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Alexander shook his head. I had to mentally push that memory away because now I was furious.

I popped to the gym and began to hit the bag.

Liam asked, “Do you need a fight, Alexander?” I agreed, “Yeah, let’s go.

” He nodded to some of our elite Warriors.

He said, “I have an appointment I’m stepping out for, but if you’re still going when I get back, I’ll jump in. ”

I walked over and nodded to my cousin, Cory. He took his spot to work out with them. It was just understood I had the ability to lead this class because I had been able to since I was ten. Oden said, “Because we are elite.” We really were. Even Uncle Bjourn said so.

I asked, “Have you warmed up?” They smelled like they had.

Everyone nodded at me. I ordered, “Come at me.” They looked at each other.

I growled, “NOW!” Several of them rushed me and I took out two of their legs before slamming another to ground.

I ducked, spinning around before taking down another.

I took them all down then ordered, “Again.”

We went at that for over an hour before Liam came back and stepped into the ring with me. After we fought my mom popped in and smiled at me. She conjured me a bamboo stick and we fought. I felt calmer when she called the fight.

She said, “Let’s take a walk together.” I agreed, “Alright.” Oden pushed, “Tell her so we can meet mate.” I replied, “My answer is the same and so is yours. We don’t want to disappoint mom if we are wrong.

I don’t want her to be disappointed in me.

” It might kill me if she saw me as a possessive jerk because she was the most understanding and loving person on the planet.

We hiked to the top the mountain in silence.

She asked, “What’s wrong?” I admitted, “I was thinking about Robert, and it made me mad.” She frowned, “I know that you know I know what you’re doing.

” Evading. She put her hand on mine saying, “I will burn down fucking realms for you. I hate feeling this hurt from you, and I want you to know I’m here. ”

I nodded, “I know you are.” I didn’t continue and I felt her put her blocks up.

I turned, “Mom, what’s wrong?” She asked, “Why would anything be wrong? Feelings are tough and I know when you’re ready you’ll talk to me.

” Oden whimpered because it probably hurt her feelings I wasn’t confiding her.

Maybe I should’ve told her when I was younger. It would be understandable then.

I asked, “Do you think anyone looks back on their life without regrets?” She answered, “No, I don’t.

It’s unfuckingrealistic to think otherwise.

You can be confident in a decision and believe it was right, but then things are revealed and you’re not as confident anymore.

No one is perfect, though I think some people are damn near it.

It’s not an attainable goal to be perfect. ”

She added, “We are Supernatural’s, but we are also human.

Everyone makes mistakes, that’s life. No one makes perfect decisions twenty-four seven.

We don’t always have all the information available to even make the best plan.

We do what we can at the end of the day.

We try our best, but will there be something that haunts you? Yeah, there will.”

She sighed, “I wish I could take that from you and your siblings but it’s not possible. Even if you’re making great decisions in your life, maybe those decisions affect someone else. Especially as an Alpha. There’s a lot on your shoulders because of the names you carry.”

“I fucking hate that, but I know you kids will do everything in your power to be good people. You’ll stumble and maybe fall, but you bet your ass I’ll be right there behind you to pick you the fuck back up.” I grinned and bumped her, “I love you, mom.”

She put her head on my shoulder, “I love you too, son.” We sat there in silence watching the sun go down. I was practically itching to watch Melanie dance in her competition. I knew she’d already danced, but tomorrow was the finals.

I just wished I could be there for her. I’d almost bought a ticket and popped in, but not wanting people to think I was a creepy weirdo stopped me. Oden snorted, “And it was sold out.” Yeah, that too. I’d decided not to buy a ticket but still waited in the queue when they went live.

They were all sold out when I got in there, which annoyed me even though I’d decided I wasn’t going.

My head was a confusing place to be. My dad found us and sat down without a word.

I cleared my throat, “I’ll be back. I’m going to the Hackura realm.

” They both nodded to me and sent their love in the bond.

I sent it back and popped out. I groaned, “What are you doing Alexander?” Oden snorted, “Despite you talking in third person, I approve of this plan. Do it!” I was in the technology building and let Oden come forward.

Micah Percival, my cousin for all intents and purposes though it wasn’t biological, was working here.

He was quite talented at hacking, and I knew he could do what I wanted.

Plus, he’d keep it private. I found him hunkered over, rubbing his head in a room where the techs went to get a break.

I knocked calling, “Hey, Micah.” He looked up and his eyes widened.

He nervously greeted, “Hey, Alexander. Are you here with your brothers?”

I grinned, wondering if he had a crush on one of my brothers. Max and he would make a striking pair. Oden chuckled, “Do not play matchmaker. It’s not our forte.” He was right. I’d leave that to Angela and Cassie. Even at two Angela was better than me at it. Then all of us except Cassie really.

I told him, “I was wondering if you could help me.” He agreed, “Of course.” I winced, “Hold that thought because I need you to keep what I’m asking secret and not ask me questions.

” He snorted, “Do you know what most of my job is?” I answered, “Yes, hacking.” He laughed, “Yeah, but I keep a lot of secrets and rarely ask questions. It comes with who we are. What do you need?”

I conjured my computer and handed it to him. I explained, “I need you to put a backdoor on my computer to Jason McAlister’s that he can’t trace.” He made a face and stared at me. He held my gaze and nodded, “Alright. Are we worried about Jason being a traitor?” I scoffed, “No.”

He laughed, “Is this for a prank?” I answered, “Also no and I’m not going to do anything bad.” I’m just going to use his link to watch Melanie dance. He shrugged, “Ok.” He got to work, and I sat down feeling everything settle in my gut. I’d finally lay eyes on her.

Oden huffed, “Will you admit she’s our then?” I snorted, “We have to see her IN PERSON, and you know it.” He argued, “A lot of Hackura say when they see a LIVE video feed, they know.” I shot back, “Two people is not a lot.”

He groaned, “Come on!” I said, “Once we see her in person, it will all be settled.” I closed my eyes and couldn’t help but think of the biggest shot to our family regarding the McAlister’s before the dance in Red Run, that felt like it set a new tone to our relationship.

They hurt all my siblings’ feelings, but it shot through to my heart in a way I couldn’t explain.

Flashback

Alexander was curious. My dad had gathered all of us with mom. She was locked down in the bond and I hated that. I raised an eyebrow when my youngest siblings so far popped in. We need our three year old brothers here for this?

I picked up Grant and nuzzled his nose. He giggled, “Alexander!” Bryce and Bradley popped into my lap. I teased, “You guys are getting too big for this.” Bradley gasped, “But not really, right? You jokin’.” I grinned, “I’m pretty sure I’ll always be bigger than you guys.”

Bryce scoffed, “Never.” My mom was pregnant with my little sister and brother. She rubbed her tummy, and I saw a calm come over her. I was certain my little brother was an empath and helped mom. I just wondered why she wasn’t calm right now. In fact, I was certain she was hurt.

My dad cleared his throat, “Since we are all here, I do have something I need you guys to give me a promise about.” My mom turned her head, but I saw the face she made and I could feel her better than my siblings. She did not agree with what we were about to do.

EJ asked, “What’s going on?” He sighed, “I have had a discussion, that I don’t agree with the outcome of. I just want to say that. I don’t really understand where this is coming from, but I don’t think it’s about us.” Everyone frowned and I felt my sibling’s confusion.

He explained, “Obviously before your mom came into this pack, as Wolves, we didn’t really rely heavily on magic.

” I snorted, “That’s a way of saying how things worked in packs.

Turning into a wolf is magic.” My dad nodded saying, “No, you’re right but we didn’t use teleporting or charms to get things done. ” Ok?

He ran a hand through his hair and the bond told me he didn’t want to have this conversation.

He felt this was unjust and could hurt us.

That put me on alert because I didn’t want any of my siblings to have their feelings hurt.

I sussed through my bond with my dad. I was shocked to find he was mostly worried about me and EJ.

It revolved around how we’d take this news more than my siblings.

There was a tinge of it around Cassie too.

My mom said, “Just tell them outright, Eric.” She whispered, “They will take it better that way.” It was already clear this dealt with our Fairy side.

I wasn’t aware packs were still being weird about that.

My dad nodded at her saying, “Your mom already made the promise to our allies.” Her jaw locked and I felt how much she hated it before she locked down.

I asked, “What the fuck is going on?” My dad answered, “I need you to promise not to pop to the McAlister’s or into their home unless Drake declares it’s an emergency. ”