Chapter 81: You're Losing Control - Callista's POV

The rest of the day went by in a strange haze. Riven avoided me in the other two classes as if I were the plague. Everyone was beginning to notice it as well.

Students would look at me with pity in their eyes, knowing that we had been sitting together daily. Of course, they had all been there for the challenge and saw how they fought for me. Riven’s bite was visible on my throat. So, it was obvious that something was going on.

It wasn’t just your normal case of dating. Not that it happened often, as it was.

At the end of the day, I found Sabine waiting by the door. I stood there, waiting for Riven as he talked to one of the guys. He walked right past us without ever looking my way.

Sabine growled. “What is his problem?”

“Have you called our parents?” I asked, my voice low.

She jerked her attention to me. “No, why? Do you want me to?”

“Call them and tell them we’re walking home,” I whispered. “I know where the spare key is, so we can let ourselves in.”

Her brow narrowed. “You’re not riding with Riven?”

I swallowed hard. “No, I’m not. Not when he is treating me like this. Tell them that I want the pack movers to move my things immediately back to the house.”

Her jaw dropped. “You’re serious.”

“Dead serious,” I mumbled. “I’m not doing this. If he wants to act like this, then I’m done. We can undo the bite and he can—”

“Callista,” she said, reaching for my hand. “Aren’t you overreacting? It’s obvious something is going on with him and he needs…Well, I don’t know what he needs. Maybe you’re being too rash. Did something happen in the other classes?”

"Oh, so now you want to be supportive?" I laughed under my breath. "Sabine, either be supportive or don't."

"I'm just trying to…" She started and stopped before sighing. "I'm sorry about earlier. Look, I took some time to think, and it's obvious something is different. Now tell me did something else happen?"

“Other than being thoroughly embarrassed, because the man who fought me just recently is acting like I don’t exist.” I choked back a sob. “Just call them. Once we’re away from the others, I’ll tell you everything.”

She nodded and called our mother. Of course, they had questions, but I promised them I’d tell them at home. When they hung up, our mom was gathering my things and calling for someone to help her move.

I walked out of the academy hand in hand with my sister. Riven leaned against his car, talking to another guy from class. He finally looked up at me expectantly as we walked by, but I turned my head at the last second and kept walking instead of coming to the car.

The guy with him choked. “What did you do to make her mad?”

Riven said nothing. At least, not anything I heard.

Sabine’s grip on my hand became tighter. “Are you sure you want to do this? You can go back.”

“No, this is what I have to do. If he wants to act like this, then he can lay in the bed he made.”

Once we were close to home and there was no one around, Sabine had finally had enough waiting.

“So what is going on?”

“Riven is possessed by a demon. We ‌marked each other to help keep it at bay. The Alpha King’s son is alive and not dead like the packs believe. He wants Riven to take over as his successor after finding a cure for his son, because they have the same condition,” I said, not even taking a moment to breathe. “They’re going to disappear after that, leaving Riven and I as the new ruling pair. The Alpha King wants us to live there full-time. Then there is the vision.”

“Wait, what? You told me about the vision, but where is the rest of this coming from?"

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “It’s just a lot. I know I told you a little, but this is the rest of what’s going on.”

“And your vision was more than what you told me? What have you seen about you and Riven?”

I sighed heavily. “Well, that’s just it. I don’t know if the Moon Goddess gave me the vision of being able to save him by loving him or if it’s the demon, who loves to trick us at every turn and never gives a straight answer. For all I know, we could have already walked into a trap and he’ll escape.”

“And what happens if the demon escapes?”

I laughed. “Everyone dies."

“Why are you laughing? I don’t see how that is funny,” she said, glancing ahead. Our house loomed in the distance. “Your visions are pretty accurate.”

“He says he’s the Alpha King in the vision,” I mumbled. “It’s something I’ve told him too. It makes me believe that us training with the Alpha King and doing what he wants is what leads to his demon’s freedom. Then he slaughters everyone. But now, he’s on a power trip and I don’t know whether I’m dealing with Riven or the demon when we talk because he can slip in unnoticed.”

Sabine’s face paled. “You mean the demon and Riven are—”

“The demon can slip in when he wants, masking itself as Riven. What you saw today could very well have been the demon. I don’t know what I’m dealing with,” I growled. “And it’s frustrating me.”

“You really should tell our parents.”

“Tell them what, exactly?” I hissed. “That my boyfriend slash whatever he is to me is basically cursed with a demon that will lead to both of our packs’ destruction? No, wait, I think he mentioned something about me being his pack’s destruction, so he ended mine. Who knows at this point?”

“How would you—”

I cut her off with a single glance. “The demon lies a lot and I’m so tired. I can’t even figure out what’s real and what isn’t anymore.”

We walked up the steps and I headed toward the spot at the corner of the porch where my parents kept the spare key. As soon as I had it in my hand, a car pulled up in the driveway. Sabine and I turned at the same time, only to find Riven.

He stepped out of the car and stood near the front. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Going home,” I said sharply.

“Your home is with me. My parents just called and told me your parents are packing up your things. You’re moving back?” He asked, his voice hesitant.

“You were acting like a jerk,” I snapped. “So yes, I’m moving home where I belong. Now go home, Riven.”

He scoffed. “Get in the car. I’m taking you home with me.”

“No,” I said firmly. “You ignored me all day at school and now everyone is talking about us, as if we’re having problems, which we are, I guess.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt,” he whispered.

“Well, congratulations, because you already did.”

He visibly flinched. “Look, I didn’t—”

“Save it for someone who cares,” I said, my voice unrecognizable to my own ears.

“Are you still coming to…the Alpha King for our—”

“What choice do I have?” I asked, handing the key to Sabine. “You already told him we would do it, even though I warned you what it could mean. And I admit, I even said we need to do it, because I want you to get help for your…condition.”

He looked down at the ground in front of him, refusing to meet my gaze. For someone who was an alpha’s son, it sure looked like I was more dominant than him right now.

“I’m tired, Riven,” I murmured, my voice cracking. “I don’t know what’s real anymore.”

“How do you not know?”

“Your…issue can influence dreams. He can take over without my noticing. We don’t know what causes the destruction of our packs. You could be on the path that leads to our doom and we don’t even know it,” I said, my voice trembling with each word. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You can, and you will,” he replied. “You’re my mate.”

“Am I? Or did the demon push that on me too?”

He looked up at that, his eyes wide. “No, he can’t force a bond.”

“I feel him right next to our bond, Riven,” I admitted. “You know that. I told you. He’s getting stronger and I’m not sure why. The next move we make could be what sets him free.”

“No, he wouldn’t—” he started and stopped.

“You’re losing control and he seems to be getting stronger. I think it’s for the best if I step back a little, because clearly being with me is pushing toward the dream we shared,” I stated.

Sabine finally opened the door behind me, and I took a step backward. Riven’s gaze never left mine as I backed all the way into the house, then shut the door.