Chapter 17 - Justin

Lounging on the sofa in the cabin, I try to relax and scroll through my phone. With no television or internet connection, it's my only entertainment option—well, aside from gawking at Callie. It's served as a lifeline to the outside world, and I'm currently on the hunt for a new game to download. But when the screen flashes with Ram's number, I abandon my quest for the time being and answer it, sitting upright in an instant.

"Hey, Ram," I greet. "What's the word?"

Ram's voice crackles through the line, "Hey, brother. How goes living in the wilderness with our refugee?"

I chuckle and shake my head, glancing toward the bathroom. Callie is taking a shower. "It's going well, I suppose. Hoping to get some good news from you today so we can get back to civilization, though."

"Well, I've got some almost good news," he tells me. "I've been keeping an eye on things. Evan's pack came sniffing around earlier. They stopped by Callie's cabin and the old diner she works at."

"Shit," I curse. "How is that good news?"

"They didn't make any direct moves," he explains. "Just came to scope the place out. I'm guessing they're trying to figure out if she's still here or not. They did ask a couple people about her, but we spread a rumor around town that you two ran off together. That's what our people told them, and hopefully they bought it."

My heart all but leaps out of my chest. "That's great! So, we can head back into town and go on as normal?"

"Not quite yet," he warns. "I'd suggest staying out of town for a few days, maybe a week, just to be safe. But yeah, that's the gist of it. We're making progress, brother."

"Damn, Ram, I owe you one," I tell him. "You've been a huge help."

"Don't thank me yet," he replies. "Thank me when you're safely back home."

"Thanks for keeping me in the loop," I say, grateful for his vigilance. "Keep watching, and let me know if anything changes."

Ending the call, I sit back on the sofa, my mind already racing with plans and contingencies. Despite the momentary relief that Evan's pack didn't escalate the situation, that doesn't mean we're out of dangerous waters.

Callie emerges from the bathroom, and her hair is still damp from the shower. I can't help but admire the way a droplet clings to her skin and rolls down her cleavage, and I have to lick my lips and clear my throat to get my thoughts going again. She gives me a curious look as she approaches, clearly sensing the tension in the air.

"Everything okay?" she asks, her voice soft with concern.

"Yeah, everything's fine," I assure her, flashing a smile. "Just catching up with Ram."

She nods, seemingly satisfied with my response, and moves to sit beside me on the sofa. Leaning back against the cushions, she waits for me to continue.

"Ram gave us an update on Evan's pack," I explain, filling her in on the details of our conversation. "They came sniffing around, but they didn't make any direct moves. It seems like they're just trying to figure out if you're still here."

Callie's expression tightens at the mention of Evan's pack, a flicker of anxiety crossing her features. "Do you think they'll come back?" she asks.

I reach out and gently squeeze her hand, offering what little comfort I can. "We don't know for sure, but we're keeping an eye on things. For now, we should lay low for a bit longer, just to be safe."

"Okay," she murmurs, her gaze dropping to her lap.

"But," I continue, wanting to shift the focus away from the looming threat of Evan's pack, "I was thinking we could take advantage of this downtime."

Her head snaps up, curiosity shining in her eyes. "What do you mean?"

I grin, excitement bubbling in my chest. "Well, Champ's been doing really well with his perimeter training, right? I thought maybe we could shift and take the dogs for a run, test out his skills."

"That sounds like a great idea," she agrees, nodding eagerly. "I've been wanting to stretch my legs, anyway."

"Perfect," I reply. "We'll shift out back and hit the trails."

We head out the back door, and Champ, Snowy, and Stormy bound ahead of us. As we step into the cool forest air, I take a deep breath, letting the familiar scents of pine and earth fill my lungs. The shift is already stirring within me, a primal urge urging me to embrace my wolf form.

With a surge of energy, I let the transformation overtake me. It's a sensation unlike any other, a rush of power coursing through my veins as my bones elongate and muscles shift and reshape. Fur sprouts from my skin, and within moments, I stand on four legs with my senses heightened and alive.

Beside me, Callie completes her shift, and when she's done, she stands as a magnificent brown wolf. I hadn't had an opportunity to really look at her wolf the last time we shifted with the chaos around us, but now that I can, I can't help but stare. The rich color of her fur stands out against the backdrop of the forest. She's a stunning creature, a sight to behold.

Our eyes meet, and I can see the thrill mirrored in her gaze. Together, we take off, our paws pounding against the forest floor as we race through the woods. The sensation of freedom washes over me, exhilarating and intoxicating. I let out a joyous howl, the sound echoing through the trees as we chase after the dogs.

The dogs lead us deeper into the forest, their tails wagging furiously as they dart between the trees. We follow their lead, weaving through the underbrush with ease. The cool breeze ruffles our fur, and the earthy scent of the forest fills our nostrils.

As we run, I feel a sense of connection with Callie that only comes from running with a pack. In wolf form, our communication is primal and instinctual, a language only the pack understands. Callie is no exception, whether she's a lone wolf or not. The bond between us is stronger than ever, and our movements flow in perfect synchronicity.

We travel in a pack of sorts, me and Callie and our canine companions. We're connected, bonded by the way we move together, the way we anticipate each other's needs. It's as if we're one entity, operating as a unit. We play like wild creatures, chasing each other through the trees and bounding over fallen logs. There's a sense of liberation in every movement, a freedom that comes from shedding the constraints of human form and embracing our true nature.

For a while, we lose ourselves in the joy of the moment, the worries of the outside world fading into the background. It's just the two of us, running wild and free beneath the canopy of the forest.

Eventually, as the sun begins to set and our bodies tire, we signal Champ, Stormy, and Snowy to head back to the cabin. Callie and I shift back to our human forms to make the rest of the trip on two legs.

She's still breathing hard, her cheeks flushed and her hair disheveled. She's exquisite, beautiful and bold and fiery, and my heart skips a beat. I step closer, unable to resist the temptation, and wrap an arm around her waist. We're both naked since our clothes tore when we shifted, and the sensation of her bare skin against mine is enough to send a rush of heat pooling where it shouldn't.

Behave yourself , I tell myself, but then Callie brings her hands between us and shoves me against the trunk of a tree, pressing her body against mine. I have no idea what she's thinking, but when her mouth collides with mine, I'm not about to stop her. My hands find her hair, tangling in the thick locks as our mouths devour each other. The kiss is fierce, ravenous, and it sends a tingling sensation down my spine. As my hand moves down her back, gripping her ass, she moans against my mouth.

"I want you," she whispers, her voice rough and desperate.

I've been fighting this for so long, trying to play the gentleman and wait until she's ready. But Callie's made her desire very clear, and now there's no use denying it. I can feel her heat against me, and I know she wants me, too.

"Are you sure about this?" I whisper, my voice hoarse and shaky.

She nods, and when she speaks again, her voice is breathy. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

With those words, she reaches down, gripping the base of my cock in her hand. A shudder racks my body and a guttural growl escapes my lips.

She smirks and strokes her hand along my length, sending a ripple of pleasure shooting through me. Fuck, I've been fantasizing about this for weeks, and the anticipation alone is killing me.

Callie is still for a moment, watching my reaction. Her expression is serious, but there's a hint of desire flickering in her eyes. She takes a step back, giving me a full view of her body, and the sight is so erotic, it sends another tremor through me.

The light of the setting sun casts shadows across her curves, highlighting her silhouette. Her pale skin is dotted with freckles, and her pink nipples are hardened peaks. The smooth expanse of her belly leads to a tuft of sandy-colored hair at the apex of her thighs. I can't tear my eyes away from her, and the sight of her makes my blood boil with lust.

When she takes a step closer, I reach out, placing my hands on her hips. She stills, her breath hitching, and for a moment, I'm not sure what she's going to do. But then her hand is on the back of my neck and she's bringing her mouth to mine.

She kisses me like a woman starved, and my control frays at the edges. I'm desperate for her, and I need her to be mine, here and now.

My hands slide down her sides, resting on her hips. My heart is beating out of my chest, and my entire body is trembling with need. I'm throbbing, aching with the need to be inside her.

I bring my hands to her breasts, squeezing and massaging her soft flesh. Callie moans into my mouth, the sound driving me mad. I've dreamed about this moment for what feels like a lifetime, and now that it's happening, I'm afraid I'm going to explode.

My fingertips dance over her skin, and she arches her back, pressing her breast further into my palms. I flick her nipple, eliciting a gasp from her. My fingers tease the sensitive bud, pinching and rubbing, and the soft groan that spills from her lips sets me on fire.

"Is this what you want, baby?" I whisper, leaning forward to kiss her neck.

She nods, and I move my hand down the flat of her stomach, slipping my fingers between her legs. Her slickness is hot and inviting, and she shudders beneath my touch. Her breaths are ragged, and her cheeks are flushed as I circle her clit with my finger, teasing her.

I move my lips to her chest, capturing one of her nipples between my teeth, and I suck, drawing out a loud moan. I nip and bite, and her nails dig into my shoulders. I press down harder, and she pushes against me, wordlessly begging me to take her.

I twist us around and push her against the tree, lifting her in the air. Callie wraps her legs around me, her lips parting in a gasp. Her eyes are half-lidded, and her gaze is fixed on mine. The intimacy is almost too much, and I have to force myself to focus.

I press the tip of my cock to her entrance, and then, in one swift motion, I thrust inside her. She throws her head back, her eyes rolling to the back of her head as her jaw goes slack. A sharp gasp escapes her, and her fingers curl against my back.

"Fuuuck," she breathes, her voice thick and raspy.

She's so damned tight, and the friction is delicious. I bury my face in the crook of her neck, taking a deep breath and inhaling the sweet scent of her pheromones. She smells divine, and it's all I can do not to come right there and then.

I begin to rock my hips, moving in and out of her, and she's so wet that her slickness coats my cock. The feeling is incredible. It's like she's molded to me, the way she fits like a glove.

"Yes!" she cries, her heels digging into my back.

I continue to thrust inside her, and her walls clench around me. She's so damn responsive, and it's driving me wild. Her voice is like a symphony, a choir of ecstasy singing out in the night. She's moaning, her body writhing in my arms as I ravish her. Her inner walls are tensing, and she's panting, her breath coming in short, rapid bursts. I can tell she's close, and I'm desperate for her to come.

I speed up, pounding into her, and her moans grow louder and louder until she's screaming, her voice lost in the wilderness. I'm so wound up, so close, and I'm not sure how long I can keep this up.

Callie seems to be in the same boat. She keeps panting, her breaths coming out in shallow gasps. My pace increases, the pressure building inside me, a knot of pleasure threatening to burst.

Callie's fingernails claw at my back, and her hips push back against mine.

"Come for me, baby," I command.

She does. Her body shakes, and her nails dig into my shoulders. I feel her come, and the sensation of her pleasure rippling through her sends me over the edge.

I thrust one last time, and my body trembles. I pull her tight against me, my face buried in the crook of her neck. The feeling is like no other. The euphoria that courses through me is a drug I never want to stop using.

Callie's skin is warm against my face, and her fingers glide through my hair, tracing soothing patterns against my scalp. I breathe in her scent, basking in the moment. I've been dreaming about this for so long, and now that it's finally happened, I'm not sure I ever want it to end.

When the high begins to fade, we slowly untangle ourselves. Her knees are weak, and I reach out to help steady her.

"Jesus, Justin," she breathes. "That was amazing."

"Yeah," I agree.

Callie meets my gaze, and a lazy smile crosses her face. "Do you think the dogs made it home okay? I hope they didn't get lost."

I chuckle and shake my head. "They're smart, Callie. I'm sure they made it back on their own."

"I hope so," she replies.

We stand in silence, the quiet punctuated by the calls of birds in the distance. A soft breeze brushes across our skin, and the sensation is heavenly. I glance at Callie, and when our eyes meet, butterflies flutter in my belly. Whatever just passed between us, whatever this is, it's magical.