Melanie and Claire verbally sparred while Dylan threw his popcorn into the air. He dropped his bucket when Melanie mentioned Claire’s comment before he got here. Dylan nudged Buttercup, “The Moody Triplet is going to kill her. Odds are at fifty to one for.”
Buttercup smirked teasingly replying, “You’re losing the ability to know the right horse to bet on, dad. Look at the woman with him.” Dylan snorted, “I have and I have so many questions about that.” He wasn’t getting any answers.
He studied Melanie then admitted, “Hmmm I do see, my young grasshopper, to what you refer. I’ll give it fifty fifty odds one of them kills the wannabe.” Oden growled, “We should kill her.” She was an allied pack member.
Oden reasoned, “Hated pack member. Lake LOATHES her.” That was true. Lake, Lux’s wolf, hated Claire and so did Lux. The whole Alpha family didn’t like Claire. I couldn’t really blame them though, I’d hate her if she pulled that shit in our family. Mom would’ve killed her in a second.
Wesley linked me, “I’m so sorry, big brother. I never would’ve let her in the territory if I knew your mate was coming here with you. I don’t know how she knew you were here.” I assured him, “Liam is going to find out.” Wesley winced.
Claire was prattling on while Melanie made snarky, excellent comments back. Dylan whispered, “I like her!” Buttercup laughed, “I do too.” Melanie was warning Claire she was about to get her ass kicked by not using titles.
Dylan whispered, “For me Claire, call him by his name again. I’m so here for this smackdown.” Pride filled me and my Warriors when Melanie smugly quoted me about preparedness from one of my videos. Phil linked, “Snap! She snapped!”
Dylan snorted, “I do believe the Moody Triplet has said those exact words. Right? Don’t answer. I know he has. Wait, answer. A question has been asked it must be answered for the masses.” Wesley confirmed, “He did say that. Word for word.” Dylan laughed, “Of course he did. She was quoting a video. How adorable.”
Claire didn’t know that though. She turned beet red with embarrassment when it was pointed out. I was back to being amused until Claire challenged Melanie. I snarled at her. Oden linked, “I’ll kill her Alexander.”
I replied, “You’d have to beat me to it.” Several Warriors inched forward ready to act if I did. As if it would take more than me to kill this wretched wannabe ladder climber. Melanie just laughed and accepted. Oden growled, “NO!” I agreed with him, but Melanie had already accepted.
He grumbled, “This is not a good first impression of OUR pack.” I argued, “Claire isn’t from our pack, so it’s not really our pack’s fault.” He conceded that point with a huff. Dylan threw popcorn in his mouth looking between them.
He nudged Buttercup, “If you’d told me I’d see a thrown down over our very own Moody Triplet and that he’d CARE about who won, I’d have laughed at you. Well, slap my behind and call me Shirley because the Moody Triplet cares about who wins this challenge.” He paused then whispered, “Because he’s in love.” I’d argue with him, but he was right.
Phil linked, “Before you burst a blood vessel. Sierra says Melanie has this. She literally said it’s no problem.” I shot back, “I have a goddamn problem with it.” Phil reasoned, “Let’s just take deep breaths and notice that your mate is not even worried.”
I studied Melanie noting he was right. I was still pissed off though. This was MY pack, MY home, and she was MY mate. Melanie taunted Claire while Dylan remained beyond entertained by her. That wasn’t good. I was going to have to talk to him.
Phil linked, “I have now noticed your mate never says her name.” Yes, well I understood why that was. She was a terrible liar. I wondered if she could even say it believably. Dylan actually threw his popcorn, and his gaze narrowed on Melanie who looked a little frightened.
I growled at him which just made him raise an eyebrow at me before he picked up his popcorn and sighed. Buttercup asked, “Dad?” He sighed, “It’s so hard being me. I’ve still got it. I know things. So many things. Now, I have more questions.” Buttercup frowned.
Claire taunted Melanie about her lack of wolf. I linked Phil, “Can they not sense Freya?” Phil replied, “I can sense her if I try, but it’s not standard to try.” He was right. Melanie brushed her off. She didn’t even show that Claire’s words bothered her, but I was certain they did.
Claire threw in the Moon Goddess. Sierra snorted. Melanie didn’t mince words on her feelings for our goddess. Dylan gasped, “Holy crap! Stand back people. Lightning will strike any second.” Nothing happened.
Dylan frowned, “Can I at least get a crackle of lightning outside? I see MULTIPLE partial Fairies in here. Help your biggest fan out.” All of them were my cousins. I hadn’t noticed more of Liam’s sons were in here. Mostly because none of them had linked me besides Cory. The girls would’ve done the lightning, but nothing happened.
Dylan sighed, “It’s because of the Moody Triplet, isn’t it?” No one answered him. Dylan complained, “Alpha Moody Triplet is harshing the fun vibe. Yet bringing it because he brought someone home. He’s such a contradiction.”
I tensed because Claire’s friends were coming at Melanie from behind. Wesley came up beside me, still apologizing, “I’m really sorry about this.” I shrugged saying, “It’s not your fault.” Dylan walked up because he obviously couldn’t help himself.
He commented, “That’s an interesting smell wafting from you Alpha Moody Triplet, very interesting. I have things to say.” I retorted, “You usually do.” Dylan rolled his eyes, “You are just so VERY much like your father.” I said, “Thanks.” I’d be happy if I ended up being just like my dad.
Melanie easily took several of Claire's friends out. Dylan cheered, “YES! You go girl! You are a she wolf and I hear you SNARLING with your killer moves! She’s good! That’s not surprising though.” Shit. Buttercup chimed in, “She’s a Female Lead Warrior, dad. Of course she’s good.”
Dylan tapped her nose, “Right you are, my beautiful Princess. That’s not what I'm referring to though.” Wesley frowned asking, “What are you talking about then?” Dylan snorted, “Moody Triplet, would you care to bring everyone up to speed on why it does not surprise former Beta Dylan, who's still got that Beta pizazz to know things, about her skills?” I didn’t say anything.
He pressed, “That’s ok. I’ll start the sentence for you. You just say I am not surprised about former forever pizzaz filled Beta Dylan because…” My jaw ticked and I answered his original question, “No, I don’t care to enlighten anyone about your comment on her skills.”
Dylan sighed, “Of course you don’t. Do you have a reason that I shouldn’t get on my phone and text a certain friend of mine?” Damn it. He knew she was Melanie. I told him, “Yes. Don’t. Or I’ll crush your phone.” Dylan gaped at me before he blinked several times.
Cory linked, “My cousin who is also my friend, what the hell is going on? You would actually break his phone?” I replied, “I cannot lie so yes.” Cory groaned, “For fuck’s sake this can’t be good. Just so you know I asked my dad and he thinks he knows what Dylan knows and he doesn’t find it fun like Dylan. He’s fuming.” Naturally.
Dylan hummed, “Ok then. I’ll continue to eat popcorn and know things. When this is over though you and I need to talk. You can pop me to a beautiful quiet spot for a joyous conversation. Filled with answers. OR, and this a fun or, a SERIOUSLY awesome present. There will be no topping your mother with her popcorn company though. I’d need you to get on that level for no calls to be made.” I stared at him.
Dylan clapped when one challenger rescinded the challenge she’d never made. He cheered, “Smart woman. Know when you’re fighting a losing challenge. It was hardly fair since there were only sixteen of you and one of her.”
He asked, “What were you supposed to do? The odds weren’t in your favor or anything. It’s not even moderately sad that none of you have managed to touch her. Good for you bowing out after she took down several of your group!” Such sarcasm.
