Chapter 20 - Callie

Returning to Stardust Hollow feels both comforting and unsettling at the same time. The familiar sights and sounds wrap around me like a warm blanket, yet there's a lingering unease that has settled itself in the back of my mind. But I push those thoughts aside as Justin and I step into the animal shelter for my first day at my new job.

The receptionist job is a new endeavor for me, and I'm eager to dive in and prove myself. Justin insists that it's safer for me to be here than at the diner, especially with the threat of Evan and my old pack still looming. Neither of us is convinced that he won't show up again, and I feel safer sticking so close to Justin than I would on my own, as much as I hate to admit it. Since he works at the shelter, too, he's always close by.

Justin gives me a reassuring smile before heading off to tend to the animals. I watch him go, a pang of gratitude swelling in my chest. Despite everything, he's been my rock through it all, and I don't know what I would do without him.

As I settle in behind the reception desk, I'm determined to make the most of it. The morning passes in a blur of phone calls and paperwork, but I find a rhythm and stick to it. Helping animals find new homes is much more fulfilling than waiting tables, and I feel myself falling into a new groove.

At lunchtime, Justin joins me in the break room and plops down opposite me, holding up a to-go bag from my old diner.

"I come bearing gifts," he announces.

I raise an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What did you bring?"

He reaches into the bag and pulls out a sandwich wrapped in foil. "Your favorite," he says, sliding it across the table toward me.

A smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I unwrap the sandwich. A Cuban sandwich, still nice and hot from the press. "You remembered," I remark, touched by the gesture.

"Of course I did," he replies, flashing me a grin. "I pay attention to the important things. Plus, I made you a hundred of these back at the cabin."

"Hey, I can't make them as good as you can. You have a magical apron or something. Like a secret ingredient."

"Maybe," he admits, his lips pursed into a thoughtful expression.

"I don't know," I say, leaning in closer. "The sandwiches aren't the only thing magical about you."

"Really?" he asks, his eyes glimmering with mischief.

"Mm-hmm."

"And what else is magic about me?"

"Promise?"

"Definitely," I assure him with a wink.

"Maybe once we get home tonight, I can show you. Showing is always more effective than telling."

Since we got back into town, I've been staying at Justin's place instead of at my rented cabin. I tell myself it's because it's the most sensible option. Evan knows where I live, and the likelihood of him attacking me in the middle of the night when I'm at a Stardust Hollow wolf's house is much lower. But deep down, I know it's more than that. I've gotten used to sleeping with Justin next to me. Maybe a little too used to it.

"I have a pack meeting tonight," Justin says before taking a bite of his own sandwich. "It's right after work. I was thinking maybe you could join us? No pressure, I swear. I just thought it might be nice if you got an idea of what our pack was like. What do you think?"

My heart skips a beat as anxiety swirls in the pit of my stomach. My instinct is to flat-out refuse and shut him down. But the offer is so sweet and genuine, and I can tell that he really wants me to feel comfortable around his friends and his pack. And after everything he's done for me, what harm can one pack meeting do?

"Yeah, okay," I tell him, forcing a smile. "I'll come with you. Just don't expect me to fill out a membership card or some shit, okay? It's just a meeting."

He chuckles. "We don't have membership cards."

"You know what I mean," I quip, poking my tongue out at him.

"I know." He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. "Don't worry, Callie. Everyone will love you."

"We'll see about that."

The workday at the shelter seems to fly by, and before I know it, it's time to accompany Justin to the pack gathering. My nerves are on edge as we make our way to the meeting. I haven't been to a pack meeting in I don't know how long, and I'm not excited to get back into the whole pack thing, even just for a night.

The meeting is being held at the alpha's house. Ram has a bonfire going in his backyard, and a bunch of people are there, roasting marshmallows and drinking. The sight is so normal that one could mistake it for a family barbecue instead of a gathering of ferocious beasts.

Ram's friendliness has always been reassuring, but there's a part of me that worries it might shift into dominance now that we're in a pack setting. Evan used our meetings as an opportunity to put on a show of his authority and remind us all who was in charge. It was scary. Will Ram be like that, too? Will his demeanor change once we're surrounded by his pack mates?

But as we join the gathering, I'm surprised to find the atmosphere relaxed and carefree. Despite Ram's undeniable authority, the pack members seem at ease, joking and laughing as if they don't have a care in the world.

Ram stands at the center of the group, his presence commanding attention, but there's a warmth to his demeanor that puts me at ease. He's not just an alpha; he's a friend to his pack, and they clearly respect and admire him.

"Glad you could make it, Callie," Ram says, offering me a friendly smile.

"Thanks," I reply, feeling a bit out of place as all eyes fall on me.

A younger wolf, brimming with confidence, nudges Ram's shoulder "Hey, alpha, think you can beat me in a race today or have you already had too many beers?" he teases.

Ram, apparently never one to back down from a challenge, responds with a grin of his own. "You're on, kid. But don't come crying to me when you eat my dust. It's on after this meeting."

Not far away, another pack member throws an arm around Ram's shoulders. "So, when are you gonna let someone else take over as alpha? I'm ready for my turn," he jokes.

I hold my breath, expecting blows. If someone even breathed about taking Evan's position, he'd have the wolf strung up.

But Ram just chuckles at the jest, playfully shoving the wolf away. "Not so fast, buddy. You'll have to fight me for it."

The banter continues, each exchange reflecting the camaraderie and playful spirit that defines the pack. I've never seen anything like it, and I find myself enraptured by the scene. It's not just the way the wolves interact, either. It's the way their body language speaks volumes about their true natures and how they embody the qualities of a good pack.

They're confident, loyal, protective, and loving. Even the women. The entire time we're there, not a single person seems threatened by Ram's dominating presence. He's the head of the pack, the hierarchy is established, but no one feels threatened or intimidated. It's a dynamic that's hard to explain, but I'm drawn to it.

Eventually, I start to relax, allowing myself to be swept up in the easy camaraderie surrounding me. As I mingle with the members, I'm struck by the genuine kindness and warmth they extend toward me, easing the initial tension I had felt.

A she-wolf with red hair gives me a little wave and comes to stand with me by the fire. "Callie, right? I'm Leah."

I know the name. I haven’t had a chance to meet her yet, but she’s the director of the shelter.

"Nice to meet you, Leah. Thanks for letting me crash the party."

"No worries," she says with a smile. "It's always nice to see a new face around. Well, a new non-predatory face, that is. Some of your old pack mates have stopped by a few times, and they haven't exactly been friendly."

I wince. Here it comes. "I'm so sorry about that."

"Oh my God, don't apologize. It's not your fault. Those guys were assholes."

I let out a breath, releasing the tension that was building inside me. "Yeah, that's for sure."

Leah's easygoing demeanor puts me at ease, and we fall into conversation effortlessly. She regales me with stories of past pack gatherings and tells me all about the other members, giving me a good sense of the dynamics of the pack.

We've been talking for a while when another woman joins us. Holly, if I remember what Leah called her earlier.

"Hi, Callie! Justin's been telling me all about you. I'm so glad you could join us!"

"Don't believe anything he says," I joke. "I'm not that bad. Most of the time, anyway."

"I'm sure he was exaggerating," Leah laughs, bumping her shoulder into my arm.

"I don't know," Holly counters, "he seemed pretty smitten."

I turn and glance at Justin, who is laughing at something David is saying. As if sensing my gaze, his head snaps in my direction, and our eyes lock. The smile that spreads across his face lights up his features, and I all but melt in place.

"Smitten, huh?" I repeat, holding Justin's gaze.

Holly nods enthusiastically. "Oh, definitely! He's been like a lovestruck pup ever since you two got back," she confirms.

Leah nods in agreement. "Yep! Ram can barely get a word out of him without him going all starry-eyed," she adds.

"That's cute," I say, the corner of my lip quirking up in a half-smile.

"Oh, it's adorable," Holly exclaims, swooning as she fans herself.

"And judging by the way you're eye-fucking him right now, is it safe to say it's a mutual thing?" Leah asks, waggling her eyebrows.

"I'm not─" I stammer, but it's no use. My cheeks burn with embarrassment, and I'm sure I look like a tomato.

"You're not?" Holly prods.

"We're not─"

"Oh, please," Leah interjects, rolling her eyes. "It's written all over your face."

Leah and Holly share a knowing look before Holly nudges me playfully. "Don't worry, Callie. We won't tell anyone about your little crush," she teases.

I clear my throat, trying to deflect the attention away from my flushed cheeks. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure, sure," Leah says with a smirk. "We'll just keep it between us girls."

From the corner of my eye, I notice Sarah step out into the yard. She works with us at the shelter, and I've gotten to know her a bit. She's a sweet girl, but a bit na?ve, and her infatuation with Justin is clear. The way her eyes follow him as he moves around the fire is a dead giveaway.

I caught her stealing glances at him during our shift together today, but Justin was oblivious. Or at least, he pretended to be. But the way she's sauntering up to him right now makes me wonder if I missed something. She seems awfully confident that her flirty smile is going to get her somewhere.

Sarah walks right up to him without so much as a glance at me and links her arm around his, pulling him away from the others. My mouth falls open at her audacity. I watch her lead him toward the woods, her smile wide and her head tilted seductively at him.

What the fuck does she think she's doing?

Justin lets her lead him into the trees, and a jealous rage flares in my chest. Why the hell did he even bother to bring me here if he's just going to prance off with some girl and hook up right in front of my face?

My stomach churns as I debate my next move. I could chase after them, confront them, and embarrass the shit out of myself. That would be easy, but what would it accomplish? Nothing. But my fingers twitch, itching to claw at her face, and I'm not sure how long I can just stand here and watch her shamelessly throw herself at him.