Near You

Kameron POV ....

The sun was setting and another day was coming to a close without any answers in regards to Callie.

This girl was driving me over the f#cking ledge. She managed to infiltrate every area of my mind. I couldn't think or even breathe without her face filling my thoughts.

Her scent still lingered in my nose. I was tempted to go to the healing center to see how she was doing.

She had been hysterical when I spoke to her last. Judging from her reactions, I knew I was right. She was running from something-or, rather, someone-and I intended to get to the bottom of everything.

First thing first, I needed to call Alpha Byron. His lines, which he had claimed were impenetrable, had been breached yet again by wolves I was sure did not belong to his pack. They had been lurking in the shadows as if waiting for something.

Their eyes had been glued on my pack lines and I knew then that they wanted Callie. I had no idea what they wanted from her, but what I did know was that I needed to protect her. She was my mate, after all, and even though I could not have her in the way my wolf wanted, I was still going to

keep her safe.

I scrolled through my phone and came across the number I was looking for. I tapped the screen and moved to my windows to look out at the view. He answered on the second ring.

"Kameron. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Byron's deep voice filled my ear.

"Alpha Byron," I greeted him. "I hope you're doing well."

"I am well, my boy. How is my future son-in law?"

He laughed that deep kind of laugh that started right at the pit of your stomach.

I hated when he called me that. It was off-putting coming from his lips. I was not his boy. He often treated me as a child, when I was as much an alpha as he was. I didn't like the fact that he belittled me and invalidated my ranking.

"I am well," I bit out. "I actually called because I was out on a run last night and came across three wolves within your borders. Upon further observation, I realized that they were not wolves from your pack. I know how effective your patrol is, so I was just wondering as to how your wolves could have missed them."

"That is nonsense you are speaking, Kameron. My patrollers are some of the most efficient wolves in the north of the country. They wouldn't make such a dire mistake."

I rolled my eyes. This man's pack, although impressive, paled in comparison to mine. Bryon was just a pompous man who had won one battle back in the day and never stopped telling the tale.

"Unfortunately, it seems they have. I had to relay what I saw before the situation got out of hand. You know the problems rogues can bring into a territory, especially if they travel in groups."

I heard some shuffling on the other end of the phone and waited until Bryon was done doing what he was doing.

"Have you told anyone else about this information, Kameron?" He asked in a hushed voice.

"No, I haven't. I thought it was best to come to you first."

"You did the right thing, my boy. Let's just keep this between us and I will get back to you once I get to the bottom of this."

There it was an again-that stupid nickname. Not even my own father called me "my boy." This man always made it a point to remind me that he was an alpha long before I had been born. If he weren't my future bride's father, I would have had a few choice words for him.

"No problem, Byron."

I was about to hang up, but then he stopped me.

"Kameron, Florence will be arriving at your pack in the next few days. I think you should use this time to get acquainted with one another before the betrothal ceremony."

It was like he dumped a bucket of ice-cold water right over my body.

"Yes of course," I said, feigning happiness. "Your daughter will be well taken care of, Byron. That much I can assure you."

"Good. My daughter had many suitors, but your father convinced me that you would be the best pick. We have groomed and trained her to perfection. She will make a fitting bride and Luna."

He spoke of his daughter like he had bred a winning racehorse-if Byron was like this, I could only imagine what Florence Elm would be like.

Would she take after her father, or would she break away from the tree and be something totally different?

"Of course. I will treat her with the utmost respect, Byron. Your daughter is safe in my hands."

"She had better be. Goodbye Kameron."

"Goodbye, Bryon."

I ended the call and tossed my phone onto my desk.

I had six months to come to terms with my arranged marriage. I had come to terms with marrying Florence Elm; I knew my obligation and I was ready to fulfil it.

But then Callie happened and she messed everything up.

Why did the moon goddess do this to me? I accepted that I was to be one of the mateless wolves that roamed this earth. Then, she decided to send her to me just as I was set to marry another woman.

It was cruel and twisted.

A knock sounded at my door, but I was in no mood to deal with anyone today.

"Go away, "I ordered, already walking over to my bar cart.

The door opened and I was about to rip into whoever decided to defy my orders until I saw who it was.

"Is that any way to speak to your mother, Kameron?" my mother scolded me.

She was in her usual attire; a form-fitting work dress and heels that barely left the ground. She dressed like she was a part of the British royal family. I often told her she could wear casual clothing, but she always insisted that, as acting Luna, she had to present herself well.

"Hi, mom." I walked over to where she stood and placed a kiss on her cheek.

She smiled at me and walked into my office. She sat on one of the leather sofas that I had in the center of the room.

She looked to the empty glass in my hand and quirked an eyebrow.

"Drinking on a Monday, Kameron? This is quite rare for you," she said. "What is the reasoning behind this behaviour, may I ask?"

I shrugged.

"Can't a man just have a drink, Mom? It's been a hectic couple of days. I'm just trying to de-stress."

"So, you aren't about to turn into a raging alcoholic like your uncle?"

I rolled my eyes, "No, mom. I won't turn out like Uncle Freddy. I'm fine. I've just had a lot on my mind."

I went over to the bar cart and set the glass down.

After last night, it was best to avoid the dark liquor for a few days. I didn't want to get used to nursing my emotions with alcohol.

"Would this have anything to do with the girl

Thomas brought in a few days ago?"

My head snapped around in her direction. My mother had that look on her face. She only wore that expression when she was trying to get information out of someone.

"What have you heard?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Nothing much, really. All I know is that the girl is a rogue, and she wandered into our territory and can't seem to remember where she is from."

"Well, then you basically know everything. Why are you really here, mom? You obviously have something to say, so just come out and say it."

She sighed, got up from the sofa, and walked over to me. She came and stood in front of me. She was a good foot shorter than me, so she had to crane her neck upwards to meet my green eyes with her similarly-colored ones. I took after my mom in a lot of ways.

"You have led our people brilliantly over the last few years, Kameron. You have been an exemplary alpha who used his instincts and logic well."

"But?"

She sighed. "Why is this girl taking up a bed in our healing center when she should be in a cell? Surely you know that rogues are a danger to any pack."

"She's not a threat, mom."

She crossed her arms. "And how would you know?"

'Because she is my mate,' I wanted to say but I didn't. The fewer people knew about Callie, the better for me.

I still wasn't able to fill wrap my head around the fact that she was my mate. And if my pack found out that I was choosing another mate over my fated one, there would be an uprising.

Mates were a sacred thing in our world. It was one of the greatest blessings the moon goodness could grant you-aside from a pup, of course.

"I just know, mom. She isn't a threat, and she's in the healing center because her wolf isn't healing her fast enough. Had she been well enough, I would have put her in a cell."

No, I wouldn't have. I was lying to my mother, but I found that it was easier to lie than it was to tell the truth.

My mother wasn't convinced, but she didn't press me on it.

"Kameron, promise me one thing, please. " She placed her hands on the sides of my face like she had done when I was a child. I waited for her to speak again.

"Never forget the pack in all the decisions you make. Regardless of what you are faced with, the pack will always come first. You have responsibilities to our pack members. You remember your father's mantra, don't you?"

I nodded. "Pack over self."

She smiled and brought my head down so that she could kiss my forehead. She released me from her hold and stepped back.

"And never forget it." She gave me a gentle smile. "I'll see you at dinner."

She turned on her heels and made her way out of my office without another word.

I knew my mother meant well, but I couldn't deal with her. She was only adding to my worries.

I felt unease fill my chest and I began to feel restless again. I needed to calm down, but, this time, I wasn't in the mood for a run. I was in need of the company of a specific red-haired woman.