Next morning Kasey woke early as was becoming the norm for her.  She enjoyed listening to the early morning bird calls and as she took up her usual seat on the back porch steps she let her mind wonder back to the previous day.  The night before she had been way too tired to sort through everything that had happened, but now… now she needed to do just that.

She rolled her shoulders and felt a twinge that she put down to the time she spent training with the guys and she called them… her personal Guardians. She knew that they had gone easy on her, but she’d used muscles she didn’t know she had and in ways she’d never done before, so if she was sore she had a right to be.

She thought about Ewan and how he’d shown himself, non-corporeal like an illusion but an illusion couldn’t interact like Ewan did.  She wondered if that was his gift alone or if she might also be able to do it in time.

Kasey sent out her mind and felt Braedon moving around somewhere in the house, he felt agitated which reminded her of how Ewan was just before he left the night before.   She sighed and got up to go speak with him.

On the way in Gilbert asked her what she would like for breakfast.  She said she’d be in Braedon’s office and asked for a couple of toasted cheese, bacon and tomato sandwiches for them to share.  He nodded and turned back to his cooking and she refilled her coffee cup and got one for Braedon before heading to his office.

The door was slightly ajar and she pushed it open with her elbow, both Braedon and Jacob were in the office and when they heard her they stopped speaking and waited for her to enter. “Sorry Jacob I didn’t know you were here,” she handed Braedon his coffee; “I can go get you a cup if you like?”

“It’s okay sweet cheeks, I’m on my way out and Shallana will have coffee ready by now.” Then he patted her on the head and left them alone.

“Gilbert’s bringing in something for us to eat,” she began as she sat in the chair opposite Braedon’s desk, “So,” she continued, “you wanna explain to me what was up with Ewan last night, and please don’t tell me it was brotherly love.”

Braedon looked down into his coffee cup and thought back to the meeting he had the day before with the Pack Elders.  Benjamin the Pack historian had been there and had more than a few things to say about his being mated to a human who was part Fey. 

Benjamin had told stories of the old days when Were’s and Fey co-existed, when Were’s were even granted leave to visit and at times live in the Realm of the Fey.  But over time their co-existence had deteriorated until there was little or no trust between the two races.  He mentioned mating between the two races, claiming it is one of the reason some Were’s have specific traits.

 All Were’s are born gifted in some way, but those with Fey blood in their ancestry were more frequently born with more specific gifts.   Braedon had heard such stories many times and in the past would have laughed off what Benjamin said, but now that he had Kasey he saw that what he’d said was more than possible.

Braedon listened to what Benjamin and the other Elders had to say and he’d asked a few questions too.  He especially looked towards Tamara for answers as she was the oldest of them all.  Tamara was a born healer who had not only taught Jaz, but many others before her.  Some said she had the gift of foresight and that she had helped save the Pack on several occasions during her long life.

Braedon looked up to see Kasey watching him thoughtfully, he pulled back his thoughts, not so much hiding them from her as steering her away from them.  “Your brother is Fey kitten, just as you are and Fey are very protective of their own.”

Kasey frowned, “Their own, you’ve got to be kidding?  I barely know him and he’s suddenly protective?” She shook her head and sipped her coffee.

Gilbert entered the room carrying a large tray with the toasted sandwiches and a pot of coffee.  He placed them on the desk and left quietly shutting the door behind him.

“He is Fey!”  Braedon seemed to think this was answer enough. They ate their food quietly and when they’d finished, he looked at his little mate and just knew she wasn’t going to drop the subject.

“So, what the hell does that mean? ‘He’s Fey’… that doesn’t tell me anything except he’s likely to be as controlling as you can be.”

Braedon sighed and ran a hand through his hair, “Ewan is your brother, not your eldest brother granted, but still older than you.  Fey are very protective of what’s theirs kitten and unfortunately your brothers will now see you as theirs.  I may very well have to ask their permission to take you as my mate.”

Kasey saw the look on his face, this was a man who had kept his Pack safe, kept her safe and now he might have to ask permission to have her as his own.  She could see that while it went against the grain, he’d do it, he would have her no matter the cost to him.

“They have no right to behave like that, in fact the only one who does is Trace and he’s pretty much given us his blessing.  I don’t care what Ewan or the others say, this is my life, my choice.  I might not be quite human, but I’m not all Fey either and I won’t have any of them treat me like I am just because they’ve all of a sudden discovered they have a sister.”

Kasey got to her feet and looked him square in the eyes, “Clear!” she said in as stern a voice as he’d ever heard her use, then she turned and left calling out something to the effect of I’m gonna go stuff up Jacob’s morning and see if Shallana and I can get to work with my training.”

Braedon couldn’t help but smile, his little mate was a force to be reckoned with and all six of her unknown brothers would soon realise this fact.  He turned to the business at hand, Pack business hoping to keep his mid occupied until Ewan came in search of him.  He wondered when or if the other brothers would show up here at the Compound. 

He wondered how Trace was faring so far from Kasey.  Their bond had been there her entire life and as her appointed Guardian it must be making him edgy to not have any contact with her.  Then he thought, “Kasey my love, have you tried to connect with Trace since he’s been gone?  It would be good to know how he is doing so far from you.  If you aren’t sure how perhaps Shallana could guide you?”

“Good idea Braedon, I’ve been thinking about him since last night.  I miss him and wish he was back with us now.”

Braedon sat back in his chair all thoughts of Pack and work evaded him.  His thoughts turned back to Tamara and the word she has spoken, “Your mate is so much more than you know Alpha.  She is Fey and as such a seventh child who is always gifted beyond her siblings, the fact that she is female will heighten these gifts immensely. 

She will be sought after ‘property’ for this child may well be gifted beyond even her father.  You may need to fight to keep her, but the true fight may not be with the man who sired her.  Take a care Alpha, keep her close, but no so close and keep her safe from outsiders until you are fully mated.”

Braedon had seen how Ewan was when he was with Kasey; it wasn’t brotherly love as Kasey had said.  He’d sensed something in Kasey that, he may not be sure what it was, but he wouldn’t give her over to Braedon easily and if he felt this way… he didn’t want to think about the rest of the brothers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Kasey left the main house she wondered where Ewan was, she’d been half expecting him to be on their doorstep at the break of dawn.  Then she smiled, maybe the guys were showing him around and keeping him out of her hair for the time being.  But she knew that he’d want to speak to Braedon and that he’d be looking for her soon too. 

It was a five minute walk from the main house to the cottage and although it looked as if she was alone, Kasey knew Danny was watching over her.  Danny tended to watch from a distance giving her some space, so she decided to enjoy the time it took to get to the cottage without the feeling of being swamped by testosterone.

Kasey knocked on the door of the little cottage that had been set up for Shallana and wasn’t at all surprised when Jacob opened the door.  “Shallana said you’d be here soon, come sweet cheeks, she’s waiting for you.” Then he stepped aside so she could enter.

The cottage was small but comfortable, Kasey walked through the small living room with its overstuffed couch and arm chairs through to a small but functional kitchen.  Shallana had just finished the dishes as Kasey entered and smiled at her beckoning her to sit at the table.

She sat and Shallana place not a cup of coffee as she expected but a cup of what smelled like herbal tea.  It smelled citrusy with a hint of something she couldn’t quite catch.  Kasey thanked her and lifted the brew to her lips, first blowing gently on the surface before taking a sip.

“Mm, this is really nice Shallana, what is it?”

“It’s a blend of lemon myrtle and lemongrass with a hint of ginger.  My own special blend, good for the circulation and also warms the blood.”  She sat down opposite Kasey and Jacob excused himself saying he had a meeting elsewhere.

“Your brother, I’m surprised he is not with you?”

Kasey laughed, “I think the guys are keeping him busy, you know showing him around discussing training and…” she rolled her eyes not wanting to continue.

“He will want to be part of your training, as will your other siblings.  This is an opportunity I never expected to have, but one I will be grateful for.  We can both learn from them and you especially need to do so.”

“Why do I get the feeling that there’s more to all this than I’m being told, I mean the training I can understand, but Braedon’s edgy, Ewan’s wary and more and more I want Trace back with me.” 

Shallana smiled at Kasey and reached out taking her hand, “You are very perceptive child.  Yes, there is more to this than just keeping you safely out of your father’s hands.  Seven is a special number among the Fey; some would call it lucky others would say there is something mystical about the number.

You are the seventh born to a full-blooded Fey and not a low level Fey, if I’m correct your father is fairly well placed in their hierarchy.  To be given leave to procreate with humans not once but seven times tells me this.”

Shallana topped up Kasey’s cup and her own before continuing, “All your brothers will have gifts of some form, these usually start to develop during puberty, but with a seventh child this is delayed somewhat.  You would have started to sense your gifts from about the age of eighteen or nineteen.”

She waited for a moment and Kasey nodded letting her know she was right in her assumption, “A seventh child can be strong in their gifts, but if that child happens to be a female, it is possible that she will develop untold strengths. 

Your gifts Kasey will be many and you will need to take control of them as soon as possible.  I will help you as much as I can, but your brothers are older than you, more mature and will have gained experience with their individual gifts.  They will be extremely useful in teaching you to sense your gifts and also learn how to use them.”

“They aren’t going to let me go easily are they?  Braedon must know that my brothers will all want to have a say in what I do and him being my mate…” she shook her head and sighed, “I’ve been on my own for most of my life, I thought having brothers would be wonderful.  I guess I’m naive when it comes to wanting a family that will actually let me be myself.”

They sat quietly until they finished their tea then they went out to the back garden.  It was enclosed by flowering shrubs giving off a soft soothing scent.  There was a carpet of lush green grass and when Shallana kicked of her shoes before sitting, so did Kasey.

The morning was mild, the sky a clear blue with the promise of a fine day ahead.  They sat opposite each other, Kasey waiting quietly for whatever guidance the Shaman had to offer.  Shallana held out her hands palms up and nodded indicating that Kasey should put her hands in hers.

Kasey took a deep breath and slowly released it before placing her hands palms down into Shallana’s.  Kasey watched as Shallana wrapped her fingers around her own and closed her eyes.  She wanted to ask her what she was doing but didn’t want to sound like an idiot so she kept her questions to herself.

“I feel greatness within you child, it’s no longer dormant but waking, blossoming like the tightly closed bud of the most beautiful flower.  A rose I think… ah yes a red, red rose, your strength and your beauty will serve you well, but as I have said control is what you need to learn.”

Kasey no longer held back she mentally bombarded Shallana with questions, “You say I have many gifts, what are they? What am I exactly?  How can you say I have great strength, how is that possible?” and the questions ran on and on until, “my wound has healed completely, there isn’t a scar or any kind of mark on my skin to show I was ever shot.  Will I always heal like that, or was that because of you?”

Shallana opened her eyes at this; she looked Kasey straight in the eye, “Show me your injury.”

Kasey pulled her hands away from the Shaman and opened the shirt she was wearing.  She had a tank top on underneath so was comfortable in taking the shirt off the side where she’d been shot.  Shallana looked in amazement at where only days ago there had been a gaping wound.  She moved forward and touched the unblemished skin, a look on wonder on her face.

This kind of freaked Kasey out, “What?”  She asked, “is this because of the healing sessions you did with me in the hospital?”

Shallana smiled and reached up to touch Kasey’s cheek, “No Kasey I did not do this, I believe what I did was awaken your own healing properties.  I cannot be certain, but it is more than likely that you will be able to heal yourself from a great many things.  You may even be able to help others heal.”

Shock was written across Kasey’s face, but the Shaman kept smiling, “Be calm child, you have me to help you through this and hopefully your brothers.  You miss him, your eldest brother?  Let us see if you can reach out to him.  He will be in need of your touch a great deal more than you.  He is after all your true Guardian, is he not?”

Kasey nodded silently, she missed Trace, had only just found him again and he was off to find the rest of their family.  She loved Braedon, but that was in a very different way, Trace was her brother, he was part of her, had been part of her her entire life and now that she remembered him, the need to touch in some small way was always there.

She’d noticed how people were at the Compound, they touched as well, at first she’d put it down to being Pack.  But soon realised that it was in their nature, the needed to touch, to connect with each other if not in the physical, then by touching each other’s mind.

They sat quietly while Kasey calmed herself.  Calm she was beginning to realise was her friend and she needed to maintain it if she wanted to be able to utilise her gifts.  Shallana watched as Kasey took several slow breathes, breathing in and out. 

She closed her eyes and sent her thoughts out with and image of Trace, she remained still and when she got a sense of him she honed in.  “Trace?” she tentatively sent out, “I miss you so much.”

She immediately felt warmth engulf her, “I have missed you too my sister.  Did Ewan find his way to you?  He was eager to meet you, but not so much eager to meet your mate,” and he chuckled, “he is a good man, Kasey, closest to you in age, but still a man who will protect his own.”

“I don’t understand Trace, why is Ewan so protective, he doesn’t even know me yet.  Braedon has… is my heart I won’t let him… or anyone else come between us.”

Trace grinned to himself; he knew what Kasey meant she would not let Ewan or anyone else come between her and Braedon, including him.  “Sister you do not need concern yourself with me, I have already accepted your choice of mates.  Your brother is trying to find his place with you, bear with him little one; he has been as lonely for family as you have.”

“Okay Trace, but if he pisses me off, he does so at his own risk.  Have you found the others?”

“Yes, I have met with all but one of our brothers, I am on my way to the meet with Aldrid now and if all goes well you will be united with your family very soon.”

She sent him laughter and warmth and love then left him with a final message, “I miss you Trace, come back to me soon.”

She pulled back slowly not wanting to rush things and when she was ready she opened her eyes and saw the astonishment in the Shaman’s eyes.  She grinned, “It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.”

She turned then as she felt more than heard people rushing towards her.  She got to her feet and held out her hand to Shallana tugging her to her feet as well.  Braedon brought her into his arms a concerned look on his face, “Are you alright kitten?  I felt you moving away from me and I couldn’t touch you.”

“I’m fine Braedon,” she returned and as she looked over his shoulder she realised that he wasn’t the only one who had felt whatever the hell he’d felt.  Ewan rushed up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.  Braedon growled deep in his throat, but Kasey kissed the side of his neck and he calmed.

A moment later not only did Daniel show himself, but Nate and Eli seemed to appear from nowhere as well.  Kasey looked around her and sighed, “So much for no testosterone!” Braedon looked at her and raised a brow, she realised he’d picked up on her thoughts and she indicated the people she was surrounded by. 

He smiled at her and kissed her forehead. “Come, sit and tell us what has taken place.”

Braedon walked to the steps leading off the back porch and sat down pulling her onto his lap.  He waited for Shallana to take a seat then indicated that Kasey should begin explaining what she’d done.

Normally Kasey would have leaned into Braedon for comfort, but with Ewan standing there glaring at him she thought better of it.  She opened her mind to Braedon so that he could feel as well as hear her words.

“I contacted Trace.  She smiled at Braedon, you did ask me to try to remember?”  He nodded but she could feel he wasn’t happy about what she’d done.  Kasey couldn’t help but notice how serious Ewan looked but chose not to worry about it for the time being.

“Like I said I contacted Trace.  It felt good to be able to connect with him; Braedon is that what it’s like for the Pack?  Do they need to touch like that too?”

“Yes kitten, but you are getting off track, please continue.”

“Sorry,” she replied and he kissed the side of her head.  “Like I said I managed to make connect with Trace.  He seemed as relieved as I was to be able to speak with me.  I asked him if he’d found everyone… the other four brothers.  He said yes, but that he was on his way to speak with Aldrid and that if all went well I’d be united with my whole family very soon.”

She looked around and realised that they were somewhat stunned by what she’d been able to do.  “Am I not supposed to be able to talk to him like that?  Brae, he sounded so tired.”

It was Shallana that answered, she looked to Braedon as if asking permission first, when he gave a slight nod she turned to Ewan who did the same.  “Kasey you can speak mind to mind with Braedon right?” Kasey nodded, “you can do the same with other members of the Pack as well, am I right?”

Kasey did not liking how this was starting to sound, “Yes.”

A look of amazement came over Shallana’s face, “You are not yet mated!”

Kasey’s face turned every shade of red imaginable.  She turned her face into Braedon’s shoulder and tried desperately to stop blushing.  “Why is it that everyone can talk about mates and mating like they’re talking about going shopping?  That is something for me at least that is very private and,” she looked over at Ewan, “no one’s business but mine and Braedon’s.”

Braedon stroked her hair, “Kasey, you shouldn’t be able to speak to any of us except perhaps me and since things haven’t been… finalised between us, that contact should be limited as well.  So you can see we are just trying to understand why it is you can not only speak with us here but make contact with someone who is god only knows where.  That is something even a very strong Alpha might struggle with.”

“So, what I’m a freak?”

,“No piped up Ewan, you are Fey.  That is. your Fey side is becoming aware.  It is good that you are here and not in the city, in case you lose control.”

“Control of what?  I can speak mind to mind, I can read a person by touch and well now I can talk long distance and see the future.  What’s to control there?”

“Sister, I do not mean to worry you,” Ewan sighed and knelt down in front of her.  He gently took her hand and kissed it, “You are but a child in the eyes of the Fey, you are just beginning to feel the strength of what your Fey blood has gifted you.”

He saw the frustration on her face, “your gifts, whatever they may be will grow greatly.  Being who and what you are, I cannot say to what extent and you will soon become aware of other gifts, some that may well be dangerous if you don’t learn control.”

“Dangerous?  I don’t want to be a danger to anyone.”

Braedon held her tighter, “Kasey you will not become a danger to anyone, that is why Shallana is here,” he looked to Ewan, “and why it is important that you spend time with your brothers.”

“Agreed!” Ewan said with a smile.  We are the closest in age I’m sure the others will be old fuddie duddies.  We will be fast friends before they arrive and I will help you deal with the arrogance that is the ‘Fey’.” He rolled his eyes and grinned, Kasey burst out laughing and both Braedon and Ewan were relieved.

Braedon stood bringing Kasey to her feet as well, “I will leave you with Shallana and Ewan, I do not want you to be afraid of who you are.  Your gifts are just that kitten, gifts; you will learn to make them your own soon enough.  I have every faith in you.”

He saw resolve in her eyes, he knew she was uncertain, but she was brave and stubborn and between the two they would get her through whatever came her way.  That and the fact that she would have every Pack member at her back should she need it.

“I was on my way to visit Jaz.  Nicolas has been with her throughout the night keeping watch over the boys that were injured yesterday.”  Kasey moved as if to go with him, “No kitten you should stay here and let Shallana and Ewan guide you.  We can visit the children this afternoon and you can see for yourself that they are fine.  No one was seriously injured thanks to your warning.”  Then he kissed her cheek and left, Nate and Eli following him.  Daniel she assumed was nearby and that seemed to comfort her.

Kasey spent most of the morning doing exercises in control and strengthening the gifts she already had.  She spoke mind to mind with Ewan with no difficulty, but she couldn’t read him.  She thought perhaps it was because they were of the same blood, or maybe it was just Were’s and other shifters she could read the way she’d read Braedon and Jacob that first day.

They talked about the gift of foresight and how it would strengthen as she matured.  It was not the type of gift you could force or manipulate.  This gift happened when most needed, so when she saw something she was told that she would need to heed the warning.

As they sat in the kitchen drinking tea and discussing these things a thought came to her, “Ewan, what you did, I mean the way you appeared to me us… will I be able to do that?”

“It’s possible.  You will be capable of much more than any of us, so I can’t see why not.  Would you like to try?”

She nodded and stood up.  Shallana wasn’t so sure they should attempt this as yet, she was still young and not yet come fully into her gifts, but Ewan pulled her back outside and soon all three of them were standing in the middle of the garden again.

“I think the trick is to believe you can do this, Shallana would you mind moving to the front of the house and we will see if Kasey can show herself there.”

Shallana didn’t like it, but she did as asked.  She looked back over her shoulder and they were both smiling, which should have made her feel better about this but didn’t.  She wondered how far away her Guardian was, she’d assumed that Braedon had assigned someone to watch over Kasey when he wasn’t there.

“Alright then, I want you to close your eyes and focus on the front of the house.  You need to picture yourself there first in spirit so you aren’t pushing yourself too hard.  Okay now don’t force it, let the image flow.  You know that the Shaman is there and you wish to appear before her.  Breathe in slowly and as you push each breath out move your inner self to the front of the house.”

Kasey listened to what Ewan said, she calmed herself and did the breathing thing as he said but had no luck.  “You want this too much sister, as I said let it flow and it will happen.”

Once more Kasey tried, she closed her eyes and thought of Shallana, she imagined being with her and reached out a hand as if to touch her.  She opened her eyes and almost jumped out of her skin!  She’d done it, she was now standing in front of a very shocked Shallana, in a very  non-corporeal form yes, but she was there.

“Maman, can you hear me?”  A nod from the Shaman kicked Kasey up a notch, “this is cool, I wonder if I can find Braedon…”

She was cut off by Shallana, “No child, we have done enough for one day, return to your body and we will speak.”

The look on Shallana’s face told Kasey to do exactly as she’d been told and she closed her eyes and slowly pulled herself back to her body.  By the time she had finished Shallana was with them again.  Kasey opened her eyes just as her knees gave way; Ewan caught her and carried her into the living room placing her on the couch.

Kasey shook her head, “What happened?”

“We let you do too much too soon and you have exhausted your energy.  Rest and I will bring you a snack to keep you going, but I’d suggest you eat a big lunch.  Ewan stay with her, I will be but a minute.”

Ewan took her hand, “She’s right you know, I think we both got carried away,” he sighed, “she’s right about the energy thing too,” then he laughed, “you think a Were can put it away, just wait until you have come fully into your gifts and run low of energy.”  He grinned at her then, making her feel a little better.

When Shallana returned she handed Kasey a plate with a slice of chocolate cake and put a glass of milk on the coffee table.  “Yum!” she said and tucked in.  She hadn’t realised it but she really was hungry and the cake was delicious.

“You stopped when I told you to do so, that is a good thing child.  You have so much yet to learn, some will come quickly to you, but what you just did.  You will need to perfect this a little at a time.  You were drained by what you did, so we now know to got a little slower with this.  But you must promise me that if I say no, or if I say stop, that you will do so without argument.  If you cannot promise me this there is no point in my being here.”

She waited quietly for Kasey to respond.  Ewan handed her the glass of milk so she could wash down the cake she’d just swallowed then, “Maman I trust your judgement, you helped me heal and have been honest with me from the moment we met, so yes I promise I will do as you say,” she smiled at her, “no arguments!”

They spent the rest of the morning getting to know each other, Shallana was fairly knowledgeable regarding the Fey, and Ewan was willing to share what he could.  By lunch time they were ready for a break, but as they headed for the main house and lunch Kasey suggested they go watch Jacob as she could sense that he was sparring with one of the guys.

On the way they ran into Talea who was looking for Jacob, Kasey didn’t think he’d want her watching him fight, “Hey Talea, why don’t you head up to the main house and see if Gilbert needs any help.  Jacob will be there for lunch and you can sit next to him okay.”

Talea sighed, “Okay, but can you please tell him to hurry,” then she turned and ran off towards the main house and Gilbert.

They sat on the benches provided and watched as Jacob and Eli sparred.  Both fought well and it looked like it would be a good fight, they were working with knives and both had several scratches from each other’s blades, so there was a small amount of blood on their arms and chest.

Kasey didn’t like violence, but knew she had to get her head around how the Pack ran, and protection and fighting to keep their own safe was of the greatest importance.  She watched the moves each man made, not just with their weapons, but the way they moved.  Jacob had the upper hand when Talea came running into the sparring area.

Everything happened so quickly, Jacob saw her, “Tally get down!” He shouted, as Eli’s knife came flying through the air at him.  It was a shot he would have easily have avoided had he not been distracted, but right then it was headed for his heart.

Kasey didn’t have time to think she reacted; she rose to her feet and flung her hand out as if to knock the knife away from Jacob.  It worked too, not only did Eli’s knife go flying sideways away from everyone, but all the weapons they were carrying did as well.

She ran to Jacob who was on his knees in front of Talea running his hands over her body to make sure she wasn’t injured. “Tally are you alright, please just tell me you are fine?” 

He kept repeating this over and over until Kasey put her hand on his shoulder.  He looked up at her and moved back from his little Tally, his heart still in his throat out of fear for her safety.

Kasey looked around her, everyone was looking to her and it dawned on her, she was the authority figure here, she was for all intense and purposes the female Alpha.  It was up to her to take charge… whether she wanted to or not.

She took a breath and released it slowly, she looked down at Jacob who still had hold of Talea, “Jacob get up,” he got to his feet and waited not sure of what Kasey would do or say next.

“Talea, you were told to go to the main house and see if Gilbert needed any help.  Why did you come here, I’m sure Jacob would have explained to you that didn’t want you in harm’s way?”

She waited, as did everyone else, “I just wanted to see Jacob,” she all but whispered, “I missed him.”

Kasey could see Jacob wanted to pick her up and tell her all was forgiven, but she cut him off, “What you did was wrong Talea, for several reasons.   You will go home and stay there for the next two days.  You will not see Jacob or any of your friends, you are to stay in your room and think about what you did.  The next time I see you, you will explain to me not only why it was wrong but why you are being punished.”

Talea’s bottom lip began to quiver and tears ran down her face, Kasey wanted so much to just hold her and let her know she was cared for, but she knew in her heart what she was doing was the right.  “Nate, will please take Talea home and explain to her parents what happened.  If they want to speak to me about it, I’ll gladly come see them.”  Nate nodded and bent to pick Talea up, “Nate, Talea got here on her own two feet, I’m sure she can return home the same way.”

Nate took her hand and Kasey turned to Jacob ignoring the sobs she heard from Talea as she was led away.  “Jacob are you okay?”

“Yes.” was all he could seem to get out, then she punched him in the arm as hard as she could.  “Ouch!” he replied feigning pain.

Kasey glared at him, “You scared the hell out of me… and Talea…” she shook her head, “No more Jacob, no more.”

The look on Jacob’s face was one of fear and helplessness, “She is my…”

“She is your heart I know, but geez Jacob she’s a child, a little girl who’s got you wrapped around her fingers.”

He opened his mouth as if to speak but couldn’t find the worlds.  He ran his fingers through his hair and Kasey could see he was struggling to keep it together.  Then she did the only thing she could do, she threw her arms around his waist and held him tight, “We are so gonna have a talk about her later.”

Jacob let go a painful kind of laugh and held her just as tight, “You know your mate is not going to like that I am holding you in my arms?”

She thumped him and laughed before she stepped back from him, she turned to Eli, “Are you alright?”

Eli was surprised that she’d asked, no one had asked after him in such a way since he was a child.  “I am fine Alpha,” he replied and grinned when Kasey screwed her nose up at what he’d called her.

“So,” began Ewan, “how about we go get some lunch and give you both a chance to calm down?”  They all agreed and were soon on their way to the main house and the BBQ lunch that Gilbert had been working on all morning.

When they got to the house they went around back where the BBQ had been set up.  Braedon was there and opened his arms welcoming her; she walked into them and felt like she was truly home.  He looked at Jacob and then at Kasey questioningly.

“Later Braedon okay, right now just hold me.  The two of us have a great deal to discuss and then I need to help Jacob learn how to deal with his own little mate.”

“When did you realise?”

Kasey sighed, “I think I knew right off, but because she’s a little girl my head wouldn’t believe it you know?”  She reached up and gave him a kiss on the lips, soft and gentle and full of promise.  Then they joined the others and Kasey discovered the true meaning of BBQ, as she’d never tasted anything quite like what Gilbert had cooked.