Chapter 13: A Grin Turned Vicious - Callista's POV

I almost sputtered. “You don’t even know him.”

“Exactly,” Dad said, his expression hardening. “I don’t know him and neither do you. One meeting a week ago and what brief time you had at school doesn’t qualify knowing someone. Now, he’s marked you, claimed you in front of the entire school, and you’re bound to him before you’re old enough to truly understand what it means.”

“I understand enough! I’m no longer a child and am close enough to eighteen,” I said, my voice coming out clipped. “The Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes.”

“Do you?” Mom interjected. “Do you understand what it means to have a mate before time? Do you understand the political implications? Every pack at the ceremony will be watching you both, questioning the legitimacy of this early bond. Some will want to break it and others may even challenge him for you.”

My stomach dropped. Everything hit so hard and fast. “They…can do that? They can challenge him?”

“They can try, because the bond between the two of you isn’t sealed yet. You’re not eighteen yet. Under pack law, an incomplete bond can be challenged, especially if there’s reason to believe that it isn’t legitimate.”

“But it’s legitimate and—”

“We know that,” Mom said gently. “But others will question it, even the marks. They’ll see a powerful Alpha’s son claiming a seer before she’s of age and see the chance slipping through their fingers. They’ll doubt it and some will see this as an opportunity.”

“But for what? Fate chooses your mates, except when you don’t find one,” I said, still not fully understanding everything.

They exchanged a look.

“They’ll see it as a way to break the bond and offer their own sons instead,” Dad said bluntly. “Not only that, but the Nightshade pack is a little on the outskirts with most packs, even if they have an alliance. They’d rather take them down. And you, the seer and an alpha’s daughter… it makes the perfect opportunity to take them down a notch.”

“Well, they can forget it. I’m the mate to Riven Nightshade. That won’t change,” I said, frustration bleeding into my voice.

“The next few days are going to be…difficult,” Dad mumbled. “Especially at the ceremony, so you need to be prepared for that.”

“I will be, and so will Riven.”

Mom shook her head. “You need to be careful around him. No more being affectionate. We don’t know what his family wants or what they’re planning.”

I almost growled. They were being ridiculous. This wasn’t just some boy and girl liking each other or putting on a show, thinking they’ll end up mated. We had a legitimate bond, and it wasn’t going to change.

“It’s a genuine bond, just as real as yours and Dad's.”

“We’ll see,” Dad said, finally standing. “In the meantime, you are grounded. No leaving the house except for school, and from now on, you’ll have one of the sons of patrol with you.”

"Dad—"

“No arguments,” he said firmly, his Alpha authority making my wolf submit in an instant. “You’re still my daughter, and under my protection. Until I meet with Riven’s family and understand what is going on, you have to follow my rules to stay safe. Understood?”

I bowed my head and didn’t say a word.

“We’ll arrange a meeting with the Nightshades before the ceremony,” Mom said. “I’m sure that Riven’s father has heard about what happened at school and will want to talk. We need this to get over the upcoming hurdles.”

My stomach churned at the thought. “Do we have to?”

“Yes,” Dad said simply. “If this bond is real, it’s going to happen either way. We’ll have both families involved, so there is less likely of a chance that an issue arises.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

“Go to your room,” Mom whispered, though her tone was gentle now. “We’ll talk at dinner. And Callista? Just know we aren’t angry at you. It’s not your fault if it showed up early. We just want to save you from heartache if it isn’t real.”

“I know,” I murmured as I stood.

I left the office on shaking legs and trudged up the stairs. Each step felt heavier than the last. My phone buzzed again, but I ignored it. Inside my room, I finally collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling as everything from the day finally crashed into me.

I was grounded. There would be a formal meeting with his family. I was sure there would be political challenges as well.

And we had our own secrets to keep hidden that could never get out.

I pulled out my phone, thinking about texting him and asking him what we were supposed to do now, but I didn’t have his number. “Shoot.”

Not that I’d know what to say if I did. Instead of worrying about it, I set the phone aside and closed my eyes, trying to stop the racing thoughts. The marks on my shoulder throbbed in time with my heartbeat.

I knew there was no going back.

Hours crawled by and I never moved. Sabine didn’t check on me when she got home, but she did bring dinner to me around six, saying that our parents had to step out for a few minutes. She didn’t ask many questions, so I assumed they told her she'd better not.

I wish I could believe her when she said that everything would work out somehow. It didn’t feel like it ever would.

By ten that night, my parents had returned and once again, we didn’t have that conversation. I was certain they had to do damage control, because that video of us kissing was probably everywhere by now. I’d already showered and changed into my pajamas when I heard a soft tapping come from my window.

I froze and turned. The tapping came again.

My heart jumped into my throat as I crossed my room to the window and pulled back the curtain. There stood Riven, bathed in moonlight with his red-gold eyes glowing in the darkness.

I slowly opened the window, being cautious about being too loud. “What are you doing here?” I asked with a hiss.

But then my gaze landed on the damage. He had bruises along his jaw, a split in his lip, and he stood slanted, as if his ribs hurt.

He had been in a fight with Marcus. I didn’t even have to ask to know what he’d done, because he promised he would handle things while I was gone.

My wolf surged forward at the thought of how hard those hits must have been to leave him this injured. My mate was hurt, and I didn’t like it.

“Awww, look at that. You’re worried about me,” he said, grinning at me then wincing when he leaned forward. “I wanted to see you to make sure you’re okay.”

“You’re bleeding,” I said as I noticed his shirt was wet with blood. “Oh gosh, Riven. What have you done?”

“I’m fine,” he said, trying to play it off.

“You fought Marcus and got beaten to a bloody pulp. This isn’t fine,” I snapped.

“He started it,” he said proudly. “And I finished it. Can I come in?”

I glanced at my door, listening for any sound of my parents, but the house was still quiet, except for my father’s faint snoring.

“Fine, but be quiet,” I whispered. “I’ll have to shower and air out the room, because they are bound to smell you.”

He came in through the window, quiet just like I asked him to be. Up close, I noticed the damage was worse. His knuckles were split, there were bruises on his hands, and more dried blood.

“What kind of fight was it?”

“I made sure Marcus understood the message,” he said, then sat down on my bed. “He won’t bother you again.”

“You are an idiot,” I said, rushing to my bathroom and grabbing the first-aid kit. “You can’t just fight people at school.”

“And why can’t I?” He caught my wrist as I approached. “You’re my mate and mine to protect.”

“By getting beaten up?” I asked, one brow arching.

His grin turned vicious. "You should see Marcus. I won."