Though I took after my dad in the love of history and books, I definitely got my "moxie" from mom. At times, I wanted so badly to be more like her...to be as strong and sociable as her. She was just like Morgan in that respect. She was able to befriend anyone regardless of age or status.

"And this one is when his cousins dressed him up like cupid for his birthday on Halloween when he was a darling 2-year-old cherub!" She cooed as she showed Lexus the embarrassing image.

Then again, I knew I would never embarrass my future kids by showing off their baby pictures to potential suitors. Granted, Lexus was no longer a suitor, he was my mate. How strange it was to accept that...

My mom's voice then fell to a sly whisper. "At first, he fought them off when they were placing the costume on him and he went around streaking naked with only a pair of costume wings on his back and a heart arrow in his hand!"

Lexus let out a rich laugh. "How adorable!"

"Yep, I think that's enough pictures for one day," I declared as I reached over to put away the albums with a face that was surely flushed.

"Don't worry, Lexie, I'll send you copies," I heard my mom tell him.

I could only let out a groan of despair.

"He doesn't want copies!" I whined.

"Hey," Lexus rebutted. "I definitely want copies!"

"He's just being shy. Did I ever tell you how shy Avion's dad was during college?" Jackie practically purred. "Let me tell you, for a Retriever, he was practically the Omega and I was practically his Alpha…"

::::

As the gate automatically closed behind us on our way into Lex's family estate, I almost felt as if we were entering another country. I had never seen a private property with such an enormous expanse of land before. Why did I keep getting shivers? It's not like Lex's parents would murder me and hide my body somewhere in their own private woods, right?

No one's going to murder you and bury you in the woods, Lexus responded to me mentally.

I didn't realize my wary thoughts had been broadcasting. How would you know? I questioned back telepathically. If the bodies were buried down deep enough, you would have never come across their bones while playing in the woods.

"You sure have quite the imagination, love," Lex commented aloud. "Are you sure you don't want to be a Scholar of Literature instead?"

"Are you sure you don't want to be a Sports Coach instead?" I fired right back.

"My father was the one into sports. He signed me up for everything just because I had the talent that he lacked when he was my age," he explained with a shake of his head. "I've always enjoyed performing arts more than sports."

I stayed quiet after that. Who was I to judge? Having the talent for something didn't necessarily mean that a person enjoyed doing it. I didn't realize you were so passionate about drama.

To be fair, I didn't know you were so passionate about history.

I gave him a half-smile as he finally parked the car. I didn't remember ever being so nervous. I tried to push the feeling down as he opened the passenger door for me and took my hand in his. We could do this. It was just lunch.

After we walked inside and were greeted by a real butler, it felt like we had to walk half a mile to get to reach the patio. We had to walk down yet another path until we reached a large water fountain. From there we took a turn past what appeared to be a life-sized labyrinth until we reached a canopied area with tables, chairs, and umbrellas.

Lexus had explained to me that his dad was a silver sable-coated American Alsatian and his mother, Brittney Streicher, was a black-coated Poodle. But, he hadn't told me that his father, Giles Streicher, had such intimidating-looking yellow eyes. The man was wider and taller than Lex with gray hair and a grey beard that was shaved with such sharp edges and angles that it looked downright villainous.

Lex's mother had gorgeous curly black hair that fell down her back in cascades. She also had similar blue eyes to Lex's, though hers were rounder and larger. She looked like a delicate, porcelain doll.

Lex's father's glared at me for such a long time that I began to feel cold on such a sunny day.

"So, you are the reason that the Streicher bloodline ends with my son."

"Giles!" Mrs. Streicher gasped.

However, the massive man didn't appear to be chagrined whatsoever. He glanced at Lexus and then back to me as he approached us both. "Or would you not impede my son from taking on a second, female, mate?" He questioned.

I was taken aback for a moment, but then I clenched my fists and looked him right in his yellow eyes. "No, I wouldn't...IF it's something that HE wants."

"Which I don't," Lexus insisted. "I don't need bloodline heirs, we can adopt."

"That's absurd!" Giles Streicher scoffed. "You heard him yourself, you can take on another mate that can bear a child-"

"I don't want another mate," Lex argued. "And I'll only have a child if Avion's willing to adopt one with me."

I couldn't deny that my heart skipped just a bit. I hadn't been joking about allowing Lexus to take on another mate if he really wanted to have a kid of his own. But, the fact that he left the decision of adopting open for me made me feel like he really did value my opinion...that he wanted us to make important decisions together.

Lex's words definitely didn't seem to sit right with his dad, however.

"So, you'll kill off our blood? Our ancestry?" Giles growled as he motioned towards me. "For him?"

"Honey, calm down," Mrs. Streicher pleaded in a weak tone of voice. She then turns towards us. "Please, don't take what he said to heart, he's just being his stubborn and unreasonable self."

"Go back into the house right now!" Giles commanded her.

Mrs. Streicher frowned and reached out to press a hand to her son's face before kissing him goodbye on the cheek. She sent me an apologetic glance before walking back towards the house. She didn't say a single word, but the sadness in her blue eyes was easy to see.

"And you!" Giles continued as he pointed a finger at me. "If you don't get my son to change his mind, I'll-"

Lexus immediately stood before me, back straight and chest out, in a protective stance. "How dare you try to command my mate?" He hissed. I had never heard him sound so angry. "Don't you see how much you hurt mom when you're like this? Ordering her inside like some child when she's done nothing wrong!"

"You are my son and you will do as I say!"

"I am a mated Alpha now," Lexus growled back. "I don't have to do anything you say, especially not when you're like this." His voice became softer when he regarded me. "I apologize in his stead for everything. Do you want to head back?"

I shot a final glance at the aged Alsatian. He didn't look like he was going to listen to anyone any time soon. "Yeah, let's head back," I agreed.

We had to go back towards the house so that we could leave the same way that we entered. Lex's mother stopped us before we headed out the door. The next thing I knew, I was nearly crushed in a tight hug by the ravenette.

"Oh, honey," she whimpered. "Don't you listen to that stubborn old goat!"

"It's ok mom, I should have known better," Lexus responded a bit dejectedly.

His mother then pulled him into a hug, as well. "I'm sorry I can't do much when he gets like this...but, know that I really am glad you found your mate. Grandkids or not, I would still like to see you both every once in a while."

"Next time, I'll pick you up and leave dad behind," Lexus replied. "You'd really get along great with Avi's mom. She's really cool and funny...and you could exchange baby pictures of us."

"I'd really like that," Mrs. Streicher whispered in response.

As we drove back out the ridiculously long driveway I couldn't help but feel that, though Lexus had grown up with wealth, I had really been the more privileged one.