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J axson 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.”

“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.

****

B y 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.

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.