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“Elliot will be busy today, but maybe Rafe could help us with that.”
“Or Duncan.”
Vivian nodded. “Yes. One of them can help, I’m sure. Is there anything else we need?”
Callum shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“It’s going to be weird leaving without telling my mom.”
He put his hand over hers. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “Last night we mated, and I haven’t told my father. Maybe it’s cowardly, but I don’t want to. I don’t want to tell him, and I don’t want us to go back to pretending we don’t know each other. I want to wake up with you tomorrow morning. And the next morning.” Sighing, she shook her head. “I can’t do that here.”
“I loved waking up with you, too. And I can’t wait for you to meet my family.”
She was excited for that, too.
Parting ways at the base of the tree, they agreed to meet back at the fort in two hours’ time, once they were packed and Callum had secured a ride.
Light and carefree, with the dawn of a new life hanging before her, Vivian practically floated home.
If she was lucky, her father would be sleeping off a hangover, and she could be in and out before he even noticed her. Or better yet, maybe he wasn’t home at all.
As she walked up to the house, she studied it. This would be the last time she walked up the white stone slabs that led to their home; the last time she saw her mother’s prize-winning roses; and the last time she entered the front door.
On the knob, her hand paused. She took a deep breath and tried to mask her joy.
She spent the next hour and a half determining what she should pack. She tidied her room and re-organized some items.
Callum had told her to only pack what was necessary, and once they were settled in Maine, he would pay to have the rest of her stuff shipped. It made the most sense. If she tried to escape with multiple bags of luggage, she’d never make it, but she could easily walk out the door, unquestioned, with her backpack.
Shoving a week’s worth of underwear into the base of her bag, she rolled up six shirts and four leggings. Neatly, she folded a pair of jeans and placed them on top, along with several pairs of socks.
She didn’t bother with toiletries, as Callum had promised to stop and pick those up on the way.
At his request, she packed the nightie she’d worn that first night at the treehouse.
She slid her water bottle into the side pouch and her phone in the front.
Two novels, her crochet hooks and a worn teddy bear Rafe had gifted her with years ago took up the remaining space in the pack.
Surveying the room one last time, she took a deep breath and flipped the light off.
The stairs creaked beneath her feet.
Trying her best to avoid the squeaky spots, she hit the bottom step just as her father called to her from the kitchen. Bracing herself, she slipped her bag off her shoulder and onto the floor.
She popped her head into the room. “Yes, Daddy?”
“Vivian!” His smile was wide. It made her sweat. “There you are, girl. I have incredible news. I signed you up for the Curusm. Tonight, you’ll find your mate, your life partner.”
“What!”
At the kitchen table, her mother grinned. “Your life mate, Vivian. This is great.”
Chills crept over her skin as her heart pounded. She couldn’t squeeze a single word out.
Her father tilted his head. “Aren’t you excited?”
