55. Calder
Calder
The anger from having Adrian lay out the details of what hurt Opaline, clashing with the fresh, sudden waves of lust I'm feeling, is an utter mindfuck.
Duel aspects of my inner primal are being triggered simultaneously and the desire for both justice and rutting into my sexy omega are warring against one another.
Ultimately, I'm able to clear my head enough to realize that this is more urgent and Ever and Opaline deserve time alone.
"Fuck. I take it they're making up." Sage shakes his head, as if he can clear it of the residual desire building and hanging between us, coming straight from her.
Scrubbing a hand down my face, I force myself to focus but refuse to cut the bond connecting us, even temporarily.
Between the two warring feelings and sensations, I feel nearly feral.
Swearing, I take a few steps and gesture for my two pack brothers to follow me, in hopes a little distance will help us center ourselves.
We all primarily work from the house, but there's a main shared office on the first floor of the Main Lodge where Jewel, Annabelle, and three other managers work out of.
Walking through the hallways of the Lodge, they're entirely empty, nearly everyone over in the fields at the event.
Rounding a corner indicated primarily for staff, the motion lights automatically come on, illuminating the ordinarily soothing design.
Right now, soothing seems impossible with the mix of what's thrumming through my system.
There's a nearly deserted desk in the far corner that we'll collectively use as needed, shared between the four of us. The space in here, in the office, is dark, abandoned this time of night, and with the ongoing festivities.
With the press of a couple buttons, I wait for the computer to come to life.
"I know Opaline filled you in. But, I want to hear exactly what was said.
Especially if there was something before or after she left.
We're going to look at the security feeds.
" I shake my head. "I feel foolish trusting Annabelle for so long, for so many years.
I thought she was such a great staff member.
The fact this is who she really is makes me sick that I didn't see it sooner. That I could have prevented all—"
"Hey." Adrian grips my shoulder, shaking his head.
"We're not going to place blame, especially if you're doling it out like a self-punishment based on ridiculous terms. All we can do is make this right and move forward.
" Nudging his chin towards the now lit screen, he stands back to his full height, hand dropping.
He's right, I know he is.
Listening to the shit spewing from Annabelle and Vivian's mouths while watching my sweet mate freeze, curling in on herself, is hell of its own. All I can do is watch as my omega listens to lies built specifically to hurt her, listens to them taking out their own deep insecurities on her.
The depth of growing rage bottled in my chest and flowing in my veins feels like it's seeping out of my pores into the air around me.
"Calder…" Sage's voice registers deep in the recesses of my mind, but barely.
I hear my name on repeat until his touch finally pulls me out of the screen I got sucked into, my attention trailing to his face.
"They're obviously planning something big.
If I had to guess, it's something involving Ever.
We have to stop this before either of them gets hurt any more.
I don't know what the fuck they do have planned, but whatever bullshit it is needs to end before it gets started.
This is ridiculous. Grown women, mind you.
" He huffs, looking away from me and the screen playing out the conversation that's held our combined attention.
He mutters to himself, trailing off and pacing back and forth now, rubbing his brows.
Behind me, Adrian stands still as a statue, his face void and blank of emotion. Fuck. I have to handle this.
"Okay. Look—" My voice cuts off before I can even begin, our gazes whipping towards the door as murmurs and laughter get louder, coming closer.
The keypad beeps on the other side of the door just before it swings open, the laughter coming to a halt.
Annabelle and Vivian stand in the doorway, surprise lighting their faces momentarily.