Broken Bond by C.J. Primer

21

VANESSA

I spent all night tossing and turning, obsessing over how cold and dismissive. Callum was on the way home last night. Something happened when I left the room with his mother; something that made him shut down completely. He didn’t tell me what it was, so my mind was clouded with speculation over what occurred. I’m sure I would’ve continued to obsess over it all day, too, if it wasn’t for the news I woke up to.

If I thought I had a rough night, it was nothing compared to the hellish ordeal my best friend endured yesterday at the hands of the rogue who has been haunting the six- pack territory for the past few weeks. He shot her with silver bullets, kidnapped her, and held her hostage- all part of some twisted revenge plot to take out Chase. I didn’t get all the details, but it was something to do with Chase’s estranged mom and the shadow pack war. Given how close Vienna is with my family, Alpha Brock called my dad this morning to tell him what happened, and as soon as he woke me up and filled me in, I started frantically blowing up Vee’s phone.

I was completely panicked, about to hop in my car and drive over to the Norbury packhouse when Chase finally answered my call. He said Vienna was resting and assured me that she’ll be fine, but I still spent the better part of my day worrying about my friend, waiting for her to wake up and call me back. The universe must really be against me because Cal isn’t returning my calls either. I’m sure he’s busy helping Chase deal with the fallout from the rogue situation, but the lack of communication today has made me a damn mess.

When Vee finally does call, I’m quick to jump in my car and head to Chase’s packhouse to see her. Although she keeps telling me she’s okay, I won’t feel better until I lay eyes on her myself and see that she’s in one piece. I swear all of that girl’s recent drama is gonna give me a dang heart attack.

I park out front, sprinting across the lawn for the front door of the packhouse. I’m so worked up that all manners go out the window and I let myself in without even thinking about it, breathless as I step inside. Vienna’s in the kitchen, and as soon as we lock eyes, she’s rushing to meet me, crashing into me. I wrap my arms around my friend, holding on tight as tears spring to my eyes.

“I was so worried!” I choke, burying my face in her hair and refusing to let go.

“I know, I’m sorry,” she sniffles, clutching onto me just as tightly.

I just hold her for a solid minute or two, then finally let her go and take a step back, giving her a once-over to assess the damage for myself. Thanks to shifter healing, there are no outward signs of injury other than some faded bruising on her torso made visible by her crop top. From what I heard, she’s lucky to be alive- though Vee would never admit that. She’s tough as nails and despises being perceived as weak.

A stray tear slips down her cheek and she’s quick to wipe it away, putting on the brave face that she always does.

“I’m gonna head upstairs,” Chase mumbles, and my eyes lift over Vienna’s shoulder to see him loitering a few feet away, leaning idly against the kitchen counter. I hadn’t even noticed his presence; I had complete tunnel vision when I ran inside, focused only on my friend.

Vienna glances his way, her eyes full of adoration. I’ve never seen her look at someone the way she’s looking at Chase right now. My girl’s got it bad for the alpha.

He strides over to her, cupping her cheek and leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on her lips. “Let me know if you need anything?” he murmurs, sweeping the pad of his thumb over her lower lip.

She nods, grabbing his hand before he can retract it and pressing a kiss to his palm. Then he steps back, and the way he looks at her before he turns away gives me pause. It’s the way every girl wants to be looked at by a man.

That’s love if I’ve ever seen it.

Vee watches after Chase as he retreats, then turns back to me, a faint blush forming on her cheeks.

got a lot to catch me

even start in with a

we’re officially together,” she blurts, tucking her hair behind her ears and

at her. “So I gathered.”

sinks her teeth into her lower lip, her eyes rounding in sincerity. “He saved me last night, Ness. You should’ve seen him, he was amazing. And after going through something like

It made us realize what really matters, y’know? And that we shouldn’t keep torturing

boyfriend?” I ask, finishing her sentence

“Well yeah, he’s more than that, actually.” She leans in closer, taking my hands

bug out of my head. “He

throwing my arms around her and practically tackling her with

voice drifts from upstairs in response to my outburst.

lose ourselves in

back up,” I wheeze when I finally regain my composure. “I need to hear

smile fading from her face. “Well, you saw what happened yesterday at

that text from Char saying that I wasn’t needed at work, but I

a breath, her gaze fluttering down. “Yeah.” When she looks. back up at me, her eyes are shining with the hint of fresh tears. “Did you hear about Char?”

her voice that it isn’t good. I shake

words out loud. “He ambushed me at the lodge, and when I

painfully as she continues on to recount the whole harrowing tale of her kidnapping and rescue, and I

seemed completely hopeless, he looked at me and basically declared his love,” Vee discloses, a fond smile tilting her lips. “Well actually, he said he hated me, but

nose. “You two are demented.”

a hand, laughing. “ Whatever, it may be weird, but

laughter is interrupted by the sound of the packhouse door opening, and I lift my gaze to see Callum walk in, looking rougher than I’ve ever seen him with dark circles etched beneath his eyes and his disheveled. hair sticking out in all directions.

doesn’t look up until he kicks the door closed behind him, but when he does, our eyes lock instantly and he freezes like a deer caught in the headlights. He definitely wasn’t expecting to see me here. I’m almost as surprised to see him, considering he still hasn’t

is upstairs,” Vee informs

moment, and Vienna picks up on it, her gaze sliding between

off in his gaze. He’s not looking at me like he normally does- there’s no warmth behind his eyes; just cold, distant detachment. A sick feeling twists in my gut, signaling to

come over and greet me in his usual way, with a cheeky smile or a filthy kiss. To pull me aside and tell me what’s wrong, so I can help him work through it. What I don’t expect is the aloof way he lifts his chin to me in acknowledgement before making a beeline for the staircase. I don’t expect for him to grip the banister and charge up the stairs

face burns, a stab of agony radiating from my

to meet hers. “What’s…” she