Chapter 17
I felt my heart constrict as my eyes fell on Callum's face.
We were currently standing in the forest, just outside of pack territory in the direction that led to Fairbairn.
After Sam delivered the news, Cal didn't utter one word until we reached the partially mutilated body of a human man.
He was maybe in his thirties. His limbs were bitten off as if he was a ragdoll that was fought over.
And no doubt he was the ragdoll of some mangy rogues whose deaths I plotted as the seconds ticked by.
Kitara, the pack doctor, was investigating the body before two pack members covered him with a white cloth.
"How long has he been... gone." I choose my words carefully as I noticed Callum's eyes flickered bright green.
"No more than five hours ago." Kit declared. "Rogue attack, he passed from blood loss and sustained severed limb detachment which disconnected important veins."
"That's not all," Penelope said as he picked up a gun. "He was a hunter. Silver bullets are in here."
She handed the gun over to a silent Callum who inspected it. "Two bullets were fired."
"Well if he shot any rogues then their bodies would be around, but considering there isn't any, they got away." Penelope mused.
But something else clicked in my head, "He was close to the pack. Too close." As my eyes met Pen's knowing gaze, she knew.
"He knew where to find us." She stated.
As that bit of information settled over us, there was a moment of utter silence.
I noticed Callum opened his mouth to say something but snapped it shut as no words came out and the muscles in his jaw strained. Cal took a deep breath before turning to me.
And he held that look in his eyes.
The chilling emerald eyes stared back at me which mirrored cold, hard gemstones.
I felt the ice in my veins before he even said a word.
Then he did. He said words I didn't want to hear but it was the startling reality.
"I told you this would happen." He chewed out.
"Cal-"
"Didn't I tell you that they'd come looking for me, Everette? Didn't I warn you that this was what I was trying to prevent?" He asked as his eyes searched mine as if I held the answer.
I did know the answer. It was exactly what he said.
He did tell me.
And we didn't believe him.
I didn't believe him.
But what do I say to that? He was right? I was sorry? It didn't seem like any of those words could ease the weight of the situation.
No words can.
I don't think my throat has ever constricted before, but right now it was. Not because of the human body that laid before us or the abnormal situation with the rogues.
But because Callum stared at me like I really was the beast he had assumed I was a week ago.
"We'll give him a proper burial." That was the only words that made sense for me to say.
Callum immediately shook his head, "No, he should be buried near his family."
"You know we can't do that," I said gently, almost afraid of the fragility of the situation.
"He's not one of you." He uttered through clenched teeth.
One of me? Didn't know I was E.T.
"He's a human. His body doesn't belong here." Callum went on as he stared at the covered body.
"It's not safe for any of us to take his body to Fairbairn." I hoped he understood because with these rogues and Callum not being able to go back, there really wasn't any way we could take this person back to his family.
"How would you feel if that was your father? He left one day and didn't return. You wait for what? Days? Months? Years? Holding onto the belief that he's still alive somewhere when in reality he's dead and got buried among some humans who didn't care about him. People who didn't even know his name." Callum's words sliced through me.
"That's not fair," I growled at him.
His eyes didn't meet mine but I knew he was holding something back until he finally said it.
"His wife... she died three years ago. Terminal cancer. His daughter is only five. She has no one now." Callum stated as he lifted his head and stared at me. "And she wouldn't know where her dad is because he never returned home. Just like my father, except I was told he was a brave warrior that was killed by a beast."
His words wrapped around me like a snake that squeezed me until I couldn't breathe anymore. Whatever this man's daughter was about to go through was the exact emotions Callum must have felt when he was growing up.
And that didn't sit right with me. None of this did.
And you know what? Screw this entire ritual shit. I was done with it. Every last bit of it. It twisted our lives. Created death, war and hurt.
For what? For an Alpha to find his mate when he can easily do it in human form? Yeah, it was a bunch of bullshit which screwed with us all.
"You need to let me go back." He stated as his eyes focused on me with intense hope.
But even if I said screw it all, I couldn't allow that. The rogues were too dangerous and growing more and more unpredictable by the day. And I couldn't lose him.
As selfish as it seemed. I would turn the world inside out and upside down before I allowed another rogue within an inch of him.
"Don't ask that of me, Callum. It's unfair."
"Nothing's fair here. Don't you see that? Everything! Everything is in your hands. You're the Alpha here, you have the power to change the rules. This ritual is playing games with us all and I'll be damned if anyone else gets hurts."
"But we can get hurt. You can get hurt if we go into the forest to get to Fairbairn." I admitted as my anger spiked.
His hands pulled at his hair in frustration, "You don't get it, Everette. They know where your pack is. We've always known and now that he and I are missing they'll only send more hunters out here."
I took a step away from him, shocked. He never told me that the hunters knew where the pack was. He only said that they'd come looking for him.
"You've never told me that." I held the hurt back from dripping into my voice since we were surrounded by pack members still.
His eyes softened for a fraction of a second but his resolve held, "I didn't because I knew your pack would have probably gone after them before they could make it here."
My pack.
So he clearly hasn't come around to the idea of it being apart of him as well. Duly noted.
"You should have told me." I clarified.
He seemed frustrated, "That's not the point right now. You need to let me go and talk to them."
I felt my fist tightened as I tried to control my anger, "Not happening."
"Then I guess we'll sit around and watch everyone we care about get hurt." He growled in a low voice that felt like someone dumped a bucket of cold water on me during a snow storm.
He spun back on his heels and headed back since we weren't far from the packhouse as we drove back here when Sam informed us.
I immediately started behind him but his cousin held me back.
I glared at Penelope but she kept her grip firmly on my arm, "Let him cool off. He needs it."
"He-"
"Don't worry, I already mind linked June to find him and make sure he gets to the packhouse." She assured me.
And this is why she was Beta, besides being firstborn and all that. She was always one step ahead and knew exactly what I was thinking.
"A week already and you two are already arguing like a married couple." Charlotte appeared through the trees, "I could hear you from a mile away." She shrugged.
"Did you pass him back there?" I asked worried.
She grinned at me, "Yup, don't worry, Max went back with him. Mumbling something about how you don't get it."
"Don't get what?" I asked in confusion.
Her dark eyes held humor, "You clearly need to talk to him if you really don't get it, Ev."
I pouted at her and tried to wrench my arm from Pen's grip but she gave me a glare, "But you can do that after you give time to cool off. Trust me I've been there with June and she's like a kitten who brings out her claws to the fight."
"Sounds cute." Char grinned.
Pen narrowed her eyes, "Yeah until those claws start to scratch at any part of your body she can reach."
Charlotte reached out to Penelope's blonde hair and starting messing with the girl's messy bun which was more on the side of messier than stylish.
"Alpha, what should we do with the body?" Kitara asked as she pulled my focus away from the girls.
"Clean him up and we'll bury him on the hill," I instructed with a heavy heart.
Nodding, the other wolves quickly did work of what had to de done as I turned back to Penelope and Charlotte.
"I clearly need to hold an intervention with you both. Max is wrapped around my finger like that ring he's been carrying around in his pocket for an entire month."
My ears perked up at what she said as Pen batted her hands away and turned to her with wide eyes.
"Max proposed?" We both asked her at the same time and she frowned.
"Not yet. But I knew he bought the ring since he had a few images on his phone and I found a receipt in his wallet. That and he's been acting all weird since he received it. I mean it's been almost an entire month and I know for a fact that it's always in his pocket." She grumbled.
"I didn't know you wanted to get married." Pen said curiously.
Char shrugged, "I'm not all warrior wolf, I want the whole human wedding shebang. Everette's parents' wedding pictures are like a fairytale. I want that with Max."
I couldn't argue there. My parents did have a beautiful wedding and I wondered if that's something Callum would want.
Do I want that? At nineteen?
Heck, my two brain cells can't even wrap around the idea of a baby. A Callum and Everette mini running around.
"He'll propose soon, we all know just how much he loves you, Char," I assured her.
"Ev's right, he's probably just waiting for the right time." Pen pinched Char's blushing cheek.
"Well, he better do it soon because I want to start discussing my wedding dress with Nina." She said as we started our trek back to the packhouse. Nina was our resident designer. She even had stores around the globe but did all of her designing her in the pack. My mom's dress was also designed by her so I know Char will be in good hands.
As Charlotte stood between Penelope and me, she looped her arms around both of our elbows as we walked back and she started animately rambling about what she envisions for her wedding and what we'll be wearing as her bridesmaids.
Pen threw me an amused look over Charlotte's head and I couldn't help but grin. I was happy for her but I knew her rambling meant she was nervous about Max not asking her yet.
But I knew it would only be a matter of days again, he was head over sneakers in love with her. Like Penelope and June and Sam and Daisy.
Even as I tried to stay focus on Char though, my mind was stuck replaying Callum's anguish that was on his face.
My heart ached to know that I couldn't grant him this one wish. Knowing that this man met a fate much like his father but in different circumstances only brought more weight to my heart.
When we finally arrived back to the packhouse, the sinking feeling in my stomach made me feel sick.
Max exited the house as we walked through the backyard and as I stepped closer, I nosed his lower lip was split and a trickle of blood.
"Max!" Charlotte immediately released our arms as she pounced into her mate's arms and cupped his cheeks, "What the hell happened? Who did this to you?"
Surprisingly he just shook his head at her and grinned as his eyes found me, "Our Máni punched me for laughing at his mate earlier."
I felt my breath hitched at what he just said.
"You what?" Charlotte asked confused.
"I'll tell you later," He placed a kiss on her cheek, "So, Ev? Maybe not lock me in the Crypt anymore?"
I felt a small smile tug at my lips, "You're lucky I love Charlotte too much to deprive her of your-"
Pen slapped her hand over my mouth as Charlotte grinned at me with zero embarrassments.
As I pried Pen's hand away, I gave her a pointed look, "Contrary to your nasty mind, I was going to say his 'annoying ass'."
She eyed with disbelief, "Pretty sure you weren't."
I shrugged at her, "Anyway, you're lucky he got to you before I did."
"I'll take your word for it." He mumbled as fear crept into his eyes, "I'm leaving before Callum returns for round two. He seems a bit angry." Max informed us as he grabbed Charlotte's hand and disappeared around the house.
"Do I even want to know?" Penelope asked as we entered the house.
I sighed, "Just that I was this close," I held my index finger and thumb about a few millimeters apart, "to kicking his ass and locking him in the Crypt with Thor."
She laughed and I love how Pen appreciated my sadistic side.
"There you are." June appeared out from the kitchen, "I was wondering where you two were."
Pen planted a kiss on her mate's lips before she could say another word. And again my heart felt heavy from being around so much love when my mate was angry at me.
But Pen and June's love always lights up the room like a bright summer day. They were perfect for each other and I knew why the Moon Goddess paired them up. It wasn't hard to figure out by seeing the way they looked at each other.
As if the other was their whole world in one person.
When June pulled away with a cute little blush on her cheeks, she turned to me with a wry expression. Pen held her close to her as June motioned to a hole in the wall.
"After Callum punched Max he seemed like he wanted to do it again but instead he punched the wall," June explained.
And there it was.
A Callum's fist-sized hole in the wall.
"How is he?" I asked hesitantly.
June's expression held worry, "He may have broken his wrist. He was cursing like a sailor after he punched the wall."
As if our emotions were in tandem, I felt the rage and sadness that I'm sure he felt within him waging a war.
"Where is he?" I questioned but before she could respond, I was already following his scent outside.
"The porch." Came her response as I detoured into the kitchen and grabbed one of our many ice packs.
Perk to being in a pack of wolves that trained, we always had these on hand.
I opened the front door and I spotted him on the steps of the front porch.
His scent washed over me and I felt some of the tension leave me.
"Are you going to lurk there all day?" He asked without turning around and I was surprised that he sensed me. But he did have some wolf blood in him.
I fiddled with the icepack for a second before walking over and sitting beside him on the step.
Silently, I handed over the icepack to him as I saw his swollen hand. I wanted to take his hand in my own but I wasn't sure what his mood was, especially towards me.
I knew how I felt though.
I wanted to punch him for hurting himself. I know, I know. I don't make any sense. But when it came to this man, I don't think I ever will.
"Thank you." He said in a low voice as he placed the ice on his hand.
"Is it broken?" I twisted my hands together as nervousness ate at me.
He shook his head without looking at me, "No, just sprained."
"I'll get my mom or doctor Kitare to heal you," I mumbled.
"No, it's fine." He responded.
I nodded but he didn't look at me once so he didn't see.
Not knowing what else to say, since words were lost to me and English seemed foreign, I kept quiet as I sat next to his warm body.
After a good few minutes of silence, he finally spoke up again, "I'm not angry with you."
My eyes snapped to his side profile as he still wasn't looking at me.
"You aren't?" My eyebrows knitted in confusion.
"No." He sighed as his shoulders slumped.
"I thought you were... because I wouldn't let you take him back," I whispered.
"His name is- was Greg." He responded and I listened curiously, "His daughter, Gracie, she's adorable. Kinda reminds me of you in a way. She's feisty but cute."
"Sounds just like me." I poked in as he took a minute before he went on.
"I was the one to drive Greg's wife, Lydia, to the hospital the day she went into labor. Greg was working and they lived right next door, so I took her and stayed with Greg in the waiting room until they brought little Gracie out in her pink blanket. I was also there in the waiting room the day doctors told him Lydia died after succumbing to her illness. Both memories are starkly different. One filled with happiness at a new life and the other filled with dreed as a life was robbed from a family.
"Gracie is a fighter though. I know she wouldn't get over this or completely understand the situation. But the community will take care of her. Grandpa will be there with her." His eyes shifted to me and I saw nothing more than anguish and the shell of warm guy I've been getting to know.
I held my hands together in a tight knot as I tried to keep my emotions at bay for Gracie and what happened to her family, "I'm sorry Callum."
His left hand came around to me as he cupped my cheek, "None of that. You don't ever need to apologize to me."
"But I do. I should have trusted you when you said they'd come after you."
"We can't change what we should have done." His thumb rubbed circles on my cheek. "I didn't tell you about Gracie to make you feel bad."
I looked at him in confusion.
"I told you because even though I should worry about that five-year-old after everything she's been through and any other human that may come after me again... I'm more worried about you."
His words startled me into complete silence as his eyes sparked to life as if it were light with a match.
"They know where the pack is and one of them easily came here, so imagine what would happen if they all came? You're worried that I would get hurt if we went out there, but by sitting here and doing nothing... you can get hurt. And I can't live with myself if someone I knew hurt you, Princess."
And I knew exactly where he was coming from but he didn't need to worry about me, "Callum, that wouldn't happen."
"And if it does? Don't make me choose between them and you if they come here, Ev."
"I'm not asking you to." I brought his hand away from my cheek and wrapped it between my own, "You wouldn't have to choose between us. I would never ask that of you. But I need time to think of a way to fix this."
He nodded, "I believe you, I just don't want to see anyone else get hurt."
"As long as we're in this together, I would try not to let that happen," I promised.
"I know you like to be the protector of everyone but I'm your protector now, so you wouldn't be putting yourself in danger on my watch." He vowed.
I couldn't help the genuine smile that took over my face, "I like the sound of that."
The corner of his lips tipped up and the urge to kiss him was too much, so I did.
He told me to take it if I wanted it.
And our little fight, I didn't just want it. I needed it.
I placed my lips against his warm, soft ones as his hand left mine and he placed it around my back to pull me closer to his body.
My body melted against his own as a soft moan passed between my lips and he responded with a growl that felt like a spark of life.
I entwined my arms around his neck as I parted my lips and his tongue immediately invaded my mouth.
Letting him take control, we explored my mouth at a slow pace as if it was the first time we were kissing.
Seeing as the first time was driven more by jealousy and was a heated rush, this one was more intimate, slow and soft.
But still heated.
The rush of sensations was like tiny firecrackers going off in my heart and I've never felt anything like it.
The sensation was consuming and I wanted more.
As if he read my mind, his left hand easily hooked around my right leg and hoisted it across his legs so that I was straddling him.
I was breathless as his hand curled around my waist again and held me in place. He pulled away as I tried to catch my breath but like a man on a mission, his lips didn't leave my skin.
He trailed kisses along and jaw and neck.
"Beautiful." He whispered against my neck right where a mark was supposed to go.
But considering he's human, I doubt that he'll be able to mark me.
With a dazed expression in his eyes, his lips returned to my own with his slow kisses and the intimacy of the moment made my body ache for more.
It was as if he lit a fire within me and I wanted more than his sweet kisses and soft touches.
Not to mention the fact that I was still in my sports bra and tights, I felt every inch of Cal's body against my own and he was soft and hard in all the right places.
The faint scent of something burning made me pull away from him and I turned my head to the right to see a small rose bush on fire.
Callum groaned in protest.
"Uhh, Cal you may want to put that fire out," I said against his lips.
His eyes snapped opened as he looked at the burning flowers, "Shit, I didn't mean for that to happen."
With one flick of his wrist, the fire was out and a stupid grin was plastered on my face.
Callum's face mirrored my own as he wrapped his arms around me again and tightened his grip on me before leaning his forehead against my own.
"Can't believe you've been depriving me of that for an entire week."
I rolled my eyes, "You kissed me once, you could have done it again."
"I wanted you to take the lead. You may not have noticed, but you don't exactly show me your emotions and what you really want."
I thought about and I suppose he was right. I always talked about us being mates but I guess I hadn't really shown him or told him in so many words what I wanted.
"I really like you. Like a lot." I bit my lip to hold back my smile.
"The feeling is very mutual Princess." Callum smiled as he placed a kiss on my nose before pulling his head back. "When you asked me if I trusted you, earlier today, I didn't answer you."
"No shit." I raised an eyebrow.
Smiling he said, "I didn't answer you because the answer shocked me when I thought about it." His green eyes found mine, "Trust is something I've never had in anyone. Only my grandpa. So when you waltzed into my life covered in fur and pulling me into your world, you'd probably think I would have never trust you. But the moment you showed me what my power was in the forest. I don't know, I felt like everything snapped into place and I knew I trusted you."
"Is that why you went on silent on me," I questioned.
Chuckling he nodded, "I was scared to admit it to myself."
"I want to show you something." I decided as I got off his lap and stood before him.
He pouted, "I was rather enjoying you on my lap."
"Come on, we've got to go before the sun sets." I held my hand out for him and without questioning me, he grabbed my hand.
"Where exactly are you taking me?" He asked as I lead him to the hill near the Crypt.
"I want to show you something important." Was all I said as we made our way through the trees.
It took about fifteen minutes of walking until we came across the cleared hill that was covered with headstones.
"I know you want Greg to be with humans, and I can't fulfill that wish of yours right now. But this is the best I can do."
He looked stunned as his eyes swept across the graves and he walked forward on the neatly trimmed grass.
My mom and dad made sure this area was always kept neatly and not overgrown. Even though these soldiers killed some of our own. A grave was a grave.
"Is this... is this the hunters from twenty years ago?" He asked in shock as he turned back to me.
I nodded, "My parents them ID'd so they all have their names. It was too many bodies to take back to Fairbairn so they laid them here. They're all human, just like Greg. He'll be amongst his own."
"I-is my father here?" He whispered so low that I barely caught it.
I nodded as I walked towards him and held out my right hand for his left one since his wall punching one didn't look too good.
In silence, I lead him to the middle of the graveyard to the headstone that was engraved with Jake Cain.
Callum's face was ashen with sorrow and I wondered if bringing him here without warning was right.
But he squeezed my hand, "I can't believe you guys did all this."
"It was my parents. They knew most of the men didn't know what exactly they got themselves into. So they treated anyone equally. Even you dad." I replied.
His eyes shifted to my own, "This may make you all better than us humans. I don't know if the hunters would have ever done something like this."
I shrugged, "Grief and pain take form differently for everyone. This was my mom's way of coping."
"Remind me to thank her for this."
"She'll appreciate that."
His right hand carefully reached out and ran across his father's name, "As much as I want to hate him. To get image my grandpa painted for me, out of my mind... I can't. It's hard to bring myself to hate someone I've never met."
I wrapped my other arms around the hand that I was holding, "You don't have to Callum. I can't understand what you feel or what you've been through, but hating him now wouldn't do you any good. He's gone, like everyone else in this field. He can longer hurt anyone so hating him is purposeless."
"You sound wise, should I be concerned?" He teased.
I elbowed him in the side, "And you sound like you want me to kick your ass in front of your dad."
I felt a laugh reverberate through his body as we fell into silence.
"I'll promise you something," I said.
"What? You'll give me a replay of our moment of the porch step later?" He grinned down at me.
"No...maybe." I smiled. "I promise you that when things settle down with the rogues, I'll talk to the elders and get Greg's body back to Fairbairn. The hunters already know we exist so it's not like your presence will come as a surprise to them. But we'll have to keep you out of the eyes of other humans. It'll be brief, but we'll do it."
His hand came around my waist as he pecked my lips, "Thank you."
A/N
Chapter Update: Monday-ish?
Okay, how hot was that kiss? Lol think I'm getting better at this? Maybe? Let me know how to improve cause I may or may not be thinking of smut for when things happen ðð¤£ð
Also Ev and Cal finally admitted they like each other! AWWWW! â¤â¤â¤ I really didn't know where this chapter was going, but think it turned out alright.
But what's their ship name? Calerrette? Evlum? Evum? I'm bad at this... you guys make up something cute ð(âï¾ã®ï¾)â
p.s. the quote from the last chapter with the boy and swimming, the responses cracked me up. I was thinking more along the lines of Everette may have brought Callum (to the water) to the pack but she can't make him swim, as in she can't make him fall in love or like her. If he likes her (swims) it's on his own with some help from mate bond. (â'â¡'â)
Song: WILDES - Bare
Instagram: @1fandombookgirl
I hoped you enjoyed the chapter!
If you did then please consider:
Voting + Commenting
Read on wolfies, ðº
-Shania. ð¾