Hastein said, “She’s not. I’ll be seeing my mate earlier in the day.” I frowned because I didn’t like that. Freya said, “He’ll stay with her if you explain it to him.” Then I needed to talk to him about that. Kingsley was weird about holidays. Well… I understood why… more than most probably.
I hadn’t realized my family had come into the room at some point. All were giving me pointed looks. Tristan linked, “I know what your mate forgot by the way.” I groaned, “Please don’t tell him… he’s just busy and…” Tristan cut me off, “Missing your honeymoon is not something you don’t mention to your mate.” I mean I didn’t… so, it kind of was.
Gabe said, “Let’s go home, Angelique.” My friend winked at me, “I’ll see you at the big Thanksgiving dinner. I’ve never been to one with family. We only did Friendsgiving. Someone is going to have to explain what one does at these things.”
I snorted, “Uhh you’ve seen a million shows with Thanksgiving.” Angelique winked. Gabe laughed, “I’ll explain anything you want me to, mate.” Bjourn opened a portal for them. Hastein was about to step through when I grabbed the back of his shirt.
The man quickly whirled around. I said, “Umm… can I talk to you? If now is not a good time… I’m sure Xander has your number… I could just text you… yup texting is good.” Freya snorted, “You have his number.”
I replied, “I mean the computer system does… ILYX has it… not me… evasions are my jam!” Freya agreed, “They definitelyare.” Hastein said, “Now is fine.” I heard a huff behind me as my family left the room. Hastein smirked.
Xander said, “I’ll get us some dinner, Lovebug.” Freya huffed, “Good. I’m now starving.” I kissed my husband’s cheek and nodded. Once Xander closed the door Hastein questioned, “So, what did you want to discuss?” I clarified, “You don’t actually care about Thanksgiving… do you? It’s not a Hackura tradition.”
Hastein answered, “I could give a fuck less. We didn’t celebrate until Aunt Haley learned about the holiday. We care because she does, and our cousins do.” I said, “Well… Kingsley tends to pull away around the holidays.”
I rushed, “Which I get… She doesn’t remember her life before she was in this realm. Kingsley knew what she was and that she was different from everyone else. She watched people celebrate from the outside, but she was never included.”
“K didn’t stay places too long and didn’t have many friends. She always wanted to celebrate holidays in this realm. I think she was actually close with her family and misses that. Angelique was hidden and never really saw those big moments. To her this will be fun. For Kingsley… I think she feels a deep sense of longing for her family.”
Hastein studied me before saying, “I’ll see what I can do. At minimum, I’ll spend the day with her.” I smiled saying, “We got her to come to one Friendsgiving… the one Angelique mentioned… before it all went to hell.”
“Kingsley had fun… then ya know… it went badly… well… kind of… not… it was interrupted… I guess is a better word… that one could use…. one being me… since I’m talking. Then they were worried about my rage box….because it rattled.” Hastein questioned, “Your what now?”
I told him, “Gosh…..that’s a whole other type…of conversation… that I have with your Aunt… who is my motherin law…because she’s a therapist…I’m pretty sure she’s worried about my rage box… but it comes in handy when…”
Xander put his arms around me and kissed me deeply. Hastein snorted, “Thank you, cousin.” When we pulled apart, I blushed. Hastein said, “I might have to join your pack so I can link you that you need to kiss her to corral the chatterbox moments.”
I frowned, “I was just explaining… that...” Hastein laughed, “I got it, and I like the chatterbox moments. I can tell I still make you nervous, that’s what I don’t like. I would never be upset with you giving me information about my mate. I don’t mind being told when I’m wrong. I also appreciate the heads up. I will take care of K. Continue speaking to Aunt about that box of yours.” That was the plan
I sighed in relief, “Thanks.” Hastein said, “Plus, since time works differently in the Hackura realm; if Kingsley doesn’t want to come to Thanksgiving I can still do both. I can put in an appearance for Aunt Haley and be with K.”
I reasoned, “Of all people… Haley would understand. I think if you talked to her, she’d tell you she’d better not see you there if K isn’t with you.” Xander added, “With more colorful words but yes. I do agree with that, and H knows it himself.”
Hastein snorted and opened a portal. Hastein commented, “It’s been interesting as it always is around your mate, little cousin.” He stepped through the portal. I mean, it was always interesting around Xander because…he was Xander.
I said, “They do know you’re like… a giant.” Xander laughed, “I am still younger than him.” Xander snapped a table for two. I smiled saying, “This is nice.” Xander felt guilty again in our bond. I asked, “What’s wrong? Why do you feel guilty?”
Xander sighed, “Why didn’t you tell me I forgot about our honeymoon?” My mouth dropped open. I gasped, “T told you?!” Alexander replied, “You talked to T about it?” I answered, “No…I was avoiding him because I’m awkward…then he figured out the honeymoon thing earlier.”
Freya growled at me in my head, “I will take over if you do not start eating that steak right now. Give me a fry at least. One measly bite of the potato. Gosh look at the delicious carbs on that plate. FEED ME!” I quickly stuffed my fries in my mouth.
Once I did, Freya purred in my head. I thought about it, then realized exactly who told Xander. I stated, “Angelique said something to you.” Xander nodded, “She did. Phil and Gage are distraught that you deleted it off their respective calendars and mine. Why did you do that?”
I began to push food around my plate. Freya said, “Nope. Not today.” My wolf took over and started eating. She looked up at Xander and explained, “Melanie knows there’s something you aren’t saying that’s bothering you. She figured it was a big deal and didn’t want to distract you.”
Freya snarfed down more food. My wolf continued, “So tell her what’s bugging you. Because Oden has been tight lipped about it saying you needed to come to terms with it before talking to us. Melanie felt as Luna it was her duty not to burden you since you forgot about the honeymoon. Her logic is that you can go another time. It hurt her feelings, but she didn’t want to talk about it.”
Xander asked Freya, “Why did you take over to explain?” Freya snorted, “I did not take over to explain. I took over to eat the delicious food on this plate. My human hasn’t eaten all day and I'm HANGRY.”
My wolf lamented, “She was starting to push the food around her plate. I have learned that means she’d have taken twenty minutes to explain, through a rambling event which would’ve been funny had I eaten today; I’d have found it entertaining. Right now, not so much. I need you to conjure me a whole pizza because this food is gone and I’m still starving.”
Xander laughed and snapped his fingers. A pepperoni and sausage pizza appeared, and Freya ate it all quickly. My wolf sat back and said, “Ok, now I can hear the ranting, musing of my human being hilarious again without being angry.”
My wolf shoved me forward. I grumbled, “I was going to eat the food.” Freya snorted, “Eventually, yes. As I said, I was hungry.” Xander whispered, “I am so sorry, Mel. I got all caught up in what the Werebengal said, and I completely forgot about our honeymoon. That shouldn’t have happened.”
I asked, “What did he say?” Xander snorted, “A lot. Irfan said that you are meant to unite the shifters, all of them; not just Werewolves. The Werebengals history say they are to be a guard of yours of sorts.” I quickly asked, “So there are more of them?” Xander nodded.
I clapped, “That’s awesome! They were cool… I was sad we had to kill them.” Plus… I was uniting shifters already, so that made sense. Freya hummed, “Yes, I am proud of you and your unknown Supernatural lists.
