I didn’t check my phone the entire day. I just spent it with my mate, before telling her to go get ready for dinner. I nearly swallowed my tongue when I watched Melanie descend the stairs in her dress. Mom was going to turn this realm into the Hackura realm with dresses like that. They’d be having orgies too if all the women looked like my mate.
I had to growl at several people at dinner. I linked dad, “The realm is excited for mom’s dress shop to open. Melanie is wearing one of her dresses. I can promise Uncle Aiden will ask mom if she’s trying to incite orgies here too.”
Dad snorted, “I’ll pass that along, but you know that’s not your mother’s goal.” I smiled, because I did know, but it was fun to tease her about. It also might be a very real byproduct of her shop here. I was glad that mom was doing that, and it made me incredibly proud of my mate.
I wished she’d been able to give my mom that idea sooner. I knew this shop would give her a sense of belonging here. The people were going to love it, which no one could blame them for. Mom had excellent taste along with a great imagination.
I linked Gage and Phil, “Talk me down. I think Fairies want me to kill them because they are leering at my mate.” Gage snorted, “They aren’t stupid. Just let your eyes blaze while you look at them.” Phil agreed, “Don’t kill them, BUT IF you do pull me in the bond. I’ll come have your six with Gage.”
Gage snorted, “I like the last minute inclusion of me, because I was about to stalk your ass.” They began to banter so I closed out my link and enjoyed my dinner. I took their advice and let my eyes blaze more than once. It was very effective.
The next few days were barely spent in clothes. Not that I was complaining one bit, nor was Melanie. I woke up alert because today was the day of my mom’s challenge with Gerdishek. Melanie assured me she’d be fine. I knew that, but all my connections were tense.
Well, except Angela’s. Which should give the rest of us some relief, but we were a bunch of worriers. Dad was really tense for him too. Mainly, I was worried about my mom’s strategy. I was nervous she’d take a hit or two, to keep the O’Toole talking.
I kissed Melanie with everything I had when she pointed out that Gerdishek would be angrier if he was losing, and momwould know that. That was true. If she was fighting someone else, a wolf or something, letting them believe they had the upper hand would work.
In this case, realizing how strong my mother was would piss Gerdishek off. Knowing after all he’d been told about partial Fairies that he couldn’t defeat one would annoy him. I linked my family, “My mate has pointed out the best way to piss off Gerdishek is for mom to maintain the upper hand the whole time. That idiot has been told that partial Fairies are less than he is. Subhuman even. Knowing he cannot defeat one will make him angry and he will make mistakes.”
Relief flooded all my connections. Phil linked, “Melanie couldn’t have had the revelation DAYS AGO! Oh wait, she did but YOU DIDN’T ASK! You got all sexed up and decided you do not care about all our nerves ALPHA OF MINE!” I snorted, “I told everyone now.” Phil huffed, “Better late than never.”
Dad’s bond flowed with more relief than he’d felt since the challenge had been issued. Mom was now confused, but happy about the turn of events. I grabbed Melanie and popped to my family. EJ nodded to me, but my focus sharpened on Preston.
EJ linked, “Something is up with him.” I nodded then kissed Melanie on the forehead before leaving her with EJ and Elise. I grabbed Preston and popped him to his room here. I asked, “What’s wrong, little brother?”
Preston snorted, “You know I asked you that many times, but you never told me.” I nodded, “Yes, I do. Learn from me and don’t do that. It was a mistake, and I regret it with every fiber of my being. It will be the biggest regret of my life, and one I am deeply sorry for.”
Preston sighed, “It’s not even about me. Something is up with Keaton. He’s acting weird, but he won’t tell me why. I thought it was because he was upset that Lisa broke up with him; however, he was the one that dumped her.”
I said, “From what you said, he did like Lisa. It could be that.” Preston shrugged, “It just feels like there’s something else he’s not telling me. I’m trying to respect that.” I nodded, “Because you’re a good person.”
I paused then added, “I did give everyone the idea that maybe those cookies at his young age, pre his wolf coming to him, made him more susceptible to his relationship with Lisa. Or that he’s gone hard off them now and he’s suddenly uninterested in her. Maybe he’s detoxing.”
Preston groaned, “God damn it! I didn’t think about that because I’ve always had Bernard.” I reasoned, “Why would you think that? We don’t know what these cookies did to us. Keaton’s away from Lisa, and that’s a good thing.”
Preston sighed, “You’re right, it is. By the way, you are not the only one who regrets things about the whole Melanie situation. I should’ve pushed you.” I put my hand on his shoulder, “I still wouldn’t have told you, P. You could’ve pushed but I would’ve just shrugged it off.”
“That would hurt us both more right now. There was magic working against the bond we share as brothers, but it won’t happen again. My mate will probably burn a peanut cookie if she sees it. Be there for Keaton, just don’t push him.”
“Let him know you’re in his corner. You can even promise to keep whatever it is a secret. If it goes on for too long, I promise he’ll need someone to talk to. I know I did, but I felt I had to be an island. I talked to a few of our cousins and Uncle Bjourn. I missed confiding in you guys though.”
Preston smiled, “That’s good advice.” I smirked, “I know. Do you think Keaton’s attitude is about his mate?” Preston sighed, “That’s the only thing I can think of for him breaking it off with Lisa for good and not getting back together with her. Though your cookie theory has weight too.”
“There’s something about that girl I hate. Lisa’s manipulative and has broken up with Keaton with the sole purpose of getting him to pine for her repeatedly. She toys with him, but he’d never do it to her in reverse. Keaton says he’s done for good, and I actually believe him. The finality tells me maybe he did meet his mate, but he hasn’t said that.”
I reasoned, “Keaton could realize that Lisa has been lying to him, now that he’s found his mate. You told me Lisa said she smelled good to him, but she was obviously lying.” Preston snorted, “She lied her way out of that one. Keith is even confused, but her wolf insists Keaton did smell good to them.”
I asked, “Is her wolf new?” Preston sighed, “Yeah, and Lisa probably ate those cookies too. They’d probably just find her to be a host since she’s evil itself. Anyway, no one besides Lisa is upset those two aren’t together. I’m just waiting for Lisa to go nuclear about it.”
I asked, “Do we need to offer to let her family come to our pack? The school year just started back up from winter break. Lisa could transfer to our high school.” Preston smiled saying, “I’ll tell Emmett.” I offered, “I’ll tell EJ to call Emmett, that way it’s official.”
Preston gave me a hug and whispered, “Thanks, big brother.” I laughed, “Of course, little brother. It’s not a big deal and then maybe I could get a look at this girl. I’m certain my mate knows about her.” Preston snorted, “Your mate knows about everyone.” True.
I popped us back to the group. I linked EJ and Toby, “We need to make Emmett an offer to have Lisa’s family move to our pack to give Keaton some space.” EJ seemed surprised, “No one wants to be that girl’s Alpha, but Keaton is family to us so we can do it.” Toby sarcastically said, “Yay. You guys know she’ll say no.”
I replied, “Emmett is her Alpha, he doesn’t have to ask. It’s why we are the Alpha.” Toby warned, “They are all weird about it and fear stepping on toes because of her relationship with Keaton.” I argued, “They broke up.”
Toby agreed, “Yes, I know that. The Daniels worry a case will be filed.” I snorted, “I would be dismissed. Lisa has no case to bring because her Alpha tells her to get her head on right. That’s being an Alpha.” Toby sighed, “I’m just telling you, Lisa will turn it down.” I replied, “Ok, but her opinion shouldn’t matter. It’s a need of pack members.” Toby groaned, which I found weird.
