Page 149 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

I told Rhea, “Well, he’s being entirely too logical, and I hate it.” She admitted, “Normally, I’d say you were being odd, but here I agree.” We waited to be told what was going on while piecing together fragments of the conversation we got on his end.

I tapped my chin. Angela’s pranks didn’t involve being worried about things. They were fun. Annoyance sure, but never concern. Was I right? Was this about Melanie? Was he worried she wouldn’t be happy to see him? That was ludicrous, she’d probably choreograph a whole damn dance in his honor.

EJ was now talking to Cassie. They had their theories, but I was holding out hope on mine. Dalton linked, “You guys should come, not stay back. Why did you say that?” I answered, “If it’s what he needs to do, I’ll do it.” He was my mate and one day he’d know that it wasn’t a question. It was a moot point because EJ wanted to go.

EJ popped out of the car to talk to a Hackura guard. Dakota asked, “Which one is that?” I answered, “Ithois. He’s H’s guard.”Dalton laughed, “Yeah, we have to call him Crown Prince Hastein.” I retorted, “Well, I’m his cousin.” Cooper chimed in, “In law.” I laughed, “That’s not how they see it.” To Hastein I was just straight up a cousin to him now.

We enjoyed the water park so much. I felt free and carefree. Possibly like a human my age. Rhea said, “Look at mate’s smile. We need to keep him doing fun things like this.” I agreed, “Yeah, we do.” When we got to animal interactions I had hard limits. I told Rhea, “I don’t care if his Fairy side calmed the snakes or not. I am NOT holding a snake. That’s a solid pass.” Rhea snorted, “Agreed. Snakes are a no go. Although, mate looks damn FINE holding one.” I smirked because she was right.

The iguana and I seemed to have a mutual understanding and respect for each other. So her, I held. Iguanas were fine in my book. Rhea snorted, “Speak for yourself. Though that one was cute. We can handle that one, and that one only. I will growl at any other one. Don’t test me, Elise.” I snorted, “I know better, Rhea.”

Afterwards, my dad had paid for a behind the scenes tour. I could’ve done just fine without seeing snake eggs. The open habitats were beautiful though. I was taking pictures everywhere. I’d send them to Ashley and Melanie later.

Right before it was time to go, I was shopping for everyone. Wesley told me he wanted a t-shirt and that most of my in laws would. We quickly got everyone something. I spied a little ukulele in the corner. It just looked like something Melanie would adore.

My heart panged with hurt. I missed her so much. I shouldn’t get it. She probably didn’t have time to learn anything new right now. My eyes kept wandering back to it though. My heart longed for the time when she was here. I missed her smile and talking to her.

EJ encouraged me because of course he’d noticed what I was looking at. It was a silly gift, and I knew that. It was just the kind of thing I knew she’d would love. Maybe I’d even be able to give it to her in person. If she’d met Alexander, then she’d come home. If I could get Angela to pop her in, it was a win win for me really. Rhea chimed in, “I agree with mate. Get it.” I felt giddy when I purchased it.

EJ popped us back to the house. Rhea linked, “Oh darn, the bikini Cassie had conjured for our trip got his engines revving. It’s like one could’ve told Rain to make this happen.” I snorted, “You set us up via Cassie’s wolf.” She retorted, “Cassie agreed. Now, let me focus on orgasming.” Horny she wolf. She shot back, “Takes one to know one, my dear Elise. I know you’re excited about it.” I had no rebuttal to that.

I wondered if there was a charm on the swim suit, because there was nothing overly scandalous about it. Rhea snorted, “Just go with it. Who cares what his reason is? Not me, Elise. Not even one little bit.” EJ and I lost ourselves in each other.

Eventually we fell apart for dinner. He snapped us into clothes and popped us downstairs. Dalton joked with Dane and EJ, but I saw the longing in his eyes. I hadn’t noticed how much my brothers wanted their mates until now.

Rhea whined, “Caulder and Jet do really want their mates. They said they’ve gotten more serious recently, but they always wanted what mom and dad have. Plus, they grew up watching us with mate. Then there’s MaryBeth and Dane. They see T and Everly too.” I wanted my brothers wolves to be happy. They were seeing a lot of happy couples daily.

I replied, “Well, I can’t wait to meet them because payback is a bitch. I will get BOTH of them for the YEARS of teasing they’ve subjected me to.” Rhea cheered, “Yes, girlfriend! Go off.” I nearly laughed out loud and MaryBeth shot me an amused look. I was certain she’d say the same thing.

When EJ brought Alexander into the conversation my dad raised an eyebrow and sat forward in his seat. My dad linked me, “EJ doesn’t usually make comments like that.” I was surprised, “No, he doesn’t.” My dad laughed, “There was no way the whole family wouldn’t be caught up soon.” I replied, “Well, the more people who know means the more people who can make it happen.” He shot me a wink, “From your lips to Goddess Selene’s ears.”

Uncle Dane and MaryBeth were confused. I knew Dalton and Dakota had some suspicions, but I was guessing they thought Melanie and Alexander just wanted to meet. My youngest brother had a smirk on his face.

I linked him, “Do you know something?” He replied, “Did you know in the basement there’s a vent that leads to dad’s former office, and the laundry room is one where you can hear his new one.” Rhea cackled, “He’s spying on Alpha issues. Goddess, I love that pup.” My eyes nearly bugged out.

I replied, “WHAT?” He laughed, “Yeah, I know a lot of things. Please don’t tell anyone.” I agreed, “I won’t.” My mom asked, “What was that?” I asked, “What?” She shot me a look that said I wasn’t slick and she’d figure it out.

MaryBeth put the clues together first. To say she was beyond excited was an understatement. Rhea linked, “How about that? She actually did a backflip.” I replied, “You saw her do that a lot.” She replied, “Not in a few years now. It’s always good to review the classics.” I’d considered being a cheerleader like MaryBeth, but I did not enjoy it.

Dalton linked, “Your mate realizes it doesn’t matter if he confirms it with the actual words, right? His face confirms it. Alexander and Ladybug. Damn. I thought it was them wanting to meet. At least I’ll see her. I miss her ramblings and inventions. I barely passed Calculus without her. I only did because Jaredgave me the homework she did for him.” Melanie had done Jared’s homework?

Rhea linked, “Honestly, that’s the least surprising thing we’ve heard in years.” It was. Melanie hated being bored. I went stock still when EJ mentioned emergencies. I wanted to scream and throw things. Rhea warned, “Something’s off here.” My head started to hurt.

I told her, “I can’t think about that right now. Maybe Angela fixed it.” Rhea sighed, “Hopefully. I miss Ladybug.” I acknowledged, “Me too. A lot more lately. It’s been so long. I never thought it would get this far.” Why had I let it? I should tell EJ to get her and not take no for an answer. We had people who could portal, holoport and shimmer. Why weren’t we using them? Spikes felt like they were being driven into my head.

My dad linked, “Sweetie, are you ok?” I replied, “Yup. Just having some thoughts.” He observed me out of the corner of his eye. I noted my mom was doing the same thing. MaryBeth was planning and it hit me. It felt like something snapped loose in my mind.

I linked Rhea, “Wait. What happened to Melanie’s Plan Z? She was going to fake an emergency to meet Alexander. It’s been six years and she hasn’t tried it.” Rhea agreed, “That doesn’t make sense. Once she thought of a plan she had to try it.” Exactly. Even if she was having fun, she’d always wanted to meet her Xander. I took out my phone to text her.

Me:Mel, we need to talk asap. Let me know when you have time.

GOD my head freaking hurt really badly. I knew the whisper of her living her dream was coming before I heard it in my head. Yeah, yeah, yeah, give it a rest. Stupid part of my brain that really needs to shut up before I found a way to lobotomize myself.

MaryBeth let it slip that Melanie liked Alexander. Her eyes shot to mine full of horror. My mom linked me, “I shouldn’t laugh but it’s about damn time someone slipped up with that. I’m glad it wasn’t me though.” I replied, “Melanie wouldn’t care if it got her to meet him.” My mom chuckled, “How true. I suppose it’s too bad we never slipped up.” Yeah, wasn’t it just.

I was surprised no one who knew hadn’t up until this point. My dad was gloating. I linked, “Don’t tease them so much.” He laughed, “I knew before so many Alpha’s and my own Beta. I’ve felt like a Beta for over a decade with this knowledge. It’s too fun not to tease them. You brought your mate with Fairy blood around and these are the consequences. I have fun.” I rolled my eyes at him while smiling.

Rhea linked, “Shouldn’t Ladybug be homesick? She loved it in Red Run.” I added, “Plus, she always wanted to see Black Mountain.” Before we could continue Dalton mentioned Jason. Was he getting worse?

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