Chapter 5

CALLUM

Next Day, Monday Morning.

"I got an email from the Crimson Howl pack," Nolan, my Beta, said as he stood across from me. His tone was sharp, but my mind was far away from him. I fiddled absentmindedly with the pen in my hand, leaning back into my chair my hands placed carelessly on the arm’s rest.

"They said they’ve been with us for six years and want to explore other options," he continued. His voice slowly faded into a distance as my thoughts drifted to Scarlett. The conversation we had yesterday played on repeat in my mind.

How can She not have a wolf.

The realization of the implication hit me harder with every passing moment that I thought about it, than I expected.

Scarlett, my supposed mate that I just paraded in front of the whole pack, without a wolf?. How had I missed it? Why hadn’t I sensed it sooner? Even if I’d only intended for her to serve as a figurehead Luna, I needed her to have a wolf. It wasn’t just tradition; it was survival. What would the pack think? What would they say if they found out?

But I couldn’t simply discard her now. I’d gone too far into the deceit with her. I was known for making rational, critical decisions, and yet... this? This was reckless, even for me.

“Callum!” Nolan’s voice cut through my thoughts, jolting me back to the present.

“Are you even listening to me?” I blinked at him, finally focusing on his face.

“What?”

“You’ve been distracted all morning. This isn’t like you. What’s going on?”

I hesitated, the words heavy on my tongue. But he was my Beta, we’ve been together for a very long time, he’s my most trusted man and I haven’t really had to keep anything from him.

“She doesn’t have a wolf,” I said quietly. He frowned, his brows knitting together in confusion.

“Who?” I tilted my head, giving him a pointed look. His eyes widened as the realization dawned on him.

“Oh, no,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

“Callum... tell me you didn’t. Did you mate a human? I thought you were an expert at these things, how did you not know”

“She’s not human,” I snapped, my voice carrying more conviction than I felt. Truth is that I didn’t bother checking, when I saw her, I just wanted to have her.

“She’s probably just... having trouble shifting” I added lowly. He stared at me in disbelief, but he didn’t argue.

“So, what’s the plan?”

“Contact Salem,” I ordered firmly.

“Tell him to see me as soon as possible. I’ll train her myself” Nolan nodded, already pulling out his phone.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Do it now,” I added, a frustrating urgency in my voice. As he turned to leave, I called after him,

“And about Crimson Howl—set up a meeting with their Alpha. I’ll handle this personally.”

“Got it,” Nolan said with a curt nod , just as he grabbed the door knob to leave he slowly turned to me.

“I’ve retrieved her things, sent them to her and given her family a story,” he said, I nodded at him slowly.

Just as he was stepping out, I heard him greet someone at the entrance. I glanced up to see my half-brother, Kael, walking in.

Kael was a twin. His brother, Kian. All three of us shared the same mother but had different fathers. When my father met and mated my mother, she was already pregnant with the twins. He loved her regardless and took them in as his own. They’re both older than me by a year and eight months.

Kael strode in with his usual irritating confidence. He dropped into the chair opposite mine, slightly frowning at me.

“I hear you’ve finally gotten a mate,” he said, his tone heavy with something less pleasant. I raised my eyes slowly, meeting his gaze.

“What is it now, Kael?” I asked, my voice curt and uninterested, I had more important things to attend to.

We’d never seen eye to eye, not even as children. Kian, at least, stayed out of my way most of the time and didn’t have so much issues with me. But Kael? He was always stirring something. Maybe it was because, despite being the eldest of us three, he’d never been chosen to lead. That honor fell to me—my father’s biological first son.

I wasn’t raised in Willow Brooke like the twins. My father, determined to harden me for the role of Alpha, had sent me to live with his brother outside of the Moonbound Alliance. (Moon bound Alliance is a state consisting of seven different packs, connected by their respective borders). Willow Brooke used to be the weakest and most manipulated of all the seven packs but not anymore, since I became Alpha.

When I returned six years ago, Kael was the first to challenge me. He didn’t win then, but judging by the lingering resentment in his comments most times, I’m sure he hadn’t let it go.

“Didn’t you think you should have introduced your mate to us before making it public?” Kael’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Do you not have any regard for family?”

I didn’t flinch under his glare, nor did I bother responding immediately. I simply watched him. When he finished his little speech, I raised a brow and tilted my head.

“That’s why you came all this way?” I asked flatly.

“You could have texted.”

His nostrils flared, and his fists clenched. Kael shot up from his chair, slamming his palms against the table.

“This is exactly what I’m talking about!” he snapped.

“You’re so damn proud. No regard for anyone!” I sighed deeply, shaking my head at his display.

“Kael, it’s too early for this. Don’t you think?”

He huffed, placing his hands on his hips like some frustrated parent scolding a child. I wondered, not for the first time, why he came before me. Pushing back my chair, I rose to my feet, matching his glare.

“I’ll be in the main house. If you want to yell, find someone else who cares to listen.”

I turned toward the door, gripping the knob, when his voice stopped me.

“I need money.” I paused, my fingers tightening around the knob. Slowly, I turned back to face him.

“Okay?”

“It’s for a new business idea,” he added, his tone begrudging, like he didn’t like that I was questioning him, and the proceeds from our family business was his to squander. I let out a low scoff.

“Alright. Bring me a solid business proposal, and I’ll consider it.” I said and with that I grabbed the door knob walked out and slammed the door shut.

***

I grabbed the doorknob to Scarlet’s room and twisted it, only to find it locked. My patience thinned instantly. I shook the knob, rattling it violently.

From inside, I heard the shuffle of hurried footsteps, followed by the sharp click of the lock opening.

The door cracked open, and Scarlet peered at me, fear visible in her eyes.

“Who gave you permission to lock this door?” My voice was cold and sharp,

“I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, eyes darting to the floor.

“I’m just very used to it... I won’t do it again.”

Without waiting for an explanation, I pushed the door open fully and stepped inside, slamming it shut behind me with a loud thud.

“Listen carefully.” My voice low but firm .

“This entire arrangement hinges, The moment anyone catches on to what’s happening here—just one person—I’ll strip you of everything. Your freedom, your existence... gone. Do you understand me?”

“Y-yes, sir. I understand.” She responded nodding rigorously.

“Good,” I snapped.

“Your belongings will arrive soon, and I’ve already taken care of your family and pack. You only need to focus on obeying me. Everything I say. No hesitation.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll do everything you ask,” she whispered, her voice trembling. I stepped closer, looming over her.

“I’ll train you myself. Your training starts today. We need to awaken your wolf—fast. No excuses, no failures.” Her lips quivered as she tried to respond.

“Th-thank you, sir. I’ll do my best.”

“You’d better,”