I snorted, “Yet another thing confirming you met your mate for me. You always call me my dear. Which we were going to chat about… but now you’re not.” Charles laughed, “You are still sharp as a tack. I did meet my second chance mate.”
I smiled asking, “Who is she?” Charles smiled and told me, “Amabella Calgary.” I smiled, “Susanna and Robert’s daughter? I totally knew you guys would be but together! How do her brothers and other siblings feel about that?”
Charles laughed, “Robert is as you’d suspect a father to be, along with her siblings. Thankfully, his mate does likeme. Robert has liked me for a long time, and I suspect he’ll remember that at some point.” I said, “I’d like to meet her.”
Charles agreed, “Of course. Amabella wants to meet you as well.” I told him, “I’m very happy for you, Charles….. I really am.” Charles replied, “As I should’ve been happy for you. To be clear, I was happy for you. I know how much your Xander has always meant for you. I just reacted in a way that was not becoming my age. For that, I am sorry.” I nodded. The whole conversation was easier than I thought.
Charles changed the subject, “So, Cheyenne is here.” I snorted, “Yup.” Charles asked, “What happened to your plan of tolerating her?” I replied, “I was told the rules…. about people who want to have sex with your mate.”
Charles’s laughter boomed in the clearing before he asked, “Is it any wonder you are so fascinating? That’s so you, dear.” I said, “I’m surprised you didn’t bring Amabella with you.” Charles smirked, “Troy came into town for a bit, and he’s watching over her.”
Troy was one of Charles’s made children, who was quite deadly too. I put my hand on Charles’s shoulder because I knew what this meant to him. He told me, “She’s perfect.” I laughed, “I’m sure she is.” I dropped my hand and added, “What I know of her says she’s a very sweet person… but also deadly.” Charles laughed, “That she is.”
I changed the subject now, “I saw an O’Toole be killed in Faerie.” Charles commented, “I heard. Good riddance, I say. I will still get them. I worry for Amabella now with them out there. I have a grudge, but so do they.”
I reminded him, “Amabella isn’t Tia. Just keep that in mind. Amabella has been trained from the time she could walk to defend herself. She has a deadly family and she’s fierce. Tia didn’t have that chance or opportunity.” Amabella had amoniker too… which I knew… so Charles had access… and probably already knew.
Charles admitted, “I do know.” I groaned, “Ugh! Not having inside thoughts is the worst. I’ll help you keep Amabella safe, Charles. I’ll add her to all my alerts…. which means they’ll be on your radar too.” Charles chuckled, “Thank you, dear. That’s kind of you.”
I heard a pop before my husband growled. I linked Xander, “Don’t start.” Charles stood, and bowed his head before saying, “I owe you an apology, young wolf. I did not conduct myself in a becoming manner the last time we were in each other’s presence.”
“I recently found my second chance mate, and she’s everything to me. I pushed you and goaded your responses. I am sorry. I did want to make sure you truly loved Melanie since she does mean a lot to me. I’ll always help you protect her. If you ever need me, call.” He handed Xander his card.
I saw EJ and Eric were here along with Haley. Xander took the card and sighed, “I wasn’t exactly welcoming either.” I bit my lip and smiled. Charles laughed, “I didn’t really give the choice. I do hope we can tolerate one another moving forward. I intend to show up from time to time to see Melanie. Amabella wants to meet her too.”
Xander asked, “Susanna and Robert’s daughter? You two together actually makes sense.” My husband winked at me since I’d told him that. Charles smiled agreeing, “Yes we do, don’t we? If there is any fight with the O’Toole’s coming, you can count on me. I’ll be there. I will avenge my first mate and keep Amabella safe from them.”
Xander agreed, “I’ll keep you in the loop.” I laughed out loud. Charles laughed, “That probably will not be necessary. I keep myself in the loop.” My mentor winked at me, and I grinned at him. Xander said, “Or Melanie could tell you.”
I explained, “I won’t have to tell him. If you think I’m scary, then… Charles is terrifying… because he is a lot better than me at hacking.” Xander tilted his head. Charles said, “I’ll leave you to discuss the she wolf that has blown into town. Best of luck with that, young wolf.” My mentor gave me a side hug and vampire sped away. I called, “See you soon, Charles.”
Eric said, “Well then, we will just leave you two to talk.” I heard two pops then it was just Xander and me. Xander sat down immediately saying, “I don’t want Cheyenne, and I never did.” I asked, “Oh, so now she’s Cheyenne.. is she?” Xander grimaced.
I questioned, “Care to explain why you think a girl… who has been coming here for decades needed a tour of the town?” Xander simply said, “Cheyenne said she usually sticks to the pack and not the town.” I raised an eyebrow, “She shops here every time she comes. Literally. Every single time she’s been here she goes home with a new wardrobe.”
I felt Xander’s amusement in our bond. My mate asked, “Just how closely do you keep tabs on her?” I said, “Enough to know she wants you… a lot. She’s very vocal about it.” Xander admitted, “I was not aware of that.”
I snorted, “I know. I wasn’t going to be rude to her at first…but I also didn’t really factor in how seeing her kiss your cheek would feel. Cheyenne’s rude to all the mates though, and I will never sit by as someone disrespects them. Elise is the head Luna here, no one will disrespect her. Plus… the whole rule about people who want to sleep with our mate was discussed.”
Xander said, “We wouldn’t let her being rude to my brother’s mate’s stand either. We didn’t know Cheyenne was rude to Elise or any of my other brother’s mates.” I said, “Because there are people who know when you’re looking.”
I pointed out, “It’s done behind your back. The girls are just used to it… and so is Micah. I doubt anyone does it to Caydensince… that would be bat crap crazy… however, they are all used to it, so they put up with it. I won’t do that.”
Xander nudged me gently, “I don’t want any of them to do that, or you. People who disrespect you all disrespect us as well. EJ is not happy.” I concede, “I’m sure. How on earth did you think that was a good fight between you andChey?”
Xander winced, “The only way I can explain it is that’s just how we fight each other.” I snorted, “Not even halfway? Since when do you… do anything that way?” Xander admitted, “I honestly don’t know when that started becoming our normal. Cheyenne and Lomax will be going home as soon as she heals.”
I studied him before asking, “So you didn’t heal her then?” Xander snorted, “I think you guaranteed I wouldn’t. Someone told me Alpha’s have a very high sex drive especially with their mates.” I laughed, “I did read that somewhere.” Freya huffed.
My husband squeezed my hand. I said, “I think we can both agree to my next statement. Let’s not let non-family members kiss our cheeks or forehead. It hurt… to see her lips on you.” I felt Xander’s hurt for my pain.
My mate agreed, “You’re right. That was not appropriate now that you’re in my life. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” I whispered, “Ok.” Xander picked me up to straddle his lap. I told him, “You’re mine and I’m yours.”
Xander growled and slammed his lips onto mine as his hands threaded into my hair possessively. He snapped us both naked and took my nipple into his mouth. I tried to move against him, but he held my hips still.
I growled in annoyance, but Xander simply chuckled. My husband flipped us, so I was underneath him. I was already quivering in anticipation. His fingers were like feather light touches on my skin. Xander leaned down and licked my mark, grabbed both my hands, and held them together above my head with one hand.
I tried to grind against him because I was desperate for more friction. Xander whispered in my ear, “Patience, my wife.” I grumbled, “I used up all my patience earlier…. with your friend. Freya wanted to rip her throat out.” Freya offered, “I still do.”
