Opposites Attract [Haven Ranch Sovereignty Island 1]

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 2

"Alexander, is everything off of the cargo boat Sky sent here yesterday?" King Edmond asked.

Nodding, Alex replied, "Yes, sir. I saw to it myself."

Edmond looked around, saying, "Good. And everything is set up as Dudley asked?"

Alex quickly answered, "We are almost finished putting up the tent."

"The tent? I thought it was being held in the ballroom?" Edmond said in confusion.

Nodding, Alexander replied, "Yes, but he decided that it was a waste to have a wedding on an island and not enjoy the beauty it provided."

"Well, I have to agree, our Island is beautiful." Edmond replied with a smile.

Alexander gave a tight smile, saying, "Hammond is setting up the flowers and other decorations the second we're finished."

Alexander let out a frustrated breath, "Sir, some of the things this Dudley person asked us to do are a bit odd. Why in the world do we need a carved ice swan?"

Shrugging, Edmond replied, "I have no clue, Alexander, but trust me, if he asked for it, you best do it. You do not want to see this man in a snit."

"Then it's a good thing that Clydel is excellent at carving and agreed to have it completed for the wedding." Alexander replied, shaking his head.

Georgy came running down the stairs, yelling, "Papa! Papa! Are we wedded yet?"

Edmond picked up his son, laughing, "Georgy, I told you, Sky is getting married, not us."

Georgy stuck his bottom lip out, saying, "But I want another daddy. You said one day we might have a new daddy and I want one now."

Edmond jiggled his son up and down laughing, "What? Am I not enough for you?"

Georgy nibbled on his thumb, saying, "Yes, but you busy all time. I wanna swim."

Edmond laughed and mussed Georgy's hair, "Your daddy is a very important man."

"Is Udley coming, daddy?" Georgy asked.

Smiling, Edmond replied, "Yes, Georgy, Dudley is coming with your Uncle Cortez."

"Yeah!" Georgy said with a fist pump Sky had taught him.

"How about we go swimming after I check on Stix and Kornell?" Alexander asked.

"Weally?" Georgy said with hope in his voice and eyes.

Nodding, Alexander replied, "Yes, really."

"What happened with them this time?" Edmond asked in frustration.

"Someone invaded their garden and Stix is threatening to booby trap their home again."

Alexander replied.

"They are the young couple that arrived here a few months ago with about twenty others, right?"

Edmond asked.

Nodding, Alexander replied, "Yes, and someone has had it out for them since getting here.

Someone feels they should have gone to the Highland kingdom, because they are part bird."

"If I remember correctly, one was an emu and antelope and the other a kiwi mixed with river otter." Edmond replied thoughtfully.

Sighing, Alexander replied, "Yes, Stix is the emu and Kornell is the kiwi."

"Didn't they have a problem with their barn not too long ago?" Edmond asked in concern.

Nodding, Alexander replied just as concerned, "Yes, and also the graffiti on their door a few weeks before that."

"I want someone guarding them, Alexander. I won't have my people feeling threatened or unwelcome in their own home." Edmond stated firmly.

"I offered, sire, but they refuse our help. They only arrived in Sovereignty a few months ago and the problems started immediately. Trusting us is something they are struggling with right now.

The only reason they don't go to Cortez's kingdom is because their birds are flightless and they felt they might be outcasts there as well. Besides, they have every right to live on our island and when I find out who is doing this to the couple, I will deal with them harshly." Alexander said with all the anger he felt.

Shaking his head, Edmond replied, "No. When you find who is doing this, I want that person or persons brought to me immediately. I will show the people of Sovereignty what happens to bigots and prejudicial assholes."

"Ooooo, you said bad word, daddy. Soaped. Gonna get soaped in you mouf." Georgy said wide eyed.

Edmond mussed his son's hair, saying, "You are right. That was a very bad word and I should have my mouth washed out with soap. So, why don't you and I go get our toothbrushes and do just that."

Shaking his head, Georgy said, "Why'd I haf to? I no say bad word."

Edmond laughed and wiped a chocolate smear from his son's cheek, saying, "No, but it looks like you got into Mrs. Hemsworth's chocolate batter for the wedding cake. Sugar means teeth

brushing time, so it doesn't eat away those beautiful teeth. I promise not to give you the yucky tasting one."

Alexander's eyes went huge, "You've really washed his mouth out with soap?"

Edmond laughed, "No, he got into mine one day and it was definitely not tasting like blueberries, which his does."

Alexander laughed, saying, "He does have a very curious mind. It keeps us all on our toes."

Edmond rolled his eyes, saying, "Tell me about it. Which reminds me. Have you found a replacement for Gwendolyn? Her last day is next week. She and her new mate are heading to the Highlands so he can start his warrior training."

Shaking his head, Alexander said, "No, sire, but I am looking and asking around. With the wedding and everything this Dudley has been demanding, I haven't had much time."

Edmond sighed, saying, "Well, I would like to interview some people for the position, soon, Alexander. This person will live within my home and be in charge of the most important person in my life. I will not take any chances."

"Yes, sir. I will make the time to find someone immediately." Alexander stated.

Turning to leave, Edmond said, "Thank you, Alexander. I know you will not bring in anyone that might pose a threat, but I still want to meet the new nanny."

With his back turned and walking towards the castle, Edmond shouted out, "Keep me updated on Stix and Kornell, and place a guard in their area. Tell them it is by order of the king."

"Yes, sire." Alexander said making his way towards the newcomers’ home.

"Don't not memeber my swimming!" Georgy shouted back.

Smiling wide, Alexander replied, "Most definitely not. I will come and get you in two hours."

Making his way towards the newcomers’ home, Alexander let out a deep breath. He had so much to do and not near the time to do it in. Finding a new nanny for Georgy was proving by itself to be very difficult. Alexander loved Georgy as if the boy were his very nephew, but he was not kidding when he said the boy was highly curious and kept everyone on their toes. Hell, part of Alexander thought that Gwen mated just to get away from the boy.

Lost in his thoughts, Alexander was quickly brought to high alert when someone screamed, "No Skee!"

Racing towards the sound, Alexander was ill prepared for the sight before him. A large emu body with antelope horns, that had to be at least five feet in length, were pointed towards Rogaul, a longtime resident of Sovereignty Island.

Kornell stood in front of Rogaul. Kornell was a good five inches or so shorter than Alex's own six foot two, and the fact that he was slightly chubby with long brownish red hair, didn't take away from his beauty but it seemed to enhance it. Kornell stomped his foot and angrily

said,"Skee, don't do this. He only came to say hello and welcome us to the island."

Alexander raced up the small hill and jumped in front of Kornell, "Stix, you need to shift, now!"

"Don't you dare harm my mate! He has been on a rampage since we woke up this morning and found our entire garden dug up." Kornell snapped.

"I'm not going to harm your mate, unless he charges at Rogaul." Alex insisted, then snarled,

"Shift back, this instant Stix! I can promise you, it wasn't Rogaul."

Rogaul's shaky voice was low, but loud enough for everyone to hear, "I swear I don't know what your mate is talking about. I've never been to your place before now. I didn't know you had a garden to dig up."

Rogaul must have realized what he said, because he quickly corrected himself, "Not that I would do that to begin with, because I wouldn't. I only came because I found out that there were other birds here and I wanted to make you feel welcome. I brought you some tamales and thought we might have lunch together and get to know one another."

"He's a roadrunner and sailfish, Stix. Rogaul is harmless to you or anyone else." Alexander stated firmly.

Kornell cleared his throat saying, "Actually, roadrunners are fast and can kill rattlesnakes and a sailfish is one of the fastest fish in the world, with a huge f*****g blade like snout. I wouldn't exactly say he is harmless."

A loud angry snort came from Stix, and Alexander hissed, "Kornell, that is not helpful."

Kornell sighed then made a grunting noise, marched up to his mate and started wagging his finger, "If you don't shift back and stop this nonsense this instant, Skee, I swear, you are not going to touch, look at, or be anywhere near my ass for a month!"

Seconds later Stix quickly shifted back. He was around the same height as his mate, with short, light brown hair. However, there was not an ounce of fat on the guy. His lanky, runner style body was quite attractive, and Alexander thought if they had not been mated, he might try and hook up with one, if not both, of the men.

"Kornell, you are always too trusting. What if that man was sent here to harm or even spy on us.

What if Palmer has found us? It took us a year to shake Palmer Dumont's ass and I don't want to think about what it means if he has really tracked us here. We have nowhere else to go." Stix snarled through gritted teeth.

"Who is Palmer Dumont and why are you running from him?" Alexander asked not so nicely.

"None of your business." Stix snapped back.

Kornell placed his palm on his mate's cheek, instantly calming the man, then saying, "Palmer has not found us, my love. We are safe here." Turning to Alexander, Kornell answered, "Palmer Dumont is the man Skee had been dating for a few years before we met. He was an abusive

asshole. When Skee and I found each other we knew in seconds we were meant to be together."

"I went to Palmer and immediately tried to end our relationship. I made the stupid mistake of telling him I found someone else." Skee stated.

"I take it that didn't go well?" Alexander asked.

Shaking his head, Stix said, "Palmer beat the s**t out of me and then told me if I tried to leave him, for another, he would not only kill me, but whoever I thought I would replace him with as well. Thank the Gods I didn't tell him Kornell's name."

"Not like he didn't eventually find out anyway," Kornell mumbled.

"I still have no idea how he found out Kornell's name." Stix said with guiltily.

"You stayed with this cretin after he beat you?" Rogaul asked in horror.

Shaking his head, Stix replied, "I didn't. I told Palmer with or without Kornell, we were through.

He wouldn't take no for an answer and beat the s**t out of me for it. I still left, but everywhere I turned, either he or one of his goons was there waiting. I placed a restraining order against Palmer and his fucktards. The courts granted me the one for Palmer, because he had put me in the hospital that day I told him I was leaving him, but I couldn't get the f*****g courts to grant me one from his asshole friends."

"What assholes." Rogaul said in disgust.

Stix scoffed, "Tell me about it. I did everything I could to lose Palmer's buddies and meet up with Kornell every chance I could. One of those times I must have missed one of Palmer’s idiots, because the next thing we knew Kornell was getting threats in the mail, they killed his dog, and got him fired from his job at the restaurant."

"But our love would not be ruled by fear." Kornell replied softly.

Stix smiled lovingly at Kornell, "So true."

Alexander was confused, "I thought no matings were discovered until after the Marks’ three sons mated?"

"We had no clue we were mates. We were just two men in love. It wasn't until recently that we discovered we were actually mates."

"It was like one second we just wanted to be together. and the next, his glorious fresh water scent mixed with a hint of persimmon wafted past my nose. That second we looked at each other, no one was going to stop us from claiming each other. Not even the threat of death." Stix replied looking at Kornell with dreamy, loving eyes that had Alexander thinking about the day someone might look at him this way.

Stix turned to Alexander, "The night we mated, we knew I couldn't go back to my place. If I was to go back, he would know my scent had changed and I couldn't let that happen. It would mean not just my death, but Kornell 's as well. So we snuck out of the laundry room window and hid until the banks opened the next morning. We grabbed all the money we had and left."

"We thought we had hidden our tracks well, but I would no sooner get a job at a restaurant and then we would see one of Palmer’s men around and have to leave all over again." Kornell explained.

"It was at one of his jobs that Kornell heard about an island that half and half’s could go to. So, we packed one more time and made our way here." Stix said.

"We were only here two weeks when someone tried to destroy our barn. Since then someone has tagged our house and now they’ve dug up our garden." Kornell said in disgust.

Alexander nodded, "I know, Kornell, and I've been looking around, but no one is talking. I don't think this has anything to do with Palmer. The messages you received, said no birds allowed. Go to the highlands where you belong. That leads me to think that we are dealing with a bigoted asshole."

Rogaul walked closer to the two men, saying, "I used to get tagged with the same message. It seems there is a small group on Sovereignty that believe that if you are part bird shifter, you should be with the Highlands."

"We were told that everyone in the Highlands flies, however, our birds are flightless. It's why we chose Sovereignty. I don't understand, Alex said that you were part roadrunner, and that means you can fly. Why are you here?" Stix asked suspiciously.

Alexander quickly answered, "Rog is here because first of all, roadrunners may fly, but they mostly prefer to run on land and, second of all, because I asked him to stay and help me make other part bird shifters that may be in Sovereignty, to feel welcome. Do you happen to remember the person that told you the difference between the two kingdoms?"

Stix looked at Kornell, and both men seemed to be at a loss, then Kornell suddenly replied, "It was a man named Corn something or other."

"Cornwall Patterson?" Alexander asked.

Sighing, Kornell replied, "Honestly, I can't tell you for certain, I just remember thinking how interesting it was that his name and mine were similar."

"Why? Do you think he's the one doing this s**t to our home?" Stix asked.

Alexander shook his head, "Honestly, Stix, I have no idea, but it's a place to start. Because yes, when we first separated kingdoms, it was because many of the flying shifters wanted to go to the highest point. However, since then, the newcomers are given a choice and we will honor their requests. Most of the land creatures prefer our island instead of the mountain, however, there are those that choose the Highlands because it is far more difficult to get there and they want their solitude. If you and your mate would like to change your choice of home, King Cortez will be here in a couple of days and I will inform him. As with our island, you will be given a home to live in and provisions until you can get on your feet once more."

Shaking their heads, Stix said, "This is our home and I swore when we had to leave our last home, that never would I run again."

Nodding, Alex said, "Good, because you are part of our family and we would hate to feel as if we failed you. I know that things have been rough, but all I ask is for a few more days to find out what might be happening here. I only ask that you give Rog a chance to help you get your bearings here. I do have a question."

"Okay?" Stix asked with a slight hesitation.

"Kornell, when you worked in these restaurants, what did you do?" Alex asked.

"I'm a cook. I've always loved it and I'm very good at it." Kornell replied.

Smiling Alex said, "I was hoping you would say that, because we don't have a good place for people to eat. So, if you're interested, come to the castle next week and I believe I have a location that might work for a restaurant."

"Are you asking me to work for you?" Kornell asked in surprise.

Shaking his head, Alexander replied, "No, I am offering to help you start up your own business.

Talk with your mate. If in a few days you're interested, come and see me and we can get you set up."

Kornell stood there looking at Alex as if he handed him a pot of gold, looking at Stix, Alex said,

"And while I am looking into what is going on here, I'm going to assign two men to protect you and your home."

Before Stix could say a word, Alexander held up his hand, "That is not a request. It is by order of King Edmond that guards be placed at your home. He will not have his people threatened."

Alex started to turn then stopped, "Oh and a wedding is taking place in two days. You are welcome to attend. It is one of the fated three with his mates’ wedding and they invited everyone on Sovereignty Island. And Kornell, you might really want to attend, because Sky is a very popular chef and I'm sure he would love to talk shop with you."

Stix and Kornell just watched Alex as he turned and started walking, yelling back, "I must go, I have a swim date with a very pesky young man and I do not want to be late."