Fifty-one.

When Colt arrived home, it was with a lighter heart, and even though she carried some guilt, because she would move forward and live her life happily with Calum, while Elijah was alone; she couldn't help the glee she felt when she thought of Calum. He made her feel, the word whole, sprung to her mind, but it wasn't that simple. Calum made her feel so much more than that. Like she was truly living, that even though she wasn't aware of it, prior to him she was merely surviving and now, now she was thriving. Because she knew him, he both grounded her and made her feel as if she had wings simultaneously.

These thoughts and emotions were whirling in Colt's mind, and when they settled, it was like the break of a new day, and Colt, knew exactly what she had to do next, and she didn't want to waste another second.

She got back to the croft just as Calum was about to get into the back of Colt's truck beside Felix, because Kalvin had typically insisted he was driving, even if he didn't know his way to the builder's merchants.

However, Calum paused when he saw her, the cool air had turned her cheeks and nose pink on her walk, and he couldn't help but smile at her, as he strode away from the truck, ignoring the disgruntled sighs from the other men behind him. Colt was glowing from the fresh air and like the magnet she was, he was completely powerless but to be drawn to her side.

Before he could speak to her though, Zachary was calling out from his now opened window, "Luna, where is Maeve?" He asked, unable to hide the discomfort in his voice, or control the way his fists clenched around the handle on the inside of the door.

Colt laughed though, pausing mid step and flapping her arms, "Damn it, Beta. Now I owe her fifty pounds. She said it would be the first thing you would ask!"

Zachary's cheeks reddened, and the others started sniggering around him because of Colt's comment. But, despite his embarassment she could tell he still wanted to push for an answer, even if he was trying carefully to pick his next words.

"Relax, Zachary," she said taking pity on him, as Calum reached her side, automatically slipping his arms around her waist, "She's only swimming, said to tell you she had to *'erase the smell of ferry from her nostrils.'*"

Colt then turned to Calum, giving him her full attention with a smile splitting her face, "Hi there, Casanova," she beamed, ignoring whatever Zachary's response was as she became absorbed in her mates green eyes.

Calum felt Colt's happiness at seeing him, buzzing through their bond and into his extremities. It was electrifying, and made him somewhat light headed; he knew in that instant, he would not be the one giving directions to the builder's merchants today.

"Hi there, Love. Miss me?" He asked with a smirk, pulling her close and kissing the tip of her cold pink nose.

"Always," Colt answered, enjoying his embrace even though she couldn't feel his natural warmth with the layers between them.

The sincerity of her voice caught in Calum's chest, as she wrapped her arms around his neck in return, pulling him closer and forgetting about their audience. In that moment, it was just the two of them, and they were reveling in the joy and happiness that was radiating down the bond from each other. But, they did jump apart slightly, at the sudden blaring of the horn, laughing quietly over the frustration at the delay the others were exhibiting, before Colt looked up and shouted over.

"Go away! You can't have him." She stated authoritatively, while loosening one arm to shoo them on. "I'm declaring as his mate, he stays here!" She laughed out, shooing them again with her hand.

Kalvin rolled his eyes, while simultaneously smiling at his daughter's happines, as Felix laughed and Zachary just rolled up his window and turned away. As happy as Colt was, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at the sight of her, in the arms of a man who wasn't Elijah. Not after how hard Elijah had searched for her, and Zachary was there after all, every step of the way for that search.

Calum didn't think it was possible with how much his mate was smiling, but Colt proved him wrong, when her grin widened even more as they heard the truck drive away. Her eyes were sparkling and it was infectious. Calum found himself mirroring her emotions entirely, unsure what on earth had happened on the beach, but feeling very grateful it had. He was completely content holding her, not needing anything else in the world. Though, typical to his nature curiosity won out in the end.

"So, now I am out of group supervised activities with *the Beta,* and free from chicken hut building. Tell me, what's got you so happy? Also for that matter, chickens? You haven't ever mentioned them before." Calum asked with his characteristic smirk.

"Well, the chickens were more of my Mom's idea." Colt admitted, "I made a foot in mouth remark, about how many eggs we are going through, and jokingly mentioned hens as a solution, and then poof... Chickens are coming to Bay croft. Believe me, it isn't worth fighting my Mom on it." Colt laughed. "And, as for what has me so happy, that's an easy answer. You, you are what has me so happy, Calum."

With that Colt pressed upwards, bringing her lips to Calum's swiftly. She breathed him in as she savoured every nuanced part of him she could obtain. Living completely for the kiss, and living completely for the moment. Their tongues met quickly as their passions rose, pulling one another as close as they could. Colt's hands had slipped higher into Calum's hair, as she locked his head in place. She was seeing sparks of blue lights behind her closed eyes, as she tasted her mate, his tongue massaging against her own as they each competed for territory in the other's mouth. It was a heady sensation, especially as Colt was sure, she could physically taste his love for her on her tongue, and it made it all the more difficult for her to break the kiss, to discuss the pressing matter they needed to.

"Calu..." She began in a pant, but was interrupted by Calum's hoarse voice.

"No." He stated with a finality that wouldn't be argued with, before sealing his mouth back to hers. Then he made the decision more contact was needed, and sliding his hands down to her thighs, he swept her up in one motion. He smiled against her lips, when her legs automatically wrapped about his waist, her thighs gripping on tight to hold her in place and allowing his hands to roam over her arse to his heart's content.

The kiss went on, both of them utterly lost to space and time, and completely absorbed with only each another. Finally Calum found some of his rationale, and began to walk away from their particularly exposed spot. He carried Colt without breaking their kiss, peeking through one eye just to see where he was going. On a whim, he carried her into the byre and out of the chilly wind, carefully leaning her against the newly pointed cold stone wall and manoeuvring one hand to slide up her jacket, under her top and onto the deliciously warm skin of her stomach.

Colt squealed at the unexpected coldness of Calum's hand, the shock making her break the kiss; he was never cold, absentmindedly she wondered how long they had been out there kissing for. Openning her eyes, she squinted as she recognised the inside of the byre. Unsure of when, they arrived inside, out of the breeze.

*Damn he was a good kisser,* she decided.

"How?" She panted out at him, her eyes still glimmering with unmasked lust.

Calum smirked, enjoying the sight of her flushed cheeks even more now, "Not all men can't multitask you know, Love."

Colt found herself laughing at Calum's response, as well as the pleased look on his face.

"Now, I believe, we have a score to settle," Calum stated, his voice turning deadly serious.

"Oh, do we?" Asked Colt, biting her bottom lip and eliciting a groan from Calum as his eyes fell to her mouth, with longing.

"Aye, that we do, Love," He confirmed, "I believe the word, 'adequate' was involved." He added by way of explanation, his hand moving to begin opening up the zipper on her jacket.

Colt laughed, attempting in vain to wriggle free from her position against the wall. Attempting, was a generous word for what she was doing, and she knew that. There really was no where else Colt wanted to be right now.

"Oh, no. You're no going anywhere." Calum spoke, in response to her movements.

"Wait, wait," Colt began placing her hands on his chest to try and leverage some space between them, as Calum's hand began to travel north again, against her warm skin, finding the journey much easier without her closed up jacket in the way.

"Why? Worried you can't take it?" Calum asked, enjoying how her body had began to shudder against his, as he began to smell just how excited she really was.

"No," Colt forced out, panting between each of her next words, " Because, I, need, to, ask, you, something."

Calum paused briefly, "Surely, it can wait, Love. I'm a bit busy at the moment," he stated, before burying his head against her neck, to nibble lightly on the skin there, feeling her shiver against him, with every nip.

The moan escaped Colt's mouth before she could help it. Momentarily she lost herself again to his administrations, before forcing herself to push against his chest again, "No, it can't." She said adamantly.

Calum sighed, "Fine, what is it?" He asked disgruntled by the interruption, his mind wholly on other things, as he pulled his head back to look at her..

Colt bit her lip, her eyes gleaming and Calum realised this could be serious. His irritation faded and he found himself smiling back at her. She was nervous, mostly she was happy and excited, but he could just detect the subtle nerves she was suppressing underneath, through their bond.

"Calum, will you move in with me?" Colt smiled. "I want to build my home with you, well my life with you." She took a deep breath, before adding, "I love you, Casanova."

Calum staggered backwards taking Colt with him as backside hit the ground in a pile of dust sheets and his face split in half, with a smile Colt thought could light up the night. "Aye," He said, before fusing his lips to hers once more in a hard and passionate kiss, then ripping them off again a second later, "Oh shit. I mean, I love you too!" He rambled, completely at a loss because he hadn't said it back at first. "Sorry, I just, I mean, I do. I really do."

Colt laughed at how flustered he was that he may have offended her, before she silenced him completely by capturing his mouth with her own, pushing him backwards as she took full advantage of her new position, straddled across his thighs.

*Author's Note: Thank you for your patience this week guys.*