Page 37 of Savage Games

My throat tightens.The steadiness in Callum’s tone, the quiet demand, the solid weight of it, weakens something in me.

I have nobody here to talk to.The girls from my pack that travelled with me are only here on a manhunt, and they’re loyal to Brad.And the girls in my accommodation will spread any gossip I give them, like wildfire.

For a long second, I debate lying, but he’s a powerful enough beta that he’ll sense it.

So, finally, I blurt it out.“It’s Brad.”

Callum’s entire body goes still.“What about him?”

I hesitate.I can’t tell him the truth.Bad-mouthing an alpha is not a good look, not if I want to become one myself by the end of the games.

But I can at least tell him something to satisfy his curiosity.

“He’s not my alpha,” I spit out, frustrated that I’m stuck in a pack I don’t belong to, with an alpha who should have no hold on me.I swallow hard.“He wants me to be his mate.I’ve said no countless times, but he’s very persistent.”

Annoying.Aggressive.Obsessive.Any of these would be better descriptions of his behaviour, but I’m trying to be measured.

Something flickers in Callum's eyes, recognition, but not surprise.

"I figured as much.That chat you were having before the challenge seemed… intense."He shakes his head, jaw tight.His wolf is close to the surface now, simmering beneath his skin.“And you don’t want to be, I take it?”

“I don’t.”I force myself to meet his eyes.“He’s being pushy, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.I just don’t want it to affect Wyatt.And I still have to live there if I don’t win, so… it’s tricky.”

Silence.Then Callum exhales sharply, dragging a hand down his face.His wolf is glowing in his eyes, every protective instinct inside him coming forward to care for someone who, albeit temporarily, is under his care.

“Can’t you just leave his pack and go home?”

I let out a bitter laugh.“My sister and I have been trying, but he’s been blocking her transfer.My sister mated his brother, who’s recently deceased.Brad says he can’t let her leave because he’s concerned about her ‘mental health’.And he knows I won’t go without her.She’s too fragile.”

I gesture around me, suddenly feeling defeated and tired.He’s got me.“Now this… he’s just being difficult about it because he can.”

Callum’s eyes flash.It’s a very simplified, very watered-down version of the situation, but has just enough truth not to trigger his lie detector.

Brad’s not one bit concerned with anything other than controlling Maddie, so by proxy, also me.

"His brother," Callum repeats, something like recognition dawning in his expression."Rowan, right?I heard he took a mate a while back."He studies me carefully."There were always rumors about him, even back in training.Nothing that stuck, but...enough that some of us kept our distance."

The confirmation that others had seen Rowan's true nature, even back then, sends a chill through me.How many had suspected what was happening to Maddie?

“Stay here after the games.If he tries to force you to go home, any decent host alpha would demand an excellent reason.If they decide he’s keeping you against your will for his own selfish reasons, like wanting to mate with you, there would be consequences.”

The promise in his voice sends a shiver down my spine.For the first time in days, I feel like I’m not completely alone.But just like Wyatt, he doesn’t understand the full picture.

Maddie and I have secrets.

Maybe he wouldn’t be so sympathetic if he knew about the blood I have on my hands.

Throwing caution to the wind, I blurt out the next part.

“What if my sister did something awful, and she’s afraid it will come out if she pushes him too far?”

I stare at the ground and only realise I’m still standing here practically naked, in nothing but a towel, when I see my bare toes and red nail polish curling into the grass.

“So, he’s blackmailing her, then?”Callum asks, and the air around us shimmers with his anger.

I don’t confirm or deny, but he knows from my silence.

Cocking his head to the side, he weighs his next words.

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