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“Mom!” The front door banged shut as Sydney thundered into the house.
“Please, don’t tell them.” Aunt Charlotte turned away before he could respond.
Sydney strolled into the kitchen. “Hey, Callum.”
“Hey, Syd.” Swallowing, he cleared his throat. “I forgot. I’m going to have to miss lunch. I have to meet Vivian.”
Sydney smiled. “Have fun.”
He nodded. Leaving the kitchen, he felt like a coward, but staying for lunch was going to be pushing it if he wanted to make his next date with Vivian.
Heading toward the garage, he considered this new turn of events. What would Elliot do if he found out? Would he challenge Thatcher to defend his mom? And if he did, would he survive it?
If he did, if he managed to relieve the pack from Thatcher’s leadership, what would that mean going forward? Elliot would be pack alpha. Would he want Callum to stay and help?
No, he’d have Rafe as a beta and failing that, Duncan or Mercer.
He wouldn’t need Callum to stay. He could still leave with Vivian if she wanted to go.
But Aunt Charlotte’s words—and tears—haunted him. What if something happened to Vivian? Would he stay here?
Of course, he’d hunt for her. He’d never give up.
Which meant how could he fault his aunt for her decision?
Worse though, what if something happened to him? What would become of Vivian?
He had to get her out of this pack sooner rather than later.
The garage and tow truck brick building came into sight. He walked through the open bay door and stopped to talk with Jonah. Two other guys, one middle-aged and one in his early twenties, if Callum had to guess, were rushing around the garage.
“How’s it going?” Callum asked.
Jonah wiped sweat from his brow and shook his head. “With Mercer gone, it’s been a shit show, you know. I wish he’d brought in some more help before he took off to find his mate.”
Callum’s brow pinched. “Is Duncan around?”
“Yeah.” Jonah pointed to the main building. “He’s in the office, I think, trying to sort out some paperwork. But he’s in a mood. Paperwork makes him crabby.”
“Gotcha.”
Before Callum could head off, Jonah grabbed his arm. “Don’t tell him I said that.”
Laughing, Callum agreed before heading into the main building.
The windows were open, allowing for a breeze to keep the building cool. It wasn’t too hot outside, but being spring, it was significantly warmer than weeks ago.
“Hey,” Callum said, popping his head in the open doorway.
Duncan was so absorbed in his work he didn’t hear.
The beta was slouched over the desk, his head held in his hands, a pencil behind his slicked back hair, and a pen hanging from between his lips. His ball cap was lying on the edge of the desk. A coffee cup was leaving a stain on a piece of paper.
Duncan muttered something and pressed his fingers into the pressure points around his eyes.
Raising his hand, Callum knocked on the doorframe.
Looking up, the pen fell into his lap. “Hey, man.” Duncan sat back in his chair and ran his hands over his face with a groan.
