Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Callum

I t has been a month since I fought in a competition. Sitting on the bench in one of the back rooms where the competitors prepare for the upcoming bouts, I reflect on the many changes in my life.

I feel different inside; I have grown in ways the eyes do not see. That fateful night when my pa woke me up was the catalyst. I went with him to the slave markets of Bleakness. I killed a man—killed more than one—and then I carried Ada in my arms all the way back to the tavern.

Many weeks passed before I could mete out a beating on her father for his many acts of cruelty on an innocent lass. He will be at the mines by now, living out his last days under the watch of the vicious orc masters there.

He will never hurt Ada again.

Ada. I always thought it fanciful when people spoke of meeting their one. My pa still gets a distant look in his eyes whenever he mentions my mother. What they shared is a glowing example of what love should be. Lately, I have been thinking about how it might be to have that with Ada.

We have slipped out the back of the tavern many times since we shared our very first kiss. My obsession is growing. I'm addicted to her. I fucking love her and would spend the rest of my days worshipping her if I could. I'm thinking with increasing purpose about marrying her; about asking her if she would be my wife.

What gives me pause, though, is that she has found independence and a place for herself at the tavern, and I wonder if she needs time before I charge in with a marriage proposal. She has a sweet, giving nature, and, further, is fucking hot. I would be lying to myself if I said I had not thought about plowing her with my dick, putting a whelp in her belly, and watching the labors of our love grow.

The snatched moments we share never feel enough. I want her close, with me, and in my bed every night.

Except I am only an apprentice blacksmith and don't even have a home of my own. I work hard every day, paying close attention to my father's instructions while needing them less as I learn and develop my skills. If I asked my pa, I know he would welcome her to live with us, yet a part of me holds back. How can I be worthy of her when I have so few assets and so little wealth to give?

I have nothing save that I work hard to learn all I can so that one day, as my father has mentioned, I might take over the business.

He is still young and capable, and that will not happen for many years.

I know I need to man up and ask my father and then Ada. My heart tells me my feelings are not one-sided, and she likewise cares about me and might even be congenial to accepting a husband who is a work in progress.

You are not the only man with his sights on Ada, the little voice in the back of my head taunts.

Master Gray, the bastard wolf shifter who is staying at The Green Man, cannot take his fucking eyes off her. He is not like the other patrons who look upon Ada with the same appreciation as they do all the pretty serving lasses. They make my blood boil when they are too liberal with their hands and would doubtless take her out the back in a heartbeat if she were willing.

Gray harbors a darker interest that I recognize in myself.

Lust, love, and possessiveness all mixed up together. She is not mine to claim; she is a woman recently freed, and I must also remember that. Yet the emotions that take root inside me whenever we touch are primitive. I do my best to temper them lest I scare the lass. They scare me a little with how intense they are. I want to fuck up any man who so much as glances her way. I want to take her back to my home, lock her in my bedroom, and tongue the fuck out of her hot pussy until she is too exhausted to move.

I want to fuck her like an animal…. And keep her weak from my lustful attention…. None of which can be a natural inclination in a civilized man.

I also want to cherish her and give her freedom to grow and gain confidence for herself—I fucking love it when I hear her and Betsy giggling over some nonsense. There would not be a lot of that if I locked her in my room and fucked her night and day.

I growl under my breath. The sound shocks me. It is not the first time I have growled in the last few weeks. It seems to emerge from my chest when I least expect it.

"You are tense tonight, lad," my father says, massaging my shoulders roughly. His brows draw together. "Have you grown?"

"Um…" I am not sure how to answer that. I have noticed my clothing has become a little tight of late. Then there is my cock… No, I am definitely not talking to my pa about that. More than likely the strange lump is caused by all the times I need to jack off while thinking about Ada, just to clear my damn head. "Happen it is just a bit of muscle with all the long hours at the forge."

"Hmmm. Well, you are also tense. You need to loosen up, or you'll throw the fight before you start. What's bothering you?"

"Nothing," I mutter.

My father raises both brows.

"Ada," I admit, feeling fucking sheepish, and worse so when my father smiles.

"She is a fine lass," he says diplomatically.

He knows I have got it bad, and I'm grateful he doesn't tease me further.

"I want to marry her," I blurt before I can think better about this not being the best of times for such a discussion. "I also want to throw her over my shoulder and snatch her away whenever that wolf bastard eyeballs her."

My father's lips twitch. I want to swallow my stupid tongue, but I also feel better for letting my crazy intentions out.

"Well, I dare say throwing her over your shoulder is one way to get it done. I did as much with your mother. Goddess rest her soul; she was highly strung and giving me the runaround."

My eyes widen. I have not heard this before.

"I don't recommend it as an approach." He grimaces. "She had five strapping protectors, and they put a thumping on me. She was already pregnant with you by the time they found us, so they didn't kill me." His lips twitch again. "She was not opposed to being carried off—had taunted me into doing it, truth be told. But that was the way of her people, and they expect a more… forceful approach from those they consider worthy mates. We are in a different world here, and Ada is not the same… Although the changes I have noticed in you of late tell me you have more of your late mother's blood than I suspected… If you care about the lass, speak to her plainly, lad. If she is not ready, she will tell you, and that's okay, too."

I blink a few times. His words are like sucker punches coming from different directions, and I am slow to catch up with all of them. Mates?

"I don't have anything to give her," I say, as I battle between the instinct to claim and the reality of my inadequacies.

His face softens. "Callum, you are everything I could wish for in a son. You are strong of heart and true of nature. The lass has been through so much and is learning how to live outside the shadow of tyranny. Love is no simple thing to navigate, and it's right that you should give her time and space. But also know you are rich in ways more important than age, maturity, or wealth. You could not be more worthy."

His words lift a weight that has been crushing me. I realize how fortunate I am to have a father such as mine, one who believes in me and who will always have my corner, whether it is during a competitive fight or in life.

Also, I am still reeling from what he just said about carrying my mother off… He definitely used the word mates .

As I stare down at my hands, seeing the crisscross of scars over the back from the numerous fights I have taken part in, I realize that he has been preparing me to join him in the rebellion for a long time, preparing me for a time where I might save a lass who will go on to become the woman that I love.

"Thought you might like to know that a certain shifter is in the crowd in a prime seat… And so is your Ada."

My chin jerks up.

He grins. "The lass is not with the shifter. She is with Tim… and Betsy, who is sure to sneak down here at some point." He squeezes his hand over my shoulder and winks. "Make it a good fight, lad. You are up against a strong contender, and it will not be an easy fight. And best you show that shifter you mean business, too. A good win will not hurt your standing with the lass, either. You can do this. You have the skills and the heart to back it up. Give no quarter, embrace your warrior side, and obliterate your challenger in the pit."

My heart pounds as his words stir me.

The call comes for me to fight.

My father steps back, allowing me to rise. His words, the knowledge that both Ada and the wolf bastard are here, and the call to fight work together to produce a surge of energy and purpose.

Show Ada I am worthy.

Show the shifter bastard he can't sniff around what is mine.

Obliterate my adversary who dares to challenge me in the pit.