Prologue

Cassie sat with her siblings waiting for their Grandma and Grandpa Conners to show up. My wolf, Rain, was deeply annoyed. We didn’t want to be here. I didn’t like being around Grandma Cassandra. She always made it awkward for me.

I wished Tory and Gia were here. They were my best friends in the pack. Grandma Cassandra didn’t like me playing with them for some reason. I was certain she’d made sure they were gone today, I just couldn’t prove it. Gia was my dad’s Gamma’s daughter and Tory was Nick and Emily’s daughter. Nick did Beta duties for my dad, but his brother Jim was in the official role. Their dad still did a lot too.

I’d been trying to push my feelings down around her. If my mom could do it then so could I. Rain whispered, “Mom does it for dad. You should tell her what’s going on. She would be sad that you feel so uncomfortable.”

I sighed, “I just like having peace. Grandma Cassandra finds way to snipe at mom all the time. I don’t want them to fight because of me.” Rain laughed, “You like peace because of your Fairy side. You have a calming influence power. So, of course you like the calm. There are just other sides to you.”

I frowned because I was tired of this whole exhausting thing. I was trying for my parents. I was a daddy’s girl and unashamed of it. I found it very hypocritical that my Grandma Cassandra didn’t like us using our Fairy powers yet we had to stay here and wait for her to tell her if she was glowing.

She hurt Alexander and mom’s feelings saying that she didn’t want them to heal her. She would say that ‘if it’s meant to be, it will be’ crap. I still couldn’t believe she would say that when she wasn’t even sad when we told her she wasn’t pregnant. There were people in the pack who were sad when their attempts didn’t work out, but not her.

It infuriated me she’d hurt Alexander’s feelings. He was the most sensitive of my siblings so far. I was probably the next in line on the sensitive train, but it’s hard knowing your grandma doesn’t love you. Rain whispered, “Cassie.” I replied, “Grammy Veronica loves me so much it makes up for it.”

I’d overheard Grandma Cassandra talk about how she didn’t like me because I looked like mom. It hurt but in truth I loved that I looked like my mom. She was the most beautiful person I know, inside and out. I’m honored I look like her.

Plus, I was more Hackura than my other siblings. I was quite stealthy, and I loved it. Did it make Grandma Cassandra hate me more? Yup. Rain muttered, “It proves her problem is with your gender more than anything else. If we learned more Fairy that would track more since she hates Fairy’s not Hackura.” It was harsh but true.

Rain sadly said, “Cassandra should’ve known we could hear her when she said she didn’t know what to do with us because we looked like our mom.” I snorted, “That would require her to think about someone else for a change. I would be proud if I turn out just like my mom in looks and personality.”

Rain chuckled, “We are with some extra sass.” I told her, “I know. I even know that Grandma Cassandra hates that mom swears but I don’t. She is one of the best people I knew. I want us to have a love just like our parents.” Rain assured me, “We will.”

I wanted to love someone as crazily as my mom loved my dad. I knew that what my mom had with my dad was rare as a Fairy. She was twice light bound to my dad and in the Ribbon. Every time we went to Faerie people whispered about how much she must love him.

They weren’t the only twice light bound Fairies now, but they had been. She started a trend of sharing your light being normal. Not only once but twice. I saw the deep love they had for each other every time I looked at them. They had an undeniable love for each other.

EJ already had Elise and little Wesley had Buttercup. All of us knew Alexander really wanted to meet his mate. I did too, I just didn’t tell them that. Rain snorted, “Because they’d be crazier about us around boys than they are now.” It laughably true. All my brothers, even my youngest ones, were ridiculously protective. My dad was on a whole other level, with my uncles and grandpas.

My Hackura guard was hard to slip, but I knew how to do it. I was sneakier than my siblings. They would just pop away. The thing is people, our guards specifically, could hear that. I went a different route and faded into the background. Or get to my it to my room then pop away. No one could hear inside my room because I’d charmed it.

My mom walked into the room, and I smiled at her. She was so beautiful and I felt a flutter of happiness that I looked like her. She told my siblings not all of us had to say. EJ let our younger siblings go, and I desperately wanted to go with them. That had Alexander glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. He was fully tapped into our bond right now. I distracted him by looking at our cousin Daisy, who had also stayed behind with us.

Rain sighed, “EJ would’ve let us go too if you’d told him how she makes you feel.” She was right but I couldn’t. My mom rubbed her belly. She was pregnant with more siblings for us to love. Boys again. I knew that my parents were going to have another girl eventually. I was beyond excited to have a sister.

She would understand how hard it was being a girl in this family with so many protective brothers. For example, my brothers were excited my mom was having more boys because they felt the more boy’s mom had the more people that would help them protect me and our one day little sister.

I knew my brothers were worried about me. We could hear better than most, and we’d heard whispers about our mom. Some things we heard weren’t bad, like how I looked at her. I knew Alexander and EJ heard worse and they’d told my dad about some comments regarding me. Those Fairies died at his hands and Uncle Aiden’s.

One day in Faerie, they’d told me to pop and go get Uncle Aiden. I’d been several feet away sketching a beautiful rainbow with unicorns. They looked haunted when I saw them next. Uncle Aiden was furious at the group of Fairies my brother’s overheard. I thought he was about to set them on fire in front of us.

Grandma Cassandra came into the room which stopped my musing. I literally felt the air slip out of the room. Rain muttered, “She’s an impending cloud of doom.” She really was. She wasn’t glowing, which was the least shocking thing that would happen today.

EJ rolled his eyes which she caught. I narrowed my eyes at her glare. Mom nicely told her she wasn’t glowing. She was about to offer to heal her, but my grandma said no before she could. EJ and Alexander’s annoyance fueled mine.

When grandpa left, my mom tried again. It was in her nature to be so kind as light itself. She always wanted to try to make things better for other people. Grandma Cassandra said that she didn’t want magic used on her because what’s meant to be will work out.

I scoffed telling Rain, “Sure, but she doesn’t mind all the other magic mom does for her. Mom should stop keeping her garden alive then.” Rain snorted, “It is weird she accepts some things done magically and not others. You know she pretends she’s the reason that garden is alive though.” I couldn’t help but be hurt that was true.

Grandma Cassandra was just so mean to my mom and me. Preston, William, and Julian wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for magic. Neither would Aiylee. Or ANY of my wolf cousins except Saied. How could she not see how hurtful it was when she made these comments about magic? I noticed everyone’s head jerk to me due to my feelings. Dang it. Normally I kept a better hold on them.

Daisy got angry. I linked her, “You’re right. She doesn’t mean it about you though.” Daisy replied, “I don’t care. I am here because of magic. All of us are actually. Even you guys.” She was right, but I didn’t think Grandma Cassandra would care about me being here like she did Daisy.

I knew that we would’ve died because when mom was pregnant because she got hit with a lot of iron. She had magical protection from the Fairy Goddess. We’d found that out in Faerie and dad creatively explained and told us we’d learn more when we were older.

Daisy linked, “I can’t be here anymore. She’ll make me feel bad for feeling this way if I stay.” She ran out of the room. My heart hurt for her. Rain encouraged me, “You should share your feelings too. Daisy did and mom knows now.”

Grandma Cassandra began to spin her woe as me web and I couldn’t stop myself from commenting. My mom didn’t have our hearing, so she didn’t know what I said. Rain linked, “Cassandra is trying to link us, but I blocked her out.” I wanted to laugh because it upset Grandma Cassandra we were strong enough to do that .

She said I had the usual bite I always did with her. I had a bite? That was rich. Alexander and EJ’s fury slammed into me. Rain chuckled, “She should know better than to fire our brothers’ protective instincts.” No joke.

My mom ignored Grandma and asked me about it. My hurt feelings flowed out of me because I knew Rain and Daisy were right. I actually didn’t mean to say that she didn’t like me because I looked like mom. It just slipped out. My mom jerked back in shock while my brothers jumped up angrily shouting.

I looked down. Rain spoke softly, “It’s not your fault. You kept that in so long it just came out.” I still felt bad. Everyone was pissed when Grandma Cassandra tried to deny it. Rain said, “Don’t let her do this. We have proof.” We did. I heard her that day. We were supposed to be having a Grandma Cassandra day, but she left us oldest Conners pups like she always did. I just wanted to go with them. After I heard her, I had cried the whole day.

My guard had been worried about me. Ghiza had even come out to talk to me, but I didn’t tell him what was wrong. In truth, I had always tried my best with Grandma Cassandra, but I’d felt a disconnect between us. I’d always felt guilty that I liked Grammy Veronica way better.

After that day, I didn’t. I told her I knew that daddy threw her out because of mom. I just couldn’t stop my confession once it started. I was sick of her being so mean to mom. If my dad knew, he’d throw her back out of this house for what she did to my mom. She didn’t like that we were Fairies.

Rain scoffed, “She doesn’t like that we have more than wolf blood.” Yeah, well she was mean to Uncle Aiden anytime he was here. She was rude to my Fairy cousins. She was just a mean person.

I wouldn’t have said anything today, but the protective blood in me was humming. I was protecting Daisy and my mom today too. Even Austin. Grandma Cassandra was so rude about him and Arlina. I protected them just like my mom would.

Rain offered, “And your dad. He would protect a pack member as the Alpha.” That was true. My mom yelled at my grandma and they walked outside. EJ pulled me into a hug. Rain told me, “Brutus and Oden don’t want us to hide things like this. Alexander was giving us space with our feelings, but he’s very tempted not to do that again.”

I talked with my brothers before she added, “Brutus said we are beautiful too. Oden said we were the prettiest person he knew besides mom.” I knew that. Daddy would always tell me how beautiful I was. I smelled my dad coming and knew he was concerned from the bond.

He asked questions, but before we answered the pack link did. I heard, “The Luna is finally fighting her.” “I would’ve done it years ago.” “Good for Luna Haley. Cassandra has been awful all these years.” “You know it will be something she did to the pups. Luna Haley wouldn’t go off for anything else.” My dad growled and shot out of the room.

Alexander grabbed my hand as EJ grabbed his then we popped outside. Wesley ran over to us and filled us in. Mom had challenged grandma. Oh no. Rain gasped, “She accepted?! What the HELL was she thinking?” I asked, “Why didn’t Kena take over and stop her?” Rain answered, “She’s waking up now.” She’d been asleep? Rain added, “She’s quite groggy. Kena sleeps a lot though.” Maybe she was depressed. Rain chimed in, “I would be if I was Cassandra’s wolf.” I winced.

Max and Theo were standing in front of our mom snarling at Grandma Cassandra. I couldn’t help but be proud of them. I linked them both, “You guys are awesome.” Theo replied, “I’m one second away from using my influencing power to make Grandma Cassandra jump of a cliff.” I nearly snorted out loud.

My dad had the situation under control in seconds. Everyone who didn’t know before was now aware that Grandma Cassandra was a prideful, spiteful bitch. My aunt Lexi flashed in, and I had to smirk. She’d fight for mom.

Our Hackura/Wolf cousins ran up next. Cousin Miley was not happy either. Blade showed himself. He was clearly closer than Grandma Cassandra thought because she flinched. Max linked, “Too bad dad came out. Blade was ready to kill her.” It was sad we all agreed on that.

I looked and saw Ghiza was ready to leap into the fray too. Miley took mom’s place in the fight. My Uncle Marcus joined us and his anger and curiosity flowed through the bond. I winced realizing he felt like he’d been late .

I looked at my dad not wanting his feelings to get hurt anymore. I knew he was pissed and furious, but he was also hurting. He wanted Grandma Cassandra to be nice to mom. This was over the line to him though. It was to everyone.

Uncle Bjourn showed up and winked at me. I smiled at him. His eyes and my bond with him told me he had a pretty good guess about what had happened. He walked over and loudly let everyone know who would be fighting a Cambridge family member if it came to that.

I glanced over and saw my cousin Hastein with his weapon drawn. He grinned at me and held a finger to his lips. I sent him my acknowledgement that I wouldn’t give him away. My grandma actually took her challenge back. Apparently, her pride ended before having to fight my uncle. She really was ridiculous.

Rain grumbled, “Mom would have kicked her ass pregnant or not.” It was true. Grandma Cassandra probably couldn’t even beat me in a fight. Rain scoffed, “Us, our youngest siblings. Hell, pups could beat her. That’s my honest opinion.” Cousin Miley looked disappointed she wouldn’t get to fight. I knew she would go for serious damage. She hated Grandma Cassandra because she wasn't quiet about it.

My Uncle Bjourn dismissed Grandma Cassandra with a literal flick of his hand. Rain cackled in my head. I sent my uncle all the love I had. His eyes cut a glance to me in surprise. I could see the rage on Grandma Cassandra’s face. For that look alone I was going to find some epically awesome Fairy thing for Uncle Bjourn and Aunt Astrid to enjoy. I’d figure out the best charm for him and Aunt Astrid to have a magical date with.

Grandpa Nathan tried to drag Grandma Cassandra away, but she was resisting him. Rain snorted, “She’s linking Herb about how it looks. I think he may shift himself.” Now, she was worried about how it looked? She’d accepted a fight from a pregnant pack member. That was literally not allowed in the bylaws. You linked their mate and the Alpha, my mom’s just happened to be both.

Uncle Bjourn tried to engage with my mom. She wiped tears from her face and was clearly locked in a link conversation with Grandma Cassandra. Rain said, “Herb did say she stopped linking him.” Thor must have told my dad the same because he stepped in.

Mom shocked the pack with her statements. Rain linked, “See? I told you that we should’ve told mom sooner. Now, Cassandra can’t come near us or our siblings.” My jaw dropped. Rain snickered, “I told you so.” Deep down, I knew it would happen because my mom was incredibly protective of us all.

Grandma Cassandra turned on the water works. Uncle Bjourn linked, “What the hell happened?” I answered, “I just said how I felt.” He pressed, “Which was how?” I answered, “Grandma Cassandra hurts everyone’s feelings and she hates me.” He argued, “No could hate you.” I replied, “She does though.” I felt his anger at that in the bond.

My dad looked over and his eyes rested on me. I could see the hurt in his eyes because he knew this was about me. I linked him, “I’m sorry daddy.” He replied, “You have nothing to be sorry for.” I pointed out, “You don’t know what happened.” He said, “I don’t need to. I know it wasn’t your fault. Whatever she said to you was a lie. There is a lot you don’t know between your mom and grandma. Hell, me too.”

He was wrong. I did know because I made Aunt Jessica tell me all last year then took her memories of telling me away. I knew what they’d done to my mom. My Aunt’s had changed and felt genuine remorse over it. So, I was fine with them but Grandma Cassandra she was the same as she’d always been. She just held her tongue in front of my dad, but not around us as much. Rain linked, “She likes to pretend our hearing isn’t better than hers.” I replied, “Willful ignorance still counts against her.” She agreed with me.

Mom was right to be pissed about what happened back then. They could’ve gotten my daddy seriously hurt. Grandma Cassandra wasn’t even sorry about it. She was so steadfast in being right she didn’t want to apologize.

EJ tried to calm the situation down by saying he wanted to go see Elise. I linked Alexander, “Well, that’s going to backfire.” Alexander winced replying, “Maybe she won’t say anything since Uncle Bjourn is here.” I snorted, “She’ll talk about how we can’t be sure because she’s stuck on being a Fairy hating bitch.” Alexander’s lips twitched, “You’re probably right. We can hope though.”

I hoped for my dad’s sake he was right, but I was right. My grandma had something to say about it. She even looped in Austin and Arlina. Alexander linked me, “Would anyone notice if I just gave her brain a SLIGHT squeeze? Arlina is crying and I hate that.” I whipped my head in my cousin’s direction. She was trying not to show it, but she was crying.

EJ hadn’t noticed yet because he was enraged. Austin was too. Uncle Jackson was comforting him. Rain linked, “Uh oh. Ashina partially shifted.” That was my Aunt Molly’s wolf and her hands were now claws. I kind of hope she went for it and fought Grandma Cassandra.

I told Rain, “Grandma’s argument is absurd anyway. The adults knew before Arlina had told Austin they were mates because Cousin Emmaline confirmed it. Just like know EJ and Elise are mates. They were mates. End of story. Now Uncle Jackson was pissed off at Grandma Cassandra.

My Aunt Molly had calmed her wolf down sadly. She knelt down and put a hand on Austin. She was shooting daggers with her eyes at grandma. Of course, Grandma Cassandra didn’t take the hint. She wanted the Fairies to be wrong too badly.

Alexander linked me, “Bullshit! How DARE she say that!” I replied, “You never call her Grandma.” He replied, “She doesn’t act like one. I call Nana Blanch our grandma.” It was true we all did. Rain commented, “I always call her Cassandra.” I admitted, “I noticed.”

She pressed, “I call Grammy Veronica, Grammy.” I sighed, “I know that too. I was never going to push you to see her as our Grandma. You don’t even get to run with Kena.” None of us did and I knew it hurt all our wolves.”

Arlina was now sobbing in Austin’s arms. My mom was beyond pissed and it showed on her face. Normally, she looked neutral when she was upset. But right now her eyes were blazing and she didn’t hide her anger in the bond either. That’s when you knew it was serious. I didn’t think my siblings or anyone else but me noticed more of our Hackura family had shown up. Several winked at me.

Mom was spitting out facts, but Grandma Cassandra just kept insisting anyone with a wolf had to wait until eighteen. She claimed to be worried they’d get their hearts broken. Her motivations told me that wasn’t it. My power as a Truth Seeker told me it wasn’t true either. If I knew that then mom did. Grandma Cassandra just wanted to hurt and insult those with Fairy blood.

EJ lost it. Alexander linked me, “He kept it together better than I would’ve.” I snorted, “He’s the rational one.” Alexander smirked, “True. Grandma Cassandra needs to get over this because I won’t be nice like he is. If she’s mean to my mate or DARES call me a liar, I’ll get her.” I didn’t hide my smile back in his direction.

Alexander was very protective by nature. His mate would be a very lucky girl. We both put our hands on EJ showing our support. Youngers, EJ’s guard, was trying to get him out of here. EJ refused to leave us when we were upset. He was more wolf than I was, and his Alpha instincts were firing. Not to mention his Hackura blood. Grandma Cassandra should know better than to push him right now. He warned her, but she dismissed him.

Before EJ could go off more my mom told all the pups to go somewhere else. She linked me, “You can go to Faerie too. Uncle Aiden is there with Cousin Bexley.” I popped to Arlina and took her and Austin to Cousin Bexley and Liam.

I linked her, “No one thinks you are lying about Austin being your mate.” She sobbed, “What if they make him stay away?” I growled, “Never. I will never let that happen to either of you. He adores you and I won’t have either of you hurting. I promise.” She clutched my hand tightly.

Uncle Aiden smiled in greeting, “Ahh my beautiful niece...” He trailed off then asked, “What is wrong? What happened? Are you ok? Cassie? Arlina, why are you crying?” His phone was ringing. I was certain it was the Fairy he had living in our territory letting him know what was going on.

Cousin Bexley came rushing over and wrapped her arms around Arlina. She asked, “Sweetie? What’s wrong?” Arlina cried, “She said I was wrong, but I’m not. Austin is mine, mom.” I heard a snarl that I knew was Arlina’s dad.

Liam asked, “Austin, what is she talking about?” Uncle Aiden frowned. Bexley snorted, “You know exactly what she’s talking about, Pookie Bear.” I explained, “She’s talking about Grandma Cassandra. Her and mom almost fought until Daddy stopped it.” Uncle Aiden and Bexley shrieked, “WHAT?!” Uncle Aiden’s hands were on fire when he shouted, “YOUR MOTHER IS PREGNANT! ”

I shrugged, “She could beat her in a fight now, tomorrow, and probably even in labor. I told mom what Grandma Cassandra said about me and she got mad then challenged her to a fight. Everything got sorted out. Mom told her she couldn’t come near us or our Fairy cousins.”

Bexley gaped at me. Liam frowned and knelt down to hug Arlina. Uncle Aiden asked, “What did she say to you Cassie?” Austin scoffed, “It was definitely something really mean. She’s such a bitch.” I shook my head, “She didn’t say it to me. I overheard her talking to her friends. She doesn’t like me because I look like mom.”

Bexley angrily spat, “She did NOT say that.” I shrugged, “Among other things.” Uncle Aiden cleared his throat, “I do believe there is a chat happening I need to be a part of.” He popped away after giving me a hug.

Arlina asked me, “Are you ok Cass?” I smiled, “I’m just going to find Cousin Aiylee. I’ll be fine.” I linked Austin, “Are you good?” He growled, “If I had a wolf, I’d be in that form running away with Arlina covered in Cassandra’s blood.” He stopped calling her Grandma a long time ago, if he ever did. I didn’t remember a time he did. I teased, “You wouldn’t get far. I can pop to you.” He actually laughed before Cousin Bexley popped them away.

I popped to Aiylee. She raised an eyebrow, “What did your grandmonster do now?” I laughed, “I may have spilled my secrets about what she said about me looking like my mom.” Aiylee giggled, “And I missed it?! That had to be an epic fallout.”

I winced “I didn’t really mean to. I just blurted it out after she refused to let my mom heal her again, and she upset Daisy.” Aiylee shrugged, “Who cares? It’s not good for Fairies to keep things inside. We have to let those things out. Something I think you will struggle with the most.”

I frowned, “Why do you think that?” Aiylee laughed, “Because, my sneaky little cousin, you lean more towards your Hackura side. They are secretive and only show their emotions easily if they are angry. Even then, it’s their eyes that give them away. They are open and honest with those in their bonds because they have to be.”

She added, “I think that’s why they have them with family and their mates. Because they need them. Otherwise, no one would ever have a gosh darn clue what was going on with them unless they were mad.” I thought about it for several minutes. I admitted, “That’s a good point.”

Aiylee smirked, “I am full of good points, little cousin.” I sadly muttered, “Except mom. Have you found out more about the walls I mentioned?” She huffed, “I swear those books are hiding from me. I’ll find them though.”

I smiled changing the subject, “Any leads on your mate?” Aiylee threw herself on her bed, “No! Why won’t he just show up? Seriously, I meet A LOT of Fairies as the Princess. So where is he?” I laughed, “Clearly, he’s hanging out with my mate.”

Aiylee snorted, “If your mate is a Fairy I’d be surprised.” I admitted, “So would I. I have a feeling he’s a Hackura. I just don’t know how I haven’t met him yet.” Aiylee snorted, “You and me both, cousin. You and me both. Seriously, what’s going on? Are they intimidated by our awesomeness? I mean you’re an Alpha/Luna/Duchess of two races. I’m the future Queen. Maybe they are scared.”

I snorted, “They wouldn’t be our mates then.” Aiylee laughed, “Right you are. They remain elusive to us and that’s boring. Let’s go to the Sky pool and forget all about our mates who are slackers on the whole ‘showing up on time’ thing.” I laughed agreeing, “Yes, let’s.” She snapped us into swimsuits and we popped away to have some fun.