3

I watched him add someone to the call and put it on speaker. Marcus Cambridge’s voice came down the line, “I’ve got her phone but she’s not here. On the plus side neither is Eric. So, she took him too.”

Uncle Bjourn cursed again, “SHIT!”

He went outside. I sent out a text to Hendrix.

Me: I wanted everyone on alert. We might need to go to the Conners.

Hendrix: Ok.

We waited for what felt like hours. My dad was sending me curiosity over my feelings, but I didn’t really pay attention to him. Uncle Bjourn walked back in. I asked, “Is Haley ok?”

She had to be ok or Cassie would be devastated.

Uncle Bjourn sighed, “I don’t have details. All I know is Alexander healed someone and more details will come. The fight is over.”

I texted Hendrix he could stand down and to spread the word. After fifteen more minutes Bjourn cursed, “FUCKING FAIRIES!”

My heartbeat stopped. No. It couldn’t be, but maybe it was. Cassie was with a Fairy. My mouth was dry. If that Fairy hurt Cassie, then she had to be ok. He’d said someone was healed. Alexander healed her. That Fairy’s soul was not prepared for his suffering.

Aunt Astrid asked, “What happened?”

Uncle Bjourn cursed, “A fucking Ring member was Cassie’s date. Angela popped in to warn her and Cassie fought back. She took iron in her system to hide Angela. She stood on her own until Alexander pushed her pain down. She got hit in the damn head with a fucking tree….”

His voice faded and all I could hear was my own heartbeat.

My blood pounded with the need for vengeance and to protect my mate. I heard the word hospital. Cassie was in the hospital. My parents were staring at me. I was angrier than I ever had been. I opened a portal in the next second. I heard Aubrielle ask, “Cayden, where are you going? Are you ok?”

I couldn't answer her. I was gone already .

The first thing I saw was Cassie on a hospital bed. I honestly didn’t see anything else. I ran to her noting the dried blood on her head and her shirt. I inhaled and knew immediately it was her blood. That DEAD FAIRY FUCKER!

Then I found out what happened. Son of a bitch! She’d misunderstood about the joke over my ‘hot date’ and she didn’t talk to me. She went on a date because she thought I was on one. We needed to have our Hackura ceremony. I needed to feel her. Because if I had, I would’ve known she was uncomfortable dating other people. She was hurting and she didn’t tell me. My poor mate. We were going to have a chat about communication. People were talking around us; I just didn’t care.

I could barely hear anything over the pounding need to seek vengeance. She’d bled. had bled. They hurt her, and they needed to pay! She vaguely walked me through what happened. The only voice that reached me right now was hers.

There was a little fear in those blue eyes. Embarrassment was there too, but there was fear. Someone made her afraid and they needed to be dead at my hands. I was gone again the second I heard where the fucker was.

I tore out of the hospital and ran to the dungeons. I nearly ripped the dungeon door off its hinges. I’d come here before when Alexander gave me a tour, so I didn’t need directions. Cassie wasn’t here at the time when I’d come, naturally. My heart stuttered thinking my mate’s name.

They tried to put her in one of the Ring. They hurt her. I ran down the stairs at full speed breathing hard from pure, unadulterated rage. Alexander called, “Cayden? Whoa…”

He trailed off then said, “His eyes are like insanely gold. Does everyone else see that?”

I saw Eric standing over a Fairy holding a bloody knife. The question on his face was clear, but I couldn't answer it.

I grabbed the Fairy and ripped him off the table. I shouted, “You hurt her!”

The Fairy made a face saying, “Technically, she hurt me. I didn’t get the chance to hurt her.”

I slammed him onto the ground, breaking several ribs. I asked, “Were you her date?”

He wheezed, “Yes.” I pushed his head into the floor.

He screamed, “What are you doing?”

I spat out at him, “You tricked her! Who told you to call and ask her on a date? How did you know she was vulnerable? HOW DID YOU KNOW?!”

EJ asked, “What are you talking about, Cayden?”

I couldn’t explain it, but someone had to have told him. It was the only thing that made sense. How did he just happen to call when she thought I was with someone else? The Fairy cringed, “There was a magical note. The former Fairy Queen said to call….”

I applied more force and crushed his skull until I reached his brain with my bare hands. I ripped his head off and threw it at the remaining Fairies. They stared at me with horror on their faces.

I grabbed one demanding to know, “Did she look at you like you are looking at me?! WHO HIT HER WITH A TREE?! A FUCKING TREE! WHO MADE HER BLEED?!”

The Fairy pissed his pants. EJ said, “Ok seriously, what’s happening?”

Eric answered, “I have no idea.”

I heard someone snort, “You really don’t, do you?”

Alexander asked, “You know, Caleb?”

That didn’t surprise me. A Beta would figured out. The pack doctor could’ve even linked him. Caleb snorted, “Yes, and don’t bother asking if you can’t figure it out on your own. I will NOT be the one to say the words.”

I slammed the Fairy into the dungeon bars. I yelled, “WHO DREW HER BLOOD?! TELL ME!”

The Fairy pointed behind him. I grabbed a cattle prod and shoved it through his chest. I shocked him several times before I pulled it out.

I grabbed a sword and kicked the prison door off the hinges. I looked at the Fairies on the other side. I demanded, “Give it your best shot. Try, just TRY to get by me. I fucking DARE you!”

Several lunged. I cut two of their heads off and gutted the third. Several others huddled in the corner.

I asked, “What? Do you only feel confident when you’re facing an unprepared opponent? COME AT ME YOU COWARDS!”

I saved the one who’d made Cassie bleed for last. I hit him in the head where I’d seen the dried blood on her.

I slammed him into the bars, “You hurt her! YOU THREW A GODDAMN TREE AT HER!”

The Fairy cried, “It was my job! You don’t understand.”

I ripped his tongue out. I replied, “You think I give a shit about your excuses!”

I threw him into the wall of the cell. I heard several bones breaking which was fine .

When I heard his neck snap, I cursed, “FUCK!”

I had plans. I didn’t mean to throw him that hard. I was breathing hard. I needed another fight. I need to rip more Fairies to pieces. I felt tingles on my back. Cassie whispered, “It’s ok, Cayden. I’m ok.”

I whirled around and yanked her against me. Alexander asked, “When did they meet? I swear she was pissed yesterday because she hadn’t met him. Now they’re dating?”

EJ said, “I guess we don’t have to set them up then.”

I inhaled her scent and felt myself calming down. My mouth was now watering because Pears were delicious and I wanted to taste her. The need to claim her hummed in my veins as she ran her hands up and down my back.

I heard Haley snort, “I swear to god you all are so smart, but so very blind at the same damn time.”

Eric dryly replied, “You’re one to talk, Angel.”

Haley snorted, “At least I can see what is LITERALLY in front of my fucking face.”

I pulled back and looked into Cassie’s eyes. I whispered, “They hurt you.”

Cassie smiled, “You appear to have torn through them for that.”

I argued, “It’s not enough.”

Her head was clean of blood now. She snapped and so was I. I’d probably gotten blood on her too. I looked down, but her snap must have fixed it.

I put my arm around her shoulder. I turned to talk to her dad. “Sir. I mean Prince Alpha Eric Conners, we need to talk.”

Eric snorted, “It’s still just Eric, Cayden. Let’s go to my office.”

Cassie popped us there. I’d been popped before, so I was fine.

She moved to sit down in the chair next to me. I sat down and pulled her into my lap. I whispered against her neck, “I’ll go on a Fairy killing spree if I don’t have you in my arms.”

I heard someone gag. I looked in the corner and saw two of Cassie’s brothers. Her little sister, Angela, was bouncing up and down in excitement.

Haley popped the rest of them in. Eric raised an eyebrow at how we were sitting. He sat the same way with Haley. He said, “I see you are dating my daughter. When did that happen?”

I answered, “I would’ve talked to you when we met yesterday, but I’m scheduled to leave tomorrow for a mission. Sir. I wanted to respect that your heritage is to wait until one is eighteen.”

Eric started to pale as he looked between Cassie and me.

I continued, “She popped to the Hackura realm yesterday and we discovered we are mates. Sir.”

Cassie whispered, “You can call him Eric because you have since you met him.”

That was true, but I was here as his daughter’s mate today. The room was so quiet you could’ve heard a pin drop.

Finally, Haley ordered, “Eric, say words. Any fucking words.”

Eric managed to say, “You’re my princesses’ mate?”

I nodded. Eric looked at Cassie, “Princess?”

She nodded claiming me, “He’s mine, daddy.” Eric choked while Haley rolled her eyes.

She popped to the front of the desk. She smiled at me, “I, for one, am excited! I’m even more excited I don’t have to kick your fucking ass for having a hot date.”

That reminded me that Cassie and I needed to talk. EJ groaned, “Oh fuck.”

Alexander said, “Double fuck. Cass, we are so sorry. It was a joke.”

Eric questioned, “What is going on?”

Alexander answered, “EJ and I were joking about Cayden having a hot date today because he was babysitting, so we couldn't spar. Cass obviously overheard us. She was devastated, but we didn’t know why. She didn’t want talk then she went on a fucking date that was a trap for the damn Ring. Cass.”

He popped in front of her, tears in his eyes. “I’m so damn sorry. Please forgive me, little sister.”

She rolled her eyes, “You didn’t do anything wrong. I should’ve just asked Cayden.”

Eric agreed, “Yes, you should’ve Princess.”

He turned to me, “I appreciate your willingness to wait until you came back from your mission. When will you return this time?”

I answered, “I leave tomorrow but I want Cass to come with me now.”

Want was certainly a word. I needed her to come now.

Cassie looked at me in surprise. She whispered, “You do?”

I nodded, “Yes, I need to focus and I can’t do that wondering if some Fairy is after you. I can’t worry that they could be using some note from Alania knowing when you could be vulnerable. I can’t do it, Cass. ”

Eric frowned, “I’m not sure….”

Haley interrupted him, “Cassie, do you want to go with Cayden?”

Cassie nodded, “I want to stay with him.”

Haley said, “That’s good, since I think everyone is forgetting a rather significant fucking detail.”

Eric asked, “What detail?”

Haley groaned, “She’s seventeen, Eric and she’s met her mate…”

She trailed off intentionally hoping everyone would catch on. I was personally drawing a blank. What did that have to do with anything?

When heat flooded Cassie’s cheeks, I looked at her questioningly. No one seemed to get it except Uncle Bjourn who was deeply amused and trying not to laugh. I looked around and spotted Marcus and my dad. Both winked at me, and I smiled back.

Eric prodded, “So she’s seventeen. I don’t want her going dark on a Hackura mission so soon after today’s encounter.”

I offered, “We aren’t going dark. She can still talk to you every day.”

Haley reasoned, “Well, probably not every damn day.”

Eric growled, “Angel, what are you talking about?”

Haley popped back to his lap. She explained cautiously, “Cassie has Fairy blood, Eric.”

He stared at her, “I know that.”

She groaned, “Our daughter is a female partial Fairy of mature age.” I was looking around, but none of us got it except the Cambridge’s and maybe my dad.

Haley groaned, “FUCKING SERIOUSLY YOU GUYS?! Her concupiscence! She could go into her concupiscence. It would be better if she went with him, rather than just popping in wherever he was and popping away with him.”

Everyone winced except Uncle Bjourn, my dad, and Marcus.

I bit the inside of my cheek hard so I wouldn’t smile. She’d have a concupiscence. I was already looking forward to it. I cut in, “I need a minute with Cassie, sir.”

Eric agreed, “Fine. Just stop calling me sir. I’ve known you most of your life.”

I smiled, “Ok, then.”

Eric sighed, “Eric. Ok, Eric.” I nuzzled Cassie’s neck, “Pop us out, .” Alexander muttered, “I’m going to hurl.”

I laughed as Cassie popped us away to her room. She whispered, “I’m sorry.”

I touched her face. I said, “You have to talk to me. That’s how this works. I had no idea it hurt your feelings when I said you could date around before I got back.”

She looked at the floor, “I only want you.”

I couldn’t stop myself so I kissed her. I said, “Good because I only want you. I want to have Uncle Bjourn perform our Hackura ceremony right now. I want to feel you. No, I NEED to feel you after today. We can have a bigger ceremony when we get back, and of course there’s your tournament that will probably be in a few years after I take over as Commander. I need you with me, Cass. Please come with me on this mission.”

She happily agreed, “Of course I’ll come with you.”

A knot released in my stomach. I kissed her hard. She pulled back, “I’ll ask Uncle Bjourn to do our Hackura ceremony when I pop us back down there.”

She snapped herself into the traditional dress for the Commander’s mate for the mating ceremony with a few adjustments.

It was still embellished on top with beads. She’d just made it a two piece with a satin flowy red skirt. I groaned, “Cass, you’re trying to kill me.”

She giggled and snapped me into my traditional Commander uniform.

Cassie ran her hands along my chest since I was shirtless. I had a guard on my hand and my standard pants. She whispered, “I think you’re trying to kill me.”

I chuckled, “You snapped it on me.”

She grabbed my hand and popped us downstairs.

She asked, “Uncle Bjourn can we do our Hackura ceremony now, please?”

Uncle Bjourn grinned saying, “Luckily for you Angela had everyone gathered.”

I turned and saw my mom fanning her face. My siblings were all here too.

I locked eyes with former Queen Veronica, and she winked at me. The former King, Titus, was smiling so that was good. Cassie’s siblings were all in the office along with her uncles. Aiylee was in the corner. She squealed, “YOU LOOK AMAZING, CASS!”