Chapter 107: Twenty-nine.

Calum watched Colt intently, as she sat there beside him. She looked utterly defeated, her feet were dangling listlessly above the deck and her head was hanging down, almost like she was ashamed of herself. The thought of which seemed ridiculous to him. Colt was who she was, and to him she was perfect. It was really simple in his mind, whether she was fertile or not, it was her he wanted, not an incubator.

Besides, if she really wanted a child, which his gut told him she did, they could always adopt, or even look into donor eggs. And if she wasn't keen on that, then they would have each other. Calum already knew, his life was in her hands, as was his heart, no matter what.

"Look at me," he spoke steadily, but Colt didn't move. "Now, Colt." He added firmly, but still he received no response.

Colt sat there frozen, by more than just the chill in her bones. She was afraid, afraid of so much. Colt was afraid to let herself grow to love Calum, scared to give her heart over to him, because of how fragile Elijah had left it. She was afraid to look him in the eye and see the resentment that he may now feel, at having wasted so much time and effort on a barren mate. Scared to keep talking and tell him the rest of the story. She hadn't even got to the part where she couldn't physically mate with him, or share any contact, with the type of intimacy she knew they both craved. So, she sat there frozen in fear, her body was totally rigid. She mindlessly stared at the rubber matting on the deck, going over all the negative possible outcomes in her head, each one worse than the one before.

Colt felt Calum leave her side at one point and the sensation was both a relief that itbwas done, and a hollowing experience of loss. She had lost him, and Colt could swear she felt her heart breaking, as a new flood of silent tears flowed outward from her now swollen eyes. She felt utterly empty and bereft.

Meanwhile, Calum watched more and more worried as Colt sat there unyielding, it was almost like the lights were on, but no one was home. Colt seemed to be lost within her own pain, and he wasn't quite sure yet how to bring her home again.

Twilight had set in around them, as he manoeuvred the boat back into the harbour. He didn't want to leave her side, but the alternative was they crashed, and with Colt so unresponsive he couldn't risk her ending up in the water under any circumstances. So, instead he watched her from the side of his eye, until the boat was moored up, and shut down. Then, he strode back towards his mate with a newly formed plan, he just hoped it would work.

Before she could object, he swept his arms under her, picking her up and carrying her off the boat. The only sense of relief he found was when she grasped his hoodie tight, clinging on to him till her knuckles whitened, and refusing to let him go. To Calum, that meant his mate hadn't given up on them yet, and he would take that as a small win. He needed to break it through to her though, that he wasn't going anywhere.

He strode up the pontoons like a man possessed, ignoring the speculative glances he was receiving from the few other people around, marching straight to the truck, where he placed Colt in the passenger seat, buckled her up and went around to the back of the vehicle. He took a moment to centre himself, scolding himself at the same time for not planning further that getting to the truck.

In all honesty, he had thought she would fight him, and when that happened he was intent on crashing his own mouth to hers. To show her physically, all that he felt for her. He would have ravished her mouth, pouring every pent up emotion he had into that kiss. Showing her just how much she was desired. Before he then carried her back to the truck, shushing her complaints about being capable of walking on her own.

But, she had defied him there as well, thwarting his plan by melting into him, and now he felt thoroughly stuck. Sure, he would gladly kiss the anger out of her, but her grief? That seemed a bit tactless to him.

Giving himself a shake and removing his waterproof oil skins, he threw them in the back. Then he got in behind the wheel, and began to drive them both back towards Colt's home, and after fifteen minutes of excruciating silence he finally found the words he needed, and he spoke.

"You are mine, Colt Briagh Merrier." He stated it firmly, with no waver in his voice and no room for any type of argument, "And, I am lucky to be yours. Only yours."

Colt raised her head abruptly in confusion, she had been sitting stiffly staring at her fingers while being lost to the pain of her predicament. She turned to look at Calum with a helpless expression plastered across her face. He was hers. Calum still wanted her, there was no annoyance on his face, no resentment or regret, just worry and concern. He still wanted her, even without children. More than that, in such a simple sentence he had laid complete claim on her. He even used her middle name, Colt wanted to know briefly how he even knew her middle name!

But overall, Colt realised she was wrong. This man, he only wanted her. No extras necessary, she was everything to him, and damn if it didn't make her crave him just as much back.

Calum reached over clasping both Colt's hands in his own, it was a small show of affection, but in that moment it felt like so much more. She felt his warmth penetrate deep within her and in that moment Colt lost control. She needed to be closer to him.

"Stop the truck." She stated in a clear voice.

Calum albeit confused, did as she asked, pulling over into a passing place along the single track road on which they were travelling. He watched confused as Colt got out the truck, leaving the door open and stepping just outside of his view point. Calum was totally unsure of what she was doing, or what he should be doing in response. He briefly considered getting out of the truck himself, until till he heard her next instruction.

"Close your eyes please." Came the polite request.

He did as she requested, without a word and heard her re-enter the truck and close the door, with some mild shuffling noises as well.

"Can I open..." He began to ask, when he felt the soft fur of Colt's head, butt against his chin. Scent marking across his stubble, while a light purr fell from her throat.

Her clothes were folded on the chair beside him, as she climbed gracefully onto his lap, walking in repeated circles and flicking him in the face with her tail on multiple occasions. All until she deemed herself in the best position and lay down, briefly kneading her front paws into him as she did so. Colt unashamedly pushed her head under the lower hem of his hoodie and t-shirt, to find his skin below, and butted her head against him there too. It was difficult for him to stifle the laugh that wanted to escape his lips at the tickling sensation her whiskers left across his stomach, while she made herself comfortable.

The next thing he felt was her purring, her whole body vibrating with it, as her breathing regulated into a steady rhythm which indicated she was now asleep.

Calum was in awe, Colt was asleep, in her wildcat form on his lap as he drove her home. Calum had never felt so full of pride in his life. His beautiful mate, trusted him, and actively sought him out for comfort. Calum couldn't put into words how complete he felt right now. Everything in his world clicked into place, as his left hand came to rest on Colt's back while they drove along, lifting only when he needed to change the gear the truck was moving along in.

All too soon for Calum's liking, they pulled up at the cottage Colt called home. Parking up and climbing out, Calum shifted Colt's sleeping form into his arms. She was larger than the average female of their species, which was probably just another point that made her perfect for him, he decided. Unfortunately though, it did give him some difficulty in opening the house door without disturbing her. Eventually he had managed to shift Colt's weight enough to free one hand, rousing her from her slumber just enough for her to make her sentiments on the disturbance he had tried to avoid known. Her claws came out in objection to being put down, latching into Calum's flesh securely.

He hissed through his teeth at the slight pain, but even then Calum had no intentions of separating himself from Colt. They entered the house and went through the porch to find Felix, staring at them from the couch, surrounded by junk food, with a raised eyebrow and a wicked smirk.

"Well, she's certainly all tuckered out," Felix began, "The sexual tension get too much for her?"

"Quiet Lion," Calum snapped defensively, as he began to climb the stairs, intent on ignoring him.

"Her room is the far one down the hall by the way," Felix called, "Because, if you two end up in my bed, I will take it as an open invitation," He laughed.

"Shut your fucking disrespectful mouth." Calum hissed at Felix, "Now is not the time for your shit!"

This got Felix's attention, "What happened? Is she okay?" He asked walking with concern, straight to the bottom of the stairs, preparinghimself to remove the wildcat if necessary.

Calum sighed in irritation, "To be honest, I don't know. But, she is exhausted and freezing. I don't think I have ever heard of a shifter getting cold before. But, Colt is. I think she is in shock. She finally lowered her walls to me. But, even she didn't realise fully what was lurking behind them." Calum looked at the expression of worry on Felix's face, and softened, "You are her friend, but there is a time and a place for jokes, and right now she needs to rest, she has too many demons inside her head already. This is your one warning, Do. Not. Make. It. Worse." Calum spoke concisely and affirmatively.

"Dude, Colt is family. I have picked her back up more times than you know." Felix spoke frankly back at Calum, unsettled by his dismissive tone. "Look after her, Wildcat, or I will have a new pair of slippers. Do. You. Hear. Me?" Felix spoke back, mirroring Calum's own tone.

Calum only grunted, and made his way to Colt's room. The lion's threat was an empty one, all Calum would ever do was look after Colt.

When he entered the bedroom, the scent hit him first and despite himself, he was instantly struggling with his arousal. He had kicked his shoes off at the door, but was still smelling somewhat of fish, and now he was faced with a predicament. How to unlatch his mate and her sharp claws without disturbing her, while he changed.

Moving over to her bed, he pulled back the covers and bent over, lowering Colt's body down and onto the mattress. Her back was already rising into an arch as he whispered, "Unless you want to smell of fish in the morning, Love, you have to let me go so I can change."

Colt opened one eye and looked directly at Calum, she was seething at him, he could tell by her expression and he couldn't help but smirk straight back at her.

"Well?" He asked.

Colt retracted her claws with a hiss, jumped into bed, and turned her back on him as a punishment. The action only made Calum laugh more, typically temperamental female.

Calum quickly took off his clothes and put them in the furthest corner of the room, knowing it wouldn't mute the smell of fish, but following through on the considerate action anyway. Then, approaching the bed, he slid in under the covers, like it was the most natural thing in the world. While also hoping it wouldn't freak her out come morning, and leave his face recovering from her claw marks.

Then, as a last minute decision, Calum also shifted, before curling his entire body around Colt's smaller frame, his tail coming around so the tip was resting under her nose. It wasn't long before they were both purring, content in the company of each other, and then from there, it wasn't long till they fell fast asleep.