Chapter 51

“We’re going to have to finish this later. Dad’s calling for me. A lot has happened since you left, and I might have messed up during the meeting.”

Creed rubbed his hands up and down my upper arms as I slightly pulled away from him. “Whatever happens, we will get through it together, I’m not going anywhere.”

I nodded and laced my fingers with his as I led him around the house to the backyard.

I couldn’t hide my smile as we entered my backyard. All the adults, the boys, and Zadie were sitting on the deck, and the younger kids were all playing in the yard. I’m excited and nervous about introducing Creed to my family. Luckily, the introductions went well, and my mom and my aunts gave me a smile and nod of approval as they looked Creed over. Yeah, I know he’s gorgeous and he’s all mine.

My dad shook Creed’s hand, “Alpha Kain just got off the phone with your brother. He’s on his way over.”

I took my seat on the deck railing, and Creed sat in the chair next to me.

“Did everything go OK with the meeting?” Creed asked.

“Yes, but now that Bella started this move for change, we need to know who is with us and who’s against us. Cyrus has been visiting Packs and dens, we think he might have some insight.”

“In that case, you might want to invite the witch that asked for the meeting to reconvene on Sunday. I think she might be Reese’s family. He was sitting right behind her, and she kept giving me knowing smirks. I think she’s on our side.”

Uncle Kain nodded and reached for his phone. “Her name is Lila, I will give her a call now.”

“It might be a good time to fill me in,” Creed smirked as he looked up at me.

I bit my lower lip as my dad and my uncle’s all looked at me. “Well, Cyrus’s part of the meeting went great. However, Rowen’s dad started saying I should have killed the vampires that tried to attack me, and well, I kind of started defending myself and I couldn’t stop.”

“Vampires, what are you talking about?” Creed’s smile dropped from his face as he gave me a concerned look.

I shook my head, “like I said a lot has happened.”

While we waited for our guests to arrive, the boys and I filled Creed in on everything that he missed. Including the mess Jacie caused in Ezra’s love life.

Creed ran his hand through his hair. “I have to admit, I never expected anything like this from her. I saw her more as a spoiled party girl that just liked attention. Has anyone confronted her yet?” Creed asked, as he looked around at all of us.

“No,” I said, and the boys shook their heads, agreeing with me.

“I can’t even stand the thought of ever talking to her again,” Ezra said as he scrunched up his nose.

Creed nodded, “I get that, but we need to find out her motive. She’s obviously trying to hurt Bella, but not directly. She’s trying to make herself look innocent, and she’s going after everyone around Bella.”

“I don’t understand why. She’s had opportunities to spell me or try to hurt me directly. I mean we slept in the same room, and what she did to Ezra might not have been to harm me. I think she just didn’t care who she hurt. She just didn’t want to lose him.”

Creed stared at me for a minute before he nodded, “there’s more to this story that we need to figure out, but I agree with you that we need to deal with what happened at the meeting first.”

I shouldn’t be smiling right now with everything going on, but damn, I’ve missed those piercing green eyes, and Creed is being surprisingly calm. I can’t wait to get some alone time with him tonight, and maybe some time to show him around our pack. He needs to see the way our pack lives. It’s so different from the way he was raised. I know Creed is on my side, but I want him to see that the dragons can have this type of freedom too.

I could hear cars pulling up out front and my uncles went through the house to meet our guests.

I expected Cyrus and Lila but was surprised to see Reese with Lila and the two dragons that were at the meeting with Cyrus. As we made room for everyone on the porch, Creed stood up to greet the dragons, and I greeted Reese. I was right, Lila is Reese’s mom.

As I listened to Uncle Kain brief our guests on the reasons he invited them here, I noticed Reese was staring at Zadie, and she had an embarrassed smirk on her face as she tucked her hair behind her ear. I wonder what is going on there.

“Bella, I want to start by saying you did amazing today.” Lila said as she smiled at me. “I have never seen someone so young stand up to an Alpha and a king like that. You held strong like their aura didn’t affect you.”

I smiled, “it wasn’t an act, it didn’t affect me. I’m not like other wolves.”

“Yes, I can see that. Reese has told me a little bit about you. I’m impressed, and I’ll be happy to help you in your mission anyway I can.”

“What mission,” I asked as I looked around at everyone.

Lila smiled at me, “Oh sweet girl, you started this move for change, you need to see it through now. If you back down now, no one will ever take you seriously.”

I nodded, “I don’t want to back down, but how do I get them to listen and follow me?”

Lila shook her head, “a lot of us have been trying to figure that out for years. I think you have more supporters than you realize. It might take bringing all the supporters together and forcing the change.”

“She’s right,” Cyrus said as he looked over at me and nodded.

“We will support you as well. Change has been needed for a long time. I want it for the dragons and for the other supernatural’s. I looked around the room at the meeting hall today. I could sense what kind of supernatural everyone was, but all I could see was people. That’s what those guys seem to forget.”

I looked around at everyone, “Their heirs all want change, and maybe that’s where our connection is. Rowen and Dawson are also my fated mates, but our bond is different from me and Creeds. It’s hard to explain. I’m pulled toward them, but not like I can’t stay away from them like I feel with Creed. It’s more of a strong friendship, with attraction.”

I watched Creed’s eyebrows scrunch together as he gave me a pouty look.

Reese nodded, but gave me a curious look, “I just don’t understand why you only have three fated mates if we’re all connected. I mean, why weren’t you I fated?”

I looked around at Creed and the boy’s as we all thought it over.

Oh my goddess, why didn’t I see this sooner?