Vivian woke with a smile on her face. Sun streamed through the curtainless windows, and she shifted to get her first glance of Callum in the fresh light of the morning.
Last night, he’d asked her to run away with him, and when she’d turned down his offer, he’d bonded them together. The tender way he took her needs into consideration left her feeling more confident.
He sighed and without opening his eyes, whispered, “Morning, sundrop.”
She smiled at the nickname—he always had a sweet one for her. Curling toward him, she kissed his lips.
Stirring, he reached for her, rolling her beneath him as he took command of the kiss.
Laughing, she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him up, putting space between them.
His hair was flat on the side from where it had pressed against the pillow, and the other side was unruly. His smile was warm, and his eyes still held remnants of sleep.
She wanted to wake up like this every morning.
“I’ll do it.”
He tilted his head to the side. “Do what?”
“Run away with you.”
His brow furrowed, but only for a second. Then a smile lit his face. “Really?”
She nodded. “Yes. Let’s go. Today.”
His lips crashed down on hers once more. His hands traced the lines of her body as he kissed and nibbled his way down. With his tongue in her folds, he brought her to climax twice before replacing his tongue with his cock.
“Tell me if it’s too much. You might be sore.”
“It’s amazing,” she cooed, as he sunk deeper.
With her legs wrapped around his hips, they made love, taking their time moving together, until they both came.
When their breathing returned to normal, they sat naked, side by side on the bed, sharing a bottle of water and made plans.
“There are some things I need to get from my house,” she told him.
“I’ll need to pack up my stuff at Elliot’s,” Callum concurred. “Plus, we’ll need to find a ride out of town.
“Elliot will be busy today, but maybe Rafe could help us with that.”
“Or Duncan.”
Vivian nodded. “Yes. One of them can help, I’m sure. Is there anything else we need?”
Callum shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“It’s going to be weird leaving without telling my mom.”
He put his hand over hers. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “Last night we mated, and I haven’t told my father. Maybe it’s cowardly, but I don’t want to. I don’t want to tell him, and I don’t want us to go back to pretending we don’t know each other. I want to wake up with you tomorrow morning. And the next morning.” Sighing, she shook her head. “I can’t do that here.”
“I loved waking up with you, too. And I can’t wait for you to meet my family.”
She was excited for that, too.
Parting ways at the base of the tree, they agreed to meet back at the fort in two hours’ time, once they were packed and Callum had secured a ride.
Light and carefree, with the dawn of a new life hanging before her, Vivian practically floated home.
If she was lucky, her father would be sleeping off a hangover, and she could be in and out before he even noticed her. Or better yet, maybe he wasn’t home at all.
As she walked up to the house, she studied it. This would be the last time she walked up the white stone slabs that led to their home; the last time she saw her mother’s prize-winning roses; and the last time she entered the front door.
On the knob, her hand paused. She took a deep breath and tried to mask her joy.
She spent the next hour and a half determining what she should pack. She tidied her room and re-organized some items.
Callum had told her to only pack what was necessary, and once they were settled in Maine, he would pay to have the rest of her stuff shipped. It made the most sense. If she tried to escape with multiple bags of luggage, she’d never make it, but she could easily walk out the door, unquestioned, with her backpack.
Shoving a week’s worth of underwear into the base of her bag, she rolled up six shirts and four leggings. Neatly, she folded a pair of jeans and placed them on top, along with several pairs of socks.
She didn’t bother with toiletries, as Callum had promised to stop and pick those up on the way.
At his request, she packed the nightie she’d worn that first night at the treehouse.
She slid her water bottle into the side pouch and her phone in the front.
Two novels, her crochet hooks and a worn teddy bear Rafe had gifted her with years ago took up the remaining space in the pack.
Surveying the room one last time, she took a deep breath and flipped the light off.
The stairs creaked beneath her feet.
Trying her best to avoid the squeaky spots, she hit the bottom step just as her father called to her from the kitchen. Bracing herself, she slipped her bag off her shoulder and onto the floor.
She popped her head into the room. “Yes, Daddy?”
“Vivian!” His smile was wide. It made her sweat. “There you are, girl. I have incredible news. I signed you up for the Curusm. Tonight, you’ll find your mate, your life partner.”
“What!”
At the kitchen table, her mother grinned. “Your life mate, Vivian. This is great.”
Chills crept over her skin as her heart pounded. She couldn’t squeeze a single word out.
Her father tilted his head. “Aren’t you excited?”
She stepped fully into the room.
“Vivian?” His tone shifted, darkening. Then he sniffed the air. “What is that? What’s that smell?” His gaze narrowed on her, before he roared, “What the fuck did you do?”
“I–I–I found my mate.”
His fist clenched at his side.
Glancing to her mother, she realized there would be no help. She was already cowering at the table.
When her father spoke, his voice came out soft and fierce, a growl that increased in volume as his anger rose. “You little slut. How could you? Who is he? Who is this guy that thinks he can steal my daughter without asking me?”
She didn’t answer.
He took a step toward her.
Shrinking, she took one back. “I won’t make any trouble. I promise, I’m out of your hair now.”
“You’ve ruined me! Ruined this family! Your virginity, your mating, was not yours to give away. How dare you rob this family?”
“Daddy, I–”
“Who is it?”
Biting her lip, she glanced at the ceiling. Forgive me.
“Who?”
“Callum.” She swallowed. “Elliot’s cousin, Callum.”
“Oh.” Straightening, her father snorted.
She rushed to explain, to defuse the situation. “I love him, and he treats me so nicely, and isn’t that what you wan–”
Crack!
Somehow, even after years of abuse, she never saw the fist coming.
Vivian recoiled, touching the heated spot across her face, and braced in case of another strike.
“He’s dead! Do you hear me? I’m going to Thatcher and he’ll dissolve the mating. And that boy is fucking dead.”
“Daddy, please!”
“I swear to God, Vivian. You’ve just fucked up everything. And you will make this right. Whatever it takes. You will run in that Curusm tonight. And so help me, if you don’t, I will sell you off to the highest bidder.” He grabbed her chin, so roughly she knew there’d be bruises there too. “Do you hear me?”
Shaking, tears streaming down her face, she muttered the only thing she could. “Yes.”
Disgusted, he cast her aside and stormed out the front door, banging the storm door on his way.
Vivian sunk to the floor, sobbing and clutching her face.
Through watery eyes, she glanced up at her mother.
“Oh, Vivian. What have you done?”
Those words almost cut worse. Rarely had her mother sheltered her, not enough, never enough. But there was no sympathy, no compassion from the woman.
Shaking her head, Vivian stumbled to get up. She grabbed her backpack and fled.
Desperately, she wanted to go with Callum, to run now, and escape, but they didn’t have a head start. Her father would track them down, and once he did, he’d kill Callum.
She only had one option. She had to let Callum go.