Wolf Bound (Fated) By Jenival Writes

Chapter 18

George took a seat opposite Callum as he answered, “Aside from the fact he’s like you! Not much. Then he gave a bitter laugh. “I only met the ba stard once, the day he showed up at Beth’s family house to break things off with her. I was there that day because Beth had called me earlier to talk. She was my best friend at the time and she needed someone to lean on.” He lifted his head, his eyes full of pain. “He killed her, you know? She didn’t want to live without him. Even after we got married to cover up the fact that she was pregnant for him. She wasted way to nothing five years after Amber was born.”

A warning jingled in Callum’s head. “Wasted away?”

“It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen. She just… George lowered his gaze, shaking his head. “After she had Amber, she stopped caring. The doctors did all they could, but you can’t make a person want to live if they don’t want to. Amber wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough.” Then in an instant, George became hostile, snapping his head up. “I won’t let you do the same thing to Amber. She might be my stepdaughter but to me, there is no difference. I won’t watch you destroy her like her father destroyed Beth”

Callum knew the sadi stic smile he was giving George was menacing, but he couldn’t contain his contempt. In human form, it wasn’t difficult to bare his fangs. He displayed his teeth in a manner that revealed his anger. If given the chance, he’d tear the man who’d deserted his mate even before she was born, tear him piece by blo ody piece. But he wasn’t here, so George was going to take that anger for withholding all this information from Amber, which in turn put her in danger.

“I’m nothing like Amber’s father, Callum said, in response to George’s outburst. The man had balls of steel. “You knew what her father was, didn’t you? You knew he wasn’t human

George nodded. “I knew,”

“And you from?”

didn’t think you should tell Amber? Don’t you think she had the right to know who she is and where she comes

Callum had to fight for control, furious at what might have happened if his mate hadn’t started the process of dream pairing. Without her other half to guide her through the transition, she could have gone mad. One of the Alphas in the area would have had to put her down. With the recent media attention and fear of their kind, no pack would be willing to take on the responsibility of a crazed Halfling

“Don’t act so high and mighty,” George spat, refusing to back down. “I took necessary precautions.” When Callum arched a brow George said. “It’s amazing how much information folks are willing to share if you throw a little money around. I knew what we were dealing with. There was a good chance she wouldn’t inherit the trait”

“But she did inherit the trait, Callum growled. S hit! He was losing control. “It’s a da mn good thing she found me. Otherwise, she’d put everyone around her in danger. She’s already feeling the changes”

“Let’s cut to the chase, George growled, reclining on his chair and Callum could feel the tension electrifying the air. “You brought Amber home, and you didn’t cut and run. That tells me there’s some honor in you. I want to know what your intentions are. Are you going to do the right thing? Or do you plan to amuse yourself by using her until someone else comes along and tickles your fancy?”

He moved before he was aware, hands on the desk as he leaned toward George. “He very careful what you say to me, George. You may be her stepfather, but that won’t mean a da mn thing to me if you disrespect her in front of me.”

“You don’t scafe me George didn’t break eye contact and no fear accompanied the statement. “That young woman out there means more to me than anything. If you honestly believe I’m going to back down from the likes of you, you have another thing coming. Answer my question. Why are you here? What do you want with my stepdaughter?”

“Amber is my mate, Callum declared, putting the fact out in the open. “I intend to claim her as such before my pack.”

“You’re going to marry her?” George asked quietly. “Is that what you’re telling me?”

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you. What’s mine, I keep, he answered and stood. “And make no mistake, she’s mine.”

“You say that likes she’s- George caught himself, realizing his mistake.

13: 2 Fr,

Chapter 18

“What? An animal!” He couldn’t help but snort. Leave it to a human to put things into simple categories-man or beast.

“She’s not a belonging. You don’t own her.”

“No more than she owns me When George frowned, Callum smiled. Your confusion is understandable since you know little about the ways of our kind. But it’s safe to say your stepdaughter has me wrapped around her little finger. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.”

“Aren’t you too old for her?” George asked, scrubbing his hand across the back of his neck. “Hell, you’re probably even older

than me.”

Callum decided not to clarify or share his age. Yes, he was a helluva lot older than the man but providing that information wouldn’t do either of them any favors. Right now, they were on common ground. “Relationships aren’t always perfect,” he replied instead.

“She’s going to live forever, isn’t she?” The strength in George was beginning to fade, leaving him a worn-out human who had more years behind him than ahead. “She’s like you now.”

“Not yet, but she will be.”

George mulled over his words before responding. “And you’re going to care for her! You’re going to do everything in your power to make her happy?”

“You have my word.”

As the word left his mouth, Callum heard Amber in the other room softly talking to her stepmother. The floor creaked, indicating she was rising from the couch. He knew he had to hurry. There was one positive thing coming from all of this, one thing Holden Bone couldn’t have anticipated. Not unless….

“Did Amber’s father know Beth was expecting! Did he leave her knowing she was carrying his child?”

“He did,” George huffed, checks flushing red in anger, back to his former fighting self. “I don’t think he would have even come to see Beth if she hadn’t pushed the issue. He didn’t want her coming to see him anymore. He came to tell her to stop.”

Just like that, everything changed.

Holden had given his child over to another male to raise and protect If George accepted Callum’s union with Amber, no one could stand in the way of their mating.

“One more question, Callum said, grinning as he heard Amber’s approaching footsteps. “If you came face-to-face with him again, what would you do?”

“The same thing I did the first time. George graced Callum with a grin of his own, one that promised retribution. “Shoot his worthless a ss.

Callum smiled. That was more than enough for him.

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