a hand over his chin, wetting his lips with his tongue. ¡°I may have an idea¡­¡± Chapter 38 Chapter 38 38 CALLUM ¡°I was beginning to think you were avoiding me,¡± Troy mutters dryly as he forces his way past me into my apartment. My muscles lock up as his shoulder knocks into mine. ¡°Yeah, well I knew you wouldn¡¯t stop calling until I picked up,¡± I grumble. I re after my stepfather as he strides right into the living room like he owns the damn ce, and all the effort I put into calming myself prior to this interaction is immediately wasted at the sight of him in my space. My jaw ticks in agitation, fingers twitching at my sides. I¡¯m not fond of anybody intruding on my space, Nessa being the only exception. That¡¯s who I¡¯m really doing this for. My girl is an idealist; she can¡¯t abide not seeing wrongs righted, so if there¡¯s one to uncover here, I¡¯ll try, for her. I finally picked up one of Troy¡¯s calls this morning and told him he coulde over for a chat, though I still have doubts about Chase¡¯s n actually working. It¡¯s clever, but he doesn¡¯t know Troy like I do. It¡¯d take a sledgehammer for this man to crack. ¡°Your mother¡¯s hurt that you haven¡¯t stopped by since you returned,¡± Fuckfacements as he sinks down onto my sofa, throwing an arm over the back and settling in. ¡°I doubt that,¡± I snort. He gives me a once-over, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re right. She hasn¡¯t even asked about you.¡± 7 He¡¯s clearly wasting no time in trying to get under my skin. He should know by now that I¡¯m not phased by my mother¡¯s indifference, though. I just shrug, striding into the room and taking a seat in the recliner on the opposite side, maintaining a detached, aloof exterior even though I feel bile crawling up my throat. Realizing his first barb didn¡¯tnd, Troy switches tactics. ¡°Pity about that girlfriend of yours,¡± he murmurs as he picks a piece of lint off the sofa, flicking it away. My pulse picks up speed. Damnit. ¡°What about her?¡± I grit out. That patronizing grin of his that I fucking hate makes a swift appearance, my stepdad delighting in managing to strike a nerve. ¡°Spencer said he¡¯s seen her out with Miles,¡± he says, attempting to twist the knife. When I don¡¯t immediately react, he presses on. ¡°It must hurt, seeing her move on so quickly. And with one of your so-called friends, no less.¡± Troy sucks in a hissed breath through his teeth, feigning a wince of sympathy. ¡°You did the right thing, though, breaking that off. d to see you took my advice to heart.¡± ¡°We¡¯re back together, actually,¡± I mutter before I can stop myself. I wasn¡¯t nning on revealing that little tidbit of information to this asshole, but seeing him sitting on my couch looking so smug, it just slips out. This is what he does; burrows himself under my skin until my knee- jerk reactions overpower rationality. Troy¡¯s brows shoot up, his imprable mask slipping momentarily. Then he fucking chuckles, like my life is all some big joke to him. ¡°Interesting,¡± he tuts. ¡± Surprised you¡¯d want her back after another man had her.¡± ¡°You wanted Mom.¡± 13 I see the split-second reaction, the curl of his lip, the sh of anger in his eyes. But just as quickly as it appeared, he smooths it over, schooling his expression. ¡°Well, I certainly hope she isn¡¯t pregnant,¡± he muses. Pausing, his eyes narrow, that familiar look of hatred swirling behind them as he fixes me with a venomous gaze. ¡°I¡¯d hate for you to have to see what it¡¯s like to live with another man¡¯s mistake.¡± 7 That one stings, but I don¡¯t let him see it. He¡¯s never tried to hide how he feels about me. When I was a kid, I wanted his love- craved it, even. Now, I don¡¯t want anything from him except for him to leave me the hell alone. ¡°What do you want from me, Troy?¡± I sigh, leaning back in the recliner and drumming my fingertips against the armrest. ¡°You want me to apologize for being born?¡± ¡°You know what I want,¡± he snaps, his patience wearing thin. ¡°We discussed it thest time we spoke, though it seems that you¡¯ve failed to follow through.¡± At least he¡¯s cutting right to the chase. ¡°But I didn¡¯t,¡± I reply smoothly. ¡°I put in a good word for Spence, just like you asked me to. Problem is, the position you were after for him has already been filled.¡± Surprise flits across his face again. ¡± What? By who?¡± I can¡¯t suppress the grin that pulls at my lips. ¡°Me.¡± 1 Try as he might, Troy can¡¯t hide the indignation that permeates his features. His posture stiffens as his eyes narrow in rage, steam practicallying out of his ears. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious,¡± he sputters. I just nod, my grin widening. I can¡¯t help it- this guy never allows his feathers to be ruffled. It¡¯s so damn satisfying to see him being the one to squirm for once, knowing that for the first time, I¡¯m the one with the upper hand. Fuckface shakes his head in disbelief. ¡± You can¡¯t ept the position, you know that.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± I scoff. He draws a steady breath, hisposure slowly returning. ¡°Because our alpha doesn¡¯t know what you did. I¡¯d hate to be the one to have to tell him¡­¡± ¡°What makes you think I haven¡¯t already?¡± I interrupt, frustration leeching into my tone. He doesn¡¯t miss it, nor the tight set of my jaw. Troy rxes back into the sofa, a slimy smile creasing his lips. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t have asked you to be an enforcer if you had,¡± he says matter-of- factly. ¡°Friend or not, no alpha would put his pack at risk by granting rank to a loose cannon.¡± My fingers flex against the armrests of the recliner as I suppress my instinctual reaction. I won¡¯t let him see that he¡¯s rattled me. Especially not if this n has any hope of working. ¡°That¡¯s why he asked me, actually,¡± I say calmly, just as we rehearsed. ¡°He said the current enforcers have gone soft, he wants someone who isn¡¯t afraid to do what needs to be done. Someone with a killer instinct.¡± ¡°Killer instinct?¡± Troy scoffs. He shakes his head in disbelief, hisposed mask slipping again. ¡°You almost pissed yourself that night,¡± he chuckles. ¡°Cried like a fuckin¡¯ baby¡­¡± ¡°Maybe that¡¯s what I wanted you to see, I reason, forcing a smile. ¡°What I wanted Alpha Vaughn to see.¡± The lie tastes bitter on my lips, but I press on, sticking to the script. ¡°And it worked, it got me out of being punished. But I knew what I was doing when I lured that woman upstairs. It went exactly as I¡¯d nned.¡± Troy throws his head back on a maniacalugh. ¡°How you¡¯d nned?!¡± he barks. ¡± Oh, that¡¯s rich. As if a woman like that would¡¯ve picked up a seventeen-year-old brat willingly.¡± 1 My heart stutters in my chest, the hairs on the back of my neck prickling. Somehow, I keep it together, though. Somehow, I press on, without missing a beat. ¡°You were there, you saw her,¡± I say with an arrogant wave of my hand. ¡°She was more than willing.¡± ¡°Because she was paid to be,¡± Troy spits. Bingo. My spine goes ramrod straight, realization mming into me. Nessa was right- it was a setup. Troy was involved all along. How did I never see that? All this time, I never thought to examine why Troy was there that night, waiting in the wings. My mind races, and I open my mouth to speak, but no soundes out. Before we did this, Chase let me in on something else Rob had mentioned to him; the reason behind Alpha Vaughn¡¯s suspicion of Troy. Apparently, my stepdad had made more than one y to obtain pack rank for himself in the past and was repeatedly passed over. Vaughn spected that after Troy¡¯s own failures, he¡¯d likely project that onto his son, and given how close Chase and I were, he probably saw the writing on the wall; that I¡¯d be selected for pack rank over Spencer. And if that were the case, it could¡¯ve been his motivation to push me out of the picture. Knowing Troy, it makes sense. Too much fucking sense to be a coincidence. ¡°You think you¡¯re so clever, huh?¡± Fuckface chuckles dryly, shaking his head. My gaze snaps back up to his, and for a second, I think he¡¯s caught onto what I¡¯m. trying to do here. But then he keeps talking. ¡°You think if you own what happened that night, it somehow makes you special? That you can use it to your advantage?¡± His eyes narrow menacingly. ¡°You¡¯re not special, Cal. You¡¯re a fucking embarrassment. You¡¯ve always been weak, crying when I sent you to time-out, crying when you thought you¡¯d killed that whore. I paid her extra to y dead, and she thought it was hrious, a prank between a father and son.¡± Wait, what? ¡°But¡­ she died,¡± I stammer, trying to conceal the tremble in my hands. ¡°Because I¡¯m not weak like you,¡± Troy snaps, a cruel gleam in his eye. ¡°And I don¡¯t like loose ends.¡± 8 My jaw goes ck. I could wrap my mind around being set up, but this¡­ ¡°You?¡± I rasp, no longer even attempting to feign indifference as I struggle toprehend the weight of the bomb that Troy just dropped. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t act so surprised,¡± he mutters with a flippant wave of his hand. ¡°And don¡¯t think this changes anything. It¡¯s my word against yours and I¡¯m a respected member of this pack, while everyone knows you¡¯re nothing but a troublemaking kid.¡± He pauses for a moment, dropping his voice lower. ¡°And if you don¡¯t want that pretty little girlfriend of yours to meet the same end as that whore from Boulder did, then I¡¯d suggest you turn down the enforcer position.¡± 5 I shoot to my feet, my hands curling into fists at my sides. ¡°You will not threaten Nessa,¡± I growl, my vision tinting red and my wolf surging to the surface. Troy sighs, looking almost bored as he rises from the couch and smooths out the front of his button- down shirt. ¡°Then you know what to do.¡± Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. ¡°Yeah, tell the fucking truth about what happened that night,¡± I fire back. Rather than taking my threat to heart, he rolls his eyes like I¡¯m being a petnt child. ¡°As if anyone would believe your word over mine.¡± ¡°I would,¡± Chase calls as he opens the front door of my apartment and strides inside. 11 Troy¡¯s face pales when he sees our alpha, and fuck if it isn¡¯t satisfying to see all of that smug superiority melt away in an instant, reced by fear. I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ve ever seen Troy look afraid before, but it¡¯s damn glorious. I reach into the pocket of my jeans and slide out my phone, holding it out toward Fuckface so he can see the screen, showing that I¡¯ve been connected on a call with Chase this whole time. ¡°Little trick I picked up from when my girl was kidnapped,¡± Chase exins, nodding toward the phone. ¡°I thought we might get lucky with a confession that you set Cal up that night, but this¡­ well, this was beyond even my expectations.¡± Troy¡¯s mouth opens and closes as he sputters like a fish out of water, undoubtedly searching for some way to exin himself. Chase nces my way, giving me a nod. ¡± Consider this your first official job as an enforcer. Bring him in, and if he resists, feel free to rough him up a little.¡± The two of us exchange satisfied smirks before he turns on a heel and starts for the door. ¡°What?!¡± Troy blurts, finally finding his voice. ¡°You can¡¯t do this, you have no proof!¡± Chase whips back around, his eyes shimmering with the gold of his wolf. ¡°I am your Alpha,¡± he booms, the power behind his voice making me flinch slightly as he advances on Troy. ¡°My word isw in this pack.¡± Troy nches, all the remaining color draining from his face. He cowers at Chase¡¯s advance, his voice meek when he speaks. ¡°Surely we can work something out, Alpha¡­¡± ¡°The punishment should fit the crime,¡± Chase deres, stopping short and leveling Troy with a re as he folds his arms across his chest. ¡°What was it that you requested my father do when you brought Cal in that night, again? Exile?¡± 8 Fuckface¡¯s throat clicks with a hard swallow, his shoulders sagging in defeat. I see it pass over his features- the moment he knows he¡¯s lost. ¡°Cal,¡± Chase directs, flicking his head toward Troy. ¡°You know what to do.¡± A wicked grin spreads across my face as I stalk toward my stepdad, snatching his arms and pinning them behind his back in one swift motion, before he even has a chance to fully realize what¡¯s happening. He struggles against me, but it¡¯s futile- I¡¯m not that scared little boy that he locked away in the basement anymore. I¡¯m bigger than him, stronger than him. Smarter than him. 5 Chase leads the way out of my apartment, and Fuckface continues to fight my hold as we follow behind, the triumphant grin never leaving my lips. ¡°I¡¯m not the one who¡¯s weak, Troy,¡± I growl as he digs his heels in and continues to try to free his arms. ¡°You are.¡± Chapter 39 Chapter 39 39 VANESSA My fingertips ghost over the delicate lines of the drawing in myp, in awe of the painstaking detail that went into every stroke of the pencil to create it. It¡¯s a depiction of me- like every other sketch in this book- and in this one, my eyes are the main feature, crinkled at the edges, a giveaway that I¡¯m smiling even though my fists are tucked in front of my mouth to hide it. My hair frames my face in loose waves, every strand etched with such precision that you can see the movement in the drawing like it¡¯s captured a moment in time. Callum is so freaking talented, and something hot burns in my chest every time I look through these drawings, his love poured onto every page. It¡¯s a heady feeling, being his muse. Being the subject of his art, the object of his affection. It¡¯s immense and overwhelming. Nobody sees me like Callum Conway does. The sound of a key turning in the lock of his apartment door yanks me out of the trance I¡¯m in, and I jerk my head up, looking toward the door as Cal lets himself in. He freezes in the threshold when he sees me seated on his couch, exhaustion and uncertainty written all over his face. That¡¯s not the only thing on his face. I¡¯m just as taken aback by the sight of him; not because I wasn¡¯t expecting him to return home, but because he¡¯s covered in blood. Crimson lines track down his face, dripping from his saturated hair. His grey t-shirt is sttered and soaked through, and blood coats his tattooed forearms and cakes his knuckles. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Callum asks tentatively, still hovering in the doorway. I quickly bring myself back from the momentary shock of his appearance, flipping the sketchbook closed and holding it close to my chest as I rise to my feet. ¡°Your neighbor let me in with her spare key,¡± I provide. ¡°She was pretty cranky about it and definitely skeptical that I was your girlfriend. I had to sweet talk her and show her these to prove it.¡± I hold out the sketchbook to indicate before stooping to slide it onto the surface of the coffee table. The corner of Cal¡¯s mouth ticks up. ¡°Mrs. Donnelly,¡± he breathes, his shoulders. sagging as he takes a step inside and swings. the door closed behind him. ¡°She¡¯s a mean old bitch, but she¡¯s a real gem.¡± I crack a smile at the uracy of his description. She had some choice words to describe Cal as well, but despite their barbs, it¡¯s clear that they share affection for one another. He takes another step further into the apartment, and I suppress a gasp when the light hits him and further illuminates his macabre appearance. ¡°Is it done?¡± I ask quietly, even though the answer to that question is written in red all over his skin. After Vee filled me in on all the details of what went down this morning with Troy, I came straight here, knowing I wanted to be here for Cal when he returned. Knowing he¡¯d need me. He nods solemnly, grinding to a halt rather than continuing into the living room to join me. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t want you to see me like this,¡± he grits out, avoiding eye contact and staring down at his bloody palms. My bare feet pad against the floo as I make my way closer, stepping right up in front of him and reaching up to cup his bloody jaw, ignoring the mess in favor of the man. underneath it. ¡°You don¡¯t have to hide from me,¡± I say gently. Callum¡¯s eyes flicker up to meet mine, the look in them haunted. ¡°I¡¯m a monster,¡± he rasps, flinching away. ¡°You¡¯re not,¡± I insist, moving with him, refusing to allow him to retreat into himself. I caress his cheek with my thumb, the sticky blood on his face smearing beneath it. ¡°I am,¡± he whispers hoarsely. He reaches up to wrap his fingers around my wrist and lifts my hand from his face, lowering it between us, his eyes transfixed on the blood transferred onto my skin. I press my other hand to his chest, right over his heart. It thumps beneath my palm as his eyes meet mine again. ¡°If you¡¯re a monster, then you¡¯re my monster,¡± I say resolutely, pushing up on my tiptoes to brush my lips against his. I taste the metallic hint of blood on his mouth, but it doesn¡¯t deter me from pressing closer, stealing a soft, iron-tinged kiss. I feel the tension slip from his body as his lips begin to move against mine, his arms. banding around my waist tightly to anchor me. Or maybe to anchor himself. The kiss is slow, tender and cautious, almost like he¡¯s searching for eptance within it. I respond by deepening it, sweeping my tongue. against the seam of his lips. I put all my intention behind it, reassuring him that I¡¯m here. That I love him exactly as he is, and I¡¯m not going anywhere. (3) We¡¯re both breathless as we break the kiss, and when I stare into his eyes, the soul- shattering vulnerability in his gaze nearly brings me to my knees. It¡¯s like he¡¯s stripping himself bare for me, letting me see every part of him- the frayed edges, the jagged, broken pieces, the scars of his past trauma. Above all, though, I see the best parts of him shining through. The loyal friend. The talented artist. The tender lover. I see his incredible strength; his steadfast perseverance. And I love him for all of it, theplicated mosaic of good and bad, ugly and beautiful. All of it makes him who he is, and I wouldn¡¯t want him any other way. ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s get you in the shower,¡± I coax, taking Callum by the hand and tugging him toward his bedroom. His boots scuff against the floor as he follows me, and when we get into the bathroom, I start the shower and help him peel off his blood-soaked clothes. His chest rises and falls with heavy breaths, his gaze intently focused on me as the room begins to fill with steam. I undress after him, neither of us saying a word as we step into the shower together and I guide him underneath the stream of water, my fingertips tracing the contours of his body reverently as the shower washes him clean. ¡°I hope you made it hurt,¡± I murmur as I squeeze a glob of shampoo onto my palm, reaching up to scrub it into his hair. The blood makes the bubbles turn pink as I Cal grunts in affirmation, his arms winding around my waist and his eyes slipping closed as he rxes into my touch. I press closer, nudging his body underneath the stream from the showerhead to wash out the shampoo. ¡°Is he dead?¡± I ask cautiously, rinsing the pink suds from his strands. ¡°No.¡± Callum opens his eyes, his blue-green gaze colliding with mine. ¡°Probably wishes he was right about now, though. Chase let me get a little¡­ creative with his punishment.¡± I arch a brow. ¡°Meaning?¡± A smirk creases Cal¡¯s lips, the first real sign of a smile I¡¯ve seen from him since he returned home. ¡°He¡¯s in time-out.¡± 9. I know I shouldn¡¯t- it¡¯s cruel and wrong to find satisfaction in someone else¡¯s misery- but I can¡¯t stop the grin from spreading across my face. ¡°The basement?¡± I ask. Callum gives a jerky nod, his fingertips idly tracing circles on the skin of my lower back. ¡°Uh huh. He¡¯ll stay there for three days, under guard, and then he¡¯ll be exiled from Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. the pack for his transgressions.¡± ¡°It¡¯s better than he deserves,¡± I mumble, picking up a washcloth and squeezing body wash onto it. I work it into ather, then go to work soaping up his skin. ¡°My mom¡¯s going with him,¡± Cal mutters as I scrub the blood from behind his ears. ¡°She thinks her old pack will take them in. Sounds like Spence is gonna stay, though.¡± 3 ¡°Maybe you two can have a shot at building a rtionship,¡± I suggest. ¡°Doubt it. But we can coexist.¡± I sigh as I dip the washcloth under the stream to rinse it, wringing out the pink- tinged water to ssh at our feet. ¡°So if Troy¡¯s locked away¡­ why all the blood?¡± Cal slips a finger underneath my chin, tipping my face up to his. ¡°He threatened you,¡± he states coldly, the silver of his wolf shing in his irises. ¡°Nobody gets away with threatening my girl.¡± a My heart rate picks up speed as a smile creeps across my lips. ¡°So I¡¯m again?¡± ur girl He pulls me in roughly, the skin of my chest pping against his. ¡°You¡¯ve always been my girl.¡± His lips crash down onto mine, his possessive, iming kiss stealing my breath. Our lips glide together, my tongue chasing his, and when he tilts his head to deepen the kiss, my legs get a little wobbly, liquid fire coursing through my veins. Callum releases my lips with a loud pop, pinning me against him as he stares down into my eyes intently. ¡°I love you, Ness,¡± he rasps, pressing his forehead to mine and squeezing his eyes closed. ¡°I love you so fucking much.¡± ¡°I love you too,¡± I breathe, soaking up the importance of this moment with him. We¡¯ve finally put the ghosts of the past to bed, and now we can just¡­ be. We can move forward. Together. 2 I shift my hips closer, drawing a short gasp when I feel the twitch of his hard-on against my belly. We may be dealing with some seriously heavy emotional stuff right now, but our slick, naked bodies obviously have other ideas. The persistent thrum between my thighs is getting hard to ignore, and as I slide my palms down the hard nes of his chest, somethinges over me and I continue my descent, dropping to my knees in front of him. Cal¡¯s eyes pop open in surprise as he peers down at me, his teeth sinking into his lower lip on a wince as I wrap my hand around his thick cock and give it a slow stroke. ¡°Fuck, baby,¡± he growls, his gaze turning molten. ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡­¡± His voice trails off into a guttural groan as I slide the head of his dick past my lips, swirling my tongue around the crown before taking him in deeper. His hips jolt forward, his fingers digging into the damp strands of my hair. Even though I¡¯m the one on my knees, there¡¯s something powerful in this position, watching the man above mee undone as I control his pleasure. I take him in as far as I can, the head of his cock bumping the back of my throat before I slide back, guiding my movements with my hand wrapped firmly around his base. He groans louder as I start moving up and down with a steady rhythm, caressing the underside of his shaft with my tongue as I suck him off. ¡°Fuck fuck fuck,¡± Cal chants as his hips pump in steady thrusts, perfectly in sync. with the bob of my head. The way he starts to unravel only boosts my enthusiasm ¨C I start to move faster, rxing my throat and taking him deeper, slurping and licking and sucking until I feel his thighs begin to tremble. He¡¯s right on the edge, but then suddenly he¡¯s pulling out of my mouth, yanking me to my feet and pressing a searing hot kiss to my lips. My mind is clouded with lust, desire scorching my veins as Callum spins me by the waist roughly, pinning my chest against the shower wall. I p my palms up against the tile to brace myself while he angles my hips, and then in one powerful thrust, he ms home, a ragged scream tearing from my throat as he buries every thick inch of his cock inside me. My inner walls quiver around him from the abrupt intrusion, pain quickly giving way to mind-numbing pleasure as he grips my hips tighter and starts to pump in and out, setting a punishing pace and hitting a spot deep inside that has me seeing stars. ¡°Oh my¡­ Callum¡­ oh god,¡± I babble, his pelvis pping against my ass with every snap of his hips. His hands slide up my waist, winding around my front to cup my breasts, squeezing and kneading them roughly as he continues to hammer into me. I hiss in a breath through my teeth as he pinches my nipples, sending a zing of pleasure straight to my core. ¡°So. Fucking. Perfect,¡± Cal growls, punctuating every word with a hard punch of his hips. ¡°Mine.¡± ¡°Yours,¡± I gasp, arching my back and moving against him to meet every thrust. ¡± I¡¯m yours, Callum.¡± It feels like something cracks open in my chest, a beacon of light flooding in and filling up the empty chasm that was left behind when our mate bond broke. It¡¯s fleeting, but I feel it with every fiber of my being, like all those little glimmers that have appeared over thest couple weeks are somehow starting to solidify into something more, something almost tangible. Cal¡¯s strained growl in my ear tells me that he feels it, too, and suddenly his thrusts be harder, more frantic, powerful and all-consuming. His hand drops between my thighs, fingers strumming my clit with expert precision. ¡°Shatter for me, baby,¡± he coaxes, his raspy voice in my ear sending a tremor through my body, giving way to a powerful orgasm that takes my feet out from under me. Callum¡¯s strong arm around my waist keeps me upright as he fucks me through my climax, peppering my shoulders and back with kisses and little love-bites. ¡°So fucking beautiful,¡± he murmurs against my skin, slowing his pace before sliding out I moan in protest, but then he¡¯s spinning me around, lifting me by backs of my thighs and wrapping them around his waist. ¡°I wanna see you, babe,¡± he murmurs as he lines up and glides back in, pressing my back to the wall for leverage as he fills me to the hilt. This new angle provides a whole new feeling of fullness, and he just holds me there for a moment, his lips brushing against mine as we breathe each other¡¯s air. Then he¡¯s sliding out slowly, thrusting back in, hard, but not fast. Like he¡¯s worshipping my body with every punch of his hips. I wrap my arms around his neck, moaning softly as he ravages me up against the shower wall. My body¡¯s still hyper-sensitive from my orgasm, and I already feel another one building, the coil in my belly winding tighter and tighter with every glide of his cock against my inner walls. He holds me captive with his stare as he increases his pace, his jaw clenching and his breathing growing morebored. Our bodies are so in tune with one another¡¯s that I know the moment he¡¯s about to let go, his muscles tensing and brow furrowing. He grips my ass and buries himself deep, and I follow him right over the edge, liquid lightning crashing through me as we bothe undone, my pussy clenching around his cock as his release floods inside me. My toes curl and my vision tunnels, pure bliss seizing my body in a chokehold as I tremble in Callum¡¯s arms. Slowly, we bothe back down, our lips meeting and gliding together seamlessly as Cal pulls out and sets me back down on shaky legs. Then he directs me underneath the stream of water, using the washcloth to clean my inner thighs while pressing kisses to my shoulders and breasts. All the while, I¡¯m gliding my hands over the firm nes of his chest and his broad shoulders, reveling in the feeling of his skin beneath mine. I run a palm down his arm, catching his hand and lifting it between us, pressing a soft kiss to the heart tattoo on the inside of his wrist. ¡°Thank you,¡± Callum rumbles, staring at me intently as the thumb of his other hand traces the cherry tattoo on the side of my ribcage. My eyes flicker up to meet his, my brows pulling together in question. ¡°For being here.¡± A smile creases my lips. ¡°Always,¡± I whisper, my heart stuttering in my chest at the look of pure adoration in his eyes. And in that moment, I swear I feel it again- that swell of connection between us. Like somehow, beyond all odds, we¡¯re finding our way back to reiming what we lost. It¡¯s not logical. It doesn¡¯t make sense. But I swear I can feel something there. And whatever it is, it¡¯s growing stronger. Chapter 40 Chapter 40 40 CALLUM I don¡¯t typically get nervous. Agitated and pissed off, sure. Annoyed, definitely. But nervous? It¡¯s not a frequent state for me, at least it wasn¡¯t until recently. Since I returned from the mission, it¡¯s like I¡¯ve lived in a constant state of apprehension. Coming clean about my past and trying to win Nessa back came with a heavy dose of nerves, as did confronting Troy, but after sessfully navigating all of that, I thought I was finally in the clear. Troy was exiledst week. Nessa has remained by my side, and we¡¯re closer than ever. I can¡¯t remember a time when I¡¯ve been more at peace that I have been this week, but now here I am again, a fumbling, uneasy bundle of nervous energy as I walk with Nessa up to the front door of her family¡¯s house. ¡°You¡¯ve already won me over, but now you have to win my parents.¡± That¡¯s what Nessa said when she invited me to this dinner, and my anxiety has been on overdrive since. I¡¯ve never been great with parents, and the thought ofing face to face with these people after I abandoned their daughter and broke her heart has me feeling physically ill. Sure, we¡¯re back together now, but that doesn¡¯t undo my past mistakes. Nessa may be giving me a clean te, but I doubt her parents will be as forgiving. ¡°You ready?¡± Nessa asks, pausing with her hand on the knob of the front door and looking back at me with an encouraging smile. I blow out a breath, nodding slowly. ¡°Ready as I¡¯ll ever be,¡± I mumble past the lump in my throat. She leans in, cupping my jaw in a palm and brushing her lips against mine. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine,¡± she reassures. Her touch and scent send a wave of calm rushing through me, but then Nessa twists the knob to open the front door and I follow her inside, stepping into a scene that can only be described as utter chaos. Right after I step over the threshold, a hockey puck flies at my head and I bob out of the way at thest second, my head whipping around to see it collide with the wall beside the door. 2 ¡°Marco, Matias!¡± Nessa calls sharply, turning a re on a set of pre-teen identical twins running through the foyer with hockey sticks clutched in their hands. ¡°You know the rules,¡± she admonishes. ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± one of them sighs, rolling his eyes as he skids to a stop. ¡°Not in the house.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± she tuts, stooping down to pick the puck up off the floor. She hands it back to the kid and ruffles the top of his dark hair, much to his chagrin. ¡°You¡¯d better go put those sticks back in the garage before Mom and Dad see.¡± The twins scamper away, groaning, and a high-pitched yell draws my attention to the stairs, my eyes widening when I see a blur of motion as a younger boy shoots down them riding atop a red stic sled. He picks up so much speed by the time he reaches the bottom that he goes crashing into the wall opposite the stairs with a loud thump,ughing hysterically when hends in heap on the floor. 2 Nessa rushes over to help him up, her eyes wide with concern. ¡°Raf, are you okay?!¡± ¡°That was awesome!¡± another young boy calls from the top of the stairs, jumping up and down excitedly. ¡°Bring it back up, I wanna try!¡± Nessa whips around, ring up at him and pointing a finger. ¡°Absolutely not! No more sledding down the stairs.¡± The real-life crash dummy- Raf, apparently ¨C is stillughing like he just had the ride of his life. ¡°Lucas, you have to try it!¡± ¡°No,¡± Nessa repeats, confiscating the sled from him as soon as he picks it up off the floor. ¡°Go wash up for dinner, little menace.¡± She shoos him away with a pat on the back, then pulls open the door of a small coat closet and stuffs the sled inside to hide it. ¡°Mom!¡± a shrill voice calls out, followed by a very angry looking teenage girl stomping into view from the upstairs hallway. ¡°Mia got into my makeup again!¡± She freezes when she looks down and sees me standing in the foyer, her face flushing with embarrassment before she whips around and runs out of sight. ¡°Did not!¡± a tiny voice replies defensively, and I turn to see a little girl in a bright pink dress skipping into the foyer, the evidence of her lie all over her face in the form of a truly awful makeup application. She lights up when she sees Nessa, her face splitting into a wide smile. ¡°Ness!¡± she squeals, running up to her andunching herself into her arms. ¡°Hey, little one,¡± Nessaughs, scooping up the small girl and bncing her on a hip. You know you¡¯re not supposed to be ying in Elena¡¯s makeup.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t,¡± she protests, but then Nessa gives her a hard look that has her heaving a sigh anding clean. ¡°I only used a little bit. I wanted to look like Princess Aurora.¡± Nessa shakes her head, an amused giggle slipping from her lips. The little girl in her arms suddenly spots me, brown eyes widening as she points a finger in my direction. ¡°Who are you?¡± I clear my throat, shuffling my feet, and Nessa turns around with a bright smile. ¡°This is Callum,¡± she provides. ¡°Callum, this is my littlest sister, Mia.¡± ¡°Is he your boyfriend?¡± Mia asks (( incredulously. ¡°He is,¡± Nessa replies, stooping to set her sister down. ¡°Go wash that makeup off your face and I¡¯ll tell you all about him. Use the makeup wipes in the cab under the sink.¡± She winks and Mia squeals in delight, rushing off in a blur of pink tulle. ¡°Sorry, I probably should¡¯ve warned you that my house can be a little crazy sometimes,¡± Nessa sighs, rolling her eyes as she steps closer and reaches out to take my hand. 2 I cock a brow, smirking. ¡°A little?¡± She throws her head back on augh, and fuck I love that sound. We¡¯ve been through a lot of shit lately, but since we came out of it, she¡¯s beenughing more and more. It¡¯s quickly bing my favorite sound in the entire world. 1 ¡°Come on,¡± Nessa urges, tugging my hand to lead me from the foyer into the living room. That twitchy, nervous feeling sets in again as we weave through a minefield of toys scattered throughout the living room. floor, making our way to the kitchen at the back of the house. I like Nessa¡¯s house. It feels like a real home, brimming with love andughter and all the clich¨¦ shit that you see in movies but never believe exists in real life. My own house was always devoid of all that, cold and empty like a tomb. Tidy and sterile, in stark contrast to the chaos of this ce. This house exudes warmth within its walls. Nessa¡¯s parents are in the kitchen, her mother fussing over something on the stove while her father carries tters of food over to the table. Mrs. Diaz is bopping along to an old Billy Joel song ring from a small speaker that effectively drowns out the noise emanating from the rest of the house. Nessa clears her throat to announce our presence, and both of her parents look toward the doorway, easy smiles brightening their faces. ¡°Hey, baby girl,¡± Mr. Diaz croons, striding over to greet Nessa with a warm embrace. He drops a kiss atop her head, stepping back to give her a once-over. ¡°We¡¯ve missed you, Mija.¡± He lifts his head to nce in my direction, greeting me with a tight nod. ¡± Callum.¡± ¡°Nice to see you again, sir,¡± I say politely, forcing the words past the tightness in my throat. Mr. Diaz levels me with a stern look. ¡°We need have to have a talk, son.¡± My stomach bottoms out, a cold chill washing over me. ¡°Come on, Dad, can¡¯t we get through dinner first?¡± Nessa sighs, stepping closer to me and taking my hand again. ¡°Might as well get this out of the way,¡± he replies with a stoic expression. He looks to me again, beckoning me with a flick of his head. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s step outside and chat while the girls finish getting the table set.¡¯ I nod stiffly, dropping Nessa¡¯s hand and following her dad to the sliding ss door off the kitchen, my heart racing as we step out into the night and he closes it behind us. To say I¡¯m dreading this would be an understatement. I¡¯m not easily intimidated, but standing out here looking at Nessa¡¯s father, my guts are so twisted up that I feel like I¡¯m two seconds away from leaning forward and puking all over my shoes. He must see it written all over my face, because he gives me a tight smile as he moves closer, pping a hand down on my shoulder and leaning in. ¡°Rx, this isn¡¯t an interrogation.¡± I chuckle wryly, scrubbing a hand over my face and heaving a sigh. I¡¯ve gone over what I wanted to say so many times, but now that I¡¯m standing here across from Nessa¡¯s father with his tight-set jaw and sharp expression, all the words are getting jumbled up in my brain. ¡°I love your daughter,¡± I begin, shuffling my feet on the concrete patio below. ¡°I messed up by leaving her the way I did, and that¡¯s something I¡¯ll always regret. But she¡¯s giving me another chance, and I n to spend the rest of my life making it up to her. I won¡¯t hurt her again.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to stop you right there,¡± Mr. Diaz says, holding up a hand. ¡°I¡¯m not looking for an apology, son. That¡¯s between you and my daughter. Vanessa¡¯s a good girl, and I trust her. That means trusting her to make the best decisions for her own life, so if she chooses you, then I trust that she knows what she¡¯s doing.¡± He heaves a sigh, sidestepping to a wooden patio chair and sinking down onto it, gesturing to the seat across from him. My movements are jerky as I follow his cue, dropping down into the chair and raking a hand through my hair. Mr. Diaz leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and pinning me with a serious stare. ¡°Lia and I were about your age when we found out we were mates,¡± he provides.¡± A few monthster, she got pregnant. We were still kids ourselves, we had no idea what we were going to do with a child of our own. And then Vanessa came along.¡± His lips pull into a smile, his eyes twinkling with adoration at the mention of his daughter. Ever since she was born, she¡¯s been the light of our lives. So kind and gentle, even as a little girl. She¡¯s special.¡± I nod in agreement, ncing toward the kitchen through the ss patio doors. Nessa is grinning, talking animatedly to her (C mother as she assists her with the meal. Just looking at her, at the beautiful smile on her face, my heart swells. Special is an understatement. Nessa is everything. ¡°Rtionships aren¡¯t always easy,¡± Mr. D¨ªaz continues, and my gaze snaps back to him. ¡°I love Lia with everything I am, but we had our share of struggles in those first few years. Life is stressful, starting a family is stressful. But we worked through all of it together. We didn¡¯t run just because things got hard.¡± I swallow past the lump in my throat, my fingers tightening on the wooden armrests of the patio chair. ¡°That¡¯s the single most important thing you can do in a rtionship,¡± he says, leaning forward and pinning me with a somber stare. ¡°Stay.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere,¡± I grind out. ¡°I won¡¯t make that mistake again.¡± Nessa¡¯s dad nods slowly, leaning back in his chair and crossing an ankle over his knee. ¡± Good. Because second chances are a gift.¡± He points a finger in my direction. ¡°Don¡¯t squander it.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± I say confidently. ¡°I know I screwed up¡­¡± ¡°People make mistakes, Callum,¡± Mr. Diaz interrupts. ¡°It¡¯s human nature. It doesn¡¯t make you a bad person. It¡¯s okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them. I¡¯m not going to hold yours against you, as long as you take good care of my daughter from here on out. Like I said, I trust her in choosing you, and in doing so, I¡¯m trusting you with my baby girl. Don¡¯t make me regret it.¡± 3 ¡°I won¡¯t, sir,¡± I reply with a shake of my head. ¡°I promise. Nessa is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I won¡¯t risk losing her again. You have my word.¡± An easy smile slides across his face in response. ¡°Good. I¡¯ll hold you to that.¡± He pushes up from his chair, signaling the end of our conversation, and I quickly scramble to my feet across from him. ¡°Thank you,¡± I breathe as he steps closer. ¡± For trusting me with your daughter. I won¡¯t let you down.¡± Mr. Diaz nods, slipping an arm around my shoulders and leading me back toward the house. Ordinarily, I¡¯d recoil at a gesture like that, ufortable with human touch, but for some reason, Nessa¡¯s dad puts me at ease. There¡¯s something about him that¡¯s calming, a lot like his daughter¡¯s effect on me. He¡¯s a good man, a good father. Something I wish I¡¯d had. Sometimes I wonder what my life would¡¯ve turned out like if I¡¯d had a real father to guide me. To love me. As if he¡¯s reading my mind, Mr. Diaz pauses before opening the door to head back inside. ¡°I heard about what happened over in Norbury, with your parents¡¯ exile. Just know that Lia and I are here for you if you ever need to talk, or if you need advice. Anything.¡± 2 My throat tightens, an odd burning sensation forming behind my eyes. ¡°Thank you,¡± I say again. ¡°I appreciate it.¡± Nessa¡¯s dad offers me a warm smile, pulling the sliding ss door open and ushering me back inside. As we enter, Ness immediately shoots me a look as if to ask if I¡¯m good, and I nod in response, a genuine smile stretching my lips. Truthfully, I didn¡¯t know how this would go tonight. Thest thing I expected was the kind of eptance her father offered me. It¡¯s more than I ever got from my own father figure, and I haven¡¯t felt that from another adult since Alpha Vaughn. 1 Nessa strides over to me, taking my hand and pressing a soft kiss to my cheek, and a feeling ofplete peace washes over me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mr. Diaz approach his wife, wrapping his arms around her waist and whispering something in her ear, and then they both look our way, knowing grins on their faces. In the two of them, I see my future with Nessa, and damnit if I¡¯m not looking forward to it. Those easy smiles, those affectionate touches. A house full of pups running around and causing mayhem. I slip an arm around Nessa¡¯s waist, tucking her into my side, taking a deep breath, and exhaling slowly. This is what I always wanted, deep down, but never let myself imagine. I never believed it could really happen for someone like me. And now that I have it, I¡¯m never letting it go. Dinner with Nessa¡¯s family resembled the same type of chaos that we walked into when we arrived. The two younger boys kept flicking spoonfuls of mashed potatoes across the table at one another, the twins made a contest out of inhaling their food, much to Mrs. Diaz¡¯s chagrin, and little Mia asked me all kinds of blunt questions that I struggled for answers to. Nessa¡¯s teenage sister, Elena, was the only one who was silent throughout the entire meal, blushing fiercely whenever I nced her way. After dinner, I somehow got roped into ying beauty shop with Mia, gritting my teeth as she adorned my hair with a bunch of sparkly barrettes while Nessa looked on andughed. It was worth it just for her laughter. I¡¯ve never really considered myself a ¡®kid¡¯ person, but damnit if Mia hasn¡¯t already won me over. When it was time for her to go to bed, she insisted that I be the one to read her a bedtime story, and I was like the damn Grinch with my heart growing three sizes as I read to that little girl and helped Nessa tuck her in. 5 After the rest of the kids get sent upstairs to bed, Nessa¡¯s parents join us in the living room, cuddling together on one of the couches while Nessa and I sit side by side on another. Mr. Diaz sips from a ss of amber -colored liquor, watching us thoughtfully as he strokes his wife¡¯s shoulder with his thumb. ¡°So what are you two going to do about the mate bond?¡± he asks, swirling the liquor in his ss. ¡°We, uh, haven¡¯t really talked about it,¡± Nessa mumbles,cing her fingers with mine and looking over at me cautiously. ¡± Probably try to seal a bond at some point as chosen mates?¡± I nod, offering her a reassuring smile. ¡°Is the fated bond really gone, then?¡± Mrs. Diaz questions, sadness filling her eyes. There¡¯s no way to get it back?¡± (( ¡°I felt it break,¡± Nessa says quietly, and the paincing her voice fucking guts me. Though I swear sometimes I still feel it, just for a second. Like an echo.¡± ke an ¡°Me too.¡± I give her hand a little squeeze, my chest burning with regret. If I¡¯d known then what I do now, I never would¡¯ve left. There isn¡¯t a day that passes where I don¡¯t wish I didn¡¯t. Mr. Diaz sips from his ss, licking his lips after he swallows. ¡°I¡¯ve never known (( anyone who didn¡¯t seal their fated bond, so I don¡¯t know how that works or if you can ever get it back. But a chosen bond can still be strong.¡± Nessa¡¯s mom nods her agreement. ¡°With the foundation of the fated bond, I¡¯m sure yours would be stronger than most.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll cross that bridge when wee to it,¡± Nessa sighs, rubbing her thumb against the side of my hand and looking up at me hopefully. ¡°Right?¡± ¡°Definitely.¡± I lean over to press my lips to her temple, inhaling her cherry and floral scent deep into my lungs. ¡°So does that mean you¡¯re going toe back here for the full moon run on Friday, Ness?¡± Mrs. Diaz asks thoughtfully. I clear my throat, shifting my weight on the sofa. We probably should¡¯ve talked about this before now and discussed what our n would be. Nessa slides me a hesitant nce, wetting her lips with her tongue. ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± she answers. ¡°I¡¯ll let you know.¡± ncing up at the clock above the firece, Nessa heaves a sigh, untangling her hand from mine and pushing up from the couch. ¡°We should probably get going, it¡¯ste.¡± Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org. Taking her cue, I rise to my feet, automatically reaching out for her and pulling her in close. ¡°Thanks for everything,¡± I say, my gaze sliding between Nessa¡¯s parents. ¡°Thanks foring over,¡± Mrs. Diaz replies smoothly. ¡°It was nice to get to know you a little better, Callum.¡± She winks, and the gesture paired with her warm smile reminds me so much of her daughter that I nearly do a double-take. 1 ¡°Take good care of my girl,¡± Mr. Diaz reminds me, pinning me with a stern stare. ¡°Dad!¡± Nessa protests, a furious blush staining her cheeks. I chuckle and pull her in closer, the warmth of her body radiating into mine. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sir. She¡¯s in good hands, I promise.¡± He smiles tightly and nods, and the four of us say our goodbyes before Nessa and I see ourselves out, climbing into my Corvette and pulling away from her family home. ¡°See, that wasn¡¯t so bad,¡± Nessa smiles as we make our way out of Riverton, bound for Norbury¡¯s territory. I slide her a nce, my hand finding hers in the dark cab of the car. ¡°Have I told you how much I love you?¡± The grin that spreads across her lips is one I immediatelymit to memory, knowing I¡¯ll be recreating it in a sketchter so that I can look at it forever. 1 Her lips part, eyes wide with sincerity. ¡°I love you too, Callum,¡± she breathes, and warmth floods my chest. ¡°Always.¡± ¡°Always,¡± I repeat, squeezing her hand in mine, the word echoing in my mind. Always. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!