When I surfaced, I closed my eyes and swam to the edge to get out. Once on my feet I ran as fast I could to where the other Hackura women were. I was stunned realizing who they were. Two of them were Xander’s aunts. I quickly checked them over and scanned them with ILYX.
ILYX announced, “Xander’s relatives are fine, just unconscious. The other woman has a few puncture injuries from shrapnel to the leg, but she is no danger of dying.” I ordered, “Give me gauze.” It appeared and I quickly dressed her wound and put gauze over it. It helped assure me that she would be fine.
I ran back to Cassie. I demanded, “ILYX, scan her.” If Cassie was even vaguely conscious this would be a problem since I’d used Xander’s voice for ILYX. ILYX declared, “Alpha Duchess Cassie shows Laxenread recently entered her system. She is unconscious but there is no damage to her head.” I whispered, “Thank you, ILYX.” He replied, “You are welcome, Melanie Jane.”
I needed to go, but I couldn’t leave them here like this. I quickly found her phone and turned it on. I looked at the contacts on speed dial. I spotted Cayden's number. I was surprised it wasn’t first. Honestly, if I hadn’t found her phone, I’d have had ILYX call Xander.
I shook myself and hit Cayden’s number. I placed the phone on Cassie’s chest. I froze when my head began to pound. I clutched my own head groaning, “Not now.” I could not get caught here. What was wrong with me?
I heard a Female voice weakly urging me, “Stay.” I looked around asking, “Huh?” No one were here with me that was conscious. It was dead silent. Perfect. I was officially going crazy.Maybe from the fact a man who hated me was trying to gaslight me into believe I was his.
I ran for the holoport hoping I made it. If Cassie regained consciousness, I might not have a choice on leaving. If she wanted to talk to me, she could get that done many ways. She could call the wind or shoot me with her sunlight without the intent to do more than stall me. She wouldn’t want to hurt me, but she and her mate wanted to talk to me.
I turned back to see Cassie waking up as I made it. She spotted me, but she couldn't get through the holoport even if she followed. Paige was too good for that. I paused on the other side, catching my breath and wondering when my head would stop hurting.
Sierra sighed in relief, “You took your sweet time.” I snorted, “Oh ya know… I had to make sure the Queen, Princess, Duchess and other Hackura women were all ok. All in a day’s work.” Valentina laughed, “Oh was that all? Saving Queen Astrid and company? Jeez, ya slacker.”
I snorted and punched her arm, “I also had to get Cassie her powers back… but hey, who’s keeping track of all the things I did?” Sierra laughed, “I’d imagine potentially Cassie did.” I rolled my eyes, “It was Cassie you weirdos. She’s not a Beta blood though… so it could be her aunt instead of her… she does lean Hackura. I’ll just have to monitor that… situation.”
Sierra and Valentina shot each other glances like they thought I was on overload and seeing things. Whatever. I knew that was Cassie. I knew it was, and I’d had her back. Just like I’m meant to as her brother’s mate.
I couldn’t help but smile. I loved doing little things like this for Xander. I sighed dreamily thinking about him. Maybe I could just get a glimpse of him… somehow. I’d figure it out one day. I definitely wanted to watch one of his videos he posted again today.
We went back to my secondary place. We were there when alarms went off. I checked them and everything inside me stopped. The targets named stole the breath from my body as pain rocked me. I whispered, “No.”
Caine snorted, “Let them die.” I replied, “I can’t.” Sierra said, “Well, you need more people. The Hunters got their cabin location. They will come in full force and you know they cannot catch you.”
Addison walked in. I clapped, “Perfect! Addison practiced and is great shot now. Sierra and Caine go back to the pack and Valentina will shimmer us there.” Valentina agreed, “Of course.” Caine growled, “Just let them die! Peter and Chelsea Kyle turned their back on you FOUR YEARS AGO! Just do the same to them.”
I winced, “I can’t. Them dying would break my soul. He… she… they were like my second set of parents and…” He sighed, “You’ll do what you want. Take Valentina and Addison and be safe.” Caine and Addison shared a look.
I admitted, “I hate disappointing you.” It physically hurt me. He squeezed my arm, “You are always you and that never changes. They don’t deserve you and I wish you could see that.” He left with Sierra, and we geared up.
Valentina shimmered us near Red Run’s border. I nearly took a step over it but grounded myself then took three steps back. I found us a spot to shoot from. The Hunters were close. Addison linked, “Mel…” I cut her off, “I wouldn’t have known this if I hadn’t joined the Hunters and took all those computers. They could’ve died….if…”
She snorted, “Yes, you would’ve because you’re terrifying with a computer. You are fierce about the people you love.” I let my tears fall. Valentina whispered, “Mel?” I admitted, “We used to come to this cabin. It was a secret with our family, the Kyle’s, and Richards’.”
Valentina asked, “Who are the Richards?” Addison answered, “The Richards are the Gamma family in Red Run. We just use their first names a lot. So Sharon and Garret along with their brood of pups.” Valentina nodded.
I found Peter and Chelsea through the scope. I choked out a sob because I hadn’t seen them in a while. I protected them but from afar. Everything in me demanded I go run to them and beg them to love me again. Addison growled, “I hate them so much.”
The Hunters began to move. I looked back and gasped, “Why aren’t they moving?” They were talking. I growled, “MOVE!” Addison snorted, “Seriously? They haven’t noticed?” I quickly typed a text out to Peter, but he didn’t answer. I groaned, “Come on!” I texted him again and he finally looked. Good.
They were finally moving. They were going to be ok. We were going to cover them. Addison sighed, “Mel, maybe we just…” I declared, “I will not watch another person I love get shot or die. Nothing hits them and these jerks PAY!”
My watch went off and I gasped, “They launched a rogue attack?! SERIOUSLY!” She assured me, “The pack will have it covered.” I had to hope she was right. Without me there to argue and demand my friends come help Red Run, they wouldn’t.
Addison groaned, “Is he really kissing her? We don’t have time for this.” I wished I was closer so I could hear them. Valentina reasoned, “He probably thinks he’s saying goodbye.” Addison huffed. They ran outside and fury overtook me.
I fired more rounds than necessary into all my kills. They thought they could take MY FORMER ALPHA! They thought they could take Daddy Peter away and they were WRONG. Elise would be upset… that’s why I was doing this.
What the hell was that though even just now? I didn’t think of him as Daddy Peter anymore and I hadn’t in a long time. He never talked to me how he used to since I left. I see him againin person and mentally I’m back to Daddy Peter? Get a grip, Melanie.
Valentina said, “Uhh Mel, they are dead.” I shot them some more then ordered, “Shimmer inside with this note and take pictures. Leave these bugs and get back to us.” Addison pointed out, “You don’t have a note.” I huffed and clicked buttons to type my note then handed it to Valentina.
They read it and Valentina shimmered away. Addison stared at me. I grumbled, “Ok so I was angry… but seeing him is harder than I thought. They acted how they always did with each other and… why are they so normal and I’m not!”
Valentina came back saying, “Note delivered, bugs planted, and Paige communicated that Micah wants to meet you.” I ordered, “ILYX, send a text to Micah that I’ll be there later.” He agreed, “Of course, Melanie Jane.”
