Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One
Chapter 54: Avoiding Me

Chapter 54: Avoiding Me

Callum’s POV

I growled and tossed the phone away. She was refusing to pick up my call, nor was she responding to my texts. I didn’t do anything wrong. What happened was a mistake, and it wasn’t even my fault, so why was she blaming me for it?

The video had already been taken down. I knew she was probably embarrassed or hurting, but damn it, I just wanted to be there for her. I wanted to help... to hold her. Why was she pushing me away like this?

With a heavy sigh, I collapsed onto the couch, dragging my hands down my face.

My wolf had been dead silent all day. He wasn’t offering advice, comfort, or even snide remarks like usual. Nothing.

"Should I give up on her?" I muttered, talking to him.

Still, no answer. He probably knew the truth—there was no point trying to talk me out of it. I wasn’t giving up on Hailee. Not now. Not ever.

The sudden buzz of my phone jolted me, and I sprang forward, hoping it was her. But the name on the screen made my face twist into a frown.

Dad.

Why was he calling? He usually just used the mind link unless it was something urgent.

Reluctantly, I picked up. "Hello?"

"I’ve been trying to reach you through the mind link," his stern voice rumbled through the speaker. "What’s going on? It’s like you’re blocking me."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "No idea. Maybe I was just... distracted."

"Are you okay?" he asked, his tone softening slightly.

"I’m fine."

There was a pause before he spoke again. "I heard two of the Gamma sons were killed. Rogues, they said."

"Yeah... I heard too," I replied flatly. "Crazy stuff."

"They say it was brutal. Be careful, okay?"

"Yes, Dad," I murmured.

After a few more exchanged words—I mumbled an excuse and ended the call. As the screen went dark, I leaned back again, my thoughts still with her.

I couldn’t stand it anymore. Sitting around, doing nothing, hoping she’d pick up... it was driving me insane.

Without another thought, I grabbed my keys and stormed out of the apartment.

The drive to her place felt longer than usual, though I barely hit the brakes the whole way. My hands clenched the steering wheel like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.

What if she refused to see me? What if she slammed the door in my face?

Didn’t matter. I needed to see her. I needed to try.

I pulled up in front of her building, jumped out, and marched to her door. My heart thundered in my chest as I reached out and rang the bell.

Seconds passed like hours.

Then the door creaked open.

But it wasn’t Hailee. It was her friend—Lila. She stood there with a surprised look, clearly not expecting to see me. Her arms were folded, her eyes sharp and calculating.

"Callum," she said coolly. "Didn’t think you’d show up."

"I need to see Hailee," I said quickly, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice.

Her expression didn’t soften. "She doesn’t want to see anyone right now."

"I’m not just anyone," I snapped before I could stop myself. "I need to talk to her. Please."

Lila raised a brow, clearly unimpressed by my outburst.

"I think you should go," Lila said flatly, her hand gripping the edge of the door. "Hailee’s not in the mood to see anyone. Especially not you."

I clenched my jaw. "I’m not leaving."

"Callum—"

"I’m not moving an inch until she sees me," I cut in, my voice low but firm. "I need to talk to her. I’ll wait here all damn day if I have to."

Lila stared at me for a moment—then slowly shook her head. Without another word, she shut the door in my face.

I exhaled sharply and turned away, heading back to my car. I leaned against it, my arms folded tightly, my eyes fixed on the front door like it held my future.

And I waited.

Minutes passed. Then an hour. Then another. Still nothing.

The sky had started to dim, clouds crawling in lazily as the sun hid behind them. A chill crept into the air, but I didn’t care. I didn’t budge.

Every time my phone vibrated, I reached for it—hoping, praying it would be her. It never was.

I couldn’t believe this was my life now. Me—Callum—the guy who swore off attachments, who never chased anyone... standing outside a girl’s house, waiting for hours like a lovesick fool.

But this wasn’t just any girl. It was her. And I’d wait forever if I had to.

Then, just as I started thinking maybe Lila had lied and Hailee had slipped out through the back—

The door opened.

My head shot up.

And there was Hailee.

She stepped outside slowly, her arms wrapped around herself like a shield, her face tired... but still heartbreakingly beautiful.

Our eyes met, and I swallowed hard.

I didn’t wait a second. I pushed off the car and walked straight toward her.

"Hailee..." My voice came out rougher than I intended. "Are you okay?"

She nodded faintly. "I’m fine."

But I knew she wasn’t. Her face said otherwise. Her eyes, usually so fierce, looked... tired. Distant.

She looked down, her arms still wrapped tightly around herself like she was holding herself together. "Callum," she said quietly, "I think it’s best if we... stay away from each other. At least for now."

I stopped a few feet from her, my chest tightening. "Because of the video?"

She didn’t answer immediately.

I clenched my jaw. "Or is it because of Nathan?"

Her gaze slowly lifted to mine, but then she looked away as if unable to hold my gaze.

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. "If this is really about the video, I get it. You’re embarrassed. But don’t shut me out because of that. I care about you, Hailee. I’m not going to vanish just because things got complicated."

Her gaze was still away from me.

I exhaled sharply, fighting to keep my emotions in check. "But if this is about Nathan or if you think what we had meant nothing—just say it."