“I feel protective of her, just like I do over Sierra and our other cousin’s mates. We didn’t spend a lot of time together, but she would match H. She protects innocent people while putting people in their place. Speaking of that, Phil, I need you to also have Uncle Gunner watch a Demon from Spain.”
Phil snorted, “Why?” I explained, “My mate and the woman in question are helping a Lord’s mate decide if she wants to be with him after a laundry list of sins he committed against her. They intend to help this partial Demon if she rejects him.” EJ stiffed, “A Demon Lord in Spain?” I nodded.
My dad sighed and flipped around his phone, “Do they look like this?” He showed me a family picture of the people I’d seen. I nodded, “That’s them. I scared them off. Why do you have their picture?” Oden growled, “I don’t like this. We should’ve killed them What if they are a threat to mate?” I told him, “Then they die.”
My dad sighed, “On Melanie’s flash drive she had proof of payments Edward had made. This family was one of them, shejust didn’t have the reason he paid him. As she had other reasons for payment, I’m guessing she didn’t know what he paid them for.”
Well at least I knew what Kingsley was doing in Spain with the Demons. I asked, “How long ago did Edward make the payment?” My dad answered, “Six and a half months ago.” I nodded because I could look into when Kingsley appeared in the Demon's sphere.
I concluded, “So, that family could be in the Ring.” Phil whistled, “They’ll be lucky if Hastein doesn’t wipe them out once he gets this story. Because I think we all know he will. That would take the pressure of the partial Demon to reject him or not.” I snorted, “She should reject him and move on with her life.”
Everyone stared at me. I assured the, “You will agree with me.” I then gave them the highlighted version I got. My dad sighed, “I do not understand the younger generation. Using positions of power to force a rejection, take it back, cheating, and trying to forcibly mark his mate against her will is insanity.”
EJ snorted, “I’d kill any guy who tried to hurt Cassie or Angela at all, let alone like that. How the hell could they just stand back? I’d rip him to pieces.” We all nodded our agreement. Gage snorted, “I think that’s a nice way to describe what you’d do, EJ.” Probably.
Phil announced, “In other news, Sierra is officially managing Melanie’s calendar. My mate wants to know if Melanie knows how impossible that task is.” I laughed, “I’m sure Melanie has a system because she absolutely knows it’s hard to do.”
Phil snorted, “Do you know how many people want to meet with your mate? There’s your dad, Cousin Bjourn, a few of our cousins, her family, Cayden, Aaron….” I interrupted, “Aaron Crawford?” Gage confirmed, “Yes, him.” I asked, “Why?”
Phil replied, “Melanie did save his daughter. Plus, Corbin wants to talk to Melanie and Blaise wants to see her again.” Phil was about to continue when Chase Daniels walked in rubbing his face. Phil immediately asked, “What’s wrong Chase? Did you find out your pack was flooded with Resistance members who won’t tell you who's behind the curtain too?”
Chase snorted, “No.” Phil hummed, “Then I don’t think you get to have that look on your face.” Chase retorted, “My Beta’s daughter is mated to a Resistance member.” Phil teased, “But he runs his own pack and doesn’t live in yours.”
I scoffed, “Caine Davis admitted he was in the Resistance?” Dad said, “Along with his Beta, yes. Gamma Buck actually laughed really hard, for several hours about it.” EJ said, “Anyway, what’s wrong Chase?” Phil joked, “Fine. We can allow him to tell us his problems even though we have so many.” Several people chuckled included Chase.
Chase eventually admitted, “Keaton is distraught. I dislike it when my pups are upset.” My dad asked, “What’s wrong with Keaton? If you’re here, I’m assuming Lexi is with Haley.” Chase nodded, “That’s why I’m here. Lexi doesn’t know what to do.”
I asked, “What’s the problem?” Chase answered, “As you know, all our pups told Emmaline they didn’t want her to tell them if she knew their mates. They wanted to wait like their mother. Except for Emmett and Emma. They wanted to know, but the rest didn’t.”
Phil sighed, “Damn.” Gage said, “Hey, it’s a good thing in the long run.” I asked, “What is?” Phil said, “Keaton and Keith’s eighteenth birthday recently passed.” I stared at him before saying, “I know that.” Phil sighed, “Keaton has a girlfriend.” I hummed, “I know that too.”
Gage said, “I’m guessing she’s not his mate.” I replied, “From what I hear, that would be a reason to celebrate.” Chase nodded, “I’m thrilled that Lisa is not my son’s mate. Keaton and most ofsaid girl’s friends were convinced they were mates. Her family was all in about it.”
I observed him and said, “But you weren’t. What friends said they were mates?” Chase sighed, “Honestly, I didn’t know she had any. Matt told me her friends were stunned. Truthfully, I never saw her with Keaton long term. The problem I have is Keaton going through heartbreak and that was never what I wanted.”
Chase groaned, “But god, I wanted them to break up and stay broken up so badly. Keaton’s girlfriend turned eighteen before him and said he smelled really good to her. Which made him believe she was his even more than he already did.” Bitch. Oden agreed, “She had to have lied to him.” I knew that.
EJ asked, “So, did they break up for good?” Chase answered, “Yes, Keaton wanted me to send him out of the pack.” I offered, “He can stay here.” Dad said, “That’s nice of you to offer, but they’ve got him the space he wants. He’s settled in with Keith. I think it will be good for him where they ended up.”
I reasoned, “Because you had somewhere in mind and told Chase where to send him.” Phil laughed, “Our Alpha didn’t even need us to point that out, Gage.” Dad said, “Yes, I was ready for this. Because while I knew Lisa would tell Keaton they could still be together, I knew he wouldn’t agree. Sometimes, an Alpha wolf needs to spread his wings. Keaton reached his moment.”
I asked, “Is he coming today?” Chase answered, “He is.” I wondered how my dad knew an Alpha needed that moment. My dad was only ever in a relationship with one person before mom. He was charmed so that didn’t really count in my opinion.
Dad asked, “What did Keith say?” Chase laughed, “You know full well Keith never liked Lisa.” I asked, “What friends thought they were mates then? Because that means Keith never though they were mates.” Phil offered, “Phil did not think that eithersince she cheats on him.” I jolted, “What?” Chase sighed, “I still can’t believe they got together after that.”
Oden said, “That’s not normal. Alpha’s don’t stand for cheating, and we didn’t hear about someone dying.” Which meant they hadn’t. Keaton definitely needs space to find himself. Chase said, “I’m glad he’s getting space. He asked for it this time. Lexi got it all worked out with the school. I think this will be good for him and he’s with Keith. I’ll miss him though.”
All the packs had schools for the pups, but once they reached junior high, they went to the public schools. Dad said, “It will be good for him. Those two need to be apart. There’s something off about that girl. Plus, Haley hates her.”
I asked, “When did mom meet Lisa?” Phil replied, “She hasn’t.” So, mom hated what she’d heard from Lexi. Fair enough. I’d barely heard anything and I couldn’t say I liked this Lisa character. My dad urged, “Let’s go have a drink, Chase.” Chase nodded and they left together.
I asked, “What can dad even say? It’s not like any of us have been broken hearted.” EJ snorted, “You cannot be serious.” I asked, “What? We haven’t. Some of our sibling’s date, but nothing super serious. Right?”
I looked around the room looking for confirmation, but they all looked like I was wrong. I growled, “Phil, if one of my brother’s hearts is on the line and you didn’t say anything I’ll get both you and Gage. You’re lucky I know beyond all doubt it’s not either of my sisters.”
Gage snorted, “I’m taking strays over here for doing nothing.” Phil rolled his eyes telling me, “EJ is talking about you, my dense Alpha cousin. You have been broken hearted over Melanie for years.” I frowned arguing, “That’s not the same and I’m marrying her today.”
EJ shrugged, “I’m sure your pups being distraught is the same no matter the reason.” They might have a point, but noneof us would know for sure. Lunch was brought in. Hastein even came in at one point. He looked fine so I held our bond close. My cousin was frazzled.
