Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
She didn’t know the exact details of what she looked like when she got home, but her mother had awakened something inside her on that mini vacation. While her dad was at the beach, soaking up the sun, her mother had taken her to a beauty salon. They got their hair done, nails, makeup. They went shopping for clothes, and she loved spending time with her mom. She loved doing girly things.
It had been a fun mini vacation. Her mother had even told her she wanted some alone time with her daughter, which was why they hadn’t invited Jaxson. Most of the time, they went away together. She would go with Jaxson on his vacations, and he’d come on hers. That was how close they had gotten.
“You stopped being my friend—the girl I camped with—and you started to become Calliope Masters, the girl I wanted to date. The girl I imagined kissing. The girl I wanted to ... mate.”
This surprised her.
“And you pushed me away?”
“I didn’t know how to handle it,” Jaxson said. “You were so different and yet the same, and it was easier to just push you away than admit I didn’t know what I was doing.”
He looked down at the food.
“Why didn’t you say anything when the elder did that?” she asked.
“Because by that time, I had made so many mistakes. So many. I had been cruel to you and said things I didn’t mean. I don’t give a fuck if you’re human or not. You should have known that, Calliope. I loved hanging out with you and your folks. You guys were always fun.”
“I know my dad missed you,” she said. “He didn’t mind having me around, but I wasn’t as into cars as you were.”
Her father and Jaxson would spend hours fixing up cars, changing parts. She would listen, but she wasn’t as into it as him.
Her parents didn’t have any other children. From what she knew, there was a complication with her birth, which is what pulled them into the pack in the first place. Her mother nearly died, and if it hadn’t been for Jaxson’s father, and knowing some witches, they would both be dead.
“I missed your dad, but we still found a way to hang out.”
This made her laugh. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
“My dad never said anything.”
“I asked him not to.”
“What does this mean?” Calliope asked.
****
Jaxson served up their food and handed her the plate, which she took. Her father already knew how he felt about her. They had talked about it many times as they fixed cars.
“I guess we agree that we attempt to mate, and we mend the gaps we caused each other.” He shrugged.
“The Hunt isn’t going away just because we agreed to it, is it?” Calliope asked.
“No. At this stage, they need proof, and that is only going to happen with time.”
She nodded. “So, we talk, we have fun, we build a sense of adventure. We repair the damage we made years ago. Do you think they can hear us or know what we’re going through right now?”
“I have no idea.”
“Your dad is like the alpha, doesn’t he ever talk about any of this?”
“No, and he never talks about other members’ private business.” He ran a hand down his face, then pushed his fork into his sausage and took a bite. “I wish I had taken the time to listen to all those other couples that had returned.”
“I agree.” She sighed.
They ate their food and kept the firepit going. It was getting dark really fast again. A howl in the distance had him turning and looking.
“Do you think it is safe here?” Calliope asked.
“It is as safe as it is going to get.”
Along with their food, a pillow was provided, which he nestled under his head, and she moved closer and snuggled against him. The hot weather had changed, and it was starting to get cold. She shivered just a little.
“I don’t think they are being very fair,” Calliope said.
“I’ve got you.” He put his hand on her exposed arm and rubbed it up and down, trying to generate heat.
“Did we ever camp out in the winter?” she asked. “I’m trying to remember all the times we camped outside, and how we got warm.”
He chuckled. “There was one time, we were ten, and there had been a giant snowstorm. You loved the snow.”
“I still do.”
He smiled. “Anyway, you were determined to camp out, and you ended up with ten blankets, a heater, hat, gloves, scarf, and you were still freezing cold.”
“I think I remember that.” She sighed. “You were toasty warm, even in freezing conditions, which sucked, and I don’t like how that was possible for you.” She pouted. “Oh, well.”
He laughed. “You don’t have to sound so sad about that. Like now, I am toasty warm and providing you with some body heat.”