Alexander waited until everyone left. I turned to Charlene and asked, “Do you have any idea how you got caught?” Charlene frowned asking, “Didn’t Alpha Peter or your uncle tell you?” I shook my head, “No. I do have to thank you before I kill you because for the first time, I got to talk to someone via text.”
I winked, “In fact, it’s someone that I’ve been wanting to interact with for quite some time.” Oden snorted, “Since she was born. We have wanted to mate since she was born.” That was true. Charlene questioned, “Who?”
I snorted, “You know exactly who it is if you’re half as smart as you want to claim to be.” Charlene’s nose wrinkled up smarting, “If you like that little Beta bitch….” I grabbed her by the throat and squeezed. Oden growled, “RIP HER HEAD OFF!” I planned to kill her, just not yet.
I warned, “Speak of Melanie that way ever again, and I’ll take you to the Hackura realm to torture for decades. Why didn’t youjust leave Melanie alone? I don’t like you, and I never did. I never gave you any indication that I did either.”
I questioned, “Do you think my brother’s and I are oblivious to people who just want to use us for our name? News flash, you are in an allied pack of ours. I’ve known since the dance you didn’t want me for me. I’m best fucking friends with Jason for god’s sake.” I released her from my hold.
She coughed, “Yeah, well I have noticed your best friend doesn’t know you like his little sister. Go for someone your own age. She’s a pup.” I tilted my head, “Since you’re going to die, I’ll let you in on a secret.”
She pleaded, “No, don’t tell me. I want to live.” Oden scoffed, “She’s delusional.” I replied, “We knew that.” He huffed his agreement. I ignored her saying, “My secret is that I’m fairly certain Melanie McAlister is my mate.” Oden growled, “Sure. We are sure.”
Charline snorted, “Of course you are. Some bitches get all the luck. She’s so in love with you she can’t see straight. No matter how many times I tried to get her off that path.” I growled, “What does that mean?” I used my pushing power.
I heard steps and briefly saw Charlene and her friends were talking. When they started talking the picture faded and I only heard voices. One spoke, “Shh, let’s just go. This is crazy, Charlene. She’s just a pup. The Beta’s daughter to be exact. You know T comes out here with her sometimes now. We need to go.”
Charlene growled, “No, she needs to understand.” One sighed, “Maybe you need to understand. She’s a pup with a crush. Most pups have those. Alexander may have gone crazy on two peaks, but we ALL know it wasn’t for you. There’s no point in telling the smartest pup in this pack it was. She’ll find out it’s a lie.”
Another added, “She’s right. Alexander probably lost it because that’s his best friend's little sister. If anything, I’mbeginning to think Melanie isn’t the only one with a crush. Which means this is a BAD idea. Goddess above, what am I doing here?” Several people sucked in a breath.
That same voice announced, “I’m not going to die because you can’t stand the fact Alexander might like her too. They both fight like insane people. It would make sense that they gravitate towards each other. I’m out of here.”
I heard steps then the same person said, “Don’t call me anymore. Hell don’t talk to me until you get over this crazy idea of making Melanie pay for Alexander not liking you. You did that all on your own. You openly talk about him taking you as a chosen mate. You even loudly proclaim how things will run when you are a Luna of Black Mountain and getting the respect you deserve.”
She paused then added, “Around us, you talk about how Alexander will penalize Alpha Peter for giving you punishments. It was already crazy, but now you’ve gone delusional. I don’t know where the girl I grew up with went, but this is bizarre.”
She muttered, “I’m also really fucking tired of getting my ass kicked by a pup five years younger than me. It’s embarrassing and I hate it. Melanie will never agree to work with me on training so I can get better if I keep hanging around with you guys.”
She snorted, “You have gone off the deep end and I don’t see how this doesn’t end without you dying. I, personally, don’t want to die. I want to meet my mate and have a family. I want to be a Warrior in our pack. You know what? I just can’t do this anymore. If you guys are smart, you’ll follow me.”
“The last time you tried to jump her about this Alexander Two Peak situation Elise and Ray were there. Isn’t that a big enough sign this has to end? Melanie didn’t even know what Alexander had done. Which means she didn’t think it was about her. Youput that thought into her head. She’s a freaking genius. Morons, all of you.”
I heard the leaves crunching as if someone was walking away. Charlene growled, “Kristin, come back! Your point isn’t valid because Melanie does think it was about her now. We are helping her.” Kristin snorted, “I repeat, she thinks that because YOU told her about it.”
She admitted, “Hell, I even think she’s right to think it was about her because it’s the logical conclusion. She’s the one who was attacked, and Alexander had no other reason to be pissed. Could that be because she’s Jason’s little sister? Yes. Could it also be because Alexander likes her too? Also yes. Meaning this path leads to death and I’m off it.”
Charlene snarled, “I’ll kill her! He’s mine.” Kristin laughed, “First, that’s treason so shut up. Second, you’ll never beat Melanie in a fight, Charlene. You’d also never have Alexander if you killed her. If anything happens to Melanie McAlister, I’ll tell the Alpha it was you.”
She stated emphatically, “I will not be part of the witch hunt if the Beta’s daughter gets hurt. I’d be under suspicion because I associate with you. Because I was looking for the girl I used to know, but she’s clearly gone. Melanie is a member of our pack. She’s just a pup.”
She urged, “Stop being so crazy and jealous over a pup. Alexander isn’t your mate, but the signs that she could be his are certainly there. Stop ignoring them before you are killed for a man who was never yours and gives no shits about you.”
“He finds you annoying which is clear as day on his face. Elise doesn’t even like you anymore. Alexander is quiet around most people, but he loves Elise like a sister. If she tells him to stay away from you that’s exactly what he will do. You dug your own grave. You could’ve been friends with him. Leave our Beta’sdaughter and Alexander alone. Your obsession will be the end of you.”
Charlene snorted, “Who needs you anyway? Fake friends are the worst.” Kristin sighed, “You would know. You’re the fakest of them all. There’s no way you know anything about what’s going on with any of us in our lives because you’re so self-involved.”
She sounded near tears, “You’re just so wrapped up in your delusions of you and Alexander that it’s all you can think about. Tell me one thing going on in my life and I’ll keep looking for the girl I once knew. There’s even a big one that the whole pack knows about.”
Charlene was quiet for several minutes. I heard shuffling feet indicating the others with her were nervous. Maybe listening to her sage advice. Kristen was obviously the smart one of the bunch. Kristin snorted, “Exactly. My brother is in the pack hospital. He was hurt on a scouting mission. Thanks for caring so much about me. Bye.”
Charlene yelled, “I’m sorry! I just have a lot in my life going on.” Kristen called, “Wanting Alexander to be yours and plotting how to bully the Beta’s daughter is not more important than my brother suffering from silver poisoning. Princess Luna Haley and Alexander are off on missions so they can’t be called to heal him yet. We hope he can hang on.”
She added, “Oh, and do you know who comes every day to read to him and his scouting group? Melanie McAlister. She even sent all the family’s a care package separate from the Luna’s and her mom’s. It was catered to every member of our family.”
“I’ve stood back while you bullied her, and she sent me all of my favorite things and a book she thought I would like. Hell, I do like it and I bet you can’t name a single thing in that care package. Like my favorite candy.” Charlene didn’t say anything again. Kristen shouted, “BITCH! I know every goddamn thing about you.” I heard someone running away now.
I snarled, “You ambushed Melanie?!” Charlene whined in pain. Oden took over, “My human asked you a question!” She sighed, “Well, that pushing thing hurts a lot!” I growled, “Answer me!” She finally replied, “We ambushed her fairly often. We never won a fight against her though. I just wanted to beat her once then you would know I was worthy.”
