Flashback Ends

Cayden was too nice to Cora, and she just wouldn’t take the hint. He didn’t see how much she hated me. No one did because I’d been systematically shutting the shit she started down when it happened. She was pushing me. Hell, she was goading me trying to get a reaction in public, but the only one she’d get in public was the beatdown at my tournament.

The rest of the breakfast with my grandparents passed without incident. I walked back to my house after hugging them both goodbye. Milana saw me and ran over. I noticed Hendrix was right behind her. I smiled greeting, “Hi, Milana.”

She replied, “Hey, I was going to ask how you’re doing. I heard there’s a record number of girls fighting in the tournament this year.”

I snorted, “There’s a record number of idiots who think they can have what’s mine you mean.”

Hendrix chuckled, “I warned him three years ago that the fiery redhead would have a plan. I even said that there would be a plot, but he said you had nothing to worry about. I told him that wouldn’t matter. I love him but he is na?ve about her.”

I snorted, “I’ve got plenty to worry about Hendrix and here’s one of them now.”

Cora walked up to us, completely ignoring me. She waved, “Milana! Hendrix! When Cayden gets back, we should all go for coffee and catch up.”

Hendrix snorted, “You really need to get a clue.”

I disagreed, “No, she needs to come to terms with the facts. I’m Cayden’s mate, not her.”

I shot her in the arm with my sunlight. She screamed while I stared at her.

Finally, she spoke to me, “That was uncalled for, Cassie.”

I punched her in the face, breaking her nose. She screamed. Rain grumbled, “It’s a screech and she’s annoying.”

True. I corrected Cora, “It’s Duchess Cassie. Disrespect me again though, I dare you.”

She wiped blood from her nose.

She frowned at me muttering, “We are friends.”

Rain gasped, “She is not serious right now!”

I snorted, “We are so far from friends it’s ridiculous. You knew full well you were trying to disrespect me and get away with it. You’re in front of the wrong audience at the moment. I see you for exactly who you are.”

My Uncle Logan’s voice came from behind me, “Is that so?”

Cora paled. I turned explaining, “It’s nothing I can’t handle, Uncle Logan.”

My Uncle Logan’s eyes were blazing. He looked at Cora, “I know you think because Cassie doesn’t run to us and tell us the shit you’re trying to pull that we don’t know about it. You’re incredibly dense if you think that. My sons have been cursing you and your shit for months. Katie cursed you to call yourself a wannabe after every sentence a few months ago.”

Rain snickered, “That is amusing.”

My Uncle warned, “Watch yourself, Cora. We see and hear everything eventually. You’re lucky my niece has wanted to deal with this on her own. You’d have been in the dungeons or dead by now if she didn’t. Run along before you say something else stupid, and I kill you.”

Cora cried, “Cayden wouldn’t like that.”

I rolled my eyes, “If I told Cayden ONE of things you’d done he’d kill you himself.”

Cora shook her head. Hendrix groaned, “Seriously!? What did you do, Cora? I don’t know what this is about, but something tells me Cassie is right. What are you talking about, Cass?”

I smiled sinisterly, “Yeah Cora, what AM I talking about? How much do you actually believe that Cayden won’t kill you for what you’ve done? Do you believe it enough to tell his best friend about your tricks? You could even pick one of your milder ones. Which when you come against a Fairy is just sad. I mean seriously, I can out hijinks you any damn day.”

Cora literally turned and ran off. I yelled, “COWARD ASS BITCH!”

Milana bit her lip.

My Uncle Logan asked in a tone full of authority, “Cass, what were you talking about?”

I assured him, “It’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ll sort her out at my tournament. She’s a status person and when I put her on her ass she’ll disappear for months. ”

Hendrix frowned, “Milana, what did Cora do?”

Milana replied, “I am sworn to not tell you by girl code. I was told in confidence.”

My Uncle Logan sighed, “Cass, you know we are ready to take action. Your word is all that’s needed.”

The bond told me he was teetering towards acting anyway.

I knew that they wanted me to love living here, and I truly did. Some random bitches didn’t change that. Growing up as Alpha Eric Conners AND Princess Luna Haley’s daughter meant some mean people came for you. It wasn’t a big deal to me, it was just how my life was.

I kissed his cheek, “I know, but like I told Aunt Astrid I want people here to respect me. I don’t want the people to see me as someone who runs to Cayden or you guys when anything happens. I want them to know I can handle myself.”

Hendrix sighed, “No one doubts that.”

I grinned victoriously saying, “In two days, none of those bitches will either.”

They’d spread rumors I’d trapped Cayden and tricked him with my allure. They were those kinds of people that said I wasn't his true mate. Milana, Aiylee, Beagan and I stopped that rumor before it got too far. Tory and Gia monitored the human realm making sure no whisper of it went there.

Cora seemed to have some handbook of the shit that was pulled on my mother. I think she thought I’d cry, but the thing was I already knew the countermoves because I’d observed my mom. Gia, Tory and I had a system we’d planned to implement since we grew up with this bullshit.

I knew those women that didn’t respect my mate bond all thought the second I lost a fight in my tournament they’d be proven right. They’d have to go back to the drawing board when I won. Because I didn't plan to lose a single one.

Hendrix’s gaze narrowed. He pondered aloud, “A few months back, Cora disappeared for several weeks. Why?”

I smirked at him letting him know it was me. He just didn’t know it was because I’d found her naked in our bed. I’d beat the shit ever loving out of her.

She later claimed to her friends she was just unprepared for my reaction and that’s how I beat her unconscious. In truth, I almost killed her. I popped her to her brother and told him to keep her trash ass out of my bed.

That was a disrespectful move even to couples who had off periods. You don’t fuck in the same bed that you share with your mate. The only thing that kept me from killing her was the desire to show everyone here that I could beat her.

I wanted to take her down in front of the whole realm so they’d know I was formidable. I was the rightful mate of their Commander, not Cora. She’d cheated on him with the intent to make him care for her.

Which was a fucked up way to go about attaining love. I’d say she had a bad example, but she didn’t. Her parents were lovely. Honestly, Cora wasn’t even that good a fighter, and she sure as FUCK wasn’t tactical. Finding her in my home replayed in my mind.