Forever Luna

Fidelity

noun ~ faithfulness to a person, cause or belief
PHOENIX

Staring across at my cousin, the room fell silent with my mate's disappearance. Theia sat beside him, her lips pursed as she started at the closed door. James shifted his weight, giving me an urging glance to speak.

"I never thought I'd see you be a father, Phoenix."

I blinked, focusing on his face. "Why is that?"

"Well... You weren't exactly looking for a mate." He began. "I thought... If you took on the bond with Lyra, then you'd only force an heir and that in itself would've been... an interesting spectacle."

My defences raised, and I narrowed my eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"It's a big change." He raised his hands. "I was just stating a fact."

Theia rolled his eyes, and I turned my attention to her next. "He is saying you are turning soft."

I growled, my fingers flexing on Belle's waist. I wouldn't hurt her, not at all. Pulling her to my knee, I kept her warmth pressed into my stomach.

"What makes you say that, cousin?" I spat.

His eyes twitched with a flinch, and he dropped his gaze. "N-nothing, cousin."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "You need to grow a backbone, Alexandar."

He narrowed his gaze, glaring back at me. "I have one. You are just a lot, Phoenix."

"I thought I was soft?"

"You are!" He hissed. "It is no wonder people are threatening your pack! You are just rolling over and giving into them to protect your mate."

"So? You wouldn't do the same?" I snapped.

"No!" He practically shouted, clearing his throat as an afterthought. "Even I, the so-called spineless one would do something about it. If someone threatened my mate, my children, I would do something about it other than subduing them. They are always going to take advantage of you if you keep it up, Phoenix. And then one day, you'll have nothing left to protect."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Listen to yourself!" He huffed. "The old Phoenix would've killed anybody who dare lay a hand on his pack, on his family. You are rolling over like a lapdog and letting them believe their own thoughts. You are having these issues because you are doing nothing about it!"

"I am trying!" I growled. "They wanted reassurance. I gave them that. They needed aid against rogues. I gave them that. They want advice. Guess what? I gave them that!"

"Exactly." He shook his head. "These people threaten the lives of your mate and children, and you just let them have their demands?"

"They are false threats." I stated.

"But what if they aren't?" He tutted. "What if one, out of the dozens you have had, isn't? What if they mean it? And no matter what you do isn't good enough, and they hit it where it hurts? What then?"

I hesitated, glancing at the witch at his side. She was staring at me with a blank expression, and upon eye contact, her pupils dilated.

"I would kill them."

She blinked, dropping her gaze to her lap.

"Do they know that?" Alexandar wondered. "Have you threatened them back? Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire, Phoenix."

My jaw tightened as I looked back at him. "Are you suggesting I go back over every damn agreement I have made and threaten them instead?"

"Yes." He nodded. "I am."