Addison offered, “Maybe we change the voice of ILYX.” I cried, “No.” Caine said, “Like we said, we took a vote and this is our decision. We can implement the plan you’ve put forth.” They talked around me, but I was busy planning.
Addison came over, “We have to go. My dad called and I know you weren’t listening to what we were saying. Paige is going to come sit with you. Ok? I’m going to put this salve on your back like Celia told us to.” I snorted, “She shouldn’t be a nurse… it’s literally insane.” She agreed, “We know.” Caine added, “I will make her the lead doctor when I take over.” I nodded because that was good.
They left, which was helpful. I had a lot of thinking to do. Why was I even still here? The Moon Goddess couldn't even take enough pity on me to let me die. Beta Jason hadn’t even commented on my Female Lead Warrior status. Beta Dylan had emailed me, but I hadn’t read it. So had Alpha Eric.
I carefully removed the gauze Addison had put on me to see my back again. I broke down sobbing when I caught my reflection in the mirror. It was so ugly. All the words he’d put on my back… his name and family killer cut the deepest. Literally and figuratively. I told the mirror, “I’m Xander’s. Not Trevor’s. I am.” The pain of knowing he didn’t want me hit again and I hoped it killed me this time.
My computer alarm started going off. I quickly threw some gauze back on and hobbled over to my desk. At least here I could give in to the pain. I didn’t need to pretend to be ok. My blood ran cold when I saw my friends were right. Julianna and Everly had been kidnapped.
They got Everly first, and they used her phone to get Julianna. She had her first and last name as the contact. ARE YOU FOR REAL?! Red Run refused to be even moderately helpful anymore. I thought I had more time to stop this. I didn’t realize it was happening NOW.
I thought Julianna was the main target. This was directed at Everly. Why? No, you know what? I didn’t agree with my friends’ plan. We couldn’t let this happen. Beta Jason couldn’t lose Everly too. Despite everything he’d said and done to me… I couldn’t let him lose anyone else.
Julianna hadn’t done anything to me ever. She was a nice person and everyone knew that. I couldn’t just leave her there. I grabbed my mask and drafted a text for Mason and Hendrick. I’d send it when I got there.
I’d already found where they were, or ILYX had. Dante had them kidnapped, so they’d be in Kentucky at the main Huntersheadquarters. I quickly geared up and put in my colored contacts. I couldn’t have them see my eye color. It was too unique.
I went through to our holoport there, shoving the pain to the back of my mind. I needed a distraction to get everyone outside. Dante would have to order it and the perfect tool to get him to do that was practically staring at me. His favorite car was here. I sent my text.
Me:I can’t let Beta Jason lose anyone else. Julianna Lyons is completely innocent, and we protect those that are. I can’t do nothing. I’m going in and if you want to come have my back, I’d appreciate it. I understand if you don’t though. I know this wasn’t the group decision. I’ll take their place if all else fails, and you can enact the plan if the Hunters capture me.
Mason:The fuck we won’t come. God damn it, Mel. You fight to get out of there because we are gearing up and coming. If they take you, they will have to take us too.
Well, I wasn’t going to let that happen at all. It made me entirely too happy when I hotwired one of the cars outside and crash it into Dante’s. He loved that car so he’d definitely come outside for it, and I could get in. Easily. Thank goodness I had the foresight to pack a go bag. They contained everything I needed, but even if I hadn’t ILYX and my watch could produce it.
I moved inside the second that the crash happened. I heard them argue, “I don’t want to tell him.” I nearly snorted because of course they didn’t. Everyone moved out and I found the room they were holding Everly and Julianna in easily.
Seeing Everly sitting there had my anger mounting. She was supposed to be safe. Betrayal etched its way into my soul. She was supposed to be my sister, and she turned her back on me. She still wasn’t supposed to be here though.
EJ asked, “Who was that?” I quickly ordered, “SHUSH! Or they will hear us!” I ignored the jolt of pain I felt talking to EJ that way. One, he was my brother in law. Two, he was a good Alpha but it just all felt fake now.
They were tricking people… me. I was tricked and I didn’t like that. My whole life was one big lie after another. I wasn’t a full blooded Werewolf. I wasn’t Drake McAlister’s daughter. I wasn’t anything.
Everly asked me, “Who are you?” I’d have preferred it if she’d stabbed me in the heart. She should know me. This wasn’t fair. I quickly took her silver chains off ignoring her question.
She should feel like we were on the same team. She was my sister in law. Didn’t she feel the connection we shared? Was that too much to ask? I turned my attention to Julianna because she couldn’t hurt my feelings by not knowing me.
She had on iron, snake like bracelets. They were Hunters designs for partials. They weren’t supposed to be ready yet. I was going to steal them before they could use them.
I grumbled, “Seriously?! I can never get a break… and I really think I should… I’m pretty sure I’ve earned it… when you think about all the things I did to get here… and previously… I am a GOOD PERSON!”
Everly didn’t even try not to laugh. Hope pinged inside me, but I shut it down. She wouldn’t laugh if she knew who I was… she wouldn’t. Do not feel a kinship with her right now. Don’t do it Melanie… but as hard I tried not to, I did.
I glanced at my watch. It was taking too long to get out. We were going to be in a shootout. I gave my vest to Everly. I commanded, “Put this on.” Everly did so without question. Because we were related by marriage. We were supposed to work well together. Why didn’t she feel it?!
I kneeled beside Julianna. I felt bad when I told her, “This is going to hurt, but when I get these off… and I’m sorry aboutthat… the whole perfection process wasn’t perfected… Hunters suck… along with their timing… right? That’s a thing that you think too… because… well… yeah. You just pop Everly and yourself the heck out of here Julianna.”
I’d have to give her the element that allowed them to pass through the Hunters barriers which would hurt… because it wasn’t ready to give to the allies yet. It still hurt people. Not me… for some weird reason… probably because I had Hunter blood. I didn’t feel like any partial Hunters I knew though. I shoved those thoughts aside.
Everly whispered, “Who are you? How did you get here? How do you know us?” She needed to stop asking questions because I was going to cry. I got everything ready for Julianna. She was key to my plan. Julianna admitted, “I can’t pop.”
It was fair that she thought that. I told her, “You’ll be able to shortly.” The look on her face told me she didn’t believe me… which was also fair. Laxenread was revolutionary…and they didn’t know about it yet, but they would once I got them home.
I quickly injected Julianna with the first dose of my newest creation for the allies. I cringed when Julianna choked in pain. It wasn’t ready but this was an emergency. The iron bracelets fell off her. Julianna cursed, “Shit.”
I knew she was feeling the kick of her powers return. My watch beeped letting me know Hunters had re-entered the house. Dang it. Well, I could still get out. I’d just have to go through the window, rather than the door. Anastasia and I were behind their remodel. These windows broke easily and that was in case we needed to escape.
I complained, “Oh come on! I asked for ONE measly break!” I addressed Selene, “I think we know you owe me a break… bitch.” I didn’t usually curse but this was a necessary one. She was the worst.
