Page 61 of Your Wild Omega

Callisto nods and tucks one hand into his trouser pocket. “Complete with some blurred-out footage of your bare self.”

I offer Rickon my palm for a high five and he slaps it enthusiastically. “We pulled it off,” I cry. Rickon returns my grin.

Callisto frowns and leans his ass on the back of the couch. “I rushed home in case you needed me.” He falters. “But I see you aren’t worried.”

Rickon sheds his suit jacket and lays it over the back of a chair before coming over to help Zack out of his collar. “We expected Lyra might say something about the dress, but she really did make quite the fuss.” He leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek, eyes lit up with amusement. “Of course, Red backed her intoa corner and sent her crying for her mama.” He grins, clearly pleased with himself. “I gave the bitch your card, Calli, in case she thinks about pressing charges. But I don’t think she’ll crawl out of her hole anytime soon.”

Callisto recoils. “My card? Oh, right, as a lawyer.” Is it just me, or does he look disappointed? He pinches his bottom lip between his fingers and then his expression softens. “You look beautiful, Red. And so do you, Ricky.” He winces. “Handsome, I mean.”

Callisto tongue-tied. That might be a first. I chuckle as I reach up to unpin my pearl and feather headdress. “Thanks.”

“Let me help,” Callisto offers as my fingers tangle with the pins.

I cock my head in his direction, and he comes over to gently remove the pins Rickon secured it with. His fresh cut-wood aroma fills my nostrils, driving out the plague of mixed scents I’ve battled all evening. Damn, he smells wonderful. I breathe deep, taking my fill. Only a scent match can have this addictive effect, a smell you never want to stop inhaling. Like life isn’t complete without it.

The third murmur in my brain quiets in his presence and I sigh internally. Shame he didn’t claim me when he had the chance.

“Red?” Callisto murmurs.

“Hmm?” I reply sleepily, lulled by his scent.

“I’m glad you’re okay. I was really worried.” His hand drifts down my hairline and grazes my cheek. “And I realized that I wanted to be there with you. At your side.” He clears his throat softly. “Not at a distance. Not as a lawyer.”

His words filter slowly through my slushy brain. Wait. Is he asking for something more? Right now? My heart flutters wildly. I understood he was courting me, and he helped me through myheat, but we’ve been at a romance stand-off ever since the day he fobbed me off onto Rickon and never came back.

But if I could have him, would I say yes? Could I ever trust him again?

My breaths quiver through my numb lips. If I just reach out, I can draw Callisto into my arms. Taste him, smell him, stop dancing around this yearning in his eyes and in my heart.

Callisto steadies himself on the couch’s armrest as he drops one knee to the floor, and then the other. His black eyes bore into me, begging. “Red, I’m sorry for abandoning you that first day. And I’m sorry for not apologizing and making things right the next day and every day after that. I failed you. I know that.” His voice cracks.

Zack wraps an arm around my waist protectively as I stare down at the repentant alpha.

Callisto’s gaze flickers over the towering alpha and back to me. His Adam’s apple bounces as he swallows. “Please, Red, tell me what to do. Thinking you were in danger tonight and not being at your side drove me out of my mind.” He reaches for my hand and presses it to his forehead. “I’m begging you, give me another chance. Break me all you like, but at least play with the pieces.”

A jolt of pain shoots through me as his words bring our first meeting to mind. I was ecstatic about running into my scent-matched alpha that day. I thought my whole life was finally gaining meaning. But he walked away.

Not sure I can even convey how much that hurt.

But he’s apologizing. Callisto’s sincere in his regret, I know that much. And he’s done so much for us that I’d be a real ass to leave him out in the cold, wouldn’t I? I mean, even this apartment belongs to him.

A vague unease stirs through me. I need Callisto, because he’s supposed to be doing the rehab training, not to mention keepingme out of prison. I can’t have Zack without him, but obligation can’t be the basis of our relationship. My emotions wage war.

Still, Callisto’s my scent match. Even if things are a little awkward between us, I’m sure it’ll smooth out in time. “Callisto—” I begin.

A growl rips through the room. “No.”

I freeze as Zack steps forward, his entire presence menacing.

Callisto rises to his feet instinctively, scowling. “That’s not your place to say,” he says, tone low and dangerous.

Zack swivels to look at me and Rickon, and my breath sputters out at the determined look on his face. A hot, furious sensation blasts through our shared bond.

“Pack.” Zack’s mouth draws tight, and a furrow appears on his brow as he searches through his limited vocabulary. “Pack to killed. To dead.” He growls and shakes his head and then thumps his fist over his heart. “’Til here stops.” He steps forward, sizing Callisto up. “Not later. Always.”

“People are more complicated than that,” Callisto scoffs. His irritated gaze slides to me, brows lifted, asking if I’ll continue letting Zack interrupt us. But Callisto doesn’t understand what I’m experiencing through the bond. The sheer protective instinct Zack’s radiating is so overwhelming, I can’t even speak from the intensity stealing my senses.

Callisto gives up waiting and snarls at Zack. “This is between Red and me. Stay out of it.”

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