Page 28 of Caligo

I shook my head, putting a little more pressure on the blade. Not enough to draw blood, only enough so he knew I was serious. “You raised me to be a lesser version of myself. But I know differently now. I can go down in history the right way. Getting you out of the picture seems like a good place to start.”

I kept my blade where it was, and sheathed my other sword along my back. I used my free hand to remove his weapons, double checking he wasn’t hiding any.

“Ava, I’m sorry I doubted you. You’ve been well trained. I can teach you things no wolf ever could, things my father taught me.”

“You had a thousand chances to make that choice. You made the wrong one.” I brought my sword to the small of his back. “Now walk.”

* * *

By the time we walked out of the woods with Kelley and my father the sun was beginning to break against the clouds, and the snow was starting to taper off. It looked like we had gotten our white Christmas after all. We took Sheriff Kelley into the pack hospital where he could be cared for until he was well enough to be taken into custody. If he made it there. A huge group of angry wolves had met us at the doors, crying out for revenge for their fallen family members.

The pack nurse patched up my forearm for me, thankfully with no stitches needed. The next stop was taking my father to the jail in the next town over. He protested and denied any wrongdoing the entire way. Jasper knew the officers there who would keep the real reason my father was being charged hidden.

“I can’t imagine what you went through last night. Are you okay? How’s your arm?” Jasper asked as we walked out of the jail. It was surreal, taking my own father in. But I didn’t feel bad for him. I only felt bad for all the people he had hurt.

I pressed my lips together. “I’m fine. A small cut. And it had to be done, Jasper. There was no other way around it. Let’s get the rest of this morning over with.” I was afraid if I let any emotion out, I wouldn’t be able to stop.

The Alpha had requested our presence, so we returned to the pack house. The receptionist ushered us into a private office. Alpha Dean stood looking out the window, back to us. I must have been exhausted because I had to keep myself from laughing when I realized this is exactly what everyone must think of when they picture a werewolf alpha. Jasper grabbed my hand, squeezing my fingers tightly and looking at me sternly. He must have sensed my amusement. I gave him a brief smile before taking a seat in front of the Alpha’s desk. It had been quite the night and I figured I was entitled to a bit of temporary insanity.

Alpha Dean spun around to address us. “Jasper. Thank you. You have done the pack quite a service, and we will forever be in your debt.”

Jasper raised his eyebrows minutely and I could tell he was surprised with the Alpha’s high praise. “You’re welcome. Anyone would have done what we did.”

Alpha shook his head. “But they didn’t. You did. I take it this was all handled discreetly?”

“Yes, Alpha. Kelley is in custody at the pack hospital, and we handed Jim over to Luke and the boys,” Jasper reassured.

“Good. I also have spoken with Adrian, who made it home safely. Monica managed to evade him. We will find her though, make no mistake.” This came as a shock to me -- my mother was missing? Hopefully wherever she had managed to lose Adrian was far away from here. The Alpha turned his attention to me. “Ava, I can’t begin to thank you for your dedication to the pack. You took down your own family for us.”

I shook my head, hoping he wouldn’t think I was being impertinent. “No. I protected my family.” I squeezed Jasper’s hand.

The Alpha gave me a small smile. “Still. This does leave us with a problem. Your parents were our pack Venators. With your mother missing and your father in custody, we’re shorthanded. Ava, we’d like to offer you the position of our pack Venator. Probationally, of course, until your training is complete. But I’d say you proved yourself and then some last night.”

I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to get emotional at a time like this, but I was so honoured I couldn’t focus on anything else. “Oh… thank you. Yes. Thank you. Thank you.”

“Thankyou, Ava. Now, both of you get out of here and get some rest. I can’t have either of you falling asleep on the job.” The Alpha sat down at his desk, opening a thick file sat there. We were dismissed.

Out in the hallway, I collapsed into Jasper’s arms. The emotions and exhaustion of the last night were finally hitting me, and I couldn’t believe it was all over. “I’m glad you’re okay. I was so worried.”

Jasper held me tightly. “I know. I’m sorry. They must have been trying to divide us, because Kelley led me on a false trail out into the middle of nowhere. But it’s okay. We’re okay.”

I squished my face against his solid chest. “Yeah. We are.”

“You kicked ass last night, baby,” he said to me, pride heavy in his voice.

“I know. I had a good teacher.” The weight of what I had agreed to hit me. “Shit, Jasper, I’m responsible for a whole pack now. What am I supposed to do?”

He laughed, and I was grateful for the sounds of normalcy again. “You work your ass off.”

Jasper and I held each other in the pack hall corridor for a minute, letting our emotions recover. Then Jasper pushed himself away, holding me at arm’s length. “Did I hear you call me your mate?” Jasper asked me, a sly smile on his face.

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “How long exactly were you listening for before you made yourself known?”

“Long enough,” he said happily.

“I’m never going to live that down, am I?” I grumbled.

“Nope!” He squeezed me tightly, flexing the dark tattoos on his arm. “I’m glad you’re finally beginning to realize I’m always right.”

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