Chapter 28 - Callie

It was pure desperation that drove me to Ram's house. I couldn't find Dante anywhere, so I came here, resigned to giving myself up to Evan to ensure the safety of the Stardust Hollow Pack. I almost made it to the house, too, but then I stumbled on Dante in the forest, hiding out like a coward. He never was much of a fighter. Unless, of course, his victim was half his size.

This time, I had the advantage. He had no idea I'd found him. The surprise in his eyes as I snuck up behind him, struck him over the head with a nearby log, and overpowered him was priceless. When he finally realized what was happening, he was too disoriented to do much but stare while I took his phone out of his pocket, which contained all the proof I needed to show I was telling the truth and then some. All of the text messages he'd sent me, the emails after I'd blocked his number… everything. Once he realized I meant business, I dragged him to the porch and I'd told him that if he ran off, I would show them everything—every dirty detail I could find. That was the only reason he stayed put, but it was fucking satisfying.

After everything he'd put me through, it was a pleasure watching him squirm.

And it's a huge relief to have his confession. Finally, everyone can see the truth.

Now here I am, standing tall and proud in front of my former pack, taking in their faces of awe and shame. It's been a long, hard road to get to this point, but now it's over. They've seen through Dante’s lies, and they can't deny it any longer.

I feel like I've been freed from a prison cell. Like my cage doors have swung open and the chains are gone.

And it's a heady feeling.

For the first time, I can truly say I'm free.

I release Dante's arm, my fingers curling away from his skin as if it burns me to touch him. I'm ready to walk away and never lay eyes on him again.

But the moment my fingers leave him, I can tell by the look on his face that he isn't going to let me walk out that door.

"You bitch," he snarls, rushing at me.

Instinct takes over, and I twist away, narrowly avoiding his grasp. He stumbles, and before he can regain his balance, I turn and punch him in the face. His head whips back, and he collapses onto the floor, but he doesn't stay down for long.

He comes at me again, but Justin is there before I can blink, stepping between us just in time to snatch Dante by the throat.

Dante doesn't give up easily. He struggles against Justin's grip, his nails clawing at Justin's arms as he tries to break free.

"That was the wrong move, little man," Justin sneers.

Dante snarls in response, his eyes blazing with fury. Instead of pulling away, he lurches forward, sinking his teeth into Justin's forearm. But Justin doesn't flinch. Instead, he tightens his grip, forcing Dante to release his hold.

With a swift movement, Justin swings Dante around, slamming him against the wall with a loud thud. Dante yelps in pain, and Justin releases him. As soon as Dante is free, he pushes himself away from the wall, his line of sight latched onto Justin.

Now free, he and Justin circle one another, their gazes locked. There's no fear or hesitation in Justin's eyes, just a fierce resolve. It's clear that this won't end without bloodshed, and I can only hope that Justin comes out on top.

They both move at once, shifting mid-stride. Where Dante's wolf is large and powerful, Justin's is sleek and fast. The two wolves crash together, snarling and snapping as they try to overpower each other.

Dante pounces, his jaws snapping at Justin's neck, but Justin sidesteps him at the last moment, narrowly avoiding the attack. He retaliates with a vicious swipe of his paw, catching Dante across the muzzle and drawing blood.

Dante lets out a guttural growl, and his eyes flash with pain and rage. He charges at Justin again, but this time, Justin is ready. He meets Dante head-on, locking their bodies together, and the force of the collision sends them toppling to the ground.

They wrestle with each other, their paws scrabbling for purchase as they roll around. Justin pins Dante down, his teeth bared, but Dante's not giving up.

In a flash, he rolls the two of them over, his jaws snapping at the air inches from Justin's face.

Their snarl fills the room as they grapple with each other, teeth and claws bared in a deadly dance of violence. I watch in horror. I can't intervene, not without insulting Justin's strength and honor. All I can do is stand and watch, terrified, as the fight plays out before my very eyes.

Dante manages to break free from Justin's grasp, and he comes straight for me. My heart leaps into my throat, and I can't bring myself to move. If I run, he'll catch me, and he'll kill me. I don't have time to shift to fight back, but Justin doesn't give him the chance to reach me.

Justin springs forward and jumps on Dante's back, his jaws clamping down on the wolf's scruff. Justin drags him to the ground, and the two of them fall, rolling across the floor. Once he's upright, Justin twists Dante's body, exposing his belly so every vital organ is on display.

With a ferocious snarl, Justin brings his sharp claws down, slicing across Dante's chest. Dante's yelp echoes through the room, and his blood splatters everywhere.

Justin doesn't hesitate, doesn't let up. He strikes again, his fangs clamping down on the exposed flesh of Dante's neck. Blood spurts from the wound, and Justin shakes his head from side to side, ripping and tearing at the muscle and bone beneath. It's so vicious, so violent, and so bloody that it makes me sick to my stomach.

Dante stops moving long before Justin is satisfied. The moment Justin is sure his enemy is dead, his body shifts, and he heaves in his breaths while he's still on his hands and knees, no doubt exhausted from the adrenaline and the rage.

Blood drips from his lips, and he's naked, his cock dangling between his thighs. It's gruesome, but it's a victory.

I can hardly catch my breath as I watch Justin rise from the ground. Blood coats his hands and face, evidence of the brutal fight that just took place. But despite the chaos and violence, there's a sense of finality in the air.

Justin won.

But as relief washes over me, a knot of apprehension forms in my stomach. I know Evan's reaction could go either way. He's unpredictable, and I can't shake the fear that he might lash out, blaming me for Dante's death.

Evan's eyes flicker from Dante's lifeless body to me, and for a moment, I hold my breath, waiting for his verdict. But when he speaks, his voice is calm, almost detached.

"This was a fair outcome," he declares. "Dante brought this upon himself with his actions. Callie endured more than any of us could imagine, and this... this was justice."

I clutch my chest and fall to the floor, I'm so relieved.

"But make no mistake," he addresses me. "You are no longer welcome in our pack. Do not show your face in my territory again, and do not attempt to communicate with any of my pack members. Consider this your one and only warning."

A part of me thinks I should be devastated. They were my family for a long time, after all. Even my mother is still a part of that pack. I tried to reach out to her, but she's so consumed by the pack mentality that I don't think she'll ever break free. If she ever does, I'll be waiting. Strangely, I feel a sense of peace settle over me. This is what I wanted, isn't it? To sever ties with the pack that turned their backs on me, to leave behind the pain and betrayal.

"Don't worry, Evan. You'll never hear from me again."

I watch as Ethan turns away, his attention already focused on the task of disposing of Dante's body. His wolves help him, and Justin's pack rushes to untie their alpha and pack mates.

My eyes meet Justin's. I take a step toward him, and then another. I'm running before I realize it, closing the distance between us until we're standing toe-to-toe. His hand reaches out, tentative at first, but then his fingers intertwine with mine.

"I was so scared," I whisper, my voice barely a breath against his chest.

"I know," he murmurs, his fingers tracing soothing circles on my back. "But it's over now. You're safe."

Safe. The word sends a shiver down my spine, but it's not just relief I feel. It's something deeper, something more profound. It's love.

"I love you, Justin," I say, the words spilling from my lips before I can stop them. But I don't want to stop them. I want him to know how I feel. How much he means to me.

His arms tighten around me, and he presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head. "I love you, too, Callie. More than anything."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but they're not tears of sadness. They're tears of joy, of overwhelming emotion. I never thought I could feel this way. Never thought I could find someone who truly understands me and accepts me for who I am.

But here he is, holding me in his arms, telling me he loves me. And in this moment, that's all that matters.

We stand there for what feels like an eternity, wrapped up in each other's embrace. The world falls away, leaving just the two of us lost in our own little bubble of love.

"I don't want to let you go," I confess.

"Then don't," he replies, his voice just as soft. "Stay with me, Callie. Forever."

Forever. The word hangs in the air between us, heavy with meaning. It's a promise. A vow to never let go, to never give up on each other.

And as I look into Justin's eyes, I know it's a promise we'll both keep.

"I will," I say, my voice steady with conviction. "I'll stay with you, Justin. Forever."

There's no hesitation, no doubt, no uncertainty. I want to be with him, to spend the rest of my life with him. I'm ready.

I don't even care that there's still blood all over his face. I press a tender kiss to his lips, one that speaks volumes without saying a word. In that moment, there's nothing else in the world but him and me, lost in the beauty of our love.

And as we stand there, wrapped up in each other's arms, I know that no matter what challenges may come our way, as long as we have each other, we can face anything.

Forever.