Flashback Ends

My Uncle Logan tugged my sleeve gently pulling me back to the present. He was evaluating me. Hendrix frowned, “Cass, if she’s messing with you...”

Milana snorted cutting him off, “Messing with her? We passed that SO very long ago.”

Hendrix threw his hands up asking, “Why the hell didn’t you all say anything?”

I answered, “Because I have it handled. In two days, I’ll kick her ass again”

Milana teased, “Ohhh, you’ll be rid of her the second your mother meets her. Cora is somehow magically not around whenever your mother is here. She’ll sniff out that crazy bitch from a mile away.”

I shrugged, “My mom would do that, but she will let me handle it.”

Milana snorted, “Sure, after she threw Cora across the room with her wind and put her in a tornado maybe.”

I smiled, “I could do that too.”

Milana laughed, “Yes you could.”

My Uncle hugged me warning, “It can only go so much longer before we do something about it.”

I smiled knowing they didn’t know about her being naked in my house. Uncle Bjourn would’ve killed her. There would’ve been a line to get to her first that Cayden would’ve been at the front of. I told him, “I intend to take care of it in a few days.”

Uncle Logan nodded and walked away.

Hendrix immediately asked, “Does Cayden know about this?”

Rain huffed in my head. I evaded, “Does Cayden know I can handle catty bitches all on my own? Yes. Does Cayden know that I hate Cora with every fiber of my being? Yes. Does Cayden know that she still wants him even though I’m in the picture? No, but that’s because he doesn’t listen to any of us. We ALL know she still wants him. He’s the one who doesn’t see it. He just says she cheated on him so she can’t want him.”

Hendrix groaned, “What has she done?”

I replied, “That’s a very long list that we don’t have time to get into.”

Hendrix frowned. Milana snorted, “It also involves burned sheets.”

I winked, “Singed sheets.”

Sunlight burns equals singed not burned. I didn’t have fire powers, or she’d be dead and the bed would’ve been on fire.

Rain grumbled, “Washing those sheets wouldn’t have gotten her off them.”

I agreed, “They had to go.”

I’d even snapped and replaced the bed and mattress because there was no way I’d ever sleep in a bed she’d laid on naked.

Hendrix whisper yelled, “You went to her house?”

I snorted, “No.”

Hendrix’s eyes widened. He asked, “She came to yours?!”

I smiled and threw him a wink. I said, “I didn't say that.”

Hendrix groaned, “Oh shit. You’ve got to tell Cayden.”

I reasoned, “He’s not going to be back until my tournament. If then…”

Hendrix interrupted, “Cayden is not going to miss your tournament. He’s been having anxiety about it for months.”

I raised an eyebrow, “His anxiety is about my tournament?”

Hendrix smirked, “He’s proud of you when you fight, but he also HATES seeing you fight.”

I rolled my eyes, “I’ll be fine.”

I looked at my phone to check the time. I told them both, “I’ve got to pop to my parents’ house. I promised Angela I’d be there. She’s got something that I just HAVE to see.”

Milana practically cooed, “I love that little girl.”

I smiled, “I do too. I waited a long time for my little sister, and she certainly doesn’t disappoint. She’s only six and she’s a firecracker.”

I waved and popped to my parents’ house.

I smiled at my brother, “Hi Alexander.”

I gave him a hug. I asked, “How are you doing?”

He shrugged. I linked him, “Alexander?”

He sighed, “I just….”

He trailed off. I finished, “You just miss Melanie?”

He’d confessed all to me after he’d talked to EJ at Elise’s Luna ceremony about how he thought Melanie McAlister was his mate. I’d be grumpier about the whole thing if I was him. A mate was a big deal. I was spitting mad at Jason, but at the same time it just didn’t jive for me.

He was a good guy, and my brother is a catch. Jason must just be dense to be unaware of Alexander’s feelings for Melanie. Gia and Tory watched them closely at every event I wasn’t at.

They both reported Jason seemed confused by Alexnader’s mood swings. They swore despite his Beta blood, he clearly didn’t know Alexanderlike Melanie.

Honestly, if Alexander wasn’t a good guy, he’d ask one of our cousins to portal Melanie back here. She was living her dream, and he wanted her to do that, even though he desperately wanted her here with him. That’s just who Alexander was.

I asked him out loud, “Do you have any idea what we are doing here?”

Alexander laughed, “We just all had to be here.”

Angela and TJ popped in. I linked TJ, “What’s going on?”

TJ admitted, “I don’t know. I’m locked out of this one too.”

I bit my lip knowing that meant it had to do with TJ himself.

I linked Alexander, “That confirmed it for me that this is one hundred percent about TJ.”

Alexander told me, “Lexi and Chase are coming over. Mom invited them because Angela asked her to. Emmett said Chase actually got a separate invitation on his desk too.”

I speculated, “What if Lexi is pregnant and it’s with TJ’s mate?”

Alexander chuckled quietly, “Stranger things have happened. Mom will scream so loud though.”

I bit my lip knowing he was right. EJ and Elise walked in. I winked at Elise, and she waved.

I popped to EJ and gave him a hug. My dad spoke, “Hi, Princess.”

I turned around and smiled, “Daddy!”

I threw my arms around him. He held me tightly. He whispered, “We miss you around here.”

I pulled back, “I come back all the time.”

My dad smiled, “It’s a good thing too since there are too many people around here who can pop or portal me to you if you don’t visit enough.”

He grinned at me.

I popped over to my mom. She smiled saying, “You look beautiful, Cass.”

I hugged her. She quickly spoke the space unheard chant then asked, “So what’s this I hear about a blonde fucktard who needs her skull cracked open? I think I heard her name was Corursula.”

I bit my lip, “You heard huh?”

She nodded, “Yes, I fucking did years ago. I didn’t like her even when she was child clamoring to be around Cayden which I did not allow as his babysitter. Which brings me to my next question. Why isn’t she fucking dead yet?”

I answered, “Several reasons. She’s one of my people and in the army. Why? I couldn’t tell you. She’s not a skilled warrior.”

I blew out a breath, “Why isn’t she dead? Well, I want to take her down in front of everyone. I want them to know I am Cayden’s mate for a reason. Plus, no lying, cheating, bitch is going to take me down. Nor is she better for my man.”

My mom smiled, “That’s my girl. Are you wearing the traditional Commander’s mate fighting outfit?”

I teased her, “Well, that would be no fun. I might have embellished it a little.”

My mom laughed, “Is your dad going to have a heart attack?”

I winced, “It’s possible, but I didn’t change it for him.”

My mom assured me, “I’ll handle your dad, don’t you worry.”

I patted her hand, “I never do. I know you’ve got dad.”

She nodded, “I do. If you ever need to talk about putting bitches heads in a glass dome, you know who to come to. Or just to talk about kicking their asses. Because I’m one action away from kicking her ass myself. No one messes with my babies. She’s been too obvious, and I’ve listened to too many damn people say I can’t kill her.”

I admitted, “I figured you were holding everyone back.”

She snorted, “I convinced your dad to let you handle your problems. They held me back from killing her ass several times. Once would’ve been very easy since she was near death after I snapped you into a dominatrix outfit years ago.”

Damn she’d known the whole time .

I kissed the top of her head, “I love you mom. I promise I’ve got this.”

My mom nodded, “Which is why there’s isn’t a blonde fucktard whose name is Corursula hung upside down FROM A FUCKING TREE slowly bleeding to death! It was one of my many options for how to kill her.”

I laughed.

My mom continued, “I know you have a plan and I respect that, but my momma side can only take so much before I channel my Hackura side. I will go Assassin Princess on people for looking wrong at my baby.”

I acknowledged, “If she’s still a problem after my tournament, I’ve reached my limit.”

My mom smiled, “Good. I might have charmed all the food in her house to turn into cockroaches when she takes a bite of it.”

My eyes widened, “You did?”

How had I not heard that? Rain linked, “It appears Cora does know how to keep a secret. She outed she cheated on mate on purpose.”

I already knew that.

My mom patted my shoulder, “Of course I fucking did. No one messes with my babies and gets away with it. You’re lucky your father doesn’t know.”

I snorted, “That would be new. Dad not knowing something you did.”

Since I knew for a fact he knew about Cora.

My mom frowned, “Of course I know things about the Hackura Realm and Faerie your father doesn't know.”

I nodded, “That’s a way to look at it.”

She smirked, “He knows, doesn’t he?”

I winked at her, and she laughed. She spoke our space heard chant.

My dad raised an eyebrow at us. My mom rolled her eyes, “Can’t I catch up with my own damn daughter without raised eyebrows?! All of you little carbon copies of your father with your raised eyebrows. I will have a private ass conversation with anyone I choose to. ESPECIALLY my own children.”

I bit my lip realizing all my brothers were shooting us the same look.

Angela popped over to us. She squealed, “Cass, you’re here! I’m so excited!”

I tickled her and she cackled. I kissed her temple saying, “I’ll bet you are.”

Max stood up and started to pace. I frowned, “Max?”

He kept on pacing.

EJ questioned, “Max, what’s wrong?”

Max answered, “Micah is worried. God, he’s nervous. Now he’s panicking! I have to go.”

I grabbed him, “Wait and see if he pulls you. He’s not alone out there.”

Max’s eyes pleaded with me, “I need to know who he’s with.”

He sent all his concern in the bond to me.

I smiled knowing the answer would reassure him. “Cayden.”

Max relaxed, “Ok, then his emotions make no sense. If I feel him get hurt, I’m gone.”

I linked Alexander, “He can’t go to Micah. You’ll have to stop him.”

Alexander questioned, “Why?”

I answered, “Micah is with Hunters.”

Alexander stiffened. He spoke out loud, “You know Cayden wouldn’t let anything happen to Micah, Max. I’m sure Uncle Gunner is monitoring him closely too and I bet there’s a backup to the backup of the backup plan.”

Max kept pacing then suddenly sighed in relief. I asked, “All good?”

Max nodded, “Yup. He’s surprised and confused, but he’s also relieved. Now he’s curious. I can deal with these emotions.”

I didn’t let my relief show, but EJ and Alexander caught it.

Before EJ could ask, since Alexander knew why, Chase walked into the room. He greeted, “Hello Conners family! I must say the invitation to come here was intriguing. Who invited us besides Haley?”

Lexi flashed in.

I bit my lip because she was glowing. Alexander and I shot each other a look. TJ immediately popped to her. My dad started laughing, “I know who invited you and why.”

Chase was confused, “Hi, TJ.”

No one said anything.

Chase asked, “Eric, are you going to share who invited us?”

Lexi squealed, “OH MY GOD! CHASE!”

Chase asked, “What? What’s wrong?”

Lexi smiled, “I’m glowing, aren’t I, Hales?”

My mom nodded, “You are.”

Lexi clapped, “We are having a little girl, Chase!”

My mom told her, “You are having twins, Lex.”

Lexi slapped Chase on the shoulder shouting, “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! Why can’t I just have one at a time!”

Chase frowned, “That’s all you, sweetheart. There were no twins in my family until we had Emmett, Emma, Keith, and Keaton.”

Lexi punched him in the arm, “It’s your fault if I say so.”

Chase smirked, “How do you know it’s a girl?”

Lexi smiled answering, “Because TJ has had crushes on girls.”

Chase looked from TJ to my parents then to Lexi several times. Eventually he asked, “What?”

My dad laughed explaining, “Your daughter is TJ’s mate. ”

TJ gently touched Lexi’s stomach, “Hi, mate.”

Lexi jolted, “Holy shit! I swear I just felt a kick.”

Chase sat down, “Oh my god.”

Elise laughed, “You could talk to my dad about how weird that is. He knew before I was born too.”

Chase snorted, “These twins were conceived in the last few days. Haley saw Lexi a few days ago and would have told her if she was glowing.”

My mom snorted, “Of fucking course I would have.”

Lexi clapped, “This is so exciting!”

Chase looked pale while Elise bit her lip.

They came further into the house, but TJ didn’t leave Lexi’s side. Angela clapped, “I knew you’d be so happy TJ!”

Lexi laughed, “You sent us the invitation?”

Angela nodded, “Yup! I wanted everyone to be here for this moment. I’m so excited!”

I laughed, loving this for TJ. I’d wished that Cayden and I had known each other longer.

I stepped outside for some air. Ghiza appeared beside me. I smiled, “Hello Ghiza.”

Ghiza frowned, “What’s this I hear about you and Cora?”

I teased, “Umm her name is now Corursula. I need to ask mom why.”

Ghiza frowned, “We’ve backed off when you’re in the Hackura realm, but I’m thinking we need to rethink that.”

I assured him, “I can handle myself.”

I linked my mom, “I forgot to ask how you chose Corursula as her nickname?”

My mom snorted, “Because she wants to wrap her tentacles around something that is not hers. That’s why.”

I said out loud, “You just have to love my mom.”

Ghiza agreed, “You do. Do I need to talk to the King and the Commander?”

I raised an eyebrow, “I can handle crazy bitches that want my man, just like my mom does.”

Ghiza sighed, “There was the first crazy bitch that was allowed to carry on FAR too long before her head was put in glass in your dad's office. Do not let it get that far, little Duchess. Not to mention others that went on too long as well. I don’t have the patience for that bullshit. Especially among our people. Your mom’s guard has to play by different rules in this realm that I do not given where you live.”

I nodded saying, “I don’t plan to. I plan to put the smack down on her at my tournament.”

Ghiza studied me, “You think she doesn’t plan to fight fair.”

I chuckled, “I’m counting on her not fighting fair, but I have my Melanie McAlister bracelet. I’ll know if Cora’s packing anything that can hurt me.”

Ghiza sighed, “You won’t tell me if she does, will you?”

I replied, “I’m a big girl now and I can fight my own battles.”

He gave me a disbelieving look. Not of my abilities but the fact it was his job to look out for threats.

Alexander’s voice came from behind me, “With us, of course.”

I turned waving at my brother. Alexander knew everything Cora had done. I’d had to make him promise not to retaliate before I told him. He’d been in the gym for hours afterwards.

After that he’d also worked out a flex position with EJ to allow him to be a Squadron Leader for Cayden. He wanted to be closer to me. Plus, he was there enough anyway. He worked out in the Hackura realm often.

The laughable part came when Cora had tried to get with him after Cayden and I came home from our mission right after we’d met. It did not go well. It never went well for girls that wanted Alexander. He had room in his heart for one girl and that was Melanie McAlister.

An Omega, Karina, who worked in the kitchens walked by. She smiled and held out a plate with the beloved cookie of our family. Rain said, “Not mom.”

That’s true. Mom didn’t like peanut butter so she never ate any. Karina asked, “Would you guys like a cookie?”

I nodded along with EJ and Alexander.