My Commander (Bewitched And Bewildered Book 1)
My Commander: Chapter 6

Aiden ran down the stairs, heart pounding. He skidded into the dining room and all eyes turned to him.

‘That was quick brother.’ Adam teased.

‘Alpha Unit move out. We have a mission.’ Aiden barked and turned on his heel and headed out the room. Behind him, he could hear chairs being pushed back quickly and footsteps racing to catch up to him. He grabbed the keys to the SUV from the foyer table and went to the start the car.

Minutes later his men were in the car checking their sidearms and pooling their weapon stashes together.

‘Aiden what’s the target? Did you get a call while you were upstairs?’ Colton asked.

‘No I …’ Aiden didn’t know where to begin. The idea that his mate was upstairs in pain and bleeding internally made him feel ill. Whatever she asked for she would get. Clearing his throat, he continued, ‘Did you know that human women have the ability to conceive every month?’ He asked. Around him the men shook their heads.

‘Well evidently, when they don’t conceive their wombs turn inside out and shed their lining. It’s extremely painful and causes internal bleeding.’ Aiden took a shuddering breath.

‘Do you mean to say that Meryn is going through this now?’ Colton looked shocked.

‘I could barely tell she was in any pain, she’s very brave.’ Aiden appreciated the level of admiration in Keelan’s voice.

‘Human females are truly mysterious beings.’ Gavriel added.

‘They are. She does this every month. How does she survive? Wouldn’t she die from blood loss?’ Aiden gripped the steering wheel and turned the car onto the main highway. At their current speed they should be at the human city of Madison in little under twenty minutes. He was sure he could replace tampons there.

‘Since it happens every month I don’t think she’ll die from blood loss. What’s the mission?’ Darian asked.

‘She needs tampons. Evidently it helps with this process. We have to secure the location of where they are being sold, acquire them and then get them back to my mate post haste.’

‘You can rely on us Aiden.’ Colton’s hand appeared from the backseat to clap him on the shoulder. Suddenly he didn’t feel quite so panicked. He wasn’t about to let anything happen to his mate and he knew his unit had his back.

Not soon enough for his liking, they parked at the local grocery store, Duck In.

‘Everyone ready?’

‘Yes Sir!’ The men sounded off. He nodded and they exited the vehicle. When they walked into the store the cashier stopped what she was doing and stared. Aiden glanced behind him. Darian had walked in with a crossbow strapped to his back.

‘Darian, maybe you could leave the crossbow in the car.’

Darian shook his head. ‘No sir, you’re distracted with concern over your mate’s health. We need to be hyper vigilant.’

Aiden thought about it for a second then nodded his approval. He clapped Darian on the shoulder.

‘Good man.’

Together the five men walked up and down the aisles. Everywhere they went eyes followed them.

‘We’re being watched.’ Colton whispered.

‘I know. Just keep looking, maybe we’ll get out of this without injury.’ Aiden’s eyes scanned each shelf that contained medicine.

‘Sir. Found them!’ Keelan yelled. The other four men converged on his location. Together they started scanning boxes.

‘Sir, I don’t mean any disrespect to your mate, but they way these are shaped, do they go …’ Keelan couldn’t finish the sentence. Aiden understood what the young witch was saying.

‘I think you’re right Keelan, it must help with the pain in some way.’ Understanding filled Keelan’s eyes.

‘Of course.’

After a few minutes Aiden felt his head spinning with confusion.

‘Sir, I don’t know if these are safe. There is a warning about Toxic Shock Syndrome. These things can kill!’ Keelan dropped the box he held and wiped his hands on his pants. The other men immediately dropped the boxes they had been holding.

‘This is what she asked for, so maybe she knows of a way to avoid that.’ Aiden didn’t like the idea that these things could kill, but if she needed them he would take them to her.

‘What do you think Super Plus means? She didn’t say anything about pluses or minuses.’ Aiden held up two similar boxes except one said Plus and the other said Super Plus.

‘Sir, I saw a chart on the side of this one, I believe that has to do with the absorbency capacity.’ Darian explained.

‘Absorbency you mean how much blood …’ Aiden shuddered. His poor mate!

Darian paled, ‘Yes, sir.’

Aiden felt panicked. Did it matter? What if he got one that didn’t absorb as much as she needed, would it hurt her in the long run?

‘Sir, I like this one. It says here it has an antigravity leak guard braid.’ Keelan held up a blue box.

‘Antigravity, really? That has to be one of the best ones right? Is it a Super?’

Keelan checked. ‘Super Plus sir.’

‘We’ll take that one.’

‘How many boxes do you think?’ Keelan asked. Aiden looked around at the men. They all shrugged.

‘How many are there?’

‘About fifteen.’

‘Grab them all.’

‘Yes, sir!’ Keelan and Darian grabbed every box on the shelf. Together they made their way over to the registers. Instead of the young, pretty cashier, there was now a grizzled looking older human. They placed their boxes on the belt and Aiden approached the older man.

The older man took one look at the fifteen boxes on the conveyor belt and then eyed the five men in front of him.

‘Son, your woman sent you out?’ He asked in a lazy southern voice.

‘Yes, sir.’ There was something about this old human that made Aiden want to salute.

‘Newly married?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Never been shopping for these before I reckon.’

‘No, sir.’

‘You have no idea what you’re doing, do ya boy?’ The old man regarded him with pity. Aiden slumped forward.

‘No, sir.’

‘I heard your discussion about these things with your men here. Military?’ He asked as he rang up each box slowly.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘I ken tell. Anyway, y’all done good. These ones sell pretty well, most of the lady folk like ’em. Now, ‘iffn you don’t mind some advice from a man who has been married for forty seven years and has raised six girls?’ He paused.

‘Of course not! Any advice you give will be welcome.’ Aiden heaved a sigh of relief. No wonder he felt the need to salute this man. He had lived around women all of his life and lived to tell the tale.

‘Now, like I was sayin’, these right here sell. But if you’re just learning your lady’s cycle I recommend the box that has all kinds in it. Some days women bleed lighter than others. With a box that has a mix, she’ll have whatever she needs.’

‘Keelan!’ Aiden barked. The old man jumped a bit as Keelan raced back to the aisle, he returned with five boxes that held a variety of capacities.

‘Another thing. My wife most days is as sweet as pie. But on the days when she was ahavin’ her cycle, she gets downright ornery. Threw an iron at me once.’

‘That doesn’t sound too bad.’ Darian commented.

‘She had just been ironing, so it was still hot.’ The older man clarified. Darian flinched.

‘Sir, you say that under normal conditions your wife was sweet and good natured?’ Gavriel asked. The older man nodded. Gavriel turned to Aiden concern on his face.

‘Meryn is violent and crazy under normal conditions.’ Gavriel looked as sick as Aiden felt.

‘Dude, you’re so fucked.’ Colton whispered.

‘If that’s the case, I was only going to suggest a chocolate cake, but if you have a feisty gal, you might want to grab some of the brownies too. Chocolate eases their pain and makes them loving again. Well, most times.’ The old man explained.

‘Darian, grab three chocolate cakes and five pans of brownies.’ Aiden ordered.

‘Yes, sir!’

‘Son, how violent is yer woman?’ The older man asked sounding curious. Aiden leaned in and whispered.

‘She knocked me unconscious once with the back of my toilet.’ The older man’s eyes widened.

‘Better get you some chocolate bars. You can throw those from a distance.’ Aiden nodded.

‘I like the way you think.’ Aiden grabbed the entire box of chocolate bars from the shelf next to the register as Darian returned with the sweets. The old man rang up his items and gave him a total. Aiden paid and the men grabbed the bags. They went to leave and Aiden paused. He went back to the register.

‘Thank you very much for your insight. You are very brave and wise to have lived through so much.’ Aiden offered him his hand. The older man chuckled and shook Aiden’s hand.

‘Sounds like you have a firecracker on your hands son.’

Aiden grinned wide. ‘Yes sir, I do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.’

‘Good for you son. Come back any time for advice.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

Aiden knew that he had found an ally and a valuable source of information on how to take care of his human mate. Feeling better than he had since Meryn explained her condition he got in the car and drove back to Lycaonia.

*****

‘So where is he now?’ Sydney asked.

‘Out getting me something from the store. I’m not sure how long it’s going to take him so you’ll have to talk fast.’ Meryn adjusted her cell phone on her ear. As soon as Aiden left, she remembered the café owner’s offer. She decided that while Aiden was out she would give him a call.

‘Girl, I can talk fast. Now. Most of the ladies, despite their paranormal selves, are sheep pure and simple, or should I say simpleton. I swear they share brain cells. There’s a real mob mentality with that bunch. Imagine every single catty, hateful, backstabbing bitch you hated when you read a regency romance novel and put them in one room and you have the Daughters of Lycaonia Sewing Circle.’

‘How did you know I read regency romance?’ Meryn interrupted.

‘Hasn’t everyone?’ Sydney asked.

‘Good point. Continue.’

‘Anyway. Most of the women are harmless little sheep, unless they are following someone’s example. In most cases it’s either mimicking Adelaide because she really is perfection dah-ling, or they become backstabbing heifers when they are trying to stay on Daphane Bowers’s good side to avoid retribution.’

‘So Daphane is the one to watch out for?’

‘Yup. Rumor has it she practically had a meltdown when she heard that Adelaide convinced the council to do that spell to call the warrior’s mates to them. She felt like Adelaide was upstaging her daughter-in-law who just popped pregnant.’

‘I heard that’s like a real important thing.’ Meryn murmured.

‘Girl you don’t know the half of it. In our society, it’s a huge deal when a woman gets pregnant. They see each pregnancy as a blessing from the Gods, like literally. There’s no proof, but I would bet money that Daphane was the one that spread the rumors about Adelaide using black magic to get pregnant seven hundred years ago when she got pregnant with Aiden. Daphane’s husband had just petitioned the council to say that Byron had held his council seat for too long and that they needed fresh ideas. They were leaning in his favor when Adelaide got pregnant. Everyone took that as a sign that the Gods were favoring House McKenzie and Byron was able to keep his council seat. Of course that was reinforced later when Adelaide got pregnant again with Ben.’

‘Wow. Womb Wars.’

‘No lie. Makes me glad to be a gay man.’

‘So my being there is going to seem like Adelaide is trying to one up Daphane?’

‘Absolutely.’

‘They’ll probably be really passive aggressive and cruel to me, huh?’ Meryn asked feeling depressed.

‘You can count on that.’

‘So why am I going again?’ She asked.

‘Because if you don’t it will look bad for Adelaide.’ Sydney’s voice sounded sympathetic.

‘This is gonna suck.’

‘Sorry hun, if you survive swing by the café and I’ll make you something special.’ Sydney offered.

‘You’re sweet. Thanks.’

‘Anytime. Listen I gotta run, Justice is giving me bedroom eyes if you know what I mean. Good luck tomorrow.’

‘Thanks again Sydney, goodnight.’

‘Night.’ Sydney hung up and Meryn stared at her phone. A knock on the door had her jumping.

‘Little miss, I’ve brought you some chamomile tea to help ease your cramps.’ Marius set the tea cup down on the nightstand. She stared up at him.

‘How did you know?’

‘I’m much older than Lady Adelaide and have a mate of my own. Plus …’ He cleared his throat.

‘A female smells different when she’s begun her cycle.’ Marius’s eyes twinkled.

‘Just how old are you anyway?’ Meryn sipped the tea and sighed. It was sweet, just how she liked it. She was starting to understand what Adelaide meant by needing a squire. Marius was comforting to have around.

‘Older than I look. What did you tell Master Aiden? He ran out of here a bit wild eyed.’ Marius raised a silver brow.

‘I didn’t lie.’ Meryn said quickly.

‘Of course not. I think it will do him some good to think about the more practical things in life. He’s a mated man now, these things come with that responsibility.’

Meryn felt her eyes grow heavy.

‘You rock, did you know that?’

He smiled.’Yes.’

When a yawn caught her off guard she became suspicious.

‘Did you put something in my tea?’

He nodded. ‘Yes little miss. You’ve had a very exciting past couple of days, plus your cycle started today. You need a good night’s rest.’ He pulled the covers up to her ears.

‘Sneaky squire.’ Meryn yawned again.

‘Of course. Goodnight, sweet Meryn.’

‘Goodnight Marius, thank you.’ Meryn felt his warm hand push back her hair in a fatherly gesture before she surrendered to the darkness.

*****

When Meryn woke the next morning she sat up and glanced around the room in shock. Boxes of tampons, cakes and brownies covered the surfaces of the nightstands and dresser. She hopped out of bed, grabbed a box and headed to the shower. After washing up, she opened up a suitcase and almost danced in delight at being able to put on different clothes. Today was that sewing circle thing. She held up her tee-shirts and sighed. She didn’t have anything even remotely feminine. Nothing like the exquisite dresses Adelaide wore. She put a hand over her lower stomach as her cramps started back up. Fuck it. She was going to be comfortable. She pulled on her socks, jeans and boots. Instead of a pretty lace bra she put on her favorite white cotton one. When she reached for her tee-shirt she hesitated. Thinking of how welcoming Adelaide had been she chose the pink Strawberry Shortcake shirt. It was at least pink. She fixed her hair in a spike or two and used her pressed powder compact to take down the shine of her nose. She checked the mirror and shrugged. This was as good as it was going to get.

When she walked into the dining room for breakfast everyone looked at her in horror.

‘What are you doing out of bed?’ Aiden jumped up.

‘I was hungry and wanted breakfast. Can’t I have breakfast?’ She asked confused.

‘Of course you can. Come sit next to me, dear. I don’t think Aiden fully appreciates how strong women can be.’ Meryn sat between Adelaide and Aiden. She noticed that Aiden watched her very carefully. Maybe she had laid it on too thick last night.

‘I got you cake.’ Aiden leaned in and kissed her cheek.

‘I saw. I totally plan on eating it later.’

‘Which one?’

‘All of them.’

‘All?’ Aiden asked.

‘Yup, I don’t know how you knew I was craving chocolate, but I swear last night I would have killed for some.’

She saw Colton give Aiden a thumbs up. What on earth had they gotten into last night?

‘We can delay introducing you to the sewing circle if you’re feeling unwell. As a shifter, I only get my cycle once a year, I can’t imagine getting it every month.’ Adelaide shuddered.

‘It’s not so bad when you get used to it.’ Marius set a full plate of eggs, bacon, toast and fried potatoes in front of her, she smiled her thanks.

‘You can’t have been getting it for very long. You’re barely in your childbearing years.’ Adelaide sounded confused.

‘I’ve been getting my cycle for about … twenty two years now.’ Meryn took a huge bite of toast.

‘Twenty two years? How old are you Meryn?’ Adelaide asked.

‘Thirty four. Why?’

‘That means you started your cycle at the age of twelve? Every month for the past twenty two years.’ Adelaide looked ill.

‘Yeah. So?’

‘Do humans have babies that young? You’re practically babies yourselves at that age.’ Adelaide asked.

Meryn shrugged. ‘Depends. Kids are having sex younger and younger these days. It’s not unheard of to read about a twelve or thirteen year old having kids.’ Meryn carefully lifted her egg onto her toast. Her favorite part was biting into the yolk.

‘That’s barbaric. These girls’ fathers, do they seek retribution for their daughters?’ Byron demanded.

‘Sometimes, sometimes the girls just get kicked out.’

‘Kicked out. What do you mean?’ Keelan asked, getting pulled into the conversation.

‘In some families if you do something like get pregnant young or come out as homosexual the parents kick them out of the house.’ Meryn explained. For all their paranormal worldly ways, she was discovering that Lycaonians were quite sheltered about the harsh truths outside their city.

‘But that means they have nowhere to go, right?’ Ben asked.

‘Yup. If they’re lucky they have another relative that can take them in, but too many times they end up homeless, and subject to the predators on the streets. Most end up addicted to drugs or forced into prostitution.’

‘In Lycaonia, every child is cherished. I can’t imagine abandoning your own child like that.’ Byron wrapped an arm around Adelaide. Meryn felt horrible for ruining everyone’s breakfast. It was so commonplace to her, she didn’t even think twice about discussing it.

‘Those are extreme cases. It’s not too bad out there. I survived and I lost both of my parents. There are good people out there too.’ Meryn set her fork down suddenly wanting that chocolate cake.

Aiden sensing her change in mood lifted her onto his lap. It was starting to feel natural to her to be there.

‘Would it hurt too much to discuss it?’ Ben asked, sympathy in his eyes.

‘There’s not much to tell. Both of my parents died in a car crash when I was five. After that I lived with my grandmother. She was strict, but pretty much left me alone. As long as there was food to eat, I was okay. She ended up passing away my senior year in high school. My guidance counselor let me move in with her for my last month of my senior year and the summer before I went to college. After that I survived off of scholarships, part time jobs and grants. I graduated college and started working. It didn’t take me long to figure out I didn’t like working for other people, especially since most of them were dumber than me, so I started my own internet security business and I’ve been doing that ever since. The End.’

‘You’ve been alone since you were a teenager?’ Colton asked. Meryn nodded, then thought about it.

‘Actually, since my parents died really. My grandmother didn’t really talk to me much. The only nice thing she ever did for me was get me my library card.’

‘Humans are amazing creatures aren’t they?’ Gavriel said, his tone full of amazement. Everyone nodded. Meryn blushed.

Adelaide wiped her eyes, ‘You don’t have to attend the sewing circle with me. I was thoughtless and never even considered your past.’ Meryn pushed down her momentary sense of relief. She couldn’t let Adelaide down.

‘I don’t mind. I’ll just be real quiet in the corner. I’ll meet everyone, that way no one can come back later and say I was being stuck up or thought I was better than them by not saying hello.’

‘They would think that too. Oh dear, after the past couple days you’ve had, plus starting your cycle, I feel terrible about subjecting you to this.’ Adelaide twisted her fingers together.

‘Dear, if she says she can do it, she can, I think Meryn can do anything she sets her mind to.’ Byron pulled his mate’s hands apart so she didn’t hurt herself.

‘Damn skippy!’ She paused and looked around. ‘I can bring my laptop right?’

*****

Meryn was in high school hell. Around her the ladies of Lycaonia tittered and giggled each complimenting the other ever so sweetly. Meryn felt like gagging.

‘I thought the dress you wore to Lady Rosethorn’s fall tea was stunning. Did Laurel at Just Sew Sew do it up for you?’

Meryn had of course promptly forgotten everyone’s names, but in her mind she was calling the blonde lady speaking Horseface. The poor thing had the unfortunate luck to be born with a long face and a bray like laugh. Horseface was talking to a much stouter woman that Meryn had labeled Fruit Loop. She was round, smelled like lemons and was a bit loopy.

‘How are you liking Lycaonia dear? It must be hard keeping up with everything, being human and all.’ And there was Queen Bitch herself, Daphane Bowers. Ironically enough, the only one of the bunch that Meryn could stand was Daphane’s sweet unassuming mommy-to-be daughter-in-law, Elise.

‘Nope, everything seems pretty easy to understand to me.’ Meryn shrugged. Daphane giggled. Meryn didn’t know how old Daphane was, but where Adelaide could pull off a giggle this woman could not. She should have stopped like two hundred years ago.

‘Nonsense, of course you’re confused, with only Adelaide here to guide you. You absolutely must come to us with any questions my dear, after all, that’s what the Daughters of Lycaonia Sewing Circle was created for, to help lesser, more unfortunate individuals.’ She said it so sweetly that Meryn simply blinked for a moment.

Did that heifer just refer to her as a lesser individual?

‘How generous of you. But of all people Adelaide is the perfect choice to help me learn about your world. She is, after all the Councilman’s mate and my mother-in-law to be. She has been so patient and wonderful explaining things to me about what it will be like to run one of the most powerful houses in Lycaonia.’

She paused and sniffed dramatically. Meryn dabbed her at eyes with her tea napkin.

‘Now I finally know what it’s like to have a mother.’ Sniffle again and someone cue the dramatic music.

‘You poor thing.’

‘Alone in the world, can you imagine?’

‘Adelaide really is the sweetest, you couldn’t ask for better my dear.’ Meryn nodded and accepted their sympathy.

‘Mothers really are special. I keep telling Elise, that she will be a wonderful mother. We’ve been planning the nursery for weeks, haven’t we Elise?’

Oh, oh someone played the baby card early.

Meryn turned to Elise and in genuine sincerity congratulated her. ‘I’m so excited for you! I think you’ll be an amazing mother. Do you decorate the nurseries using themes here in Lycaonia?’ Meryn asked.

‘Themes?’ Elise’s soft voice was barely heard.

‘Yup. Like Hello Kitty if it’s a girl or a baseball theme if it’s a boy.’

‘Oh no. We don’t have anything like that here. Just different colors. What would you recommend for a wolf shifter baby?’ Elise asked, her eyes alight with curiosity.

‘Hmm. Nothing too scary. Maybe cartoon wolf pups with different colored bandanas around their necks.’ Meryn suggested.

‘That would be so adorable.’ Elise clasped her hands together.

‘No one in Lycaonia has that Elise, it would definitely be something new. Our announcement won’t go out until later today, but my Eleanor is expecting. I bet she would like something like that too.’ The woman to Elise’s right said her voice bashful.

‘I’m so excited for Ellie Lady Canter! Tell her I’ll call her later.’ Elise radiated goodwill. Meryn was taken aback at the completely different personalities between Daphane and Elise.

‘Don’t be ridiculous! Who has ever heard of decorating a nursery with cartoon characters? Preposterous. We’re decorating in the traditional Lycaonian hues of blues and greens for boys. I’m positive she will have a son, a little boy just like my Donovan.’ Daphane interjected her tone slightly stern. Elise shut down right before Meryn’s eyes. Meryn began to seriously get pissed off, she hated bullies more than anything else.

‘Elise I think you should be able to decorate your nursery any way you want to. It’s your baby after all. I know you’ve probably been looking forward to this for a long time.’ Meryn guessed. Elise looked up gratitude in her eyes.

‘I would like something new and bright. I like the idea of cartoon pups. We could do bandanas in different colors so we could start right away. It wouldn’t make a difference if I had a boy or a girl. I …’

‘Elise, don’t be silly. Look, you’re getting too worked up. This is obviously upsetting for you.’ Daphane turned her gaze to Meryn. ‘Until you understand our customs a little better, it might be best for you not to interfere.’ Daphane’s flinty gaze did not deter her. Meryn simply turned to Elise ignoring Daphane and gave the woman her back.

‘Or you could do wolf constellations racing across the ceiling. I’ve always thought that twinkly lights were soothing.’ Meryn turned her head so that only Elise saw her wink. Elise’s eyes widened and she hid a smile behind her napkin.

‘Really! Elise!’ Daphane protested.

‘Let the youngsters talk Daphane. I like hearing about new ideas, very stimulating.’ Lady Fairfax, the old, cranky looking woman spoke up for the first time. Meryn shied away from her at first, because she reminded her of her own grandmother, but she was rapidly becoming one of her favorite amongst the ladies.

‘Yes Daphane, Elise hasn’t looked better in months.’ Horseface countered. Seeing that she was outnumbered Daphane backed down. But Meryn could tell something else was brewing.

‘So Adelaide, how does it feel to have one of your children finally mated? I have to say I was rather shocked to hear you had to cast a spell in order for your son to replace a mate and a human at that.’ Daphane sipped her tea.

Bitch said what? Okay gloves are coming off now.

‘Isn’t it miraculous?’ Meryn gushed. She clutched her throat in a sensational fashion. The ladies leaned forward instinctively.

‘Fate chose Adelaide to help so many warriors replace mates. I mean, in all of the world she trusted her to channel her purpose through. Because of Adelaide, so many good men will replace their mates and fulfill Fate’s design. Only she could have come up with such a practical yet efficient plan. It’s almost like Adelaide became one with the Divine.’ Meryn closed her eyes and heaved a dreamy sigh. She opened her eyes a crack to take a peep. She prayed that she hadn’t gone too over the top with it. To her delight the women around her were weeping and staring at Adelaide in something close to reverence.

‘I always knew she was meant for great things.’

‘Lady McKenzie you simply have to come to my luncheon I have planned next week!’

‘She was guided by the Divine!’

‘I’ve always known that House McKenzie was blessed.’ The excited voices of the women around her had Meryn turning her head to hide her grin.

Check and mate bitch.

‘To think Fate herself worked through you Adelaide. How exciting!’ Horseface was practically vibrating in her chair.

Outside the faint sound of bells ringing signaled the top of the hour. Adelaide stood and everyone quieted immediately. She looked somewhat surprised at that.

‘Ladies, thank you so much for coming today to welcome my daughter to Lycaonia. Your presence here speaks volumes to your character. I hope that she has discovered as many friends amongst you as I have.’ The ladies all preened and clapped a round of applause.

‘Until next time.’ Adelaide nodded and one by one each woman stopped to speak to her.

Elise made her way over to where Meryn was standing next to Adelaide and took both of her hands in hers.

‘Thank you, I won’t forget your help today. I would like to talk to you again.’ Elise said shyly.

‘Sure. That’d be great, though I have to warn you, I’m really kind of awkward and have never really had a girlfriend before.’ Meryn confessed.

‘Me either. Not a true friend. I have a feeling that you would be a true friend Meryn McKenzie.’ Elise nodded and hurried to catch up to her mother-in-law who had been one of the first to leave.

‘Meryn McKenzie huh? Doesn’t sound too bad.’ Meryn mused to herself. Adelaide walked the last woman out. When she returned to the drawing room, she was bubbling with laughter. She wrapped her arms around Meryn and practically tackled her to the sofa.

‘Became one with the Divine? Oh my goodness Meryn, I thought you said you didn’t know how society women were.’ Adelaide and Meryn sat up breathing hard from all the laughter.

‘I said I didn’t like it, I never said I wouldn’t be any good at it.’

‘You made an enemy today.’ Adelaide warned.

Meryn shrugged. ‘I can live with that. It’s a good thing this thing wrapped at three, I was two seconds away from throat punching that bitch. How can you stand her?’ Meryn ground her teeth together.

‘Because she does do a lot of good work in the community. Her motives may not always be pure, but the end result is the same.’ Adelaide shrugged.

‘I liked Lady Fairfax, she seems like a cool, old lady.’

‘I like her too. She is very direct and honest. I think maybe she liked you too. Her grandson owns a café in the city called The Jitterbug.’ Adelaide stood.

‘Sydney is her grandson? No wonder I liked her.’ Meryn mused, putting two and two together. They both had Fairfax as a last name.

‘Put your laptop away, dear. I can hear my son pacing in the kitchen. I can’t wait to tell him how stupendous you were.’ Meryn blushed. She followed Adelaide to the kitchen. Aiden and his unit stood. They had been snacking on leftovers from the sewing circle’s tea.

‘So how did it go?’ Aiden held out a chair for her. For a second she felt disappointed he didn’t scoop her up in his lap. She sat down and waved at Adelaide to fill them in.

‘Your mate, singlehandedly routed every attempt Daphane Bowers made to belittle her or me. In fact, she may have elevated me to a ‘Divine’ status.’ Adelaide smiled broadly.

‘I’ve always thought you were divine.’ Byron said coming up behind his mate and kissing her neck.

‘Oh Byron I wish you could have seen it. Meryn was absolutely perfect. When Daphane insinuated that the only way our son could replace a mate was to cast a spell, Meryn turned it on her. She said that Fate chose me as a vessel to help so many warriors replace their mates.’

Byron looked at Meryn. ‘That’s actually a very solid theory.’

‘Yup, it should also take the wind out of her sails in case she tries to revive that terrible rumor about Lady Adelaide using black magic to get pregnant.’ Meryn yawned. Adelaide and Byron looked at her in shock.

‘Where did you hear that old story from?’

‘I have my sources.’ Meryn boasted.

Byron rubbed his chin. ‘Very good move Meryn. You’re right. No one can resurrect that old tale to hurt Adelaide anymore. Excellent maneuvering.’ Byron’s approval made her sit up straighter.

‘My little politician. How is your condition?’ Aiden asked softly.

‘Oh. My cramps? Better. I found an old bottle of Aleve at the bottom of my backpack. I’m doing great.’ Meryn fought the urge to jump into his lap. What in the hell was wrong with her? She felt jittery, like she couldn’t sit still.

‘Aiden.’ Byron pointed to Meryn. Aiden’s face broke out in a smile. Wordlessly, he lifted her out of her seat and into his lap. She let out a long sigh of relief and buried her face in his chest.

‘I didn’t think it would affect her being human.’ Aiden murmured as he rubbed his cheek against her hair. Meryn felt like purring. When she realized what she was doing, she froze.

‘What’s going on?’ She pulled back to look up at Aiden.

‘That’s the mating pull. It will get stronger and stronger the longer we’re together.’ Aiden nuzzled her neck. Meryn turned to Adelaide and Byron.

‘How in the hell do you function?’ She knew they had been together for a long time. Byron just laughed.

‘We’re mated Meryn, that feeling like you just have to touch your mate never goes away, but it does get easier after you’ve been claimed.’ Adelaide explained.

‘Damn period!’ Meryn snuggled down in Aiden’s arms. Byron blushed and coughed.

‘On that note, I’ll be in my study until dinner.’ He leaned down and kissed Adelaide before making his way to his office.

‘Why don’t you take Meryn upstairs for a nap?’ Adelaide suggested.

‘We’re going to patrol around the house.’ Colton announced as he, Darian, Gavriel and Keelan stood.

‘I’ll check in with you later.’ Aiden also stood with Meryn nestled in his arms. They gave a smart salute and filed out the back door. Aiden smiled at his mother and walked upstairs.

‘I could actually get used to being carried around like this.’

‘I could get used to having you in my arms all the time too.’ Aiden said and carried her into their room.