Callie met my gaze for a moment, and it was enough to blow me back a step. “No. You can’t,” she growled as she stormed past me. “Del, wait up.”
“Nope! Y’all can keep your drama to yourselves,” she said as she started running down the stairs, taking them two at a time in some places.
Callie was standing at the top of the staircase, her shoulders heaving and her hands in tight fists at her sides. I was almost afraid to call out to her for fear she’d turn her blistering gaze my way again.
Finally, she spun around and fixed me with a glare. “Fine. You wanna talk? Let’s talk.” She marched past me, a low growl rumbling in her chest.
“Where are you going?”
“Abraham’s office. I think I deserve a modicum of privacy for this conversation.”
I followed her, trepidation slowing my footsteps. When I walked past her into the office, she slammed the door behind me and stood in front of it, arms folded across her chest.
“Talk.”
I looked around the room, then down at my shoes, then over her head, before finally getting the courage to meet her eyes. With a fortifying breath, I opened my mouth to speak.
“I–”
“No,” she interrupted. “You know what? It’s my turn to talk. I think you said plenty during the full moon.”
I reached up to scratch the back of my neck. “Listen, Callie–”
“No,” she repeated, more forcefully this time. “You listen. I’ve had it with your crap. I’m done.”
My stomach sank, but it turned out she wasn’t done.
“I’ve practically got whiplash just trying to keep up with your mood swings. Are we friends? Are we more? Are we nothing? Which is it, Carter?!”
“I–”
“No,” she interrupted me again. “Don’t even speak. You had your chance to talk to me the night of the full moon, and instead you sent me away. I just came to keep you company and make sure you were all right, and not only did you treat me like crap, you sent me away so you could talk to Aubrey instead. Do you know how humiliating that was? Do you know how disrespected I felt?”
I hadn’t thought I could get any lower, but the more she talked, the worse I felt. I’d been so worried about feeling sorry for myself, I hadn’t stopped to think about how my actions had affected Callie. It seemed I was about to get a crash course, though.
“I didn’t ask for this, Carter! I was doing just fine on my own until you stomped into my life and complicated it. And now, I’m officially through with all of it. You can keep your mood swings. You can keep your bull crap. And you can keep whatever this is,” she motioned between us. “I don’t need any of it.”
As she spun around to leave, the hurt and anger I’d stifled simmered to the top and I let loose a tirade of my own.
“What about you, Princess? Aren’t you just slumming it with me anyway?”
She turned back around, eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about. You’re so quick to point out everything I’ve done wrong, but have you looked at yourself? You claim you don’t know if we’re friends or what, but you’re embarrassed to even be seen with me!”
She frowned and shook her head slowly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you do.” I held up a hand and started counting off her transgressions. “You only acknowledge me when no one else is around, you slouch down in your seat whenever you’re driving with me, and I heard what you and Aubrey were talking about. I’d suspected it for a while, but hearing that just proved to me what I’d already known.”
She took a calculated step closer and I had to restrain myself from moving farther away from her. She had this look in her eyes I’d never seen before, and honestly, it was a little scary.
“You heard me say what exactly to Aubrey?”
I wracked my memory for the precise words but came up empty. “Um. I don’t remember word for word.” She rolled her eyes and I stiffened my spine again, the rage fueling me once more. “Basically, you were talking about me and Wes being hot for half-breeds,” I spat. “I’ve heard that hundreds of times before, but never expected it to come from you.”
Her body started to tremble as her face turned red. I’d have been worried about her wellbeing if I wasn’t so angry myself.
“If you actually listened to my conversation with Aubrey, you’d have known I didn’t agree with her, I defended you.”
“That’s not what it looked like to me.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have been listening to a conversation that didn’t include you!” she yelled. Callie closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose before letting it out of her mouth. When she opened them again, that fire was still there, but it seemed to be under control for now. “I don’t care who your parents are. I don’t care where you come from. You could be half elf and it wouldn’t change the way I feel. Or felt.”
That last word was like a rusty knife to my windpipe, but I stayed as still as I could while she finished what she had to say.
Callie shook her head, shoulders falling with what looked like defeat. “I liked you, Wyatt. None of that other stuff mattered to me. I thought you knew me well enough to know that, but now it seems like I don’t know anything.” She blew out a deep breath. “Honestly, this is exhausting. I don’t have the energy to keep doing this with you. Believe what you want. I’m done.”
She turned to leave, and my arms automatically reached for her. “Callie, wait. I’m sorry.”
She stopped walking but stayed facing the door as she spoke again. “The only reason I tried to not let the pack, or my family, see us together, was because I knew they’d talk and complicate an already delicate situation. It had nothing to do with you. If you’d just asked me, I would have happily told you that.”
She shook her head once more and opened the office door. Words filled my mouth, but my tongue seemed to be stuck because none of them came out. I watched her walk into the hallway, each inch of separation feeling like miles instead.
Finally, I got a single word past my numb lips. “Callie.”
But she was already gone.
Chapter 24
Callie
I woke up that morning with a headache, which was my first indication it was going to be a rough day. Honestly, I should have just turned around and gone back to bed, but I pushed through instead. I had work to do, and besides, I’d spent enough time wallowing. It was time to set all that aside.
Eight hours a night spent awake and going over every single conversation I’d ever had with Wyatt Carter was more than enough. It had become a routine by now. I moped through my day, tired and irritable, and then I spent the whole night tossing and turning. I’d come up with things I wish I’d said and have fake fights in my head. Anything to keep me from falling asleep.
Unfortunately, no matter what I did, sleep would eventually come and then so would the nightmares.
They weren’t your typical nightmares filled with monsters or goblins. This dream wouldn’t scare your average person, even though I woke up screaming from it every night.
It was simple, really. I’d see Wyatt, he’d smile that heart-stopping smile at me, and then he’d run away. I’d chase after him, but every time I got close to catching up, he’d turn around, and instead of his human face, it would be a wolf’s face staring back at me. And not just any wolf face. This one was mangy and mutated. Ugly and contorted into a horrific expression that scared me every time.
I’m sure there was some deeper meaning behind a recurring nightmare like that, but I was too tired to find out. I was getting by with doing just the bare minimum these days and that was about all I could handle.
This was my first morning back after spending a week in Raleigh with Elizabeth, who we now called Ellie. Since she’d been bitten a couple of weeks ago, me and my sisters had taken turns staying there with her. Ellie’s body was slowly changing, and we all agreed she’d need our support to get thr
ough it. Her hearing and sense of smell had already significantly improved, and it was only a matter of time before her sight did as well.
I knew if Abraham didn’t have so many responsibilities out here in Asheville, he’d have stayed with Ellie himself. He’d barely been able to tear himself away from her since he found her broken and bleeding in the woods a couple weeks ago. He was convinced they were fated mates, and for his sake, I hoped he was wrong.
Thankfully, I didn’t get down to breakfast until well after everyone else had eaten, so I’d get to have a blissfully quiet meal all by myself. It had been nice spending a week away from everyone and I wasn’t looking to change that anytime soon.
“Hey! When did you get back?”
And there went my solitude.
I turned to find my youngest sister walking toward me and mustered up a smile for her. “I got in last night.”
“Where’s Ellie at?”
“She and Abey stayed in Raleigh for the weekend.”
“Ooh, good for them. They could use some alone time away from the craziness.”
I could relate.
The two of them had been dancing around this relationship of theirs from the moment they met. It was clear to everyone else that they were meant for each other, but she was being stubborn, and he was letting her. She had him so wrapped around her finger already it was almost funny.
Evey slid onto the bench across from me and I stifled a sigh as I shoveled more yogurt into my mouth.
“So, what’s goin’ on with you? I feel like I’ve barely seen you lately.”
“I was in Raleigh for a week.”
She shot me an exasperated look before grabbing a handful of my granola and dropping it in her mouth. “You were missin’ in action long before you left for Raleigh,” she said as she happily crunched away on my breakfast.
I gritted my teeth, working to stay calm. “I’ve just been busy.”
She reached for more granola and I slapped her hand away. “Environmental stuff?”
“Yes. Environmental stuff.”
“Is that what’s got you so crabby too? Did someone recycle their plastics with their glass instead of separatin’ ‘em or somethin’?”
I narrowed my eyes at her as she fought off a grin. “No, smart aleck.”
She picked up my banana this time and took a large bite before I wrangled it out of her hand. “Then what is it? You’re normally so even-tempered, and you’ve been snarky with everyone lately.”
“Then you’d think people would learn to avoid ticking me off!” I growled as I moved all of my breakfast out of her reach.
Evey sat back in her seat and motioned toward me. “See? That’s what I mean.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly as I stirred my yogurt. “All right, I’m sorry. Just quit picking at my breakfast when you’ve already had yours.”
She held up both hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll leave you to it. We’re watchin’ a movie in a little while. You wanna join us?”
“Who’s us?”
There were a couple people in particular I was avoiding at all costs, so it was important I got the finer details up front before I made any commitments.
“Just me, Del, and Bea.”
That sounded safe enough.
“Okay, yeah. I’ll join you guys.”
Evey clapped her hands. “Excellent! Now eat your breakfast so we can go get the others.”
I smothered my sigh as I worked on finishing my food. It looked like my dreams of having a peaceful meal to myself were gone, but maybe that was okay.
I hadn’t spent much time with my sisters lately. I was usually too busy, but that was no excuse. We were a close-knit family and it needed to stay that way. Which meant I’d have to try harder in the future to not push them away so much.
“Well, if it isn’t our long-lost sister. That stick still up your ass, or what?”
I leveled Del with a glare as I walked into the movie room and took a seat next to Evey. It was starting to come back to me why I’d kept my distance recently.
“That was a real question, Callie. If you need help with it though, you’re on your own. We’re close, but I draw the line at butt stuff.”
“Del, that’s disgusting. Do you ever think before you speak?”
She shrugged. “Although, if you need help in that department, I know one wolf you could call.” She smiled at me like the cat that ate the canary while my stomach twisted in knots.
Please don’t ask.
Please don’t ask.
Please don’t ask.
“Who are you talkin’ about?” Evey asked.
I blew out a frustrated breath and shook my head. “She’s not talking about anyone. Can we just watch the movie?”
“Oh, I’m talkin’ about someone. Tall, blond, and handsome. Isn’t that your taste, Callie?”
Both Bea and Evey turned to me, their eyes wide with curiosity. I worked to ignore them, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered.
Evey turned back to Del. “Is it Mathias?”
Del shook her head. “Nope.”
“Tall, blond, and handsome… hmm.” She turned to give me a weird look before glancing at Del again. “It’s not Jake, is it? He’s kinda young and I thought he was seein’ Hannah.”
Del giggled. “Nope. Wrong again.”
“Okay, I give up. Who is it?”
“It’s no one,” I tried again, but they were ignoring me.
Del’s smile grew. “It’s Wyatt Carter.”
Evey gasped and turned to me again. “You’re seein’ Wyatt Carter?”
I shook my head. “No. She’s wrong. I’m not seeing anybody.”
“That’s not how it looked to me,” Del sang as she inspected her hot pink fingernails. “I will say, Callie, bravo. That man has some B.D.E. if I’ve ever seen it.”
I knew I was going to regret it, but I asked anyway. “What the heck is B.D.E?”
Evey and Del shared smirks before Del said, “Big dick energy.” Her eyes lit up with excitement as she went on. “Some guys just have it, you know? It’s like the way they hold themselves, the way they move. The way they don’t seem to give a fuck. You just know they’re packin’.”
My head fell back on my neck and I stared at the popcorn ceiling, wondering why I’d agreed to this movie to begin with. And on a deeper level, how I got stuck with such perverts for sisters.
“He’s got a big dick, doesn’t he? You can just tell,” Del continued.
“No,” I said between gritted teeth.
“He’s got a small dick?” Evey asked incredulously. “Man, I did not see that comin’.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.” I took a deep breath and leveled them both with a stern look. “Can we stop talking about the man’s genitals, please?”
“What do you think, Bea?” Del asked, completely ignoring me. “Is Wyatt Carter’s hung or what?”
She glanced at me first before turning back to Del and shrugging. “I’ve seen him before he shifts and he’s definitely not small.”
Del spun back around to me. “See? Even Bea knows he’s got a big dick, and she might have one of her own.” A resounding smack filled the room as Bea backhanded Del in the arm. My colorful sister rubbed her bicep while glaring at Bea. “What? If you did have a dick, it would probably be the biggest in the pack.”
Bea’s lips twitched with a smile. “It would, wouldn’t it?”
“Let’s get back to Wyatt’s dick,” Evey chimed in.
“Let’s not,” I groaned.
“If Bea’s seen his dick, then why haven’t you?”
I closed my eyes and imagined I was back in my room. Alone. Without asinine questions being hurled at me or conversations centering around people’s private parts. I really didn’t think I was asking for too much.
“Callie?”
I opened my eyes and ground my teeth together. “I haven’t seen his parts because I haven’t slept w
ith him.”
Del snickered. “Of course you haven’t. Sounds like someone’s bein’ a prude again,” Del muttered under her breath. Obviously, she knew we’d all hear it because we’re werewolves, so her discretion was fake.
“She’s always been like this. Men bend over backwards for her and she barely acknowledges them,” Evey added.
I gripped the pillow in my lap so hard the seams strained, but it was doing nothing to calm my anger.
“Poor Wyatt probably thought he had a chance, but he’d have to be a bee or a single-use piece of plastic for her to notice him.” Del shook her head with mock sadness before she and Evey erupted into giggles. Even Bea’s lips were twitching with a smile.
And I’d officially had enough.
“Let’s get something clear. I am not seeing Wyatt Carter. I’m not seeing him romantically, and I sure as heck am not seeing his genitalia. I don’t care what kind of energy he has. He means nothing to me, and I don’t want to talk about him. Can we please move on now and watch the movie?”
They were all quiet for a minute as they glanced back and forth at each other. Finally, Del broke the silence. “Me thinks thou doth protest too much.”
The other two broke into peals of laughter and were soon joined by Del too. I tossed the pillow in my lap on the chair next to me and stood up. “That’s it. I’m leaving.”
Evey grabbed my hand as I passed her, and despite trying to dislodge it, the girl had a tight grip. “No. Please stay. I promise we’ll stop pickin’ on you. We’re just havin’ fun.”
“Well, I’m not,” I said
“I know,” she said as she tugged me back into my seat. “I promise, that’s the last joke. Let’s watch the movie now.”
She worked on queuing the film while I continued to stew in my seat. All I wanted was the solace of my bedroom, but it looked like I was stuck there for the time being. I swore to myself, if there was one more mention of him, I was leaving, and no one was stopping me.
Thankfully, they kept their word and we were able to get through a whole movie without any ridiculous comments. I thought when it was over, I’d be able to escape, but my sisters had other plans.
Chasing Callie (Southern Werewolf Sisters Book 1) Page 20