Lust

Stone is exactly where I expect him to be. In the training yard. We knew our kids would need to learn how to defend themselves, so we set the training yard up almost the same week we moved in. As soon as they could crawl we had them down here five out of every seven days.

He’s punching a bag so hard that I half-expect him to knock it off the chain and send it flying. It wouldn’t be the first time one of them has done it, even with the chain and ceiling being reinforced with magic.

“I’m sorry I was harsh on you earlier. I know I’m too hard on you sometimes. It’s not because I don’t trust you, or believe in you–”

“What else could your reason be? You’re right, I failed. I failed to stop Chaos, I failed to protect her, and I failed to get them out of there before shit went south,” he cuts me off, not revealing anything I don’t already know. He’s being careful with his words so he doesn’t betray the pact he and his siblings have. I would never ask him to do that, but I also can’t lie and say I don’t want to know more. They’re so damn stubborn, though.

All of them get that from their mother.

“You followed them. You stuck by them, and you did what you could. You are not responsible for the choices they make. That's not at all on you. And to answer your snarky question, I want you to be safe. My number one reason is that I worry about you, and I don’t want to see anything happen to you or your brothers, or Chaos. I thought it was obvious, and I apologize if it isn’t.” I walk around to the opposite side of the bag to hold it steady as he punches the fuck out of it.

“I know you expect a lot from me, and sometimes I don’t measure up–”

This time, I’m the one who cuts him off. “There has never been a day in your life where you have failed to measure up to my expectations of you. Well, there was that one time I tried to teach you how to do a backflip and you nearly broke your spine…”

“I was six!”

“I’m just saying.” I shrug. “You have always measured up, Stone. You do not have to be perfect. No one has ever asked you to be. I know it may seem that way sometimes, but I promise, that's not what we want.” I release the bag, moving around it so I can face him. With my hands on his shoulders, I pull him to a stop in front of me.

“Dad–” He tries to stop whatever I’m about to say, but I shake my head.

“I want you to be safe, happy, and healthy. In that order, because you can’t be happy if you aren’t safe, and you’ve never been sick, because well, we don’t get sick.” I shrug. “Though I suppose you could be an unhealthy sleeper or something random, but that’s never been an issue for you or your siblings.”

“Why are you twelve always so sentimental?” he gripes.

“We aren’t. We just love the fuck out of you seven kids. You lot of hooligans brought out the best in all of us. And a little bit of the unhinged insanity in your mother,” I chuckle because Moon is only slightly more insane than she was before becoming a mom.

“Are you trying to tell me she was once chill?” Stone lifts a brow, and I roll my eyes at him.

“Obviously not. Your mother doesn’t even know what that word means. Don’t tell her I said that. I’m just saying, if I thought she was fiercely protective before, now she’s an unhinged little psycho when it comes to making sure her kids are okay. I shouldn’t tell you this, either, but I know you’ll keep it a secret.” He absolutely will not, in fact, the first thing he’s about to go do is tell each one of his siblings within a thousand miles exactly what I’m about to say, but I don’t mind. “Your mother has already attempted to take out the Prince and his entire family...” I snort to myself, but this is just one of the many reasons I love her so much.

“She did what?!” Stone’s eyes go wide as he stares at me.

“Yeah. About six minutes after we got the call that you six were being detained, she got this look in her eyes, and I was suspicious right away. We all were. If it weren’t for Silas talking some sense into her, barely succeeding I might add, she may have shown up to pick you guys all up, only to leave a trail of bodies in her wake.”

“Fucking hell, Mom!”

I allow him to tug free of my grip and escape me. He turns away, walking in a circle as he pinches his nose.

“Yep. The only thing that really saved them was the fact that the six of you, Love’s kids, and the Prince all decided to take that vow of fucking silence on the matter. We have our suspicions on what could have been so bad that Chaos tried to roast the guy, but without proof, well, we can’t do shit.” I shrug, and Stone freezes mid-step.

“Jeez. I hope you don’t think I’m going to tell you anything?”

“I know you won’t. The only people you’re more loyal to than your parents are your siblings, and we’re good with that. We just need you to promise that you will tell us if you get yourselves into trouble that you can’t get yourselves out of. I’m talking about life or death, not detention.” I lift my brow, and Stone nods.

“Fair enough. Just…make sure Mom’s not lonely with us gone. I know she’s going to miss us.”

“Stone, your mother has eleven mates. She will never be lonely a day in her life, I can promise you that. But I would expect visits from her often. Well, as often as the school will allow.”

“First, ew. Second of all, I need to get back to my workout now. Thanks for the talk,” he snorts and starts to head for the weights. Since he turns his back on me, I take the opportunity to tackle him. Wrestling is a great form of exercise. “I should have seen that coming!” he grunts, and I chuckle.

“You really should have!”

Odas

Wolf is in the garden, which I had expected. We have always tried to encourage the kids to explore a connection with nature. Wolf and Pierce took to it the easiest, but all the kids like it to some degree.

My son is currently in his smaller shifted form because his single eye sees heat signatures and other things that his human eyes can’t pick up. It’s very impressive.

There was a time when I was terrified that one of my children might have my power. Mostly right around the time when I found out Moon was pregnant, and that one of the babies would share my DNA.

But I should have known better than to doubt Moon’s magic. Wolf might have some of my abilities, but the chaos of Moon’s magic means he got the perks without all the blood control. Moon and Cato both tested it out when he was young. Nothing happened, and I was so relieved that I cried.

“Before you say anything…” Wolf stands, wiping his hands off on his jeans. “I know. I know Chaos isn’t being fair to Mom. I know you lied about why my brother left. I know Wilder had his reasons for leaving, and even though I hate that he thinks he has to do this alone, I respect his decision. It’s why I didn’t tell the others he left in the first place. I know we shouldn’t have tracked him down. I know we should have trusted your reasons for lying, and I know I shouldn’t have let Chaos go full Dragon mode.”

“Okay.” I shrug. I’m not going to refute any of that, but I also don’t want to confirm it, either. I can’t make his mind up for him. I can only try to lessen some of his worries. “You know I grew up in a dungeon.” That had been a shitty conversation to have with the kids, but it needed to happen. “That Cato was my only companion. It wasn’t until we managed to join the Elven Tournament of Blood that we felt like we had finally found a home.”

“I do. We all do.” Wolf nods solemnly as I lead him over to the garden bench, so we can sit comfortably and talk.

“What you don’t know is that I was used by the former Fae Queen to kill. She used my blood to do horrible things to people who didn’t deserve it because it entertained her. She used Cato’s scales for things like jewelry and clothing.” I sigh, hating the reminder of those long ago days. “All this to say, sometimes someone might be going through something, but they hide it well. When Moon met us, she had no idea we’d been through all that. We didn’t tell her right away. It took time. Granted, not much time, but still. All I’m saying is give yourself, and your siblings, the room to make mistakes without punishing yourself or each other. Life is already hard enough.”

“I didn’t know that…” Wolf drops his gaze to his dirt-covered hands and shakes his head. “That’s awful, Dad. I’m sorry.” All seven kids call all eleven of us dad. It’s not a problem until we’re all in one room. It can get confusing, but we’d never willingly give up the chaos of our lives. “I just don’t want any of them to get hurt. They can all be so dumb!”

I snort. “True, but you’re all so young still. You’ll be dumb for another twenty years or so,” I tease, bumping him with my shoulder. “Whatever lies ahead, we’re a family, and we have each other's backs, always. Even when one of us is being an asshole. Or a fiery brat.” I joke, the boys have called Chaos Firework since she was young, because when her anger peaks, she turns into a little bomb of fire. Literally. To say I’m not worried about all of them would be a lie.

“Thanks,” he chuckles, and I wrap my arm around his shoulder, offering him my physical comfort.

“It’s going to be tough, but you’ll need to choose a side.” I don’t explain, I don’t need to. His siblings are going to divide themselves, and as shitty as that will be, it’s inevitable. They’ll all eventually get their shit together. “If you find yourself unsure of the choice you should make, consider what your mother would say, what she would do.”

“Mom always chooses love,” Wolf grumbles. “She’s always on our side, and no matter what, she supports us. Even when we’re being shitheads.”

“Exactly, my boy. Exactly.”

Being a father is hard. Not because it’s a lot of work. It is, of course, but it’s hard because you spend every moment of your life fucking terrified. Watching a living, breathing, extension of your heart and soul walking around is fucking scary.

I’m not kidding when I say I am, at all times, fucking worried.

We all are. Moon most of all.

But I wouldn’t give up an ounce of the love I feel for them to save myself from the fear. Each one of them is worth every second that I spend scared fucking shitless.

Arlo

Finding a fully grown Orc standing in the kitchen as he cooks isn’t uncommon in this home. Pierce is the gentlest of his siblings, chaos included, but you might not know that just by looking at him in this form.

His ability to shift from full Orc back to a human-like form is impressive. I can bulk up a bit when I Orc out, but I certainly don’t go full Orc. We had to adapt certain aspects of the kitchen to accommodate his size because, because for whatever reason, he enjoys cooking in his Orc form.

He’s wearing a pink apron that his brothers got him a couple of years ago. He has several now.

“Knew I’d find you in here. What are you making?” I ask as I take a seat on the counter beside him. I make sure I’m not in his way, though. He’s a foot taller, and significantly wider than me in this form. He’s given all of his siblings piggyback rides like this, even allowing Chaos to sit on one shoulder from time to time. His hair’s still black and his eyes shine magenta as he looks over at me.

“Lobster risotto, fresh garlic bread, and a side salad. For everyone, of course,” he shrugs, and I smirk. Eighteen portions is a fucking shit-ton, but I know he’s capable.

“Wow, sounds delicious. Your mother will really love that.”

“I know, that’s why I picked it. She seems more down than usual today, but I know the rest of you will steal it from her if I only make enough to feed her.” He chuckles at the last bit, and I nod in agreement.

“Correct. I already want a bite.”

“We would have killed him, you know? If it was as bad as you all think it was. He’d already be dead,” Pierce murmurs, and I nod.

“Okay.”

“I just mean…I don’t want you to think the Prince did something to Chaos and we just let it happen. I might not be like my brothers, but no one fucks with my sister. Not like that. Not ever.” The fierce way he growls those words makes my heart swell with pride.

We raised our boys right.

“Very well.”

“I mean it, Dad–”

“Pierce, I know, son. I know. I believe you. You do not need to keep defending yourself.”

“Okay.”

The silence stretches on between us for a long moment, so I just let him focus. After a while, I say, “None of us ever doubted you boys. We never have, and never will. If you think we’re worried you’ll let something happen to Chaos at the school, you’re wrong. If anything, we’re worried about what Chaos will do to that damn school. She’s her mother’s daughter, after all,” I chuckle.

“No kidding.” He sighs heavily, like he’s his older sister’s father and not a nineteen-year-old.

“Everything will work out. Two years will fly by. You’ll see.” I pat his shoulder and watch as he cooks. We fall into a comfortable silence this time, and when it’s time for dinner, I help him take everything to the dining room so we can all sit to eat as a family.

“What is that delicious smell?” Moon asks as she appears in the hall. Pierce smiles with a huge grin and pulls his very tiny, in comparison at least, mother into his arms. She hugs him as best she can, grinning up at him.

When I look at them like this, even though my son is clearly huge, I can’t contain my smile. It reminds me of the first time I saw him in her arms. His tiny tusks were already peeking through.

No matter how old my kids are, I will always see them as kids. As needing protection. If I could, I would lock all seven of them in the fucking palace and keep them under one roof where I could make sure they’re okay.

That wouldn’t do anyone any good, though. Children need to venture out on their own and experience things for themselves. Being an overbearing control freak won’t do anyone any good. Except me.

Ultimately, though, I know that they’d never flourish or find happiness if I hover. What’s that term from the human realm? Helicopter parent?

I would love nothing more, but they would hate it.

What they don’t know won’t hurt them.

I have spent years training them how to detect eyes on them that they can’t see. How to sense energies and intentions. However, they have never needed to protect themselves from me. My intentions are clear. Love and safety. Even if they noticed me stalking them like the psycho I am, they wouldn’t be on edge. I wonder if they have sensed me over the years, but just allow me to remain in the shadows.

Moonlight scolds me from time to time, like I didn’t insert myself into her life just to be close to her before she knew who I truly was to her.

“Lobster risotto. Special for you. I knew these animals would steal most of it, though, so I made enough for everyone.” Pierce presses a kiss to Moon’s head and walks with her to the head of our enormous table.

We moved into this palace for a reason.

“Thank you, my sweet boy. I love you so much. This is so thoughtful.” Moon pats his cheek. Of course, Pierce has to bend basically in half for her to reach him. The other fathers and I all take seats around Moon and the kids. I pick the seat beside my daughter since she often comes to me when she needs comfort.

The moment I sit, she leans over in her chair and rests her head on my arm. I press a kiss to the top of her head, and she nuzzles my bicep. Compared to the others, besides Odas, I am the calmest.

Tristan cheers them up with his teasing and joking. Lust is more of a silent supporter. He’ll engage in some kind of wrestling with the boys, but with Chaos, he’ll do something she prefers. Swimming. Racing. Sprinting. The little lunatic likes running. Cato has often given them rides while in his Dragon form. Odas reads to them, acting out each character. I won’t lie, it’s actually very entertaining.

Daire is the king of tag and hide and seek, for obvious reasons. The absolute insanity of seven toddlers screaming as they all book it in opposite directions just to be chased by Daire is very entertaining as well.

Kili and Crow worked as a team. Tossing them in the air and catching them, much to Moon’s disapproval.

Warrior is actually the one who taught them to cook. Once we moved into the palace he’d started learning how, and when they were about five and seven, they wanted to help him. Pierce is the only one who really stuck with it though.

Fenrick worked with them in the garden. A skill Wolf thrived with.

Silas…he was a bit of an enigma at first. Always sneaking up on them and startling them. Eventually, they decided to mobilize against him. They formed a seven-kid gang, and would hunt him in his snake form. It took me a while to understand he was teaching them how to work together. How to protect each other, without saying the words.

He wanted them to naturally feel the need to protect each other. That wasn’t hard. My kids are fiercely protective of each other.

From the outside looking in, you’d think the boys were their sister’s protectors, and they are. However, over the years, we quickly discovered that if Chaos perceived a threat against one of the boys, she went full fucking demon mode.

She’s a vicious one, that girl of mine.

Just like my Moonlight.