I added, “I’d watch your six. Apparently, mom isn’t popular with the leadership of those packs you don’t oversee. Those affected love her though.” He growled, “I will slaughter anyone who spoke poorly of your mom.” I agreed with that sentiment.
I asked, “Have you made any progress on where the pack members we were gifted came from?” My dad snorted, “No birth certificates were filed by any pack doctors. Or non-pack doctors for that matter. Ethan is up in arms about that.”
“There are simply no records of these people. We’ve had to get them documentation since they didn’t have anything. They couldn’t drive so no one had a driver’s license. Those that have backgrounds in any type of field we could check out has nothing to document it, but they pass all our skills tests. It’s honestly maddening.”
I told him, “I might be able to give you information on that. I don’t know when, but I do know that the same people who have the evidence about the treatment of Omegas likely have the information of the packs those people came from.”
My dad asked, “And how would you have stumbled upon that?” I looked out the window at Melanie. I told him, “I can’t tell you right now, but when I’m home I will, hopefully, have more of the pieces to the puzzle myself. What I do know is that everyone who had anything to do with this, dies.”
My dad said, “Then we are at war. Your brother will declare war on those people if you feel that strongly.” I acknowledged, “I am aware. Nothing will make me back down, and I won’t change my mind. I know exactly what I’m getting into. Hell, I know what I’m getting us ALL into. Everyone will agree with me.” My dad replied, “Ok then.”
I snorted, “That’s it?” My dad answered, “You were always more reactive than your older brother, but I taught you boys responsibility. War is not something to be taken lightly and you know that. You wouldn’t declare war for no reason or without cause. I will always be in your corner and on your side. If this is the path you are certain of then I am on it with you. We all are.”
I knew I sounded relieved saying, “Thanks, dad.” My dad replied evenly, “You’re my son. If you walk into battle, you will always do it with the force of our family beside you. We are always there for each other. That’s what we do.”
I whispered, “I don’t know how to deal with this cataclysmic failure, dad. I really don’t know what to do with these emotions.” My dad said, “It was not just you that did not realize this was going on, but I don’t get the sense that’s what you’re talking about.”
I admitted, “That piece of it will be a serious lesson for me, but no it’s not what I’m talking about. The hurt and anger I feel intensifies pretty much every hour. I think that’s just going to get worse. The more I learn, the more the bad feeling sets in.”
My dad sighed, “When we can speak frankly and I know what you are talking about, I can know how to help you more than I can right now.” I snorted, “Let me guess, you have an idea?” My dad told me, “One is certainly forming. I’m not sure how it fits together though. I’m getting weird phone calls. This one is obviously one of those, but before you I got one from Cayden.”
I winced knowing I’d have to avoid Cayden when I went to the Hackura realm then. I’d been planning to ask him about Ashley, but if he’d started to suspect I’d have to leave quickly without talking to him. I asked, “What did he want?” Oden said, “Thor has a lot of questions too.” I’m sure he did, but Oden would handle that.
My dad said, “The bond tells me you’re worried you know that answer, but I’ll tell you anyway. He wanted to ask strange, pointed questions about a specific member of Red Run.” I rubbed my face. That meant Cayden definitely knew about Melanie being Ashley now. He must not know I have Spencer in Black Path.
My dad spoke again, “I’m getting the feeling what you’re talking about lines up with his questions. Considering the fact that outside our family, there is one person who you would not forgive yourself for perceiving you failed. I just do not know how Cayden could possibly know that person.”
I warned, “It will rock you to your very core when you find out.” My dad asked, “You know what’s going on? I suppose that would make sense given your feelings in the bond lately.” I sighed, “I know how they know each other. I do not know what the actual hell is going on.”
My dad advised, “Asking tends to get answers, son.” I snorted, “I’m in a bubble, but I get answers when I get back from my mission. I have EJ’s calendar blocked off to discuss everything when I return.” My dad said, “Then I suppose a certain someone will be returning with you.”
I replied, “Barring an emergency, I won’t come back without her. If one comes up, I’ll go get her after said emergency is handled.” My dad snorted, “You won’t come back home without her again, you mean. I heard about a cat fight over you before an Alpha Command was issued, by you.”
I laughed, “You already knew who I was with then.” My dad replied, “Yes, I did. No one else in our family seems to know though. The pack members that were in the gym aren’t talking either, which is your Alpha Command. Dylan won’t even return my phone calls. I’ll have to have your mother pull some prank on him for that.”
Oh god. Dylan was actually avoiding my dad. I was going to pay for that with him somehow. I said, “As long as you enjoy yourself, dad.” My dad sighed, “I knew the literal moment I got a link that you’d brought a girl home, and there was a fight who she was.”
I asked, “Does mom know?” My dad groaned, “She does not. That is going to bite us in the ass.” I snorted, “It’s all going to bite us in the ass.” My dad muttered, “Great. That’s just really fucking great.” I told him, “You need to get some sleep.” I heard a can crack.
He announced, “I’m drinking an energy drink, so I’ll be fine. I need less sleep these days anyway. I can get by on an hour if need be.” That was true. The longer he and mom were together the less sleep they needed. I sighed, “I need to go take care of someone.”
My dad asked, “She’s ok though, right?” I scoffed, “Currently? As in physically right now, yes. Do I think that was the case this entire time? No. Emotionally, she’s not ok by a long shot. The theories I have are so crazy but yet they seem possible. I just don’t even know anymore.”
My dad urged, “Ballpark it for me.” I explained, “I think it’s possible the Supernatural Council tapped a very smart, impressionable young girl who left angry with her family for undercover work they had no business putting her in.”
My dad groaned, “Oh good lord. Let’s hope it’s not that. My guy does say she’s busy though.” Oden snorted, “There’s no way his guy is on mate.” No, I was certain his guy was following the wrong person. I added, “I also think she’s been lied to and believes things that are NOT true about our allies and her family.”
My dad said, “I’ll call Lucas then Gunner. Go on and handle what you need to. When you get home, I’m breaking out the good whiskey.” I muttered, “We will need it.” I walked out onto the deck. Phil said, “Ok, we need to go get the dancing Luna machine out there. It’s bad enough we already have you as a machine in the gym. We CANNOT have two of you.” I grabbed them and popped them down to the ground.
Sierra and Phil tried to get her to stop, but Melanie shrugged when food was mentioned. I didn’t like that at all or the implication. I linked Phil, “If they didn’t feed her, I’ll give them back tenfold what they’ve done to her.” Phil looked at Sierra and told me, “I’ll be right there with you.”
The dance moves were running through my head as she visualized them. I noticed they were before she made them which meant she was picturing her next move. I started towards her. Sierra warned, “You can’t get her to stop once she’s started. Trust me, we’ve tried.”
She paused then said, “Well, you do that whole stopping her rants by kissing her thing, so you do you I guess. If anyone can stop her, it’s you.” I put my hands on Melanie’s waist and danced with her. Oden said, “I agree with the plan not to try and stop her.”
My point to her with the dance was knowing she had a partner now. I was here and I would always be here. It was somewhat cheating because I could see what she wanted to do next. I kissed her when the song ended.
Phil sighed, “Why wasn’t that Plan A? Why did he go with dancing WITH her first?” I linked him, “Because she was doing what she needed to do. I just didn’t want her to do it alone.” Phil sighed, “You partial Fairies with your waxing elegant speeches. You're lucky I grew up with you and can do my own now. Or I'd REALLY dislike you.” I deepened my kiss with Melanie.
