Chapter 28
Cassius
We drove through a locked gate with a guard tower. The guard let us through without a word, obviously expecting us.
As we entered the walled estate I gasped. It was huge.
“Is this really where you grew up?” I asked.
“Yep.”
“Tell me what Tane said again when you told him you were bringing someone.”
“He said whoever you bring with you is welcome. That’s a quote.”
“But he doesn’t know.”
Malin shook his head.
“He’ll be surprised?”
“I know he will.”
“But he has to suspect something. He gave you all that money and knows it was sent to Brimstone.”
“True. Dad is a smart man. Nothing gets past him.”
“He suspects you’re bringing a set omega with you, then. So, he’s not going to faint when we walk through that door.”
“Probably not.”
“Do you think Kirion will like me?”
“I don’t know him well, but I have no doubt he’ll love you.”
I sat back and watched the scenery around us give way to massive rolling lawns. Giant dragon statues lined the driveway. The house was like a castle. A real dragon’s castle complete with turrets and slanted roofs.
Malin hadn’t been lying when he’d said his father hoarded money.
My stomach turned over. It was all so new and different and wonderful. Every cell in my body tingled.
I wasn’t showing yet, but Malin said he could now smell the pregnancy. Tane would know as soon as I walked into his house, before we got the chance to tell him. It was good news, right? Everyone was going to be happy.
I hoped Malin and Tane would be happy to see each other, too. It had been seven years. I didn’t expect instant healing between them, but maybe a start?
Malin parked right in front of the massive porch. The wings of the Lamborghini doors swung up and we both got out. The air smelled of flowers.
“Smells so sweet here.”
“Dad likes to garden. He has a huge flower garden out back.”
That sounded pretty cool to me.
When we got to the front door, Malin stared at it for many seconds.
“What?” I asked.
“I’ve never rang the bell here before.”
“I’ll do it.” I stepped forward and pushed the button. Deep inside the house I heard chimes, rich and redolent like bells on a breeze. The double doors were huge. We waited silently, side by side. Trying to remain at ease. But both of us were anything but calm.
The doors rattled. Then began to open. A man in a black and white tuxedo stood at the entryway staring at us.
“Hello, Elias,” Malin said.
The man nodded at Malin, looked me over for a second, then stood to the side, arm out. “They’re expecting you in the second living room. You’re just in time. Luncheon will be served shortly.” His words were clipped. His eyes did not smile at Malin as he spoke.
Through our bond, Malin was slightly annoyed. I couldn’t quite tell if he liked Elias or not. Certainly, there was no welcoming gesture from the man.
I worried for a few seconds that we were walking into a world of cold winds, but as we stepped inside, the house was warm. It had a good energy.
I followed Malin past a beautiful foyer with paintings and mirrors and antique buffets, down a marble tiled hall and past a grand room with couches and stuffed chairs.
We didn’t stop there but went deeper into the mansion until he made an abrupt left.
We came to a halt beneath an archway. Straight ahead, I saw two men, one sitting on a couch, one pouring a drink.
A little boy was sitting in a child sized chair watching cartoons on a huge flatscreen above a fireplace.
He had a mop of curly blond hair. Toys lay scattered around him: a big yellow truck, a couple of stuffed animals, a tiny piano and some picture books.
Elias stepped forward. “Your guests have arrived,” he announced.
Immediately, the two men turned to look. They were both quite handsome. The taller one had dark hair like Malin’s and the other had hair a shade lighter than mine. Tane and Kirion. The boy remained glued to the cartoons.
Tane moved forward, hands out. At the same time, Kirion stood.
“Welcome, welcome,” Malin’s father said. “Come in and join us.”
“Hi, Dad.”
“Malin. I’m so happy to see you.”
I noticed they didn’t approach each other.
Well, it had been years. Tane stared at Malin for a long time, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and done.
Kirion came up alongside Tane and said, “Welcome to our home. I’m Kirion.
” He smiled at me. “Would either of you like a drink? We have just about everything.”
“Hi. I’m Cassius. I’ll take a diet soda,” I said.
Malin cleared his throat. “I’ll have the same.”
I saw Tane’s eyebrows rise. But he didn’t comment. He turned to me, blinking. “Cassius. Nice to meet you. I’m Tane.”
We shook hands. “Nice to meet you, too, sir.”
He turned back to Malin. “There’s so much to catch up on.”
“Yes.” Malin didn’t move.
Tane waved his arm. “Well, come on in. Have a seat. Anywhere.”
At that moment, Remington turned to view us. He did not get up. Kirion went to a wet bar and got out sodas, glasses and ice. As he was pouring our drinks, he said, “That’s Remington being a little shy over there.”
I waved at him. “Hi, Remington. I’m Cassius.”
He waved back and said, “I’m four.” He held up four fingers.
Malin said, “Hello. I’m Malin. Four is a lot.”
Remington smiled at him.
We both stepped forward, following Tane to a comfy-looking couch.
Kirion finished pouring our drinks and brought them over to us as we sat. Tane took up residence in a nearby chair facing us. Kirion went to Remington. “Remi, do you want to come sit with me?”
Remington nodded and followed Kirion to another chair. When Kirion sat, Remington climbed onto his lap and leaned back into his chest.
Tane turned to his younger son. “Remington, Malin is your brother. Do you remember what we told you?”
Slowly, he nodded. Then he said, “We got different omega daddies. But we’re brothers.” He got up and went to Tane, this time climbing onto his lap and hiding his head against his neck. “He’s all growed up, though.”
“He sure is,” Tane replied.
Tension flooded the bond. I wanted to take Malin’s hand in mine. But that might make things even more awkward.
“So, you’ve brought a friend.” Tane wrapped his arms around Remington.
Malin stared at his drink for a moment, then looked up. “Yes. His name is Cassius.”
“Cassius. What a wonderful name.”
“Thank you.” My cheeks heated a little.
“We’re a couple,” Malin blurted.
I inhaled sharply. But the world didn’t explode. Nothing really changed. Kirion smiled.
Tane nodded. “Congratulations to both of you.”
“Thank you,” I said. I sipped my drink. It was fizzy and cold and yummy.
“Thanks.” Malin looked at me, then his father. “Cassius is a set omega like Kirion.”
They both nodded. Yep, Tane had figured it out. He already knew.
“You look happy. Both of you,” Kirion said.
At that moment, four-year-old Remington sat up on his dad’s lap and touched his face. “Daddy, can I go watch cartoons again?”
Tane lifted him to the floor and patted his back. “Yes. Off you go.”
Remington ran back to his little chair and stared up at the TV. It was either playing very softly or on mute. Then I realized the little chair had speakers. The boy could sit and watch and hear without the TV blaring and disturbing everyone else in the room.
Everything surrounding us was so opulent, yet the people seemed down to earth. I liked Tane and Kirion, but whatever Malin decided about them, I was on his side. I always would be.
“When did you two meet?” Tane asked.
“About ten months ago,” Malin said. “At a party.”
Tane clasped his hands in his lap and looked down at them. Kirion took over to fill the awkward silence.
“Cassius, which pack are you from?”
“Tellamire.”
Kirion nodded. “I’ve heard of them but never met anyone from there.”
“They’re isolationists, on the outskirts of Tellamire Forest.” I was ashamed of my heritage. The pack was often ruthless when dealing with outsiders. “What about you?”
“It used to be called pack Albrite. But my father is the alpha and changed it to his name. Rohan Pack.”
“I haven’t heard of them. But I wouldn’t because we were only taught about our own history. Not that of others.”
Just then, Elias came into the entryway. “Luncheon is served in the dining room,” he announced.
Kirion rose. “Come along, Remi.”
Remington got up and ran to him, taking his hand. Tane and I stood at the same time. Malin was the last. He kept looking at Tane. I knew he wanted something more.
Kirion, who seemed quite perceptive, said, “Come on. Let’s walk ahead.”
I thought he was talking to Remington, but his eyes caught mine and I nodded. I turned to Malin. “Take your time.” I kept my voice at a murmur, for his ears only.
I followed Kirion and Remington out the doorway and down another long hall. When we reached the dining room, wonderful scents filled the air.
“Mmm, that smells good.”
“Are you hungry from your trip?” Kirion asked.
“Starved.”
I watched him place Remington on a chair with a booster seat. Soon, I would be doing that for our child. Kirion removed the domed warmer from his plate. On it were chicken nuggets, carrots and mashed potatoes. Remington grabbed a nugget and took a bite.
Kirion walked around the table. “I thought you could sit here. And Malin next to you.”
“Thank you.” I took a seat.
“We have everything available to drink.” He paused, his look intent. “But I think you’ll stick to water, juice or soda?”
“Oh, um, yes.” I already knew he could scent my pregnancy. “I’m a couple months along.”
He smiled. “Is it what you both want?”
“Very much.”
He reached out and touched my wrist. “Congrats.” Then softer, “I heard you were at Brimstone for a while. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. We met at a party. Malin literally saved my ass. And the owner of Brimstone didn’t make it easy, either. I had no idea Malin was coming back for me after that party. And then he was there and I wasn’t sure why.” I looked up at him. “He had never even touched me.”
I knew Malin hadn’t been nice to Kirion, but Kirion didn’t say a word about it. “That’s a very generous thing to do. I’m glad for you.”
“I just wanted to make it clear. He didn’t ever take advantage of me. I’m aware he treated you very badly.”
Kirion tilted his head, cool and calm, then sat across the table from me next to Remington. “He was only twenty when I met him. He wasn’t nice to me, that’s true. But he never laid a hand on me.”
I nodded, then shrugged. “He’s a bit hard to get to know.”
Kirion just smiled and handed me a soda from an ice bucket. My glass was already filled with ice. I opened the bottle and poured.
“I’m glad you came,” he said.
“Me, too.”
Kirion poured juice for Remington and a soda for himself, ignoring the array of wine bottles set up at the end of the long table. Then he handed me a salad bowl and we started to dish up our food.