2

Someone laughed, “She’s beautiful.”

I heard a punch, then a yell, “Hey! What the hell, Cayden?”

Rain purred in my head. I couldn’t deny I already wanted some alone time to imagine him talking to me in that sexy tone. I was already wet from the voice alone. I was screwed.

Cayden ordered, “Leave before I hit you again.”

The guy groaned, “Whoa! What IS IT with you and the Duchess? You know if you fucked her that could cause problems. If you break her heart, they will break you.”

I heard another punch.

Cayden commanded, “Don’t you talk about her like that!”

Rain was still purring, and I was having a hard time convincing myself not to relieve some pressure I now I felt. He’d definitely hear it if I had an orgasm.

The guy shouted, “Damn it, Cayden. You broke my nose! Look, people around here look but don’t touch when it comes to the Duchess.”

Cayden snorted sarcastically, “Fearless protectors of the Realms indeed. I clearly have bravery to instill in my men. ”

Rain whispered, “He sounds hot. Why are we still in this tree? They aren’t that close by.”

She was right. I could hear them because of my heightened sense of hearing. A scent hit me like lightning. I could smell coconuts.

Rain purred, “Is Aiylee right? Can’t they walk faster?!”

I nearly fell out of the tree I was leaning so far forward. I almost laughed thinking how Aiylee and I were just laughing about this. Then I saw him and nothing else mattered.

I barely held back Rain’s growl of mine as my brain whispered it too. I felt the pull in me to go to him from my Hackura side. I wiped drool from the corner of my mouth. He was shirtless and boy did he work out. He was ripped.

Rain purred, “He’s so handsome.”

She seemed to be in a permanent state of purring now. Cayden was picture perfect. He had black hair with a light black beard. Rain told me, “We are getting all over that, Cassie! MATE IS HOT! We were right about that.”

Yes, we were.

I saw a guy was trailing after him with a bloody nose. Cayden looked over at the tree I was in. I shrank back which was silly. He couldn’t see me, there was no way. Cayden whirled around waving his arms. “Go home, Jed.”

Jed frowned, “Come on man, don’t be like that!”

Cayden warned, “Unless you want your ass kicked again after the beating you took from Alexander, leave.”

Jed snorted, “I don’t know what his problem was today.”

Cayden rolled his eyes, “He doesn’t have a problem. He’s just intense. Try to find a fraction of his drive, and I’ll be happy. GO AWAY!”

Jed sighed and took off running.

Cayden walked closer to me then spoke, “Whoever you are get down here.”

My eyes widened but I didn’t move. Rain urged, “Uhhh hello, get moving!”

I sighed, “Don’t you want to have a better meeting story than oh gee he found me IN A TREE?!”

Rain snickered, “I like it. Make him come up here and kiss you.” That would be actual research to discuss with Aiylee about our kissing in a tree and falling theory. I could always pop us if we fell then we technically wouldn’t have fallen.

Cayden raised an eyebrow saying, “Come down, or I will come up.”

I popped down in front of him. His eyes widened and he gripped my waist and looked into my eyes. He declared gutturally, “Mine!”

I smiled agreeing, “Yours.”

His lips were on mine in the next second.

It felt like heaven. I felt my connections glow that my intense happiness made my mom happy, but her emotions told me she was in the Ribbon. They weren’t going to notice from the bond I met my mate yet. Which meant I could tell them however I wanted. I focused back on his lips against mine. He was definitely the best kisser these lips had touched. Jason was a good kisser, but I could feel this kiss in my toes.

Unable to stop myself, I wrapped my arms around his neck. He gently bit my lip and slid his tongue into my mouth. I’d never felt safer than I did in his arms. Eventually we pulled back from each other. He was breathing heavily against my forehead. He pulled his head back so he could look into my eyes.

He was smirking and it made me want to drop to my knees and ask what he wanted. Rain purred, “Let’s make him smirk all the time.”

I agreed wholeheartedly with that sentiment. Cayden spoke, “Duchess Cassie Conners, I presume.”

I smirked, “Cayden Aaron Crawford, future Commander of the Hackura Army, I presume.”

Cayden grinned broadly, “One in the same, My Duchess.”

I rolled my eyes, “It’s just Cassie. Or Cass.”

Cayden smiled, “I prefer mine. You’ll want to watch the eyerolling or I’ll spank you.” I felt my insides melt.

I shrugged, “That’s fine too.”

His eyes flashed and I hoped he acted on that sexy feeling. Instead he asked, “What are you doing here? And who have you been drinking with? Based on the smell, I’d go with a Fairy.”

I snorted, “I guess Fairy drinks do smell different. I was with my cousin, Aiylee.”

Cayden smiled, “And what are you doing here?”

I could barely focus because his thumb was tracing a pattern on my hip. I frowned, “Excuse me sir, I can come here anytime I want. Especially now that I’m yours, but I could before anyway.”

Cayden laughed, “I’d prefer if you’d come here very often. Now that you’re mine, you’ll live here. I also know an evasion when I see one, Cassie Conners. I mean why are you in a field overlooking the outdoor training facility?”

My cheeks turned red .

I replied, “It’s beautiful out here.”

Cayden smiled, “Even more so now.”

I laughed, “You’re….”

Cayden interrupted, “Yours.” I smiled, “Yes, mine.” I buried myself in his chest and inhaled his scent. Cayden nuzzled my neck and asked, “Were you by chance looking for me, My Duchess?”

I giggled, “Maybe I was because maybe Alexander and EJ said they were sparring with you. I wanted to see you, but you’re always so busy.”

Cayden pointed out, “So are you.”

I smacked his arm. He bit his lip asking, “What was that for?”

I answered, “For being late! I should’ve met you at Uncle Bjourn’s coronation, but you had to go and be delayed. Actually, I should’ve met you before then. For goodness sake, my mom babysat you as a child.”

Cayden smiled, “I do apologize that you had to wait, My Duchess.”

I teased, “You are forgiven. How long are you here for?”

Cayden frowned, “I have plans tomorrow here then I leave again for a while.”

I deflated, “Oh.”

Cayden tilted my head up, “I’m so sorry Cass. I wouldn’t have taken the mission if I’d known.” I nodded, “I understand. When do you come back?” Cayden sighed, “Around your eighteenth birthday.” I was dismayed, “That’s months away!” Rain whined in my head.

Cayden tugged me tightly against him, “I know it is. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know we’d find each other now.”

I whispered, “What do we do?”

Cayden sighed, “I want to do this right. I know your dad is a Werewolf. They wait until they are eighteen anyway.”

I pointed out, “EJ and Wesley have their mates already.”

Cayden kissed me softly. He pulled back, “I think we both know you getting your mate will not be the same as your brothers.”

I sighed, “That's not fair.”

Rain growled, “Mom would make sure it was all done fairly. She’d fight for us.” She definitely would.

Cayden smiled, “There’s your Fairy side. I know it’s not fair, but I have a little sister too so I get it. If I wasn’t leaving, I’d portal us to your dad right now. I couldn’t be away from you. Since I am leaving though, I’ll go to him the second I get back.”

I nodded, “Ok.”

It hurt more than I cared to admit.

I wanted to stay with him until he left. He kissed my forehead, “You don’t have to wait for me to get back if you don’t want to. I won’t be upset if you’re dating other guys.”

Rain whimpered in my head. I frowned because I didn’t want that. I just wanted him.

Did he mean he wanted other girls while he was gone? We weren’t marked yet, and he was leaving. Was that why he said that? Rain spoke softly, “Ask him, Cassie.”

I snorted, “And appear like a clingy girl?”

Rain reasoned, “It’s not clingy, you are his mate.”

She might have a point, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask. This was how Cayden was raised so having off periods was normal to him. Once we were marked, he couldn't have one.

Rain pointed out, “If you talked to him now, we wouldn’t have one. Tell him how you feel! The relationships here are based on love and respect. He would not disrespect you if you told him you felt that way. He could have other reasons.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear his disappointment if I was right about his reasons.

Cayden sat down and pulled me into his lap. He cupped my face, “You are so beautiful, My Duchess.”

I blushed. He whispered, “I love that blush.”

I leaned down and kissed him again. He responded and pulled on my hair lightly. Things were getting intense between us. I moved my hips against his desperately needing friction.

Cayden pulled back, “Have you done this before?”

I shook my head indicating I had not. He closed his eyes, “I won’t have your first time be out here in a field.”

I asked, “Have you done this before?”

God. I did not ask that. The answer was yes. He was Hackura.

Cayden winked, “Once.”

I was surprised and I knew my face showed that. That was not the standard for the Hackura. Usually by his age it was a much higher number. He was twenty after all, and it was perfectly normal to have several partners. Hell, I could too I just wanted to wait for my mate.

Cayden smirked, “You’re surprised.”

I nodded. Cayden shrugged, “I don’t have much free time. I had a girlfriend in high school that wanted to have sex, so we did. I came back from a mission to find her fucking someone else. ”

I growled, “That bitch! I’ll kick her ass! Did you think you were still together? Or was it an off period?”

I could still kick her ass for something else if they were off. Cayden laughed, “I did think we were still on, but I can’t say I cared too much. No need to get all golden eyed about it.”

Rain disagreed, “No, do go golden eyed about it.”

I assured her, “I’ll find out what her name is. She will be a part of our tournament.”

Rain was happy with that. I smirked warning my mate, “You’ll just be in for it with me, Cayden Crawford. I’m stealthy and mischievous.”

Cayden smirked, “Bring it on Cassie Conners, I can handle it.” I laughed, “We will see I guess.”

I snapped us a blanket and we laid down. I asked, “What’s it like training to take over the army here?”

Cayden smiled, “It’s intense, but I love it. I go on a lot of missions. All different types so I know when I start helping Uncle Bjourn decide….”

I laughed cutting him off, “It’s weird that he’s my uncle and yours too.”

Cayden emphatically stated, “We are not related in any way. My aunt by blood married your uncle. He’s my uncle through marriage. He’s yours through blood.”

I chuckled, “I know but it’s still funny.”

Cayden smirked, “Ok then. As long as that’s clear. Anyway, when I start helping decide who goes on what missions I need to know what I’m sending people out on. So, I take every type of mission. I have to know where I’m sending my people and what I’m sending them to do. I spend a lot of time training and fighting here. My men and women need to know who is in charge.”

Rain purred, “Yes, it’s so him. He IS in charge.”

I agreed, “Yes, he is.”

Cayden continued, “I fight and give pointers. We run drills and formations in preparation should we be needed to attack. I have to decide my squads and their leaders. For certain things, we may bring a portion of the army instead of the whole army.”

I nodded, “I got it. You really are a busy man. Good thing I’m a fast runner and I can keep up.”

Cayden smirked, “That is a good thing.”

I told him, “I do Uncle Bjourn’s cardio program too, Mr. Cayden Crawford.”

Cayden asked, “What do you run in?”

I snapped myself into my running gear. I usually wore mostly black yoga pants with a white stripe on them. With a V cut black sports bra with white stripes across the band. Aunt Lexi had given it to me for Christmas this year, and it was my favorite running outfit.

Cayden groaned, “Fuck me.”

His lips were on mine in a second. He rolled on top of me so quickly I barely processed the movement. I ran my hands down his chiseled back. I could feel something hard poking my thigh. I blushed when I realized what it was.

Cayden cupped my breast and I moaned as he rubbed his thumb across my nipple. I pulled him closer to me. Then I heard someone coming. I groaned, “I hear someone coming.”

Cayden ground out, “I will kill them.”

He stood while I bit my lip. His shorts were definitely tighter and he was hung like a horse. How the HELL was that supposed to fit in me?!

Cayden caught my gaze and smiled, “If you keep looking at me like that, My Duchess, the last tether of control I have will snap.”

I smiled, “I’ll be good.”

Cayden laughed, “Why don’t I believe that?”

I shrugged, “I can’t lie so that’s really on you.” He kissed me hard. He said, “You are mischievous, and the word good has many interpretations especially during sex.” I felt my cheeks flush and he kissed me again.

When we parted I asked, “Do you want me to go?”

Cayden frowned, “What? No.”

I frowned, “But you don’t want to talk to my dad until you get back from your mission. By the way it’s Jed that’s coming back. I can smell him. It’s the same scent that you were with before and I did hear you say his name.”

Cayden rolled his eyes.

He yelled, “JED, GO THE FUCK AWAY UNLESS IT’S THE BEST GODDAMN EMERGENCY OF YOUR LIFE!”

Jed stopped running. He muttered, “How did he know I was coming? Jesus, that guy is cranky.”

I snickered, “He’s wondering how you know it was him.”

Cayden smirked, “So you have hearing like your brothers do?”

I nodded, “Yup.”

That gave me an idea. My brothers would know who Cayden’s girlfriend in high school was. That was too obvious though. My Aunt Astrid was the better choice. Or one of my uncle’s mates. No! Tory might know. She could get me the answer then I just had to make sure said ex was in my tournament. I would so kick her ass for cheating on my mate .

Jed was still debating, “Well, if it has to be the best emergency of my life I can’t go. Plus, he was in a MOOD earlier. I’ll just tell him later.”

I got onto my knees and pressed back into Cayden. I told him, “He’s leaving.”

Cayden trailed his fingertips down my skin causing goosebumps to form on my arms.

He rubbed his thumb on my face once he reached it. He whispered in the most seductive tone I’d ever heard, “Tell me all about you, My Duchess.”

I asked, “What do you want to know?”

Cayden smiled, “Everything.”

I teased, “That’s a broad topic. Ummm so I’m Cassie. I once debated going by Veronica instead because I thought my first name was to honor my Grandma Cassandra. I’m really glad it wasn’t because I’d change it. I feel like a bitch for speaking ill of a dead woman, but I really didn’t like her. She didn’t like me because I looked like my mom.”

Cayden frowned, “Excuse me?”

I sighed, “She had this whole thing with my mom…”

Cayden interrupted, “I know that because I heard about it from Aunt Astrid. She was not a fan of your grandmother. It sounds like you’re saying that grandmother didn’t treat you well. If that’s the case, then SHE is lucky she is dead.”

I sighed, “She just didn’t like me because I look like my mom. I wasn’t sad when she died. I feel like I should feel bad about that, but I only felt bad because my dad was sad. My grandpa and my uncles were too.”

I snorted, “She died over something so freaking stupid too. Her damn garden. She couldn’t keep a garden alive if her life depended on it. She honestly caused far too many problems in the time I knew her. I know there was more my mom shielded us from.”

Vaguely my mind prickled with that time I was almost kidnapped. It seemed weirder to me now, but I’d never told anyone how Grandma Cassandra acted that day. She’d never have actually hurt me though. She just wasn’t going to try and defend me either.

I waved my hand, “Anyway, I’ve really wanted to get in touch with all sides of myself. That’s why I spent time in Faerie without leaving. I’m the most talented Earth Fairy in my family besides Julian. He’s the one that can turn people into trees. Or make the tree, for lack of a better description, eat people and spit out their pieces. It’s almost like an explosion.”

Cayden laughed, “I know what Julian’s powers are.”

I smiled at him continuing, “My cousin Aiylee, is more like my best friend. She’s happily mated with Exsis and they are pretty cute together. I’m also close with my cousin Bea, who lives here sometimes with JP.”

He smiled at me.

“I’m the proud big sister of eighteen really cool guys and one adorable, already incredibly mischievous, three year old little sister. I am REALLY good with samurai swords if I do say so myself. I think Angela will be too. We have so much of our mom in us. I’ve always wanted to meet my mate, I just didn’t advertise that lest my eighteen brothers, nine Hackura uncles, three wolf uncles, and my dad’s heads explode.”

Cayden laughed again and I found I loved the sound. Rain was quite content in my mind right now.

I thought about it then added, “I’m also a Truth Seeker. I can also shoot sunlight out of my hands and call the wind. I can’t take air like my mom, but I can take air from the air itself and create a tornado. I can’t take people’s air though.”

Cayden whispered as he nipped my ear, “Show me.”

I shivered desperately wanting him before I held my hand out and took the air from the sky and transferred it into a tornado. Just a small one. I quickly released the air, so no one started yelling about a tornado. Cayden clapped complimented, “Very nice, My Duchess.”

I smiled until my phone buzzed then I groaned. I pulled it out.

EJ: Where are you?

Me: Around. Why?

EJ: Dad wants us to have dinner together since Wes and Max are needing family right now.

Me: When?

EJ: In ten Minutes.

Me: I’ll be there .

I sighed, “I have to go soon.”

Cayden frowned, “I can’t say I care for that.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to invite him to dinner, but he didn’t want to announce we were mates yet. Cayden took my phone and put his number in it.

I asked, “Is that your burner number?”

Cayden smiled, “No, that’s my real phone. Text me later. I’ll memorize the number and contact you from my burner. We will talk every day, I swear. No matter what, I’ll call or text you.”

He kissed me then pulled back. He groaned, “God, I don’t know how I’ll do this.”

I smiled, “Well, I can always pop or portal to you. I can do both, ya know?”

Cayden kissed me and slid his tongue in my mouth as his hands dug into my hair.

He pulled back warning, “I might just hold you to that, Cassie Conners. I think I’m already addicted to you.”

I smiled, “I think I am addicted to you too.”

Rain agreed, “Yes we are. What good is it being a Duchess if we can’t abuse the amount of power we hold here to get the address of his place on this mission? We could surprise him in sexy lingerie.”

I liked that idea a lot.

We kissed for a few more minutes before I had to go. I let a tear fall. He flinched, “Cass.”

I admitted, “I don’t want to go. I just found you.”

He kissed me again. He said, “You’ll come to me on my mission. Ok?”

I nodded, “Ok.” He let me go and I popped to my room and jumped into the shower. Smelling like Cayden would give me away. I snapped myself into a dress and popped to the door.

I took several deep breaths before I went downstairs. My dad hugged me, “Did you have fun with Aiylee?”

I smiled, “Yes, I did. She was upset, but we got to talking which led to laughing.”

Alexander linked me, “You got to drinking, didn’t you?”

I replied, “So?”

Alexander smiled but I could feel him sifting through my feelings in the bond. He didn’t understand them, and that was fair. I didn’t get them myself yet. I felt frazzled, which had my mom’s attention. She was back now and so shrewd. She was just respecting that I hadn’t told her what was going on.

We all sat down and ate dinner together. Angela smiled broadly at me, and I winked back. The little path seeing mischievous Fairy definitely knew my secret. Rain said, “Snow reached out to congratulate me, so they do know.”

Snow was my little sister’s wolf.

After dinner I popped upstairs and took out my phone, looking for Cayden’s name. It wasn’t under C. I scrolled through my phone then laughed when I found it.

Me: You could’ve told me you didn’t put yourself in my phone under your name.

My Commander: Ahhh but that’s not true, My Duchess. I have to keep up with my mate and keep you on your toes. We can’t have you getting bored with me already.

Me: Do you always have to make me blush?

My Commander: Yes. You look gorgeous when you blush, and I find I’m addicted to it.

Me: You are ridiculous.

My Commander: Over you, yes. I’ve always wanted to meet you. Now I know why.

Me: Same. You should send my cousin, Aiylee, a fruit basket. She told me to pop and see if you were as hot as I thought you were. Or as good a kisser as I imagined

My Commander: You imagined I was hot? You wanted to kiss me?

Me: Your name is hot and you’re the future Commander of the Hackura Army. So, that meant you had to be hot. I definitely wanted to kiss you, and I must say you get an A+ in kissing.

My Commander: I’m glad you think so. On both accounts. You are the best kisser I’ve ever kissed. So you’ve got that going for you.

Me: I also know you’re hot now so I’m already preparing to cut a bitch when they come for my mate. My mom has a great process for those bitches, and I plan to follow it.

My Commander: That’s hot, My Duchess.

Me: Well….

My Commander: I’ve got to go to bed. I’ll talk to you soon, My Duchess.

Me: Goodnight, My Commander.

My Commander: And now I have to go take a VERY cold shower before I go to bed .

I laughed thinking that was his fault. He put himself in my phone as My Commander. I liked it too. Rain agreed, “Me too.”

I was going to call him that often. I closed my eyes, really happy with my life. My hand slid down my body almost unconsciously.

I flicked my clit with my finger and moaned. I pictured Cayden in my head. In my mind it wasn’t my finger he was above me rocking his hips giving me the friction I desperately wanted. I heard his voice saying dirty things to me. I came with a ripping force I’d never experience before. I whispered, “Damn.”

I quickly showered again and got back in bed with a smile on my face.

When I woke up, I helped my mom with TJ and Angela until it was time to take their nap. We’d just stepped out of the room together. My mom commented, “You seem very happy, Cass.”

I smiled, “I really am mom.”