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“Of course, Uncle.” Rafe nodded, trailing after the rest of them.
The further they got from the office, the faster Duncan walked. By the time the exit to the grounds came into view, he was at a run.
Outside, he fell to his knees and roared.
Across the parking lot, a few people glanced over.
The roar petered off as his lung capacity depleted. In his fist, his glasses crumpled. He whipped the pieces away, shattering them across the pavement. His chest rose and fell.
As a new member of the group, Callum was at a loss. Unsure how to help, he hung back and let Elliot and Rafe deal with the distraught beta.
Several minutes passed before Duncan spoke. “Why would he do this?”
“Thatcher?” Elliot asked.
Rafe snorted, looking displeased. “Or Mercer?”
Duncan’s shoulders slumped. “He’d been acting weird the last couple of days. Avoiding eye contact. When I couldn’t find him this morning, I figured he was hooking up with someone.” He glanced at Callum. “You know, maybe he’d found his mate.”
Callum glanced around at the three men before him. Two had lost their fathers early on, and according to Elliot, Duncan and Mercer shared a mother, but neither knew their father. In fact, they might have different dads.
When Callum had been young, his father had taught him all about the mating pull. What to expect, how to know it was time.
Until now, he didn’t realize how grateful he was for those conversations.
Callum stepped forward. “The mating pull can be really strong. It can make you impulsive. My guess is, he’s closer to his mate and that’s why he went, whether he knows that or not.”
“If he’s locked in a cage, that doesn’t help though, does it?”
Though it was rhetorical, Callum shrugged.
Duncan looked at Rafe. “Can we get him back?”
The shake of Rafe’s head was subtle.
Red rimmed Duncan’s eyes as he struggled to his feet. “I’m going for a run.”
As Duncan disappeared across the parking lot, Rafe turned to Callum. “Mind if I borrow Elliot for a bit? We need to discuss some things.”
Callum glanced between them.
Rafe nodded at him. “I’ll reach out to you about tonight.”
Vivian.
Callum’s gaze swung toward the side of the building. Out back, the festivities were still raging.
Elliot and Rafe headed for the truck, but before they were out of the parking lot, Callum was leaning against the lodge wall, watching the BBQ attendees looking for one specific redhead.
When he found her, he smiled.
He watched her as she worked. Directing people, engaging with children.
People liked her, and obviously she had a big role in today’s event.
He could barely contain his excitement. Tonight, he’d get to speak with her. Find out who she is, and together they could determine the future. He couldn’t wait to take her home with him. Finally, he’d be able to get out of here.
A boisterous laugh drew his attention.
