Alliance of Shadows, Book 5: LEIF

A Day to Live Again

When I went to bed a few nights after the revelation that Rayna was more than a trusted confidant, that she was actually my aunt on my maternal side, I was exhausted. Conner’s Kindergarten had a Family Fun Day, so, with two massive Werewolves acting as security for the family, we’d attended. The kids had a blast, and, just for a little while, Dre and I could focus on something other than the heavy black cloud hanging over our heads. As I tucked the children into bed, I popped in to check on my fiancé.

Dreson was in the office, still trying to tie together a few loose ends before the full investigation was completed. I had recalled names that were not present at the bust at McDillard’s place, leading to more arrests around the world. We worked closely with Whitley and his team, the International FBI Supernatural Division, to bring an end to something left unchecked for far too long.

After dropping off a fresh cocoa and Ginger Snaps to Dreson – we loved the same bitter-tasting treat come to find out – I headed up to bed for the night. Sitting smack-dab in the middle of the hall, leaning lazily into the pillows with one leg on the floor and the other propped on the plush cushion of the sittee, Kaden was lounging with a book in his hands.

However, that was not what shocked me. What had me shaking, more with a fit of giggles than anything else, was that I'd never seen him wear glasses in all the time I’d known him. Almost automatically, I asked why he was wearing them.

He glanced up, “s**t, thought you were already in bed.”

"Not goin’ t’ explain?" I asked, my tone carrying that easy lilt, amusement threading through the edges.

“I recently found out that I have stigmatism. I can see perfectly fine, but it bugs me when I read,” he answered. “I don’t normally show this side of myself, so count yourself lucky and please don’t tell the clown.”

The clown. Colton.

"What? Why in th’ world would I fuss over that when I’ve far bigger things te mind?" I asked, my tone easy but edged with practicality. Then, I added, "It’s yer life, Kaden. Survive how ye must."

“And that’s why I’m grateful you exist for my brother,” he muttered, returning his attention to the book.

I frowned. “What’re ye even readin’?”

“Psychology textbook,” he commented in a bored voice. “It was the only course at the community college that actually piqued my interest.”

Doing a double-take, I breathed a laugh. “Interestin’ choice for someone who can weave spells without botherin’ with incantations.”

“Yeah, I know,” he barked a laugh, short, sharp, and sweet. “It was also the only course I didn’t end up falling asleep in. I’m currently learning about the different mental illnesses and how they can affect the brain.”

I was surprised. Werewolves weren’t free from the mental and physical illnesses of the world around us. The realization settled in as I watched him turn the page, adjusting his grip on the book. "What’re ye lookin’ t’ do after?"

“Not entirely sure yet. Might open my own practise, might join one of the non-profits in town,” he shrugged. “Might use it on the family that thinks its s**t don’t stink.”

“Kaden!” I sputtered, moving between laughter and telling him off.

“You haven’t had the displeasure of meeting the rest of the Cage brood yet. Not to turn you off it or anything, but they either brown-nose their way to the top or they step on others on the way up. Either way, they don’t care about the things me and Dre hold dear.” He explained.

"Right. Well then, I’m off te bed."

“I’m sticking my ass right here where I have a perfect vantage point.”

Startled, I glanced around and realised he was right. From his seat, he had a perfect view of all the bedrooms. The ledge where the sittee was also overlooked Dreson’s office door and the foyer. "Well played. Do get some rest, aye."

“I will,” he promised as he went back to his book.

Hours later, I felt Dreson’s side of the bed dip under his weight, his lips pressed against my head, lingering just a moment before he sighed. His arm rested around my chest, his hand against my heart as it always did before he fell asleep. I once asked why he did it, and his answer made me cry.

“To remind myself you’re real.” He’d said.

Once I knew he was beside me, I allowed sleep to claim me. Morning would come quickly, bringing with it a new day to live again.

******

"Papa’s a sleepyhead," Heather’s soft, lilting voice reached me.

I couldn't help the smile that split my face as the familiar weight of Conner's small body dropped across my chest. He never hesitated—always full of energy from the moment he woke up.

"Wake up, Papa! The sun is up, so it’s time to play."

Hearing Kaden’s dark laughter rippling through the room, I knew immediately who had encouraged them to jump on me. He loved stirring chaos, and the kids were more than happy to play along.

"Good mornin’, me lovely Sunshine Twins."

Heather squealed as I reached out to tickle her. "We're not twins!" she protested, wriggling away with giggles.

Kaden laughed again—too amused for my liking, me thinks. "He means you two are always up with the sun. You know, early risers."

Heather tilted her head, processing that. "Oh, and 'cause there’s two of us, we're Sunshine Twins," she said thoughtfully. "That makes sense. I think."

She wore a pair of tiny blue jeans and a pink shirt with a purple unicorn stamped across the front. Her hair had been pulled back into a high ponytail, the thick strands woven into a careful braid down her back. She looked every bit the lively little whirlwind she was.

"Did Nana dress ye, Princess?" I asked.

Heather giggled. "Yeah, but Uncle Kaden dressed Con. He did a good job, though, Papa."

"Look! My s-s-shirt got a dump truck," Conner said, proudly smacking the fabric on his chest. He plopped himself onto my stomach, shifting his weight without a care. The pressure on my bladder increased instantly.

"That's very nice, Conner, but Papa's gotta get te the bathroom," I groaned, wincing.

Kaden chuckled, dark amusement still lingering in his voice. "This is what I wake up to every damn weekend you send these little buggers over. Dre wanted me to wake you up, but I didn’t need a bolt of lightning hitting me out of the blue."

"So ye enlisted the help of people ye knew I wouldn’t get angry with," I rolled my eyes as I got to my feet and walked into the master bath. Through the closed door, I called out, "Have the children been fed?"

"Fed, clothed, had their daily lessons, played with Poppy, and Conner drove his Daddy up the wall asking when Papa would be awake," Kaden laughed. "Oh, and would you look at that, it’s not even eleven in the morning yet!"

I shook my head, letting out a low chuckle as I splashed cool water onto my face, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. My hands rested on the edge of the sink as I exhaled slowly, the weight of the day settling in.

Staring at my reflection, I nodded once. "I got this. I can do this."

Kaden's fist landed against the wooden frame, light enough to be reassuring but firm enough to pull me from my thoughts. "We all know you got this, Leif. You're the only one doubting yourself. The trial is today, by the way."

I blinked, the words hitting harder than expected. My hand stilled against the sink before I stepped forward, yanking open the door to glare at my brother-in-law. "When was this decided?"

"Last minute by Sage Whitley," he said. "He didn't want to drag it out more than necessary. By the way, where is that guy from?"

Whitley Aroha. One of the only people I knew without a doubt was on my side. He and Aunt Rayna had guided me through more than they should have, always steady, always unwavering. The fact that he pushed for a faster trial just cemented my respect for him. It also meant we had enough—enough evidence, enough pressure—to move forward without hesitation.

"New Zealand," I yawned, walking over to the dresser and tugging out clean clothes. "He hails from the native Māori that live there. He’s also not one for draggin’ things out, I’m afraid."

Dropping into the chair in the corner, Kaden sighed. "That's a good thing, isn't it?"

"It can be, aye, but th’ others may drag it out anyway," I told him.

Growling, he scooped up the kids and took them down to the playroom, giving me time to get dressed.

An hour later, I sat in stillness, meditating, the quiet grounding me. The air shifted around me—subtle but unmistakable. I wasn’t alone.

I hadn't expected the warmth of two slender, feminine arms wrapping around my shoulders.

Opening my eyes, I found my aunt. She kept apologizing through her sobs, words spilling out between uneven breaths, begging my forgiveness.

"What’s... ye read what I’ve written?" I asked calmly.

Shaking, she sobbed harder. "I didn’t know, Leif, I swear, I jus’ didn’t know, sweet boy. Had I known from th’ start, things’d have gone a lot different."

"Nothin’ can change th’ past, Aunt Rayna," I told her. "I’m ready te go."

Nodding, she pulled herself together and sighed. "Alright then, shall we?"

Taking her hand, I let her teleport me to where the rest of my family was already waiting.