Page 41 of The Hunt

Chapter Eleven

Jaxson woke up first, and he did so with a gasp.He quickly checked to make sure they were still in his apartment and not sucked back into The Hunt.

They were safe.

Calliope was still in his bed, and she was sound asleep.He looked down at her, and then reached over and kissed her head.She didn’t move.They hadn’t made love last night.They showered, ate some food, and went to bed.Easing out from beneath the covers, he slid toward the shower, took another one.There was a lot he was no longer going to take for granted.The shower, freedom, his apartment, and not being attacked every single day.

After his shower, he changed into a pair of jeans, slid on a shirt, and made his way into the kitchen.He had just put the coffeepot on when there was a knock at his door.Jaxson knew it was his father even before he answered.

“Morning,” his father said.

“Morning.”

For several seconds, neither of them said a word.Jaxson didn’t know what to say.

“Can I come in?”

He stepped away from the door, made his way back into the kitchen, and his father followed.

“You were angry last night.”

“Yeah, I was.I know The Hunt is serious, but I thought it was meant to bring people closer, not bring their childhood games into the mix and making them fucking real.”

“Is that what it did for you?”

“Yeah, it did.”

“Son, The Hunt is different for everyone.You could have petitioned to the elder and had it removed or changed.You were aware of the risks when you and Calliope didn’t take it seriously.”

“I knew Calliope was my mate.I knew we were meant to be together.I just didn’t expect it to be so real.”

“You and Calliope have known each other your whole lives.It is rare for people, mated couples, who have known each other as long as you two, to go into The Hunt.Normally, in your situation, it is an easy mating.No stress, no worries, nothing.Your history is what guided The Hunt.”

He looked toward the bedroom.“She was nearly killed, more than once.We nearly lost each other, and I can’t bear that.”

“And yet, you found each other.Even with all the impossible tasks, you made it work.”

He nodded.“She fought for me, Dad.Against a pack of wolves.We were talking about the marking and the mating, and I was snatched from her.She could have left me.I know that.She could have gone.”

“But she didn’t.”

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