2

I ate the cookie then sighed. What had I been thinking? Melanie was living her dream. She’d meet Alexander, and they’d be happy once she came home. EJ snarled. I frowned asking, “EJ?”

I followed his gaze. Robert from Red Run was getting in his car and glaring EJ down. Rain scoffed, “He can stop that, or I’ll claw his face off.”

I’d let her. He shouldn’t look at any Alpha blood like that unless he was issuing a challenge.

I asked, “What is he doing here?”

Alexander answered, “He’s dating the Omega who just gave us the cookies.”

EJ linked us both, “He’s using her to stay close to Elise, and I want to RIP HIS HEAD OFF for it!”

I immediately questions, “Do you know he’s using the Omega? Or do you think?”

EJ snorted, “I know it.”

I frowned knowing I needed to talk to this girl then. She deserved better .

I linked Tory and Gia, “Karina is still dating Robert?”

Gia huffed, “Yes, apparently I’m not allowed to order them to break up since she’s not technically in the pack we run. He’s slippery and always shakes the person I have watching him like a hawk.”

I said, “Have them keep watching. Maybe assign another person. EJ believes he’s here to keep tabs on Elise.”

They both growled.

I watched Karina put the cookies down for everyone inside. When she stepped back outside, I grabbed her. I smiled greeting, “Hi. It’s Karina, right?”

Rain chuckled, “You know it is.”

I instructed, “Talk to her wolf.”

Rain said, “Her wolf is very quiet and shy.”

Huh? With another wolf? I ate another cookie then nearly laughed at my suspicious ass. I was being silly, that made sense.

She nodded, “Yes, Alpha Cassie.”

I smiled telling her, “Just call me Cassie. How long have you been dating Robert from Red Run?”

She smiled answering, “Oh, that’s an easy question to answer. Since last year. We met at Luna Elise’s ceremony and neither of us have met our mate. I really like him.”

I asked, “Do you?”

She nodded, “He’s a Warrior but he doesn’t mind watching me in the kitchen. He said that he loves watching me work. I usually fix lunch for him while he waits.”

He watched her make food but Gia’s spy couldn’t keep track of him? What the hell?

I nodded, “Alright. You’re happy with him though?”

She nodded, “He was honest with me. He told me that he used to like Luna Elise, but once she turned eighteen, he understood she wasn’t his.”

I’d made her tell me the truth. The question was could Robert be telling the truth? Since he should’ve understood that her entire life. EJ announced she was his, which meant Robert knew LONG before Elise’s eighteenth birthday. I nodded, “Alright. Let me know if you need anything. Ok, Karina?”

She nodded and bounced off.

EJ waited for her to get out of ear shot then said, “He might have told her that, but it’s a lie.”

I replied, “Time will tell. He can’t date her forever since they aren’t mates. Eventually he will stop coming around here.”

Alexander snorted, “He stays out of our brother’s way, and he doesn’t even really approach Elise.”

EJ nodded, “And he’d better keep it that way.”

I told my oldest brother, “Elise is yours. She’s your Luna and no one can take that from you.”

Alexander muttered, “Because they let you meet her.”

We both looked over at him. EJ said, “Hey, don’t worry. You’ll meet Mel…”

Alexander frowned interrupting, “She’s living her dream. How can I get in the way of that? I don’t even know if she’s mine.”

I rolled my eyes, “That’s bullshit Alexander. Her scent tells you she’s yours.”

Alexander shrugged, “People are possessive of her though.”

I got in his face, “You are not people. You are Alpha Alexander Conners. You are a Squadron Leader of the Hackura Army. You are an Alpha and an Enforcer of this pack. Your instincts tell you she’s yours. The other people claim they WANT to make her theirs. There’s a difference.”

Alexander sighed and walked off towards the gym.

I groaned, “How do we make him see that? There is a difference.”

EJ replied, “I think you’re right, but he’s afraid he’s obsessed with her just like everyone else. I don’t think our logic will reach him. We won’t know until they meet.”

I snorted, “Which will be when? When she graduates high school? Maybe? Meanwhile our brother torments himself with this ‘am I possessive Alpha’ bullshit, and it IS bullshit EJ. Of course he’s possessive. He’s an Alpha, but no one will convince me she isn’t his.”

EJ nodded, “Most of the time I’m right there with you.”

I retorted, “You should be there all the time. Melanie McAlister is our brothers. Which means she belongs here with him and us. Where she will be loved. Not in some pack in New York that doesn’t care about her like we would. She’s one of the Luna’s here. They won’t watch out for her like we will.”

EJ growled, “They’d better. If anything happens to Melanie McAlister, then they will know my wrath. Not just for Elise and Alexander, but for Ladybug herself. I really like her. She’s a very nice and smart pup.”

I grinned saying, “Jason said she’s pretty.”

EJ nodded, “She is. Elise has always been jealous of Melanie’s hair. I don’t see why because her hair is perfect.”

I laughed, “It’s not about the color. Hair has different thickness and texture, big brother. What am I saying? You won’t understand.”

Rain snickered, “Brutus is asking what the hell you’re saying right now.”

It made me laugh and EJ joined me .

We walked back inside together. My dad frowned asking, “Where’s Alexander?”

EJ tilted his head, “I’ll give you three guesses dad but if you need more than one, you’re slipping in your old age.”

My dad rolled his eyes and walked out of the house.

I walked over to TJ and hugged him. “I’m so happy for you.”

TJ boasted, “I’ll be just like EJ with Elise. I’ll protect my mate, always.”

I smiled, “I know you will.”

I snagged another cookie then hugged my mom. I asked, “Do you want one?”

She wrinkled her nose, “Nope. I’m good.”

I giggled and winked at her.

I told her, “I’ll see you at my tournament.”

My mom smiled, “Yes you will. I made posters to cheer you on.”

I startled, “You what?”

My mom nodded, “I saw those when you guys were in high school. I can make a fucking poster. Gia and Tory helped.”

I hugged her, “That’s…”

I trailed off then said, “Of course you can make a poster. You can do anything. See you later, Mom.”

I waved to the room, “Later family!”

I linked Tory, “You helped my mom make a poster?”

She snorted, “Gia bought her glitter glue.”

Oh my god. I linked Gia, “GLITTER GLUE?”

She cackled, “It was honestly my best moment. I can’t believe she didn’t know about glitter glue. I changed her life taking her to Hobby Lobby.”

Aesir above.

I popped back to the Hackura realm where it was already night time. I snapped my shoes off and walked along the beach by the castle. It was calming to me as it was to my mom. I sat down on the sand and closed my eyes.

I smelt someone coming, but I wasn’t worried since I knew that scent. It was my grandpa. He sat down beside me. He chuckled, “You know, I used to find your mom out here a lot. What’s on your mind, Cass?”

I replied, “So many things.”

My grandpa nudged me asking, “What’s one?”

I shrugged, “Melanie McAlister.”

I rubbed my head because it hurt to say her name. My grandpa nodded, “I feel that is a popular topic for my grandchildren to think about. Levi gets quite upset about it.”

I raised my brows, “He does? I mean I’m not upset, not really. Why is Levi?”

My grandpa explained, “He insists something is weird about the whole situation.”

I inquired, “And what did you find when you checked it out?”

My grandpa shrugged, “Nothing odd, which makes me wonder why my grandchildren sense something else. I sent someone to make sure she was ok. Your father already had someone there watching her.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Does he?”

My grandpa laughed, “Of course he does.”

I sighed, “Somedays, I think I should tell mom. She’d know what to do and she’d be sneaky about it. Then I remember Melanie is living her dream. Our pack is all about following your dreams. It would be hypocritical to try and stop Melanie from living hers.”

Frandpa nodded, “I’d be lying if I said the entire thing didn’t give me pause. From what I can find though, everything is as it should be.”

We sat in silence after that declaration.

Eventually I asked, “Why does it give you pause?”

Grandpa answered, “Because several of my grandchildren are affected by this. Levi is adamant it’s weird. I told my children, and I tell all of you grandkids, to trust your instincts. Levi will keep monitoring the situation, but I don’t know if he will find anything. Hopefully, he’s just off about this.”

I muttered, “What’s off is that she never met any of us. Levi and EJ met her by chance.”

Grandpa smiled, “I know Alexander thinks that is because of him. To be fair, his logic makes sense.”

I gasped, “How can you say that? He would never hurt her.”

He agreed, “I know he wouldn’t. No one in my line would. If you were an outsider though, it tracks. Warriors in neighboring packs, and her own, want her. I think a normal person would fear our unmated family members. Where others cannot take her, we could. You kids can go to any realm you wish.”

Rain huffed, “We wouldn’t though. They have to know that.”

I would hope they did.

He continued, “Two realms would protect you. I’m not saying they are right, but I’m saying I understand why Alexander feels they are keeping her from him intentionally. On the one hand if they are I understand the fear. Terrible things happened to my daughter while I was a realm away. That was different though, and there will never be a day I don’t regret it.”

I consoled him, “That wasn’t your fault.”

My grandpa disagreed, “I was the Hackura King and Protector of the Realms. When I had that crown on my head, my daughter was tortured and raped. Who else would you blame?”

I snorted, “Fabian. ”

My grandfather’s eyes blazed, “I do blame him. My point is that people react strangely out of fear. While I might understand the logic, if they’ve intentionally kept them apart, they will know what it means to hurt my grandchildren.”

That sounded ominous. Rain replied, “Because it definitely is.”

He waved his hand, “Right now all we have is supposition and conjecture. If there is proof they have hurt Alexander in this way, I will not be kind.”

I went to bat for my friends. “Jase is a good man. So are Dalton and Dakota. Peter Kyle is great, even dad thinks so and he’s not easy to impress.”

My grandpa sighed. I added, “That’s what doesn’t make sense. I know Jase. He’d be happy if his little sister was mated to Alexander. They are friends and he’d never think that Alexander would hurt Melanie. So much doesn’t make sense.”

I rubbed my head.

My grandpa frowned asking, “Cass?”

I shrugged, “A light headache.”

My grandpa asked, “What else is on your mind?”

I accepted the subject change. “Cayden and my tournament.”

My grandpa smiled, “Cayden will make it back. Your tournament will go well. I’ve seen you training with your uncles. You will be amazing.”

I winked saying, “I changed the outfit.”

My grandpa laughed, “I’d be worried about you if you didn’t.”

I sighed, “I’ve been thinking a lot about kids.”

Rain huffed, “Pups.”

I switched between saying kids and pups. Everyone at the pack said pups so I always slid back into that habit there. Here they said kids so that was my default now. I knew Rain found it amusing. She’d always say pups and that was fine by me.

My grandpa said, “What about them?”

I sighed, “I’ve always known the Ring wants me. I never thought someone I knew would be part of them. Gystepi proved me wrong. What if I’m missing other things? What if I have a daughter who is also the Truth Seeker and I trust the wrong person? I don’t want to wait forever to have kids. I’m just already worried about them.”

My grandpa put his arm around my shoulders. He told me, “There will never be a perfect time to have children. When you defeat one enemy, another pops up. They don’t even wait to pop up sometimes. It is natural after your encounter a few years ago that you’d worry. You can’t give those that hide in the shadows that kind of power over you though.”

I agreed with that. It just sucked to feel like they were winning.

Rain offered, “We aren’t ready yet either. We like our life with Cayden the way it is, and he feels the same.”

That was true. My grandpa nudged me, “If you’re not ready, then you aren’t. If you are deciding based out of fear, then you need to talk to one of the therapists here. You can’t let fear rule your life because then the bad guys win.”

I might need to just to center myself. I was a strong believer in therapy and had done it before.

He nudged me, “If you want to wait until you’re twenty-five or even thirty years old; hell, seventy-five is fine. We will all be around for centuries. There’s nothing wrong with waiting. You have to do what is best for yourself and Cayden.”

I smiled, “You’re always so wise, Grandpa.”

He laughed, “I’ve been around for a while.”

He asked, “Are you going to kill Cora?”

I snorted, “Does everyone but Cayden know about that?”

My grandpa frowned, “Cayden has always been blind to her infatuation with him.”

I answered him, “I'm taking her down at my tournament. If she doesn’t get the hint after that, then no one will doubt I’m some mate who’s jealous of an ex when I kill her.”

My grandpa laughed, “That’s what’s stopped you?”

I reasoned, “If I just killed her then some people would doubt my reasons. Everyone knows she wants him, that could annoy me enough to kill her for no reason. No one will doubt she wants what’s mine after the tournament.”

My grandpa raised an eyebrow, “Why?”

I tapped my temple, “I plan to make her tell everyone what she hopes to accomplish.”

My grandpa asked me, “And what do you think that is?”

I said, “For Cayden to see me lose, go on an off period, and have a child with her. She wants to be important and being Cayden’s baby momma gives her that. She wants to tie herself to him with a child. She even wants people on her side. Which is ludicrous. Everyone here knows if I was infertile my mom or brother could fix that.”

My grandpa nodded, “Yes, there are many children here as a result of your mother. They know of her devotion to you. If something was wrong, she would’ve fixed it when you were going through puberty. She’s good at sensing it right away now. ”

I stated, “I plan to remove all doubt of why I am mated to the Commander of the Hackura Army. I am the granddaughter of Titus and Veronica Cambridge as well as Nathan Conners. I’m the daughter of Eric and Haley Conners. I won’t back down from a fight. I will take them all down to prove my place here, whether they like it or not.”

My grandpa assured me, “You have always had a place here, with or without being mated to Cayden. You are the Duchess and my granddaughter. I won’t lie and say I haven’t adored every second of you being here. I love having you here. It makes my soul ecstatic you are mated to Cayden.”

Rain purred loving his kind words.

He turned serious, “I would torture someone within an inch of their life for not making you feel at home here. Because you are. This is your home along with Faerie and Black Mountain.”

I replied, “No one can make me feel like an outsider in any place I call home. She may make me want to spit nails with deadly accuracy into her eyeballs, but she doesn’t make me feel unwelcome. She’d never succeed at that.”

My grandpa smiled, “I’ve held your grammy and mom back. They are ready to attack.”

I chuckled, “I know. Mom told me today.”

My grandpa laughed, “Of course she did. I told them you’d have had a plan.”

I admitted, “I’ve had a plan from the moment Cayden told me he had an ex who cheated on him.”

My grandpa bumped my shoulder, “Of course you have. You are stealthy, like your mom. I see a lot of me in you too though.”

I knew he felt my happiness about that in the bond. I asked, “What would you have done if mom’s mate was a Fairy?”

My grandpa snorted, “A Fairy? I would’ve killed him. They could not have my daughter after what they did.”

Rain said, “That’s fair.”

Yes and no but I understood.

I pressed, “Why didn’t you want her mate here?”

He grinned saying, “No one was what she needed. It would’ve been nice, but most were mated that would’ve been close to what she needed. Your grammy wanted your dad for your mom first. That’s a secret, by the way.”

I asked, “Why?”

He laughed, “Something your Aunt Astrid had going, but it was my Veronica all the same. Your Uncle Bjourn met your dad and fought with him. We were looking at approaching your dad for your mom once she graduated if he hadn’t met his mate. Of course, we would’ve upped that timeline if we’d found he was looking for a bride.”

I pointed out, “But he was.”

My grandpa smirked, “He was looking for your mother though. I’d known for years. From the moment the Fairies and Werewolves were at war I knew what Eric would want to end the war.”

He acknowledged, “Our informants were just a little late with the information that the Fairy Prince’s had agreed to meet with the Werewolves. Your uncles and I were all out on missions. Zader and Logan were here, but my sources and Bjourn’s only speak with us.”

He chuckled, “Your mom told me before they could. I’m not sure she knows we all knew the second they met. I played dumb when I talked to her on the phone letting her tell me herself, but we knew where she was.”

I snorted, “Please. You knew where she was, what she was doing, and that she was insanely happy.”

He admitted, “Yes, we did. The moment she felt lust Bjourn jolted into action.”

I threw my head back and laughed knowing that sounded just like my family.

He chuckled, “I won’t deny the anger I felt at hearing her Fairy brothers set it up. They had no right after her childhood. It grated at me that they also beat me to my goal. I’d planned to introduce the idea to your mother. They thrust it at her to save their people.”

He gritted his teeth.

Rain whimpered sensing his anger from the bond and sorrow from our Fairy powers. He continued, “People who had done nothing to earn her salvation of them. I wanted your parents to meet. Obviously, that would’ve gone far more interesting than I’d thought, but I’d planned the whole thing to be slower. I wanted your mother to be happy. I’ve always wanted that.”

I knew that.

He sighed, “After what the Fairy Goddess allowed to happen to her, I wasn't about to trust her choice of mate for my little girl. I should’ve known Aesir had handled it. Your dad is her perfect match.”

I smiled, “I think he has done a great job with all our mates so far.”

I admitted, “I’ve been mad at the Fairy Goddess since I was sixteen years old. I’m glad Aesir has to agree on our mates. Who the hell knows what we would’ve ended up with otherwise.”

My grandpa kissed my forehead, “All my grandchildren’s matches are perfect. As are my children’s. Don’t stay out here all night, Cassie Veronica Shayla Conners.”

I smiled replying, “I won’t Grandpa.” He left.

I stared out of the ocean and pulled my connection with Cayden closer to me, which told me he was feeling calculating, intrigued, and weighing his options. I pushed my love at him. I felt a happy emotion overtake him as he sent his love back.

I popped into our home and got into bed curling into his pillow. I tried to sleep, but in reality I flopped around the bed most of the night. Eventually, I got up and grabbed one of Cayden’s hoodies. Then I was able to fall asleep.

I woke up to Rain linking me, “Someone is outside. Get up!”

I jolted out of bed landing silently on the floor. I kept all the lights off as I slunk around the house to where I smelled people. Scents I was well aquatinted with. Rain snarled, “Cora.”

Her and her friends.

I heard someone say, “Cora, this is over the line. Just beat her in the tournament tomorrow.”

Cora snorted, “I need her off her game to win.”

Rain mocked, “But she’s better for OUR MATE in her mind! She can’t win a fair fight, but she should be the COMMANDER’S MATE! She is DELUSIONAL! Let me rip her throat out.”

I nearly laughed out loud.

Cora arched her hand back and threw a brick aimed at the bedroom window. I shot it with my sunlight before it could hit. They whirled around. I smiled mockingly, “Vandalism of the Commander of the Army’s house is a serious offense. I do believe you can be whipped in public for that.”

Rain growled, “Do it.”

I replied, “We are handling this at the tournament.”

She grumbled in my head.

All of them paled. Cora snarked, “You’d like that, so I couldn't beat you.”

I laughed, “You’re not going to beat me, and we both know it. I heard you say you needed me off my game to win just seconds ago. I wouldn’t have needed to hear it because I’ve kicked your ass sixteen different ways already. I’ll take you down again tomorrow. Then after that I’ll be done being nice. If you continue to come for what is mine, you’ll die. Get out of here, now.”

They turned around to leave.

I called, “Oh, and if anything happens to our house, you’re who I’m coming for first.”

I turned around to walk to our pond to calm down. Cora shouted, “HE WAS MINE FIRST!”

Rain snarled, “No she did not say that! HE WAS NEVER HERS!” I agreed.

I replied, “He was your boyfriend. He was never yours in our world because he’s not your mate. Besides, you fucked it all up by cheating. Own that and move on. You wanted him to be devastated and humiliated, but he wasn’t. Your mate is out there. Maybe start thinking about how he would feel about you chasing a man who was NEVER yours.”

Her friends winced.

I added, “Cayden will always be mine. You need to find a way to build a damn bridge and get over that fact. It is what is. Get your head on straight then go look for your mate or something. WHEN, not IF, I beat you tomorrow you will stay out of my life with Cayden. We don’t do off periods, and he will never be yours. If he wanted a child with you, you’d have known long before I entered the picture. Accept the fact that my mate does not care for you as more than someone he commands. He hasn’t for a long time. I’m saying this in case you care about your ability to continue drawing breath”

She gasped, “You can’t threaten me.”

I got in her face, “The ONLY reason you aren’t dead is because I have been waiting for my tournament. You know that too. It’s why you started your ridiculous rumors about me. You’re a petty high school bitch who hasn’t gotten over that phase of life. For yourself, your family, and your friends find a way to rise above your mean streak. My grace period ends the second that tournament is over.”

I let Rain take over. She growled, “CAYDEN IS MINE!”

Cora’s friends pulled her back and ran away. I ran to the pond and sat in the chair breathing everything in. Rain said, “Your Hackura side calms here, but I need to run.”

I closed my eyes centering myself the way my mom taught me.

Alexander linked, “Cass? Oden said Rain is pissed off. You didn’t ever feel near as mad as he said Rain is.”

I told him, “I’m going to go for a run soon. She’ll be fine.”

He asked, “Do you need me?”

I answered, “Not right now. Continue working out in the gym.”

He replied, “I might not be there.”

I chuckled, “Really? Are you in the office then? A meeting maybe?”

I felt his amusement, “Maybe I’m in the gym.” I retorted, “Maybe my ass.” He laughed in reply but let it drop .

When I felt my Fairy and Hackura sides settle I shifted and ran in the opposite direction needing to get some frustrations out. I ran for miles. Rain snarled, “I WILL RIP HER THROAT OUT TOMORROW.”

That would happen if I leaned more towards my wolf. Rain grumbled, “It would’ve happened years ago.” Probably.

I told Rain, “Don’t worry. We will make her admit the truth. Cayden and everyone else will see her for who she truly is. Then we will kick her fucking ass. After that she can fall in line, or she will die. Either way everyone will know that WE are Cayden’s mate. Which means we are here to stay. Aesir chose us for Cayden.”

Rain sounded smug, “Damn straight!”

I laughed before shifting back and snapping my clothes on.

I could smell that someone was following me. I knew the scent. It was one of my Hackura cousins. I called out, “Hello, Spencer.”

I turned and smiled at him. Spencer casually commented, “That was a pretty long run.”

It was anything but a casual comment. He was worried and pissed that someone had upset me.

I evaded, “Cayden and I have a running program.”

Spencer snorted, “You don’t usually run in wolf form this often.”

I acknowledged, “I had some excess energy after dealing with bitches. I run more as Rain than you probably think I do. Anytime she wants to run, we do.”

Spencer frowned, “I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t taking care of Rain.”

I assured him, “I didn’t think you were. I know I shift less than my siblings.”

Rain said, “Well, we shift enough. Except when I want to kill Cora. We could shift more then.”

I bit my lip, so I didn’t laugh.

Spencer warned, “Cobin’s ready to curse the fuck out of Cora. Just say the word.”

I laughed, “I’m surrounded by overprotective men. I can handle a catty ass bitch. I’ve watched my mother do it all my life. Plus, I hear Corbin and the others have been cursing her.”

Spencer sighed, “Your mother would’ve killed her by now. He’s done little things, but he has larger scale plans. We’ve just been waiting for you to say something.”

I argued, “You’re wrong. I’ve seen my mom deal with pack members who try to come at my dad. She handles those differently. Cora is still a member of the army and one of my people.”

I put a hand on his shoulder, “I will defeat her tomorrow. Then she can shut the fuck up or deal with the consequences. I will not hide behind a single man if that time comes though. I’ll kill her myself. I don’t need any of you to put her in her place. I am more than capable of handling her.”

Spencer acknowledged, “I don’t think anyone doubts that, but we have plans if you so much as hint that she upset you.”

I smiled, “Good.”

I popped us back to the castle and we grabbed breakfast. I saw Corbin first. He glanced at Spencer who made a fist. He groaned, “Fine.”

I laughed and ate with them.

Afterwards I just walked around. Several people called well wishes for my tournament tomorrow. I smiled and thanked them. I saw my cousin, Maximus, leaning in an alley way. He crooked his finger for me to follow so I did.

I teased, “This is very clandestine.”

He warned, “I’ve been fighting my inner demon on killing that wretched girl. I think you can probably acknowledge it’s harder when you have another side to you like we do not to give into such things. My inner demon makes logical points about why she needs to die.”

I conceded, “As has Rain.”

He warned, “I’ve told Corbin to do his worst, but they want you to say something. It’s why I’ve held back on my instincts and ignored my inner demon. I won’t after tomorrow.”

I agreed, “That’s my timeline too.”

He sighed in relief, “Thank god.”

I gave him a hug letting some peace overtake him. I whispered, “Thank you for letting me handle this on my own. I know that’s hard for you guys but I’m ok though.”

He replied, “We have different definitions of ok. I’m hearing about singed sheets, and other rumors I never heard about. I am NOT happy. None of us are. She should’ve died in our streets for what she did. I’m tempted to say she still will. I’m collecting evidence and I’ll present it when I have everything in court.”

I shrugged, “You do what you need, cousin.”

He looked relieved I didn’t say no. We hugged again then I went back on my way.

When I made it back to the main beat path I was on I heard a squeal. I turned around just in time for Tenley to barrel into me. She hugged me and wrapped her legs around my waist, yelling, “HI CASSIE!”

I laughed greeting, “Hi, Tenley.”

She asked, “Can we go get ice cream? ”

I looked around before asking, “Where’s your mom?”

Ashlyn came jogging up as I spoke. I grinned, “Hi, Ashlyn.”

She waved, “Hey Cass. Tenley….”

Tenley interrupted, “I’m sorry but I saw Cass and I HAD to say hi.”

I told her, “She wants ice cream.”

Ashlyn agreed, “Alright, let’s go.”

I put her down and walked to the ice cream shop. Ashlyn announced, “I met your mom officially for the first time here.”

I winked, “She does like ice cream.”

Tenley said, “Uhh duh! It’s awesome! Are you ready to kick some ass tomorrow, Cass? Cayden’s going to freak!”

I asked her, “Why would he freak?”

Ashlyn frowned, “Because you have double the amount of fights than normal. You have ten fights, which is a lot in one day. Normally it’s five or less.”

I assured her, “I don’t intend for them to take very long.”

Ashlyn shot me a knowing glance before saying, “Except the last one of course.”

I grinned somewhat evilly, “Except that one.”

Ashlyn snorted, “Give her a shot to the nose for me. She deserves that for cheating on my baby boy.”

I vowed, “I’ll do that.”

We walked back to my house together.

Suddenly, Cayden’s nearness hit me. I smiled saying, “I’ll see you guys later.”

I took off running then I smacked myself. I opened a portal into our house. Cayden saw me and lust and happiness overtook our bond. He commented, “There’s My Duchess.”

I jumped on him kissing him fervently. I could feel his smile against my lips, so I snapped us both naked.

He pushed me back against the wall, kissing my neck. I quickly realized he was going to take his time, but I wanted hard and fast. I popped us to the bed. I saw the amused look on his face as I lowered myself onto him in one move. He chuckled, “Someone is impatient today.”

I pulled him up and rocked my hips against his. I pulled back and growled, “MINE!”

Cayden tilted his head, and I felt his confusion. Rain snorted, “Because he doesn’t know we’ve been dealing with bitches who think he’s theirs. He knows he’s ours and he’s not doubting that.”

I assured her, “I know he’s not.”

I attacked his mark as I rocked my hips. He choked and gripped my hips before moving me into a faster rhythm. I could smell those girls back outside our house. BITCHES! Rain snarled, “I’ll get them!”

I told her, “We will crush them. Mentally speaking.”

I nipped at my mate’s ear, “Say that you’re mine, Cayden.”

He whispered, “I’m yours, Cass.”

I bit his neck hard and linked him, “Louder, My Commander.”

I still loved linking him. We spent most of our time here, but I was still an Alpha, so my mate had joined the pack.

I raked my nails down his back. Cayden gripped my hips harder, “FUCK, CASS! I’M YOURS! ONLY YOURS!”

I heard the gasps outside. Rain snickered, “They can’t even be quiet. Mate had to hear that.”

The bond told me he did and he was not happy with them. Cayden groaned and exploded inside me after I did.

He turned his head and yelled, “I don’t know who the fuck is outside my house, but you’d better leave. Because if I have to come out there you will NOT be happy. This is not an orgy in the street. You won’t watch me fuck my mate in our home!”

I heard them running away for all they were worth.

I laughed telling him, “They’re gone.”