Callum’s POV
My heart raced as I waited for her response. I had never said this to anyone... hell, I had never told a girl that I actually wanted to date her. Sure, I’d had countless girlfriends before, but it was never doing the chasing—they were always the ones drooling over .
But now... here I was, asking a girl out for the first ti—and damn, I was nervous.
I could see the shock and confusion in her eyes. She clearly hadn’t expected this... hell, even I hadn’t expected myself to say it. But just as she opened her mouth to respond, a sharp knock sounded at the window.
We both flinched, turning our heads, only to see Nathan’s furious reflection glaring in.
"Damn it!" I muttered through gritted teeth. Of all tis... why the hell did he have to show up now?
"OPEN THIS DOOR OR I’LL BREAK IT!" Nathan bellowed, slamming his fist against the glass.
My frown deepened as my wolf growled inside . My grip tightened on the steering wheel until the leather creaked. My wolf was pacing, growling, urging to get out and rip Nathan’s damn hand off the car.
"OPEN THIS DOOR OR I’LL BREAK IT!" Nathan roared again, his fist pounding hard enough to rattle the entire vehicle.
"Hell no," I muttered under my breath.
Beside , Hailee’s breathing was shallow, her fingers trembling as she reached out and touched my arm.
"Callum..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "Please... just open it."
I turned to her, my jaw tight. "Let’s just drive away."
She shook her head. "I don’t want a scene," she murmured. "Please."
Sothing in growled at the idea of opening the door, but I couldn’t ignore her pleading eyes.
With a reluctant sigh, I unlocked the door.
We stepped out together. The mont my feet hit the ground, Nathan was already rounding the front of the car, storming toward like a rabid dog.
He didn’t even look at Hailee.
He ca straight to .
"Stay the fuck away from her," he growled, his voice low but boiling with rage. "I know you, Callum. You just want to add her to your long list of girls you’ve fucked."
He stepped closer until our chests nearly touched.
"But I won’t let that happen. Stay the hell away from her."
My expression didn’t flinch, but my wolf was baring his fangs under my skin.
"You have no right to ask to stay away from her," I said coldly.
He scoffed, stepping even closer.
"I have every damn right," he growled. "I’m her future Alpha. It’s my job to protect the pack—to protect her."
My frown deepened as I glared at him... God, I wanted to punch him straight the face. But Hailee stood there, watching us both.
"Hailee," Nathan called, still staring down.
"Get into the car. I’m taking you ho myself," he ordered, like he had control over her.
I opened my mouth to protest, but Hailee beat to it.
"Who the hell do you think you are, ordering around?" she snapped.
Nathan turned to face her.
"You have no right, Nathan!" she yelled, her eyes burning with anger. "You have no freaking right!"
He didn’t say anything... he went speechless.
"I’m going ho by myself," she added sharply. "And I don’t need either of you to take ."
She turned and walked away, her head held high. Strong. Even though I could tell her hands were shaking.
I looked back at Nathan.
He didn’t move.
But on his face... I saw it all. The pain. The jealousy. The heartbreak.
He liked her. That much was clear now.
Too bad.
Because I liked her too.
And I wasn’t about to back off.
Nathan turned and glared at .
He took a slow step toward .
"Stay the hell away from her, Callum," he growled. "She’s not like the other girls you’ve ssed around with. She’s not your type."
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of my lips as my wolf stirred inside .
"You’re right," I said quietly, my voice calm but firm. "She’s not the type of girl I fuck and toss aside." I leaned closer, holding his burning stare. "She’s the type of girl I want sothing serious with. The type of girl I want to keep."
The glare on Nathan’s face hardened, and I could see he wanted to lash out... he wanted to attack ... but he held himself back, gave one final deadly look before storming over to his car.
I stood there, watching as he drove off.
Left alone, I got inside my car, slid back into the driver’s seat, and let my head fall against the headrest, closing my eyes for a mont.
What the hell was I doing?
I had never—never—been in this kind of ss before. Fighting over a girl? ? That wasn’t my thing. I never chased anyone. Never wanted to. They always ca to . They always begged for my attention, fought for my touch.
But Hailee...
She was different.
And that was the problem.
A small bitter laugh escaped my lips as I stared at the ceiling of the car. I should walk away. I should let this go.
But I couldn’t.
For the first ti, this felt like a challenge I didn’t want to give up on. Like sothing that mattered. Sothing worth chasing.
I liked Hailee.
Maybe I wouldn’t call it love—not yet—but I knew the feeling stirring inside was real. It wasn’t lust. It was deeper.
I sighed, dragging a hand down my face—then froze as a cold thought hit .
What if Nathan had followed her?
The idea made my stomach twist painfully.
Damn it. I couldn’t leave her like this—not with him acting like a jealous lunatic.
Without thinking, I started the car and drove toward her ho. My mind was racing the entire way.
Would Nathan be waiting? Would he say sothing to turn her against ?
But when I pulled up outside her building... there was no sign of his car. I was relieved.
I should have left.
But I couldn’t.
My wolf wouldn’t let .
I climbed out of the car, walked up to her door, and knocked gently.
A few seconds passed that felt like forever.
Then the door opened.
And there she stood.
Her eyes t mine, tired, wary... but not angry.
"Callum?" she said softly, surprise flickering in her gaze.
I kept my hands in my pants pockets, hoping I didn’t look as nervous as I felt.
"I just... wanted to make sure you got ho safe. After all that... drama."
Her lips parted, but no words ca out.
And for a mont, neither of us moved. Neither of us spoke.
I swallowed hard, feeling my wolf settle slightly now that I knew she was okay.
"Can I co in?" I asked, my voice lower, almost nervous—sothing I never felt around any other girl.
She hesitated. Just for a second.
Then slowly... she stepped aside and let in.
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