Chapter 158: Betting On A Beta

Esme held Callum's gaze, her brown eyes so dark they almost look black under the darkening sky. Callum looked away, releasing his breath, she could almost see the gears turning in his head, and it made her wonder if the Beta would follow through with it completely. Unlike Ethan, he wasn't a complete monster, and although Callum may have held some minor fondness towards her, Ethan was his friend first.

She knew Callum's reaction was real earlier, he knew what was happening between his Alpha and Luna, but he'd looked away, blocked his mind from the idea of Ethan beating on her. "Are you afraid?" Esme asked, tilting her head to the side. When he didn't reply, her eyes glittered in dark amusement. "Or are you a coward?" His previous actions made her think so.

Callum whipped his head back to look at her, his eyes glowering at her in brilliant amber hues. "I am not a coward," He hissed with his upper lip pulling up slightly, making his 'pretty boy look' appear more menacing. 

"Then.."  Esme prompted. She needed a clear cut answer, so she knew what plans to lay out from now on. Killing Ethan and becoming the Alpha would undoubtedly help her and benefit the pack, but if Callum disagreed, then she'd prefer he told her now.

"I.. Will challenge him," He replied hesitantly, making her narrow her eyes at him. 

"Callum, you'd be a good Alpha. I know you are a strong fighter and can lead and look out for the pack more. That's the whole point in the Alpha's role.. They need an Alpha that cares about the people and protects the pack, not aiming for ridiculous ambitions that might cause the pack harm," Esme added after seeing his hesitance. It was then she really took a long look at Callum's face; he looked worn and tired, unlike when she saw him last.

"Ethan must have given him hell these two years," Isana whispered. "Mates aren't meant to be apart, and Alpha's are the worst to deal with it."

Especially with Ethan's temper as well. 

Esme stepped closer to Callum and clapped a hand to his muscular shoulder, staring at him intently. "I'm serious, Cal. I'm not just saying this because it would benefit me. The Moon Goddess made me a Luna for a reason.. And although my time at the pack was shit.. it doesn't mean I want the pack members to be under a shitty leader like Ethan."

Okay, so mentioning the Moon Goddess was a little cringy, well to her anyway, considering she didn't know how she felt about her right now, but she could see her little speech was working on the Beta.

Callum glanced at her hand on his shoulder, and he sighed. "Okay. I'll challenge him," He said this time in determination. She searched his features for any tell-tale signs of a lie, but it didn't seem like he was. Esme nodded and relaxed her hand, shoving it back in the jacket pocket where it curled around the silver bullet again. Turning her back on the Beta, she sauntered back to the two men sprawled on the ground, her next issue to address.

But first, she needed to make sure Callum really was taking her side. She needed to test him. Turning her attention back to him, she looked over her shoulder. "How did you find me, by the way?"

Callum frowned. "What do you mean? You're the one who jumped out of nowhere to save those guys," He answered earnestly; she looked him up and down, then swiftly looked away, not wanting to see his manhood.

"Then what are you doing out here?" She demanded with a slight growl. 

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Dammit, she didn't mean to growl, but her irritation was starting to show. She couldn't trust Callum completely, and any confidence she did have in him was beginning to waiver even more so by his answers. 

"Oh, we were told to meet.." Callum paused then his eyes lit up again. "I forgot.. you.. used to be one of them.." His eyes trailed over her body, and he shook his head in disbelief yet also in amazement. "We were on our way to meet with the Hellhounds.. We agreed to meet with someone by the name of.. Rudd.. No.. Rudy?"

Esme chuckled lightly by the turn in events; her smile was devious, her eyes cold as she thought more about what that meeting was for. "So.. You were meeting Rudy to get information on my location, right?" Her eyes flicked up lazily to his, emotionless still even after reading the confirmation behind his eyes.

She wasn't angry at him or whatever deal they were going to make with the Hellhounds. She wondered if it was Rudy who planned this or Camilla. If it was Rudy, then she'd finish him off once and for all, but if it was her so-called mother, then that was someone else she would have to deal with. If Camilla had made that order, then it was more of a death sentence.

"Yeah-"

"What would they get in return?" Esme interrupted, trying to determine their goals. Was it Rudy or Camilla?

"Nothing," Callum replied with a furrowed brow. "But I have been cautious about meeting him because no one gives something without gaining anything.. Especially the Hellhounds.. the pack, took over their territory.. But.. none of the Hubs had any information on you. You either hid really well or know someone who could protect you, making the info priceless and after you.." He lowered his gaze, shifting on his feet slightly, looking uncomfortable before he spoke the following words slowly. "After you slept with another.. Ethan became.." He looked up to the skies like he was trying to find the proper wording that still wouldn't disrespect him. "Impatient."

Esme scoffed at him, finding the Beta incredibly funny and the way he picked his words so carefully. But as quickly as her mocking smile grew on her face, it dropped with a frown as she thought about Rudy and Camilla. Rudy despised her and would want her gone; if he couldn't kill her, then he would get someone who could torture her, i.e. Alpha Ethan and Camilla didn't make deals where she would gain nothing in return. Her mother either made this plan in the hopes of using the pack as a diversion to get to her, or her vengeance was to throw her back to her mate. But she knew her mother well; Camilla didn't do revenge in half measures; she wouldn't want her precious daughter to be taken by the Alpha who ruined her plans.

A bark from the other side of the field suddenly caught their attention, and Esme smiled at recognising the wolf. A few whimpers and the sound of fighting made Callum panic and rush forward, but Esme stepped into his path. "My friend won't kill them, don't worry," She said nonchalantly. 

It was better to keep Callum with her. She knew he wouldn't kill her because of Ethan's orders, but there was no saying what he might do to Marcus.

Callum grit his teeth. "And how do I know that? I don't know this friend of yours.." He growled, his eyes focusing on the distance where it suddenly became quiet. The only sounds were of four paws pounding across the field in their direction; Esme didn't need to turn around to know it was Marcus. Callum's eyes blazed in fury. "How could you let a rogue attack your pack?!"

Esme looked at her nails now, disinterested by his idiocy. "He's only protecting me, and as you can tell from the pack link.. They are only unconscious. Not dead," She stated and watched as the Beta relaxed only fractionally before his shoulders straightened at the approaching black wolf. 

Marcus large form stopped and stepped slightly in front of her, protectively making Callum step back and glance at her.

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