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Jasper’s wolf reacted, it was instinctual. He put himself between them, a low growl coming out of his throat. Thankfully, Linc spoke over the potential chaos. “Jasper, why don’t you come into the kitchen with me and let Callahan speak to her father.”
“No.”
“Now, Jasper.” Baze stepped into the room, commanding him as pack alpha, leaving little room for argument. “We’ll stay close, and Linc won’t leave her alone.”
Jasper’s fingers clutched Callie’s shirt. He was compelled to follow Baze’s orders, but no part of him wanted to leave his mate. He’d promised her that he’d stay by her side. He whimpered, unsure which part of him would win, feeling like his heart was being torn in two.
“I’ll be okay.” Callie stepped around him, her hands rubbing his arms. He hesitated, ignoring Baze’s low snarl at his insurrection. “I promise.”
Reluctantly, hefollowed Baze into the kitchen, his glare never wavering from her father. Baze grabbed him by the back of the shirt, hauling him the rest of the way. “Stay right here, andlisten. If she needs you, truly needs you, I’ll let you go. I swear. I don’t want to see her hurt either. She’s pack.”
Jasper leaned against the wall, his heart pounding. His wolf was fucking pissed and clawing to be let out. That was the last thing any of them needed, him shifting in front of Callie’s father.
Linc knew things could go badly, and he’d been right to bring in Baze as backup. Jasper would’ve been able to go against Linc, but he’d never be able to deny his pack alpha.
He stayed silent, creeping as close to the living room as Baze would allow him, listening intently.
“Callahan, what is going on here? You stopped returning your mother’s calls.I come to check on you to find you clinging to some boy? I raised you better than this. Thanany of this.” There was a pause. “You’ll be coming home with me.”
“I lied to you, and I’m so sorry.” She was choking back tears. Jasper knewthat sound anywhere, he’d watched her do it enough over the last couple of months. “I didn’t know what else to do. I was afraid to tell you the truth.”
“And whatisthe truth?”
It took several seconds for her to answer. Jasper could picture her taking a deep breath, steeling her spine and her nerves, crying anyway. “I’m pregnant.”
“No.”
Jasper couldn’t help but snort. Thathad been his immediate response to the news as well.
“I’m pregnant, and Jasper brought me here to give me a safe space to decide what I wanted to do about it.” She was full-on speaking through sobs now. “I knew you and Mom would be angry, that you’d force a decision on me, that you’d hide me away.”
“How could you be so stupid? So reckless?” Her father paused again. “That boy, that’s the father?” She must have nodded. “We’re leaving. Packyour things. I’m taking you home. Yourmother and I will figure out how to handle this.”
“I’m not leaving. Thisis where I want to be.”
“Yes, you are.I don’t care where you want to be. You’re obviously incapable of making smart choices.” There was another short pause. “I’m disgusted with you.I can’t even look at you. Spreading your legs for some boy who promised you the world.”
There was some rustling, then Linc spoke up. “Please don’t touch her like that.”
Jasper’s eyes flew to Baze, and the moment Baze gave him a small nod, he moved into the living room. Callie’s father was dragging her down the hall; he thought that was where she was staying. Jasper’s wolf took over, once again. He grabbed her father’s hand and pried his fingers off her wrist. He’d been holding her so roughly, there would be bruising.
“She said she’s not leaving. Respecther wishes or I will literally toss you out of this house onto your ass.”
“Don’t you dare speak to me that way, you arrogant son of a bitch.”
Jasper glanced behind him, checking on his mate. She was sobbing, like he knew she would be. “Callie, baby, it’s going to be okay.”
“Like hell it will.” Her father reached for her again and Jasper batted his hand away. “This punk isn’t going to take care of you or that baby. He sure as hell won’t marry you.”
Her father was everything he assumed he’d be. EverythingCallie had made him out to be. Condescendingandcontrolling. However, the asshole had inadvertently thrown out the solution to their problem.Marry her. Jasper had done that the moment he’d claimed her. They were linked, together for the rest of time. They were more than married, they were mated.
Jasper pursed his lips, his gaze skirting to Linc, who simply winked, thinking the same thing he was. He knew this was bound to throw Callie for a loop, and maybe piss her off a bit. It was a necessary evil. Her father needed to leave Haxton before Jasper ended up knocking his old ass out.
“Yeah I will.”
Callie and her father both said“What?”at the same time. Their expressions similar, their tones incredulous for different reasons.
“I want to marry your daughter.” He stared her dad down. “I’m going to marry her and take care of them both. We don’t need your permission or your support.” He’d told Callie that from day one, and he was proving his point now.
