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6. Friends

POV: Lucifer

I watched as Leila walked away with her brother, Axel, until they were both outside the door. I smiled to myself as I made my way up to the third floor. I can’t believe I finally found my mate. I didn’t think it would ever happen. I wanted to go to my room and just take it all in, but I needed to talk to Michael. I got to the third floor and moved past the first door to the next one on the right. I knocked and waited for Michael or Summer to come to the door. After Michael first found Summer, I learned not to ever just barge in.

Only a few seconds later, Conner opened the door. He looked a little surprised to see me there but the next second, he pushed the door open all the way to let me pass. I walked in as Conner closed the door. He came up beside me and I followed him to Michael and Summer. I glanced at him and saw him smirking at me.

“What?” I asked, but I’m sure I already know.

He only shrugged and said, “I just thought you could last longer.”

I rolled my eyes at him as we reached the kitchen. Michael and Summer were sitting next to each other at the island counter in the middle of the kitchen. The kitchen was modern and sleek but still had a homey feel to it. I wondered idly if Leila's mother designed it. When Summer saw us come in, she jumped up from her chair and practically pulled me to the seat next to her. Conner moved around the island to the seat across from Michael.

“Tell me everything!” Summer squealed excitedly.

I looked at Michael for help, but he only raised his eyebrows and smirked. I knew it was useless to argue with Summer, she can be relentless.

“What do you want to know?” I asked.

“Everything! Is she nice? Is she smart? Is she still in school? Is she going to come back with us? Does she care that her brothers are so overprotective? Was she hoping to be mates with a werewolf? Is she…”?

“Woah! Slow down, love. Let him answer those questions before you ask a dozen more.” Michael said, smiling adoringly at Summer, who had asked all those questions in one breath.

She smiled sheepishly and nodded to me as she said, “Sorry, go ahead.”

“Okay. Yes, she is very nice and kind. She is incredibly smart. Leila said she graduated from high school a few months ago, and now she’s taking college courses online. Of course, she’s coming back with us, she's my mate. Leila loves her brothers, and she doesn’t mind their protectiveness. And no, she wasn’t hoping to have a werewolf for a mate. I asked, and Leila said she never cared what type of shifter her mate would be.”

Summer looked delighted, while Conner and Michael looked a little shocked.

"That's so great. I can't wait to meet her. Is that all?" Summer said, enthusiastically.

"For now, but there's no reason to rush. We're going to be here for two weeks," I replied.

"You're right about that. Being too interested would seem desperate," Michael said, smirking.

Conner rolled his eyes as he scoffed, "Please, you were like a lovesick puppy when you met Summer."

Summer and I chuckled because it was so true. Michael hung onto Summer's every word when they first met and still does.

Michael only smirked as he replied, "So what? She's my mate." he looked at me as he continued, "I hope she does come back with us, though. You deserve to be happy."

I was shocked for a moment before I replied, "Thank you. I hope so as well."

Michael never says things so sappy.

"I can't wait to talk to her. We're still having dinner with the alpha family tonight, aren't we?" Summer said to me.

I nodded and replied, "Yeah, of course."

Michael looked at me as he said, "And I'm looking forward to getting to know your little mate as well."

I couldn't help the smile that came across my face. They were so accepting of Leila, I could only hope it would last against what I was about to tell them. I'm sure it will. We've tried not to pass our grudge against the Witch Queen onto other witches, but it might be hard for them to accept that Leila is her niece. Especially for Michael and Conner, since, during the war, Michael lost his mother and Conner lost his father and sister. But still, I believe my friends will accept my mate, if nothing else than because she is mine.

I looked at my friends hesitating for a moment before saying,"There is something you should know about Leila."

They all looked at me curiously until Michael asked, "What is it?"

I'm sure he can tell I'm nervous as such a thing rarely happens. I took a deep breath to steady myself before continuing, "Leila isn't a normal werewolf. She is a hybrid. A werewolf and a witch."

I paused to gauge their reactions, and they all seemed stunned into silence. I decided to go ahead and drop the other bombshell so they could take it in now, "And she is the Witch Queen's niece. It seems Leila's mother was the Witch Queen's elder sister."

I waited somewhat patiently for them to say something.

It must have been five minutes later when Michael finally closed his mouth before saying, "Is- I mean, are you okay with that? She will be the Luna Queen. Some people won't want a hybrid on the throne."

I growled as I said, "Of course I am. I have waited a long time for my mate. She is perfect. I know she will be the most amazing Luna Queen, and if anyone has a problem with it, I will remove their heads from their bodies and feast on their corpses."

Summer cringed at my description, but I didn't care no one will disrespect their Queen and my mate.

I narrowed my eyes at Michael before saying, "Do you have a problem with it?"

Micheal sighed before saying, "No, I'm glad you finally have a mate and we will have a Queen. But on a personal level, it will take some time to get used to having a witch around all the time. Especially since, as gamma, it's my job to protect her."

I considered what Michael said before turning to Conner and lifting my eyebrows. My question was clear.

"I agree with Michael. It's about time we had a Queen. Besides, I've never held a grudge against the witches, just their Queen, which does not extend to her niece." Conner replied to my silent question.

I nodded in understanding to both of them until Summer said, her voice high-pitched, "This is going to be so cool! What are her powers? Does she have powers or is it just spells? Does she cast spells? Does she have a familiar or is that just a myth? Can she still shift, since she's a hybrid? Does she have a wolf? Does she..."

"Whoa! Easy, Summer! I can't answer those questions. I don't know any of that except that she does have a wolf. Her name is Sia, and I'm pretty sure she can shift." I exclaimed, interrupting Summer's rant.

I'm glad Summer is so accepting. Michael would be more open to Leila this way. Hopefully, Ashley is the same way when it comes to Cody. Cody lost his little brother and his mom in the attack on our pack, so I know he feels the same about the Witch Queen as we do.

"Sorry. But how can you know nothing?" Summer asked dramatically.

Michael smiled fondly at his mate as I rolled my eyes before replying, "We only talked for an hour."

Summer huffed before saying, "Fine but can I ask one more question, even though I'm sure you don't know the answer to that either?"

I shook my head at her but said, "Sure, what is it?"

"If Leila's mother was the Witch Queen's elder sister, doesn't that mean she would be Queen? And if so, doesn't that mean Leila should be Queen?" Summer asked seriously.

I looked at her in shock and saw the same look reflected on Michael and Conner's faces. I didn't have an answer for that either. Could my mate become Queen of the Witches? If she did, what would that mean for my kingdom, since she will also be Queen of the Wolves? I have a lot to discuss with my little mate. I was brought out of my thoughts by a loud knock at the door. It stopped then began a moment later. Michael got up and walked to the door. I heard the door open and the scent that followed was already familiar to me. My mate was at the door.

I was about to stand up and go to her when I heard a rushed and excited, "Excuse us!"

I briefly wondered who the 'us' was until my mate walked into the room, pushing a girl in front of her. The girl was asking my mate why she was pushing and what was going on before she stopped suddenly, and my mate stopped pushing her. My mate moved to the girl's side and was almost vibrating with excitement as she bounced on her feet. The girl was staring behind me and I turned to see Conner staring at her.

Conner stood up and said, "Mate."

Conner walked over to the girl and took her in his arms as she did the same.

I stood in shock until my mate squealed, "I told you I'm taking you with me!"