Chapter Thirty-four

"Lunch was great. Thank you guys." Tatum said with a soft smile.

Everyone managed to make it through lunch with happy conversations. Mania kept glancing over at Tatum, noticing the bruising on his face but decided to remain silent about it. She wanted their first meal together to be a good one. But lunch was over and everyone was now seated in the living room, small conversations were being held but Mania was done waiting.

"So Theodore, Tatum, how did you two meet?" Mania asked with a small smile.

All the small conversations died down and everyone kind of just sat there awkwardly. Except Mania and Samuel of course. They had no idea what bomb was about to explode.

"Before I let Theo um.. explain. I just want to say how wonderful he's been. He's been an amazing friend and even better mate. I love him more than life itself. We are happy.. right?" Tatum announced and turned to Theodore for an answer.

"The happiest I've ever been, baby." Theodore smiled and placed a soft kiss on Tatums cheek.

Mania just gave a slight glare at Theodore.. "Explain what exactly?"

"We didn't have the best meeting.." Theodore didn't go into complete detail about that day. He didn't think his parents needed to know that he got a boner and Tatum was dry humping during the process. Theodore didn't expect much of a reaction from his father. Samuel was pretty laid back and always waited for you to finish and explain before giving his reaction. Mania on the other hand, lost her marbles.

"HOW COULD YOU! WE RAISED YOU TO CHERISH, TO RESPECT, TO LOVE YOUR MATE NO MATTER WHAT!" Mania screamed. "If you weren't my baby, I'd rip you to pieces! I'm so disappointed in you!!" Mania probably would have jumped across the coffee table if Samuel wouldn't have had a secure grip on her. That didn't stop her from screaming at Theodore.

"He's proven himself over and over again that he's sorry and regrets it.. He was just confused and didn't.." Tatum was cut off by a small growl from Mania.

"IT'S NO EXCUSE!!" Mania growled out.

Theodore just kept his head lowered and stared at the ground. He was too ashamed to raise his head.

With a heavy sigh. "I think I should go back to our guest room. I need to cool off." Mania started. She headed over towards Theodore. She placed her hand on his cheek and lifted his head to look at her. All the emotions swarming his eyes, regret, shame, fear, hurt. She couldn't help but soften. He was always the baby of the family. "I love you, ducky." She placed a soft kiss on his forehead.

"I would like for William and Jake to join us for dinner. We haven't seen Jake in so long." Mania said before her and Samuel left for their room. Leaving everyone else there to sit in complete awkward silence.

"So.. um.. ducky?" Trixie was the first to break the silence. It wasn't her place to comment on Theodore and Tatums relationship so she was going to change the subject.

Making Theodore blush a bit. "It's just a nickname our parents gave us in our earlier years. Well Kanes child years but mine was after they rescued me."

"What do you mean?" Trixie was even more confused.

"OKAY! WE ARE DONE WITH THIS!" Kane suddenly shouted, trying to get up but Trixie latched onto him.

"Please! I want to know! Please!" Trixie begged. "I don't know anything about your past!" She wrapped her arms around his waist, trying to pull him back onto the couch.

Kane couldn't contain the small chuckle that escaped his lips. "Baby.. it's embarrassing!"

"When Kane was eight years old, he.." Theodore started.

"I was caught sneaking onto earth and bringing back bunnies to have my own bunny farm. That was all and no they didn't die. I was able to give them the ability to breathe in our air. Mom and dad never got over it and that's why they call me bunny." Kane was quick to stop Theodore. Who knows what kind of wild ass story he would have come up with.

Trixie just stared at him with the biggest grin.

"You forgot the best part." Theodore stated.

"Theo.." Kane shot off a glare.

"It was all Goliaths idea. He wanted to create a rabid bunny army.." Theodore added while trying to hold back his laugh.

*LET ME KILL HIM!* Goliath yelled.

"We were eight! Give us a break!" Kane glared at Theodore.

Tatums face was turning red from trying to hold back his laughter but one look at Theodore and they both couldn't control themselves any longer. Kanes face became red with embarrassment.

"Awe! That's cute that you stole little bunnies. I mean, minus the part of trying to grow a rabid bunny army. You both are adorable." Trixie cooed them. Kane wrapped his arms around Trixie and raised his nose at Theodore. He had a triumph look on his face. Theodore just scowled.

"From now on, Trixie, you're not allowed to comfort Kane and Goliath while I'm teasing them. It defeats the whole purpose." Theodore frowned at her.

"Yeah, well I was eight when that happened. How old were you when we caught you telling Mr. Quackers how much you love him and you'll never let anything bad happen to him?" Kane sneered at Theodore. In return, Theodore just glared back.

"Ahh, right! I remember now! I believe it was about 200 years after you transitioned into your demon... so you were like 230 years old, hmm?" Kane teased back.

"Whatever." Theodore huffed.

"Wait. So what happened to the bunny farm and Mr. Quackers?" Tatum asked.

"Dad made me release the bunnies back in the woods and Mr. Quackers is back home, probably terrorizing the castle." Kane added with a shrug.

"Hold up, that duck has been alive for over ten thousand years? How the fuck is that possible?" Tatum asked, shocked.

"Well it's hell. Demons are immortal and when we find out mates, they become immortal as well. Everyone in hell is immortal and so is hell itself. Anything living there becomes immortal. And that fucking duck, knows noone can harm him so he does whatever the fuck he wants. He's an asshole." Kane didn't hide his distaste for the duck.

"He's not an asshole!" Theodore growled back.

"Not to you!" Kane rolled his eyes.

Suddenly the doors to their wings bursted open with a frantic looking Gabriel and Balthazar. "Kane! Red Wood pack has been attacked!"

Kane jerked up while holding onto Trixie tightly. "Tatum, go grab my parents. I need them here with Trixie." With Trixie still in his arms, Kane strolled towards Gabriel. "What happened? Who attacked them?"

"A pack of rogues. I already sent some of my warriors and yours as well to help. It's bad, Kane. The entire pack was practically wiped. Only a handful of pups survived. Alpha Kurt is badly injured, he would have died if his own son wasn't there." Gabriel rushed out.

"Okay, I'm sure you've sent vans as well to bring back the survivors? They no longer have a pack to keep them safe. They'll have to move here. I'll have my men check the woods for any remaining rogues and hopefully survivors." This was one reason he couldn't stand wolves. Always hurting each other.

"I'm going to head there now. We both need to be there for our people." Gabriel gave a pointed look to Kane.

"Of course. I'll be right behind you." Kane noticed his frantic mother and father entering the room.

"What's happened??" Samuel spoke.

"I need you two to stay here with Trixie. A pack was attacked and I have to go and help them." Kane allowed Mania to walk over and embrace Trixie.

"Of course! She'll be perfectly fine." Mania reassured her son.

"Okay." Kane smiled at her. Kane turned his attention to a worried looking Trixie. "I love you, baby. I'll be back, okay?" Kane placed a rushed but loved filled kiss onto Trixies lips and pulled away to leave.

"I'm going with you!" Trixie argued.

"No." Kane replied.

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"NO!"

"I said YES!" Trixie screamed.

"NO. YOU. ARE. NOT!" Kane yelled back. Making Trixie take a step back from him. Kane immediately realized what he just did. "I'm sorry." Kane snatched Trixie up in a tight hug. "So many things could happen while we are there. I don't need you to be out there if something goes wrong. I wouldn't be able to focus, knowing you could be in danger, princess. Please understand that." Kane mumbled while nuzzling his nose in the crook of her neck.

"You said we are equals. You said that I am your queen.. what kind of queen just sits behind safe doors while her people are hurting. Those pups need me there. They just lost everyone they love..." Trixie looked up at Kane. "They need me."

Kane released a heavy sigh and closed his eyes. "I said no. That's final." Kane turned around and started to walk towards the door.

"KANE GOLIATH!" Trixie yelled. "If you turn your back on me, don't bother coming back home tonight or any other night!"

Kane stopped dead in his tracks. *Give me control, now.* Goliath growled out. Kane did exactly that.

"Are you threatening us, mate?" Goliaths deep husky voice echoed in everyones ears. Making everyone but Trixie take a step back. Mania and Samuel know how short Goliaths temper is.

"If you walk out that door without me. *Everything* you have told me, is a lie." Trixie didn't cower away, didn't stutter. She kept her head held high and her gaze firm.

Goliath just gazed at Trixie with pure lust in his eyes. *I've never been more turned on by our mate. I don't know where this boost of confidence has come from but I want to take her now.* Goliath growled to Kane.

*She's a pain in the ass but I couldn't agree more.* Kane replied.

Goliath stuck out his hand towards Trixie. "Lets go, my love."