Uncle Arion laughed, “I kind of hope she does. That was epic. Plus, we all know which side you favor, and I could see a Hackura beat down.” My Uncle Aiden agreed, “It would be something.” He gave me a hug and told Arion, “Send her home.” Arion smiled and tapped my forehead.
I woke up with a start. EJ and Alexander were sitting on my bed. EJ asked, “Why did Uncle Arion pull you and not us?” I snorted, “You guys will NOT believe this.” Alexander asked, “What happened?” I said, “Alania pulled me. I think she thought she could manipulate me but found out quickly that was NOT true.” A tray dropped on the ground that had all our attention.
My mom had been coming with breakfast, I guess. She screamed, “SHE DID WHAT?!” I bit my lip knowing that we’d be going to the Hackura realm to calm mom down. Maybe I’d run into Cayden. Rain grumbled, “He’s probably on a mission.” He was on a lot of missions.
As the future Commander, he did have to know what kind of missions he’d be sending people out on. He had to know who should be recommended to my uncle and one day, when he took power, my cousin Hastein. He had to know those in his army and their strengths. One day, Cayden Crawford, I’ll meet you.
Preparing For the Future
Cayden is Seventeen Years Old
Cayden was happy to be home. I got up and jogged to the gym where I found my best friend, Hendrix. He laughed, “How did I know that you would be here bright and early?” I grinned, “Because you know me.” I asked, “How’s Milana?” He answered, “She’s good. We are really good. Being mated is better than I imagined.” I questioned, “How so?” I was certain I knew the answer, but I asked anyway.
He shrugged, “I’ve always thought she was mine.” I gasped in mock shock, “You did? I can’t believe I never had a single clue. I mean you only talked about her every single day and put a guy through a wall for thinking about asking her to a banquet.”
Hendrix glared at me, “I had an elaborate plan to ask her! He was just going to ask when she deserved flowers, candles, and romantic gestures! She loves them.” I replied, “I know because she’s also my friend. Literally no one was surprised on your birthday when she turned out to be yours.” He retorted, “Because you knew since her birthday is a year before mine. She knew I was hers.” I laughed, “Yes, but we knew before her birthday too. Anyway, mated life is better than you thought.”
He grinned, “It really is. It’s kind of hard to explain, but she’s always been mine. I knew that from the moment I met her. I prayed to Aesir every night that it would be official on my birthday. She obviously told me on her birthday it was me. Now, everything feels settled inside me with my mark on her neck. Coming home to her and in a place we’ve made our own is everything I knew I needed.” I nodded, “You know I’m thrilled for you.”
Then I heard a giggle that annoyed me to no end. I shot Hendrix a look and he sighed. She squealed, “Cayden!” I turned greeting, “Cora.” I tried to be civil and polite since my mom raised me to be respectful. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help but flash back to that day Cora shattered the friendship and relationship we had.
Flashback
Cayden grinned and waved to several people. I’d come home to surprise my girlfriend. We’d talked on the phone the other night and she’d been sad and feeling alone. She’d gone to my house, but my mom wasn’t exactly her biggest fan. I knew that she’d have been welcomed because my mom was a nice person, but she claimed my mom refused to let her in. I wanted to talk to my mom and get the full story. First, I wanted to see Cora though.
I knew she was a touch dramatic sometimes, but she was a good person. We’d had sex for the first time before I left. It wasn’t my first mission, but it was my first mission where I didn’t have a hoard of people following me around. I’d finally gotten Uncle Bjourn to agree to that. It took my Aunt Astrid to convince him, but I’d finally done it. I felt more like a man than I ever had, even wrapped up everything early. I’d have fun with my girlfriend and celebrate this mission then figure out the drama. I would give Uncle Bjourn my report too.
I silently entered Cora’s house ready to surprise her. Then I heard moaning. I knew exactly who it was because I’d heard it before. My girlfriend was fucking someone else. I checked my phone for a text or voicemail from her saying we were off, but I didn’t have one. Which meant to everyone in this realm she was cheating on me.
I had several choices. I could leave, but that wasn’t going to happen. I could drag her into the street, but I would never do that to anyone. Which left me with confronting her and leaving. I silently moved up the stairs and faded back. I slipped into the room and faded in. My heart twisted in my chest seeing whoshe was with. My friend, Eagan. He knew we were together. I was losing a girlfriend and someone I considered a friend all in one day.
Eagan groaned, “Say my name.” I said, “That’s a weird request, but hello Eagan.” They both jolted and Cora screamed. She stammered, “It’s not what it looks like, Cayden.” I inclined my head, “That’s interesting. Because it looks like you’re cheating on me with someone I thought was a friend.” Eagan reached for the sheet to cover Cora. I rolled my eyes sniping, “I’ve seen her naked, Eagan.”
Cora cried, “I’m sorry, Cayden. I was just so lonely.” I replied, “And all you had to do was text or call me saying we were on an off period. Instead, you tried to cheat thinking I wouldn’t be home. We are beyond done.” She sobbed, “Cayden, no.” I shrugged, “I won’t be a with a cheater, and you knew that.”
I felt so stupid and used. She’d pressured me for sex, and I’d caved. Only for her to go off and cheat. I asked, “Was this the first time?” She faltered, “Of course.” She was lying and it was obvious. Eagan shot her a look of surprise. I said, “Yeah, that’s what I thought. I guess it wasn’t Eagan though.”
Eagan winced, “Cayden…” I cut him off, “Save it. We are done as friends.” He blinked, “But...” I cut him off, “I literally don’t want to hear it unless you didn’t know we weren’t off.” His jaw clenched. I nodded, “Yeah, so I could guess since I’m taking some psychology classes on your feelings here. You felt powerful knowing you were sticking it to the future Commander. I got it.” He closed his eyes letting me know I was right.
I stalked out of the house, and I knew my eyes were blazing. Cora came running after me, which was honestly a shock. She was screaming with Eagan following behind her. I hadn’t planned to put her on blast for cheating on me, but she was letting the whole realm know as she followed me out.
She screamed, “Cayden, I’m sorry! It didn’t mean anything! You’re the one I want.” I replied, “Cheating on me says otherwise.” I heard the gasps from the crowd that had gathered. I told her, “Go home, Cora. You’re making a scene.” She dropped to her knees, “I’m not moving until you forgive me.” I replied, “Suit yourself but you’ll be there for a very long time.” I opened a portal to the gym and went in.
I saw my cousins, Hastein and Hugo in the ring. I jumped in, “I need in.” They both glanced at me and without words we began to circle each other. It didn’t matter how many knocks I took, I got back up. My dad joined at some point, but I didn’t stop until my sister cried, “Cayden.” I stopped immediately.
I asked, “Aubrielle, what’s wrong?” She wiped her tears, “You’re so upset.” I told her, “I’m ok. I just lost a few things I thought I had today.” Eagan said, “Yeah, well your sister beat Cora’s ass.” I warned him, “Leave.” He argued, “We need to talk.”
I hauled off and hit him. He acknowledged, “I deserved that.” I tackled him to the ground, and we fought until Hastein pulled me off him. My oldest cousin warned, “Eagan, I don’t know what the hell happened here, but you need to leave.” I laughed humorlessly, “You should leave before I tell H exactly what happened. You and I both know what his reaction would be.” Eagan winced, “Are we good now?”
I answered, “Are you high? No, we aren’t good. You fucked my girlfriend!” Hugo asked, “He what?” Hastein ground out, “What my brother said.” Our bond told me they were now enraged and ready to kill. Eagan winced, “Yeah, I know I did but you weren’t supposed to find out.”
I laughed, “Oh, well then I guess it’s ok. I wasn’t supposed to know you betrayed me. That makes it all better. You ass! All she had to do was text me.” He reasoned, “You were on your first mission where you didn’t have fifteen family members trailing you though. She didn’t want to distract you.”
Hugo said, “You’re actually saying it’s his fault his girlfriend cheated, and you helped her. Is this happening right now? Am I in some Fairy prank my Aunt generated? Because I’m not finding any of this funny.” Hastein agreed, “Nor am I.”
I answered, “It’s happening. No Fairy hijinks involved. Also, she cheated not for the first time, apparently.” Aubrielle gasped. Eagan said, “It was the first time I’d ever been with her. I didn’t know about the other times. Come on, man. You have to forgive us. She’s probably your mate anyway.” I laughed, “No, she’s not. If she was, she would have respected me enough to be off.” Hastein said, “Or she’d be mated to him for a whole second before I SLIT HER CHEATING THROAT!” Fair enough.
Eagan argued, “You were on a mission! She was doing it for you, so you weren’t distracted.” A voice I knew well called, “Are you seriously trying to fucking gaslight him right now? IN MY GODDAMN PRESENCE?!” We all turned as Haley walked in. Eagan stammered, “Princess, this is…”
