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Phil said, “Point of reference, you are not easy to be a Guard for. People are coming after you that you haven’t even met.

Egres is a busy bee.” I replied, “Which is hardly fair. I haven’t met them, so I didn’t piss them off.

” Gage snorted, “You piss a lot of people off when you do meet them.” Oden chuckled.

I winked, “Exactly, they should give me a chance to upset them in person.” Phil said, “You’d kill them.” I grinned, “I know that.” Egres commented, “Yes, well those threats seem to be handled lately.” I asked, “What does that mean?” He replied, “I am going to discuss that with your uncle.”

Oden asked, “Did our Uncle cut our Guard out of something involving us?” He wouldn’t. Egres walked out. Phil groaned, “UGH! REALLY EGRES?! You get back here and you answer the questions my brain now has!” Egres kept walking.

Phil said, “I’ll catch up with you later, brother.” Jeffery laughed, “I’m coming to find out what’s going on with that. I have questions too.” They took off and my Guard turned his head back over his shoulder, smirked, and took off running.

Phil shouted, “HEY! YOU CAN’T OUTRUN ME! I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING!” Gage laughed, “Poor guy. You know he hates it when his questions aren’t answered.” I shrugged, “We all had the same question.”

Gage hummed, “I have a different thought about it than you do, but that’s what I do.

I’ll go see if I can help Phil solve things while I think crazy things.

” I asked, “What crazy things?” He said, “Why after certain people have left the general area, Egres is late to threats.” I snorted, “Melanie has nothing to do with it.” He hummed and walked away.

Oden agreed with me, “It’s a coincidence and they don’t like those, but it would be sweet if mate had something to do with it.” I agreed with that. My cousin, Kade, commented, “That was weird.” I turned, “Hey, man.” I gave him a hug. I inhaled then said, “That’s a smell, cousin.”

He shut down, “Yeah, I’m going to take a shower.” I laughed, “Why would you do that? Who smells like expensive champagne, and did you sew your skin to hers? Is that where you’ve been? I haven’t seen you in a hot second.”

He asked, “Can we keep that between us?” I agreed, “Of course. Uncle Drake doesn’t know you’re sewing your skin to the woman that smells like champagne?” He admitted, “Only your mom does.” I snorted, “Ok, I won’t say anything. Why am I not saying anything?”

He replied, “It’s complicated to explain.” I urged, “Try.” He said, “Your family would be the only one not worried about it.” I questioned, “Why?” He admitted, “There are things you don’t know about rules and such.”

I prodded, “Tell me then.” He shrugged, “I need to shower before the parade.” I hummed, “I’ll guess the champagne smelling woman will not be there.

” He shook his head. I replied, “Well, I’d love to meet her whenever you’re ready.

Congratulations, cousin.” I wasn’t sure why he didn’t say anything, but based on his feelings in the bond the woman was his mate.

He said, “I wouldn’t plan on meeting her anytime soon, cousin.” Oden said, “She must not be a Supernatural then. Or she’s not aware she is.” Yeah. Was this about the no Royal Hackura having a child with a human thing? No, it couldn’t be. That was for off period kids, not mates.

Oden agreed, “It can’t be that. Maybe the human wants things to move slowly.” I smelled Uncle Drake coming. I urged, “You’d better portal to that shower. Your dad is coming.” Kade sent me his gratitude down the bond then portaled away.

I walked towards town and ran into my Uncle Drake.

I greeted, “Hey.” He nodded, “Hi. Have you seen Kade?” I replied, “Yeah, he was heading to shower.” He sighed and nodded.

He turned to go and asked, “Did you talk to him?” I answered, “Yup.” He snorted, “For fuck’s sake you are as verbose as Kade is lately. ” Weird shit was definitely afoot.

I went and found my mom in her office in this realm.

I commented, “So, Kade.” She glanced up when I didn’t continue.

She said, “Is my fucking nephew. I am aware.” I chuckled, “He has secrets.” She evaded, “Everyone does.” I winked, “Is she pretty?” She answered, “You would know the answer to that question as you’ve seen who he dates.

” I nodded, “Fair enough. What’s going on? ”

She admitted, “I don’t fucking know. I know it’s pretty damn weird and maybe people won’t listen to my goddamn hints.

It’s maddening.” So, she’d tried to tell Uncle Drake and Aunt Heather.

Interesting. I asked, “What’s this about rules?

” She shrugged, “I don’t fucking know. What are you talking about? ” I sighed, “I’m not sure.”

She changed the subject, “I’ve got your ceremony and parade ready to go.” She snapped me into black pants that looked like leather but were far more comfortable. They looked exactly like Squadron Leader pants, but I’d heard they were not comfortable.

I had a belt with a fur coat that had no buttons.

I asked, “What’s this?” She replied, “The Squadron leader ceremony outfit. Your dad insisted I keep it simple. Those are the new squadron leader pants. I can’t befuckinglieve they were trying to walk around in leather pants and fighting.

” I replied, “Hood members and you do that.”

She snorted, “I don’t have fucking balls though.

Your dad admitted they were not exactly comfortable.

I’m practically doing everyone a favor changing them.

” I grinned, “That you are.” She snapped herself into a corset crop top and some type of skirt that had a belt with green and red material and arms guards.

I asked, “And that is?” Oden snorted, “Something to make dad lose his mind.”

She answered, “The outfits the women are going to wear to the ceremony. Well, not the same fucking thing, but you get the point.” I laughed, “I love you mom.” She hugged me, “As I love you.” Uncle Bjourn came in, “Hales, it’s time to…” He trailed off and took in her outfit.

He grinned asking, “Is Astrid wearing that too?” I replied, “Not the same thing but similar.” He grinned, “I do love the moments when you do things like this, little sister.” I felt the full force of how happy that made my mom. Uncle Bjourn and I actually a took a step.

Mom winced, “Sorry, I…” I cut her off, “No, I liked it.” Uncle Bjourn agreed, “You know I love it when I feel the full force of your emotions, little sister. It wouldn’t shock us all so much if you’d do it all the time.

” My mom grumbled, “I’m fucking working on it.

” Uncle Bjourn conceded, “And you are much better at it now than before.”

Uncle Bjourn added, “The McAlister’s are here.

They said you invited them, Alexander.” Before I could say anything, mom gasped, “You mean the fucking prank is here?! Holy shit. I’m wrong?

Really? She’s real? I have a lot fucking things to say if she is actually real about the shit going on since she left.

” I felt myself let my hope fall when I saw my Uncle Bjourn’s face. Melanie wasn’t here.

Mom called, “Alexander?” Uncle Bjourn said, “Melanie couldn’t get away from class.” Mom snorted, “Of fucking course not. Son, what’s wrong?” I shrugged, “I was kind of hoping that…” I stopped talking when TJ popped in.

He hugged me and then mom. He asked, “What’s going on?” Angela popped in looking annoyed. I asked, “What’s wrong?” TJ sighed, “She told me to wait.” I laughed and picked her up and spun her around. She beamed at me and popped us outside.

I linked my mom, “Is the whole ass realm out here?” She replied, “Most of the Capitol is.” I spotted the Manning’s in the crowd. I waved at Grammy Veronica’s grandparents. I knew they saw me as one of theirs. I claimed them as grandparents over Cassandra.

Oden growled, “I disliked that woman so much.” Yeah, I did too but my wolf knew that.

We never trusted her, and I definitely wasn’t sad when she died.

I felt bad about that, but it was how I felt.

My family joined us on stage. I felt the jolt of lust from my dad when he spotted my mom.

I felt hers back for him. I glanced back noting he was shirtless and in the same outfit my uncles were.

EJ and Cassie sent me their pride. Cayden joined my Uncle Bjourn on stage. Uncle Bjourn called, “Hello, today we make history.” Oh, for the love of god. My Mom linked, “You ARE making history and I will fucking brag about my kids any fucking time I want.” I nearly laughed.

My dad linked, “I can tell you don’t agree, but this has never been done. No Duke has ever been a Squadron Leader. I’m so proud of you.” I felt my family’s pride thrum through me and my grandpa shot his at me.

Uncle Bjourn continued, “My nephew, Duke Alpha Alexander, has put in the time and effort into learning our ways and meeting all the requirements for additional positions here. He has gone out on missions, and he has been selected by your Commander to be a Squadron Leader. It’s been something our Commander has wanted since before he took the post. They have worked together to find a way to do this. ” Cheers erupted from the crowd.

I spotted Jason in the crowd whistling. He was with Gage who winked at me, his arm around a woman.

I chuckled and grinned back at him. He linked, “Even though I wasn’t told first, I’m proud of my Alpha.

I’m damn lucky to be your Gamma.” I replied, “You are also my friend.” He laughed back, “I know.”

Uncle Bjourn inclined his head over to me. I walked over and joined him at the front of the stage. His voice boomed, “Alexander, do you accept the position of Squad Leader?” I answered, “I do.” He nodded to Cayden.

Cayden asked, “Do you swear to your Commander and King that you will uphold your Squad to their standards of our army?” I answered, “I do.” He dipped his hand into the paint. I linked, “You’re painting me?” He replied, “Evidently.” I knew if my mate was here, she’d do it.