The Dark Thrall Mating Olivia

Chapter Nine Everly

"You two should go to Moonlight. There is a live band playing tonight." Mom said as she stacked her and Papa's plate. Dad reached over and took the plates from her hand.

"I've got this. You visit with Evy." He said, pecking her cheek before he took the plates to the sink. "Thanks, Nick." Mom smiled at Dad before looking over at me. "Don't forget to make time to see your grandparents before you head back to school."

"I won't. I'll call Abuela to see if they want to do brunch."

"She'd like that; you know she and Jose miss you." Mom reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. "We all miss you."

"I know." I looked over towards the kitchen, where Dad was stacking the plates in the sink. Cade joined him, taking the rest of the plates over to the sink. The twins had escaped to go back to their game, taking Ian with them. Sid was joining them for a round. My other dads were in the backyard, and it was just mom and me at the table.

"How are things with the pack?" I asked, even though I knew that things were good. If they weren't, I would have heard about it from Sid or one of my other friends in the pack. I really wanted to ask about Micheal, but I couldn't do that. I didn't want Mom to know how I felt about our alpha and her best friend.

"They're good. We had a run last week. Cade flew with your dads and the thrall from the mountains."

"Really, does Micheal not want them running with the pack?" I worried my lower lip as I looked over at my brother.

"Oh no, nothing like that. They flew in the sky while we ran through the forest." Mom said, taking a drink of her beer. "Micheal led us all."

I swallowed hard, tracing my fingertips over the leaf pattern on the tablecloth. "That sounds fun. Micheal hasn't found his mate yet?"

"Not yet. I know he'll find one soon, poor guy has been waiting for what feels like forever." Mom sighed, finishing off her beer. "I'm just glad he has his demon. If he were weaker, he would have gone feral by now."

"Me too." I shifted in my seat, looking up at Mom. She covered her mouth, letting out a long yawn. Before shaking her head, she looked tired, but then again. The twins and Ian would make anyone tired.

I didn't know how she did it all. Taking care of the kids and looking after the house. Making time for my dads, keeping Cade out of trouble. All while still making sure to check in on me while I was at school.

Mom was like a superhero, and I didn't know if it was because she was mated to two dragons and a wolf. Or if that was just how she had always been. That maybe the goddess had made her strong enough to handle it all. I knew it wasn't going to be how things were with me. When I found my mate, that was going to be it. While the idea of finding them filled me with happiness, it also made me sad. I was going to have to give up being with Sid.

I couldn't ask him to join us. I couldn't ask him to give up on his mates. Even if I had the feeling that he would, I wanted him to find his thrall mates. He was a dragon and they needed those mates.

Losing my physical relationship with him was going to be hard, but I knew that I could always count on him. That we would be in each other's lives until we were old and gray. He was my best friend, and I knew that I wanted to keep our friendship no matter what.

I just hoped that was something my mate could understand when I found them.

"Tell me about class."

"Classes are going well; they're harder than I thought they would be. But I like it. Cami helps me study and I remind her to have fun."

"I'm glad you've, and she get along so well. I was worried when you told me she was a human." Mom said, trying to fight back a yawn. "She seems sweet, though."

"She is, Sid likes her too. We both like her."

"Really?" Mom lifted an eyebrow. "Like, likes her?"

"Yeah, but I don't think she's his mate. She isn't mine."

"Shame, you both will find someone soon enough. I know it." Mom stood up and walked around the table. She squeezed my shoulder. "I'm going to go outside for a bit and check on your dads." Reaching up, I held her hand for a moment. Just enjoying her touch, we were wolves, and I had missed this with my family. She let go of me and headed out to the backyard. I stood up, picking up her empty beer bottle and taking it into the kitchen. Tossing it into the trash before, I made my way past Dad and Cade as they finished up the dishes.

"Are you coming tonight?" Cade asked, wiping his hands with a dry dishtowel. "The alpha is supposed to be there. The band is friends with him."

"Are you going?"

Cade shrugged, dragging his fingers through his hair. "I might."

"I overheard Lily say she'd be going." Dad said and I noticed the slight way that my brother

perked up at hearing his girlfriend's name.

"Does she work at the diner?" I asked.

"She does. Abuelo says she's a good fit." Dad said, glancing through the blonde fringe of his hair

at Cade as he rinsed the soap suds from the sink.

I looked towards the living room. "I think we will go. I want to see the girl that's stolen my little brother's heart."

"Ev." Cade growled.

Holding up my hands, I backed up. "I didn't say we'd talk to her. I just want to see her."

"Everly." He growled again and I couldn't help but smile at him as his dark eyes started to glow. "No, you can't-"

"I think I can. Seems like talking about her gets you all riled up." I teased.

"No, give me some time and I'll introduce her to everyone."

"Afraid she'll like me better?" I smirked at him. "I am the cuter sibling."