I called, “Oh, and if anything happens to our house, you’re who I’m coming for first.” I turned around to walk to our pond to calm down. Cora shouted, “HE WAS MINE FIRST!” Rain snarled, “No she did not say that! HE WAS NEVER HERS!” I agreed.
I replied, “He was your boyfriend. He was never yours in our world because he’s not your mate. Besides, you fucked it all up by cheating. Own that and move on. You wanted him to be devastated and humiliated, but he wasn’t. Your mate is out there. Maybe start thinking about how he would feel about you chasing a man who was NEVER yours.” Her friends winced.
I added, “Cayden will always be mine. You need to find a way to build a damn bridge and get over that fact. It is what is. Get your head on straight then go look for your mate or something. WHEN, not IF, I beat you tomorrow you will stay out of my life with Cayden. We don’t do off periods, and he will never be yours. If he wanted a child with you, you’d have known long before I entered the picture. Accept the fact that my mate does not care for you as more than someone he commands. He hasn’t for a long time. I’m saying this in case you care about your ability to continue drawing breath”
She gasped, “You can’t threaten me.” I got in her face, “The ONLY reason you aren’t dead is because I have been waiting for my tournament. You know that too. It’s why you started your ridiculous rumors about me. You’re a petty high school bitch who hasn’t gotten over that phase of life. For yourself, your family, and your friends find a way to rise above your mean streak. My grace period ends the second that tournament is over.” I let Rain take over. She growled, “CAYDEN IS MINE!”
Cora’s friends pulled her back and ran away. I ran to the pond and sat in the chair breathing everything in. Rain said, “Your Hackura side calms here, but I need to run.” I closed my eyes centering myself the way my mom taught me.
Alexander linked, “Cass? Oden said Rain is pissed off. You didn’t ever feel near as mad as he said Rain is.” I told him, “I’m going to go for a run soon. She’ll be fine.” He asked, “Do you need me?” I answered, “Not right now. Continue working out in the gym.” He replied, “I might not be there.” I chuckled, “Really? Are you in the office then? A meeting maybe?” I felt his amusement, “Maybe I’m in the gym.” I retorted, “Maybe my ass.” He laughed in reply but let it drop.
When I felt my Fairy and Hackura sides settle I shifted and ran in the opposite direction needing to get some frustrations out. I ran for miles. Rain snarled, “I WILL RIP HER THROAT OUT TOMORROW.” That would happen if I leaned more towards my wolf. Rain grumbled, “It would’ve happened years ago.” Probably.
I told Rain, “Don’t worry. We will make her admit the truth. Cayden and everyone else will see her for who she truly is. Then we will kick her fucking ass. After that she can fall in line, or she will die. Either way everyone will know that WE are Cayden’s mate. Which means we are here to stay. Aesir chose us for Cayden.” Rain sounded smug, “Damn straight!” I laughed before shifting back and snapping my clothes on.
I could smell that someone was following me. I knew the scent. It was one of my Hackura cousins. I called out, “Hello, Spencer.” I turned and smiled at him. Spencer casually commented, “That was a pretty long run.” It was anything but a casual comment. He was worried and pissed that someone had upset me.
I evaded, “Cayden and I have a running program.” Spencer snorted, “You don’t usually run in wolf form this often.” I acknowledged, “I had some excess energy after dealing with bitches. I run more as Rain than you probably think I do. Anytime she wants to run, we do.”
Spencer frowned, “I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t taking care of Rain.” I assured him, “I didn’t think you were. I know I shift less than my siblings.” Rain said, “Well, we shift enough. Except when I want to kill Cora. We could shift more then.” I bit my lip, so I didn’t laugh.
Spencer warned, “Cobin’s ready to curse the fuck out of Cora. Just say the word.” I laughed, “I’m surrounded by overprotective men. I can handle a catty ass bitch. I’ve watched my mother do it all my life. Plus, I hear Corbin and the others have been cursing her.”
Spencer sighed, “Your mother would’ve killed her by now. He’s done little things, but he has larger scale plans. We’ve just been waiting for you to say something.” I argued, “You’re wrong. I’ve seen my mom deal with pack members who try to come at my dad. She handles those differently. Cora is still a member of the army and one of my people.”
I put a hand on his shoulder, “I will defeat her tomorrow. Then she can shut the fuck up or deal with the consequences. I will not hide behind a single man if that time comes though. I’ll kill her myself. I don’t need any of you to put her in her place. I am more than capable of handling her.”
Spencer acknowledged, “I don’t think anyone doubts that, but we have plans if you so much as hint that she upset you.” I smiled, “Good.” I popped us back to the castle and we grabbed breakfast. I saw Corbin first. He glanced at Spencer who made a fist. He groaned, “Fine.” I laughed and ate with them.
Afterwards I just walked around. Several people called well wishes for my tournament tomorrow. I smiled and thanked them. I saw my cousin, Maximus, leaning in an alley way. He crooked his finger for me to follow so I did.
I teased, “This is very clandestine.” He warned, “I’ve been fighting my inner demon on killing that wretched girl. I think you can probably acknowledge it’s harder when you have another side to you like we do not to give into such things. My inner demon makes logical points about why she needs to die.” I conceded, “As has Rain.”
He warned, “I’ve told Corbin to do his worst, but they want you to say something. It’s why I’ve held back on my instincts and ignored my inner demon. I won’t after tomorrow.” I agreed, “That’s my timeline too.” He sighed in relief, “Thank god.”
I gave him a hug letting some peace overtake him. I whispered, “Thank you for letting me handle this on my own. I know that’s hard for you guys but I’m ok though.” He replied, “We have different definitions of ok. I’m hearing about singed sheets, and other rumors I never heard about. I am NOT happy. None of us are. She should’ve died in our streets for what she did. I’m tempted to say she still will. I’m collecting evidence and I’ll present it when I have everything in court.” I shrugged, “You do what you need, cousin.” He looked relieved I didn’t say no. We hugged again then I went back on my way.
When I made it back to the main beat path I was on I heard a squeal. I turned around just in time for Tenley to barrel into me. She hugged me and wrapped her legs around my waist, yelling, “HI CASSIE!” I laughed greeting, “Hi, Tenley.” She asked, “Can we go get ice cream?”
I looked around before asking, “Where’s your mom?” Ashlyn came jogging up as I spoke. I grinned, “Hi, Ashlyn.” She waved, “Hey Cass. Tenley….” Tenley interrupted, “I’m sorry but I saw Cass and I HAD to say hi.”
I told her, “She wants ice cream.” Ashlyn agreed, “Alright, let’s go.” I put her down and walked to the ice cream shop. Ashlyn announced, “I met your mom officially for the first time here.” I winked, “She does like ice cream.”
Tenley said, “Uhh duh! It’s awesome! Are you ready to kick some ass tomorrow, Cass? Cayden’s going to freak!” I asked her, “Why would he freak?” Ashlyn frowned, “Because you have double the amount of fights than normal. You have ten fights, which is a lot in one day. Normally it’s five or less.”
I assured her, “I don’t intend for them to take very long.” Ashlyn shot me a knowing glance before saying, “Except the last one of course.” I grinned somewhat evilly, “Except that one.” Ashlyn snorted, “Give her a shot to the nose for me. She deserves that for cheating on my baby boy.” I vowed, “I’ll do that.” We walked back to my house together.
Suddenly, Cayden’s nearness hit me. I smiled saying, “I’ll see you guys later.” I took off running then I smacked myself. I opened a portal into our house. Cayden saw me and lust and happiness overtook our bond. He commented, “There’s My Duchess.” I jumped on him kissing him fervently. I could feel his smile against my lips, so I snapped us both naked.
He pushed me back against the wall, kissing my neck. I quickly realized he was going to take his time, but I wanted hard and fast. I popped us to the bed. I saw the amused look on his face as I lowered myself onto him in one move. He chuckled, “Someone is impatient today.”
I pulled him up and rocked my hips against his. I pulled back and growled, “MINE!” Cayden tilted his head, and I felt his confusion. Rain snorted, “Because he doesn’t know we’ve been dealing with bitches who think he’s theirs. He knows he’s ours and he’s not doubting that.” I assured her, “I know he’s not.”
I attacked his mark as I rocked my hips. He choked and gripped my hips before moving me into a faster rhythm. I could smell those girls back outside our house. BITCHES! Rain snarled, “I’ll get them!” I told her, “We will crush them. Mentally speaking.”
I nipped at my mate’s ear, “Say that you’re mine, Cayden.” He whispered, “I’m yours, Cass.” I bit his neck hard and linked him, “Louder, My Commander.” I still loved linking him. We spent most of our time here, but I was still an Alpha, so my mate had joined the pack.
I raked my nails down his back. Cayden gripped my hips harder, “FUCK, CASS! I’M YOURS! ONLY YOURS!” I heard the gasps outside. Rain snickered, “They can’t even be quiet. Mate had to hear that.” The bond told me he did and he was not happy with them. Cayden groaned and exploded inside me after I did.
