I snorted, “She sucks… and apparently she’s an actress who can’t act… which makes it all the more insulting.” Jason laughed, “Agreed.” I pulled away from him and picked at my sleeve. I said, “I’m going to go hit the gym and maybe run some laps.” Jason snorted, “You and Alexander just make sense together.” He walked out of the room. I texted Alpha Theo.
Me: I need to talk to you… about things and stuff.
I had promised if I ever remembered what happened with Trevor... I’d tell him. I turned in time to see Robert kissing a woman through the window. Said woman had a platter in her hands. When I noticed what was on said platter, anger churned in my guts. They were THE mom monster cookies.
How dare Robert bring these to MY MATE’S PACK! What was he even trying to do? Make Xander not want me? Pain threatened to crush me. Freya snarled, “He will have no such luck.” I couldn’t let this happen… not again.
I ran into the kitchen, grabbed a pitcher, filled it with water, and put it on a tray. I waited until I smelled someone coming. I inhaled deeply and smelled the peanut butter mom monster cookies. I timed it perfectly, so we ran into each other. Then I made sure the water destroyed every last cookie.
I turned to talk to the woman carrying them and cringed. I had hit her harder than I meant. I didn’t want her to fall over. I apologized, “I am so sorry.” She laughed, “Oh it’s fine, Muffin Luna. We all don’t pay attention to where we are going every once in a while.” I just let her think that was what happened.
I stood asking, “Where were you doing with these? Gosh, I’m rude. You know me… who are you?” She smiled answering, “I’m Karina. I was going to the Alpha’s office. The Conners love my cookies.” Freya said, “Something is up with her wolf. She’s too quiet.” What if they had done something to her wolf, like Freya, but without taking her? JERKS!
Karina had said the Conners loved her cookies… I’d just bet they do. She was going to take them to my family and my mate. I’d wondered before but now I really wanted to know what Robert wanted to happen here. To make my mate reject me? Can cookies do that? Freya growled, “No.”
I asked her, “Oh? Where did you get the recipe?” Karina laughed, “Actually my boyfriend gave it to me. He said it was his mom's recipe. We made some the night of Luna Elise’s ceremony after everyone split off from the run. We made so many the next morning I left some out and the Conners just love them.” She had to mean except Haley… I had it noted in a file she didn’t like peanut butter.
I hummed, “Who is your boyfriend?” Karina answered, “Robert Fallon.” Evil jerk. I went over to the refrigerator and grabbed fruit and vegetables out of the fridge. When I had my anger contained, I turned. I clarified, “He’s not your mate?” She sighed, “No. He's just so kind.” Yeah, no he was not.
Karina continued, “He’s a Warrior but he still comes to sit and watch me bake his mom’s cookies. I know he has better things to do. I’ve talked to him about being chosen mates.” I asked, “What does he say?” She smiled, “Oh, it’s not the right time.” Karina then rubbed her head, and I was instantly worried. That was not an appropriate response from a she wolf bringing up being chosen mates.
I gently asked her, “Are you ok?” She frowned saying, “It’s just a light headache, it’s nothing.” I pressed, “Do you eat the cookies too?” Karina chuckled, “Oh no, not these. Robert makes mine for me. He brings them every week.” Robert was more inept in the kitchen than my Aunt that nearly burned her house down with a microwavable meal.
What a jerk! Robert was just using her to get to Black Mountain. This poor woman. I asked, “Have you tried to find your mate?” Karina shrugged answering, “I’m happy with Robert.” I nodded while Freya growled in my head. I was GOING to get him for this. He was keeping her desire to find her mate tapped down. I wondered if he was doing something to keep her wolf down too.
I linked Abigail, “Hey… can you watch over an Omega named Karina for me?” Abigail replied, “Of course I can.” I warned, “Do NOT eat any cookie she offers OR let her eat one.” She snorted, “I’d say this was weird but it’s you. So, no cookies. I’m so excited we can link since I’m in the pack.” I wasn’t in the pack actually…. but I linked anyone I wanted apparently.
I should’ve linked Sierra, but this was a Gamma Female thing. Gosh… I had a Gamma Female. Freya said, “We have a Beta Female too.” She was right… this was all very weird. I mean technically I wasn’t the official Luna, so I didn’t have either. Freya scoffed. I texted Paige discreetly.
Me:I need you to look into reversing magic about keeping a wolf quiet. Robert is evil… I know that’s the least shocking thing I’ve told you….but he did something to this woman in Black Mountain who makes cookies.
Paige:Oh lord, not more cookie issues. I’ll see what I can find.
Me:Check Robert’s room… you’re the Luna so no one will ask questions.
Paige:On it.
Me:Don’t go alone… so take Avery… she’s also the Luna…. and use the scent spray so he won’t know you’ve been there.
Paige:We got it, Mel. It’s not our first rodeo.
Robert wasn’t going to get away with this. I told Karina, “I am very happy with my mate.” Karina sincerely told me, “We are all so happy you are here with Alpha Alexander. You’ll have to show me your muffin skills sometime. We are the cookie and muffin queens around here.” She was actually right.
My heart broke for her because Karina had clearly been used by Robert. I’d have to make sure he didn’t take baking from her when she clearly loved it. That was a problem to solve at a later date. Freya growled in my head, “That BOY is such an ass. How DARE he harm this Omega.” I agreed.
I asked, “Does Robert stick around and wait for you to come back?” Because if he was still in this pack, I’d take him down for everyone to see. Karina answered, “Sometimes. Today he was going to wait for ten minutes then go, so I’ve missed him.”
Well then, I’d catch him in Blue moon’s territory. I finished placing things on the tray. She was still working on her end. I announced, “I’m off. I’m sorry I knocked you over. I truly didn’t mean to… do that… at all.” Karina dismissed my concerns, “Don’t worry about it.” I nodded and ran off to the garage.
I got on my bike and took off, noting a man watching me. He was definitely going to follow but that was fine. He was in this pack. Sierra called me through the watch, but it was connected to my helmet. I answered the call, “Hey.”
Sierra asked, “Mel, where are you going? Abigial told me that you gave her an assignment, and I have questions about it.” I explained, “I’m going after Red Run’s traitor. In the least shocking thing we’ve learned since we met our mates, it’s Robert. He’s always been such a jerk.”
Sierra whispered, “Maybe we should get the guys.” I told her, “I remember everything. He was the one who hit my mom and me in the car on the way to Elise and EJ’s mating ceremony. He’s been working against my family since I was little.”
I felt tears form as I recalled, “My mom was unconscious the whole time. I couldn’t move to help her. I screamed for help before he hit me in the head. Robert just left us there. He was there the night I thought I saw my entire family die. He was laughing at me as I cried. He was there the night I was supposed to shift. I saw him. I’m GOING to kick his prickly snobbish butt.”
Addison chimed in, “Do what you have to do, Mel.” I growled, “I see his car.” Sierra added, “Maybe just don’t kill him.” I grumbled, “I don’t intend to kill him… well yet. We need him alive. Or his dad will catch on, and we might lose the connection to their plans. I intend to take his phone.”
