Chapter 132: Chapter 26

COLE

Lexi fidgets with her fingers as she takes a seat in my parents’ study. Dad is on the computer and Mom has tea poured at her table. They’re dressed comfortably, which I hope will help Lexi feel more at ease.

“Good morning, Alexis. My name is Haley and this is my mate Virgil,” Mom says.

Lexi awkwardly bows her head. “Your majesties.”

“Oh Goddess, please don’t call us that.” My mom shudders dramatically. “Would you like some tea, Lexi? The herbs are all grown in our territory by Virgil’s brother Dave.”

“Y-yes. Thank you,” Lexi softly answers.

Mom hands her a cup. Lexi takes a sip and minutely relaxes. Apparently, Mom is drinking Dave’s special blend.

~Her mind is racing so fast I can barely keep up~, my mother tells me.

~Mom.~

~What? She’s intimidated, scared, and doesn’t quite have a grasp about what’s going on. At least you told her about me.~

“You don’t need to be nervous. We’re just Cole’s parents, no big deal,” Mom tells her before taking a sip of tea.

“I, I’m sorry,” Lexi replies, not quite knowing what to say. She continues to sip her tea.

“Goddess, this is ridiculous,” my dad mumbles. He stands from his chair to kneel on the floor in front of Lexi. “Lexi, listen. You don’t need to be so worried about meeting us. We’re just regular people. Yeah, I’m labeled the king and my mate is the Oracle, but that’s just our titles. We were orphans. We grew up in a camp living off of the land and a single spigot. We used to wash our hair in a bucket and sleep on yoga mats we found in the dumpster. The lucky ones had tents. We’re just regular people like you and your brother.”

Lexi looks around the room. “I would never guess.”

“My Auntie, the previous Oracle, left me her entire life. She was in her late 280’s. Virgil and I had to study every single one of those books.” My mom grunts and rolls her eyes.

Dad sits back onto his butt in front of Mom’s legs. She absentmindedly begins running her fingers through his hair. “Now that that’s out of the way, the whole meeting the in-laws thing isn’t really a big deal for our kind. We’re very family-oriented but once someone finds their mate, that’s it. No mother-in-law interference. You do your thing with your mate. That’s how it works.”

I lace my fingers through Lexi’s. She side glances at me then looks back to my parents.

“However, it’s a little different with Cole.”

~Mom. Let me tell her about Dara.~ Mom grunts and rolls her eyes.

“What do you mean?” Lexi asks. “Is it because he’s a prince? Do I have to pass some test?”

Mom waves her hand. “Oh, Goddess no, nothing like that.”

“Goddess, with the titles again,” Dad mumbles as he gets up from the ground. He kisses my mom, a little too long for the meeting we’re having. I groan and Dad looks back at me with his brow cocked.

~What?~ I ask him.

~It’s a good thing you weren’t in here 30 minutes ago,~ he links me.

~Okay, definitely going to puke.~

Mom rolls her eyes again. “Really, Cole? You’re an adult. Get over it.” She looks back to Lexi. “We have a family link, we can talk to each other through the link. All families do up to a certain distance,” she answers Lexi’s unspoken question. “My 25-year-old son is grossed out by the idea of his mommy and daddy having sex.”

Lexi cracks up. “Virgil is a damned good kisser.”

“Ah, come on, Mom!” Goddess, just kill me now. Lexi is still laughing.

“I hope he lightens up once he’s no longer a virgin,” Dad comments while typing away on his keyboard, and I pray for the Goddess to just bury me now in a pile of rubble.

Lexi stops laughing to look at me with so much awe. I know I’m blushing.

“You’re a virgin, Cole?”

I rub a hand down my face in an attempt to get the blood to move out of it. I just know I’m beet red.

“It’s actually quite common for our kind. Most of us wait for their mate. There are some that don’t really care, but the mate bond is a powerful thing,” Mom informs Lexi.

Lexi tightens her grasp and softly smiles up at me. “Anyway. Lexi. You are a werewolf. Your wolf is the mate to Cole’s wolf.”

“But… I’m not a wolf. I’m, I’m human.”

“Oh no, my dear. You are most definitely a wolf, but your wolf is repressed. Basically she’s sleeping, waiting to be awakened. I can faintly see your thread, but it is there. Virgil is able to manipulate the threads, but he is unable to get a grasp on yours,” Mom explains.

Lexi scrunches her brows. “Basically she means we can’t do anything to wake up your wolf. Cole will have to figure this one out,” Dad surmises.

~I already knew this from when the Goddess visited me.~

~Wow, thanks for the heads up on that one. You spoke to the Goddess and didn’t think to tell us? You know what’s going on and forgot to mention anything?~ Mom grunts and gives me her mom glare.

~I’ve been busy.~

~It’s a good thing you’ve made some time for us little people, we would never know you were visited by the Moon Goddess! What else did she tell you? Did she say why you have two mates and how one is a human and one is a fucking Starlight Sister?~ Mom is getting more and more agitated.

~Language, my moon flower. Cole, do you happen to know why your power is different?~ Ugh, I hate it when they team up on me.

~Yes, she told me why I have two mates. She also gifted me and gave me a new calling. According to Aunt Realta, I’m the destroyer.~

My parents look to each other in complete surprise, maybe even shock. Dad gets up from the desk and heads to their collection of tomes, books, and manuscripts.

“Are, are you guys talking with your minds again? Cole, your grip is a little tight,” Lexi says.

I let go of Lexi’s hand. “Sorry. Yes, we were linking. My mom gets frustrated when she doesn’t know something. Since she’s the Oracle, she’s not used to being kept in the dark. She can’t see me nor my sisters, so I was catching them up on what’s been going on with me.”

Lexi turns to my mom. “Do you know all about me?”

Mom shakes her head. “I didn’t at first. It’s a long story, but basically, Cole spoke with Rosalie. She told him about you because she had her suspicions.”

“When we found out you’re Ethan’s sister, it was much easier to find you. I just followed your family link. Your dad is a good guy, by the way.”

Mom raises her hand to stop Lexi from speaking. “I know you have your issues with him, but you don’t have his side of the story. I can show you if you doubt me.”

“This is actually fun for me. I’m not used to anyone doubting me. You and Ethan both need to pay me a visit.”

Lexi is left dumbfounded. “Anyway. Cole had to find you because that’s what he does, or did.”

She shoots me a slight glare. “We help those that are lost. It was quite coincidental that you ended up being his mate.”

“You were looking for me?” she asks, and I nod.

“Like my mom said, I didn’t expect you to be my mate, but you won’t hear any complaints from me.”

~Does Dara know about this whole situation?~ Mom asks.

~Of course she does. It affects her too.~

I continue speaking to Lexi. “We have a lot to talk about. Let’s go get breakfast, then I’ll show you around and get you unpacked.”

I stand up and pull her with me.

Dad hands me a smaller but incredibly dated tome. ~Once you have Lexi settled in, let me know and we can go visit the dungeons.~

I tuck the tome under my arm. I can pretty well guess what this one covers. I’ve had to read so many of these tomes, but this one is new to me. ~Yes sir.~

“It was nice meeting you both,” Lexi tells my parents.

“Weird works too,” my mom corrects as we leave the study.

I shake my head then close the door. Thank the Goddess she can’t hear my thoughts right now.

Once we’re outside, Lexi stops in front of the spigot. It’s surrounded by flowers to make it look like a decoration inside of the circular paved driveway.

“Is this the spigot your dad mentioned?”

I nod. “Yep. It still works and it’s freezing cold, even in the summer.”

“I couldn’t imagine having to use a bucket to keep clean. Your parents seem very nice.”

“They are.”

“You look a lot like your dad. Where did you get your eyes, though? Your parents have darker eyes.”

“My sisters take after my mom, but they both have brown eyes. I have no clue where mine come from, but they’ve always been light.”

I take Lexi’s hand and lead her to my truck.

“Do your sisters live here?”

“No. They’re Lunas in two other packs. Angie is in the Ramirez pack and Ellie is in the Redd pack. I’ll introduce you to them. I have to go to Angie’s pack soon anyway. I won’t be able to take you with me when I go to other packs. It’s too dangerous for you.”

“Why is it dangerous?” she asks as I open the door for her.

“Because of my new job. I’m going to be making some enemies. I don’t want you near anyone that might hold a grudge and thinks to use you to get to me. Also, you’re not a fighter.”

I kiss her cheek then close her door.

I hop in my truck then hold Lexi’s hand.

“Ready to see your place?”