I commented, “That’s weird.” Tristan reiterated, “She’s living her dream. She had a recital on the day of our mating ceremony. What could I say? That I was more important.” Yes, and she would’ve agreed. Oden growled, “Did she even say she had a recital?” I wasn’t so sure anymore, but I was beginning to think the answer was no.
I knew the girl I had on my computer dancing was her based on what I saw when she danced in Switzerland. There was no faking her dancing. Those phone calls though? They sounded nothing like her. Which meant someone was working with Fairies, or a powerful Witch, to charm something to have someone look like Melanie enough to fool her family.
I asked, “Has she ever mentioned her etiquette coach again?” He snorted, “No, but we stopped asking. She got mad and didn’t talk to us for weeks when we did.” Holy shit. I linked my wolf, “She never got nervous and rambled on any of those calls.” He agreed, “And they don’t find it weird. Something is wrong with them.”
I asked, “T, does any of this seem weird to you? Is there not someone around adjacent to our circles that reminds you of her?” He snorted, “There is but it’s not possible and she’s just living her dream. We held onto her too tight and she’s enjoying her freedom.” Why didn’t I find that answer weird until today?
I pushed, “Who is it that reminds you of her?” He chuckled, “Ashley Griffen. I might watch for updates from her. I emailed her but Alpha Davis sent it back saying I had no reason to talk to his Female Lead Warrior. They are oddly strict, but I know she never even saw I emailed her.” Which he should’ve reported to my dad.
I asked, “What email did you try on?” He replied, “Her official one.” I had more questions, but he said, “I’ve got to go, but feel free to call back if you want to name your mystery date.” I snorted as he hung up. I sighed, “You’d probably kill me if you knew her name since I didn’t call you when we showed up, T.”
I laid down. My thoughts were swirling. I’d just dozed off when my burner phone rang. I picked it up, “Uncle Bjourn, I told you I'd make this one fast but not that fast. I don’t have anything to report yet.” I heard panting on the other end.
Melanie rushed, “I’m not your Uncle Bjourn… obviously, since my voice tells you that… and ummm so through a series of events…. I need a favor, no questions asked.” I smiled replying, “Your wish is my command, Lovebug. What do you need?”
Melanie told me, “I need you to come get us and pop us back to our hotel. I’ll text you the address I need you at. We will be there in ten minutes, and we need to leave as soon as we get there.” My phone beeped. I did a double take when I saw where it was.
I questioned, “What the fuck are you doing in Missouri? And how did you get there?” Sierra yelled, “She said no questions!” I grumbled, “I’m practically there.” I popped to an old, abandoned warehouse. I put my hand on the building noting it hummed with magic.
What the fuck? I studied the building closely. It was not what it seemed at all. I filed the address away mentally for yet another thing I needed to look into. Despite my confusion, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. This is much sooner than I thought I’d get to see Melanie. I simply had to wait for them to get here.
Cruel Universe
Melanie and Sierra held onto Valentina’s hands. Valentina brought us to an alley near the mall in Missouri where my dumb brother was for some reason. Valentina’s phone went off. She frowned then told us, “I need to get back. Call me when you guys need to get out of here.” She shimmered away.
Sierra snorted, “I really hope that was an epic emergency because people are going to die in there and we are GOING to have to leave in a hurry. Like probably one of the biggest hurries we’ve ever left in.” I looked at the mall entrance not arguing, because she was right.
I told her, “It will be. Val wouldn’t have left otherwise. Go pick up one of our cars in the garage. Be waiting out in the alley. If I don’t make it to you in twenty minutes, leave.” Sierra frowned, “Mel, no.” I told her, “Si, if I’m not out in twenty minutes you get out of here. Then you call Phil and tell him everything. He’ll protect you.”
Sierra sighed, “Fine, but ONLY if you promise to call your Xander if things go south.” I agreed, “I’ll call him. His brother is here. Alpha Theo Conners would never forgive himself if he didn’t know who I was to his brother before his brother decides what to do about me.” Sierra scoffed then ran off towards the garage.
Honestly, we were both lucky and unlucky this was going down in Missouri. We had a few buildings and cars around states that were heavy in Ring traffic. Missouri was a hot bed. We had a few places here so that was good, but the allies really should not be here. The Rings knew who they were and would not be happy they were here. I closed my eyes to center myself.
I opened my eyes ready to face whatever was waiting. I walked in through the back of the mall and stuck to the shadows until I found a corner to observe from. Thank god this was a Supernatural mall. No humans were allowed in unless they were with a Supernatural and no one was paying attention to me.
I’m sure humans would freak out about a masked figure running around the mall. Not to mention one with a lot of weapons. Supernatural’s didn’t really bat an eye. I spotted Alpha Theo Conners first. He looked a lot like EJ. Freya snorted, “You know exactly what they all look like.” Ok…so I did. I had all their pictures in files…like a normal person.
I suppose in a way, Theo looked like Xander too. I could just tell them apart. They had subtle differences. Alpha Theo was with Jason. Behind him were Beta Finn and Alpha Jayden. Oh good. They had stayed together in a group.
Why don’t they just wear highlighter neon colors with a sign that says we aren’t from here? Please shoot us because we ventured into Missouri and gave you this golden opportunity. Yup. Why not? Alpha Theo shifted on his feet, and I nearly screamed in frustration when my brother came into full view.
Jason was honest to god wearing a bright colored shirt. That jerk! COME ON! A bright green HIGHLIGHTER shirt. Seriously?! Did he WANT to get shot? I shoved my annoyance down because I needed to focus. I began to survey the area, and my heart immediately dropped.
There were nine people eyeing their group and they weren’t being subtle. Nine assassins for four people? They must suck at their jobs. I noticed Alpha Jayden had clearly spotted several of them. Alpha Theo was eyeing the other half subtly. Jason had his eyes on two. Beta Finn was jumping around the group as if he was anticipating a fight.
I nearly gasped. No freaking way! They did not come here as bait. I was going to KICK Dalton and Dakota’s butts to kingdom come! I was going to verbally rip them apart and punch them both in the face… somehow. It was going to happen.
Logically speaking, I could request a meeting with them as the Resistance representative and punch them in the face. Then I would have Valentina shimmer us away. Yes. That was a solid plan. I liked every single part of this on the fly plan.
One thing was for sure; I was punching them in their stupid faces. What the heck was anyone thinking here? That just because EJ and Xander were away, they could make foolish plans? Alpha Theo should NOT behere. Alpha Jayden and Beta Finn should one hundred thousand percent not be here. My brother should beyond not be here.
Honest to god… was a single person capable of using their brains? What the hell happened in Red Run that everyone just checked out their mental capacity at the border now?! Sending your Beta into a trap that could get him killed, after they almost killed him sending him in with Hunters…He had a PUP!
Fury lit through me. They sent him into ANOTHER trap. The Hunting Ring was the dumbest move I thought they could make. Jason had a wolf. Why would you send a shifted Werewolf to Hunters? There was no logic in that whatsoever.
I knew that because NOT EVEN BLACK PATH DID THAT! Freya snorted, “You are also a genius.” Yes, but if BLACK PATH can figure it out…..DALTON AND DAKOTA SHOULD BE ABLE TO?! The Kyle’s needed to get their heads in the game. Or I would smack some sense into them. Were they spelled to not care about Jason’s safety?! Maybe I could send an email to Dustin Bishop to check on that. I preferred that option to them being callous even though it meant I missed something.
My eyes narrowed on a woman walking towards their group. She was all alone and walking directly towards them. Were they watching her? NOPE! They were focused on the nine guys and seemingly not paying attention to her.
