32. Vivianna
VIVIANNA
As we rejoined the others, I waited to feel embarrassed about what Tristan and I had just done, but I was still too high on our mating to really care.
To their credit, the guys didn’t act like anything had happened, and we headed back to the castle.
I could feel my stomach rumbling, reminding me how long we’d spent wandering around town.
A quick diversion had turned into an almost all-day event.
Chill out, would you? We needed to blow off some steam.
Oh, is that what we’re calling it now? I teased, knowing my wolf was right.
Leave the dirty jokes to me, it just doesn’t work the same coming from you.
I rolled my eyes as I slipped back into my clothes.
Looking over my shoulder, I saw the guys gathered outside the door, having dressed faster, giving me my space.
It was nice to see them all getting along, and it even seemed that they’d forgiven Darius.
I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if they all hated each other—my life would have been hell keeping everyone happy separately.
Walking out, I grabbed Orion and Bentley, swinging their arms as we headed back, enjoying the last of my carefree moments before we got back to work.
Having seven mates was going to be a lot of work to make sure no one felt left out, but I would do my damnedest to spend quality time alone with each of them when I could.
Orion’s easy grin turned into a full-blown smile, and Bentley blushed, unable to look me in the eye.
Leaning over, I kissed him on the cheek, making the blush turn from pink to a full cherry-red.
“Dama, it seems your day has been quite productive,” Astrid said as we entered the main hall. “I’ve had almost every shop owner come by and drop off items you purchased, as well as some coronation gifts.”
“What kind of Dama would I be if I didn’t help stimulate the economy of our pack?” I grinned. “Anything interesting happen while we were out?”
“As a matter of fact, I have just been informed that a visitor is requesting permission to come to Kursar,” Astrid shared, but her tone of voice made me wary.
“Who?”
“Your mother…” Astrid hesitated, waiting to see my reaction at her words before she said anything more.
Shock and confusion slammed into me. “ Mother would never come here—Father would have forbidden it.”
“Your mother left your father rather publicly,” Darius said, coming to my side as Bentley stepped back.
My brows furrowed as I tried to make sense of what he was saying. “Mother would never do that. She’s never been strong enough to stand up to my father. All my life, she has been his puppet to parade around, showing off the perfect husband he is at parties.”
“It would seem that marrying off her only daughter to a stranger was the one thing she couldn’t let slide,” Darius explained. He grasped my shoulders so I was looking at him head-on. “She announced it during a rather large event your father was speaking at. Served him the papers and everything.”
I had to blink a few times, trying to wrap my head around what I was hearing. My mother had actually stood up for herself and was kicking my father to the curb? Then another realization hit me.
“We need to get her here, now. Darius, you need to send your people to bring her and keep her safe,” I demanded, causing Darius to become confused.
“What, why?”
“She has answers we need about my birth and everything leading up to how I ended up getting sold to Vadik. If she is willing to betray my father, then she is the best weapon to use against him,” I explained and watched as the understanding washed over his expression.
Pulling his phone out, he stepped away and rattled off orders to a few people before he nodded to me.
“Love, are you sure this is the right move?” Tav asked.
“This could be the perfect move for your dad to use to get close to you again, sweetheart,” Rik said, his brow creased in worry.
Tristan cleared his throat to get our attention as everyone started talking over each other. “Might I suggest that we keep her at a different location and blindfolded so she doesn’t know where she is? There are many ways to keep her safe while also protecting Viv.”
“You read my mind,” Darius said, joining the conversation. “I’m having her come in blindfolded, and we can have her brought to a secure location that isn’t the castle.”
“You are more than welcome to have her put up at my house,” Astrid offered. “It’s big enough that she can be kept on the other side of the house, away from my rooms. There is already upgraded security that Darius put in, and if we have a guard on her, there shouldn’t be any trouble.”
It actually made perfect sense. She would be close by and under watch, but not somewhere where others could get to her.
“How did she even get word here?” I asked Darius.
“We didn’t have anyone tracking your mother, only your father. It seems she came to meet with The Collective, pleading her case to get your location. They gave her a secure email to reach out to me, and because I wasn’t here, it was directed to Astrid to deal with,” Darius explained.
Running my hands through my hair, I headed up the stairs towards our rooms. I needed a drink and for someone to bring me dinner before I got hangry.
I bet you all the money in the world it was Able who gave her the information. That shriveled dick has it out for us because we stole three of their precious alphas.
My wolf’s words and my irritation at The Collective giving anyone that access to me made me want to punch them in their dicks.
The itching sensation came back, making me even more prickly to the situation.
Once I had poured myself a finger of brandy and gulped it down, I glared at the men, who watched me like I was about to do something irrational.
Why aren’t they saying anything? Are they okay with all this happening?
Up until recently, The Collective was their leadership. It’s not so easy to go against it at the drop of a hat.
You’re their fucking mate, it changes everything. Say something before I decide to.
Fine.
“Am I the only one who thinks that The Collective overstepped their bounds?” I demanded, curious to know if my wolf was right.
“Dearest, overstepping is what The Collective does best. They believe that they are the end-all be-all of authority in the werewolf world. If they felt that your mother wasn’t a threat, then I’m not surprised they would give her a way to contact you.
The fact that Able might hate you doesn’t help either.
He might be hoping your father does come along and take you back home,” Orion said with a shrug of his shoulders.
This is BULLSHIT. We haven’t done anything to warrant them pulling a stunt like this.
A growl burst from my mouth as I chucked the glass across the room, making Bentley and Tav duck out of the way. “Why does every man in your family have to be such a dick, Darius?”
“I’m gonna let that slide, Viv, because saying that with only knowing two people from my family isn’t fair,” Darius objected. “My father was nothing like Able, no matter how Able tried to influence him.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. “You’re right. I’m sorry, I’m just a little blindsided by all this.”
Noticing the pile of things we bought today, I headed over and unearthed the basket that Sofia gave us. Grabbing the tin of loose leaf tea, I walked over to the breakfast bar and filled the electric kettle.
Let’s hope to god this does what she said it will, because I’m even starting to worry with how moody I’m getting.
My wolf snorted in disgust. Bet it will taste like shit, because she’s full of it.
“I think the best plan will be to contact them tomorrow and have a chat, make it clear that what they did was the wrong move,” Tav said, coming up and wrapping his arms around me.
I half turned so I could return the hug and snuggle into his body.
Just breathing in his calming scent helped make me feel better.
Juggling everything at once hadn’t given me much time to spend with Tav, and I missed him.
Even though most nights he was in my bed, it still wasn’t the same as the cuddle conversations we used to have.
“What do you say we eat dinner up here and just hide away for the rest of the night? We already played hooky most of the day, may as well keep it going. All the problems will still be there tomorrow, but tonight we can just be,” Tav suggested.
“I love that idea, actually. Maybe we can play a game together,” I said, looking over at the others.
A grin spread across Koit’s face, making me instantly regret the suggestion. “We should play poker. And by poker, I mean strip poker, of course.”
Much to my shock, the rest of the guys agreed. Even Bentley seemed excited about it. Poker was definitely not my game, but I couldn’t think of anything else to play with so many people, so I went along with it.
“So, I haven’t played in years,” I said as I settled in with my tea. “I think I’m gonna sit out this round and see if I remember the rules before playing a hand.”
“Absolutely not.” Koit pouted. “If you’re not gonna play, then there’s no point. I didn’t want to play strip poker so I could see a bunch of limp dicks waving about.”
“Worried you’re gonna be the smallest?” Orion taunted with a smirk and a raised brow.
Koit leaned on the table, head resting on his fist, giving Orion a blinding smile. “Oh, that is the least of my worries, going by our mate’s inability to walk after I’m done with her.”
I gaped at Koit, shocked that he would say something like that in front of everyone.
“Psh, just because you’ve hammered the nail home doesn’t mean she’s enjoyed it,” Orion challenged.
Koit’s brows lifted as he sat up straight. “Big words for a man who hasn’t even proved himself worthy of her marking you back after your sneak attack. Besides, Viv has never once complained about our sex.”
“Poor man is delusional,” Orion said, shaking his head slowly.
Koit lunged across the table, trying to grab Orion, but he just dodged the attack.
“Goodness, no need to get upset. There is always room to improve. I would be happy to show you one night when we share her.” Orion chuckled.
Can someone explain to me what the fuck is happening?
My worst nightmare, that’s what.
Orion’s violet gaze flicked over to me and frowned at whatever look I had on my face. Ignoring Koit’s fish impression, he stalked over to me and cupped my face in his hands. Leaning down, he kissed the ever-loving shit out of me, turning me into a puddle of happiness.
“Dearest, I apologize. I shouldn’t have teased him like that with you sitting right here. Some conversations are better left to the locker room, as they say,” Orion murmured, placing a gentle kiss on my nose.
Okay, I’m not sure if we should still be mad or not…
Guess it depends why we are mad, but that was one heck of an apology.
Got that right. Damn him and his magical kissing abilities.
The rest of the night was filled with banter and smack talk, with me losing every round, of course, because I was the one they wanted to see naked.
Surprisingly, I wasn’t really bothered by sitting there in my underwear with all of them mostly clothed.
Once I ran out of chips, I sat back and watched the rest of them gang up on poor Bentley, but he held his own, winning against all odds.
“Gotta say, Benny-Boo, I’m impressed. Who knew you were a card shark?” Koit grinned, tipping his glass towards him.
Bentley just nodded his head as he stacked all the chips he’d collected, organized neatly in color-coordinated stacks. No one was left with anything. He’d bled everyone dry, making them all eat their words.
“I’m sure that was difficult to admit, Koi-fish. Really, though, I should be thanking you for having such an obvious tell,” Bentley said with a smile.
“I do not.” Koit growled. “What’s my tell then, Benji? Come on, tell me.”
Bentley just shook his head. “If I tell you what it is, then you’ll stop doing it, and that just wouldn’t be a very smart plan, would it?”
Unable to hold back any longer, I burst out laughing, causing everyone else to join in.
Koit just rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, frowning. “Laugh it up, people, just you wait. I’ll get you back, Benedict, when you’re least expecting it.”