Gunner chuckled, “It’s not for that type of situation. Micah could talk to her about it though. She might have a different algorithm to run. A three and a plus. Who would’ve thought?” Harper said, “I speak for us all when I say literally no one.” I laughed, “I’m going to get back to Cass.”
I called Micah on the way. He answered, “Hey, Cayden.” I instructed, “Text Ashley’s burner and let her know she’s in.” He replied, “I already have it drafted waiting to send. I was just waiting on the official word.” We hung up and I knew he’d be on that.
I ran back to the house and when I walked in, I found Cassie deep in thought about the name Ashley Griffen and the other characters from a book. I wanted to scream and rage at all of Black Path calling them sons of a bitches. That’s why they don’t have backgrounds. They’d picked book characters.
Aesir above, their pack leadership could pretend to give a shit about them and give them fake backgrounds. Jesus Christ. Cassie was enraged by their actual identities. I don’t even think she noticed her eyes were blazing at the thought of the pack using kids to infiltrate a Hunters ring. They’d get the shit fined out of them if Eric ever found out.
We needed to put it aside and go to bed since she had a big day tomorrow. I knew she’d altered her outfit because I knew her. It was going to test me, and I knew it. My Duchess always had to push at the tethers of my restraint. I fell asleep with her in my arms thinking about her tournament. That had me dreaming about the day I became the commander.
Flashback
Cassie was giving me a full body massage. She chided, “You’re not relaxing.” I hummed, “I’m quite relaxed.” She snorted, “Tell that to your little friend.” She trailed her fingers up my dick. I practically growled, “LITTLE?!” She rolled her eyes, “In comparison with you as a person, not like it’s little.” I pinned her down, “I’ll show you little.”
She gasped, “CAYDEN! You have the games tomorrow and your Commander ceremony!” I replied, “I have to win the games to be named Commander.” She replied, “You will.” Her absolute faith staggered me. She felt my feelings and leaned her head in to gently kiss me.
She told me, “You are going to win and be crowned Commander tomorrow. I will paint you in war paint twice. To begin the games, then to begin your ceremony. You will be the youngest Commander this realm has seen. You have trained hard, and you are ready.”
I whispered, “Are you? There are more duties that come with being the Commander’s mate than the Future Commander’s mate. Shit! I should’ve asked this sooner.” She rolled her eyes, “My Commander, you have asked since we met. I’m an Alpha of my pack and the Duchess of two realms. I can easily handle the duties that come with being your mate.”
I rubbed myself against her slit. I teased, “Can you?” She growled at me, “Yes, and I’m going to take care of the that while you RELAX and prepare for the games.” I asked, “Are you?” She popped us out to the pond and conjured a bed there.
She pinned me and ordered, “Let me take care of you.” I agreed, “Ok.” She looked me in the eyes and opened her mouth. Damn. She popped between my legs and took me in. I groaned, “Fucking shit, Cass.” She giggled and the vibrations nearly sent me over the edge after her massaging my body for the last hour.
I linked her, “Sit on my face while you do this.” She grinned at me and popped so her ass was in my face. I launched myself into her, tasting her sweet nectar. I groaned and felt her deep throat me. I forced myself to get her off before losing it in her mouth. The second she clamped her legs around my head I lost it, filling her throat.
She popped beside me and snuggled up to me as we listened to the noises of our backyard. I nuzzled her, “You good?” She snorted, “I should be asking you that.” I asked, “What are you worried about? Because you made it quite clear it’s not me becoming the Commander.” She hesitated which told me we’d be talking this out.
She whispered, “We don’t have kids.” I laughed, “I’m aware. We decided to wait.” She winced, “But isn’t that hard for you?” I answered, “No. I’m selfish and I love having you all to myself. We will have kids someday, but that might be in a few years or decades. When I decide I can share you and you’re ready. I know if we have a boy, he’ll be all about his momma. As he should be.”
She stared into my eyes. I said, “Cass, whenever you want kids, we can have them. I’ll give you anything.” Tears filled her eyes. She said, “That’s not fair to you. What about your dreams?” I pulled her into me. I answered, “You are my dream. I have dreamed of you for so long that sometimes I think I’ll wake up and find you being mine won’t be real. That I’ll wake up all alone out on a mission training for this day.”
I cupped her face, “I know my purpose and always have. I was solely focused on that. I thought finding my mate would distract me from my goals. Instead, you enhanced everything and made it all worth it. Everything a mated man said to me made sense. Everything I do is for you and our life. I know plenty of Hackura have kids the second they meet, but we are a new generation. We don’t have to abide by anyone’s timeline. I’m happy. Are you?”
She grinned, “I’m so happy. I just worry that people will talk.” My eyes blazed, “Who talked? I’ll kill them. When we have kids isn’t up to anyone else and the rest of the realm had better know that.” She attacked me with a full body assault. She slid herself down on me.
She ordered, “You take what I give you tonight, My Commander. Tomorrow, you may have me anyway you like.” I grunted, “Deal.” She knew just how to move her hips to have me exploding. I went to sleep with a smile on my face snuggled next to my mate.
I woke up to the smell of a buffet. Cassie must’ve popped us inside, because I was in our bed. I went out into the kitchen and found Cassie cooking. I asked, “What the fuck is happening right now?” She turned and grinned, “My mom taught me that you cook for important occasion instead of conjuring the food. She cooks for my dad on special occasions and makes his favorites. Before any big event me or any of my siblings have, she makes a big breakfast because someone told her it was important.”
I blinked, “Ok?” She giggled, “I don’t know why you made that sound like a question. I like my mom’s idea. Plus, cooking can be fun.” I pointed out, “You usually conjure food.” She shrugged, “When it’s important, I’ll cook. You need to eat a big breakfast then we need to get you out there for the ceremony. We both have to get ready, then I have to do your war paint.”
I groaned, “Did you say both?” She grinned, “I can’t just wear yoga pants up there.” I smacked her ass, “You definitely can.” She grinned and I captured her lips with mine. When I stepped back, she loaded up my plate and we sat side by side at our table to eat together. I left to go grab my pants and gear. I put on the potential Commanders black feather cape. Then put on my arm cuffs with the leather pants and attached my weapons.
When I came back, I dropped the weapon I hadn’t holstered. I asked, “What is that? And how do you expect us to leave the house when you’re wearing it?” She grinned, “You like it.” I stalked over to her, “Cassie Veronica Shayla Conners, I more than like it.” She was wearing a white fake fur crop top that matched the side of the skirt. The leather piece was the short part, and the fake fur was on the side. She had on wrist amor with two weapons on her back.
I grabbed the back of her head and slammed my lips on hers. My dad tugged on our bond. Whatever. I could be Commander another day. That had him sending me his laughter. Cassie popped us outside and I heard the drums beginning with the chanting.
Cassie took my hand, and we walked together through the streets leading to the outdoor arena. The chanting grew louder. We walked past Cassie’s family. I nearly laughed because Haley had made a sign that readLet’s Fucking Go Cayden.
Eric linked me, “You’ve got this, son.” I knew I stood taller after that. He didn’t have to consider me his son like a Hackura would, but he did. Haley’s traditions were just as important to him as his own were. Cassie gripped my hand tighter.
Alexander linked me, “You’ve got this.” I nodded to each of Cassie’s siblings as we walked by. Eric stepped behind us and began to follow us in a show of support. When we made it to where my dad and Uncle Bjourn stood, the drums stopped.
Uncle Bjourn announced, “Hic hodie stamus determinare si paratus est ad munus noster Future Commaner. qui per seriem probat. Si transierit, sequetur ceremonia eius (We stand here today to determine if our Future Commander is ready for the role. He will be put through a series of tests. If he passes then his ceremony will follow).” Cheers erupted from the crowd.
Eric went to stand beside Bjourn and Haley popped next to him. I nodded my head to both of them, showing my thanks. Cassie lead me to the bowl and began my war paint. I felt pride in my bond with my family for whatever she was doing.
When she finished my Uncle Bjourn shouted, “LET THE GAMES BEGIN!” Everyone cheered. I took off my cape and handed it to Cassie. I still didn’t know why she had any weapons on her, but she walked with me down to the field. I had to fight several members of squadrons. Three men and two women.
