Page 42 of The Hunt

“Armed with just a crossbow and a bad attitude.”He laughed.“And she came for me.”

“That’s love, son.”

“I know it is, but I don’t deserve her, Dad.I pushed her away when we were kids, and not for a good reason.I was freaked out because my best friend suddenly became a girl I liked.”He shook his head.“I don’t deserve her.”

“Yeah, you do.”

Jaxson turned to see Calliope there, wearing his sweatpants and an oversized shirt.

“Hello, Mr.Crease,” she said.

“Good morning, Calliope.Thank you for saving my son.”

“Always,” Calliope said.“You do deserve me, Jaxson.I love you and you love me, and yeah, The Hunt sucked, but we got to experience something not many people do.We got to live our past and present together.I know there is no one else I would have done that with.No one I would have trusted or fought for, other than you.There is no one else.”She went to him.“You do deserve me.We deserve each other and I love you.”

Jaxson tucked some of her hair behind her ear.“You’re not mad at me?”

“No, I’m not.”

“But I didn’t go to the elder.I didn’t put a stop to this.”

“And you know what, The Hunt sucked, but it brought us together.We were never going to make this work unless we were forced into it.I love you, Jaxson.I don’t regret what happened, and I hope in time you don’t either.”She pressed a kiss to his cheek.“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

His father put his hands up.“Don’t mind me.It is so good to see the two of you finally working this out.It was always sad to see the two of you not working this out.”

Jaxson looked toward his father.“Dad, there is something I would like you to do.”

“What is it, son?”

“I’d like you to organize a wedding, by the end of the week.”

“Jaxson, come on, we don’t need to do that.”

“You have mated to me.You’re my mate, and there is nothing that is going to change that.But you’re human, and as per your traditions, I think it is only fair I become your husband, as you become my wife.”He looked toward his dad.

“Your mother and Calliope’s are already organizing it.They are waiting for you back at your parents’ place, with the wedding dresses.I will give you two some time alone.”

His father left and Calliope turned toward him.

“You don’t have to do that,” she said.

“Why not?I know for a fact you would love a wedding.Even when we were kids, and you were elbows-deep in mud, you still wanted to get married and have the pretty wedding.Even if it wasn’t for you, but for your parents.”He cupped her face.“And I am going to make sure you get everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”

“I love you,” she said.

“And I love you.”

There was no time to waste.He was going to take every moment with her as the gift it was.

****

By the end of the week, everything had moved so fast, but Calliope wasn’t afraid.She had moved in with Jaxson.The whole pack had taken a moment to congratulate them.The whole town was invited to their wedding.

Jaxson’s father was going to preside over the wedding.Her mother was happy, and her father had a smile on his face.

“Are you all right, Pumpkin?”he asked.

She wore a pretty wedding dress.Thick straps that hugged her boobs, but then flowed out, looking so magical.Her hair had been curled, with some of it pinned back, and stray curls spiraled around her face.There were little flowers in her hair, and a few trinkets that had been made with little wolves on them.

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