Elliere Braim

2.6 Vivien

Elliere was less nervous now that Mercy had reassured him and after he'd told her everything about his parents/pack, Layla and the Jaecars, he also was less frustrated after their slight, spontaneous make-out session in her car. You would think he'd be worse for wear because of it, but it actually had lessened some of the sexual tension between them for the moment. Elliere knew it would rise back up, a flaming mass of hormones that would drive both of them to seal their uncompleted bond. But for now it was satiated enough so that he could properly meet Vivien and make as good impression as he could.

Mercy had told him to be himself, but he had given her a flat look to which she grinned at. He snorted, unable to keep his dull look while she smiled at him, but decided he'd try for being his best self.

The rest of the drive didn't last very long, only about ten minutes and as they pulled into the driveway of a decent two-story white house, Elliere felt a bit of his nerves return. At least now though, he knew Mercy wouldn't leave him even if her mother didn't approve.

The car engine cut off as Mercy turned the key and then all that was left was the silence. He took a deep breath and glanced over at his chosen mate who was already gazing at him.

"You ready?" She asked, surprisingly serious.

Elliere gave a brief nod. "As I'll ever be. Let's get this over with."

Mercy grinned then and playfully swatted at his arm. "She's not that bad. In fact, I think you'll like her."

"Well, she created you so I already like her," Elliere smiled, leaning across the console and surprising Mercy with a gentle kiss to the side of her head.

He could see her shock clearly on her face and was pleased as he exited the car. He could do this, just be the best of himself. Besides, if Mercy could like him he believed her mother could as well.

**

Vivien was an....interesting woman to say the least. Elliere wondered what he had been so nervous about an hour ago because there wasn't a thing he was concerned about now. She was talkative, much more talkative than Mercy herself. Hell, Vivien had even managed to embarrass her which Elliere found amusing.

Vivien was a pretty chestnut brunette, in her forties, close to fifty and shared Mercy's hazel eyes meaning Mercy must have gotten her hair from her father. Vivien had been surprised when Mercy arrived at the door with Elliere, but quickly ushered both in. Her eyes never seemed to stop taking Elliere in as though she were in shock Mercy had brought someone home and perhaps she was, he would have to ask.

Elliere didn't have to try much in the ways of being his best self because it seemed Vivien liked him the minute she spotted him. She asked him about his work, what he liked to do, his eye patch and even his family in which Mercy had butted in politely and gave her mother a stern stare though Elliere still answered her, explaining they all died in a car accident. Vivien became flustered after his answer and apologized profusely, but she was quick to recover.

"So, how did you and Mercy meet?" She asked sweetly, her eyes glowing with curiosity as she looked between them.

Elliere thought back and a smirk came onto his face while he seen Mercy blushing out of the corner of his eye.

Oh, just a one-night stand is all...

Yeah, he was sure that'd go over well.

He opened his mouth when Mercy's mouth spilled out words faster than his could.

"At The Wolf's Den," her soft voice said, blush under control once more.

"Oh, really? Was he a regular of yours?" Vivien asked, grinning widely.

Elliere coughed to hide his chuckle and answered himself, "Oh yes, I was taken by her beauty the first time I laid eyes on her and couldn't stop coming back to view it more."

Mercy looked irritated out of the corner of his eye, but he grinned at her, reaching out a hand to squeeze her own. A reluctant smile appeared on her own face and Vivien cooed adoringly.

"That is so sweet! Mercy you're lucky to find a man this nice," she gushed, swatting at Mercy lightly. "And it's about time!"

Mercy groaned and Elliere wondered if they'd be here all day when suddenly the front door was thrown open, silencing anything Vivien was about to say. Cassy and a guy Elliere didn't recognize burst into the room, Cassy laughing loudly at something the grinning guy said. Apparently Vivien didn't recognize the guy either, but Mercy did and her eyebrows rose in surprise at seeing the two at their mother's house.

"You brought him home already?" Mercy asked, surprise coating her every word.

Cassy gave a shy grin, something she didn't seem much of -- shy -- and nodded. "I figured if you were bringing your boyfriend I might as well bring my own home, finally."

"What? Boyfriend? When did this happen? What happened to the other fellow? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Mercy was one thing, but Cassy..." Vivien shook her head, appearing a bit disappointed.

Cassy rolled her eyes and gripped the guy's hand firmly in her own as she answered, "Just because Merc didn't have a boyfriend, didn't mean she wasn't getting laid, Mom. And Will never treated me right, Callim does."

Elliere watched with amusement as Vivien rolled her eyes, but ushered her youngest daughter further in to meet Callim. He chose to ignore the fact Cassy had mentioned Mercy sleeping around a bit and it appeared so had Vivien though she had shot Elliere an apologetic smile as if she knew his pain. But she didn't, she would never know the feeling of rage boiling rapidly and wanting to explode just thinking about Mercy with anyone else anymore.

Despite that though, Elliere had recovered easily and squeezed Mercy's hand wrapped around his own. She smiled brightly at him as they watched Callim get interrogated by Vivien. Once Vivien was satisfied she turned her hazel eyes back to Mercy and narrowed them. Elliere heard his mate's audible sigh and he forced the grin that wanted to crack through away.

"And you, how long have you known, Mercy?"

"A few months, Mom," Mercy replied tiredly though the smallest of curves tugged the corners of her mouth up.

"And you didn't tell me?!" Vivien gasped, sounding thoroughly hurt.

"She didn't want me to!" Mercy said, flailing her other arm a bit.

"So?! I'm your mother!" Vivien said, narrowing her eyes. Elliere was sure if she glared at him that way he'd promise to always tell her everything, but she didn't and he was thankful for it.

"And she's my sister! You don't just betray your sister like that!" Mercy grumbled, standing up and pulling Elliere with her.

Vivien sulked lightly before she stood too, coming around to pull Mercy in for a brief hug and then Elliere himself who was rather shocked at the different contact though he gave her a slight pat on the back. Vivien mumbled something about them not staying for lunch or anything, but Mercy promised to come back again and pointed out that Cassy and her boyfriend were still there for Vivien to dote on.

Vivien grinned wickedly and quickly turned her attention to her younger daughter and boyfriend while Mercy and Elliere slipped out, breathing a sigh of relief. It had felt like they'd been suffocating for awhile though Elliere didn't really mind Vivien, he actually enjoyed her.

Elliere glanced down at Mercy and smirked as he asked, "Now what?"