I needed to get on that, so I quickly shot them both. The Dragon wasn’t happy. Which did not make sense. I’d saved her, but maybe it was because she didn’t know if I was going to shoot her. I made a snap decision to be in front of the Dragon.
I walked down slowly and took out a spray can and drew our symbol on both guys chest. I considered the fact I wasn’t on fire to be a good sign. I took a deep breath and turned to the Dragon. We were staring at each other, but she hadn’t shifted back.
Well, I still wearing my mask. So, I’d give some leeway there. I quickly took it off and studied her more. The Dragon seemed to smile at me. I whispered, “Wow… I didn’t know Dragons still existed and you’re… beautiful.” The Dragon definitely liked the compliment.
I continued, “That’s a unique color of purple, two horns on top with four down each side for a total of ten. A silvery white chest and some on your wings and a horned tail.” Stop describing the Dragon, Melanie.
I admitted, “Dang… you probably didn’t need me to shoot the Hunters, but I was kinda awestruck I mean… look at you! It’s so cool and… I mean you know that. You’re a Dragon. Are you the only one? You should be in their realm… I mean everyone thought they died off, but clearly they did not… because you are here… and you can’t be the only one… because biology.”
I tapped my chin, “Gosh, it must be hard for you to find some place to fly. Poor Dragon… I know wolves like to run but people are used to seeing wolves… not dragons though. I have a Witch friend… I have a lot of buildings too.”
I thought about adding, “If I asked her to spell the inside of one to look like the sky that might be nice for you. She could put up a holoport so you could get to it if you needed to shift. It’s not ideal or perfect because it’s not actually being outside, but maybe your Dragon side would feel less restless if she had a space where she knew she could come fly without fear of Hunters.” She still didn’t shift back. Ok.
I started asking questions, “Do you breathe fire? Because that would be so cool.” Now the Dragon looked amused. I was still not on fire so that was still good. She turned and roasted the bodies. She was showing off. YES! She liked me.
I gasped, “Wow… you do breathe fire! That’s so cool. Purple is a royal color. Are you royalty? I bet you are. Even if you’re not, it's so cool.” That got her to shift back. She was stunning. I was pretty sure Prince Hastein Cambridge would agree. Maybe I could get them to meet. The Hackura realm would be safe for her. Her hair was partially purple at the bottom. I wondered if she dyed it that was or not.
When she turned around, I said, “Wow… your hair is so cool! Is that natural?” Good going Melanie. Keep saying the word wow. She’s not going to believe us if we tell her we are a genius. She answered, “Yes, it is natural. It matches my Dragon. I can’t dye my hair either. It doesn’t change color.”
Well, she couldn’t but I could prove I was genius even though I couldn’t stop saying wow around her. I told her, “I bet I could figure it out. Or get you a nice wig that no one could tell the difference if you wanted. I’m Melanie by the way. People call me Ashley too… but it’s really Melanie. Melanie McAlister.”
She hummed, “Sounds like your story is complicated.” I sighed, “Most people around here have complicated stories.” She questioned, “Why were you following these guys?” I sat down by her and tried to let go of my anger since they were dead.
I explained, “They were going to gather information on my Xander.” She made that smile people did when I said that right before they decided I had a crush. It was annoying. She asked, “Your Xander? Who might that be?”
I explained, “My mate.” I could see her confusion, but I just really couldn’t hear ONE more person call it a crush. Eventually she said, “I didn’t know Werewolves knew before eighteen who their mate was.” I admitted, “I’ve known since I was three.”
She pressed, “Why did your mate let you come alone? Is your mate not a Werewolf? They seem to be possessive even when they are assholes.” They did not from what I’d seen down here. This pack and the ones around here were not at all really. Well, not in a way that protected their mates… more in a way that made it seem like they owned them.
Alpha Peter and my dad were… Even Garrett was. He didn’t write to me though. He just closed the door on our relationship as if I meant nothing to him. He used to run and play with me. He’d even tried to dance with me once when I showed him a move. I pushed that sadness away harshly.
I told her about Xander, “We’ve never met. He’s my brother’s best friend.” She seemed to be arguing with her Dragon about something. Eventually she said, “My name is Kingsley.” I responded, “That’s a pretty name.”
She grinned saying, “Thanks. Why don’t you tell me more about this Xander? I’m sure we can get the two of you together.” I whispered, “I can’t get to him. He doesn’t want me.” Yet. I was working on getting him to be open to the idea.
The Resistance making Beta Jason proud was my best shot. The Rebels couldn’t hurt either. We were popular. I was also Red One. So, I had a chance I was giving myself. She asked me, “Why do you think that?”
I explained, “My brother told me.” She pointed out, “Your brother could be lying. What is Xander’s full name?” Beta Jason wouldn’t lie to me. If he was going to, he’d tone down how much he hated me after all this time.
I answered her, “Alpha Duke Alexander Marcus Nathan Conners.” She snorted, “Honestly, your brother is likely lying. If even a fraction of the rumors about Princess Luna Haley Conners are true, she’d kick her son's ass if he rejected his mate over something like that.”
My brother didn’t lie, and I wasn’t sure where Princess Luna Haley would come down on this. Ultimately, he was her son, and she wanted him to be happy. Which was what I wanted. I admitted, “I trust you for some reason. Plus, I’m pretty sure you could breathe fire and kill me easily. I guess I might as well tell you my story.”
She replied, “I won’t set you on fire. My Dragon and I both like you. That’s rare for her. She doesn't tend to like people; however, I'll tell you what; you tell me your story and I’ll tell you mine.” Ok, Melanie no screaming about a Dragon liking you. That’s not normal and she might think you are mostly normal. I agreed, “Ok.”
I tried to tell her a short version of my story but blurted the whole thing out. She breathed out smoke a few times during it, but she didn’t seem to notice. When I finished, she asked, “So, you’re fifteen?” I answered, “Yup. I have a lot of plans for my sixteenth birthday… since Beta Jason will let me come home and… getting Xander to be open to us is one of them.”
I should probably acknowledge I had another plan if my brother didn’t let me come home. I didn’t like to think about that plan because it upset me… but every plan needed other factors. I liked having other plans ready to go. I didn’t do well when taken by surprise.
I asked her, “So, what’s your story?” She laid it out for and I nearly cried. She had people who cared about her, but they clearly hurt her. She was so lonely. I admitted, “King Aiden Holloran could tell you more about yourself… but… I do… I could… do some research… and…” I might lose my new friend before our friendship really started, but she should know about who she was.
She cut me off, “You can do that. I don’t know King Aiden and I don’t trust him.” He would definitely let her come to Faerie, but she didn’t look like she wanted that. I could get her somewhere to fly though. I called Paige.
She answered, “Hello, Melanie.” I greeted, “Hi, yeah…” She asked, “Do you need to rant about the group not agreeing to kill those Hunters?” I snorted, “No…” She snorted, “Because Sierra seemed to think you were going to do it anyway.” Well, Caine did link me already so they knew I’d gone anyway.
I admitted, “I did go kill them….” She sighed, “What’s the point of us saying we don’t think we need to kill people if you do it anyway? We agreed…” I cut her off, “Well, I did NOT agree… I don’t really care about the group consensus…”
She groaned, “Your Xander could deal with them.” I snorted, “I know he could handle it… that wasn’t the point. THEYIGNORE MY MESSAGES…” Paige snorted, “You’ve to be kidding. They don’t know it’s you.” They should. I leave the Resistance symbol….therefore, they are ignoring the Resistance and that’s irritating.
