Chapter 26

Kasey caught Braedon on his way out, he was on his way to see Nicolas about a security matter and also to make sure that things were organised for when the rest of Kasey’s brothers arrived.  She ran and jumped into his arms not caring who might see her act like a school girl in love.  Braedon caught her, wrapping his arms around her and swung her around in a circle.

Then he held her close kissing her cheeks and her lips before setting her feet back on the ground, “How was your meeting kitten, your smiling so that is a good sign?”

Kasey grinned up at him, “Actually the meeting was great!  I got on really well with the Elders,” she smiled at him and he waited knowing she had more to say.

“We talked about Jake and Tally, they all agreed with what I had to say.  Did you know they used to separate unmated couples when one was a kid?”  She looked at him in horror. “We are not gonna do that anymore!  Okay?”

“Okay kitten, now what else did you decide?”

“I told them I’ve been spending time with Talea and that I’ll keep on doing that.  She’s starting to open with me and she’s going to need someone she trusts to talk about… stuff,” she leaned into him and he held her close, “she’s been in a lot of pain Braedon… I umm… I know what’s she’s been going through at least partly and I want to be there for her.”

Braedon looked down at his little mate and kissed her nose, “Every day kitten you show me another reason why I love you.  I know you have gone through a great deal since we first met and I realise that some of it has been uncomfortable and more recently somewhat painful. Talea is lucky to have you as a friend.”

Kasey looked up at him but turned abruptly looking to the middle of the open area not too far from the main house.  Braedon felt her tense and in the next few moments several things happened.  He saw Ewan and Shallana moving towards them coming from where her cottage is, Jacob handed Talea to Gilbert indicating he should take her inside before he too moved towards them and all the Pack Enforcers appearing out of nowhere to surround them both, Nicolas in the lead.

Kasey looked back at him and saw everyone, “Good,” she began.  She took Braedon’s hand and moved a couple of steps forward.  Braedon pulled her to him tucking her under his arm and she smiled up at him.  The look in his eyes said it all and she called, “Trace!” then they looked to the middle of the open area and waited.

Kasey saw the shimmering first and smiled when she saw a familiar face, “Hey Trace, I have missed you so much brother mine!”  She moved as if to go to him but Braedon held her back. 

Trace noticed and nodded in acknowledgement.  “Sister, I would not come to you without first giving you and ‘our’ Pack notice.”  There was glint in his eyes and Braedon nodded slightly letting him know he’d heard what he meant. 

“I ask permission of my Alpha to bring your kin before you so that they may greet you as their sister.”  He looked first to Kasey then Braedon and waited.

Braedon tightened his grip on his mate and nodded, “It would be an honour to finally meet my mates’ kin.  You have my permission to bring them forward.”

Trace bowed his head slightly and looked over his shoulder.  When he looked back not only did he become corporeal but others began to shimmer behind him before they too became whole.

There was an audible gasp and Kasey’s grip tightened on Braedon’s arm.  Her eyes almost popped out of her head in surprise as she stood staring at her five brothers.  Trace moved forward and that was enough, she let go Braedon and ran to him throwing her arms around him and holding him as close as and as tightly as she could.

Trace kissed the top of her head and held her just as tightly, “Sister mine, it is so good to be with you again!” 

For a moment, a minute what seemed like forever to Braedon, Trace and Kasey held each other.  When they broke the hold on each other he watched as Trace wiped away his mates’ tears.  He took a breath then moved forward holding out his hand to Trace and they shook hands as only men with a common goal would.

“Trace, it is good to have you with us again, Kasey has missed you immensely.”

“As I too have missed her.  Come, meet the rest of the family,” and with Kasey wedged firmly between them both they approached the five men that had appeared behind Trace. 

Ewan moved up beside them as well wanting to be part of this, wanting to be introduced to his other siblings. He nodded to Trace and waited.

Trace took a step forward and nodded to a tall well built man who nodded in return, he seemed somehow familiar to Kasey, but then they were family… blood, so he would.  The man lifted his head, his eyes never leaving Kasey.

“I am Aldrid,” he began, “I am your second brother, I was unsure of what Trace told me… until now.” Then he smiled and moved forward taking her hand and kissing it.

“I am Caton,” the next one said and kissed her hand as Aldrid had.  Then came Kellen and Callum both doing the same.

Then Ewan came to her side, “Kasey and I have already met. I am Ewan, the youngest of her brothers.”

The five standing before him nodded in acknowledgement and for a moment no one seemed to know what to do next.  Kasey took a deep breath, “It’s wonderful to finally meet you all.  A few weeks ago I thought I was all alone and now I have six big brothers… and a mate!” she said smiling happily.

She noted their reaction to the word ‘mate’ but ignored it.  This was her life, Braedon was to be her mate and she didn’t give a rat’s arse what they thought of it.  This was her decision!  She turned to Braedon and he came up to her holding her close to him.  She introduced him to the brothers she’d just met and he smiled warily and offered his hand to each of them.

There was a moment when Braedon wasn’t sure if they would offer their hands in turn, but it passed and they all shook hands one after the other.  Braedon turned to his Enforcers and they moved forward, so they too could be introduced Nicolas and Jacob at the forefront. Then Shallana sidled up to Ewan and elbowed him in the rib.

Ewan looked at her and apologised, “Excuse me for my rudeness Shallana, I would have you meet my siblings, Trace, Aldrid, Caton, Kellen and Callum I would like you to meet Shallana, she is the Shaman that has been helping our sister understand her gifts.

They nodded in turn and she smiled at them all, “Oh my this looks like I will have a great deal of teaching and learning to do for a while.” Then she turned and headed for the main house assuming all would end up there.  She was right too because no sooner had she left than Braedon invited them to join him and Kasey in their home to get better acquainted.

Gilbert had called for someone to escort Talea home and she promised to stay away until Jacob or Kasey said it was alright to visit again. Then he got organised making coffee and filling platters with cakes and slices for the multitude of people that were soon to enter his Alpha’s home.

Braedon could sense his little mate’s tension and did his best to send out calming thoughts, but he too wasn’t feeling as calm as he should be.  When they got to the house Nicolas stood back waiting for Kasey, Braedon, Jacob and all her brothers to enter the front door.  He then turned to the Enforcers, none of which wanted to leave both their Alpha’s alone with these men.

Daniel, Eli and Nate inside with me and take positions around the room. The rest of you stay close but out of sight,” then he turned and entered the house with the three men behind him.  Nicolas knew the others would remain close and keep watch over all in the house; he sighed and walked into the living room to take his place by his Alpha’s side.

As he entered the room he saw Gilbert serving coffee and Kasey was trying to place a huge platter of cakes on the coffee table.  He moved forward and grabbed the tray as he could see that Kasey didn’t have it balanced correctly and he wanted to prevent it falling on the floor or perhaps someone’s lap.

Aldrid saw Nicolas move towards her and stood as if to take him to task, but Kasey grinned and moved towards Nicolas so he could take hold of the platter.  This didn’t ease Aldrid’s sense of rightness though and he turned to Braedon a scowl on his face, “You would have our sister work as is though she were a servant?”

The arrogance that showed in his face was evident and Braedon pulled Kasey to his side forcing himself to smile at him, “You speak as though you know my ‘mate’ as if you have knowledge of who she is and what her life has been up till now,” he leant down and kissed her on the forehead letting her know he was not going to lose his temper.

“When I first met your sister she was not only serving me, she was serving a great many people and doing it well.”  Kasey wrapped her arm around his waist and held him as tight as she could.  “The second time I met her she was serving in a bar!”  He stopped and waited for this to sink in, “Kasey has always been an independent woman, one who is not afraid of hard work.  If it pleases her to help Gilbert in the kitchen at times, then so be it.”

Kasey looked up at this man who had turned her world upside down, this Alpha who would fight any and all to protect her, this man who was trying so very hard to remain calm and not get her siblings off side.  She reached up not caring who was in the room and kissed him on the lips, ever so softly at first then with more strength behind it. 

It wasn’t much, but it was her way of saying she loved him for what he was doing, then she turned and looked at each of her brothers finishing with Aldrid.  “Braedon is the Pack Alpha, well respected by all Were’s not only in this state, but in this country.  He is also my mate and as such you will treat him with the respect he has earned both as an Alpha and as my mate!”

Aldrid moved as if to take hold of her and tell her what he believed was appropriate, but Kasey put up her hand to stop him, “You say you are my brothers and you look down at what I call my home, ‘my family’.  You have no right, none of you to show up after all this time and try to tell me what I should and shouldn’t do.  Braedon is my heart, my mate and I will not have any of you say a bad word about him.”

Kasey caught her breath trying to control her emotions; the last thing she wanted was to burst into tears in front of all these men.  She took a deep breath and slowly released it repeating the process several times before continuing. 

“This is my home!  The only real home I have ever had, with the only man I have ever loved.  He is my choice so don’t even consider trying to prevent us being together.  He has prevented us completing the mating process because he wanted your blessing, but I’m telling you all right here and now that he don’t need your blessing!  All he needs is my agreement and he’s had that for some time.”

Braedon turned Kasey toward him, “Kitten, they are still your family and I would have their blessing.  I want them to be part of your life and without their agreement that won’t happen.  They have only just met me love and if I were them… I’d want to make damn sure that the man that was to mate with you was everything I believed you deserved.”

She moved closer putting her face against his chest knowing she was about to lose control, then Trace and Ewan stepped forward and rested a hand on each of her shoulders.  Kasey turned and they pulled her to them holding her as only loving brothers could.

It was Trace who spoke first, “As the eldest of your brothers I would make the final decision as to who you should wed.  I have watched you over the years my Lady, my sister and I have seen the hurt and the emptiness you have tried to hide.  I have also seen the longing in your eyes and in your heart when you looked upon couples who had the one thing you wished for yourself… each other.

I have seen firsthand the way your Alpha has watched over you, the way he looks at you with nothing but love and concern for your safety.  I have also sensed how you are affected when he is away from you.  Neither of you would now survive without the other.  You are true mates my sister and no one will prevent you from having the happiness you will only ever find with together.”

Trace turned then to his brothers, “Kasey has earned the right to choose her mate and she has chosen well.  If you wish to earn a place in her life and in her heart, then I suggest you all think long and hard before voicing any protest!”

He turned back to Kasey and Braedon, “You have my blessing Alpha.  I ask only that you agree to a wedding ceremony as I know Kasey’s mother would want this for her.”

Before Braedon could answer Ewan spoke, “I too have seen you with my sister, as the youngest sibling I have little influence, but for what it’s worth you have my blessing also.” Then he grinned a grin that lit up his entire face, “I want to be involved in your life little sister and I want to be around when you have babies… or pups,” and he laughed when Kasey thumped him on the arm.

“In my defence I have little knowledge of Were’s.  I have been deprived of so much of your life Kasey and I don’t intend to miss any more than is necessary.”

Kasey moved back to Braedon’s side needing his closeness.  She looked at the rest of her brothers, Aldrid, Caton, Kellen and Callum.  Aldrid still wore a scowl on his face and the others seemed a little uncomfortable.

Kellen took a step forward, “We have only just found you Kasey, it is difficult to hand you over to someone we don’t know.  We want the best for you and from what you have said, your Alpha is that, but it will take time for us to see him as those who already know him do.  I will not prevent you from being with the man you love sister, but understand that it will take us all time to accept him.”

Braedon saw Kasey’s bottom lip quiver and spoke up, “Thank you for your honesty Kellen.  Kasey and I will decide what will happen between us from here on in, but…” and here he looked to Kasey, “nothing will happen until after the wedding ceremony if that suits you kitten?”

Kasey couldn’t find her voice so nodded her agreement.  She realised this was the closest she was going to get to having everyone of her brothers agree to her being mated to Braedon and for now it would have to be enough.

“Right then,” said Kellen, “now that we have that settled,” and here he looked at this brother, “we have other matters to discuss, Fey matters I believe.”

Everyone took their seats again and Braedon pulled Kasey onto his lap not caring what her brothers might think, then he turned to Trace, “You have the floor my friend, you know this man…” and he looked at Kasey then at each of her brothers, “your Sire and we will be depending on your knowledge to keep Kasey safely out of his hands.”

Trace sat forward on his seat resting his arms on his thighs, “Yes, I have known our Sire for a great many years.  I have seen the kind of man he is, the way he has treated his woman and how he has neglected his children, but he is much more than that. 

He may not be High Fey, but he is high enough and he wields great power.  He is persuasive; charismatic which I believe is also part of his gifts. I have watched him over the years and seen the contempt he has for those he believes lower than he is.  He is stubborn and patient and if he wants something he will bide his time until he is able to obtain it.”

Kasey began to shiver in Braedon’s arms so he pulled her closer rubbing a hand up and down her arm to let her know she was safe.  His need to keep her safe was high and he’d do whatever it took to keep her with him.

“How do we deal with him Trace?”

“We have a few things in our favour Alpha; he doesn’t know we have brought the family together.  His sons are of little interest to him, so he will not have considered that they may have sought out each other.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, “Kasey is his last chance, he will not be given leave to procreate outside of his own kind again.  Once he discovers his seventh child is female he will do whatever he can to take her from us all. 

She is half Fey, therefore entitled to be part of the Fey world, she will also be seen as his heir and would inherit any and all of his wealth.  This is another reason he would wish to bind her to him. 

Once word gets out, others may try to obtain Kasey in an effort to one day take control of what would rightfully be hers.  The Fey can be exceedingly greedy and wealth is power in their eyes.  But for now we need to concentrate on him… Aemundun Tarendarran Gerrunderry of Taelforn, he is most often called Taren.”

Shallana spoke up then, “There are two ways to prevent him from taking Kasey, you may not like either option but they should be considered.” She waited for her words to be digested before continuing never taking her eyes off Braedon.

“He would believe her to be his and his alone, he would never contemplate that she would be with anyone other than him, his ego would prevent this.  As we already know if you complete the mating he will more than likely reject her, because the fact that she mated with a Were would disgust him.”

She took Kasey’s hand as she said this giving it a squeeze.  “He would see Kasey as being soiled and therefore not good enough to be with him.” 

Kasey wasn’t sure if she should laugh or cry, she shook her head and laughed, “Okay that’s one option Maman, what’s the other?” out of the corner of her eye Kasey saw Aldrid stiffen at what she called the Shaman, but she ignored him telling herself that so long as the Shaman was happy with it then that was all that counted.  She nodded and Shallana continued, “the other option is not one but two,” she lowered her eyes nervously and seemed to be trying to find the right words.

Kasey wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what was coming next but she had no choice, she needed to know what to do to protect herself so she sat up straight on her mates lap and looked the Shaman square in the eye, a look of what she hoped was acceptance on her face.

When Shallana looked up she smiled at Kasey then turned to Braedon, “Your mate is half human, which gives you two choices.  You make her Pack… or you turn her!”