Flashback
Melanie finished her chores. I walked out of the pack house and saw everyone looking nervous. Aunt Stephanie screamed, “YOU HORRID PUP!” I asked, “What now?” She waved a bunchof papers around. Lead Warrior Buck said, “Stephanie, I don’t see the problem. She’d be gone. It’s what you want.”
Aunt Stephanie growled, “She did it behind my back.” I grabbed the papers and gasped, “I got in. I GOT INTO JULLIARD! OH MY GOSH!” Luna Elena said, “That’s very impressive, Melanie.” Aunt Stephanie snarled, “I already declined her spot.”
I asked, “But…why? Lead Warrior Buck is right…I’d be gone. You say that’s what you want… I actually thought this would make you happy…but I should’ve known you’re literally never happy.” Gamma Booker snarled, “You think you get to go live the high life?”
I said, “I don’t think you know much about dancing….or Julliard….it’s hard work.. and a lot of practicing….they push you really hard. I’m sure you’d be a fan of my grueling schedule.” Trevor snarled, “You’re not leaving! Get rid of that stuffed wolf too!” I sighed, “Pick a struggle, Trevor.” People snarled. Alpha Edward drove up and got out with Beta Jean.
The part of me that grew up in my old pack wanted my Alpha to be proud, but the part of me that knew this one understood he wasn’t going to be. He demanded, “Get to the punishing fields.” I stared at him. I questioned, “For what?” Aunt Stephanie said, “Applying to this school.”
Beta Female Eden said, “That’s not a punishable offense.” I agreed, “It’s not.” Aunt Stephanie sneered, “Where did you get the money? You obviously stole it.” I laughed, “Are you serious? I did not steal it. I have money.” She screamed, “YOU STOLE MY MONEY!”
I asked, “What money? You’re the one who is broke between us.” She screamed, “EDWARD!” Alpha Edwards sighed, “Go to the punishing fields, Melanie.” I shook my head at him but started walking. Aunt Stephanie tried to take the papers from me, but I yanked them back.
She sneered, “I told you I declined your spot already.” I said, “Ok. This is still proof I got in. It’s a pretty big deal and you’d throw them away.” I handed them to Hendrick and Mason. I didn’t know how the letter was addressed to Aunt Stephanie’s house instead of theirs but I’d guess it was because Selene had it out for me.
End of Flashback
I was still proud I’d gotten into Julliard. My parents would’ve been so proud. Tristan would’ve bragged for months on end about it. I just thought it was my way out of Black Path and that they’d be happy to have me gone.
In fact, everyone had agreed it was a good idea, but it was not. Clearly. Even though Lead Warrior Buck pointed out that they should be happy. He got it and their reaction to my acceptance confused the pack as a whole.
A store caught my eye, and I slammed on the breaks. I stared at the electric guitar letting it take me back to better days.
Flashback
Melanie was studying Tristan through the crack in his door where he couldn’t see me. He snorted, “I can smell you, Ladybug.” I really needed to work on my scent spray. He called, “Come on in.” I scampered into his room.
He grinned teasingly admonishing, “You are supposed to be doing your homework.” I groaned, “I finished it before school and it’s boring.” He chuckled and waved me over. He handed me an electric guitar.
I admitted, “I don’t understand why you have this one now. You love your acoustic guitar.” He replied, “I play both. I like the different sounds. Would you like me to teach you?” I squealed, “Yes! I love learning new things.” He gasped, “What? I never knew this about you.”
I hummed, “Umm yes you did.” He chuckled, “Sarcasm, Ladybug.” I grumbled, “I need to get better at recognizing that. My Xander and his siblings are sarcastic.” He agreed, “Yes, the Conners are quite sarcastic.” He’d figured out a while ago I liked Xander. He called it a crush, but he was my mate. I knew he was.
He took me through the cords and laughed. He said, “You’re such a natural.” He took it back and switched between guitars going through different songs. He was better at playing that I was, but I didn’t care. I just loved playing with him.
Flashback End
Melanie jolted and parked the car before running inside. I bought guitars and ordered a drum set, keyboard, and microphones. I ordered a bass and several other instruments letting the idea form. We could be a band.
I knew some of my friends could sing and play instruments. Having gigs near where we needed to be gave us a natural cover. Plus, it was something for us; just like Charles suggested. I even knew what our name should be: The Rebels.
Black Path would all think it was about how we acted with them. It was yet another act of defiance and I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. It was perfect.
I burst back into the diner with all the stuff. Caine asked, “Um did you start a band?” I squealed, “YES! How did you know?” He blinked several times dryly commenting, “I was joking.” I clapped, “We are going to be a band. It’s called The Rebels!” His jaw dropped.
I explained, “It’s perfect. It gives us a reason to be together more… and…” Valentina agreed, “I’m in.” She was always in. Any time I suggested things she was all about it. Virgil agreed, “Me too.” Paige laughed, “What the hell? It sounds fun.” They all quickly agreed, and we mapped everything out.
As time passed, we got pretty popular. I used Charles’ tips to help myself get the information I wanted. I was currently hunkered down in the bunker reading through Former King Ragor Cambridge’s files. I had to be super careful with the Hackura, but it’s not like anyone was monitoring his files. I jolted realizing there was a Hackura in the human realm.
Benny Cambridge wasn’t dead, he was alive. There was a massive cover up going on with how the line of his father, Prince Magnus, had died. Benny was definitely looking into that. I pivoted and set up runs to look for. I needed to find out everything I could about Prince Jeremiah Cambridge.
I was deep into looking for Benny when I heard a ping. ILYX said, “I have got on a probability of Prince Jeremiah’s son.” I gasped, “What? They wouldn’t leave a partial Hackura and…” ILYX added, “Probability is eighty percent. There is an uncle listed as a case of emergency on Jeremiah Junior’s school files. It is likely an alias for Benny. Jeremiah Junior also goes by JJ.”
I hummed, “There’s no way he’s in school. He’d be too old.” ILYX replied, “I have all his files.” ILYX added, “I have found him on traffic cameras. He appears to be being chased.” I gasped, “Like right now?” ILYX answered, “Yes.”
I groaned, “Give me his location. I swear anyone of Cambridge blood just like to challenge me to protect them….and I didn’t even know about this one.” ILYX showed me where Jeremiah Junior was and I got my gear on. I grabbed my sniper riffle and sniffled at the memories it brought back.
