Chapter 16: Chapter 16

“Cub?”

I looked upon from the book I was reading. I had settled myself in my favorite window, curled up

with one of the many books in Morgan's library. Kai and I had been having a serious discussion

about the main character being an idiot when Morgan had come in.

“Maybe you should talk to him.”

My eyes narrowed as I watched him walk over to me. After I had told Morgan what had happened,

and my fears about the whole situation, he had dropped the subject. He knew I would be dealing

with it in my own way and never one to pry. Which is why it made this all the more surprising. He

sat down on the sill with me and took my hand from the book and held it.

“They've been showing up every night at the entrance. Asking to speak with you.” Morgan squeezed

my hand.

I looked down at the book in my lap and chewed on my lip. Morgan put his hand under my chin

and made me look up at him. At my request, he was keeping them out of the club.

“Auri, you have a strength that most don’t see because all they see either is your pretty face, sexy

body, or your scars. You need to show people your strength. There will always be those people that

don't look past that, princess. But you can show them that you are more. You need to stand up to

them. Because I know you would make the best Luna and I would be remiss if you stayed hiding in

your tower because someone thought you were less than what you are. I know I didn't raise my little

cub to run away.”

I looked at Morgan. He had a sad smile on his face and after I didn't reply for a few minutes Morgan

got up. As he walked away, I called to him.

“Morgan, you can let them in tonight. Give them one of the lounges in the corner.” I smiled at him

and nodded.

“Consider it done, Princess.” Morgan walked out of the suite, closing the door behind him.

I set my book down and sat with my back against the window. My mind flashed to Logan in his

office, towering over me, drowning me in his Alpha aura. I thought of the Elder who spit at me and

literally threw me away. What would Logan say? Would he just be mad I left? That I didn't fall in

place as the Luna he wanted? His anger scared me, thinking of it being directed at me. But his

rejection scared me more. I took a couple deep breaths, trying to think what I would say. How I

would face him. I started to have a panic attack.

“Breathe Auri, our mate would never hurt us.’ Kai tried to help me feel better but I was already

seeing spots in my vision.

Suddenly, arms encompassed me. Max was holding me tight.

“Breathe princess. Breathe.” He was holding me from shaking and I buried my face in his chest.

After a few moments of being in his arms, I pushed away and looked up at him, teary-eyed. He

smiled and wiped the tears from my eyes.

“Princess, we will always protect you. If we deem them a threat, we will take care of it. No matter

what. You don't need to worry. And if you don't want to go with them, you don't need to. Morgan

and I will take care of it. You know that."

I nodded and took another couple of deep breaths. I looked down at the set list he brought. I

looked over the songs and shook my head.

“I don't want these.” I looked at Max. “I want him to forget his anger. Forget my weakness and my

inadequacy. Forget everything but me.”

Max smiled. “You want to do the Red setlist? We haven't done it in a while.” I nodded and he

chuckled. “Remind me not to get in the way of what you want. Ever.”

Max picked up the setlist and bounded out of the room. As he left, he yelled down the hall;

“Morgan, we have a Code Red on our hands. Code Black and Red.”

“DID YOU SAY A CODE BLACK AND RED?!" Morgan screeched from somewhere in the club.

"YUP!" Max slammed the door and I chuckled looking out over the city.

'I like when you take matters into your own hands.’ Kia chuckled.

I sighed. 'l mean, it's better than fearing his rage right? I can't do anything about that.’

'He won't hurt us, Auri."

I shook my head and looked at the time. “There are more ways than just physically to hurt someone

Kai. You should know that considering what we have been through. I rolled my eyes. Plus, you just

want to talk to Cato again.’

'So sue me. I miss our mate. It's in our DNA, Auri. What am I supposed to do? It's been hard these

past couple days.’

'I know Kai, I know.

I walked over to the closet and opened it up.These dresses were my performing dresses for different

occasions. Usually depended on the setlist and the mood we wanted to set in the club.

You know, the black silk one is really nice. Shows some skin and hugs the curves.

I chuckled and pulled out the black silk dress. It had been a while since I wore it. Holding it up to me

and I looked at it in the mirror.

'Will it be enough you think?

Kai chuckled. “The question is will it be too much, not if it will be too much.’

“Maybe we should do a change mid-set list too."

'You're trying to kill him, aren't you?"

I shrugged and pulled out the satin red dress as well. Taking them down stairs, I hung them up in

the little side room we had for dress changes. It was shared by everyone who was singing that night

if they were changing for different songs or during intermission but I didn't mind. Everyone here

was a family. Max was at the piano and I could hear him fiddling with a few cords

“That sounds terrible.”

"Oh hush you. I've been working on this personal arrangement before your great grandfathers were

born.”

I rolled my eyes as I sat down on the piano bench with him. “And you still haven't finished it? What's

it gonna take? Another 500 years?” I looked at Morgan who was helping Chris carry in some boxes

of alcohol. “Poor Morgan will die of a broken heart over 1000 years old never hearing it finished.”

"You're assuming Max lives that long. Sometimes I feel like I'll murder him myself.”

I mocked shock. “Papa, you wouldn't kill my best friend!”

Morgan laughed. “I'll get you a new one.”

“I'm hurt! I'm irreplaceable!”

"You are irresponsible, irritating, and irregular but not irreplaceable, Max.” Morgan called back.

I chuckled. “You forgot irresistible.”

Max laughed whole heartedly and ruffled my hair. “That's my princess. Always sticking up for me.”

I put my hands up onto the piano keys and played a couple cords with his. “That's cause your

incorrigible.”

Morgan snorted and Chris laughed behind the bar. Max made a face and I shouldered him gently.

He shouldered me back, almost booting me off the bench.

“Shit, Max!"

He laughed. “This old man needs his space.”

“Fine! You can play tonight by yourself. I'm not gonna sing.”

"Wait! Wait! I'm sorry, I am! I need your voice! You are my muse. Please princess. Forgive this old

man. He knows not when to stop.”

I smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “Fine. But thats the last time!"

“You said that last time."

“And the time before that.”

Morgan and Chris chimed in, making me laugh. I stood up, and put my chin in the air.

“I could kill you all if I wanted. Take over the empire. No one would blink an eye.”

“Please, you don't even want to have the responsibility of the club. You couldnt handle my empire.”

Morgan put his hand on his hip. “Let alone even get scratch on me.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Is that a challenge Papa?”

He put his hands up. “No dear. Just pointing out facts.”

I huffed. Morgan would never spar with me. Max would and even Chris would sometimes join in but

Morgan always watched and critiqued but never joined.

“That knee really must be bothering you. Or is it the back this time?”

Max snickered.

“If you have that much sass, why don’t you take that sassy ass of yours upstairs and make dinner for

everyone before the club opens.” Morgan walked over to the stage.

He glared at me and I glared back, but we couldn't hold it long and we both smiled. I jumped off

the stage into his arms. Morgan caught me easily and plopped me down on my feet. He leaned

forward and put a hand on his back.

"Oh my back, my poor back.”

We all laughed. Even though my heart hurt, even though there was always the tug and pain of the

mate bond, my family never failed to make me smile. Made me feel like I was home.