"How'd you get this number?"
"Does it really matter?"
"Fine, hanging up now..."
"No! Wait! Please! Bob told me this was where I could reach you."
Long sigh crackling on the other end of the line.
"What do you want, Byron?"
"You gotta come back. We need you."
"I'm not coming back."
"It's serious over here, Chris. Ever since you left the hunt hasn't been feeding us all."
"I'm not coming back. You know what happens if I come back."
"We'll back you up. We'll protect you. Like we did before."
"You never did that for me in the first place. They where just biding their time because I'd have to return eventually."
"We can do it this time, I swear it."
"If your pack can't even have successful hunts, then how the hell do you expect me to believe you can protect me?"
"We'll be stronger with you around. We'll have more food."
"I'm not coming back. It's final."
"Chris! Please! I'll give you anything you want."
"There's nothing there I want."
"Don't lie. I know there is."
"Then let me rephrase myself: There's nothing there that you'd willingly give me."
"I'm desperate! Try me. I'm begging you."
Drawn out silence.
"Is...Danny still in school?"
Sticky swallow.
"Yeah..."
"Has he imprinted yet?"
"No..."
"Is he pursuing anyone?"
"No, he's not."
Crackling silence.
"You really want me to come back?"
Hesitation.
"Yes..."
"Then I want your son as my mate."
"You can't be serious..."
"I am serious."
"There's nothing else you want?"
"I forewarned you that there was nothing you'd willingly offer me."
"I can't just decide for him! Danny's not a pup anymore. He's twenty one, for fuck's sake!"
"Then he has a week to decide. Or not. If I get no response in seven days, then I don't hear from you again, got it?"
Soft groan.
"Alright, I'll call you with an answer."
"Seriously doubt it, but we'll see. Bye Byron."
"Wait...!"
Soft blip. Call ended.