Chapter Ten #3
“Chloe, I am well aware of your mother’s machinations to climb the social ladders in the human world, which is why you have been constantly thrown into Jaden’s company. He has gone too far. His family may hold some sway in the human world, but not here.”
“Yes, Councilwoman,” Chloe said softly.
“I’ll handle your mother,” Daia said, pulling Chloe to stand next to her.
“Thank you,” Chloe said, brightening.
Daia gave a single nod, then turned to look back down at Jaden. “Have your mother contact me regarding your punishment.”
Jaden snarled. “You can’t punish me.”
Sharp inhales were heard around the tavern.
“Oh dear. It seems someone has spent too much time in the human world. Toren,” she called.
A man in an enforcer uniform stepped in. “Councilwoman?”
“Can you please escort this gentleman to the Witches’ Council headquarters?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Aiden stepped forward. “Hunter or myself can escort him as unit warriors,” he said, keeping his voice neutral.
“I know. But given that this man has repeatedly insulted Hunter’s mate, let me take of this, will you?” she asked, smiling.
Aiden exhaled slowly, then nodded.
“Thank you, for your understanding Unit Commander.”
She turned and was about to walk out when she smiled at Meryn. “I’d love to have you back to visit sometime. I have a single origin coffee bean I’d love for you to try.”
“Sure.”
Smiling, she followed Toren who was dragging the struggling Jaden out of the tavern.
Kiera turned to Chloe. “You okay?” She didn’t really like the woman, but Jaden had truly been a dick.
Chloe blew her bangs out of her eyes. “He gets like that sometimes. Mother said sometimes you have to let men blow off steam.” She shrugged. “I’m glad Councilwoman Daia is calling my mother. She can’t say I went against Jaden,” she said, smugly.
“Why put up with his shit?” Meryn asked.
“We’re technically engaged.” She looked at Kiera. “My mother needs his father’s support to boost her company. His father and my mother are both socialites from the human world. His mother and my father are witches.” She stopped, realizing what she said. “We’re engaged, but like, not super engaged.”
Meryn’s eye twitched. “What’s super engaged?”
“Like you know, matching outfits and being together all the time and stuff.”
“Ah. Dating. Got it,” Meryn said.
“Mother promised me a new Hermès bag if I came with Jaden to Storm Keep so he could stay at the Air Temple.” She puffed out her cheeks. “I totally missed my friend’s gala for this.”
Meryn’s eye twitched again.
Kiera smiled quickly. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Chloe leaned in and planted a kiss on Pip’s cheek. “Thank you! For your help, I’ll send you this season’s hottest clothing line.” She wiggled her fingers. “Toodles.”
Meryn’s mouth dropped open as the woman walked away. She immediately used her sleeve and began wiping Pip’s cheek. “How utter dare she!”
Pip was blushing. “Why does clothing have seasons? Does that mean summer wear?”
“She means it’s popular right now.”
“Oh,” he said, smiling at Meryn’s indignation.
Hunter rubbed the back of his neck. “I feel like if we go back and say Pip handled it, we’ll be seen as unneeded.”
Chuckles erupted around the room.
“Who was it that said the unit warriors were out of control?”
The question had guffaws spreading throughout the tavern.
Rory put on a woeful expression and pointed to Pip. “Maybe they’re outsourcing?” he kidded.
“You can’t believe rumors at all. The Councilwoman and the Unit Commander worked together just fine,” one woman said from the bar.
Rory jumped on that. “Exactly. Even with his mate being insulted, you all saw how Hunter kept his cool.”
“I know bear-shifters young man. I bet he was two seconds from throwing him through the window,” an older witch joked.
Hunter gasped and held his chest. “At least three seconds.”
Everyone laughed at Hunter’s fake indignation.
“Aiden, I need sanitizer for Pip’s cheek!” Meryn said, still looking mad.
“Unit Commander are you going to let her dote on that young man in front of you?” someone asked.
Aiden spread his hands and shrugged. “I have no say in this. He’s her brother.”
Meryn put her hands on her hips. “Pip is my Pip. Better let your friends know. I’ll throw hands if I have to!”
Everyone was fighting smiles but nodded respectfully.
Aiden looked down at his mate. “You can’t throw anything, you’re about to give birth.”
“I will if I hafta!”
“Don’t worry li’l one. We’ll watch after your Pip for you,” one of the women promised. “He’s too adorable to let anything happen to him.”
Pip was smiling the whole time Meryn defended him. “I am Meryn’s Pip.”
“Okay, you guys. Let’s head back for dinner,” Rory said, still sounding warm and friendly.
“Fuck yeah. Caiden’s cooking tacos!” Meryn said, bopping around in a little dance.
“Don’t be late, he might get his apron in a twist,” someone teased.
“Gods above, I had forgotten about that. Didn’t little Amelia give that to him?”
“Yes, she did. He’s been proudly wearing it since,” Hunter replied.
“Tacos! Tacos! Tacos!” Meryn chanted, heading for the door.
Kiera took Hunter’s hand. “That went well.”
Kendrick leaned down between them. “That in of itself could be considered concerning.”
“It’s a win. We’ll take it,” Hunter replied.
“I agree,” she said.
Right now, anything positive was a win.