Page 75 of Moonlit Nights & Northern Lights
“That’s Callum Reid,” Rory said through gritted teeth. “Complete tosser. We’ve hated each other since we were kids. He was an orphan the pack took in. Immediately jealous of me and Kit for being the alpha’s sons.”
Callum raised his glass in a mock toast towards us, the gesture dripping with condescension.
“Right,” Rory said, jaw set with determination. “Fuck this.”
Before I could stop him, he grabbed my hand and marched us directly towards the fireplace. I had no choice but to follow, wondering what fresh hell I was about to witness.
“Rory,” Callum said, taking a deliberate sip of his drink. “Back from the dead, are we? And with…company.” His eyes raked over me with obvious disdain. “And there I was thinking we’d never see you again, after your grand exit. After you told us so vehemently that you don’t belong here.”
To Rory’s credit, he didn’t flinch. “Oh, I don’t,” he said merrily. “We just fancied a holiday, didn’t we, Teddy?”
He squeezed my hand so tightly I could have sworn my bones crunched.
“Yes. It’s so interesting to see where Rory grew up,” I said, causing Callum’s eyes to narrow at me.
“Ah, but has he told you what he was like as a child?” Callum asked me with a horrible smile. “Our little Rory here was quite the handful, weren’t you?”
Rory’s grip on my hand tightened impossibly further, but his smile never wavered. “Something like that.”
Callum swirled his drink. “The tantrums, the defiance, the complete inability to follow simple instructions. It was quite entertaining for the rest of us.” He turned to me with false sympathy. “I hope for your sake he’s finally grown up.”
Every muscle in my body coiled tight. It took every inch of my self-restraint not to punch him in his smug face. “Rory’s told me all about his time here,” I said, my voice carefully level. “Including the people who made it difficult.”
Callum’s eyebrows shot up in mock surprise. “Difficult? We were the ones who had to deal with him.” He grinned wickedly, addressing me directly to ask, “Tell me, does he still struggle with authority? Or have you managed to house-train him?”
The blood roared in my ears. I’d arrested actual criminals who showed more respect for basic human dignity than this bastard.
“Callum,” Rory said, his voice dangerously quiet.
“What? I’m just sharing fond memories with your… boyfriend.”
I opened my mouth, ready to tear strips off this sanctimonious prick, but Alex’s voice boomed across the room before I could speak.
“Callum! Come here a moment, would you?”
Alex’s gaze flicked between us and Callum, who for a moment seemed like he may not move. Then, with visible reluctance, he straightened his jacket and walked away.
“Well, he was a piece of work,” I muttered.
“Told you,” Rory said, but his usual spark was dimmed, shoulders curved inward.
“Did I seeyou just deliberately enter a conversation with Callum?” a low voice said behind us.
I turned to find Alexander’s daughter, Isla, with her bright ginger hair.
“Isla!” Rory exclaimed with genuine warmth.
They embraced briefly, and I caught a flash of her thoughts—
…still can’t believe he actually came back…
Had Isla not been instructed to control her mind? Or perhaps, she didn’t care to?
“He was glaring at us from across the room,” Rory said.
“Maybe he was wondering how you managed to bag someone so hot.” She glanced at me with a half smirk. “Or was plotting your death,” she said cheerily. “Probably a mix of both. He’s been boasting for years about how you’d never dare show your face here again.”
“What do you mean, bag someone so hot?” Rory said, with a pretend scowl on his face. “If anyone, Teddy is the one punching up.”
