She walked over to my dad, who was here too now, kissed him then left. Hastein came at me, and we went round after round. Jason commented, “This is not a very festive birthday.” It wasn’t because Melanie didn’t come, and I was as tipsy as I could get.Which allowed someone to steal what I’d been saving all this time for Melanie.
I was so sick of the people who couldn’t respect my boundaries. I didn’t mind people who flirted with me that respected me. Both women and men seemed interested in determining my sexual preference, but the ones who were rude and tried to take things from my mate pissed me off.
Hastein said, “It’s ok.” I growled, “NO, IT’S NOT!” We fought until Uncle Evin jumped in. Then I fought him until my dad jumped in. He pinned me after an hour. He linked, “Pup, it’s ok.” I replied, “I was tipsy, and she put her lips on mine. I wanted my first kiss to be with my mate.” He said, “And your mom had a lot of things to say to that she bitch most of which involved her fists.” Of course she did.
He told me, “You didn’t kiss her back.” I had not. He reasoned, “So, that doesn’t count.” I snorted, “That’s not really how it works.” He argued, “If someone kisses you but you don’t kiss them it definitely means it’s not your first kiss.” Maybe, but it seemed like semantics.
Oden was sulking and I didn’t blame him. I said, “Well, I won’t be doing anything with anyone else until I meet my mate.” He nodded, “Fair enough. I respect your choice.” He hugged me whispering, “I’m proud of you.” He wouldn’t be if he knew I was sulking because they were lying about Melanie crossing the border to keep her from me. Oden whined in my head. Happy fucking birthday to me.
Flashback Ends
Nothing had changed on that front either. I wasn’t going to do anything with anyone who wasn’t Melanie. It might not be official, but she was my mate to my wolf and myself. Being with someone else wouldn’t change that. I stormed into the gym and got into the ring.
A few people joined me, and we went at it. I fought for hours yet again as the plans formed in my head. I had over hundred ways to kill Cora but that wasn’t what Cassie needed which left me with one option. I nodded to the guys I’d been fighting and walked into Cayden’s office.
Silas had been in there with Jed. I glared at the latter who wisely left without a word. Silas asked, “Did Jed piss you off?” I answered, “No.” Silas teased, “Do you want to tell your face that?” I replied, “No.” He nudged me saying, “He’s so verbose.” Cayden ordered, “Give us the room, Silas.” He left.
Cayden asked, “Would you care to tell me why you’re beating up everyone in the gym?” I answered, “I was thinking through the best solution for something.” He replied, “I live with a Fairy now.” I shot back, “I am aware since that Fairy is my sister.” He grinned, “Yes, well I know you’re being evasive.”
I called EJ. He answered, “What on EARTH is going on with you? Cassie’s so nervous about your reaction to something I’m on edge.” Cayden chimed in, “I’d like to know the same answer since it’s my mate who is on edge. Your brother is being evasive.”
I told them both, “We need to work out how I’ll remain as an Alpha, EJ’s Enforcer, and a be Squadron Leader here.” Cayden’s eyes met mine. He jolted, “You’re serious. You’re finally going to take me up on that offer?” I answered, “Yes.”
I linked EJ, “I need to be here more to protect Cass. Shit is going down and it would be harder for someone to keep doing that if I’m here more.” I wasn’t going to delude myself into thinking it would stop, it wouldn’t. Cassie was going to have to handle this how she determined was right for her, but me being here more often would put Cora on notice.
EJ replied out loud, “I have no problem with this as I’ve said many that before. I’m proud of you, Alexander.” Cayden eyes narrowed. He said, “I am too, but I know this move is about mymate.” I agreed, “It is. I want to be closer to her.” EJ linked, “Evasive.” I replied, “Yet true.”
Cayden rubbed his temples, “For fuck’s sake. I already told you I recognize the evasions but fine. Just tell me she’s safe.” I snorted, “You know she is.” She could kill Cora easily even without Fairy powers. He studied me, “Do I need her Guard around her?” I shrugged, “It couldn’t hurt if they were around a little bit more.” He nodded, “Alright. Let’s figure this out.”
It only took an hour since we’d all been thinking about it prior to me officially agreeing. Cayden nodded, “We will have the ceremony here in a few hours.” I laughed, “You’d better let me have my mom plan it.” He rubbed his temples again, “This will be a squadron leader ceremony for the ages, but I’m not dumb enough to deny my mother in law that honor.”
I left and headed back to Cayden and Cassie’s home since the bond told me Cassie was there. I called my mom. She answered, “Alexander.” I teased, “Aren’t you in a session?” I knew she was. Oden snorted, “Mom always answers us.” She did. She replied, “I just finished one, but I will always answer when you all call. What’s going on?”
I answered, “I accepted a position in the Hackura realm from Cayden as a squadron leader. My ceremony is in a few hours here. I thought you’d like to plan it.” She screamed, “I am so fucking proud of you! I’ll plan everything and get your dad.” She hung up.
I linked dad, “Mom is very excited and coming in hot.” He replied, “I can feel that and now she’s here. Congratulations on the position, son. I’m proud of you.” I replied, “Thanks.” He said, “If you’d want to share why you finally accepted, let me know.” I chuckled, “You always know everything.” He snorted, “Now, if you pups would just keep that in mind and tell me shit that would be great.”
I walked into Cassie and Cayden’s home. My sister evaluated me. She said, “Well, everyone is excited about whatever you did. Mom seems to plotting some party.” I laughed, “I’m going to accept the squadron position your mate has wanted me to. I’ll be here more often.” She raised an eyebrow.
I snorted, “I do that better than you. Everyone will think twice about messing with you if I’m around more. It sucks but it’s true. I’m the sibling that’s very in your face and knocking teeth out.” She grumbled, “So being stealthy makes them think they can walk all over me.”
I crossed the room and hugged my sister. I answered, “No, but it does seem to make these women think they can get away with hurting you. I’m going to show my face around more often and make sure they know it’s not true. Everything is going to be.”
She hugged me tightly and whispered, “Thank you, brother.” I told her, “I will always have your six.” Oden told me, “I told Rain the same.” Good. I felt a tug on my bond before Uncle Bjourn linked, “I think we need to talk.”
I kissed the top of Cassie’s head, “I have to go talk to Uncle Bjourn. I’ll see you at my ceremony.” She checked her phone and laughed, “Yeah, you will.” Mom was going to go all out, but that was fine. If it made her happy that was what I cared about.
I portaled to my uncle’s office. His secretary smirked at me. I chuckled, “So, mom already told you.” Uncle Bjourn snorted, “Yes, along with a prepared argument about why a Duke being given the title of squadron leader should be a bigger celebration.” I admitted, “I’d say I’m surprised but that would be a lie, and I can’t do that.”
Uncle Bjourn laughed, “Yes, I let her present the whole argument even though I know she knows that I was going to let her do whatever she wanted.” I replied, “I’d like to invite some of my friends.” He nodded, “Go ahead.” I winked at him and left.
I called Jason McAlister. He answered, “Hey, Alexander.” I told him, “There’s a party going down in the Hackura realm. If you can tell your pack and have the partial Fairies bring you if they want to join.” He asked, “What’s the party for?” I answered, “Me. I’m becoming a Squadron leader.”
He shouted, “Congrats, man! That’s awesome.” I said, “Your whole family is welcome.” He snorted, “Maybe that would get Mel to text me back.” Oden howled excitedly. I offered, “She’s welcome to come.” Jason replied, “I wouldn’t get your hopes up.” I would because I had promised Melanie that I would meet her right before I went to confirm her intel with my family.
That train of thought reminded me of when I killed Charlene and our conversation before I killed her. I didn’t kill her for myself really. Someone else would’ve done it, but I protected Melanie from that awful bitch.
Flashback
