He clapped me on the back, “Thanks, Alexander. You alerted me to a potential security threat. It’s safer on our realm’s social media accounts, so I wasn’t really thinking about monitoring such things on the human ones.”
I asked, “Do you monitor the ones in Faerie?” He said, “Yes. Aiden has killed a few people that way because I pass them off to him directly sometimes. Others I go to Bjourn.” Aunt Calista came skipping in. She winked, “I have things set up in our sanctuary, so you have to stop working.” He laughed, “Let me go verbally tell Bjourn about a report I’ll be running then I’ll be there.” He portaled away.
Aunt Calista’s kissed my cheek. She asked, “How are you? I heard that you found out about your thirst traps. All my friends talk about them.” I asked, “Does it bother you?” She snorted, “Of course not. I’m aware that my nephew is attractive. All of you are. As long as it’s kept out of the realm of being disrespectful, I can hardly blame them for having eyes. Plus, Harper does some of those challenges for me.”
She winked adding, “Then Gunner does them with him.” I laughed, “As long as everyone is happy.” She hugged me tightlythen whispered, “Your mate is coming.” I replied, “I know.” She was about to say something when Uncle Logan walked in. She waved to us both then portaled out.
I warned, “If you’re looking for Uncle Gunner, he’s not here or coming back. Aunt Cali had a thing set up.” He replied, “I’m not. Your mom pushed all her feelings at me to come find you and linked I’d better not ignore her.”
I questioned, “Why?” He opened a portal to one of his favorite places. I walked through with him. He said, “I came here a lot to look out over the cliffs wondering where my mate was. At one point all my siblings, even your mom, were mated. She never expected to be, and in truth I thought my dad would have to tell her he arranged the marriage to your dad.”
He chuckled, “Your dad was who we wanted for her, and she adamantly believed she would not get a mate. It annoyed us all. I won’t lie, I thought I’d have my mate before she had hers. I was so happy for her, but it hurts being of age and not finding yours.”
I snorted, “Yeah, it does.” He said, “A lot of people seem to know things about your thoughts on your mate. I won’t push you to talk about that, but waiting is difficult. We are patient people, but when you are surrounded by the type of love that you crave yourself the lonely nights are hard.”
He paused then added, “You know, your mate isn’t going to be upset if you have sex with other people.” Oden growled, “No. We know it’s her!” I told him, “I can’t. It’s not that I don’t find women attractive. I know people talk about me being asexual but I’m not.”
He replied, “I know.” I admitted, “It would feel like cheating to me and Oden. He would probably take over and I couldn’t go through with it. I was kissed when I was as tipsy as I could get, and I still feel bad about it to this day. I feel like I let her down.”
He offered, “That’s not even remotely true.” I sighed, “I just want to be with her.” He put a hand on my shoulder, “Thenthat’s what you’ll do and fuck all the noise. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, you let me know and I’ll take care of it.”
I snorted, “I don’t need people to die for thinking I’m asexual.” He winked, “No, but I could set my wife and kids loose on them. They enjoy cursing or hexing people. Maximus might just start a few fires.” I threw my head back and laughed. He added, “You feel free to use this spot anytime you want.” He hugged me and left.
I pulled out my phone and found Melanie’s account. Uncle Gunner said it was private, but I could see her content. He must have done something techy so I could see it. I watched all her videos. Oden purred, “She’s a beautiful dancer.” He was right.
I was a little sad she hadn’t posted any content since she’d left. Something prickled at the base of my spine, that it was weird. I checked how regularly she used to post. I checked her comments and saw people asking where she was. They wondered if she was ok. She hadn’t replied but she clearly was on the account because she viewed my stuff.
I popped home ready to have someone look into this. I spotted Karina’s cookies on a platter in the main room and ate a few. I sighed and sat down. I told Oden, “I’m seeing connections where there are none. So, she doesn’t want to post. I was ready to launch an investigation into her social media activity. What is wrong with us?”
He reasoned, “It’s normal to be worried about our mate. We calmed down but I agreed with you or I would’ve said something.” Theo came and sat down by me a grabbed a cookie. He asked, “So, what’s up?” I snorted, “Are you aware I’m a popular thirst trap with dad?” He spit out his cookie.
He asked, “I’m sorry, what?!” I showed him my account and dad’s. He threw his head back and laughed. He admitted, “I’ve seen these videos with dad because I’ve caught mom watchingthem. I thought she made them for herself. This is too good.” He handed me my phone and popped out.
Angela and TJ popped next to me. Both ate cookies. I asked, “Are you guys ok? You had this sense of urgency but now you don’t.” Angela snorted, “It’s silly.” I asked, “How does dad react to finding out he’s lusted after by the internet?” She snorted, “He knows but he’s letting Dylan think he doesn’t.”
I asked, “Does he tell Dylan he knows?” She grinned, “No, that’s no fun! Dad likes to say he never had fun until us but he’s always giving Dylan the reaction he wants.” I snorted, “So, he yells at Dylan and acts like he didn’t know.” Angela winked at me.
She shrugged, “It’s their dynamic. It’s pretty funny and it happens at a picnic. Everyone laughs.” I asked, “Does Dylan know that dad does actually know about this account?” She hummed, “I think he doesn’t want to know to be honest.” I laughed, “Good to know.”
She muttered, “Thanks for actually asking.” I told her, “You don’t need to take on the weight of the world just yet, little one. We may not ask because we want you to be able to be little as long as you can. The weight of your power and our name will come, but there is no need to rush into that destiny before you have to.”
She made a face, “EJ went to a meeting that was a trap without asking me and it hurts my feelings.” I admitted, “I could easily see why that would hurt your feelings. You need to talk to him about it again. He thinks it’s all settled but it still hurts you.”
She grumbled, “I’d help you find Ariena if she wasn’t blurry too.” I ruffled her hair saying, “I know you’d help if you could. I’ll get her. Do you have any advice on her?” She said, “I think she’s going to get hurt, but she’s around later. It just looks like if she gets hurt, she goes dark for a few years.”
I asked, “Hurt how?” She groaned, “It’s blurry but I think it’s the Resistance.” Which would make sense if they were following me around. I nodded to her and hugged TJ. He was quiet but I could understand that. People said it about me as well.
I asked, “How’s training with Breanna going, TJ?” He answered, “Good. Dad insists it’s done here but that doesn’t feel fair to Breanna.” I offered a solution, “Maybe ask if Faerie is a reasonable alternative to taking turns and being in the Vampire’s mansion. That way after your practice there, you’d both be happy visiting Uncle Aiden and Aunt Lucinda.”
He grinned at me, “I’ll ask. I like that. I feel bad she’s always coming here.” I assured him, “You know she doesn’t mind. She loves coming here, but training in Faerie would be good for you both.” He hugged me and they popped out.
I linked Uncle Bjourn, “Are you awake?” He answered, “I am.” I popped to him. He was drinking whiskey in the main area of his wing. I conjured myself a drink. I sat down then said, “Angela thinks Ariena is going to get hurt. I’m guessing the Resistance has a hand it. Maybe we can monitor chatter for her.” He nodded, “Of course we can. We do but we can focus on her getting injured.” I nodded.
He added, “I know that’s why you’re not here. I would know without a bond, but I do have one.” I asked, “Where is Aunt Astrid?” He answered, “She’s with Kashe. I’ll join her with Dawson later.” I admitted, “Melanie watches my Instagram videos, and I really like that.” He snorted, “If I was you, I would like that too.”
I snorted, “I nearly launched an investigation into her social media activity.” He shrugged, “You did to a degree if you know she’s watching your videos.” I admitted, “I had Uncle Gunner find the accounts that viewed my business accounts videos the most.”
He laughed, “What videos does she watch?” I showed him and he winked, “I guess we will see more content like that.” I told him, “Phil hired Nadia today and I did mention it to him.” He laughed, “I do believe Phil has been worried about your reaction to those types of videos.”
