129

129

ARIADNE

"Callan," I called after him again, but my voice was swallowed up by the voices of those who were helping the maid off the floor, asking if she was okay. Callan, however, didn't stop. He didn't even slow down or showed any signs of slowing down. I increased my pace but he kept eating up the distance in fewer strides, as if he had trunks for legs. Catching up to him, thus, became very difficult. 

"Callan, wait- please, just wait." But he didn't. I couldn't help but wonder why he had walked out of the party. 

Was it because of Magnus? 

No. It couldn't be. 

He always stood up to his brother and never allowed his presence to make him act this way. Or was he angry at me that I had spoken to him that way earlier even after he had warned me not to? Shit. It had to be that. But Callan never got this angry at me. He'd been angry at me before and he'd shown in it but not in a way that his back was stiff, almost rigid, like he was dragging along a boulder. His hands were balled into fists now. 

I picked up my pace, practically jogging again, and ignoring the looks that we got from the Pack servants and guards who couldn't help but stop and stare as I hurried after him. 

Finally, after what felt like forever, he slowed down, stopping abruptly and leaning against the wall. But at this point we were already far from the party, far enough that it would be about a full minute before I would find my way back. 

He was leaning over the wall of the balcony that oversaw the garden below. But he still wouldn't look at me or tell me what was going on. I stopped beside him, breathing heavily already from having to chase him. My worry was very heavy now. 

I stopped beside him, close enough that I could see the tight lines around his jaw, the way he wouldn't even want to look at me. He was staring at the ground now, and his breathing was very hard. 

"Callan..." I whispered, reaching out and sliding my hand into his. His head moved, and when his eyes glanced at my face, he quickly withdrew his hands and let out a loud sigh. "What's going on? Talk to me." I asked again, for seemingly the umpteenth time. 

And for a second, I thought he was going to keep ignoring me, but then he bent forward, putting both of his hands on his knees like he couldn't hold himself upright anymore, like he had been running too. 

"I'm fine," he muttered, shaking his head, closing his eyes for a moment and taking in deep breaths. "I just... felt a little... panic attack." 

What? That just sounded very ridiculous.  Panic attack. From Callan? It didn't make sense. 

Callan wasn't the kind of man who would easily crumble under pressure. He was an Alpha. And one of the strongest men I have ever seen, so strong that he mare people feel sage just by being around them. The idea of him having a panic attack and walking all this way because of it felt impossible. 

But then again, I corrected myself immediately. Panic attacks weren't always about weakness. People could have them when they remembered something painful, when something triggered them. But still... As an Alpha that he was, these kinds of things were unheard of. 

Even though it was evident he didn't want me close to him from the way he had taken his hands off mine earlier, I stepped closer and took his hand again before giving it a tight squeeze. 

"Callan... that's not true. Don't lie to me. Something's wrong, and I can see it all over your face. Please, for the sake of the fact that we have known and can trust each other, just be honest with me." 

He waved me off with one hand, still bent over. "Don't... Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." 

How could he expect me not to worry about him? My stomach was twisting as I watched him struggle like this, and my mind wouldn't stop racing. 

What if he was sick? What if something serious was happening to him and he was just brushing it off like it was nothing? Not worrying was just impossible. 

"Callan, I'm worried sick right now," I said with a shaky voice. I couldn't even pretend to sound calm. "Please, just tell me how you're really feeling." 

He pressed a hand against his chest, eyes still shut. "I'm feeling better, Ariadne." He said, even though the words had come out strained a little too fast. "Just... a little lightheaded." 

I wouldn't stop staring at him, because I was quite unconvinced that it was just that. He had beads of sweat dotting his forehead and his face was pale. Then, slowly, he straightened up, even though he was still breathing heavily. He tried to stand again, and look like himself again but I could see through all of that. The way his fingers were shaking gave him away instantly. 

He finally returned my gaze and the pain morphed into worry. 

"You left the whole party... with my brother in there?" The question caught me off guard but on a second thought, I realised he was right. 

The panic bolted through me for a second but I quickly steadied myself. 

Vylia was there. She could take care of it. And yes, Magnus was heartless but he wasn't the kind of person who would just start trouble for no reason. He didn't say anything after that, just kept walking away back to the party. He seemed calmer now but he was still quite shaken. I reached out to touch him. 

"Come on, let me help you walk back," I offered.

But he shook his head quickly, straightening his shoulders as if forcing himself to be strong again. "I already told you I'm fine. You're worrying yourself sick." 

He said it with such firmness that I almost believed him, but the moment we started walking again, it happened, yet again. 

"Ari?" It was Sera. She was calling for us somewhere around. 

And the moment Callan heard her voice, he froW instantly. His body went rigid again, before his hand shot to his chest as he staggered back, eyes rolling back like he was about to pass out.

"Callan!" I grabbed his arm quickly as hair-standing fear ripped through me like a hurricane. "Do you want me to call a doctor? Callan?!”