Flashback

EJ didn’t want to be here. It was Grandma Cassandra day, and I wanted it to be done so I could have dinner at the Kyle’s. We were all going. Grandma Cassandra was gathering our cousins together. She said, “Now, you guys watch your siblings.” I wanted to scream that we were five, but she said we were mature. We were, that was true. We weren’t humans but still she was supposed to spend time with us. I sighed.

She chastised, “There’s that attitude.” Cassie said, “He didn’t have an attitude.” Alexander chimed in, “He’s looking forward to seeing Elise today.” Brutus began to growl at the look on Grandma Cassandra’s face. She put a hand on her heart and acted like she was near a break down. She knelt down, “EJ, I don’t know why your mom insists on breaking your heart like this. Brutus is strong, just like Oden is.” She glanced at Alexander lovingly. He stared back impassively.

I don’t know why she thought she could fool us. We could sense motivations and hers were never good around us. She cut a glance at Cassie, “Rain is weaker so maybe she’d be different. We are talking about you though.” Cassie’s face fell and I nearly let a growl slip out. The bond told me that had hurt Cassie’s feelings, and I wasn’t going to stand for that.

Alexander let Oden’s growl come out. Grandma Cassandra scolded, “You don’t growl at me, young man. Everyone knows Rain isn’t as strong as Oden or Brutus. That’s a fact, there’s no need to be upset about it. She takes after your mother.” Which was and wasn’t true. Rain was an Alpha just like us, but Cassie was a lot like our mom. I linked Cassie, “I’m jealous. Mom is awesome.” She smiled faintly back at me.

Grandma Cassandra turned back to me, “As I was saying, your mom seems intent on breaking your heart and Elise’s too for that matter. It’s just unwise because it could ruin our alliance with Red Run. No one wants to listen to me, but no Alpha would be happy about his daughter’s heart being broken.” Alexander asked, “What are you talking about?” Grandma Cassandra ignored him and spoke directly to me like, I was dumb, “You just won’t know if Elise is yours until you’re eighteen.”

I argued, “I know now. She is mine.” She waved dismissively, “Yes, because your mom placed those thoughts in your head. Your wolf is strong, you’re like us and that’s hard for your mom to accept. She thinks she knows all, but she is still learning about Fairies even though she grew up in Faerie.” All my cousins gasped. I replied, “Elise is mine.”

Brutus was growing steadily furious. She sighed, “EJ, you are an Alpha. You don’t follow the opinions of others.” I interrupted, “Unless they’re yours, right?” She gasped, “I’m trying to help you.” I repeated, “Elise Kyle is MINE.” She sighed, “EJ, she’s probably not. She’ll be mated to someone else, and a more suitable option will be your mate.” Brutus roared and forced a shift. Everyone screamed when Brutus jumped and clamped down onto Grandma Cassandra’s arm.

She screamed but Kena didn’t come out. Brutus told me, “She’s asleep.” Grandma Cassandra screamed, “How dare you! You will be grounded forever from this young man. You’ll never see Elise Kyle again.” I snarled and heard another shift. Oden was now beside me. My cousin Saied said, “That’s not going to happen. You’re not going to say anything. Just like we don’t say anything.” I looked over at my cousin.

Grandma Cassandra retorted, “And why do you think that, young lady?” Saied answered, “Because then us non-Fairy Werewolves, that can break promises, would detail out Grandma Cassandra days for our parents, Aunt’s and Uncle’s. We all know you don’t want that.” Grandma Cassandra gasped, “You’re blackmailing me.” I watched my cousin in surprise, but with pride. Saied smirked, “Yes, and I learned from the very best. Aren’t you proud I share qualities with you, Grandma?” My Grandma stood, “Well, I never.” She stormed off into the bathroom.

I shifted back and so did Alexander. I said, “Thanks Saied.” She put her hand on my back, “I’ve got your six, cousin. Always.” Cassie teased, “I love that you used the Hackura way to say that.” She shrugged, “I think the way they see the world is beautiful.” Daisy snorted, “If your mate is Hackura it could kill Grandma.” Austin muttered, “Hopefully her mate is Hackura then.” We all went to say something along the lines of ‘don’t say that,’ but the words didn’t come. Brutus said, “I won’t take her disrespect. Elise is OURS.” I agreed, “I know.” I winced, “I shouldn’t have shifted.”

Cassie said, “According to dad, you couldn’t help it. He sat us all down and told us we’d have to work with our wolves on things like this. He said you’d be especially protective of Elise. Grandma Cassandra knows that too. She pushed Brutus to come out. It’s like she wanted to get you in trouble so you couldn’t see Elise.” That actually made a lot of sense. I promised here and now I wouldn’t take her manipulations to heart. Elise Kyle was mine and I knew it.

Flashback Ends

Austin’s shouting drew me back to the present. “I don’t THINK Arlina is my mate, I KNOW SHE IS! She’s mine!” My Uncle Jackson put his hands on Austin’s shoulders reassuring him, “We know she is. Arlina has said so and Emmaline confirmed it. Arlina is yours.” He turned around and growled, “Honest to god mom, what are you doing? Fairies can’t lie and Emmaline, you know the soul searcher, confirmed it because you were a bitch about it.”

Grandma Cassandra frowned, “You know better than to use that name or speak to me in that tone. I’m just saying we won’t know for sure until they are eighteen. Their Fairy side could be wrong.” Arlina started crying as all my siblings growled at her. Brutus scoffed, “She’s usually better at not saying these things around the pack.” That was true.

Austin put his arms around her and whispered to her telling her she was his. Always. My mom angrily spat out, “Are you happy now, Cassandra? Honestly! Fairies can’t lie and you know that. Arlina and EJ aren’t lying! Austin and Arlina are mates. So are EJ and Elise.”

She threw her hands up in exasperation, “Emmaline even confirmed it because you insisted. You know what she can do and you know she would never lie. Not just because she’s not that kind of person, but because she fucking can’t!”

Grandma Cassandra sighed, “Will everyone watch their language? Pups are out here. I’m just saying. What if Elise gets her wolf, and then we find out they were wrong? They will be heartbroken.”

I growled angrily, “ELISE IS MINE!” Brutus came forward warning, “Say she isn’t mine again, Cassandra. I dare you.” I had better control than when I was five so he didn’t force a shift but I would give him control if she said it again.

My dad rubbed his temples. Alexander put his hand on my shoulder, and Cassie put hers on the other. Youngers said, “Little Duke, let’s pop to your mate.” I turned him down, “I won’t leave my family behind to deal with this bullshit! Arlina is so nice it hurts sometimes. She has a kind and tender heart, she would never lie about her mate even if she could! She loves Austin and he loves her. Don’t make them feel bad about that Grandma.” She glared at me.

I pushed, “Besides, you will NEVER make me feel bad about Elise. She’s mine and you know I’m not lying. My mom would NEVER let you keep us apart. I’m grateful and lucky she’s my mom because Aesir knows you’d keep me away if she wasn’t around to fight for me and my mate. Stay away from my siblings and my Fairy cousins. I won’t let you hurt them. You’ve done enough!”

My dad linked, “I would never let her keep Elise away from you either.” I replied, “I know you wouldn’t. I’m just so angry!” He said, “That’s normal. You know Alpha pups run hot. Alpha’s do in general. I’ve got this pup. What happened today is not going to stand.” I breathed deeply. Brutus said, “Thor is talking to me too.” Good.

Grandma Cassandra wiped tears away, “It’s not your call if you spend time with Elise Kyle, young man. Also, that’s no way to speak to adults.” My mom said, “You’re right, it’s not EJ’s call. It’s Eric and mine. We’ve already told you how we feel about it. So, now I’ll publicly tell you these are OUR children, not yours. We decide how they are raised, not you. I will NOT teach them to discount any side of them or feel it’s bad to be a partial. Eric has voiced his utter contempt for you wanting to keep mates apart. Grow up, Cassandra.”

She turned to us, “Kids, please go inside. Or go see Grandpa Titus.” Max growled. Dad gently ordered, “Guys, go.” Thor linked me and my siblings, “We will handle this. You will get an apology from Cassandra. Kena is sleeping so she’s innocent in all this. I’m not going to let this slide.” Our wolves all acknowledged that by popping out of here as requested.

Cassie popped to Arlina, “Let’s take Austin to Uncle Aiden’s castle in Faerie. He’d love to see us, and your parents are there right now. Your mom will know just what to say. No one thinks you’re lying, Arlina. Austin is yours.” Cassie shot Grandma Cassandra a glare as she said it.

Arlina wiped her tears, “I don’t understand. I swear Cass, he’s mine.” Austin took her hand, “I’m yours Lina, only yours.” It was his nickname for her. She would only let him call her that. She smiled softly at him, and they popped away with Cassie.

I linked Alexander, “Where are you going, brother?” Alexander shrugged, “I’ll go see Grandpa Titus.” He popped away. I waited until all of my siblings were gone. My dad smiled at me sending his pride in the bond. I nodded to him and my mom before I grabbed Youngers and popped to Elise.

My mate squealed when she saw me. I couldn't stop my smile as she ran across the field to me. I opened my arms up and buried my head in her neck. I growled, “Mine!” She whispered, “Yours.” She stayed still while I took her perfectly delicious scent of Spring.

After several moments she pulled back asking, “What’s wrong?” I explained, “Grandma Cassandra again. She hurt Cassie’s feelings, and I didn’t know about it.” Elise frowned, “When did she do that?” I shrugged, “I don’t know yet, but I won’t miss something like that again.” Elise snorted, “Your sister is just as capable as you are at kicking butt.” I smiled knowing that was true.

I grabbed her hand, “Yes, she is. I don’t want to talk about the entire ordeal just yet. I want to hear about my girl’s day.” Elise blushed, “Well I played with my brothers this morning.” I laughed, “What trouble did the twins get into today?” Elise happily filled me in, “Dakota found the flour and Dalton could not be out done. So, he found the powdered sugar and they threw it at each other. It was a mess. One of our partial Fairies snapped it clean after mom found them.”

I laughed, “Which one? Elise smiled, “Future Gamma Jared.” I questioned, “What about the rest of Red Run?” Elise bit her lip, “Well, my favorite little trouble maker threw a boy twice her size into the mud.” I snorted, “I assume you mean the little trouble maker you call your little sister.” Elise smiled, “The one and only. I wish Melanie McAlister was my little sister. Tristan and Jason are lucky! She’s so adorable and fun.”

I teased, “Why did the possibly imaginary three year old throw a boy into the mud?” Elise frowned “Melanie is not imaginary!” I pointed out, “No one outside of Red Run has met her.” Ray snorted, “I’ve met her. She’s a spitfire, full of sass and facts. She’s so smart it’s baffling for her age. I’ve been waiting for you to get here so I could hear the story.” Elise stuck her tongue out at him.

I pressed, “We can’t leave Ray in suspense then. What did Melanie do?” Elise sighed, “Robert took her new stuffed animal and threw it in the mud.” I growled, “I hate that guy.” Elise rolled her eyes, “Because you think he likes me.”

I gave her a look, “I don’t THINK he does. I know he wants my girl.” She smiled, “I’m only yours.” Ray laughed, “And that’s adorable. Now, tell him what Melanie did.” I shrugged, “Can we just go ask her ourselves? I want to meet her.”