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After pocketing his phone, Rafe sped up, running full tilt for the treehouse, hoping he’d get there before Callum. Briefly, he stopped at his cabin to grab a booklet from his floor safe. He didn’t scent Callum there yet, but he spotted Vivian through the windows.
Melding into the base of the trunk, Rafe waited.
Not long after that, Callum showed up, wine in hand. He glared toward the tree, but his expression softened when Rafe stepped closer.
“I need to talk to you.”
Proving his intelligence, Callum’s gaze was calculating. “What’s up?”
Rafe glanced up to ensure Vivian wasn’t listening in, before whispering, “I know you’ve been dragging your feet as far as imprinting on Vivian goes, but you need to. Tonight.”
Callum’s gaze narrowed. “Why?”
“Tomorrow is the Curusm.”
“So?”
Rafe took a deep breath. “Her father signed her up.”
“What!” Callum roared.
Rafe hushed him, looking up to see if Vivian heard.
“How do you know that? Are you sure?”
“Elliot is confirming it now.”
“He told me women only take part if they want to. She won’t do it.”
Rafe winced. He wasn’t sure how much Callum knew about Norman’s behavior toward his daughter. “If Norman wants her to run, she will.”
“No fucking way. I won’t let it happen.” Anger flared in Callum’s gaze. “How do you even know this?”
“I like to keep up to date on what’s happening in Thatcher’s inner circle. Norman owes Hara a lot of money.”
Callum growled. “That fucking debt.”
Rafe nodded. “You know about that?”
“That dickwad from the garage said something about it.” Callum ran a hand through his hair. “What does that have to do with the Curusm, though?”
“There’s an Australian alpha here who is interested in Vivian, but he refuses to just pay Norman for her.” Rafe really hoped Callum didn’t take a swing at the messenger. “Anyway, this guy is determined to run, but he’s willing to pay Norman to ensure Vivian runs as well.”
“No way is that happening.” Callum looked like he was going to blow a fuse.
“You need to get yourself calmed down and think about Vivian.” Rafe let his alpha power reach out to the beta, trying to help soothe him.
Eyes wild, Callum looked at him. “She’s not going to run.”
“No,” Rafe confirmed. They’d make sure of it. “She won’t. But can I make a suggestion?”
The beta glanced at him in question.
“Imprint on her tonight, and then, if she’s game, flee. Take her back to Maine now.”
He narrowed his eyes. “How will Thatcher react?”
“In this, he’s a wild card. Norman will be pissed, but he doesn’t have the resources or drive to go after you. Thatcher, I’m not sure. But no matter what, if you imprint on her tonight, you’ll seal your mating bond and no one except Thatcher can dissolve it after that. Her father will have no choice but to accept you as her mate.”
