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Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. Seeing Lillian's number, she answered, hoping for a different type of distraction. After a quick greeting, Lillian got straight to the point.
"So," she began, letting the word linger, "the full moon's coming up. Any chance we might get an invite?"
"We didn't exactly get an invite last time, did we?" Fiona replied. "I doubt we'll find another guest who loses their key."
"You're no fun with your facts and logic," Lillian huffed. "You could have at least played along a little. I can't stop thinking about Oliver."
"Sorry."
Fiona regretted taking the call. There would be no distraction from Callum when Lillian was reminiscing about her own full-moon dalliance. A knock sounded on her door.
"One sec, I think my package just got delivered," she said before putting down the phone.
Outside her door, there was no package, just a single envelope on the floor with only her handwritten name on the front. She glanced down the hallway in both directions, but there was no one there. The envelope felt heavy when she picked it up. Something was inside.
She opened it and held it over her hand. A key fell into her palm. She sucked in a breath.
"A surprise package?" Lillian chuckled through the phone.
"You could say that. It's a key."
Lillian shrieked so loudly that Fiona had to hold the phone away from her ear. Fiona shared her friend's enthusiasm, even if she tried to deny it. She might be able to find a story at Callum's parties, but she was far more interested in seeing him again.
EIGHT
CALLUM
Callum paced in his study, trying to shake the thoughts of Fiona that had consumed his mind for the past month. He couldn’t believe how drawn he was to her, even after only spending one night together.
He had tried to distract himself with work and preparations for the next Full Moon Masquerade, but it seemed like every little detail reminded him of her. He even thought about trying to look her up, but he didn’t know what he’d do if he saw her again. Would he be able to control himself around her? Or would his wolf take over and claim her as his mate without hesitation?
The thought both excited and terrified him. As an alpha, he prided himself on his control and discipline. But this human woman had managed to unravel all of that in just one night.
He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Despite recognizing her as his mate, their future was impossibly bleak. She was human. He needed to be with a shifter. He needed shifter pups to take over the pack and leave his legacy to.
He had always sworn to do whatever was best for the pack, no matter what it cost him. That promise and his resolve had been tested many times … but never as strongly as now.
Every time he closed his eyes, he could still feel the softness of her lips on his skin. If he was honest with himself, he wanted her more than he had ever wanted anything. It was torture to walk away from that, no matter how necessary.
Callum’s house manager, Dan, knocked on the door of his study, interrupting his thoughts.
“Come in,” Callum called out.
Dan entered the room, holding a clipboard and a pen. “I just wanted to check in with you about tonight’s masquerade.”
Callum nodded, turning away from the window he had been staring out of. “Everything is on schedule, correct?”
“Yes, everything is set up and ready to go. It should be a great night.”
“Good.” Callum forced a smile. “Thank you for taking care of all of the details.”
“It’s my job,” Dan replied with a grin. “But I have to say, it was nice to see you let loose at the last full moon gathering. You seemed so happy and carefree.”
Callum’s smile faltered. He remembered that night all too well, and the warmth of Fiona pressed against him as they danced under the moonlight. He shook his head to clear his thoughts again.
“That was a one-time thing,” he said firmly. “Tonight is about business and maintaining order within the pack.”
“I understand,” Dan said with a nod. “But don’t forget to have some fun too.”
