Dax coughed, “Ninety-seven times.” I winked at him, “He is, of course. He’s got Beta blood and all. What can you do? The man likes data. It’s literally in his blood. Does anyone have coffee? I NEED so much coffee.”
The Beta laughed, “I don’t think you need any coffee.” Caine handed me a cup. I gratefully said, “Bless you, Caine.” I chugged it. The Male Lead Warrior said, “Out of curiosity, do you insult them all the time and they don’t growl for respect?” I handed Caine the coffee cup back, empty.
I replied, “I barely insulted them…when you think about it. To answer your question though, I call them spineless to their faces all the time. Nary a growl is heard.” I looked at the group who just glared at me. Then I turned back, “That’s their typical response.”
The Beta gaped then shook himself saying, “Umm ok. I'm Beta Patrick.” I said, “I know that.” Beta Patrick nodded, “Ok. Well, we’d love it if you’d come to do a training at our pack sometime. Provided you don’t call our Alpha spineless.”
I shrugged, “I know who your Alpha is, and I have no problem with him. He knows how to respect the blood flowing through his veins. Maybe you could send a memo to our pack. Those three have lost all sight of their jobs.” Beta Patrick’s eyes widened in surprise. He glanced at the group then back to me.
He nodded, “Okkk. This is interesting. Here’s my card. Call and we will set something up.” Booker growled, “She won’t be training for your pack.” I snorted, “Don’t listen to him. Lord knows I don’t. I’ll call you tomorrow and we will set something up.”
I looked at Blair when I said it. If I didn’t call tomorrow, she’d have her mate to look into it. Tears filled her eyes and she ran forward to hug me. Her brother in law, the Male Lead Warrior, looked very confused. So did the Beta. Blair glared at Edward.
He nodded greeting, “Blair, it’s good to see you.” She wiped her tears before snarking, “I can’t say the same. I’ve loved every second of not seeing any of your faces. I definitely loved not being in this hell hole you call home.” Beta Patrick and her brother in law’s jaws dropped. I was proud of her though.
I squeezed her hand, “Get the pup out of here.” Blair hugged me again whispering, “Stay safe.” I replied, “I’ll do my best.” Beta Patrick was frowning, clearly clueing into something being off. Edward was practically vibrating with anger.
Not at me for once, but at the fact that Beta Patrick was clearly catching on to something bad going on here. That was very bad for all of them. Paige stepped back from Angela. Angela was instantly picked up by Blair.
When they left, Edward looked at Paige. He ground out, “The little girl won’t remember Melanie saving her, right?” Paige glared at him, “That’s what you asked me to do. With absolutely no regard for the repercussions that could have on a young mind. You make me sick.”
I commented, “Join the club.” Edward looked at me shouting, “GET IN THE HOUSE.” I shrugged, “Ehh, sorry. I don’t feel like it. I need to drop my bike off back at home. Toodles!” I jumped on and drove to Hendrick and Mason’s house.
I parked and came out smelling my counterpart waiting. I asked casually over my shoulder, “Can I help you, Buck?” He looked at me and all around wildly. Buck urged, “You need to run, Melanie. Get the hell out of here.”
I told him, “I’m not the running type. My dad taught me that.” Buck ran a hand through his hair somewhat pleading, “Come on Mel, you know that was big. I don’t exactly know all the shady shit because I don’t want to. I know who that was though. It was Angela Conners. You HAVE to leave.”
I told him, “Not in my blood, Buck.” Buck frowned, “Yes, about that comment. My wolf said he sensed yours now. Which means being a Beta IS in your blood. How is that possible?” I told him honestly, “I really don’t know. It’s all messed up to the tenth power.” Buck urged, “Just lay low.”
Mason came running up. His eyes were filled with hatred and concern. I frowned asking, “Mason, what’s wrong?” He growled, “The Alpha is holding a newborn pup hostage. He’s got a knife to the newborn pup’s throat. If you don’t turn yourself over to be punished, he’s going to kill the pup.”
Buck shouted, “HE WHAT?!” Mason looked at him asking, “Why does that surprise you?” Buck said, “Uhh because all they ever have to do is tell Melanie to go to the punishing field.” I frowned admitting, “He’s right. That’s out of character…. Even for a bad Alpha like Edward. I’ll catch you guys later, I guess.”
I ran back towards the pack house and hospital. I spotted Edward and nearly spat at him. Naturally, it was an Omega’s pup he was holding hostage. The pup’s mother was still bleeding from giving birth, but she had dragged herself from the hospital screaming.
The only person in the pack not glaring at Edward in disdain was Jean. He just looked worried. Booker was oddly nowhere to be found. Edward growled, “Get your ass to the punishing field.” I nodded, “Sure... saving a pup IS a punishable offense. Give the pup back to his mother.”
Edward rejected that idea, “No, you’ll cooperate if I have the pup.” I raised an eyebrow, “When have I not cooperated? Give the mom her pup back.” The pup wailed when the Alpha nicked his arm. The dad was being held back. He was a Warrior of mine. I ground my teeth together.
The mom was sobbing so Elena ran over to her. Elena screamed, “EDWARD, STOP THIS!” Edward said, “MOVE, MELANIE! NOW!” I shrugged, “Fine.” I turned to the mom and told her, “I’ll do what they say. Your pup will come home.” She cried, “Thank you, thank you, thank you. My baby boy was just born. He’s just a pup. I didn’t even get to hold him.”
The dad, my Warrior, was snarling and putting up a hell of a fight. I told Edward, “You really do disgust me.” I took off for the punishing field. My friends were missing, which was bad. I hoped they weren’t going to do anything dumb.
The crane was out at the punishing fields, but Booker wasn’t here either. I tilted my head. I couldn't help but wonder…. where did he go? I asked, “Where’s Booker? Or Trevor?” Edward growled, “Who cares?”
I shrugged, “You should. At minimum, it’s weird Booker isn’t not here.” I looked at Beta Jean, “Let me guess. Booker was the last person to talk to Edward before the spineless, tucks his tail between his legs, Alpha took a newborn pup from a doctor and held a knife to his throat... possibly with my creepy uncle by marriage.”
Edward growled, “WHAT DOES IT MATTER?” I snorted, “They spelled you. Obviously. That’s why it matters. You don’t have the balls to hold a newborn at knifepoint.” Jean frowned reasoning, “Edward, she’s right. They were the last people you talked to before this happened.”
Alpha Edward snarled at him, “Chain her up.” Beta Jean hesitated. I rolled my eyes saying, “Oh just do it. Then figure out how you let your Alpha get spelled and why on GOD’S Green earth his Gamma would do that and disappear with the one son just like him. You know Booker never misses a chance to punish me. Just like Trevor is always nearby to talk about being my mate afterwards…even though we ALL know he’s lying.”
Beta Jean’s eye’s flickered black briefly and he nodded. Freya whispered, “What the hell is going on?” She’d fallen asleep on the drive back to the pack. I answered, “Magic and crap? I don’t exactly know. I’m going to push you down, this will hurt.” Freya shouted, “Wait!” I didn’t though because she didn’t deserve this.
Beta Jean handcuffed my hands then put them on the crane and lifted it into the air. A Warrior of Buck’s walked over with a cattle prod. His eyes were telling me he was more than happy to do this… He was one of the ones who hurt Avery and didn’t die, and he definitely didn’t like me. Buck had given him the worst duties afterwards too. He turned it on full blast. Great.
He hit me with it more than once. I almost passed out after the tenth time. I was forcing myself to hang on. Jean shouted, “Enough!” Edward growled, “NO! It will not be enough until she’s dead! HIT HER AGAIN!” Dead? Really. I wasn’t going to let that happen.
I couldn’t keep my scream in when I was hit again. Addison screamed, “LEAVE HER ALONE!” I looked up startled. My friends didn’t understand that something was wrong with Edward. I screamed, “ADDISON, NO!”
