Page 17 of Under the Hunter's Moon

Callum gave him a small smile before shooing him out of the room so he could continue preparing for the evening.

As guests began arriving for the Full Moon Masquerade, Callum welcomed them with practiced ease and charm. He made sure to mingle with pack members and guest alphas from neighboring groups alike, but he couldn’t help but feel like something was missing without Fiona there.

He pushed those thoughts aside and focused on being the perfect host for his pack. But as the night went on, he found himself constantly glancing around the room, unwillingly looking for her familiar face behind each mask despite logically knowing there was no chance. He hadn’t even invited her … then he felt it.

Callum's heart raced as he felt her presence before he even saw her. He couldn't believe she had the audacity to crash his event for a second time. But as angry as he was, that feeling was overshadowed by the elation of knowing he would get to see Fiona again.

Their eyes met across the crowded room, and they both made their way toward each other, unable to resist the pull between them.

As soon as they were in close enough proximity, Callum spoke first. "I can't believe you would dare to crash my event again."

Fiona's expression was initially shocked but quickly shifted to hurt. "I didn't crash it," she protested. "I was sent a key, and I thought it was from you."

Callum's anger deflated slightly at her explanation. He had assumed it was another one of her stunts, but it seemed like she thought she had been invited.

"Why would I send you a key?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"I don't know," Fiona said with disappointment in her voice. "I guess I just wanted to believe … never mind."

Callum looked up and caught Dan and Sabria grinning at him. Then it hit him. They had been the ones who sought Fiona out and sent her a key.

His heart clenched at the sadness in her voice, and he suddenly felt guilty for assuming the worst of her. He reached out and gently touched her arm. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "I didn't mean to jump to conclusions."

Fiona looked up at him with surprise in her eyes. "You're apologizing? That's not very alpha-like of you."

Callum grinned, feeling more relaxed now that they had cleared the air between them. "Well, I have my moments."

He already was having a hard time resisting the human, but he forced himself to focus. Walk-throughs. He needed to do walk-throughs.

Callum couldn't resist any longer. He had to be near Fiona, even if it was just for a short while. So, he asked her if she would like to accompany him on his duties for the event.

"I don't want to leave you alone with all these other males," he added, hoping she would accept.

Fiona's face lit up with a smile, and she nodded eagerly. "I would love that," she said.

As they walked through the different areas of the event, Callum told her about each display and answered any questions she had. They talked and laughed, getting to know each other better as they went.

"You run a tight ship," she teased as they exited toward the garden.

He chuckled. "That's my style. Doesn't look good for an alpha to let things slip. People may take that as a sign to pull something stupid."

She giggled, strolling toward a garden bench. "This is a beautiful spot."

Callum walked beside her, not wanting to be too far from her body heat.

He looked around at the flowers, still vibrant even in the moonlight. Even in the shadows, the bright moon left little to the imagination regarding what the dark figures were doing tangled up near the shrubs and bushes.

As the couples around them moaned, Callum grew more aroused, wanting to join them and take Fiona right there.

"Is this a maze through the garden?" she asked, pulling him out of his trance.

"Yes."

She smiled and walked inside. Callum followed, admiring the sight.

It wasn't long before their fingers brushed, and sparks flew between them. They both stopped in their tracks, feeling the intense attraction between them.

Without a word, Callum pulled Fiona into his arms and kissed her passionately. She responded eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck as they lost themselves in the heat of the moment.

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