A Royal #5
Now would be a bad time to admit my involvement with them. Channing agreed, “It would.” My Uncle continued, “Sadly, Cayden couldn’t prove it even though Melanie picked at her sleeve any time he asked. If she could lie, we’d all be fucked.”
Good thing I could. Uncle Heath looked away saying, “If you ask Melanie a direct question, and she tries to lie, she looks away and picks at her sleeve. If we lost that, we’d be in a shit ton of trouble with that girl. You didn’t mess up.” I sighed in relief.
Uncle Heath stated, “You need to tell your parents and Emmett that Odette marked you. This could affect the pack.” I asked, “How?” Uncle Heath replied, “Our family will go to war for you, Keaton.” I snorted, “War? For what?”
Uncle Heath raised an eyebrow, “You don’t know what her Supernatural side’s customs are because we don’t know what she is. They might not care you didn’t tell her to mark you, or that she didn’t know what she was doing.”
I argued, “I can tell Odette’s brothers love her, and she loves them.” Uncle Heath nodded, “Maybe they do, and it won’t be a problem. It could be though. I’ll get ready quietly on this end if it is.” I hugged him, “Thanks.”
Uncle Heath urged, “You need to talk to your dad.” I shrugged noncommittedly. My Uncle muttered, “I hate that Lisa girl, so much.” I snorted, “So does everyone, including me. I’m telling you I literally cannot think of why I was with her so long.”
Aunt Allie came in with to go containers.
I gave her a kiss on the cheek then said, “Thanks, Aunt Allie.” She smiled, “I love you, Keaton.” I replied, “I love you too.” Aunt Allie said, “I want to meet your Odette, and so do all my kids. Your eyes sparkle again since you met that girl. Which means I like her, we all do.”
I pointed out, “None of you ever said anything about Lisa like my family did.” Aunt Allie frowned, “Lexi didn’t say anything either.” I acknowledged, “I know. I was thinking I’d bring Odette to my graduation lunch. Then she can meet everyone.” Aunt Allie laughed, “That’s better than nothing.”
Uncle Heath put a hand on my shoulder, “Changing the subject, Joe and I are looking into Clairvoyance. We will find something.” I hugged him, “Thanks, for everything.” Uncle Heath laughed, “Anytime, kid.” I teased, “I’m actually an adult.” My Uncle shook his head, and I flashed out with the food.
When I got back, I linked Immy, “Are you TRYING to kill me with Odette’s clothes?” Immy just giggled in reply. My mate and I did not get to start the morning off with the bang I wanted. I linked Bryce, “You cockblocking motherfucker.”
Bryce replied, “My little sister out evaded me. I’m not even upset, I’m impressed. I didn’t see it coming.” I got possessive. Bryce linked me, “I think that’s the first time you’ve said ‘Mine’ about Odette out loud.”
I disagreed, “I declared her mine in the hallway at school.” Byrce amended. “Ok, the first time in a while. Look at you, coming out of your shell. Your worst kept secret of all time is about to get even worse. Which is impressive because literally everyone knows.” I gave him a measured look.
Channing offered, “I say it all the time, just to you.” That was true. When Odette mentioned she knew someone that she thought Bryce could like, we were intrigued. When my mate said Larisa White, I nearly lost it. Bryce asked, “What’s so funny? Who is that?”
I replied, “Larisa White is the name one of my cousins changed hers to.” Bryce replied, “I know all your cousins.” I teasingly said, “No, you don’t. My parents don’t get along with all of my mom’s side of the family. My Great Uncle Brady and his string had more kids you didn’t meet.”
“They travel and don’t live in the Shroud. When Larisa found out why, she traveled without them. My cousin was pretty mad she didn’t get a typical Hood experience because they couldn’t stop being petty. She had quite a bit to say about it.”
Bryce bobbed his head, “Perfect. Ask your cousin so come on by and see me.” I agreed, “Ok.” Bryce was content after that. I linked my mom, “Hey mom, you have Larisa’s number, right?” Mom answered, “Of course.”
I asked, “Could you ask her to come meet Bryce? Odette thinks they would just be such a match.” Mom asked, “Do you think Odette knows how to tell people’s mates?” I replied, “I think these are strange times and we don’t know what she can do.”
Mom assured me, “I’ll tell Larisa about this development. She was wanting to come by anyway. She’ll probably just bump up her trip because I do know she wants her string.” Great. I linked Bryce, “Handled.” I swear he stood two feet taller.
Odette looked so sad when she mentioned her friends. I was going to tear Luke and her mother to pieces. Channing agreed, “I’ll shift and tear her mother to pieces. We can share Luke.” I retorted, “We can share BOTH.” Channing huffed but seemingly agreed.
Odette talked about leaving and Channing took over. Bryce linked, “Channing, let’s try breathing.” My wolf snarled, “MINE!” Bryce groaned. Emmett linked me, “Bryce seems to think you’re upset. Lightning says Channing is just growling when he links him.”
I replied, “Odette is talking about her mom making her leave.” Emmett sarcastically replied, “And that would be so sad, having you be long distance with your girlfriend.” I growled at him.
My brother ignored that, “Obviously, other things could be said and we wouldn’t let Odette leave. ” I decided not to answer that.
I wanted nothing more than to take Odette back into her bedroom and claim her. Bryce linked me, “I really did promise Immy I’d get you guys there on time.” Shit! I couldn’t make Bryce break a promise. It was hard to leave, but we finally managed.
Only because I was carrying Odette. She needed to be in my arms. Channing agreed, “Yes, mate does. Make it twenty-four seven please.” I internally rolled my eyes.
I pulled up into the parking lot. Immy linked me, “Why did you drive like the wind? Stall! It’s almost perfect, and I wanted you to see if there were any changes needed.
” I did exactly as she asked and walked inside.
I snorted, “Wow Immy, you went all out.” Immy snorted, “Ok Mr. Promposal of the century.” I smirked, “Touché. Odette will love it.” I heard a shriek that I knew all too well.
I ran out shouting, “Odette!” Immy said, “I’ll charm the FUCK out of Lisa if she tries to ruin this party!
No one messes with my parties. How DARE she! ”
I was just out of the door when Emmett linked me, “Stay back, little brother.” I growled, “You cannot be serious!” Emmett replied, “I am. We are right here, and your girlfriend’s got a hell of a right hook. It actually reminds me of the scary techy Luna’s.” I rolled my eyes.
I paced, listening to their standoff feeling fierce pride for my mate. Emmett linked me, “All Lisa’s hard work? Of what? Tearing you down? Is she for real?” I snorted, “Who cares?” I smirked when I heard the crunch of Lisa’s nose being broken.
Malachi linked me, “I love your mate.” I snorted in reply.
My brother’s Beta yelled, “AH HA! There was no denial. I’m taking that as confirmation to confirm something I already knew.
” I kept pacing. Tony Jr. linked me, “Odette is my hero, and I love her.” I growled at him. Tony Jr. chuckled in response.
I was intrigued and grateful my mate’s friend taught her how to fight. Channing linked, “Mate is powerful.” I retorted, “Mate is royal, apparently.” Channing said, “That should tell you that we are capable and worthy. Who mates royalty to a no one?” My wolf had a point.
Whatever Odette’s god or goddess was agreed for her to be mated to me. For all the things the goddesses have fucked up, other than originally mating Lisa and Kreed, the mating pairs were spot on. Maybe I was a good Alpha.
Alexandria linked, “Odette delivered a knockout headbutt. I LOVE this girl.” Mom linked me, “Alexandria filmed this show down. I love this girl, Keaton. I LOVE her. Words don’t accurately put emphasis onto how much at this exact moment.”
I replied, “I’m glad.” Mom sighed in our link.
Dad linked next, “It was a good, clean punch followed up by that headbutt.” I snorted, “It was. Is the whole family on this group chat?” Dad answered, “Alexandria might have put it in the family chat.” Oh good.
The whole family was going to go off then.
Adlee was loving everything about this. Our Lead Beta Female was the nicest girl. Malachi had gone to see her dad and put the fear of god in him. Then I showed up as the Silver Blade. I’d be disappointed if her dad still tried to contact her.
Flashback
Keaton was waiting. I was in my Silver Blade gear.
Adlee’s mom was out of town with her friends, so I’d come.
I’d go see her and have her help me keep this man away from Adlee.
I was going to make sure her dad was on notice.
He was hurting Adlee’s feelings and that was going to end.
He’d been an awful dad, but this should scare him into leaving her alone.
Channing declared, “We aren’t leaving until he leaves her alone.” I’d just recently got my wolf. The only reason I was here was because Channing encouraged me. I wanted Adlee’s dad to leave her alone, but I was weak for an Alpha.
Channing argued, “We are not.” I was. Even my girlfriend, Lisa, told me all the time. The thing was I wanted to be better for my wolf, so here I was. Adlee’s dad came in with a paper bag full of whiskey. He’d been making promises about alliances with our pack.
Promises he couldn’t deliver because Adlee wanted nothing to do with him. This idiot was being rude and planning to threaten her. He was a liability and he needed to stop because I wasn’t going to let him get away with this.
The threat analysis I’d completed on him for Malachi told me everything I needed to know. I didn’t hand everything I had over to my brother’s Beta because Lisa said it was too harsh. I’d tempered it down, but I knew what had to be done.