Freya told me, “The guys are coming.” I announced, “All our mates are on the way.” Paige snorted, “And can we just say how fabulous it is we all found mates at the same time? In the same area even. It’s a little fucked up because of stuff and things, but still cool.”
I agreed, “It is. I’m beyond thrilled to see you three so happy.” Addison whispered, “You’re really not going to be upset if Jase and I are marked after Allison’s party? Even with having me having my mating ceremony so fast?”
I was about to answer when she continued, “Jase and I agreed it’s only happening if you were comfortable with it. We want you there, it’s important to us.” I told her, “If you are happy, I’m happy. If you wanted tomorrow, I would be there. You are one of my best friends.”
Abigail squealed, “I can’t wait to see it happens!” She hadn’t actually seen a Mating Ceremony yet… because her pack was awful and just had forced markings in public… which was sad. I added, “If I could be marked, I’d be marked.”
Freya huffed, “I’m still sure we could be. Pretty sure. Almost positive actually.” I told her, “If that upgrades to you being positive then you let me know.” Freya snorted, “Sure, I’ll just consult the dictionary of things that have never happened before.” I smiled because I really did like my wolf.
When the guys came in, we got out of the hot tub. Freya said, “Ajax does really want to talk. He’s so sad.” Which I didn’t want, and I knew Jason wanted to talk to me. We needed to at least be civil for now. For Addison and Xander’s sake.
There was a lot of hurt between us, and not just on my side. He had to be crushed by me thinking he’d abandoned me… so… this was going to be… horrible. I told my friends to hear my family out though. I suppose I needed to take my own dang advice. Gosh… that sucked.
I wanted to yell at my brother to go away, while simultaneously wanting to talk to him and hang on his every word. It wasn’t fair but I hoped there would be something he could say that would be…. like a soothing balm to the ache in my soul.
Addison knew she was a strong factor in why I agreed to talk to Jason. Without her being his mate, I’d have talked to him... just not privately and not right away. I would’ve if Xander asked me to, but gosh… this was so messed up.
Xander popped us to his room and asked if I wanted to talk. No, I didn’t because I literally felt something inside me about to snap at myself for agreeing to talk to Jason. I didn’t want to deal with that. I wanted to mark my mate.
When Xander was close to an orgasm I linked Freya, “Let’s mark him.” Freya softly replied, “I think we should wait until he marks us and do it together.” I teared up instantly. Nothing could ever be fair for us. She apologized, “I’m sorry, Melanie.” It wasn’t her fault.
I couldn’t hold it together after we’d finished. I asked my wolf, “Why?” Freya sighed, “I don’t know if he would have a wolf on him since we haven’t shifted.” I questioned, “So, this is about you not wanting me to know what you look like?” She’d be brown and I already knew that.
Freya asked, “Wouldn’t it hurt your feelings if he had no wolf in his mark because we haven’t shifted?” I sighed because it might, but her answer was evasive. I asked her, “Umm did Xander say he had marked us in a way?”
Freya coughed, “Yes and so have we.” I asked her, “What?” I felt her pull back into herself without answering me. We hadn’t marked him, I knew that much. Xander explained he’d already shared his light with me. I’d missed that? Seriously? What else had I missed?
I needed to seriously reevaluate everything I thought I knew. I studied Xander noting he looked tired. He mentioned the pack party. I linked Freya, “Maybe I’ll just say I really don’t need him to give me stuff. I could find something in my clothes. Maybe… I have A LOT of hoodies.”
She snorted, “You did the research and know it makes Alpha’s happy to provide. Let him.” It was just that the small, but loud, part of me was still screaming I didn’t deserve it. Xander changed the subject to watching me fight. He might want to get used to that.
Plus, he DEFINITELY needed to change his policy about visitors being searched. They had something that could hurt him, and I found that unacceptable. I could show the Warriors what to look for. I had pictures.
I was asleep as soon as we’d stopped talking. Before I knew it I saw Jason screaming at me, “How could you think I’d hate you? Now I do! You vapid bitch!” Tristan shook his head saying, “I’m so disappointed in you. Ladybug.” Peter, my parents, and family all shook their heads at me. They started shouting at me while I sat down and screamed, covering my ears.
I woke up in a cold sweat. I shoved the nightmare aware. It was real my family didn’t say that… it was how I thought subconsciously they should feel…that’s it. I slowly got myself out of Xander’s arms and took deep breaths. I hated my nightmares. My family was always saying mean things to me.
This was different from the past. Normally people screamed at me for my parents being dead, and saying it was my fault they’d died. I shook myself and grabbed Xander’s hoodie and some Yoga pants. I quietly went outside and felt more centered.
I found a spot to dance, but I didn’t play music since I didn't go very far from the main house, and I didn’t want to wake anyone up. I just danced by the lake. I let the movement and the visions of dancing in my mind calm me down.
After thirty minutes I went inside. I was starting to get really nervous about the pack party. I was not liked in Black Path from the moment I set foot in their territory. What if Black Mountain didn’t like me? I was not a typical Luna.
Elise and even Buttercup were. They had that typical Luna spirit about them. They were bad asses who hadn’t seen the hard side of life I had. They wore cute outfits, and I wore hoodies and leggings. They didn’t have ugly scars to hide.
I protected people from a distance, or the shadows, and they protected people fighting side by side. I could’ve been like them… once. I just couldn’t now. I started cooking. I knew I was making way too much food, but I couldn’t stop myself. It helped make me feel calmer.
Eventually, I heard a throat clear behind me. I whirled around and linked, “Freya! Why didn’t you warn me?” Freya retorted, “Freya is still sleeping. Like normal people do.” I picked at my hoodie apologizing to my mate’s mom, “I’m sorry Haley... I know I’m using… a lot of supplies.”
Haley laughed, “I don’t fucking care about that. I can snap it all back. Eric and I apparently have a lot of money together in this realm.” They did. She admitted, “I really don’t fucking know the exact amount. I trust him to manage it all. I’ve never had to manage money my entire life. I guess something did go my fucking way.” She winked at me.
I frowned asking, “Did I wake you up?” Haley shook her head answering, “No, a nightmare did. Then my husband said he smelled food. I figured it was probably you cooking since this has never happened throughout the entirety of our relationship. I told him I’d come talk to you.” I flipped my pancakes.
I whispered, “Why would you want to talk to me?” Haley laughed, “I enjoy speaking with all my children’s mates. As far as you well, I recognize a kindred fucking soul when I meet one, Melanie McAlister.” I frowned, “It's a kindred spirit.”
Haley snorted, “Yeah, we have souls not spirits because we aren’t dead. This realm’s fucking sayings are ridiculous.” I agreed, “They kind of are.” Haley asked, “Can I try some of the bacon? It smells afuckingmazing.” I nodded, “Of course. There’s definitely enough.”
She took a bite and moaned, “God. How do you cook this well? For Thanksgiving…” She shook her head correcting, “or before Thanksgiving, I want to watch you make a cherry pie. Wait, can you make a cherry pie?”
