We put a leash on Zack and trotted him out like a pet, but I’m the one who’s truly owned. And it’s the most amazing feeling in the world.
Callisto slows the hire car in front of giant gates and leans out to put a pin code in the box.
“Wow, this is fancy-shmancy,” Red declares, sitting up to peer out the window.
The brick-paved road arcs to the left, revealing driveways leading to mini-mansions, each sitting on a few acres and bordering state forest. The trees stretch away to mountains capped with snow despite summer being here.
We turn into a familiar drive bordered by rows of stately pine trees, and I sit up, just as excited as Red to see our destination. I was a teenager the last time we came out here for a skiing holiday.
The house looms into view, the two stories wrapped in balconies, stone facing, and a steep tile roof. Warm orange lights glow inside and out, even though it’s early afternoon. Inviting green grass borders the gravel path from the drive to the houseand clusters of aspens and pines hide the other cabins from view, making the place feel private.
“Okay, when you said cabin, that was not what I was expecting.” Red boxes her hands together and makes them smaller, brows rising for emphasis.
I laugh as I throw the door open. “C’mon, Red. Haven’t you learned yet that the Wrens don’t do anything small?”
“Well, you have a point,” she mutters.
Callisto laughs as he gets out and opens Red’s door. “Hey, play fair! Thisisthe small version around here!”
I tug Zack out, and he follows me slowly, head swiveling to take in the expansive forest views, the pair of Pine Warblers that zip past, and the towering house. Wariness flickers in his bond as he surveys foreign territory.
I take his hand to reassure him. “We’ll be safe here, Zack.”
He points toward the house. “Stay here?”
“For a few days, yes. Then we’ll go home to the apartment.”
He nods once and pulls me to his side to kiss my hair. I wiggle into him, then take a step toward the house, but a sudden rush through the bond freezes me in place. The sensation’s loaded with alpha aggression that makes my stomach drop.
Zack turns and crooks a finger at Callisto. “Cal-ee. Come!”
What exactly is their unfinished business, and what if he brought Callisto out here for some kind of punishment?
If Zack goes full metal like in the prison, there won’t be a damn thing I can do to stop him.
Chapter forty-six
Callisto
My heart ricochets off my ribcage, pounding so hard it seems to rock my body. No alpha in the world could misinterpret Zack’s rising scent and the aura that sharpens around him.
I step forward, my back straight and hands slightly curled. “I’m here,” I say.
“What’s going on?” Red asks, voice edgy.
“Ohm-ee-ga stay back,” Zack warns, pointing to her. His motion trains toward Rickon. “White Mine, too.” His gaze transfers to me, brimming with intensity. This battle-hardened alpha isn’t playing around.
I shiver, my alpha nature rising instinctively. But it doesn’t stop me from approaching. Whatever he has planned needs to happen for us to sort out our uncertainties. I don’t want to keep living at arm’s length.
Zack crosses his arms, assessing me. “Zack say Cal-ee not pack.”
I vibrate with a barely suppressed growl. Those words tormented me endlessly over the past months, even if I deserved them.
The bristling alpha catches the low noise and steps forward. “Does Cal-ee disagree with I?”
Fuck yes, I do. My heart and soul long to join them. My body aches for it too. He might’ve been justified in throwing me out, but despite his hostility, Zack seems willing to give me a chance to plead my case.
I straighten. “You were right to reject me that day. I turned Red away when she needed me most, and I was trying to come back to her the wrong way.”
