My mom smiled saying, “You are a good man, Alexander. All my boys are. Everything is going to be ok.” I replied, “I hope so. Lots of weird things surround my mate. I seriously suspect the Supernatural Council took advantage of Melanie. I don’t know who else besides them, unless it was us and it wasn’t, could pull this off.”
My mom assured me, “Your dad already has things he can knock them upside the head with. He has a file, and I plan to literally hit them upside the head with it. We will dig deep on this. If they are behind the Resistance…”
She trailed off then shrugged, “Well, I’ve already killed one council. Why not add another?” I laughed, “I love you, mom.” I could sense her worry about it all. To be fair, I was worried too. She smiled and popped away with my dad.
EJ handed me a whiskey. He said, “Damn good thing we don’t need much sleep.” I laughed and drained mine. I told him, “I failed her.” EJ shook his head disagreeing, “No, you didn’t.” I looked at him pointing out, “You think you did. I don’t need a bond with Cayden to know he feels the same way.” Cayden chimed him, “Unlike you, I knew her and let things go I shouldn’t, and normally wouldn’t, have. I can’t tell you what the fuck I was thinking.”
EJ said, “We all let things go we wouldn’t otherwise. There’s some type of magic in play. It’s more than Vampire compulsions. We will figure it out.” Cayden snorted, “Damn straight.” Phil said, “Gosh, I don’t know what I’m doing with all my SPARE TIME!”
Gage agreed, “Same. Can I just say this sucks balls? We find our mates and then turn around and have all this SHIT to do because people are assholes.” Phil agreed, “It definitely is bullshit.” I said, “At least you can MARK yours.” They winced.
EJ sighed, “We are officially at war.” Cassie snapped us more whiskey, but she wasn’t drinking. I asked, “Are we talking about the glowing thing yet, little sister?” Cassie frowned answering, “No. We are having dinner here the day after the pack party, and that’s when we are going to announce it.” Damn. I’d forgotten about the party.
I popped back to the gym and punched the heavy bag. I took a quick shower in EJ’s room, not wanting to wake up the girls, and popped to the office. We had Yellow Hills, Blue Moon, and Red Run coming today. It was going to be a full house. Along with the Alpha from Virginia that was coming in with his group.
Phil met me at the door. I commented, “Nice mark. I forgot to say that last night.” Phil smiled, “And you are forgiven. It was a close call but then I remembered you had yourself a day yesterday.” I snorted, “Thanks, man.”
I told Gage, “Nice mark on you too.” He grinned and held out his hand. His mate walked around the corner. Gage announced, “This is my mate, Abigail. EJ inducted her into the pack while you were with Melanie last night.” Abigail grinned, “Hi!” I nodded to her, “You are most welcome here and clearly you know my mate.” She admitted, “I do. I can’t wait to see Melanie.” Good.
Red Run arrived first. I wasn’t surprised since they had more reason to want to be in our pack right now. Addison kissed Jason’s cheek tentatively then walked away. I told her, “My room is up the second flight of stairs on the….”
Paige laughed, “You think Melanie is still asleep?” I frowned. Paige smiled, “Oh, you do. That’s so cute. We’ll find her.” Drake chimed in, “It’s six in the morning. Where else would she be?” Paige, Avery, and Addison just laughed. Sierra said, “Come on, Abi. Let’s go see Melanie and tell her she was right about you and Gage.” A few eyebrows raised but they left.
EJ linked me, “They are right by the way. Your mate is not in bed and Elise is freaked out. Elise is coming for the meeting though.” I told him, “Melanie wouldn’t have left.” Oden linked, “Mate is near.” Elise walked into the room.
She lamented, “Melanie’s like some quiet ninja now! I had no idea she’d gotten up.” I snorted, “I think I said the same thing on vacation.” Phil sighed, “He did. Times were somehow simpler back then and they were pretty damn complicated.” He was right.
Yellow Hills and Blue Moon popped in. All wore looks of curiosity. My parents joined us, and we worked silently until eight when the meeting rolled around. EJ linked me, “This is easily the earliest we’ve gathered for a random meeting.” I sighed, “We did have an eventful day yesterday.”
Phil and Toby got up and returned with the Virginia group. They stood off to the side of the door. Thirty minutes into their pitch for us to be allies I heard Melanie coming. I bit my lip at the Warrior telling her to just go on in. EJ raised an eyebrow at me.
I linked him, “Who is going to tell my mate not to come to me? That’s probably asking for more trainings and cardio. So much cardio. I’m sure my Beta and Gamma warned them not to try and keep her away.” EJ smiled.
Someone opened the door for my mate. I knew she didn’t because she was carrying a massive platter of her chocolate muffins. She smiled at someone saying, “Thank you.” Melanie turned and immediately started talking, “Xander, did you see Abigail? I so knew her and Gage would be cute…”
She shrugged, “Which is weird but… I did know that. Anyway, I was wondering if you could find Cayden and Micah... I need to talk to them... and you... I didn’t mean for that to sound like I didn’t want you to be there... because of course I do…” A few people were silently laughing.
Melanie continued, “and then I need to find your dad... gosh, I have a list. I made some muffins. Ok, a lot of muffins. I had a lot of nervous energy that turned into batches of muffins. I dropped some off at the pack house… they nearly ripped the tray out of my hands….”
Phil ran over and took the tray from her. Melanie frowned saying, “Exactly like that.” Gage linked, “I’m getting one. Phil bragged about these over link while you were on your trip.” Phil started hoarding the muffins, but not before Gage managed to get one.
I cleared my throat and Phil threw me one. I linked EJ, “Get one. They are amazing.” Melanie stopped talking because she was staring at Cayden. Embarrassment took over her features as she looked at the rest of the table.
Her eyes widened and she squeaked, “You’re in a meeting?! No one said you were in a meeting. Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry I’ll just go… yup… I’m just gonna... go. How could all of them just let me walk in here?”
Cayden laughed, “Ash, calm down. DAMN that’s going to be hard. I mean Melanie.” I laughed. I stood to kiss her, but she was ready to flee. She didn’t notice I’d stood and spun around. Then her eyes went to the corner.
It felt like everything froze in that moment. The Virginia group was pale, but I couldn't see Melanie’s face to see if she had any hints for why. Phil spoke with his mouth full, “Umm what’s happening?” Gage answered, “Nothing good.”
Several things happened all at once. One of the Virginia members dropped what looked like a rock. Dylan said, “I almost didn’t come here in person for this meeting. How sad for that would’ve been for me.” The same dome that had appeared around Claire and Melanie appeared.
I snarled and reached for Melanie since she was inside. Wesley tackled me before I touched the dome. EJ stood shouting, “What the fuck?!” Wesley replied, “That thing hurt him last time!” My mom tried to pop.
I yelled, “NO!” I popped and healed my mom when she was thrown back. Jason and Tristan ran at the bubble and were burned. I healed them quickly. I snarled, “WHAT IS THE FUCKING MEANING OF THIS?!”
Melanie hadn’t moved but I felt her anticipation shooting up my foot. She was going to kill someone in that bubble. Oden growled, “I don’t care if she kills ALL of them. They are DISRESPECTFUL ASSHOLES WHO ATTACKED OUR MATE IN OUR OFFICE!” No joke.
The Alpha studied her, “Ashley, what are you doing here?” Melanie snorted, “I think that’s my line. I live in this state… and I do believe I told you never to show your face in said state again. I believe I was explicitly clear about what would happen if you did.” HUH?!!
