I shrugged, “I just felt a little sluggish.” Uncle Gunner frowned, “With your Wolf and Hackura sides, it would’ve taken a higher dose for it to paralyze you like they planned.” I sighed, “Well, it was going so well until the Fairies announced I had a charm.”
My Uncle said, “We couldn’t plan for them knowing you had a Fairy charm. We’d watched the area, and we never spotted a single Fairy. Next time we will know. You did a good job, and you saw The Resistance. That’s more than we’ve gotten. You actually saw them.”
I snorted, “They were in black from head to toe and wear masks to cover their faces. Bravo One had a motorcycle helmet. Plus, they have bullet proof vests. Seeing them is not particularly helpful.” Uncle Bjourn rationalized, “It’s still something.” I nodded.
With nothing further to discuss, Cayden and I left, making our way back to our place in silence. The second the door shut he demanded, “Space unheard.” I sighed and chanted under my breath. The moment I finished he yelled, “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!”
I raised an eyebrow, “That my uncle and King tasked me with a mission.” Cayden argued, “That doesn’t mean you don’t tell me about it.” I snorted, “Technically speaking, I did come to see you. You were in a meeting.”
Cayden laughed harshly, “You knew before today you were going out on a mission.” I nodded, “Yes, I did. I still came to see you before I left, but you were busy.” Cayden practically snarled, “Then you interrupt the DAMN meeting, Cass! You are MY WIFE! I need to know when you’re going out on a fucking mission even if I don’t know where that is.” Rain purred, “I know he’s mad but that was hot and very wolf like.”
I disagreed with my mate, “That’s not fair. I don’t always know when you’re going out.” Cayden threw his hands in the air, “When it’s planned, YES you do! Jesus Christ you scared me. I took as much of your pain as I could so you could fight. I couldn't explain what was happening to anyone. None of my people knew where you were. All I could do was take your pain while Micah tried to track you down, but your fucking phone was off.”
I tilted my head, “That’s standard on missions.” Cayden glared at me, “I know that. I didn’t know you were on a mission!” Well, that was true. I smiled timidly teasing, “So, it was a fun way to find out I was.” Cayden shot me a look, “No, it was not a fun way to find out. Why were you there?”
I explained, “Uncle Bjourn thought if I made a buy, we could include my family and take down that drug Ring.” Cayden nodded, “Yeah, technically Ashley just gave us the name of someone to watch at that location. It makes sense we sent someone in.” I shifted through his feelings in the bond. I realized, “You don’t like that it was me.”
Cayden scoffed, “Uh no. No, I DO NOT like that it was you. I do not like the fact that whatever that Fairy charm is, it didn’t work.” I argued, “It did work. They didn’t know I was me.” Cayden asked, “In the many times we went over your story, you never said your eyes blazed.”
I shook my head, “No, they didn't. I was focusing on pulling strength from Alexander.” Cayden said, “Then how did Bravo One know to call me? How did Bravo One know you weren’t just a Fairy like the Ring suspected when you didn’t lie to them about the charm? You evaded.”
I faltered, “I…” I had no clue. How did Bravo One make me? I continued, “Even Fairies see the charmed appearance. There’s no way they could’ve known I was me. They’d see what everyone does.” Cayden shot back, “But someone did, and I believe that someone is Ashley.” How though?
He continued, “She knows what you look like. She even knew before I showed her your picture somehow. I saw in her eyes the same recognition when she saw me. Ashley knows who you are. We both believe she’s Bravo One now that we have a damn name. She knew you were you, Cassie Crawford. I don’t want you out there with shit that doesn't work.”
I pursed my lips, “But it did. I saw my reflection before I left. So did Uncle Bjourn. I didn’t look like me, I know I didn’t.” He stared at me. I asked, “When you got there, did I look like me?” Cayden shook his head, “No, you didn’t.”
I thought about it before saying, “There’s nothing they could come up with that would show who someone is outside their Fairy charm. IF it’s Ashley she shouldn’t have known I was me.” Cayden said, “Yet she did. I know it’s her. I KNOW it is. I just can’t prove it. I WILL ask her how she knew, but I won’t get a goddamn answer.” Rain whimpered knowing that frustrated him.
I was hoping I’d be able to hand him proof. Instead, we had more questions. Cayden ran a hand through his hair saying, “I can’t have you out in the field and not know that you’re in the damn field. I won’t hold you back. I NEVER have, but I need to know where you are. You are MY WIFE and my mate. I think I deserve at least that.” He stormed out of the house at a dead run.
Rain whimpered again and I felt awful because he was right. I should’ve told him. I waited for an hour for him to return, but he didn’t come back. I linked him, “I’m going to my parents for dinner. Are you coming?” Cayden answered out of breath, “I might be late. I don’t know if I’ll make it.” I said, “Ok. I love you Cayden.” Cayden replied, “I love you too Cass.”
I popped into my childhood home. My mom smiled at me then frowned and I knew she felt my sorrow call out to her. My dad hugged me. My mom said, “It’s Mom and Daughter time so I’m stealing her.” She grabbed my hand and popped me to her treehouse.
She held my hand asking, “What’s wrong? Your sorrow is calling out to me.” I explained, “Cayden is mad at me. He didn’t know I was going out today because I didn’t tell him.” My mom laughed, “So your uncle sent you out then?” I nodded.
My mom put her arm around me reassuringly. She kissed my head then said, “You two are still young. I was the fucking worst at sharing details with your dad. He was atrocious at times himself with sharing details. He was older and set his ways, so he took some time on that front too. I was young and he was my first and only relationship. It just takes time and honestly fucking up and owning it to find your balance.” I let a tear fall. I whispered, “I messed up, mom.”
My mom rubbed my back, “That’s marriage sweetie. You mess up and you fight. Sometimes you’ll be right, but sometimes you won’t be. Sometimes you’ll be fucking right, and you’ll compromise anyway. I know you, Cassie Veronica. You have that same independent streak your momma does.” She tapped my nose and we both laughed.
She shrugged, “I’d say sorry but I’m not. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just something that you adjust to in life as a couple. It takes time, and there is a difference between being married and living together. I know the Hackura don’t think so, but there are differences.” She was right about that.
She added, “You and Cayden have things that you have to keep from us because of what you do. You have to compartmentalize, and that's tough enough. Just remember that Cayden isn’t the person you have to do that with. Technically neither am I. I’m the goddamn Princess of your realm. If you ever need to talk about something, I am here for you.”
“I’ll take the burden of not sharing. I lived through the literal worst of that with Fairy magic and survived. I could keep a secret quite simply and it would cause me no physical pain that did once upon a time. Cayden is always there for you too though.” I whispered, “You’re just so smart.”
My mom flipped her hair, “Spread that the fuck around, would you? In all seriousness it just takes time. Communication is something your dad and I still fucking work on. It’s the toughest issue to attack in relationships. Which sucks.”
She rubbed my shoulders, “Cayden has things as a Commander he has to make judgment calls on telling you about. You have the same burden as the Duchess and as an Alpha of this pack. Your father and I had that same fucking thing going on in our lives. We still do honestly. It’s annoying as fuck, but we do.”
She paused before saying, “We’ve just learned even if we can’t completely tell the other person what the hell is going on, we tell them something’s going on and we can’t talk about it. Just like I know there’s something going on with Alexander that your dad, you, and EJ know about.” I flushed. Rain groaned, “Crap.” She could say that again.
My mom said, “I know you all know I’m here for you, and I’ll beat the fuck out of people if need be. I’ll move mountains for all of my children. Literally. I’m a goddamn Earth Fairy and I could move a fucking mountain if I so choose.”
“The second I’m brought into whatever is happening, I’ll do something about it. I understand that you all are making a judgement call. Time will tell if that’s the right thing to do. I know that you all believe it is, and that’s how we raised you.” Guilt sliced through me.
She winked, “I still know it’s going on because your dad fucking told me something was going on. I know he didn’t ‘officially’ know then though. I’m sure he does now. God, I hope he does. It’s been forfuckingever. I’m glad Alexander has you and EJ to talk to. Marcus and I had countless secrets from your grandparents. All your uncles, and every one of your grandparents had to find that balance with their mate. You and Cayden will find it too.”
