Thank Aesir and all the goddesses it was not her wedding dress. Aesir was good to me. Cassie ripped my shirt off. I knew she hated it when I wore them. She loved that in the Hackura realm I never wore one. We lost ourselves in the kiss.
Cassie was so far gone I knew she didn’t hear Micah and Ashley coming. I was more than amused when I spotted Ashley flushing crimson and rambled her apologies. We needed to get her to our realm. She was fun when flustered. Cassie only saw the back of her head. I was surprised she didn’t get her scent. If she’d asked, I’d tell her that Ashley smelled like strawberries.
I pushed all that out of mind and ripped her dress off. We lost ourselves in each other. I wasn’t going to waste a single minute of her nap break. Why did they need a nap? I couldn’t care less. They were napping and My Duchess didn’t need one. I could practically taste the sun on her skin. That must be why they needed naps. She tasted like the sun and the ocean. Mystery solved.
When we fell apart, she confided her fears about kids to me. I knew there was something bothering her. I should’ve suspected this. I assured her I’d protect our family. All of us. Always. Cassie’s fears weren’t unfounded. I knew just as she did how desirable our children would be, especially one with her ability to determine the truth.
Our daughter would know how to protect herself, just like Cassie did. Our kids would be threatened throughout their lives. There was no way around that because of who we both were. The Commander of the Hackura Army was not a safe, unknown person. People knew my name virtually since I was born.
I knew we’d protect our kids as we protected each other. We’d keep our family safe whenever she was ready to start one. I loved it being just us right now though. I wasn’t in a rush. We had centuries for her to sneeze out kids. I hoped that was how it worked for her anyway.
My phone started buzzing. I picked it up.
Micah:Is it safe to come back? I don’t want to traumatize Ashley. Wolves don’t do orgies, you know?
Me:She saw me shirtless. She sees male nudity. I wasn’t naked but you can head this way.
Cassie needed to head back, and I was beyond happy she’d popped to me. I understood her fears. She’d had two close calls. Two calls that NEVER should’ve happened. They did though, and I couldn’t blameher for worrying about our future children. I did too, I just knew we would protect them. I would protect my family. Cassie popped back to her party.
Micah and Ashley came in. Ashley flushed, “I’m sorry... we…” I interjected, “There’s no need to ramble. It wasn’t your fault that Cassie’s bachelorette party was today. My tipsy Fairy/Wolf/Hackura Duchess wanted to see me.” Micah snorted.
Ashley muttered, “It’s probably more effective to call her your hybrid… or ya know… whatever you want… she’s it’s… yeah…” Ashley opened her backpack and handed me two presents. I raised an eyebrow asking, “What’s this?” Ashley answered nervously, “Wedding presents… because you’re getting married… So… that’s a thing… people do. There’s one for you and one for Cassie.”
I was stunned, “Ashley, you didn’t have to do that.” She smiled, “I wanted to.” I opened mine. It was a very nice watch. I sincerely told her, “Thank you, Ashley. I didn’t expect this of you.” Ashley shrugged, “You only get married once and stuff. I mean... yeah, you’re only with Cassie so... once in the supernatural world anyway…” I laughed, “I got it. It was very nice of you.”
Micah’s phone dinged. He snorted, “Our time is up according to our mother in law.” I frowned until I saw the look of awe on Ashley’s face. I asked, “Do you know my mother in law?” She squeaked, “What? Huh? The Princess Luna? What? Me? How…? Ummm… I… no?” I snorted, “Is that a question?” She answered, “No….? I just… well I’ve heard about her…” That made sense, but I still had questions.
I told Ashley, “Call us if you need anything, and I do mean anything. My offer stands permanently. We will bring you to our realm and you can stay there.” Micah’s eyes flashed in surprise before he masked it. Ashley nodded, “You have no idea how honored I am… really… that means the world to me.” I gave her a hug. I told her, “We will protect you, Ashley. Trust us.” Her eyes hardened but she nodded.
She left and I opened a portal into the castle. Micah asked, “You offered her a place here?” I nodded. I found my Uncle Bjourn in the main room with his brothers. Uncle Bjourn smiled, “Another successful mission. Good job guys.” I didn’t bother with pleasantries, “I need to talk to you.”
Uncle Bjourn gestured saying, “You can talk here.” I told him, “I offered Ashley a place here in the army. She didn’t take me up on it, but I hope she does one day. She’s good. Her lack of wolf does not hinder her from beating the crap out of anyone.”
My uncle studied me then nodded, “It’s not done, but she has been an outstanding source for us. She’d only be better if she let us bring in the Conners. If you feel she could hack it here, then I trust your judgement. Why did you offer her a place here in the first place?”
I explained, “Because she’s seventeen years old and taking on the weight of the world. She should be just a kid, having fun. She thinks her place is to protect the innocents in the area and her pack. I know this is a complete subject change, but I need to ask.” He nodded, “Ok.”
I asked, “Do we have anything suggesting the Werewolf Council has a traitor?” My Uncle stood, “No, we do not. Why? Did Ashley say there was?” I shook my head, “No, she didn’t. She does think that the council lets Black Path get away with shit because someone on the council thinks, and mind you she means herself, deserves to have a shitty life.”
My Uncle Bjourn replied, “There’s no way. We monitor them very closely. We will not let Eric be betrayed. Ashley has met Alpha Theo, but he’s a good guy.” I nodded, “I know. We have a partial Hackura in his pack that mated to a Warrior. Are they still reporting back to us?”
Uncle Bjourn nodded, “Gunner tore through everything with Alpha Theo’s pack. Their biggest scandals are Alpha Theo pulling out of the alliance with Blue Moon after Lucas killed his brother. He didn’t part with Eric though.”
He continued, “Their other scandal is that he had a son before he met his mate. Lux is a good kid though. He gets along with the mate and his half siblings. The rumor is Lux and his brother plan to take over the pack together. There’s no tension. We took a HARD look at everyone in any alliance with Eric. Alpha Theo is above board.”
Micah frowned, “Ashley said she liked him and thought he was a straight shooter. It can’t be him she’s referring to because she’s not a good liar. Watching her outright lie is actually funny. Evade? She’s like a Fairy, but outright lie? Awful. She looks around, her face turns red, her heartbeat goes haywire, and hervoice sounds like everything she says is a question when she lies.”Micah added, “Not to mention her voice squeaks.” I agreed, “And that.”
Uncle Bjourn nodded, “We will look again, but I just don’t see it. Maybe someone lied to her.” I snorted, “I think they lie to her often. We need Alpha Theo to check in on Black Path. Ashley stopped the Lead Male Warrior’s sister from being raped today. She seems to believe, as do they all, that Ashley will be punished for it.” Uncle Bjourn frowned, “I will tell him now. I can’t leak specifics, but from what Eric says Alpha Theo loves taking trips to talk to Ashley.”
Haley popped in. She smiled, “You guys look FAR to fucking serious. The hunt is on gentlemen. Go hunt down your mates.” I laughed, “Excuse me?” Haley smiled pointing at her brothers, “Ask them.” She popped away.
Uncle Bjourn clapped, “I love when she does this. Cayden, Cassie is out there dressed up as some sort of something. You have to catch her.” I didn’t need to hear any more of an explanation. I ran out of the castle with everyone behind me.
My dad called, “Your fox is running around, son.” I tilted my head asking, “She’s dressed like a fox?” My dad smirked. My mom cackled, “A sexy fox.” I smiled because I loved hunting foxes which my mother in law knew.
I chased Cassie all around the realm. I was going to catch her, but she was popping all around. I could hear other men looking for their mates. Some had caught theirs, but theirs couldn’t pop away. JP saw me. He snorted, “This popping stuff is bullshit, it makes this so damn hard.” I winked, “It’s a challenge.” He laughed, “That I’ll win.” I called, “Same.”
Cassie had ignored me when I ordered her to come to me. I smiled loving her defiance in this moment. She was leaning Fairy tonight then. I eventually caught her near my mom’s family’s place. She was in a tree. Fairy side indeed. She even made me climb up the tree. We lost ourselves in each other.
