Page 143 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

Brutus said, “I know they hurt Rhea too. You know I’d never let Rhea feel pain.” I did know that. I continued, “I don’tunderstand why I didn’t tell her. Alexander knew physically nothing was wrong with us. We shouldn’t have felt any pain then. We needed to look into this. Then I can’t figure out why on earth I haven’t talked to Drake about just popping to get Melanie myself. I mean, on the one hand the rule but fuck that. I’ve never talked with him about it. Maybe things could be different now.”

Elise whispered, “Really? You think so?” I nodded, “It’s been let go for too long. I’ve realized some things since we got here and I just don’t know why they haven’t been questioned. That changes now.” Elise nodded and I held her swaying back and forth with her in my arms.

We went and joined her brother’s watching movies, Elise was curled up in my arms the whole time. Why hadn’t I ever spoken to Drake about this bullshit popping promise? When I took over as Alpha, I should’ve at least asked him to reconsider. Or the million times Elise had cried about not seeing Melanie. That’s when I absolutely should’ve spoken to him, to spare my mate more pain.

Brutus said, “Maybe we just didn’t think it was our place.” That’s bullshit and we both know it. I shot back, “What about the million times Alexander had been in a bad fucking mood about it? It is my job to fix things like that. Why have I been so passive about this? I’m not passive.”

Brutus answered, “Magic is the only answer I can think of.” I cursed, “Fuck! How? I’d know. Or I should, right?” Brutus replied, “Not necessarily. It’s not like a Witch or Warlock stood in front of us and chanted or anything. Unless our memory was taken, which I feel we would know about.” As a part of the promised family, I’d better. I took out my phone and texted Corbin.

Me:Discreetly look into whether someone can alter my memory or use magic on me I wouldn’t know about.Something that could make me passive about a subject when I’m not a passive person.

Corbin:What in the fuck is this request?

Me:A theory I’m working on.

Corbin:Between our moms talking and this request I’m worried about you guys.

Me:Our moms?

Corbin:They have been whispering and looking into things. I’ll look into your request on my own.

Me:Thanks.

One thing I didn’t tell him was a lot of this centered around Melanie and everything surrounding her. After the last movie we went to our room where Elise went to sleep. I got up and paced the downstairs. Everything circled back to one person. My head was swirling with thoughts, but it was always Melanie. The McAllister’s too, but her specifically.

It wasn't just us though. The McAlister’s themselves felt this too. I rubbed my face. This thought process didn’t make any sense. Someone cleared his throat, and I knew by the scent it was Peter. I turned around and he raised an eyebrow.

We stared at each until he asked, “What’s got you thinking so hard?” I snorted, “Honestly?” Peter smirked, “You can’t lie, so let’s go with yes.” I rubbed my face, “Melanie. It always goes back to Melanie, doesn’t it? That’s what’s got Elise so upset. Her...”

I trailed off then whisper shouted, “Fuck! Even her headaches go back to Melanie. What the HELL is going on? GOD!” I rubbed my head. What have I been thinking?! Why hasn’t that clicked for me? Brutus whimpered in my head, but I knew he felt the same way.

Peter frowned, “EJ?” I tilted my head, “I get out of our territory for a few days and it’s all clear. I barely even have a headache. What the fuck?!” Peter snorted, “Speak for yourself.My head still hurts, and my gut reaction is to tell you Melanie is living her dream.”

I rolled my eyes, “Elise is right, it’s a mantra. But whose? It’s sure as fuck not any of ours. I have let the fact that Elise is so upset about this slide. Why? Elise is my everything. Why haven't I gotten us out there to surprise Ladybug? My wolf would never let Rhea suffer. He’d shift and run to New York to stop that from happening.”

Brutus agreed, “I would. You’d pop us there when you figured out, I wasn’t giving up, but I would do it.” I continued my rant out loud, “Or, FUCK it all, why haven’t I just popped Ladybug back here to surprise everyone? Why hasn’t ANYONE in my fucking meddling ass family?! Granted they don’t know it’s bothering Alexander but…”

Peter rubbed his head and held his hands up, “I hate to stop you, but I can’t discuss this anymore. My head hurts too bad.” I apologized, “I’m sorry. It’s weird that mine are better, but not yours. We need mom to fix that then we can brainstorm.” Peter agreed, “I’m all for your mom fixing this.” He handed me a whiskey.

We sipped our drinks in silence. Eventually he sighed, “I’ll say this. I find it weird I’ve never asked you to surprise Drake with a Ladybug visit. GOD, that hurts. FUCK! I know it’s killing him. Why haven’t I asked you? Goddess above, we need a subject change before my head explodes.” I could sense his distress and hear it in his tone. The veins in his neck were building. Brutus said, “Thunder is howling in pain.”

I commented, “It’s beautiful here.” Peter laughed, “That it is. I don’t know if I can thank your dad enough for letting us use this house. Or you for popping us here. The flight would’ve been hell.” I admitted, “You know, I’ve never been on a plane. My dad even owns one.” Peter laughed, “I haven’t been on a plane in quite some time. Ever since Emmaline came into our lives,which brought Sharon to Red Run.” I asked, “What did you think the first time you met Cousin Emmaline?”

Peter smiled, “I thought she was lonely. Which was odd because I was certain she was a Fairy. She wasn’t like any partial I’d met though. She had more Fairy blood in her than the partials I was used to meeting.”

He chuckled, “No one else thought she was, but I always did. I even told Lucas that. Emmaline was my first big lesson in making sure those in my territory were safe. I have an aching feeling Melanie will be another one. One I will regret forever.”

I assured him, “We will figure out what’s going on. Maybe she really is living her dream.” Peter snorted, “One argument and we don’t see her for over six years. It doesn't fit with Mel. FUCK! I’m going to bed. I’m sorry EJ, this headache.” He got up and left, rubbing his temples.

Brutus said, “He is right though.” I agreed, “He’s right about a lot. Why the HELL didn’t anyone ever ask me to bring her back for a surprise? Or their own Gamma family that can pop themselves? Why didn’t Elise ask me? What about T? Literally anyone. What the hell is going on?” He answered, “I do not know.”

I took out my phone not knowing who to call. I tried Alexander first, but he didn’t answer. I asked out loud to no one in particular. “Where are you little brother?” I sighed and went to bed. Or I tried to. It was a good thing I didn’t need much sleep. My questions were swirling around in my mind.

The next few days flew by. We went to the beach, and I watched in complete utter disbelief at the people around me. Everyone had calmed down and even laughed off their concerns about Melanie. No one mentioned the night when we started to question things. What was going on?

Brutus agreed, “They are all brushing it off as if they were overreacting.” I asked, “Are we? Are they right? Or am I finallyclear headed?” He replied, “Our head doesn’t hurt anymore, but theirs still does. It’s them, not us.” I watched them all having fun.

I conjured my phone to me. Elise laughed from the ocean, “EJ, don’t call Wes again.” I told her, “I’m not calling him. I’ll be right back.” I walked far enough away I could still see Elise and called my cousin, Levi Cambridge. He was the only other one who’d met Melanie that I knew of.

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