now?" Elysa asked.
She and Kari exchanged worried looks and slowly they raised their hands. The women pulled up chairs and surrounded them. "We've heard a lot about Kari from Rex. He says that she practically runs Noctem Falls. I'd say that's good enough to be mated to Declan," the one with braids at each temple said, pointing to Kari.
Kari sat back. "Excuse me?" Her eyes began to bleed to red.
The women laughed. "She's so proper."
"Look, bizsnatches, you don't upset Kari on my watch," Meryn said, hopping from her chair.
"Oh gods, look how tiny she is," one breathed.
"She's getting so snarly; isn't she adorable!"
"Is she actually standing?"
Meryn's face flushed red. "I have a gun, you know!" she threatened.
"Can you not insult and threaten the strongest group of female warriors in existence," Aiden pleaded, grappling his mate. He froze. "When did you get your gun back!"
"She's fierce. I like her," Elysa said. It was as if that statement cemented the entire group's opinion. She then turned to her. "What about you? Are you good enough for our baby Ari? Strong enough?"
Brie simply chuckled and stood. "Let's go." She had been thinking of this since Ari had described his aunts.
"Is she serious?" one of them whispered.
Brie unlaced her gown and let it fall. She turned, facing the room in her silk chemise and leggings. "Whenever you're ready, Blondie," she said, pulling her arm back to stretch.
"Hot damn, girls!" the women exited toward the front of the house, leaving Elysa standing by Brie.
"Oh Gods," Rex, Declan, and Jedrek whispered.
Catherine shrugged. "I saw this coming."
Ari was already on his phone. "Kincaid, I need you and Ian at the Lionhart estate. Brie just challenged my aunts. What? No! We're not waiting for them to make snacks! Get your asses over here!" he hung up his phone.
"Ryuu, I need beatdown-watching food!" Meryn pleaded, her eyes bright with excitement.
Ryuu gave a half bow. "I spotted some chips and M&M's in the pantry, will they suffice?"
"Hell yeah!" Meryn bounced toward the foyer, throwing jabs in the air and humming the Rocky theme song.
Brie smiled. "I love that little terror."
"Aunt Elysa," Ari started.
She held up her hand. "You will respect your mate and say no more. She trusts us to do the right thing, as should you."
"She's my mate, Auntie El," he whispered.
"Which is why we're going to enjoy this, Ari. Now go grab a seat so you can watch your mate. I have a feeling your unit brothers will be here soon."
"Sonofabitch!"
Ari turned like he was about to head to the door, then swung back to kiss Brie. "Don't get permanently maimed, okay?"
"I'll do my best," she compromised.
Her dad and Doran both kissed her cheek. "I've got a hundred on you, baby girl," her dad called back as he walked away.
Once the room was empty, Elysa turned to her. "Parameters?"
Brie bent at the waist to stretch her legs. "I know you're shifters so our strength and speed will be wildly different." She stood up straight. "How would you adjust your abilities when fighting a new warrior amongst you?"
Elysa had her arms crossed over her chest. She began tapping her finger on her forearm. "For the cubs, you mean?"
Brie grimaced at the term. "Would you equate a human's strength and speed to that of a cub?"
Elysa nodded. "Absolutely."
"Even the men?"
The tall warrior burst into laughter. "Especially the men. My girls can out-perform the unit warriors any day of the week, and they know it."
"Why aren't you unit warriors then?" she asked curiously.
"Why tie ourselves to that political headache? We answer to no man."
"That's so cool."
Elysa uncrossed her arms and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll hold back, but will adjust to your capabilities."
"I'm counting on it," she said, her insides shaking in excitement.
"Look at you. Poor baby girl has never had a good sparring session," Elysa murmured in sympathy.
"You have no idea! The guys back home either come at me like I need to be put down or they pull their punches. I can't get a square fight out of any of them."
"Let's go see what you can do," Elysa held up her arm, inviting her to walk outside.
Once through the front door, her mouth dropped. The squires had set up seating, and it looked like a mini arena.
"Kick her ass, NinjaGaiden!" Meryn yelled.
Elysa chuckled. "The men probably think she's cute." She paused and tilted her head. "But she's the most dangerous one here, and with Eliana's Daughters present, that's saying something."
They stepped into the ring that someone had