The Hidden Alpha (Stryders #4) - HOLD

Chapter 24: Small Delights

Loved this chapter. Hope you guys do too. 

Thanks everyone for being so supportive! Motivation is strong in this one. 

EDIT: Because you guys need to REREAD apparently, if you have a question thus far that you want answered in the story, ask here and I'm going to try to answer it. Probably with much sarcasm if the answer is already in the story. 

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At long last, the dance was tomorrow, and the whole village was buzzing with happiness as the decorations slowly went up. The design was circular with the dance floor being the focal point and in front, the orchestra would be playing who were right now practicing with their instruments. 

This was right after everyone had lunch, so some wolves cleaned up, doing their chore for the day. Watching everyone be so happy made me happy too, uplifting my mood despite being unable to

Julian was standing in front of them, watching with a curious gaze. Unable to detect me as I sidled to his side.

"He's being stubborn," I said, "won't take it off." 

I was hoping Julian could convince Callum to take off my bracelets. Voice of reason.

Julian motioned me to follow him so no one could hear us. "Freya, it's more complicated than that. Normally, I would agree with you that he's always stubborn, but what Callum didn't tell you was that you stopped breathing. For a full minute, he thought you were gone in his arms. I've never seen him so agonized in his life since..."

Since his family died. 

Callum was the one who created the miles of black soot near the Fighter Pack I saw when I went there. No one knew about it, and didn't think Callum was the cause of it. Such destructive force that echoed his emotions.

I caused him something like that again.

Oh my gosh. A deep sense of anguish crawled it's way up my throat. "I didn't know." I choked on my words. That's why Callum was so adamant about not doing it or risking it again.

"Give him some time, I think he can work something out," Julian said softly. I pulled on my sleeve so the bracelets wouldn't show. Touching it, it glowed iridescently, not looking like regular bracelets, so I had to hide them.

Taking off my bracelets could mean dying.

XXXX

Reeling from what Julian told me, I made my way to clear my head and be alone. There was only one place I knew that really made me think clearly. 

Walking through the now familiar forest didn't cause me a sense of dread anymore. Since when did I get so comfortable here? I shook my head, smiling as I came noisily to the best spot in the place.

Someone already there. 

I cleared my throat, knowing I was making myself obvious. "I think you're sitting on my rock."

Everything about what Callum does makes sense now. Shrouding himself in a cloak of loneliness so he can be away with his thoughts. Away from everyone to hold his grief. Hiding who he really is. 

"Swamp Thing's place is in the lake." Callum glanced back at me, giving me the faintest quirk of his lips. Teasing.

I rolled my eyes, knowing he thought I was beautiful - was I freaking out inside? Yes.