Page 13 of Seven is Swell

“We’re calling my parents.”

“Thank fuck. I mean, as hot as it would have been to see you take him in front of everyone, your parents run the fucking council, and your mom is the goddessdamned queen. There’s no way the pride male has more power than that. Thank you for not being stubborn and trying to do this on your own.”

“It’s tempting. But if I don’t have to miss class, I shouldn’t; I know Wilder doesn’t want me involving my parents but that’s stupid. In fact, I think my mom and I are long overdue for a chat.”

I don’t have a long time until class, but I have enough time to do what needs to be done. “I’m assuming one of you have access to Ryan? He doesn’t know what’s going on, so we need to fill him in, but tell him there’s no point in him getting to wherever the fuck Ash’s dad has him because we’re going to handle the goddessdamned situation.”

I just need to enjoy a few sips of my coffee first, because it’s starting to get cold. I walk most of the way to my first class and find a step to sit on out of the way and dial up my mom, not even feeling bad about pulling her away from whatever’s on her schedule since this is most definitely her business.

“Hey sugar lips. What’s up? Did you get your weekly shipment of candy panties? What flavor were they this time?”

“Mom, can we please be normal for a minute?”

“Honey, that was normal. I got key-lime. I wanted to compare notes.”

“Gross. Like, big gross. This is not the time to discuss bedroom activities with you and dads. You know I have a rule; strictly between the hours of 7:00pm and 7:02pm. No other times.”

“Ugh, fine. If you didn’t call for that, then why are you calling? Not that I don’t love hearing your voice.”

“Well in true our family tradition, I’ve not told you that I took a few mates. I know, I’m supposed to bring them home, and I will, promise. We’re just trying to settle into things first, okay?”

“Jackson, August, and who?”

“Ofcourseyou already know about Jackson and August. Did they tell you?” I narrow my eyes at them, wondering if they’re still reporting to my parents over me even now. Did they seriously go behind my back and treat me like a job?

“Don’t worry, nothing from them. The goddess just knows and because she knows, I know too. Which means I also know there are some little shits at your school. We can deal with that later though. Don't forget I know what it’s like to be in your shoes; it’s overwhelming. I know you were going to tell me when you were ready. We’ll celebrate properly once you’re ready to do that.”

“Thanks, Mom. Look, we’re running into some problems and it’s something that you and dads need to step in and straighten out. One of my mates is a lion shifter; his dad is the pride male, and I think he just abducted my mate, Ash Wilder, and is holding him until I get there. I spoke to this pride male and he informed me that I needed to come to wherever the fuck they are and clear up a misunderstanding, but Ash said that they’re involving the shifter clan leads and trying to skate under the radar of the council. They are under the impression that Ash kidnapped a lioness and forced a mating and are charging him, ortryingto charge him accordingly. Ash thinks I’ll have to go and prove my bond in front of the pride—"

“Fuck, no. Okay, send me any other info you have. You’re not a lion shifter, you’re registered as a poly, so even if all that wasn’t bullshit, you don’t have to comply. Do we like Ash’s dad, or can we have some fun?”

“Never met him, but Ash basically told me he was an abusive mate to his mom. Ash thinks his dad was responsible for his mom dying, and now…he’s been trying to find a new lioness to mate That’s why Ash mated me, because he didn’t want his dad getting his claws into me.”

“Nice euphemism. I’ll get your dads on it, and we’ll have all the info we need to lock him up and or check him into indentured servitude. Your pick.”

“I mean, obviously if he did kill Ash’s mom, he deserves a really nice spa day.”

“Ah. I hear you. Okay love, I’ll take care of everything. And Delaney? Thanks for trusting me with this.”

“Of course; you’re the scariest person I know. I’m going to get to class. Feel free to record the interaction for me. I’d love to show it to Ash’s auxiliary later.”

“Love you.”

“Bye, Mom. Love you, too.”

“Spa day?” I spin and see Adam, not at all where he’s supposed to be.

“Your class is that way,” I say, pointing to the opposite end of campus.

“You needed me.”

“I mean, I’ll take a hug, but I’m good. Honest. Mom’s taking care of it.”

Adam doesn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around me, taking away the little bit of tension I was holding onto. I’m honestly not worried about Ash now that my parents areon it. It was definitely the right call.

“Ash’s dad is causing problems. Stirring up drama with the lions and other shifters, trying to get me there so he can make me jump through hoops and I’m sure it’ll be rigged. But we’re not doing that.”

“Good. That would be dumb.”

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