Chapter 116: Thirty-eight.

Calum dutifully left the house, and followed Kalvin down the track towards the beach, and then out and into the machair dunes that lined it. The breeze had picked up since this morning, and the tide was in, having swallowed the whole bay, leaving barely any sand at all. The moon was new, and Calum knew, that in a fortnight's time the moon would be full and high, creating tides so high, they would eat half way up the outer most dune.

But the familiar setting, couldn't help the feeling of apprehension in his gut, about why Kalvin was leading him away from the sight line of the house. Surely, he could have had the "you better treat my daughter right," chat within view. He had already made it clear enough anyway, that he had contacts everywhere.

It also didn't help, that he was uncomfortable leaving Colt around Lewis, especially after he had lunged for her. With his concern knawing at him too much, he eventually voiced his doubts, "Are you sure it was wise to leave them like that, while they are at each other's throats?"

Kalvin laughed, appreciating Calum's nervousness. "They'll be fine, Isla has been more than equipped at stopping our six children from killing one another at once, over the years. Just two of them, is child's play. Besides, they would all go to bat in a heartbeat for one another. Colt and Lewis, are just, making up for eight months of lost time at winding each other up," Kalvin explained.

"But, he lunged for her," Calum began, ready to protest over Colt's safety.

"Yeah, and when he was eight and she was fifteen, he broke into her room for supplies. He had decided in his childlike wisdom, he needed to decorate the front yard for summer. It was February and he was sick of the winter chill. So, he wanted to encourage summer by making the yard look colourful. So, Colt's brightly coloured bras were the obvious choice apparently. Colt broke his nose, in retaliation, before melting half his Lego collection, and by that, I mean half of each particular piece of Lego he owned, with a lighter that to this day, I still have no idea where she got. Rendering his colection completely useless," Kalvin stated with a nonchalant shrug, having long since gotten used to their antics. But looking at Calum, who was wearing a dumbfounded frown, he stated, "You're an only child aren't you?" Before he winked.

Calum's sly smirk replaced his shock, at learning about Colt's younger escapades, as he stated, "We both know, you're already aware of that answer."

"True," Kalvin nodded, "But, as my wife tells me, sometimes it's only polite to ask." He stated before continuing with his anecdotes, "You think that's bad, you should have seen how her older brother's teased, no, tormented her. But, on that front she was sly. You see, she got automatic sympathy for being younger than them, and she knew it. Plus, with her being the only girl, all she had to do was throw in a 'Daddy' or two and that was it, I would charge to her defence without a second thought, even when she was in the wrong," he laughed, "Oh, the boys hated that, especially when on one occasion I made them get up at four in the morning, for three weeks straight to run for two hours as a punishment. Then, by the time we got back, Colt had made sure there was only enough hot water left for one, me," he smiled widely, "Add in that she couldn't shift, and her Mom would also gladly tear anyone into pieces, who dared glance at her the wrong way," Kalvin added.

"Is that my warning then?" Calum asked, calmly. Enjoying the tales of Colt's ferocity, almost as much as the man currently stood beside him was enjoying reliving them

"Do you need it to be?" Kalvin stated back, just as calmly, with a wide smile.

"You want my cards on the table, then?" Calum offered, continuing when Kalvin nodded to him, "I love her. I haven't known her properly for a full week yet, but I am head over heels in love with your daughter. But, Elijah, he has done some serious damage, and..."

"I know exactly what, Elijah Lupus, did. I was there," Kalvin growled out, not at Calum so much as the memory of Colt writhing on the floor during her first shift. The one and only time he was unable to charge in and save her.

"No, I mean, what he did to her head, and her heart for that matter," Calum clarified, "She remembers dying, she is living with the physical memory of her life being snuffed out, and it's because of him. She carries a permanent reminder of his betrayal as well, with their scarred bond weighted inside of her," Calum divulged the facts to Kalvin while watching the waves below them, like somehow the sea would hold the answers to fixing Colt's pain.

Kalvin's brow furrowed, not only in frustration at his daughter's stubbornness and her determination to protect the damn wolf. But, he was realising how much Colt had opened up to Calum already, and on how much more personal the details were, which she had shared with him. Details which he and Isla were disappointingly unaware of.

He watched as Calum's eyes drifted out towards the sea, watching the waves crashing as he composed his thoughts. It was an expression he knew well, Isla and Colt did the same thing, getting things in order in their head. He had always thought it family trait between them, but now he recognised it as wildcat behaviour. Evaluating everything they knew, with all the other information they had been presented with. It was something he lacked the skill to do, as did his sons, but then, wolves weren't known for their patience.

"I have to help her heal," he eventually stated, "Colt has to be okay, that's my only priority."

"Because of Amy?" Kalvin ventured curiously, receiving a scowl in return.

"No. Because of Colt. Look, I liked Amy. I respected her. But, I never loved her. Yes, I felt guilty for failing her, for not recognising her pain, and yes that taught me a valuable lesson. But, I have to help Colt, for Colt's sake, because I love her, and she doesn't deserve all that she has had to endure."

"You're taking a risk you know, betraying her trust and telling me this?" Kalvin checked, "What if she doesn't want me and her mother to know? What if she doesn't forgive you for it?"

"Aye, I am taking a risk. But, I would have to be blind, not to see how much you both love your daughter. Especially after that, 'charging in to save her' speech'." Calum stated with complete honesty, "One of the things she said to me, this very morning, on this very beach, was that 'everyone thought she was fine'. She isn't. And you can't help her if you don't know. So, this is me telling you, because I want what's best for her, I am telling you, because she needs as many people in her corner as she can get. Especially, with that Asshole out there looking for her. So if she does hate me for it, but she gets the support and help she needs, then I will deal with that. But, I can't sit back and do nothing, while she hurts."

"Wait, he's looking for her?" Kalvin asked, his concern changing the subject.

"Aye, he has been in Ireland and France, so far. With his knowledge of your mate's heritage, it may only be a matter of time till he shows up here." Calum responded, annoyed at the thought.

"How do you know this?" Kalvin asked, wondering how he himself had missed it. Elijah was looking for Colt, the very thought infuriated him. The last he was aware the Alpha was in Georgia, on his grandfather's ranch.

"He told me so in Ireland, when I met him. It was before I knew the whole story." Calum clarified, suprised at his own confidence.

Kalvin responded with a simple, "I see."

The only sign of his agitation was in the tensing of his jaw, as he followed Calum's eyeline out to sea. The two men, stood side by side watching the waves in front of them, both of their minds filled with tumultuous thoughts on how to do what's best for a woman they loved. Eventually, Kalvin's eyes, softened, and turned, settling on Calum again.

"You're a wanderer at heart, aren't you?" He asked, his final question of his daughter's mate.

Calum nodded with a smirk, not even looking at Kalvin as he spoke, "Aye, I was. Now I'm simply hers, heart and soul."

Kalvin smiled warmly, "In that case you'll be needing this," he stated holding out a small velvet pouch.

Calum turned to Kalvin and took the pouch, and opening it in one fluid motion. Looking inside he found a golden ring, with a large pear shaped light blue stone, which was set with smaller diamond like stones surrounding it.

He looked at Kalvin in confusion, "I'm no sure I understand."

"It was my grandmother's engagement ring. When she passed, she left it to my first born daughter. The stone is a Topaz, not your usual, but it was her favourite." Kalvin replied, his intent clear.

"So, I passed your test then?" Calum asked, "I have your blessing?"

"This was never the test," Kalvin stated with a shake of his head, "More of a, getting to know you session," he said, smiling wolfishly, "The ring became yours to give, the moment she sought out your presence in the house. She chose you, and the few times I've seen her around the wolf, and from what Isla has said, she never did that with Elijah. I'm just fufilling my obligations to my grandmother," Kalvin shrugged, adding as an afterthought, "But, yes, I guess you do have my blessing. Look after her." Kalvin stated with finality, before turning and heading back to the house. "Come on, before, Colt, thinks I have actually murdered you."