Chapter 10
I felt dizzy and inebriated as my eyes slowly peeled opened.
My arms were sore, my back was cramped up and my poor neck felt like there were a few knots that needed to be cracked.
What the fuck happened?
I let my eyes adjust to the bright light in my office but as my senses came back, I felt the burning on my wrists.
Callum! That little fucker!
"Fucking hell!" I yelled as the memory of him sedating me came back and as I remembered sending my wolves off to patrol, I felt my stomach sink.
'Penelope, get to my floor on the packhouse now!' I said in my mind link and I knew she was asleep but we had to get going.
And I had to get out of these silver cuffs.
'Everette? What's wrong?' I heard her immediate panic.
'Bring gloves and get here fast.' I replied.
My eyes shifted to the clock as I saw that it was five in the morning and I was guessing it was around two when Callum stuck that needle in me.
I knew I couldn't trust him.
Worst yet, it's been three hours and he could be anywhere in the forest where a rogue could kill him.
And judging from no one finding me passed out or bringing him back, he probably escaped from the pack territory.
My stupid mate.
Was he trying to die?
I couldn't waste another second so I closed my eyes and forced strength into my arms and muffled my screams as I pulled my wrists apart and broke the connecting chain on the cuffs.
My wrists burned as if I got third-degree burns. The cuffs were still on but I couldn't remove them with my fingers.
The pain was too much.
I relaxed my shoulders a bit to ease the soreness from the stiff muscles after being in an awkward position before ripping the cloth that tied me to my office chair.
He must have had this all planned out.
Being accepting of the truth and acting okay with everything, was all just a ploy until he could get me handcuffed and tied up.
Not even in a good way.
I suppose when he said my 'beautiful face' yesterday, he was only lying to get me to trust him.
I'm so going to tie him to a tree when I find him.
As I got up from my chair, I felt as if the room was spinning. Whatever drug he used, had lasting effects. I wobbled out of the office as I heard footsteps running up the staircase.
Penelope and her mate June, both dressed in pajamas, came bounding in with worried expressions.
"Everette, what happened?" June asked in a panic.
"Seems like you may need to teach me how to keep a mate," I said as I raised both my wrists up in the air to show them my silver-clad hands. "Callum ran away."
"Holy sh-"
"Babe, no swearing." June cut her mate off.
"She's literally got silver cuffs on her Honey, what do you expect me to say?!" Pen said hysterically as she pulled on some gloves before grabbing one of my wrists and easily breaking it in two before she did the same to the other.
She tossed them in the bin as June inspected my throbbing wrists which were red and the skin was all bruised and blistered.
"Do you have any burn cream or should I call your mom?" June asked.
"No time, we have to look for Callum. It's not safe out there." I said as I started to head for the door and the pair followed me. My head was still a bit dizzy and I felt wobbly but I had to get to him.
"What happened Everette?" Penelope questioned.
"He injected me with some kind of drug that knocked me out, tied me to my office chair and handcuffed me with his damn silver cuffs," I growled in anger.
"Didn't you pat him down after he had his gun?" She asked.
"I did but his pockets were empty. The damn fool had it strapped to his leg, he must've been walking around with it all this time."
"Well, it wasn't that long of a trek he had to make." Pen pointed out and she was right.
I carried him most of the way and we only walked a little bit after that. Even when he came to the packhouse, he could've left his supplies in his jacket back in the guest room before we went to meet my parents.
"I should have looked harder. I should've had him do a strip search." I regretted.
I felt June's hand on my shoulder in a comforting gesture, "It isn't your fault Ev, you couldn't have known his plan."
That was June for you. Always being the comforting mother in our group of friends.
"I'll get some of our best sniffers out here." Pen said as we stepped outside and headed through the backyard and to the forest.
"Only a few, I have his scent already," I told her as the scent of juniper berries was fading into the wind before me.
I turned to her, "I'm leaving, just follow my scent when help gets here."
Pen grabbed my elbow, "Oh no you don't missy, they'll be here in a minute."
I wanted to argue with her but going out there alone would be a suicide mission.
Within a minute, around eight of our pack members including, Finn, Max, Sam, and his mate Daisy.
Charlotte had pack duties at six with training so I knew she was staying back since I had Pen by my side.
Everyone looked like they just rolled out of bed but we had a job to get done.
I could see Finn sporting a furious expression but he remained quiet as we all shifted and sprinted toward the forest that led back to Fairbairn and where Callum's scent led.
As I ran, I felt my wolf wobble along the way as if I was a bit drunk.
'Ev, are you okay?' Penelope asked.
I shook my dizzy head to get some clarity but I responded with, 'Yeah, I think it's just the lasting effects of the drug.'
'But are you okay to continue?'
'I need to.'Â Was my only words as I sped up and kept my nose close to the ground.
Three hours in human speed wasn't much but he has some wolf in him. He's pretty fast so I can only hope that he didn't get too far.
'Alpha,' Finn ran up to my side.
'What's up with the formalities?' I pointed out his weirdness.
'That's what you are to me Ev, I will respect you.' Came his reply.
'Not that you haven't called me Alpha before, but you used to just call me Ev.'
'I know...' He trailed off before he switched subjects, 'What happened anyway?'
'Callum had some type of drug on him and some silver handcuffs.' I recalled.
Finn let out a harsh growl, 'I thought he was okay with everything?'
'Clearly he isn't.'
'You trust him?'
I slowed down a bit as my red eyes flickered to his yellow ones, 'No.'
'And where did you think he ran off to?'
'The hunters.' I responded without a doubt in my mind.
They were his family. He'd go to them. No doubt about it especially now that he knew where the pack is.
Cal's scent got stronger as we continued on our journey and I knew we were gaining on him. Since he was mostly human, our mate bond wasn't as strong so I couldn't sense his presence from a far distance. Especially since he doesn't carry my mark.
About an hour and a half into our run and nearly running into a few trees because of my hazy state, I finally got a strong scent.
But as we moved forward, Callum's scent wasn't the only one I picked up. Through my hazy state, I could smell the pungent odor that only rogues carried.
And it was so much that it almost dwarfed Callum's scent.
I could feel my stomach sinking as negative images were conjured up by my brain.
Panic was taking over my mind and it didn't help one bit as we were still a few miles away and I could feel my heart thumping in anxiousness.
Then I heard it.
The erratic heartbeats of a group. And a voice.
I detected Callum's voice from miles away and I rushed to the source with my pack of ten following behind.
~ Callum's POV ~
"Now, now boys, you don't actually want to me hurt me now, do you? I'm your Máni." I chuckle nervously at the group of wolves surrounding me.
The one before me growled harshly and snapped his canines at me.
I took a step back and bumped into something cold. As I peered behind me, I saw another wolf with blue eyes poking its nose into my spine.
Looks like they're pissed that I ran away from their Alpha. Honestly, I didn't want to leave her either but I had to.
To protect everyone.
Especially her, even though she took me and annoys me to no end.
The twelve wolves continued to circle me as I stood in the middle and tried to calm my nerves.
I wasn't nervous... okay maybe only a smidge. But, if I had my gun with me would be helpful. I wouldn't kill anyone in Everette's pack unless they tried to kill me first.
And this group had my blood in their eyes as soon as they appeared out of nowhere and started to circle me.
So pick your battles, am I right?
One specifically gave me some weird looking eyes and I somehow knew she was a female. And it felt all kinds of icky to be stared at by another female.
What can I say? My mate really did a number on me after twenty-four hours.
As I was about to brandish Ev's kitchen knife from my pants, I heard loud thumping getting closer to our direction and it sounded exactly like it did that night of the ritual.
But I didn't know if I actually wanted Everette to find me or not. Knowing her, she might actually tie me to a tree or chain me up in her attic.
A large white wolf with blood-red eyes burst through the trees.
It was her. I knew it.
My fire roasted vanilla.
But when she spotted the scene before her, she came to an immediate stop.
The wolves around me all turned to face her as ten more wolves walked out of the forest and into the little meadow.
"There's your Alpha, she'll explain everything to you on why you shouldn't hurt me. Right princess?" I flashed her a guilty smile.
Had to turn on the charm right? Plus she seemed to enjoy the nickname.
But when the wolves around me barked out in wolfish snickers and didn't back down, I went on high alert.
This definitely wasn't right.
I felt a chill grip my bones as I looked at the wolves behind Everette's wolf, and they all had yellow eyes.
While these had blue sinister eyes.
Shit.
Rogues. They must be if they hadn't backed down yet. And I led her right into danger.
I wanted to tell her to go back and leave me, but one, I couldn't exactly shout that without the rogues hearing and two, she's too stubborn and full of pride to back down.
As I said, I could read her like a book.
I snaked my hand around my back to grab my knife but the wolf behind me snapped its jaw and immediately shifted my hand back to the front as I saw a wolf to Everette's right read to pounce.
But Ev's wolf placed a leg to block her motion.
Fuck, I wonder if she thought I was conspiring with these creatures?
I wasn't even fond of her pack and I most certainly don't hold an ounce of like for these filthy mutts around me.
The dogs and I watched as Ev and her pack stayed frozen and assessed us all.
She was up to something, I knew that for sure. And she was being smart about it.
But I have a feeling she may only want me alive so that she can kill me herself.
Her red eyes connected with mine before her ten wolves flanked out on each side of her as she ran directly to me.
By the sudden movement, the rogues tried to huddle together and around me.
They must have figured I was somewhat of use to them alive since none of them bit me yet.
As Ev's pack surrounded the rogues, they had no choice but to face them and fight or risk their tails being bitten off by my badass mate-
I mean Everette. Badass Everette.
Just as the fight between rogues and the pack members broke out, a dark brown wolf tried to snap at my arm but Everette appeared behind him and sunk her teeth into the flesh of his back.
She dragged the rogues out of the circle around me and another pack member slipped past the rogues and grabbed onto my shirt with its teeth.
I tried to protest as I saw Everette struggling to keep stable but the wolf before growled and I knew that I had to at least get out of the fighting circle, so I followed.
Everette looked drunk and I knew it was the serum I injected her with. It was supposed to keep her knocked out for a few hours. It must have only been a short time before she woke up so I have no doubt in my mind that she's still feeling the effects.
Should have probably thought that an Alpha wolf would beat the drug quicker than a regular wolf. I fucked up majorly.
I kept my eyes on Everette as she tried to fight the rogue but he seemed to have noticed her struggling because he used his head to knock her unstable body to the ground.
A rage flamed within me so harsh that I felt my body temperature increase rapidly. I don't think I've ever felt that amount of rage before but I wanted to tear that dog limb from limb.
No one lays a hand on my princess. I tried to escape the wolf who held onto me, who I think was female, but she saw what I did and pulled me harshly to safety.
The dog above Ev was about to scratch at her face but a light grey wolf was already running to the rogue before knocking the dog into the ground and tearing into him.
As Ev had risen from the ground, she came face to face with the she-wolf who was watching me weirdly.
I internally shuddered at the dog's freakish lusting.
The she-wolf lifted one side of her mouth up in a smirk and before I could comprehend what was happening before my eyes, another wolf grabbed onto Ev's right hind leg and pulled her off her feet.
I could see blood covering her white fur and wanted nothing more than to bury a silver bullet right between his eyes.
I had enough of watching my mate get torn into while I'm being whisked away to safety like some coward.
As Everette turned her head to knock the she-wolf back before sprinting up and twisting around to grab the other rogue by his neck, I gave the wolf who had a hold on me, a pointed stare.
Her eyes glared back at me.
"Let me help her," I said.
The wolf gave me a look of disapproval but reluctantly released my t-shirt. I gave her an appreciative head nod, something I never thought I'd do, before turning back towards Ev.
The rogue she bit was no laying by her feet whimpering as death took him. As for the she-wolf, she was aiming to attack another wolf from behind.
My legs picked up its pace as I dogged a few fighting wolves but I kept my eyes on Everette as she hazily tried to limp over to take down the she-wolf.
She was basically running zig zags though, so when she moved to tackle the she-wolf, the rogue had already dodged her and jumped on the pack member's back.
I've never seen the look in her eyes which she was sporting and I wanted nothing more than to make her get better and win a fight to feel useful. Maybe I'll let her beat my ass.
Who's kidding, she could do it without me having to let her.
I ran up behind the she-wolf as adrenaline coursed through my veins. Without hesitation, I used Ev's kitchen knife, which she tried to hide from me, and sliced a deep cut into the dog's back.
That didn't really work out in my favor as the she-wolf turned to me with a murderous expression in eyes. Lust long-forgotten, thank goodness.
But before I could show off my impressive knife skills, Ev leaped into the air and landed between the rogue and myself.
Well, at least she didn't let me die huh?
Everette's wolf growled at the rogue before the mutt went straight into attack mode.
The rogue nipped at Ev's ear so she turned her head until she grasped her neck and pummeled her into the ground.
Drugged up, bitten and still kicking ass. Damn.
The rogue used her leg and kicked Ev back before piercing her leg that was already almost healed.
The wolf who I'd help after this one rogue tried to attack him, finally joined the fight and grabbed the rogue by her head and finished her off.
And just like that, the other pack members killed off the last living rogues without a single death on their side.
Got to say that was impressive... now if only I had my gun.
I walked over to Everette's wolf with my knife in hand.
Her wolfy eyes glared at me and like magic, she shifted from her wolf form back into a human.
My eyes widen in shock at her nude state and let out a cough before shifting my eyes away.
She actually didn't seem affected at exposing herself before she saw my reaction so I guess nudity was pretty common for shapeshifting wolves since it was a part of their routine.
Without a word, I dropped the knife to the ground and pulled off my t-shirt before turning back to Everette.
I kept my eyes focused on hers as I pulled the t-shirt over her head before she pushed her arms through.
I could sense her surprise but did she really think I was about to leave her stark naked while I could simply give her my t-shirt.
Wolves aren't my favorite but she's growing on me. Like an infection.
As soon as she pulled the t-shirt down to cover her body, she seethed, "I'm so pissed at you right now!"
I rolled my eyes at her but nodded anyway, "You can yell at me all you want, but how about after you tell me how to heal you?"
Everette's eyes widen slightly but before she could say anything, a blonde-haired woman jogged to Ev's side.
"Heal her?" The girl questioned.
"Not now Penelope." Ev hissed.
I looked between the both of them in confusion, "Yeah, like her mother. I can heal people."
Isn't that what Everette said?
Penelope gave her a questioning look and she was like a deer caught in headlights.
"Who can heal people like Luna Emery?" That damn bastard, Finn, asked as he joined us with the rest of the pack who seemed to have only gotten a few scratches.
I swear if he was the wolf I saved, I just shot myself in the damn foot. Didn't know much about the guy but I detested his presence around Everette. Mostly because I could tell he was in love with her.
"I can." I stated before I placed my hands on her bare leg, "Tell me what do Ev and I'll heal you."
I heard the damn bastard snicker and another girl elbowed him in the rib.
I turned back to Everette who sighed and looked weary, "Callum... you don't have healing powers."
My brows knitted together in confusion. I what now?
"But your mother-"
"I lied." She groaned. "She can heal people but you can't."
Well, that's just fucking great huh?
I removed my hands from her but remained still, "You lied to me? About something so simple and useless? What's the point? To throw me off and make me believe everything you said?"
She rolled her eyes, "Oh get over yourself. Judging from your quick runaway, I'd say you didn't exactly believe anything I said anyway. Not to mention the fact that you could have gotten yourself killed."
"That wasn't why I left," I growled at her.
If she only knew...
"Well it doesn't really matter now does it?" She used my famous line. "If you want out, you know what to do. Reject me."
That hit hard, I had to admit it.
The word 'reject' felt like she reached into my chest and squeezed my heart mercilessly.
Everyone around us gasped and I stared at her in shock, unblinking.
She couldn't have meant it? Did she?
"Just say, I Callum Cain, reject you Everette Blackwood as my mate, and we'll be done here. You wouldn't have to run off into the forest again. You'll be shipped out to the other side of the country and never have to hear from me or see me again." Her voice was drained off all emotions but her eyes held so much more.
Hurt was most prominent.
Yesterday when I told her I was not ready to give up seeing her, I wasn't lying. I admit, I only said it because I wanted to earn her trust me leave me alone so I could escape. But I meant it in some way.
But what if she was telling me this because she didn't want me?
I could tell everyone assumes that I'll reject her but what if that's what she wanted? A choice she wanted to make but couldn't because she was the Alpha?
The bastard and her seemed close so maybe she wanted him? But her eyes. Her eyes didn't tell me that.
Her eyes did tell me that she was hurt by what I did but she'll never express it or say it to my face.
I felt a hardness build on my exterior as rage pulsed through me.
If this was what she wanted from me...
Everyone was silent and waiting to hear how their 'Máni' would respond. I knew they wouldn't take it lightly, but it was what she wanted right?
I gulped and opened my mouth as I felt my heart squeeze painfully and saw Everette's defeated expression, "I, Callum Cain, reject..."
But I didn't finish my sentence. I couldn't finish it.
I grabbed my hair in both hands and let out a frustrated groan. If she wanted that then she's going to have to do it herself because she's already planted herself into my life and couldn't just make me leave.
"I can't do it," I stated.
"Can't or won't?" She tested.
I glared at her, "Both"
"Then why'd you run?" She asked with a poker face.
My eyes flickered up our audience of ten, "Let me tell you privately."
No way is her pack going to believe me. They seemed as if they'd rather tear me to shreds than hear what I had to say.
"And why should I let you? They're my pack and the ones that came to save you." She shrugged.
A girl who was standing next to that Sam guy decided to give some advice to Everette, "Ev, maybe you should let him. You're mates, you can inform us after if need be."
"It's okay," I responded because if I was going to tell her, might as let them know, "she's right." I let out a deep sigh as I looked at Everette, "Before the ritual, the other hunters vowed that if anyone from our group of hunters went missing, they'll come find us. Meaning at some point, they'll come here with their guns and silver which will only repeat what happened twenty years ago."
It was true. We made that vow early on, whether it be females or males taken, we would find them and take back our hunter from the beast.
At the time I didn't know I would be the one or that the beast would be this incredible woman before me.
Finn, the bastard, growled, "So you were going to join them?"
"No! I want to stop them." I answered in a hostile manner towards him. Of course, he'll assume that.
"I don't believe you," Finn stated.
I scoffed, "Well, it's not really you that I was talking to anyways."
"Yeah, well best believe that I'm talking to you boy!" He growled angrily as he took a threatening step closer until Sam held him back.
I ignored his empty threats as I turned back to Ev.
"You believe me don't you?" I asked her as I looked into her brown eyes. "I was only going to tell them-"
"What? That you're the boy who cried beast?" She looked away from me.
I deserved that. And I suppose the old childhood tale held a similarity but that wasn't what I intended to do.
But I knew telling her the truth wouldn't be enough to convince her now. I needed to earn her trust.
Which was going to be a bitch since I broke it before I could actually build it.
I couldn't leave now. And could only pray that the hunters didn't show up.
There were way too few of them to even dent her pack. But as much as I didn't the hunters to get hurt in a losing war, I didn't want Everette or any of her pack to get hurt in a war that should've long been over.
Everette grabbed my attention as she tried to get to her feet but must have still been feeling the effects of the drugs because she was pulled down to the ground.
Then there was the issue of her leg which looked pretty bad.
The girl who was with Sam looked at Ev's wound, "I thought you were going to allow the pack to step in when you couldn't?"
Everette smirked at her, "When do I ever stick to my word regarding my safety?"
The girl gave her a knowing smile, "You have a point, but this looks like it just needs to be cleaned so that it could heal faster."
"Yeah, I think the dirt is preventing the skin from growing back," She mumbled. "I think I could manage though."
"You definitely can't with the drugs the human gave you." Finn scoffed as he reached to pick up my mate.
Not on my watch bastard.
I stepped between them and bent towards Ev, "I got her, she's my mate."
Everette looked like she was in shock by my words as I picked her up bridal style. To be frank, I was shocked that I actually admitted it as well.
"Well, she's my best friend." Finn tried to have a rebuttal.
"As I said before, I got her," I stated as I started to walk back in the direction of the pack.
Everette shifted around in my arms, "You can put me down, I can walk on my own."
I glared down at her, "I drugged you up and you got hurt because of me. So I'll carry you."
"Cal, I'm serious. Put me down now, I must weigh a ton."
I gave her an unimpressed look, "You don't and you must have forgotten my gene pool."
"How could I? You ran off to be with your gene pool." She snapped.
My body tensed but I kept my tone calm, "I was only doing what I thought was best."
"Putting yourself in danger, drugging me up and going back to your people wasn't what's right."
"You're my people Everette. I left because I didn't want them or you to get hurt." I admitted as my eyes shifted down to her own with sincerity.
"If that was true, you should've told me instead of trying to get yourself killed," She growled fiercely.
"I wasn't. I just didn't trust you to let me leave."
"And I wouldn't have," She stated.
"Which is exactly why I had to go on my own." I pinned her with my eyes.
"I don't trust you, Callum." She whispered as she stopped struggling in my arms.
"I know."Â I felt guilt overcome me as I looked at her wounded leg.
A/N
Chapter Update: Wednesday
Yes I'm late :( I had a late suggestion to make it Callum's POV so I had to do a major rewrite in-between uni orientation and family events :( But it's here though! 6 hours late lol.
Thank you BriskaSkyefor giving me the idea to write Callum's POV in this chapter! It worked out great!
Also, hope you all liked Callum's POV. Hope it was insightful to see what our guy actually thinks ;) Also no cliffhangers! Yay!!!
Hope we liking him extra now :D
Now I didn't sleep last night... so I'm about to crash even though I need to wake up early-ish. It's 6am here...
Song: Sasha Sloan - Dancing With Your Ghost
Instagram: @1fandombookgirl
I hoped you enjoyed the chapter!
If you did then please consider:
Voting + Commenting
Read on wolfies, ðº
-Shania. ð¾