Chapter 111: Thirty-three.
Calum lay there on the floor, sprawled out and not fighting back, as he absorbed all that Felix had said. He was realising the lion may have just saved his backside. His temper would have led him straight into an angry confrontation with Colt, one he would have undoubtedly regretted. The territorial feelings, and downright jealousy at how she still cared for Elijah quickly warped all his logic and reason, obliterating his self control to the point he was ashamed to admit he had partially toyed with the idea of marking her properly - with or without her consent - just to solidify their connection, and calm his fears.
But Felix's intervention, although extreme was exactly what he needed, because Colt was afraid of hurting everyone, and taking responsibility for it all on her own, and his emotional blackmail was the last thing she needed, and the last thing he actually wanted to dump to her plate as well.
He sighed, as Felix stepped over him ignoring his very existence as he lay on the floor, and took the cups back to the kitchen. Calum stayed where he was, laying on the wooden floor reflecting on all that he had been told, and all that he had almost messed up. While trying to fight the bubbling urge to find his mate and cradle her in his arms. But even then he wasn't completely convinced he wouldn't damn them both, and mark her there and then anyway, to hell with the consequences that would unfold.
"Get up," Felix ordered, when he returned five minutes later.
"You're the one that put me here," Calum snapped back, more irritated at his own indecision than Felix's actions.
Felix just stared at Calum blankly, "You deserved it, and you know that."
"Aye, maybe so," Calum acknowledged with a sigh, before heaving himself off the ground.
Felix scrutinised his every move, until Calum was upright and on his feet again. He analysed the expression in his eyes, one of concern, but a strange type of acceptance was lurking there as well. Nodding his head, Felix decided that for now it was good enough.
"Come with me," he stated, walking towards the front door.
"Where do you think we are going?" Calum asked refusing to move, and folding his arms.
Felix turned and looked at him, "Shopping. Gates and concrete mix, remember?"
"You want my help?" Calum asked, confused and taken slightly aback.
"Well, you are her mate. I presume you want to be useful to her?" Felix shrugged, patronising Calum as he spoke.
Calum smiled ignoring the lion's tone, "Aye, I do. But, for both our sakes, I think it's best you meet me at my mother's. I need to shower and change, unless the smell of stale fish is your thing?"
Felix smirked, "You live with your Mom?"
Calum shook his head, he walked into that one, "Only for now. My house has been used as a holiday let since I wasn't in it. Once the guests booked for this season are done, it won't be relet." He shrugged, "Made sense at the time, I didna need it, in Ireland."
Felix nodded in acknowledgement. "Alright then, but, I'm driving." He added smiling wickedly, "Does your Mom happen to cook?"
-----
Colt flew through the cafe doors in a rush, and plonked herself with an exasperated sigh, down into the seat in front of her cousin.
"Sorry," she spoke, "I got held up, and then there was an issue with a burst hay net at the stables that needed repaired, and argh!" She ranted, "Anyway, I did text though, and more importantly I'm here now," she explained, reaching for the tea sat in front of her, which Iona had ordered on her behalf.
Iona's amused smirk at her cousin's flustered state, turned to one of sheer mischief when her nose twitched and she deeply inhaled, picking up the tell tale sign of exactly what had held Colt up, or rather, who.
"I can smell exactly what held you up," Iona stated, with pretend disappointment, "So, you caved in to him then? And a Macgregor, Granny will not be amused you know?" Iona scolded her cousin in jest.
Colt's face lit up red, her eyes bulging as her hand raised to her collar, she had forgotten to put perfume on before leaving the house with everything that had went on.
"Shit. I forgot about that," she said, "Also, no I didn't cave in to anyone, and Granny can mind her own bloody business," Colt remarked dryly.
"So, Calum Macgregor scent marked you for what reason then?" Iona asked, finding joy in tormenting her cousin, "I mean there's no bite mark, so I'm guessing you what? Just Oral?"
"IONA!" Colt whisper screamed! "Fuck! No, nothing happened, not even a kiss," Colt hissed out, before having her own lightbulb moment and turning the tables on her cousin, "So, how's Alasdair, Iona?" Colt threw back at her cousin, enjoying it when Iona started to choke on her coffee, "Kissed him again yet?"
Colt laughed as Iona's eyes darted around the coffee shop in a panic, while she got her choking under control.
"Yeah, Calum, is a chatty soul, bless him. But, then you weren't exactly discreet, pinned up against the wall of the pub, and in the main street too," Colt pressed further.
"Shut your mouth," Iona hissed at Colt, and making her laugh further.
"What? It's complicated?" Colt smirked, sipping her tea with a smile.
Iona sighed, "You have no idea," she stated, dropping her head into her hands, while silently remembering the feel of Alasdair's lips, and hands on her body.
"You want to talk about it?" Colt offered, interrupting her train of thought, but Iona just gave her head a despondent shake. "Alright, but I warn you, my Mom is arriving tomorrow, and she likely wont take no for an answer when she works out there is something wrong," she held up her hand to stay Iona's next response, "Trust me, she will work it out, of that there is no doubt."
"Then, I will have to hope Auntie Isla's lack of a relationship with me with kill her interest." Iona retorted, "Why does life have to be so complicated?"
"I wish I knew," Colt answered, thinking about both Elijah and Calum, before she raised her eyebrows at her cousin, "By the way, good luck with Mom not caring. She will likely try and file adoption papers within a month of meeting you," Colt laughed, "Just look at Felix, she tries to adopt everyone."
Iona smirked, feeling both nervous and excited. She missed her Mum everyday, but the thought of having an older female figure other than Granny, who wanted to care and guide her was tempting. Plus, her Dad had only ever spoken highly of his sister, and Iona was looking forward to meeting the legend that was her Aunt.
"Is your Dad coming too?" Iona asked curious.
Colt nodded, "Yes, and my youngest brother Lewis, mostly because he can't be trusted to be left alone, despite being almost eighteen," Colt laughed. "Also, he's always wanted to come to Scotland, and I doubt anyone's life would be worth living if he was left behind."
"Can I get him drunk?" Iona asked without missing a beat, her eyes lighting up with a devilish gleam.
"If you do, I am having nothing to do with it. His antics and my Mom's reaction are all yours to deal with," Colt stated plainly, washing her hands of any potential shenanigans.
Iona laughed, "Oh, but it would be so much fun," she called out in youthful excitement.
"Iona, he is under age. Even for over here." Colt stated plainly.
"Yeah, but, only just," she laughed off Colt's warnings, before finishing her coffee.
"You're a glutton for punishment, you know that right?" Colt pointed out, shaking her head calmly.
Iona laughed again, "You're only young once, live a little. Come on, drink up, we have shopping to do."
"Alright, come on then," Colt stated. "You can tell me all about your course on the way. Saved any more baby pigeons lately?" She asked as they left to go into the city, for a shopping spree.