Sparks and Claws

The Council chamber was an exercise in controlled chaos, filled with tense energy and the faint, lingering scent of burnt magic. The enforcer in front of them, Garrick—a wall of muscle wrapped in black armor and disapproval—held the satchel containing the Obsidian Veil like it was a live grenade.

"We'll secure this in the Vault," Garrick said, his deep, rumbling voice making it clear he wasn't here to negotiate. "The Council will take it from here."

Callum crossed his arms, steel-gray eyes narrowing. "Just like that?"

Garrick looked at him like he was a particularly stubborn child. "You're a free man, Dorian. The evidence clears you, and the sorcerers are in custody. This isn't your problem anymore."

Callum clenched his jaw, his fingers twitching at his sides like he really wanted to punch something.

Vivi, standing beside him, sighed and rolled her shoulders. "You guys always say that like it means anything. Every time someone tells me something 'isn't my problem,' it immediately becomes my problem."

Garrick gave her a rare, almost amused look. "You did good work here, counselor. The Council owes you one."

Vivi snorted. "I'll believe that when it's in writing, notarized, and personally delivered with a fruit basket."

Garrick smirked—just slightly—before turning on his heel and marching out with the Veil. The heavy chamber doors shut behind him with a thud, leaving behind silence.

Vivi turned to Callum, brushing dust off her sleeves. "Well. That was anticlimactic."

Callum didn't answer.

Instead, he was staring at her, his expression unreadable, which meant it was absolutely readable because Callum only had about three facial expressions, and this one was serious brooding.

"What?" Vivi frowned.

"You're bleeding," he said, nodding toward her hand.

She glanced down and cursed softly. The adrenaline must have kept her from noticing the shallow cut across her palm. It wasn't deep, but it was smeared with dried blood, her gloves having been shredded during the fight.

"It's nothing," she said, waving it off. "Just a scratch."

Callum stepped closer, and suddenly, the room felt a lot smaller. "Let me see."

"I'm fine."

But the protest died on her lips when he took her hand, his calloused fingers warm against her skin.

First Contact

The moment Callum's fingers closed around hers, something shifted. The air between them tightened, the pressure building like an impending storm.

A rush of heat shot through Vivi's veins, not the normal kind of heat—this was primal, electric, wrong. Her breath hitched as something deep in her chest reacted, her omega instincts roaring to life with a demand she had spent years ignoring.

Callum froze, his grip tightening slightly. A low, involuntary growl rumbled in his throat, his entire body tensing as if bracing for impact. His steel-gray eyes darkened, something raw flashing behind them.

Her Omega Insight flared in her vision with text she absolutely did not need to see:

[Mating Instinct Triggered]

Compatibility: 98%

Status: Bonding in Progress

Vivi snatched her hand back like it had caught fire. "Oh, hell no."

Callum didn't move, his gaze locked onto her like she'd just sprouted horns. "This isn't possible."

"Tell me about it," Vivi snapped, pressing her hand against her chest like that would stop the tingling sensation from crawling up her arm.

Callum ran a hand through his dark hair, visibly rattled. "This can't happen."

"You think?" Vivi's voice pitched higher. "Do you have any idea how hard I've worked to not have this happen? Ever?"

Callum opened his mouth—probably to say something deeply unhelpful—then closed it again, his jaw ticking.

"Calm down," he said, though he didn't sound calm. He sounded like a man trying very hard not to jump out a window.

Vivi let out a humorless laugh. "Calm down? We just—you just—" She waved her hands wildly. "Biology just happened!"

He growled again, more frustrated this time. "It's not a bond. It's a reaction."

"Oh, right," Vivi said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because reactions usually come with 98% compatibility ratings!"

Callum hesitated for a fraction of a second too long.

Vivi pointed at him, eyes narrowing. "You knew."

He exhaled sharply, his expression guarded. "I suspected."

"Oh, that's just—" Vivi took a step back, hands on her hips. "You suspected and didn't mention it?"

"I thought I was wrong!" Callum snapped, clearly exasperated. "I hoped I was wrong."

"Well, congratulations! You weren't wrong, and now we're here!" Vivi threw up her hands. "You absolute buffoon of a werewolf, what do you suggest we do about this?"

Callum crossed his arms. "We ignore it."

Vivi blinked. Then blinked again. "I'm sorry. Ignore it?"

"Yes."

"Ignore it?" she repeated, voice going slightly shrill. "We're going to ignore the literal mating bond situation happening in real-time?"

Callum's jaw clenched. "It's not a bond."

"Oh, my god," Vivi whispered, pressing her fingers to her temples. "You are the dumbest smart person I have ever met."

The car ride back to Vivi's office was silent.

Callum drove like the road had personally offended him, knuckles white on the wheel. Vivi sat stiffly in the passenger seat, arms crossed, still reeling from the world's worst surprise.

Finally, Callum broke the silence. "You're overthinking this."

Vivi turned to glare at him, eyes narrowing dangerously. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Am I supposed to underthink the fact that I am now biologically compatible with you? Should I just accept this and plan our wedding?"

Callum gave her a look. "I'd at least want a nice venue."

"Oh my god," she muttered, covering her face with both hands. "You are not allowed to joke right now."

"I'm not joking," he said, dead serious. "If I'm going to be trapped in a bond, I at least want an open bar."

Vivi made a strangled noise of rage.

Callum smirked. "Maybe a seafood option for the dinner?"

"I will jump out of this car."

"Not at this speed."

"Watch me."

They pulled up to Vivi's office in record time, and she practically threw the door open.

"This conversation is over," she announced, storming toward the entrance.

Callum followed at a leisurely pace. "You know this isn't actually over, right?"

"I am officially ignoring it," she declared.

Callum leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "You're not very good at ignoring things."

"I'm going to ignore you next."

"Doubt it."

Vivi turned, pointing a finger at him. "If you breathe one more word, I swear—"

Callum grinned. "Sweet dreams, mate."

Vivi slammed the door in his face.