Page 43 of The Hunt

Some of the pack had asked them about their time in The Hunt, and they were the first couple to not give any details away.Their time was private.It was part of their past and their present.It was a moment in time, and there was no point in telling others what happened.The Hunt was different for everyone.

“Yeah, Dad, I’m all right.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to try and steal you away?I could be a distraction.”

She laughed.“No, I don’t think so.Jaxson and I have been through so much.I don’t want to leave him.”

“I hated it,” her father said.“I knew it was coming, but we’re not allowed to intervene or stop it from happening.All we can do is wait, hope, and for me and your mother that was all we had to go on.Jaxson’s parents did try to help us come to terms with what was happening, but knowing our baby girl was in harm’s way was a lot to take in.”

“Dad, it was fine.Jaxson is a good man.He’s the only person I’ve ever loved.We both know this.”

“I know, but I wanted you to know there is a choice.There is always a choice.This Hunt thing, it sounds like that choice was taken right out of your hands, and I can’t stand that.”

She went to him and wrapped her arms around him.“Going to The Hunt did take it out of our hands, but not by force.The elder gave us time.Even when Jaxson and I were kids, we gravitated toward each other.Becoming teenagers is what changed for us.I can’t really describe it.It made me realize how much I missed him.We grew closer and it took away all the bad stuff that was getting in the way.I love Jaxson, and I know, deep down, he loves me.”She smiled.“I can feel his love for me, and Dad, it’s special.Really, really special.”

“You promise me?”

“Promise.You don’t ever have to worry about how Jaxson and I feel about one another.It’s real, and has been for a long time.”

“If you’re happy, then I am happy.”

“I’m happy, and he is even going through with a wedding ceremony.I mean, come on, he doesn’t have to, and he is.I’m going to be his wife, his mate, and that is magical.”

And with that, she kissed her father on the cheek, and it was time to go and see her future husband.

She sensed Jaxson’s nervousness, but he didn’t need to be.This is what they both wanted.

Calliope had never told him this, but there had been a few moments when they were kids, where she had known, deep in her core, she was going to marry him.Obviously, that had changed over the years, but now it was back.

She linked her arm with her dad’s and now it was time to make her way toward her man, her mate, her lover, her husband, her everything.

The moment she stood at the end of the aisle and looked toward Jaxson, she knew in her heart of hearts that this was everything she had ever wanted.

Jaxson was hers, just as she was his.

True mates.

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