At least that’s what Paige had discerned from a coven she’d worked with a few times that I’d assured her didn’t suck. She had told me that even though I was banished, I was born into a pack where a Fairy shared their light and joined the pack.
Apparently, the oldest lady in the coven dated a Fairy once upon a time. They traded in trade secrets with each other. Her for the Covens and him for the Fairies. Lucky me. One secret was about sharing light and what that would do to Supernatural groups.
Sierra ran us back to the dressing room. I tried on all the things she’d gotten for me. I liked it. Especially the red dress...Xander would...die….maybe….not like literally…but I did look good. I sighed looking at my reflection. She’d picked a dress with a back because I wasn’t showing those hideous scars.
Freya snarled, “That boy will pay. Mate would rip him to pieces.” I pointed out, “That would ruin our two weeks with him. He’d go confront Trevor and find out everything. I just want these two perfect weeks. We may never get more.” She sighed, “We would but I understand your feelings and respect them.” I sighed in relief.
Sierra squealed, “Let’s get it all! You looked amazing in everything.” I shook my head saying, “We can get the coats and some sweats...but we don’t need the rest.” Sierra snorted and left the dressing room. I was putting everything back when it vanished, like magically, except my red coat and Sierra’s purple one.
I ran out then realized it wasn’t like magic. It was magic. I looked at Sierra. She shrugged and linked, “He WANTED to get them for you. Stop thinking you don’t deserve nice things. He’s a good guy. Phil told me he’s been waiting for his mate. Let him spoil you. You deserve it, Mel.” I didn’t though.
Freya disagreed, “You do. WE do.” She did. She’d suffered all this time. Freya reasoned, “So did you.” Yes, but I deserved it. She growled, “No, you don’t.” Xander kissed me again and every argument, every single one of them... just melted from my brain and off my tongue.
When he pulled back I’d forgotten what I was going on about. Sierra linked, “He’s right. You DO need this stuff for our trip. Let’s walk around the quaint adorable town and let our mates spoil us. Ok?” Only because it clearly made him happy.
Freya hummed, “Yes, you did do a whole study on how providing for their mate’s increases and Alpha’s happiness exponentially.” Which is why Edward was SO unhappy. Not that he read the research I’d left out FOR HIM. It had been in an effort to stop getting him to be a jerk before I realized that would never happen.
Xander led us outside the shop. Sierra linked me, “The others will NEVER believe that this whole time we just needed your Xander. He holds the key to stopping the Melanie rant.” I grumbled, “Oh just...shut it.” Sierra snorted, “Uh huh. I’m right.”
I looked back and noted she was wrapped up in Phil. I told her, “I’m so glad you’ve got a great guy. I knew you would.” Sierra chuckled, “I knew you had one too.” Of course she did. I told them who it was and he is a great man. So, that wasn’t a novel thing to know.
I just hoped he wanted me when all was said and done. I shoved it all from my mind and looked around. I’d never been out of the country for fun. I’d been for work…and to kill people…and to meet with Anastasia…but never for fun. It was always Resistance related and I never went sightseeing.
I wanted to enjoy this. I wanted to enjoy everything about being with Xander….on a trip. A vacation. I hadn’t been on a vacation since I was thirteen with my family. Pain threatened to overtake me, but I didn’t let it for the first time in years.
Freya purred, “Mate wants to dazzle us.” Yeah, well he didn’t have to try. I was dazzled. He was dazzling. Freya warned, “I would stop talking about how much people don’t like you if you want to hang onto that two perfect week goal. Oden is furiously asking what that means.” Hopefully, she was a better liar than I was.
She chuckled, “I think almost anyone, if not literally everyone, is a better liar than you. I can easily put him off since I’m still going through ALL your memoires.” Well, at least she had an excuse ready to go. I thought about Black Path and all the things they did.
A lot of men in Black Path despised me while simultaneously wanting to have sex with me. They hated my ideas. They hated that I changed things. Even though they were for the best. They did not like me.
I used to be sweet. Heck…I used to be nice. They’d beaten that out of me a long time ago….At least I thought they had. I could be nice to certain people. Freya replied, “No, they didn’t.” Xander had a serious warning about people who didn’t like me.
Gosh….he was going to be busy if he didn’t end up hating me. Sierra linked me, “The Ring and Black Path beware. Melanie’s Xander is going on the hunt. Something tells me he excels at it.” She knew he did because I’d told them.
He was an Alpha Enforcer and Squadron Leader who happened to be a Duke of Faerie and the Hackura. That would be serious trouble for the list of people I had that were bad. If he gotit, they were dead much quicker than I planned on killing them. Xander was a see a problem, take it out kind of man.
To be fair…The Ring didn’t actually know my identity as the Resistance leader….but they certainly didn’t like me…since I did lead it…I was definitely on the top kill list for a lot of people. Xander’s lips were on mine again.
Eventually he pulled back and led us all through the town. It was amazing. Freya hummed, “Yes, sightseeing has perks. You could enjoy other countries instead of just having meetings in buildings you own, killing someone, and leaving.” I replied, “Well, I killed bad people so….” She snorted, “I am aware.”
I loved everything about this town. When they took us into a cookie shop it hit me….They heard Sierra and I talking about their scents. Xander had heard me talking about licking and biting a sugar cookie…but it wasn’t a cookie….it was him.
Embarrassment flooded me. Sierra tried to play it off. She linked me, “You’ve been fantasizing about you two together for YEARS. It’s always him.” I slapped her arm. Phil wanted her to say it out loud. I warned over link, “Don’t you dare tell him that!” Sierra retorted, “One day, maybe even right now, he will find it interesting.” I rolled my eyes.
Xander seductively whispered in my ear. Freya purred, “Yes, lick him everywhere.” She was sounding weaker and I hated that. She snorted, “Focus on our sexy mate.” His breath was tickling my ear and giving me ideas. This wasn’t fair. That tone...that voice.
Sierra linked me, “Ok your scent of arousal is through the roof.” I nearly shrieked, “Well…it’s not my fault! He doesn’t whisper like this to other people. ILYX doesn’t whisper because XANDER doesn’t on any audio I had access to.”
I stammered, “He…it…I’m not prepared…and I’m not good in situation when ill-prepared.” She scoffed, “You plan on thefly better than anyone I’ve ever met. Let’s get our cookies.” I practically flew up to the counter.
There was a she wolf behind the counter who winked at me. Oh good lord. Sierra linked me, “There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Our mates are hot.” I’d always known Xander was hot. I didn’t know he had a panty melting whisper he’d never used anywhere I could hear it. Or how his breathe on my neck would make me want to submit to him. I needed to do more research.
I ordered a sugar cookie. Sierra snorted, “Why bother? The best smelling one to you is over there.” I stuck my tongue out at her and walked back over to Xander. He popped us to some restaurant he liked. I couldn’t believe this was my life right now. This was happening. I bit my lip.
I glanced at my one of my best friends. It made sense when I thought about it…Sierra and Elise... I was always meant to be by their sides with our mates. I hoped….it could all work out. Sierra linked, “Aww you get to say you’ve never had wine.” That was true, I hadn’t.
I drank a lot though. Here shortly…..I’d see if I could dull the pain of the memories of my family dying with alcohol. Or maybe I wouldn’t do that this year. Normally I put on music and drank. Not exactly the best way to cope….but it’s what I had.
