about how I'm going to feed him when we're not visiting. Neither of us can cook."
Catherine stood by her mate at the door. "Never you worry; the boys at the warrior villa have been cooking for Ari for over a century now. They're used to his bottomless stomach."
"Good, because I really don't want us to starve."
Leo handed over the cooler, his expression thoughtful. "I'm sure I could manage mid-week snacks for the both of you."
She accepted the cooler and pulled him down so she could kiss his cheek. "I'd marry you in a heartbeat," she teased.
"Go on with you now," he said, sounding flustered.
Jedrek laughed and pulled her aside to kiss her own cheek. "I mean it, young lady. If you need anything, go to Rex."
She made a face at him causing him to laugh. "Yes, Dad."
He blinked. "Dad?"
She froze. Was she not supposed to call him that?
"Jedrek, stop that! You're scaring her to death." Catherine turned to her. "It's perfectly fine to call us mom and dad. You surprised my dear mate because the boys have only ever called us 'mother' and 'father'," she explained.
"Good, because using 'mother' and 'father' sounds way too stiff for me."
"Dad is perfect," Jedrek grinned. "I can't wait to call Byron and tell him that Brie calls me dad."
"Why is that a thing?" Brie asked Catherine who was rolling her eyes.
"Because Byron McKenzie was a bit insufferable after Aiden found Meryn. He bragged to the other council members that she called him 'dad'."
Brie laughed. She imagined that the men of Jedrek's generation were probably just as big of goofballs as the warriors that walked around on their knees to simulate Meryn's height. She doubted they ever truly grew up. If her dad was any indicator, the same could be said for human men too.
"Try not to do too much, dear," Catherine called out as she walked away
"I will," she yelled back, laughing. She wasn't about to lie. She knew the next couple days were going to be flat out hard.
She lugged the cooler down Maple street until she saw the familiar building where she had arrived in the city. Warriors were standing outside, forming a barrier between the gate and the concerned citizen milling about out front. When they saw her approaching, two warriors stepped forward to flank her and escort her inside. The one on her left relieved her of her cooler, and she flexed her hand. The damn thing was heavy.
"What's going on, fellas?"
"Tyrien was out here this morning, stirring up the crowd. One of his cohorts threw a brick and hit Bastien in the head. Ari had to hold Gage back since he and Bastien are close as their families are tied together. Molvan and Malcom from the palace escorted Tyrien and his brick slinging friend to the palace to face Brennus," the warrior with her cooler explained.
She looked at his chest and smiled. The men were still wearing name tags—it was Corrin Li'Loudain from Psi who had spoken.
Balder chuckled evilly. "Ari released the fae unit warriors, in addition to those assisting here at the facility, from patrols. We're to act as guards to dissuade others from getting violent."
She looked over to him. "Does that leave enough for patrols?"
Balder gave a short nod. "Aiden called in the rest of the Gamma unit to assist in patrols," he smiled wide. "Aiden said something about separating Sascha and Colton to keep them both breathing."
"Meryn filled me in on their shenanigans. They sound fun."
"I don't know how they manage to stir up so much mischief and still manage to stay the highest ranking units between the four pillar cities," Corrin shook his head.
Balder held the door open for her. "I think that just proves how good they actually are."
She nodded and stepped inside. It was eerily quiet.
"Hello?" she called out.
Ramsey poked his head out from the back hallway that led to the larger main office. "Hey, you made it. Ari's been like a lion cub with a thorn in his wittle paw all morning waiting for you."
"I evidently needed to catch up on my sleep? Where is my lion?" she asked. She turned and reclaimed the cooler from Corrin.
"In the office. We had just sat down to re-group, so perfect timing," he explained as he led her down a dimly lit hallway. When they walked into the office, the men stood, and she went right to her mate. Ignoring the men around them, she pulled his head down for a kiss. As usual, he