I gave Cayden everything I had. His eyes widened in shock. I knew he was surprised, but he shouldn’t have been. Technically speaking, the Resistance could handle this. We were larger than people thought. My core group did a lot of work, but I had recruited people all over the world in the forgotten packs. I had eyes and ears out most places.
I just couldn’t get everyone ready in time to do this, whereas Cayden could. He could even hit some the Hunting Rings and drugs now if he wanted. It was a smarter play to give it him. Plus, I owed him that much. He and Micah were lifelines to me.
I was certain Xander wasn’t going to agree to me going into Hunting Rings now. He wasn’t going to run my life, but that was a big thing we should agree on. Freya said, “Yeah, Oden said over his dead body.” Well, see… I knew that.
I was only with the Hunters because I was forced to be, and I wanted any information on Slade Carter I could get. I loosely explained how that worked in Black Path. I took a deep breath and told Xander I was Red One. He’d know who that was. People in his pack would’ve told him that name.
Or told Elise, who would’ve told them. His eyes widened, but he wasn’t surprised by my admission. I frowned. How did I know that? Freya linked, “You’re smart which means you know the answer as to why mate was not surprised.” But he had to be surprised that I was Red One. He couldn’t know that it was me.
Maybe Cayden told him… they had to know I was Ashley and Melanie before they came to rescue me in Black Path. It’s why they came. That must be it. Clearly, Cayden explained our interactions. Maybe they’d pieced together I was Red One.
Cayden didn’t seem shocked by Xander’s reaction either. To be fair, it was hard to surprise Cayden. The only time I’d seen him show surprise was when I knew who he was the first time we met, before he said his name.
Freya laughed in my head, “You’re so much fun.” I sighed. I wasn’t going to think about that. Xander shrugged it off saying he’d have to tell EJ. That was it? He has to tell EJ… gosh that was easier than expected. Maybe the whole being The Swiffer deal will go over smoother than I thought.
Freya chimed back in, “It won’t. It’s different and you know it.” I reasoned, “I stopped fighting my usual way when he asked me to… that counts… for things… I think.” Freya snorted, “That might help you with mate. Everyone else? Meh.” I was still going with them not finding out. That was a much better scenario in my head.
I tried to assuage Cayden and Micah’s guilt they clearly felt. I knew they’d probably do something about what was going on in our pack, but not anywhere the extent. We were a good team. Xander wasn't safe yet, and I was scared to lose the connection with them. They felt like brothers to me.
Probably because they are meant to be my brother in laws… so that connection finally made sense to them. I tried to reason with them. You couldn’t help someone who didn’t want help. I knew that because I've tried many times.
People in Black Path didn’t want to help themselves. Until they did… I couldn’t do anything. Most came around, except the men. That was from fear though. Their Alpha was right there. Several had told me they fought me for their daughters to be with their mates because the Alpha would punish them for not fighting. It was just messed up. Micah and Cayden weren’t going to agree right now, but I knew they would eventually.
Xander popped us to his parents once we were done. His mom smiled at me warmly and I smiled back. From what I knew, she probably understood me better than anyone else around here. His dad asked about our meeting.
I could tell Xander wanted to tell him about me being Red One. Freya agreed, “He does.” I was fine with that coming out and told Xander as much. What startled me was neither gave anything away. They weren’t surprised though. I could tell that. I still didn’t know how, but I did.
I studied Haley. Her not showing her thoughts was odd. Fairies were expressive. I’d learned a lot about them. The one Supernatural race that was the most expressive out of all of us was the Fae. Why wasn’t she?
Eric said I was impressive. Wow. Former Alpha Eric Conners thought being Red One was impressive? I bit my lip so I wouldn’t say anything else other than ‘thank you’. Freya said, “Thor is impressed to.” I squeaked, “Really? They are so hard to impress.” She replied, “Yes, they really are.”
I quickly handed him the flash drive with everything he needed to eventually kill Edward Davis and Jean… whenever I found Booker, him too. Eric told me he’d take care of that. I’d always known he would. I’d planned to leak him the information I had once we were ready to move. I knew he would do something.
Hell, I’d know the entire Werewolf Council would, but I’d planned to send the information to Eric. We agreed if he had any questions he could ask. Xander popped me to my friends next, who were still in the hot tub. Xander kissed me then popped away.
Paige said, “Mel, you’ve been waiting for that man since I met you and you’re not have sex with him yet? What on earth are you waiting for girl?” I blushed. Sierra snorted, “Oh they’ve had sex, and they are LOUD.” My eyes widened. I shouted, “SIERRA!” Freya cackled in my head.
Sierra laughed, “You are.” Paige clapped, “YAY! My little Melanie is growing up. This is so great.” I rolled my eyes, muttering, “Enough about me.” I got into the hot tub and asked, “How are you guys? Si?” Sierra smiled, “I’m ok. You were right. Phil will handle it.” I knew that.
She continued, “I actually feel so settled. Your Xander came with you to see me. The Alpha was saying I was safe here. Warriors immediately followed us as we ran away. Not to hurt us, but to protect us. They actually said out loud that they were there to protect us.”
“Avery was ready to attack until they said that. It was just like being surrounded by your Warriors. It’s the whole pack here. An Alpha told us we were safe. An Alpha.” She started crying. I hugged her admitting, “I know.” I’d told them it was supposed to be like that, but she’d finally experienced it.
Once she calmed down, I asked my other friends, “Where are you at with your mates?” I held up my hands, “Keep in mind… I don’t want sexy details. One of them is my brother and the other two… are quasi family. So….no sexy details.”
Paige snorted, “None of us have had sex yet. We all went to a PG-13 level. I have to say, I’m so proud of my girls. Normally I’m the one bringing the higher rating.” Avery blushed, “It’s…” She trailed off then explained, “there are two sides to me. Me and my wolf. Plus, everything just feels so good with Dakota. I swear Mel they have their own side to the story. I promise…”
I put my hands up again, interrupting, “I told you guys that no matter what happens with them, nothing changes between us. They are your mates. What you do with them is up to you. I support you. Plus, I know all of you. I know if you didn’t find their side acceptable, you’d have punched them hard enough I’d have seen black eyes… IN THE MEETING YOU JUST LET ME WALK INTO!”
Paige snickered, “But it was a little funny… until it went to hell.” I snorted, “I’m trying to make these people like me guys!” Addison touched my arm assuring me, “They love you already. Jase told me a lot about you and the pack last night. This is different from Black Path. Once word spread who we were around Red Run, the amount of people that asked about you was, umm high.”
Paige snorted, “Literally everyone I met asked about you once they found out we knew you. Most were in shock about your situation. The whole Ashley Griffen is Melanie McAlister emergency pack meeting was a whole ass experience.” Avery added, “Me too. I mean people asking about you.”
I shrugged and looked away because it hurt to hear. Addison said, “They want to see you. Especially a girl named Adeline. I literally cannot believe I’ve never heard her name since she has pictures of you two and told us you guys did a bunch of stuff together.” Talking about Adeline was painful.
I shook my head saying, “I can’t go there right now.” I knew all about Adeline’s life though. I knew who she mated with, and it was the boy I said she’d be cute with…that I saved and sent to Red Run for her to meet.
I’d made sure she was ok… even if we weren’t friends now… so I just… couldn’t go back to Red Run. All these years I wanted to cross and now that I could….I didn’t know if I physically had it in e me to take that step across the border.
