SWNOVELS Chapter 20 ~ We Are All A Family
Adrianna’s POV ~
The past two weeks, the pack has been hunting camps with squads.. even platoons of military.. and taking them out.. destroying their weapons.. disabling their vehicles and confiscating all pertinent data from their technology.
I have been staying home.. Olivia is due in a few days. I’m not as big this time as I was with Avery. Evander still calls me a penguin, so I guess I waddle.
Mom and I are sitting with Grandpa.. playing with Avery. He loves Chancey.. and Avery has been good for him. Amelia pushes her mother over by her father.
Chancey was quiet.. then asked “Please move that woman away from here.” Amelia screeched “Why, Dad? Huh, why? You caused this! You’re the reason she’s like this!”
I stood up and slapped her “How dare you? This woman did this to herself. In her selfish desire to make your dad suffer.. in her desperate need to see him dead! She refused to accept the rejection! She did it! And you’re too stupid to even realize that could have been you. But Anderson never let you mark him to complete the bond! You got lucky!”
Amelia opened her mouth to respond and Mom said “Choose your words carefully, Amelia! One word of disrespect to my daughter, and the ass beating I’ve had waiting for you.. for a quarter of a century, will be my gift to you!”
Amelia snarls “You think you are so much better than me, don’t you, Aurora. Everyone loves Aurora. She’s smarter and prettier.. kinder.. more loving. You make me sick! Pathetic little ‘poor me’ act always making people feel sorry for you. Well, you aren’t better! And your daughter in law is as stupid as you are. Having another little freak when we are in a war!”
*Crack*
Dad and Evander came running in, just as Mom slapped Amelia so hard she flew five feet. Following after her, she snatched her up and said “I warned you. I have never thought I was better than you, dumbass. I have always just wanted to be your equal. But, then.. my intelligence surpassed yours. My maturity left your teenaged ass in the dirt. My kindness takes much less energy than always being hateful. I love with my whole heart.. until someone breaks it, then they are no longer a part of my life! But, you fucking moron, I am not prettier than you. One last time, we are identical twins! We look the fucking same!”
All that was said, while Mom beat the shot out of her.. punching her harder with every statement.. knocking her out with the last sentence. I couldn’t stop laughing.. especially when Dad walked over and said “No, baby. You are much prettier. Your pure soul paints you more beautiful than anyone I know.”
I choked out, between laughs “Yep! That beautiful woman.. with her pure soul.. just beat the brakes off her ex-sister!” Evander cracked up “She ain’t lying, Dad!” Mom laughed and said to me “Come join me.. You can watch… I need a whiskey.”
I took her arm, still laughing and said “Well, you did warn her!” She laughed with me. We made it to the conference room and Caleb and Naomi asked what was so funny. I explained what had happened and Naomi pouted.. upset she missed it.
Evander came in, with Dad and Adrian behind him. I asked “Where’s Blake? I haven’t seen him all day.” I was told he’s training with a few elves.. he’s wanting to learn their moves.
Dad sat down and pulled Mom into his lap, while Evander did the same with me. Dad said “I’m not sure if you ladies want to be at Hicks’ execution, tonight.”
I asked why and Evander told us “I am making a statement. His execution will be televised live to every pack, weyr, clowder, clutch, clan.. you get the picture.. I am going to yank his spine out his neck.”
I clapped my hands “Can you teach me how to do that? I mean, I can decapitate a bear. But that spine thingey would come in handy!”
Caleb laughed and asked “Damn, Aurora! Are you sure she isn’t your kid? She sounds just like you!” Mom smiled and said “My daughters are sweet.. hate anything to do with fighting. The Goddess saw my need.. and sent me my mini me.”
Evander laughed and responded “Yep, Mom! That was exactly the Goddess’s plan.. Not for me to find my mate.. Couldn’t be that.. That would mean the Goddess saw my need!”
Mom giggled and said “Well, sure. When you put it like that!!” I cracked up.. I love this family so much! Making me realize I would see my daddy and brother in a few days!
I dressed in a maxi dress in navy blue.. and braided my multi-colored hair down my shoulder. I will sit with Blake and Uncle Caleb. Evander wants me away from the gore. I wanted to watch how he did it. I don’t think I’m going to see it too often!
Getting seated, I see Evander and his parents on the stage.. I notice Connoe reporting into the camera about the execution about to take place.
Hicks was dragged out and up to stand beside Evander.. who had latched into the back of his neck. I noticed Hicks stiffen up and stand nearly at attention. Letting me know Argon’s talons had pierced into Hick’s spine.
Evander said “Packmates.. Esteemed Supernaturals.. This man is a member of the shifter’s council. He betrayed us all. He sided with the humans. He aided the hunters in pack locations.. clowder locations.. enchantments… flutters.. and covens. He fought alongside them.. killing those of us that he could. I sentence Charles Phillip Hicks to death by execution.”
Then, his hand closed into a fist around his spine and yanked up and back. He stood tall, as Hicks crumbled to the ground… he held his spine up high.. as the entire pack hooted and howled their approval.
I realize.. humans will struggle with our sense of justice. The other supernaturals fully understand it. Our beasts can’t tolerate disrespect… or betrayal. We take our vengeance.
That was impressive as hell! He is definitely teaching me that move! I wonder if you have to have dragon strength to rip out a spine?
Evander walks over and says “Pack wants a cookout and party to celebrate the demise of a traitor!” I smiled and nodded.. “I thought that would be the case. Plus our warriors have been fighting so hard the last two weeks they need a relaxing night.”
I went and laid out steaks and burgers for the grill and asked the cooks to finish up the potato salad and put the baked beans in the oven at 325.. for an hour.
Our pack was enjoying a night off.. we made sure to relieve our border patrol so they could eat. We needed this time to bond together and know we are all a family!