Conqueror or the Conquered

*Six months later*

Callum slammed his head on the table making his breakfast jump. "I don’t want to go,” he grumbled, making his brothers laugh. He glared at them, {The fuck are you three laughing at? You literally meet yours in the next few days.”

Nobody found it funny, and soon all four had their heads to the table grumbling.

Alaric sipped his coffee. "Will you four try to look at the positive side? I was betrothed to your mother and you see how that worked out.”

Callum scrunched up his face, "Yes dad. We know moms a betty.”

"Hey now, watch your mouth.”

Declan shook his head, "No…he literally means it. We can all recognize that moms a betty.”

Entering the room, Eva hugged each one of her sons, before kissing Alaric, "You boys are the sweetest.” It didn’t matter how old they were, seeing their mother's smile reach her eyes, made them feel like they were finally making her proud. Pointing to Callum, she tilted her head. "And you’re going mister, that’s final…and try to be nice okay? You know you can be grumpy sometimes.”

He scratched his beard and nodded silently. He was trying his best not to complain, but the last thing he wanted was to be forced to marry a goodie goodie who would probably spend the first few months criticizing all the mistakes he made in his past.

He stood, sipped his own cup of coffee before grabbing his suit jacket to hide his tattoos. His brow arched as he saw his father rise as well.

"I know you don’t think I’m letting you go alone do you?”

Callum scoffed, "I’m twenty-five dad, I think I can handle meeting my frumpy, no sin ever committed, wife.”

Alaric laughed before placing his hand on Callum’s shoulder. Saying nothing, he kissed Eva before leaving to wait outside for his son.

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“Why are we here?” Callum said looking around at the Isner Institute.

His father folded his arms, "Do you know what they do here Callum?” He shook his head no. "They work to provide jobs, therapy, housing, etc for at-risk teens and young adults."

Callum could feel a lump form in his throat. As he looked around at the faces, he realized that so many there looked just like he did. Scared, confused, angry, and alone, he turned back to his father. "Am I supposed to volunteer here or something? I honestly don’t particularly hate the idea.”

Alaric smiled, "I’ll do you one better, you’re actually their new director for outreach and expansion.”

"What?!”

Alaric waved his hand, "Magic ta-da. I can’t take all the credit though, it was your mom's idea. She thought if there was anyone who can get through to some of these kids here, it would be you.”

Callum found himself glaring at his father, "With all due respect to you and mom, I don’t think I’m mad-”

Callum found his breath catch in his throat as he saw a woman walk from an office to assist one of the teens. Dressed in a black dress with a simple white collar, black tights, and black platform Mary Jane heels, she looked more like Wednesday Addams than someone who would work at the institute. Her short sky-blue hair laid perfectly behind her ears, and as she spoke with the child, he could see hints of tattoos on her arms.

He looked at his father, whose smile was so wide, he was almost certain he could see every one of his teeth.

"Who’s that?” Callum asked still staring at her.

Alaric laughed, "Your new boss…and potential wife Charlee.”

Callum looked from her brown eyes to her full blood red lips, to the smoothness of her skin, "THAT’S WHO GRANDDAD WANTS ME TO MARRY?!”

His face reddened upon seeing Charlee staring at him due to his outburst. Excusing herself, she made her way over and shook Alaric’s hand. "Hello, Alaric, a pleasure to see you again.”

“Likewise, Charlee. The one gawking at you is Callum.”

She smirked at Callum, whose mouth hung open in confusion. "Here, let me help you,” She chuckled, taking her finger and pushing his jaw upward.

Callum laughed, "Sorry. I just wasn’t expecting-”

"A twenty-five-year-old, Gothic boss with blue hair and a shit ton of tattoos?”

He smiled in slight embarrassment, "Exactly.”

Alaric excused himself to allow the two to continue their conversation in private. Charlee folded her arms to her chest. "I get that reaction a lot, no worries…I promise I’m harmless.” She wrinkled her face, "Most of the time anyway.” Callum immediately decided he liked her sense of humor. "Anyway, your father and mother have spoken very highly of you. Not to mention, I’m a huge fan of her novels. It was truly a coincidence having them come in right as I was putting up the post for your position.”

Callum's eyes seemed to dance, "Maybe it’s fate.”

He heard her softly chuckle, before looking him over, "Maybe it is.” The two stood in silence for a moment, before he saw her cheeks redden from his stare. She cleared her throat. "I know it’s a quick turnaround time, but I think that you really could help out here. They go through a lot and sometimes hearing my title makes them a little nervous. I want to work on making this place much more welcoming and at the same time, allow for our name to get into those circles I may not be privy to.”

Callum couldn’t get over how beautiful she was. It took him only ten minutes to see the same beauty on the outside exuded within. As he listened to her talk, he felt as if she was talking about him. All his struggles, everything he worked so hard to overcome, here she was trying to help others who were going through the same thing. Callum wanted to get to know her better, but more than that, he wanted to finally figure out how to be decent in hopes of one day being good.

"I’m grateful for this opportunity Charlee, I won’t let you down.” She smiled a big, beautiful smile, and Callum found himself smiling too. Looking down, he noticed the simple diamond on her ring finger. "You’re married?!” It came out so quickly, he didn’t realize it until he heard Alaric groan. "Sorry inappropriate.”

She smirked, "No, I’m not married. I honestly don’t even like white diamonds, but I’ve had it since I was in my teens. I won it in a game of poker.” His eyes widened and she nodded, "Yeah…don’t judge. I was a bit of a wild child. I try not to be, but I’m really competitive when it comes to certain things, I love to win, and I’m good at it. Though I’ve learned to focus it in more positive areas.”

"Like what?”

"Competitive programming here. Talent shows, spelling bees, sports, and fitness, anything to get the kids excited and invested. Plus, it's all the winning without having to break anyone’s fingers for not paying up.” The two shared another laugh and looking past her, Callum could see his father giving him *the look*.

*Great…he’s never going to let me live this down.*

Callum looked at her in confusion, "...I Still don’t get why you put it on your ring finger though.”

She shrugged, "About a few months ago, it wouldn’t fit anywhere else but that one. I’m pretty attached to it, so I still wear it, and it also helps me ward of creeps.”

Callum looked up to the ceiling and rolled his eyes.

*Realllll smooth granddad.*

Charlee looked at her watch. "Crap! I have to run. I have a meeting.” She handed him a folder with paperwork inside. "Fill out everything, and get it back to me this week? I’d like to have you start next Monday. Also, please say hello to your mother for me.”

Callum nodded, "Absolutely…and thank you again. This really does mean a lot that you would entrust me with something like this.”

She smiled brightly at him, making his heart jump. "Hey, I got a good feeling about you. You’re harmless.”

Callum smirked, "Most of the time anyway.”

Hearing her laugh as she waved goodbye to Alaric before walking away, Callum rubbed the back of his neck.

"Glad you came?” Alaric asked with a smirk.

Callum looked to his father before looking around at his new job and at the woman he wouldn’t mind losing his winning streak to.

"Absolutely,” he said giving his father a wide grin.