Callie's Captors [Mountain Men(53)
Pete chimed in. “They’ll study and guard it in case others wander through.”
“I still don’t understand. You think an ancestor of mine is a supernatural being?”
She was having a difficult time understanding what he meant, so he had to make it clearer. “The Council and we believe you’re part werewolf.”
She refused it. “No, I would’ve known, wouldn’t I? And why a werewolf? How do you know I’m not the descendant of a fairy or a troll?”
“No troll ever looked like you and you’re too tall to be a fairy. We don’t know for certain, but, after seeing your eyes change—”
She gripped Blue’s arm. “My eyes changed? How? When?”
“I saw your eyes a moment before you decided to play heroine. They were filled with amber.”
“Which means I’m part werewolf.” She trembled and ducked her head.
Was she upset to find out? Would she embrace her inner wolf or hate knowing that it existed? “What are you thinking, Callie?”
She lifted her head. Her mouth was parted, making him ache to press his lips to hers.
“I’m not sure. But how could I not have known?”
“I can’t answer that. Sometimes people who have werewolf blood never realize it until they meet another werewolf. Or, like you, their wolf side attempts to break through in a time of extreme emotion, like fear.”
“And you’re sure about this?”
“Yeah. We are. There’s no denying that color in your eyes.”
“I’m part werewolf. Wow.”
Blue had wanted to wait to ask her. He and his brothers had wanted to give her more time, but Charlton was forcing their hand. “There’s more.”
Her draw dropped open. “You’ve got to be kidding me. What more could there be?”
“Charlton voted for forgiveness only if you promise to do what he asks.”
She was up and on her feet, moving to the other side of the tent. If he wasn’t already sure, he would’ve known from her improved speed that her werewolf side was growing stronger.
“What is it with you people and your promises?”
“He voted for forgiveness if you promise to stay in The Hidden.”
* * * *
Callie’s heart raced as she crossed the room and ended up in the middle of their quilt bed. “Then you can tell Charlton and the rest of The Council that…”
The men shifted on their feet and stared at her. Blue ran a hand over his face and blew out a slow breath. “Be careful. Think about what you’re going to say.”
“Pff. You act like I’m going to tell the old coot—”
“Callie, no.” Pete grimaced and stalked away. “Watch your mouth. We’re in a tent, you know. It’s not exactly soundproof.”
“As I was going to say, you can tell Charlton that I accept. But—”
The men were on her with Raine lifting her off her feet and swinging her around. “Are you serious?”
“Don’t question it, bro.” Pete pulled her away from his brother and swung her around again. “We wouldn’t want her to change her mind.”
When Pete put her down, Blue turned her around and confronted her. “Go on. What were you going to say?”
“I was going to say that’ll I stay if you three will make not one, but two promises to me.” She bit her lip, dying to tell them, but wanting to play the game.
“Anything. Whatever you want, whatever you need us to do, we promise. Right, guys?” Pete slapped Raine on the shoulder as his brother nodded before he’d even finished speaking.
“Hold up. I’d like to know what I’m promising before I say yes or no to it.” Blue tilted his head and waited. “Well?”
She paced a few feet away, needing the distance to hold back her surging desire to pull their bodies closer. “The first promise is this. I want you to make me your mate.”
“Are you saying that you love us, Callie?”
She rolled her eyes at Blue. “Answer me first. Do you love me enough to make me your mate?”
“Done!” exclaimed Raine. Again, Pete was in total agreement.
Blue’s brow knitted in a frown. “Do you really understand what that means?”
“If you mean that I’ll change into a werewolf, then yes, I do. But I’m already part werewolf, so what’s the big deal?” Didn’t he still want her? Or was he trying to get out of a relationship that had barely started?
“That’s not the same as being a full werewolf. You may have experienced some of the effects, like the change in eye color, but shifting into your wolf form is a whole other matter. It hurts, especially the first few times.”