Eric smiled, “I have been around my in-laws a long time. I do enjoy a challenge, Melanie McAlister.” I smiled at him. He added, “Now, this is KJ.” I turned, “Umm hi… you followed me… and have been…” He chuckled, “Yes, I’ll be sticking with you like Ray does Luna Elise. Nice to actually meet you.”
I groaned, “Did you meet the fake me?” He replied, “Yes, and she was nothing like the file I had other than she was busy. I’m sorry I didn’t clue in on the conspiracy.” I shrugged, “It’s ok, you couldn’t have. Is Ray here?” He nodded. I smiled wondering when I’d see him.
Xander came out with my friends. I said, “Uhhh… I thought you had a meeting.” He kissed my cheek replying, “I wanted to say goodbye, and I had something delivered for you this morning. I wanted to show it to you personally.” I laughed, “What do you want to show me?”
Xander grabbed my hand and led me around the garage, where a red convertible Volkswagen beetle came into view. I squealed, “WHAT?!” Xander laughed, “I’ve had it for a while now.” I jumped on him asking, “How did you know?”
He whispered, “Just as you know things about me, I know quite a bit about you. Jase said it was your dream car.” Tears filled my eyes because he was right, it was. Xander handed me the keys adding, “It’s a bit of a tight fit, but the back seat does allow for three people.” Addison yelled, “Shotgun!”
I laughed and kissed Xander hard as they ran for the car. He linked me, “If you want to go shopping, then you need to stop that.” I put my forehead on his. I admitted, “It’s not just the cookies… about Robert. I mean… how I knew… it was him…ugh…that made more sense in my head.”
Xander replied, “I know it’s more than the cookies and a conversation with Karina.” I closed my eyes and trusted him, “Robert was there. He’s who hit my mom and me the night of EJ and Elise’s ceremony. He left us there in a ditch. I cried for help, but he hit me. Robert kept us from each other.”
“If I’d have met you none of this would’ve happened. He hurt my mom and me. He was also there the night they came for me… during Elise’s Luna Ceremony… and Robert just let them take me. He laughed while I cried in the illusion.”
Xander wiped the tears I didn’t know were falling from my face. I whispered, “There’s more, but I just…” Xander kissed my forehead assuring me, “That’s plenty for now, and Robert should be VERY glad he’s not awake yet. I might have to bring him brought around.”
My mate pulled back, “Have fun and be safe. Fowler, Chason, and KJ will be in the SUV behind you.” I nodded, “Ok.” I forced myself to walk towards the car. Fowler and Chason waved to me, and I waved back. KJ inclined his head.
I got in my car loving that it had that new car scent. I smiled and turned the key in the ignition. I laughed and started the drive to the store. Sierra said, “Maybe your Xander’s gift will turn your feelings about driving around.” I snorted, “I’ve still been in two really bad accidents. If someone hits this car… I will actually fight them.” They all snorted, but I was serious.
Addison connected my phone to the Bluetooth in the car and played music. We all laughed and sang as I drove the coordinates programmed into the car. We pulled up outside the store. Addison declared, “I have SUCH a good feeling.”
We walked in and it was clear they knew who we were. The staff had drinks waiting and I could scent out they were from Black Mountain. All of them introduced themselves to me. Cassie owned this store with Elise apparently. They had dresses in a variety of sizes because they knew the nature of mating ceremonies.
Addison had tried on several, but none were what she wanted. She looked beautiful in all of them though. Paige went back with the worker and Addison to check the back room. My phone buzzed.
Alpha Theo:I’m coming to Black Mountain Thursday to deal with Claire before the Daniels’ pup’s party. We have so much to talk about.
Me:See you then… and I guess we do… no… I mean we do… have a lot to talk about… see you Thursday.
Alpha Theo:I’m looking forward to it.
I focused back on the dress. I sighed because I knew what the problem was. Addison’s mom’s dress what was she wanted. I knew what her mother’s dress looked like before the fire incident. I looked through the racks of dresses, then my jaw dropped.
It was the perfect dress. It had a sweetheart neckline, but that was the only difference between the dress on the rack and her mom’s. I grabbed it and ran back to the room with Paige and Addison.
Addison glanced over then gasped, “You found it!” I said, “It’s a bit more modern but….” Addison had tears in her eyes when she interrupted me, “But it’s the dress.” The attendant ushered us out politely so that she could help Addison get into the dress.
It was a fitted ballgown until her waist and had off the shoulder sheer sleeves and a full skirt. Addison walked out smiling brightly. We all teared up. Addison squealed declaring, “This is THE dress.” The attendant smiled announcing, “I’ll get it ready for you.”
Addison bewilderedly said, “But I don’t know the price yet.” It didn’t really matter since I could buy it for her. The attendant laughed, “Lead Warrior Jason called us yesterday and said not to show any of you the price tags. He wanted his mate to have whatever she wanted. He’s buying the dress. Well, he agreed to split it with your brother, Alpha Caine.” I smiled because that sounded like my brother.
Addison smiled asking, “Caine is going to help?” She knew he could. I’d been helping Caine cultivate his finances. He had businesses in Nashville. There was a bar in the strip, and he had some shares in the mall. He was going to grow his portfolio. Addison probably didn’t think he’d help because he didn’t like Jason… which was my fault. Freya scoffed, “It’s bad people’s fault, not yours or Caine’s.”
The attendant nodded, “Yes, both men were adamant.” Addison whispered, “I can’t believe they did that.” Paige snorted, “I can. Dalton already told me whatever I want, I can have. I think he just wants to see if that means I can pull the wedding together faster. He’s not wrong though, because money does appear to talk to people.” We all laughed.
I told her, “Hey, I’ll buy your dress… you’re… you and… well…” Paige hugged me, “Cool because I want a creation by your mother in law.” I muttered, “She would absolutely not charge you.” Paige laughed, “Well, I still want to go dress shopping. It’s a rite of passage.”
Addison came out from the back and Chason put her dress in their SUV. We went out to eat together because there was no rush. Normally someone had to get back and cook or do something. We didn’t today though. Not here with the allied packs. By the time we got back to the pack it was pretty late.
Valentina hadn’t made it out to join us, but Addison was going to video call her later so she could see the dress. We pulled up and Xander was outside waiting. I admitted, “I’m stunned your mates aren’t waiting too.”
Addison laughed, “I banned Jason from being out front because he can’t see my dress. He’s inside and Sharon should be popping in.” Sharon popped in smiling, “Hello, girls. WOW! That’s a beautiful dress.” Addison squeezed me bragging, “Melanie found it. It’s perfect!” I blushed. Sharon popped away with the dress.
Not even a second later Dalton, Dakota, and Jason flew out of the house. Sierra laughed when she was scooped up from behind. I heard a pop behind me and laughed, “You could’ve walked. I saw you over there.” Xander teased, “Don’t you remember? Walking is for losers.” I laughed and turned around to give him a hug.
We all went inside and had a drink before the Red Run group left. Xander went to go check something. I quickly ran up to his room and found my pants from the night before. I found Robert’s phone and quickly scanned the code he talked to his dad in.
