Chapter 12 - Callie

With a sense of relief and apprehension mingling for dominance in my chest, I glance around, searching for any signs of movement from my other former pack mates as Justin stands over Guy. It's as if we're all holding our breath, waiting to see if Justin is going to finish him off. For a few seconds, he simply stares down at Guy's motionless form, his shoulders heaving with each breath. Despite the danger he posed, I can't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the fallen shifter. It's a conflicting emotion, one that tugs at the edges of my conscience even as I try to push it aside.

Then, as if suddenly remembering the rest of the pack is still here, Justin turns, his eyes blazing with fury as he sizes them up.

"All of you, leave," he commands. "And take your pitiful friend with you."

There's a moment of tense silence as Guy's pack mates exchange nervous glances, but they don't move.

Justin's nostrils flare as he takes a menacing step forward. "I told you to leave. Don't make me say it again."

Slowly, cautiously, they begin to retreat one by one, shifting back into human form to flee. The last two slink forward to collect and carry Guy, averting their eyes as Justin watches their every move.

Once they've left, the tension fades, and I shift back to human form. The adrenaline fades, leaving my body heavy and aching, and Justin does the same.

"Justin," I murmur, relief flooding through me as I take in his tired yet resolute expression. "Are you okay?"

His weary smile brings a sense of comfort, a fleeting moment of solace. "I'll live," he replies. "And I'm more concerned about you. You were hurt."

"I'll be fine," I assure him. "It's just a few scratches. You're a lot worse than I am. Come inside. I'll clean you up."

I wedge myself under Justin's arm, and together, we head into the cabin. Champ scampers up to greet us, but as soon as he catches a glimpse of Justin's battered form, he whines and lets out the most adorable little growl, as if to curse the people who did this to his friend.

I guide Justin to a chair and fetch the first-aid kit before I crouch down in front of him and start working on his wounds. They're bad, and I feel my chest tighten as I start cleaning the cuts, but I try not to show my discomfort. I've tended to injuries like this before, so I'm confident that I can patch Justin up. But knowing that he's in this condition because of me makes my stomach turn.

Champ insists on being in the middle of everything, nudging my hand with his nose and licking Justin's face whenever he gets the chance. Despite the seriousness of the situation, I can't help but smile at Champ's antics. He provides some much-needed levity, if nothing else.

As I work on Justin's injuries, he watches me with an expression that tells me questions are coming. Questions I can't keep avoiding.

"You need to tell me what's going on, Callie."

Tears burn my eyes, and all I can offer him is a somber nod.

"Why are Guy and the rest of your old pack after you?"

I freeze for a moment, my heart sinking at the thought of reliving the past. Memories I've tried so hard to bury resurface, each one a painful reminder of the life I left behind.

"I..." My voice trails off, and I glance away, unable to meet Justin's gaze. How can I explain something I've spent so long trying to forget? How can I make him understand the tangled web of secrets and lies that have shaped my life?

But after everything he's done for me, how can I deny him this information? How can I deny him the right to know what kind of woman he's been defending? He's covered in bite marks and scratches, and it's all because he was defending me. Because he cared enough about me to stand up for me when no one else would.

Because he cares enough to still be here, in spite of how guarded and secretive I've been.

And it's that realization that spurs me forward, that pushes me to open up and tell him everything.

"It's not an easy story to hear," I murmur.

Justin cocks an eyebrow, giving me a small, encouraging smile. "I've got all night."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. It's not easy to revisit the past, to peel back the layers of pain and betrayal that have haunted me for so long. But Justin deserves to know the truth, even if it means reliving some of my darkest memories.

"It all started with Dante," I begin. "He was a guy from my pack, and we dated for a while. At first, everything seemed fine, but then things started to change. He became possessive, controlling, and aggressive. I tried to end things, but he wouldn't let go."

I pause, swallowing back the bitterness that threatens to choke me. "One night, he... he attacked me," I continue, my voice trembling with the weight of the confession. "I had no choice but to defend myself, and in the chaos, I hurt him. He was about to hit me, so I reached out for the only thing I could use to defend myself. It was a rock, and I used it to break his nose."

Justin sucks in a breath, but he remains silent, giving me the time to work through my memories.

"After that, Dante spun a web of lies, accusing me of all sorts of ugly things… things I can’t even bear to repeat. He told the pack that I was the aggressor, that I had attacked him without provocation. He claimed that I was unstable, that I posed a danger to everyone around me."

The memories come rushing back with a vengeance, each one a sharp stab of pain. "He twisted the truth until it was unrecognizable, until I didn't even recognize myself anymore. And the worst part was, some of the pack believed him. They looked at me like I was a monster, like I had broken their trust and betrayed them. Even though I did nothing wrong."

The tears start flowing, and I can't stop them. How can I explain this without sounding crazy?

I shake my head, trying to dispel the lingering echoes of Dante's accusations. "I tried to defend myself, to tell them the truth, but they wouldn't listen. To them, Dante is a pillar of the community, a beloved member of the pack. They couldn't fathom that he would lie, that he would deceive them so completely." I hang my head, wiping away my tears. "It was like I didn't even matter anymore," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "Like my feelings, my pain, didn't count for anything. I felt... invisible. Insignificant."

"Why would they believe him over you?" Justin questions.

"Because he was the pack's golden boy," I reply. "He grew up with them. They trusted him. As I told you before, I didn't join that pack until I was a teenager. I was an outsider. My mother and I tried to make it on our own when my father died and our original pack disbanded, but she was always a pack animal. She needed that community. I don't even remember our original pack. They broke apart because my father was their alpha, and there was no other wolf willing or able to take his place at the time. We tried to run solo for a while, but... well, my mother isn't built for that kind of life. We were on our own, moving from place to place, just trying to survive. When we stumbled upon the pack, it seemed like a godsend. A chance for a fresh start."

My voice cracks, and my eyes sting as more tears pool. "But even then, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. We were outsiders, newcomers in a community that had been around for generations. And when Dante started spreading his lies, it only made things worse. My mom tried to protect me, to shield me from the worst of it, but there's only so much one person can do."

"I can't imagine being in her position," Justin comments, his voice soft and sympathetic. "To see her only daughter in such a situation."

"I guess you could say we were always the odd ones out, the black sheep of the pack. And when Dante turned the rest of them against me, it just reinforced that feeling of... of being alone, of not belonging."

Justin reaches out, his hand finding mine and squeezing it gently. "You're not alone anymore, Callie," he says. "But what I don't understand is why won't they just let you go? If they believe you did all of these awful things, isn't exile a fitting punishment enough?"

"You would think," I bite out with a snort. "They won't let me go because they believe I'm duty-bound to breed while part of the pack," I confess. "Since I'm an outsider, my genes offer diversity for them. According to their archaic rules, a female wolf's only purpose is to bear offspring and serve her mate. They see me as nothing more than a broodmare."

Justin's expression darkens. "That's barbaric," he growls, his voice low and dangerous. "No one has the right to dictate what you do with your own body."

"Tell me about it," I mutter. "But try telling that to a pack of stubborn, traditionalist wolves who refuse to acknowledge anything outside their narrow worldview. When they told me that, I knew I had to leave. I couldn't convince my mother to come with me, but I escaped. I've been on the run ever since. I thought this place was safe, but..."

Justin's expression is grave as he studies my face. "You did the right thing," he assures me. "Leaving was the bravest thing you could have done."

I let out a soft scoff, shaking my head. "I don't feel brave," I murmur. "I feel like a coward. A coward who can't even stand up for herself. It's because of me that you're hurt. I put you in danger."

"Callie," he says, his voice stern, "I won't stand by while anyone is harmed. Especially not you. Don't think for a minute that it's your fault. You did nothing wrong."

I bite my lip, wanting so badly to believe him, but how can I? How can he not think it's my fault?

"I'm sorry," I whisper, my voice cracking with the weight of the emotion.

When he wraps his arms around me, I can't hold back anymore. I cling to him, letting the tears flow freely, my body wracked with sobs.

He holds me tightly, his hand stroking my hair, and I realize this is the first time I've actually opened up to anyone about my past.

I've always been ashamed of who I am, of what I've had to do to survive. The guilt, the self-loathing, it's all so overwhelming sometimes.

But for the first time in a long time, I feel like maybe I can get through this. Maybe I can finally move on and put my past behind me.

When he pulls me up to rest on his lap, I don't resist. I lean into him, my head resting against his shoulder. The warmth of Justin's embrace and the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat against my ear lull me into a sense of peace I haven't felt in a long time. Exhaustion weighs heavy on my limbs, pulling me deeper into the comforting embrace of sleep. As the events of the night fade into the background, I allow myself to drift away, seeking solace in the oblivion of dreams.

But the tranquility is short-lived. Voices intrude upon the quiet of the cabin, pulling me reluctantly from my slumber. My eyes flutter open, blinking away the remnants of sleep as I struggle to orient myself. I sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and glance toward the voice. Through the haze of drowsiness, I make out the figures of two men, only one of whom I recognize.

Justin is standing beside a mountain of a man with dark, rough features. The newcomer is tall and broad-shouldered, and he's watching me with a scrutinizing gaze. There's a blanket draped over my legs, one that Justin must've put there, and I instantly pull it up to cover myself since I'm still naked from the shift last night.

"Who is this?" I demand. "And what is he doing in my house?"

Justin looks over at me, just now seeming to realize I'm awake, and says, "It's okay, Callie. This is Ram, my alpha."

"And what's he doing here?" I snap. I didn't ask to meet the local pack's alpha. In fact, I had no interest in doing so. In my experience, alphas are arrogant and self-important, and I'm immediately suspicious. How much did Justin tell him?

"Callie," Justin starts, "he's just here to help."

"I don't want his help," I grumble, crossing my arms. "I don't need anyone's help. I can handle things on my own."

Ram offers a kind smile, but the gesture does little to reassure me. "I know you can, Callie," he says, his voice calm and reassuring. "But Justin explained the situation, and─"

I open my mouth to tell them both to leave, but before I can voice my protest, a familiar voice cuts in from outside.

"Callie!"

I freeze, the blood running cold in my veins. No, I think. It can't be. Not him. Not now.

"Come on out, Callie."

Oh, shit.

It's Evan, my old alpha.

What is he doing here? How did he find me?