My mom continued, “I know you have a plan and I respect that, but my momma side can only take so much before I channel my Hackura side. I will go Assassin Princess on people for looking wrong at my baby.”
I acknowledged, “If she’s still a problem after my tournament, I’ve reached my limit.” My mom smiled, “Good. I might have charmed all the food in her house to turn into cockroaches when she takes a bite of it.” My eyes widened, “You did?” How had I not heard that? Rain linked, “It appears Cora does know how to keep a secret. She outed she cheated on mate on purpose.” I already knew that.
My mom patted my shoulder, “Of course I fucking did. No one messes with my babies and gets away with it. You’re lucky your father doesn’t know.” I snorted, “That would be new. Dad not knowing something you did.” Since I knew for a fact he knew about Cora.
My mom frowned, “Of course I know things about the Hackura Realm and Faerie your father doesn't know.” I nodded, “That’s a way to look at it.” She smirked, “He knows, doesn’t he?” I winked at her, and she laughed. She spoke our space heard chant.
My dad raised an eyebrow at us. My mom rolled her eyes, “Can’t I catch up with my own damn daughter without raised eyebrows?! All of you little carbon copies of your father with your raised eyebrows. I will have a private ass conversation with anyone I choose to. ESPECIALLY my own children.” I bit my lip realizing all my brothers were shooting us the same look.
Angela popped over to us. She squealed, “Cass, you’re here! I’m so excited!” I tickled her and she cackled. I kissed her temple saying, “I’ll bet you are.” Max stood up and started to pace. I frowned, “Max?” He kept on pacing.
EJ questioned, “Max, what’s wrong?” Max answered, “Micah is worried. God, he’s nervous. Now he’s panicking! I have to go.” I grabbed him, “Wait and see if he pulls you. He’s not alone out there.” Max’s eyes pleaded with me, “I need to know who he’s with.” He sent all his concern in the bond to me.
I smiled knowing the answer would reassure him. “Cayden.” Max relaxed, “Ok, then his emotions make no sense. If I feel him get hurt, I’m gone.” I linked Alexander, “He can’t go to Micah. You’ll have to stop him.” Alexander questioned, “Why?”
I answered, “Micah is with Hunters.” Alexander stiffened. He spoke out loud, “You know Cayden wouldn’t let anything happen to Micah, Max. I’m sure Uncle Gunner is monitoring him closely too and I bet there’s a backup to the backup of the backup plan.”
Max kept pacing then suddenly sighed in relief. I asked, “All good?” Max nodded, “Yup. He’s surprised and confused, but he’s also relieved. Now he’s curious. I can deal with these emotions.” I didn’t let my relief show, but EJ and Alexander caught it.
Before EJ could ask, since Alexander knew why, Chase walked into the room. He greeted, “Hello Conners family! I must say the invitation to come here was intriguing. Who invited us besides Haley?” Lexi flashed in.
I bit my lip because she was glowing. Alexander and I shot each other a look. TJ immediately popped to her. My dad started laughing, “I know who invited you and why.” Chase was confused, “Hi, TJ.” No one said anything.
Chase asked, “Eric, are you going to share who invited us?” Lexi squealed, “OH MY GOD! CHASE!” Chase asked, “What? What’s wrong?” Lexi smiled, “I’m glowing, aren’t I, Hales?” My mom nodded, “You are.” Lexi clapped, “We are having a little girl, Chase!”
My mom told her, “You are having twins, Lex.” Lexi slapped Chase on the shoulder shouting, “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! Why can’t I just have one at a time!” Chase frowned, “That’s all you, sweetheart. There were no twins in my family until we had Emmett, Emma, Keith, and Keaton.” Lexi punched him in the arm, “It’s your fault if I say so.”
Chase smirked, “How do you know it’s a girl?” Lexi smiled answering, “Because TJ has had crushes on girls.” Chase looked from TJ to my parents then to Lexi several times. Eventually he asked, “What?” My dad laughed explaining, “Your daughter is TJ’s mate.”
TJ gently touched Lexi’s stomach, “Hi, mate.” Lexi jolted, “Holy shit! I swear I just felt a kick.” Chase sat down, “Oh my god.” Elise laughed, “You could talk to my dad about how weird that is. He knew before I was born too.”
Chase snorted, “These twins were conceived in the last few days. Haley saw Lexi a few days ago and would have told her if she was glowing.” My mom snorted, “Of fucking course I would have.” Lexi clapped, “This is so exciting!” Chase looked pale while Elise bit her lip.
They came further into the house, but TJ didn’t leave Lexi’s side. Angela clapped, “I knew you’d be so happy TJ!” Lexi laughed, “You sent us the invitation?” Angela nodded, “Yup! I wanted everyone to be here for this moment. I’m so excited!” I laughed, loving this for TJ. I’d wished that Cayden and I had known each other longer.
I stepped outside for some air. Ghiza appeared beside me. I smiled, “Hello Ghiza.” Ghiza frowned, “What’s this I hear about you and Cora?” I teased, “Umm her name is now Corursula. I need to ask mom why.” Ghiza frowned, “We’ve backed off when you’re in the Hackura realm, but I’m thinking we need to rethink that.” I assured him, “I can handle myself.”
I linked my mom, “I forgot to ask how you chose Corursula as her nickname?” My mom snorted, “Because she wants to wrap her tentacles around something that is not hers. That’s why.” I said out loud, “You just have to love my mom.” Ghiza agreed, “You do. Do I need to talk to the King and the Commander?”
I raised an eyebrow, “I can handle crazy bitches that want my man, just like my mom does.” Ghiza sighed, “There was the first crazy bitch that was allowed to carry on FAR too long before her head was put in glass in your dad's office. Do not let it get that far, little Duchess. Not to mention others that went on too long as well. I don’t have the patience for that bullshit. Especially among our people. Your mom’s guard has to play by different rules in this realm that I do not given where you live.”
I nodded saying, “I don’t plan to. I plan to put the smack down on her at my tournament.” Ghiza studied me, “You think she doesn’t plan to fight fair.” I chuckled, “I’m counting on her not fighting fair, but I have my Melanie McAlister bracelet. I’ll know if Cora’s packing anything that can hurt me.”
Ghiza sighed, “You won’t tell me if she does, will you?” I replied, “I’m a big girl now and I can fight my own battles.” He gave me a disbelieving look. Not of my abilities but the fact it was his job to look out for threats.
Alexander’s voice came from behind me, “With us, of course.” I turned waving at my brother. Alexander knew everything Cora had done. I’d had to make him promise not to retaliate before I told him. He’d been in the gym for hours afterwards.
After that he’d also worked out a flex position with EJ to allow him to be a Squadron Leader for Cayden. He wanted to be closer to me. Plus, he was there enough anyway. He worked out in the Hackura realm often.
The laughable part came when Cora had tried to get with him after Cayden and I came home from our mission right after we’d met. It did not go well. It never went well for girls that wanted Alexander. He had room in his heart for one girl and that was Melanie McAlister.
An Omega, Karina, who worked in the kitchens walked by. She smiled and held out a plate with the beloved cookie of our family. Rain said, “Not mom.” That’s true. Mom didn’t like peanut butter so she never ate any. Karina asked, “Would you guys like a cookie?” I nodded along with EJ and Alexander.
I ate the cookie then sighed. What had I been thinking? Melanie was living her dream. She’d meet Alexander, and they’d be happy once she came home. EJ snarled. I frowned asking, “EJ?” I followed his gaze. Robert from Red Run was getting in his car and glaring EJ down. Rain scoffed, “He can stop that, or I’ll claw his face off.” I’d let her. He shouldn’t look at any Alpha blood like that unless he was issuing a challenge.
I asked, “What is he doing here?” Alexander answered, “He’s dating the Omega who just gave us the cookies.” EJ linked us both, “He’s using her to stay close to Elise, and I want to RIP HIS HEAD OFF for it!” I immediately questions, “Do you know he’s using the Omega? Or do you think?” EJ snorted, “I know it.” I frowned knowing I needed to talk to this girl then. She deserved better.
I linked Tory and Gia, “Karina is still dating Robert?” Gia huffed, “Yes, apparently I’m not allowed to order them to break up since she’s not technically in the pack we run. He’s slippery and always shakes the person I have watching him like a hawk.” I said, “Have them keep watching. Maybe assign another person. EJ believes he’s here to keep tabs on Elise.” They both growled.
