Lucien's pov
Lucien could tell the moment Callista spoke that she was lying. The slight hesitation, the way she averted her gaze—it was subtle, but he knew. She had asked her mother about her true nature, yet she denied it to him. He wanted to push for the truth, to demand why she was keeping it from him, but something stopped him. Maybe it was the uncertainty in her eyes or the lingering scent of fear beneath her usual fragrance. Either way, he let it slide—for now.
He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair as he leaned against the locker, watching her intently. "I'll be heading back to my pack tonight," he said, his voice even.
She stiffened slightly, but just as quickly, she masked her emotions. "Oh," she muttered, feigning indifference.
Lucien clenched his jaw. She didn't want him to leave; he could feel it. The bond between them pulsed with silent longing, but she was too stubborn to admit it. He decided not to call her out on it. "I'll return in two days."
"Okay."
It wasn't the response he wanted, but he nodded anyway. "Stay out of trouble, Callista."
With that, he turned and walked away, resisting the urge to glance back. He had to put some distance between them, if only to regain control over himself.
---
That evening, Lucien stood at the edge of the woods, inhaling the familiar scent of the forest. His Beta, Lincoln, was waiting for him.
"You don't look happy to be leaving," Lincoln noted, arms crossed.
Lucien exhaled sharply. "She lied to me."
Lincoln raised a brow. "About what?"
"She spoke to her mother," Lucien said. "She knows the truth about what she is. But she refused to tell me."
Lincoln whistled lowly. "That's dangerous, Lucien. If she knows, then it means she's closer to making a choice. And if she rejects the bond—"
"She won't," Lucien said firmly, though he wasn't entirely sure. "She feels it too. She's just scared."
Lincoln studied him for a moment. "So, what's the plan?"
Lucien's expression darkened. "I'll give her time. But she needs to understand—this isn't something she can run from forever."
As the moon began to rise, Lucien shifted into his wolf, Damien taking over. With one last glance toward the direction of the town, he sprinted into the darkness of the forest, heading back to the Blue Moon Pack.
Two days. That was all he would give her. And then, he was coming back for her.