Aiden scoffed, “It would not have been mean at all.” I hummed, “I’m pretty sure you’re wrong… and I don’t have the firmest grasp on social constructs. Plus, she died and stopped hurting people… mostly… but she was dead so… it was... that’s a whole thing.”
Eric growled, “What is?” I explained, “You guys are kind of popular gossip. Everyone thinks it’s interesting. Even now… almost seventeen years later. Cassandra… umm… well… she… to be fair… it wasn’t completely her fault… I mean it was... but I’ll give her a margin of error.”
Eric growled, “What does that mean?” I winced, “She… well… she thought… a Luna was her friend… that was not.” Everyone was silent. Aiden laughed, “It’s too good. Cassandra had a secret friend in a forgotten pack that wasn’t a true friend. Let’s just take that logic a step further and add it was a friend that she didn’t tell anyone about. I did not think this meeting would be so fun.”
I replied, “I didn’t say she was in a forgotten pack.” Aiden smiled asking, “Didn’t you? How else would you have known about it? Plus, I caught the evasion earlier.” UGH! Talking to the Fairy King was hard when one could not lie to save their life…and he caught all the evasions.
I reasoned, “I lived in Red Run.” Aiden nodded, “Yes, but you were sheltered. You didn’t meet anyone outside the pack. Elise would’ve told us if she knew Cassandra was talking about Haley to other packs because she didn’t like how Cassandra treated EJ.” Because Cassandra sucked.
Aiden continued, “Other than the girl you danced with from New York, who I have extensively watched, and other dancers, who didn’t know Cassandra, you were kept segregated. Tiffany had nothing to do with what happened to you. Which you know since she was at your wedding.”
“Tiffany was sad you stopped being around to compete against because you pushed her. Without you she lost the drive for competitions and dancing. She did go to that school and meet the fake you; however, she saw her real face.” I knew that.
Aiden admitted, “Tiffany unknowingly supplied that girl with some details about you, but her presence here tells me I was correct all along. Tiffany missed you. I’m glad you’re talking to her. I say all that to say that I know while Tiffany does know who Cassandra Conners is, she doesn’t know much else. Other than you don’t like her.” That was true.
Tiffany knew me when we were young pups, so she did know I didn’t like Cassandra. Aiden added, “Tiffany’s mother was in apack that avoided Cassandra, which leads me to believe you told Tiffany who told her mother how Cassandra treated people.”
“That all means that Tiffany wouldn’t have gossiped about her Luna and Cassandra talking to pass off to you. Dancers all looked up to you, which means they all felt the same way. None of them were Cassandra fans, and that explains so much of the behavior we saw. They hated Cassandra because you did and were barely tolerant of the woman. It was truly glorious.” Dang. Aiden really was smart.
Eric growled. I sighed, “I did hear about that particular friendship once I was in Nashville. Everyone there has. Cassandra would tell a certain Luna things and she’d basically get on her phone tree of friends and tell everyone else. All those packs LOVE that kind of gossip. It makes you guys a little more normal to them. They were miserable in their lives, and they liked knowing that… umm never mind.”
I HAD to stop talking. Freya said, “The topic is too far gone at this point, you might as well finish the thought.” No, it wasn’t. I changed the subject, “So anyway, the Supernatural Council… yup that’s what we were talking about. The corrupt big bad… that could help us take down the Ring.”
Bjourn snorted, “Nice try. We are three seasoned men at getting the answers we want.” I smiled warning them, “I’m seasoned at talking a lot until people just want me to stop. It typically involves them rubbing their heads, being irritated about my ranting, and yelling at me to go away.”
“I’ve got to say, it’s worked a lot and, in my experience, it works best on men. Because for some reason, I haven’t figured out if it is biology or just a shorter patience for things… but they seem to be annoyed by ranting women. ESPECIALLY if someone starts talking about their period. Nothing gets a man to tell you to shut up and go away faster.”
Aiden laughed, “I like her, but such topics do not bother me.” Bjourn said, “I could quite literally care less and could have an entire discussion with you on the female reproductive system and their periods.” Huh. That tracked for the Hackura, honestly. They were very body positive…and he was a doctor.
Eric said, “I could also have a conversation with you about it and be fine. I’m guessing what you were about to say was knowing that my mom was making my mate miserable, while I didn’t know, made people happy.”
“Considering I pride myself on knowing things, and the fact that my mother was causing such strife and unhappiness in my own home, with my own mate and pups, made everyone giddy. I’m sure it was delightful dinner conversation for all.”
My face flushed. Aiden laughed, “I do believe that’s it.” I sighed, “Yeah… but like, people just like others being miserable if they are… which… they didn’t understand Haley wasn’t miserable. She was more annoyed… but she had you, so… it’s ummm… their world view is skewed, as is their data.”
“Because not everything Cassandra told them was remotely true… so she didn’t bother Haley as much as she wanted or thought she did. I personally think she crafted this other narrative in her mind because even she knew she came out looking insane when she was always sniping at Haley…who didn’t care.”
Eric sighed, “Great. Another happy thing to tell my dad when he comes back.” I frowned, “Nathan doesn’t need to know.” Eric snorted, “We are already going to be in trouble for keeping all this from him.” Now I laughed.
Bjourn asked, “What’s funny now?” I explained, “Nathan knows everything that’s going on. There’s no way he doesn’t know, at least about me. I know he knows we got married and had a link to watch… like my Aunt and Uncle that are traveling…and some friends of mine.”
Haley was keeping the man up to date. There was another rumor about Cassandra’s annoyance about how close Nathan and Haley were. Eric argued, “If dad knew he’d have called or come back.” I shook my head, “No, he wouldn’t because he promised Ray he’d stay on his trip after he cut his first trip short when Ray found Nora.”
Freya said, “I don’t think you’re supposed to know that.” My wolf was right. I clapped my hand over my mouth. SHOOT! Aiden grinned. Eric asked, “And how would you know that?” I said, “Umm… I know things… yup… lots of things… so, anyway... I’m sure there are other questions.”
Bjourn surmised, “You bugged Nathan’s phone because he was out on his own, and you wanted to be able to track him.” I disagreed, “I didn’t bug his phone. I’ve never seen or met the man. How could I personally bug his phone? That would be hard.”
Aiden smiled, “Evasive. You didn’t do it, but a Resistance member could’ve.” It was harder being evasive around the Fairy King… which made sense. I hummed, “Not exactly… no one bugged Nathan… just the Alpha he was staying with.”
“Nathan explained to the Alpha why he was leaving… and they voiced concerns about him needing to heal. He told them not to worry because he’d promised not to cut his trip short the next time. So, I did not bug Nathan himself… so… it’s all good.” Freya snickered.
Bjourn asked out of the blue, “Have you met my mother?” I’d actually not run into Veronica since I’d been here. Which was odd, she was definitely at our Mating Ceremony. Right. I asked, “Was she at our…?” Bjourn interrupted, “Yes, my mom was at your Mating Ceremony.” Ok then.
I questioned, “How would I have met her? I’ve not seen her here since I got here…but I am glad unlike certain people she showed up for her grandson…that’s nice of her…because sheloves him.” Aiden said, “Your mom’s parents are fools.” Jeez, everyone knew they didn’t come.
Bjourn said, “Aiden is correct.” Aiden looked like Bjourn had smacked him. Bjourn continued, “My mom has seen you a couple of times. She came here after Alexander got his wings to comfort my sister saying you looked familiar. Watching you during the reception and the Mating Ceremony confirmed that for her.”
Of course it did. Did the Hackura have to be so dang observant all the time? Bjourn continued, “My mom mentioned a time that she and Astrid were out together. They were going to stop at a bar when a girl who looked like you cut them off. You walked in front of them to get inside before they did. Then there was a commotion and they decided to leave and get a drink at home.”
