Chapter 82 Chapter Eighty-two

Chapter 82 Chapter Eighty-two
Wren took a deep breath, trying to mentally steel herself for the conversation she was about to have with Kallum. This wasn't going to be easy. She pushed open the door to the room she knew was given to him in Alpha Caleb's mansion. He turned from where he was standing by the window when he saw her come in. 

Kallum had her pressed against the wall in an instant. 

“Where the fuck have you been?”he snarled. His fingers dug into her arms and she winced a bit. 

“Sorry,” he muttered, taking a step back and raking a hand through his hair. 

Wren rubbed the spot where he had hurt. “I should've come sooner. I just…needed to process everything.”

“There's nothing to process. Are you going to go with him?”

“He's my mate, Kallum.”

“And so fucking what?” Kallum crowded her space again, eyes narrowing. “You're mine, Wren. I saved your life. Where was your ‘mate’ when Alaric had you by the throat?”

“Are you saying I owe you now?” 

“No, I'm saying I have more rights to you than he does.”

Wren raised her chin. “I've made my decision. This isn't something you or I can control. He's my mate. I have to go with him.”

Kallum's eyes went cold, jaw clenching. “I don't think you get it. I've claimed you as my source. I can't feed from any other. You are not going with him.”

She vaguely remembered Kallum talking about how her blood was better than a human’s and that he couldn't go back to ordinary human blood after tasting hers. She didn't care at the time. She'd needed Kallum to need her. That way she was untouchable. No one could hurt her. Now? It was a fucking inconvenience. 

“You think I want this? This isn't something I can just control. It's a bond. A bond that if I decide to reject, can cause me unimaginable agony. But of course you don't care about that. You only want me for my blood.”

Kallum scoffed. “I think you want it. Don't lie to yourself. This is all you've ever wanted. To finally be part of a pack.” He spat. 

“Fuck you.” She fired back. “Don't talk like you know anything about me.”

“You’re wrong. I know how your blood tastes.  I know you talk in your sleep because I stay awake on most nights trying to make sense of what you're saying. I know you smoke to diminish the urge to shift. And I know the exact sound you make when you come.” He stepped closer until there was hardly any space between them. “I do know you. I know every part of you, Wren.”

She swallowed, looking up at him and not knowing what to say. That confession had knocked the wind out of her. She felt torn. A part of her brain was screaming for her to choose Kallum but a much stronger part, a part she had no control over, screamed Drex. Between her one true mate and the vampire who she had grown fond of during these past few weeks, it wasn't even a decision. 

“I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do.”

Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. Something that gave her pause. She had never once felt unsafe in his presence. He was her shield, her buffer as she navigated the world of vampires. Now it looked like he was going to hurt her. 

He took a step back. 

“Get the fuck out of my sight.”

“Kallum, I…”

“Now!”

Wren left as fast as she could, shutting the door firmly and running in case he decided to follow her. She ran outside, going to one of the trees in the compound. Her lips trembled as she fought back tears. Why she was crying she wasn't entirely sure. 

Her and Kallum's relationship had been conditional at best. If she was useless to him, she would already be dead. But then why did her heart feel like it was breaking?

A sudden shift in the air. She looked up to see Drex. Her body–traitor–responded to him immediately. 

“I've been looking for…why are you crying? Do I need to kill someone?”

She wiped her tears quickly, sniffing. “No no. There was uh…something in my eye.”

His eyes narrowed. He walked towards her and caressed her cheek, wiping a tear with his thumb. His proximity made her heart beat a little faster. “I don't ever want to see this pretty face marred with tears. We'll be leaving soon. Are you ready?”

Wren nodded even though she wasn't sure. Expressing her feelings wouldn't help the situation. Nothing would change. Her place was with Drex now. He was her new home. And she had to admit, the thought was exciting. A pack. She felt so giddy if felt like she was betraying Kallum. 

“Good girl.” His hands moved to her waist pulling her till their bodies were flush. You'll be happier with me, I assure you. A vampire wouldn't know what to do with you. He wouldn't know what you need.”

A part of her she liked to keep locked away always seemed to come alive whenever Drex was near. Her wolf. Everything about him drew her in like a magnet. 

He gave her an affectionate kiss on the forehead. “Come on. Let's get going.”

Wren looked back at the mansion one last time, her eyes going up to Kallum's window. The lights were off. She could almost picture him–broes furrowed, fists clenched–doing everything he could not to express anger. 

She looked back at Drex, meeting his expectant gaze. 

“Yeah. Let's.”