Page 5 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

Cassie said, “According to dad, you couldn’t help it. He sat us all down and told us we’d have to work with our wolves on things like this. He said you’d be especially protective of Elise. Grandma Cassandra knows that too. She pushed Brutus to come out. It’s like she wanted to get you in trouble so you couldn’t see Elise.” That actually made a lot of sense. I promised here and now I wouldn’t take her manipulations to heart. Elise Kyle was mine and I knew it.

Flashback Ends

Austin’s shouting drew me back to the present. “I don’t THINK Arlina is my mate, I KNOW SHE IS! She’s mine!” My Uncle Jackson put his hands on Austin’s shoulders reassuring him, “We know she is. Arlina has said so and Emmaline confirmed it. Arlina is yours.” He turned around and growled, “Honest to god mom, what are you doing? Fairies can’t lie and Emmaline, you know the soul searcher, confirmed it because you were a bitch about it.”

Grandma Cassandra frowned, “You know better than to use that name or speak to me in that tone. I’m just saying we won’t know for sure until they are eighteen. Their Fairy side could be wrong.” Arlina started crying as all my siblings growled at her. Brutus scoffed, “She’s usually better at not saying these things around the pack.” That was true.

Austin put his arms around her and whispered to her telling her she was his. Always. My mom angrily spat out, “Are you happy now, Cassandra? Honestly! Fairies can’t lie and you know that. Arlina and EJ aren’t lying! Austin and Arlina are mates. So are EJ and Elise.”

She threw her hands up in exasperation, “Emmaline even confirmed it because you insisted. You know what she can do and you know she would never lie. Not just because she’s not that kind of person, but because she fucking can’t!”

Grandma Cassandra sighed, “Will everyone watch their language? Pups are out here. I’m just saying. What if Elise gets her wolf, and then we find out they were wrong? They will be heartbroken.”

I growled angrily, “ELISE IS MINE!” Brutus came forward warning, “Say she isn’t mine again, Cassandra. I dare you.” I had better control than when I was five so he didn’t force a shift but I would give him control if she said it again.

My dad rubbed his temples. Alexander put his hand on my shoulder, and Cassie put hers on the other. Youngers said, “Little Duke, let’s pop to your mate.” I turned him down, “I won’t leave my family behind to deal with this bullshit! Arlina is so nice it hurts sometimes. She has a kind and tender heart, she would never lie about her mate even if she could! She loves Austin and he loves her. Don’t make them feel bad about that Grandma.” She glared at me.

I pushed, “Besides, you will NEVER make me feel bad about Elise. She’s mine and you know I’m not lying. My mom would NEVER let you keep us apart. I’m grateful and lucky she’s my mom because Aesir knows you’d keep me away if she wasn’t around to fight for me and my mate. Stay away from my siblings and my Fairy cousins. I won’t let you hurt them. You’ve done enough!”

My dad linked, “I would never let her keep Elise away from you either.” I replied, “I know you wouldn’t. I’m just so angry!” He said, “That’s normal. You know Alpha pups run hot. Alpha’s do in general. I’ve got this pup. What happened today is not going to stand.” I breathed deeply. Brutus said, “Thor is talking to me too.” Good.

Grandma Cassandra wiped tears away, “It’s not your call if you spend time with Elise Kyle, young man. Also, that’s no way to speak to adults.” My mom said, “You’re right, it’s not EJ’s call. It’s Eric and mine. We’ve already told you how we feel about it. So, now I’ll publicly tell you these are OUR children, not yours. We decide how they are raised, not you. I will NOT teach them to discount any side of them or feel it’s bad to be a partial. Eric has voiced his utter contempt for you wanting to keep mates apart. Grow up, Cassandra.”

She turned to us, “Kids, please go inside. Or go see Grandpa Titus.” Max growled. Dad gently ordered, “Guys, go.” Thor linked me and my siblings, “We will handle this. You will get anapology from Cassandra. Kena is sleeping so she’s innocent in all this. I’m not going to let this slide.” Our wolves all acknowledged that by popping out of here as requested.

Cassie popped to Arlina, “Let’s take Austin to Uncle Aiden’s castle in Faerie. He’d love to see us, and your parents are there right now. Your mom will know just what to say. No one thinks you’re lying, Arlina. Austin is yours.” Cassie shot Grandma Cassandra a glare as she said it.

Arlina wiped her tears, “I don’t understand. I swear Cass, he’s mine.” Austin took her hand, “I’m yours Lina, only yours.” It was his nickname for her. She would only let him call her that. She smiled softly at him, and they popped away with Cassie.

I linked Alexander, “Where are you going, brother?” Alexander shrugged, “I’ll go see Grandpa Titus.” He popped away. I waited until all of my siblings were gone. My dad smiled at me sending his pride in the bond. I nodded to him and my mom before I grabbed Youngers and popped to Elise.

My mate squealed when she saw me. I couldn't stop my smile as she ran across the field to me. I opened my arms up and buried my head in her neck. I growled, “Mine!” She whispered, “Yours.” She stayed still while I took her perfectly delicious scent of Spring.

After several moments she pulled back asking, “What’s wrong?” I explained, “Grandma Cassandra again. She hurt Cassie’s feelings, and I didn’t know about it.” Elise frowned, “When did she do that?” I shrugged, “I don’t know yet, but I won’t miss something like that again.” Elise snorted, “Your sister is just as capable as you are at kicking butt.” I smiled knowing that was true.

I grabbed her hand, “Yes, she is. I don’t want to talk about the entire ordeal just yet. I want to hear about my girl’s day.” Elise blushed, “Well I played with my brothers this morning.” I laughed, “What trouble did the twins get into today?” Elisehappily filled me in, “Dakota found the flour and Dalton could not be out done. So, he found the powdered sugar and they threw it at each other. It was a mess. One of our partial Fairies snapped it clean after mom found them.”

I laughed, “Which one? Elise smiled, “Future Gamma Jared.” I questioned, “What about the rest of Red Run?” Elise bit her lip, “Well, my favorite little trouble maker threw a boy twice her size into the mud.” I snorted, “I assume you mean the little trouble maker you call your little sister.” Elise smiled, “The one and only. I wish Melanie McAlister was my little sister. Tristan and Jason are lucky! She’s so adorable and fun.”

I teased, “Why did the possibly imaginary three year old throw a boy into the mud?” Elise frowned “Melanie is not imaginary!” I pointed out, “No one outside of Red Run has met her.” Ray snorted, “I’ve met her. She’s a spitfire, full of sass and facts. She’s so smart it’s baffling for her age. I’ve been waiting for you to get here so I could hear the story.” Elise stuck her tongue out at him.

I pressed, “We can’t leave Ray in suspense then. What did Melanie do?” Elise sighed, “Robert took her new stuffed animal and threw it in the mud.” I growled, “I hate that guy.” Elise rolled her eyes, “Because you think he likes me.”

I gave her a look, “I don’t THINK he does. I know he wants my girl.” She smiled, “I’m only yours.” Ray laughed, “And that’s adorable. Now, tell him what Melanie did.” I shrugged, “Can we just go ask her ourselves? I want to meet her.”

Elise smirked, “She’s in timeout.” I rolled my eyes, “Naturally. So, the imaginary Melanie threw the kid, who may or may not want me to kill him, into the mud because?” Brutus chimed in, “He totally wants us to kill him.” I agreed with that.

Elise rolled her eyes, “He threw her new stuffed wolf into the mud and got it all dirty. She kicked him…” Ray interrupted, “Inthe shins and the balls.” Elise smiled adding, “And threw him in the mud. I went to talk to her after she got sent to her room.”

Ray supplied, “And she’s being very secretive about why Melanie got so upset about the whole ordeal.” I felt like I was pulling teeth. “Why is she so upset?” Elise blushed, “I can’t say.” Ray yelled, “Oh come on! I’ve been waiting for EJ to get here so I could hear the story and now you won’t say. Some days Elise, it’s like you don’t like me.” I smiled at him.

My dad had sent Ray to guard Elise when they realized we were mates. When she was four, she was almost kidnapped, but Ray was here to stop it. He was going to stay with her until she was eighteen. Then they would both come home.

Ray sighed, “Come on Elise, this is how I have fun. There hasn’t been a rogue attack here in THREE YEARS! Just tell me why Melanie was so mad. It was over a stuffed animal she got earlier today. It’s not like she had some deep attachment to it.”

Elise teased, “You’re wrong. She has an attachment to it.” I smirked, “What attachment would that be?” She nudged my shoulder, “I can’t tell you. Just know, it’s really cute.” I shrugged, “I’ll buy her a basket of stuffed animals for knocking Robert down into the mud. Are Jason and Tristan already teaching her self-defense?”

Elise laughed, “No, she watches them train though. Obviously, she’s picked up a few things. Ray over there says she was meant to be a redhead.” Ray snorted, “She should be a redhead. Don’t ask me how she ended up with black hair. She’s got the fiery redhead temperament.” Elise sighed, “I love her hair. It’s so thick and beautiful.” I kissed her hand, “Your hair is beautiful.” She blushed, “Thanks.”

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