Hailee's POV
I was weaving through the crowd, my eyes locked on Nathan's retreating figure, when someone suddenly stepped in front of me.
"Callum," I breathed, stopping short.
He was casually dressed in a black hoodie and a blank tank. Since he wasn't from our pack, he decided not to join in the games. His eyes scanned my face, then flicked toward the tunnel where Nathan had just disappeared.
"I know where you're going," he said gently.
"I need to talk to him," I replied quickly. "Now. Before it gets worse—"
"No." His voice was firm but calm. "Not now. He's got a combat fight in less than an hour. You know how focused he needs to be for that. He's not in the right headspace to talk about… us."
I opened my mouth to argue, but the look in Callum's eyes stopped me.
He wasn't being controlling. He was being protective of me.
"After the games," he said, softer now. "Talk to him then. I promise… he'll listen. But not right now, Hailee."
