The Genius Delta novel Chapter 34

I expected to be ambushed by Logan upon returning to the pack house. Granted, I wasn’t expecting him and Aurelia to wait at the door. I hadn’t told him about what happened, but I knew he’d know. Even if Cillian didn’t say something, I know it would have gotten back to both Kinsley brothers that there was a fight at my office. My best guess is that Shikoba reported it after she heard from security.

I didn’t predict that this fight would result in Persephone’s sister and brother-in-law decided to arrive early. Just what I didn’t want to deal with. It was one thing for them to be coming to probably taunt us about being mates and prod at me to be sure I was what they deemed worthy of Persephone. Now they are coming because of that Demonclaw bitch. So they’ll be on edge, aggressive, and protective of Persephone.

I need to get this shit with Demonclaw resolved fast. And by fast, I mean like I needed it handled yesterday. I do not want Sicilian leaders arriving in Bloodmoon while she is still in our territory; her intentions are unknown. Which shit, her intentions. I don’t know what they are, but that look she gave me and how she looked at Cillian, something is going on. There is more to this than just her having a fixation on me. I have the feeling she’s not pursuing me because she wants to.

Maybe Dove can help me figure out what is going on with her. I want to know who is forcing her to do this. I want to know why they want her with me so fucking badly. Is it to try and bridge ties to Bloodmoon? That can’t be it. Forcing a chosen mate bond isn’t the way to form allies. Especially with a pack like Bloodmoon, who take the mate bond very seriously. Is this about my family? Do they want me because of my dad? Because, like him, I’m a genius?

“Silvercloud? Are you even listening to me?” Logan grumbled, snapping his fingers in my face.

I blinked and smiled sheepishly as I realized my mind had wandered, and I stopped paying attention. “Sorry, my brain wandered to other thoughts. I was trying to think about how to deal with Demonclaw. What were you saying? And can we go inside now? I feel weird standing on the steps talking.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Logan sighed. “Yeah, let’s go inside. Mrs. Carmichael has dinner ready.” He waved for us to follow him inside.

We could smell the BBQ spread from the hallway. Mrs. Carmichael is the best cook ever. I’ll be sad when I move out with Persephone, not that I can’t come back for meals. Shit, we need to discuss living arrangements. I have a plot of land I can build on here in Mount Hood. I would need to finalize a design with Persephone to start construction.

And I don’t want to sound sexist, but I hope she can cook. I burn everything I try to cook. So unless she knows how to cook, we will either eat out, eat at the pack house, or hire a cook—another thing we should discuss. There are many things we need to discuss and learn about each other.

“Is every meal a massive spread like this?” Persephone asked as we walked into the dining room.

The long table was filled with platters of brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, ribs, and half chickens. Then the sides, oh, the number of sides! The creamy, cheesy goodness of homemade mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, potato salad, grilled corn on the cob, green beans, baked beans, slaw, fries, and cornbread. My mouth was already watering. David and his family were here. I’m not surprised, given that his mate often helps watch the heirs. He nodded to us as he tried to get Rose to let go of his ear, her tiny fingers clutching the plug.

“Pretty much. No one goes hungry with Mrs. Carmichael around.” I shrugged.

“Need some help with our future Alpha, David?” I taunted as I let Persephone’s hand go to try and assist my friend.

“What’s it look like?” David rolled his eyes.

“That you have a new accessory?” Persephone chuckled.

“Hilarious, just what I needed.Two of you.” David grumbled.

“Come on, Rosie, let me go. It’s time to eat. Royce is already in his high chair.” He pleaded with the toddler.

“Rose, sit with me.” Royce waved his hand as he tapped the high chair next to him.

Like magic, she released her grip on David’s ear and tried to wiggle in Royce’s direction. I'll eat my shoe if those two don’t end up mates. Shit, I probably shouldn’t say things like that, even in my head. I don’t want to have to eat my shoe if I’m wrong. Plus, Royce has the same effect on Farah, so unless he’s getting both Kinsley girls as mates, which their dads may castrate him for Goddess given or not, I shouldn’t make assumptions.

“See, all you had to do was get her boyfriend to call her.” I chuckled as David put Rose in the highchair next to his son.

“Don’t call him that,” Logan grumbled as he took CJ from Aislinn. “No dating. My kids don’t get to date till they have spent at least four years looking for a mate.”

“Right, because that will happen.” Aurelia rolled her eyes as she put a plate of cut-up food on Rose’s tray and another with slightly more food and larger bites on Royce’s.

“If it makes you feel better, he’s also Farah’s boyfriend.” I snickered as Logan grumped, and he carefully took his seat with CJ in his arms to feed him a bottle.

“Silvercloud, do my boy a favor. Stop trying to put him on the Kinsley shit list.” David chuckled as he fixed a plate for his mate and then himself.

“Language around the wee ones.” Aislinn scolded.

“You really shouldn’t make assumptions. Just because the Kinsley cousins respond to Royce doesn’t mean anything. Gwen and Christina adore Lando, but that doesn’t mean he will be either of their mates when they grow up.” Persephone commented as she sat down.

“Please stop making assumptions about my boy’s future. Unlike some people, Royce is a good lad and will wait till he finds his mate.” Aislinn chimed in, her words a bit hard to understand as she still has a thick Scottish accent.

“Fine.” I held my hands up in surrender, smiling as I sat down, and realized that while I was taunting David and Logan, my mate had fixed me a plate with a little of everything.

“I wasn’t sure what you liked the most,” Persephone admitted quietly.

“Thanks. And no worries, I like it all.” I assured her as we all started digging into our dinner.

“So about Shikoba and Rohan.” Logan arched his brow as he adjusted CJ in his arms to burp him.

“Here, I thought you’d forgotten.” I sighed around a mouthful of cornbread.

“What about Rohan? Who’s Shikoba?” David asked.