“They feel they should’ve known. Jase in particular, but then again so does T. He’s the oldest. So, in his mind he believes he failed to protect both you and Jase. It’s all a gut punch, and you guys are dealing with it as best as you can.”
I frowned, “Neither of them failed me.” Xander smiled, “Being an older sibling isn’t always so black and white. Guilt is a strange emotion that we can’t control. Sometimes we know wehave nothing to feel guilty about, but some comments hit harder than they should.”
I asked, “Are you referring to Cassandra?” Xander raised an eyebrow admitting, “She does come to mind.” I huffed, “I hate her… because I know she hurt you.” Xander laughed, “It was a long time ago. I was a pup, but you’re right. Cassandra hurt my feelings. That woman hurt my cousins, Cassie and EJ.”
Xander trailed off then admitted, “Hell she hurt all my siblings that she met, and I’m not sad she never met them all. Cassandra hurt my mother the most. Mom did nothing until she realized that my grandmother had hurt us pups.” I commented carefully, “That sounds like your mom.” Xander asked, “Why do you ask about her?”
I sighed, “I’m wondering… I’m a wolf goddess technically… I wonder if I can go talk to her. Arion said she’s still in some limbo state.” Xander laughed, “Of course she is. Even almost seventeen years later she can’t admit she was wrong.”
Yeah, well I had a lot to ask her about. People still seemed to think she wasn’t as bad as I knew she was. Freya offered, “You have additional information.” I did. Xander said, “You don’t need to go see Cassandra. She never made a single person’s day better.” I shrugged because it wasn’t about that.
Freya linked, “We can get to her if you want.” We just might have to do that. Maybe I could get her out of limbo into HELL where she BELONGED. First, I could punch her in the face for hurting my mate’s feelings. Freya snickered, “There’s my human half.”
The day seemed to go by quickly. Before I knew it, Xander was preparing to take me to some fancy place for dinner. I went up to the closet and found several dresses. I almost wore the red one, but the green one was daring.
I wanted to be daring tonight so I put it on and snorted. Freya commented, “Our mother in law is one of a kind.” That Haleywas. The green dress was strapless. My boobs were taped in with magic of some kind…. thank god.
The dress had me covered until right under my butt. The slit in this dress was practically where my thigh began, and the bottom was sheer. I carefully walked down the stairs. Xander growled the second he saw me.
My husband kissed me hard. He pulled back muttering, “I’ll be growling all damn night.” I laughed as he led me out of the house and popped us to the restaurant. Xander growled at the Fairy standing before us gaping at me.
The man sputtered, “Greetings, Duke Alexander and Duchess Melanie. I’ll take you to your seats.” One Female Fairy stopped me, “I have to ask, where did you get that dress? It’s fabulous.” I smiled answering, “My mother in law, Haley Conners. I believe you’ll be seeing this, and others like it, in her store once it opens here.”
The Fairy squealed, “REALLY? She has the best fashion sense! I’ve applied to work in her store. Truthfully, it’s just because I just want the employee discount. The dress you’re wearing is fabulous. I’m so excited.” She ran off to her friends.
Several people took a picture of my dress. I linked Xander, “I think your mom’s goal of having me wear her dresses… is going to pay off.” Xander chuckled and kissed me on the forehead. I literally heard girl’s swoon.
Freya warned, “They better watch it. I was a repressed wolf and I’m a goddess. I can RIP their heads off.” I replied, “I mean… I can do that even if you don’t shift. Let’s avoid it since so far, they just think Xander’s panty meltingly sweet… which he is.” Freya howled with laughter in my head.
The host continued on and led us back to our table. The meal went by without a problem. Xander didn’t even take me out of the dress when we got home. The slit really was that high that we could have sex and not take it off.
The next two days flew by. I was waiting when Xander woke up the morning of his mom’s duel. My mate was already tense when his eyes opened. I assured him, “Your mom will be fine.” The whole realm was buzzing about her duel today.
Xander sighed, “I know she will. She’s excited.” I asked, “Is it your dad’s feelings that are getting to you?” Xander laughed, “His and my brothers. We all know how capable our mother is. I just worry for her.”
I kissed his shoulder then said, “Well let’s go see her then, it will make you feel better.” My mate snapped us both into clothes. I kissed him again then said, “Your mom is going to kick his butt.” Xander laughed, “I know. I just hope she doesn’t take some hits to keep him talking.”
I thought that was highly unlikely. I offered, “I think… your mom knows this type of person too well. Especially a man like him. Haley will want him angry and off kilter; whereas in other fights the person might brag more if they were winning or perceived they were.”
“Someone like Gerdishek…. will be the most upset when he’s losing to your mom. Any hit he got would make him smug, and Haley would never let that happen. She’s a skilled psychologist… so if I know that, then she does too. Also, this is her chance to strike back at them for her childhood. Statistically speaking, Haley will come out swinging and never miss.”
Xander kissed me hard before telling me, “I love you so damn much. I also love how your brain works. Thank you. That perspective will put my whole family at ease. Because I am going to link them all those thoughts.”
I wanted to tease him that he meant him and his siblings. I was fairly certain the Hackura half of their family… along with the Fairy half, knew Haley had this under control. I had no doubt she would, and I couldn’t wait to watch her kick some Fairy butt.
Haley deserved to have all these people who mistreated her, finally see the true extent of what she was capable of on display. Haley Holloran Cambridge Conners wasn’t just some tool for the Fairy King to be the most powerful King… she was a fierce weapon. Their Princess. My mother in law deserved this moment for them all to bear witness.
Missed Signs
Alexander took off after Melanie, chasing her through the house. Oden purred, “Let’s hunt mate and show her how fun it is. Not in the way she’s been tracked down before.” He growled the last part. I shut those thoughts out of my brain.
I paused and inhaled my wife’s scent that was all around. I knew I could pop to her, but Oden wanted to scent out his mate. Plus, I did want this to be fair. I burst into a room where Melanie’s scent was. Oden snickered, “Mate is fast.” Yes, she was.
I caught her in a room where she was staring at her surroundings. Oden purred, “Now, we have her.” Melanie barely got out of my way and took off again. Oden growled, “I love this game.” I had to smile, because I did too.
My mate jumped on the railing. I was about to warn her when Oden linked, “Freya says she knows about the railings behind being charmed.” Of course she did. What was I thinking? Oden replied, “I really don’t know.”
I went down the opposite staircase, because that would be the one she headed for. I was surprised I hadn’t met her yet when I smelled her in the basement. I growled, knowing that naughty little strategic minx realized what my strategy would be. I loved every inch of that incredible woman.
