Page 111 of The Alpha's Stealthy Daughter and Her Commander
I admitted, “I hope I’m half as good as you are.” My mom laughed, “You’ll be even better.” I looked down. She told me, “Share your concerns with me, Cass. I already feel them.” I blew out a breath repeating, “I’m happy but mom, I’m also really scared.”
She assured me, “That’s ok. It’s ok to feel both things.” I wiped away tears, “It doesn’t feel ok. I should just be happy.” My mom shrugged, “Says who? I’ll kick their fucking ass! Having a baby is exciting. It’s also scary. There’s this whole other human to worry about. HUMANS since it’s twins. Your feelings are normal. Plus, we have this ‘whole we are a powerful family, and people are assholes about it’ thing going well for us thing that goes on.”
She added, “I was terrified with each of you for different reasons. I was thrilled about Angela and TJ, but I went to therapy over my anxiety before and after I had them. It’s a balance and you have to do what’s best for you.”
I squeezed her hand, “Thanks, mom. I’m going to tell Cayden, then we’ll tell everyone else once EJ and Elise are home.” My mom smiled, “That will be nice. Your dad might be less murderously angry about my headache theory after finding out he’s going to be a grandpa.”
I questioned, “What’s your theory?” My mom winked, “Mystery is good for the mind.” I could feel she didn’t want to share in the bond because she thought it would be upsetting. Rain huffed, “We’d believe her.” I replied, “It’s not us she thinks won’t believe her.”
I laughed, “It’s soul mom.” My mom rolled her eyes, “Yes, well this realm and its fucking sayings are ridiculous.” I teased, “Never change mom.” My mom laughed, “Why would I change?” I couldn’t stop my grin, “I don’t know.”
We talked for a little bit longer before I said, “I need to get back.” My mom kissed my cheek, “I’ll go shower, then maybe I'll kill a bitch.” I shrugged, “Have fun.” Rain grumbled, “We could kill a bitch.” I sensed a very murder-y feeling pregnancy would be my path. My mom winked and I popped away.
Cayden still wasn’t home, so I went to find Ghiza. He was usually near the pond we liked to frequent if we weren’t out there. I took a chance that he’d be there, heading towards it. If he wasn’t, I’d just call him. He waved to me when he saw me arrive.
I smiled greeting, “Hello, Ghiza.” Ghiza greeted, “Duchess.” I rolled my eyes, “You know it’s Cassie to you.” Ghiza smiled, “What brings you here?” I admitted, “I was looking for you actually.” Ghiza raised an eyebrow, “Oh really? Why is that?”
I bit my lip, “I can’t explain too much at this exact moment, but you know how you all have backed off when I’m here?” He nodded. I added, “And I tend to pop home without thinking about it?” Ghiza snorted, “Yes, I do know that. The Commander was QUITE unhappy when you ended up fighting in Red Run without us.” I laughed, “Sorry about that.”
Ghiza snorted, “Blade warned me about it, and you are your mother’s daughter.” I smiled saying, “I take great pride in that. Anyway, I want you guys not to back off so much anymore. I’ll also be bringing you with me when I leave. For the time being.”
Ghiza blinked several times before asking, “Excuse me?” I reiterated, “I want you guys closer for now.” Ghiza looked around with narrowed eyes as if danger was going to jump out at any second and attack me. Rain reasoned, “That is his job, and you put him on edge.” I shot back, “You agree with me.” She chuckled, “I do.”
Ghiza asked, “Why? Is there a threat I don’t know about? King Bjourn, Prince Alpha Eric, nor the Commander said anything about one. They tend to overreact where you are concerned too.” I sighed, “I can’t explain that right now. I just want you guys to be closer.” Ghiza studied me before asking, “Are you ok, Cassie? If someone is threatening you, you need to tell the Commander.”
I rolled my eyes, “His name is Cayden for god’s sake.” Ghiza raised an eyebrow, “I know his name Cassie Crawford. What is going on?” I pleaded, “Can you just let it go for now? I need to tell Cayden first and he’s just not home at the moment. I wanted you to get my guard and be around.”
Ghiza sighed, “Blade always said ‘Is trouble. Is Fairy side.’ Why didn’t I listen?” I rolled my eyes, “Oh come on! I’m literally standing here ASKING you to be on guard. I’m even saying I’ll take you with me to the places I go.”
Ghiza nodded, “Uh huh, which tells me there’s trouble that no one knows about yet except you. I already have a headache.” I muttered, “Join the club. I get headaches all the time.” I conjured myself cookies from my parents’ house. I loved these peanut butter cookies. I wolfed most of them down before I walked back to our house and set the plate down.
My phone rang and I answered immediately after seeing who it was. I greeted, “Hi, Aunt Astrid.” Aunt Astrid said, “Hey, Cayden wanted to know if I’d have you up for dinner since he’s swamped. He stopped by your house, but you weren’t there.”
I mused, “Maybe I should go check on him. I’ll be up afterwards since I have no had dinner and I’m hungry.” She chuckled, “We will see you later then.” I hung up and took off for the gym. I figured he would be in his office. I knocked and heard movement.
Cayden called, “Come in, Cass.” I opened the door and found Micah and Aaron were in his office. I smiled, “Aunt Astrid called. I just wanted to come say hi really quick and snap you all dinner.” Rain chuckled, “That’s a good addition to the plan. He seems upset.” He did and I didn’t like that. I snapped them burritos.
Cayden kissed my forehead, “Thank you Cass. I stopped by the house, but you weren’t there.” I explained, “I popped to my mom then I went to find Ghiza.” Cayden stiffened, “Why? Is something wrong?” I shook my head, “No, it’s fine. Are you ok? You are confused and worried.”
Cayden ran a hand through his hair, “I don't know. I’m trying to run something down.” I kissed his cheek, “Well, let me know if I can help you.” Cayden smiled, “If this pans out, I’ll let you know. I don’t want you to worry for no reason.”
I raised an eyebrow, “You think something is going to worry me?” Cayden snorted, “If I’m right, yes. Which honestly, it’s farfetched. I can’t be right for several reasons, but on the off chance I am somehow right it’s going to upset a lot of people. Yourself included. So, I need proof. I can’t even say it without proof.” I disagreed, “You can tell me anything.”
Cayden grabbed my hand and led me outside before kissing me deeply. He pulled back, “I know I can, Cass. I do. I just don’t want to upset you if I’m wrong. It’s probably just silly.” I argued, “Your instincts aren’t usually wrong.” Rain said, “I don’t like this.” Neither did I.
Cayden frowned, “Yes, well I have been wrong before. I just need to be sure. I might tell you later. I’m not sure if we will be able to run it down. I need to talk to someone, and it’s sticky.” I questioned, “Why?”
Cayden sighed, “The person I need to talk to is unavailable which adds to the circumstantial evidence. I just don’t understand how it could be right. It doesn’t make sense, but it does. Then there’s just…” He trailed off when Hendrix walked up frowning.
I kissed Cayden again. I told him, “Good Luck.” Cayden nodded and went back into his office. I was trying to figure out what had happened. He must have remembered it in Uncle Bjourn’s office earlier. Rain said, “This is starting to hurt our head, and we need to think about the pups.” She was right so I decided to head to dinner.
I went up to the castle and found my Aunt Astrid and Aunt Torvi in the main room. They had food on the table in front of them. I grabbed some pizza and snarfed it down. My Uncle Bjourn and Uncle Marucs joined us. I asked my Uncle Marcus, “Do you know who the bitch is that my mom wants to kill in Montana?”
My Uncle Marcus laughed, “No. What happened?” I shrugged, “There’s someone my dad’s meeting with that flirts with him and does the little touches he doesn’t notice. I’m pretty sure mom is ready to rip her eyes out.” Aunt Astrid snorted, “I’m surprised she hasn’t already.” I shrugged, “She tries to give people leeway.”
Uncle Bjourn snorted, “She is kind to a fault sometimes. I don’t understand why people do not realize that she has a limit and it’s not something you want to cross. Your mother has proved that time and again. Her fuse with Eric and you kids, is very short.” I added, “And you guys.”
Uncle Marcus laughed, “Yes, and us. It’s honestly not a small group of people. Your mom is fiercely protective of those she loves.” I smiled, “I know.” I had to force myself not to rub my stomach. I would be that way with my own family too. I would protect them.
