After an hour, Paige came back in, and she rubbed whatever she’d made on Melanie’s hands. She leaned in and kissed Melanie’s forehead. Paige looked at me saying, “You might want to put her down. She’ll probably jerk around.” No sooner had she said that then Melanie started thrashing in my arms.
I held her tightly whispering, “It’s going to be ok, Lovebug.” I just kept whispering to that her. Paige angrily said, “I WILL find who did this and curse the FUCK out of them. This should’ve taken five minutes. Why would they hurt her this way?”
My mom snorted, “I like that Witch. She can stick around.” I had a few scratches on me, but eventually Melanie stilled. Paige walked back over and held out a pot under Melanie’s hands. Beads of what looked like dark sweat poured off of them.
Paige was cursing the more that the pot filled up. EJ conjured her a new one. Corbin took the first pot and stared at it. He looked at his mom, my aunt, who shrugged. Aunt Katie was on the phone presumably with Dustin or Ryan and it didn’t sound like they knew either.
Cousin Emmaline popped in with both of her brothers. Both men watched Paige, clearly fascinated. Finally, the black beads of sweat stopped. Paige emphatically stated, “Ok. I REALLY will curse AND hex these people’s asses.”
Dustin cleared his throat asking, “What did you do?” Paige turned to say, “Helped my best friend. What did you do? Nothing? I noticed.” Dustin snorted, “I’m Dustin Bishop.” Paige held out her hand, “I know. I was quizzed on it and everything. I’m Paige.”
My dad linked, “I’m sorry, she knows? She was quizzed?!” I replied, “Knowing who people are seems to be Melanie and her friend’s thing. You are the one who said people should know those who are the most powerful in their Supernatural races. I think Melanie took anything you said as gospel since that came from you. Therefore, Pagie learned the strongest coven members.” Dad shrugged.
Dustin raised an eyebrow, “Is there a last name that goes with that? Or is it like Cher?” Paige evaded, “My name changed when I was adopted. Legally, I’m Paige Hemmington.” Dalton moved closer to her. EJ linked me, “So, I think Dalton knows her birth name.”
Dalton wrapped an arm protectively around her. Peter, Drake, and even Tristan moved closer to them. Dustin said, “Ok. Do you know your actual last name? The one given at birth?” Paige evaded, “I didn’t remember it.” Past tense, so she did now.
She bit her lip then admitted, “I don’t remember things about my family, but Melanie helped me find out. She helped me find pictures. She’s looking for my brother and thinks maybe he got out alive. I tend to believe she’s right because you won’t catch me betting against Melanie.”
“Sadly, we haven’t been able to find him. Which means Melanie’s probability of him being prisoner somewhere is the highest likely option at this point. I don’t even know if he remembers me. I didn't really remember him. I just knew I had one. I was told everyone in my core family died in the car accident.”
Dalton warned, “My mate’s last name is not relevant.” Dustin laughed, “I disagree. She’s one incredibly powerful Witch. She’s more powerful than I am, and I’ve got years of practice on her. I couldn’t tell you how many spells were cast on those rings.”
“I have three members in my Coven who MIGHT be able to. They are all traveling right now. I texted them and they are intrigued and thinking of cutting their trip short.” Paige asked, “Who are they?” Dustin smiled, “I think I asked first.”
Paige snorted, “Seriously? What are you, five? You asked first. That’s your argument? Good lord. Never argue with Mel, she’ll destroy you.” Melanie shakily said, “Yes, I will. Paige, you don’t have to tell them a darn thing if you don’t want to.” I helped her stand.
Paige announced, “You need food.” I snapped her pizza and sat down with her on the couch. Melanie kissed my cheek and slowly ate her food. Paige studied her until Dustin cleared his throat. Paige snarked, “Clear your throat all you want, asshole. I’m still going to make sure my friend is ok.”
Melanie nearly choked then said, “That’s Dustin Bishop.” Paige said, “I know that, because you gave me a file of him and his family…and tested me on the knowledge within that file. I just don’t care if he’s the pope himself. I’m making sure my friend is ok.” A file she was tested on?
I glanced around knowing several people were interested in that comment. Melanie reached over and touched Paige’s hand. My mate squeezed it gently before whispering, “Retract the claws, Momma Paige. I’m ok. I just feel shaky and weak. I know you did something… because it feels better… and that’s always a you thing.” Paige sighed in relief.
My mom clapped, “I really fucking like this new Witch, you guys.” Dustin teased, “Really? You’ve never admitted you like me yet after all this time. Yet you already like Paige.” My mom raised an eyebrow, “You are well the fuck aware that I like you. I allow you in my house, don’t I? Even for the holidays and those times are for family, chosen and blood.” I couldn’t hold back my own laugh.
My mom had known Dustin and Ryan for a long ass time at this point. Dustin muttered, “She moved at glacial pace with me. That Witch tosses out some insults and she loves her already.” I smiled. My mom grinned saying, “Don’t you just think it’s slightly funny Paige cracked the damn code so fast?” Dustin shot her an amused look.
Sierra walked over asking, “Mel, are you ok?” She nodded. Paige sighed, “I promise you I WILL find who did this. They went way too fucking deep.” Mel whispered, “Could it be Ajax?” Paige snorted, “No. His pissant ass couldn’t do this.” Melanie laughed weakly but I could tell she knew who it was then.
I stood, “I’m going to curtail the conversations surrounding Paige. My mate was hurt by some type of evil dark magic, and she needs her friends. She does NOT need stress. Not to mention Paige is our allies Luna and this my home.”
Paige bumped Melanie’s shoulder and whispered, “That’s hot. He’s taking care of you. Dalton’s getting lucky later for being on my side and literally having his pack members present ready to defend me.” Dalton winked at me.
Melanie blushed and whispered, “They can all hear you!” Paige laughed, “I know. I’ve been around Black Path enough to know how good their hearing is. My man was meant to hear me. I need your Xander to work on the distance between our packs. I can’t have people getting at my girl like they are. Plus, I’ve never been this far from you since we met. It’s weird and I don’t like it.”
Melanie replied rationally, “It’s just a pop away.” Paige teased, “Do you ALWAYS have to be a smartie pants?” Paige nudged me warning, “Always ready with a comeback, this one. Watch out for that, Melanie’s Xander. You always have to be on your toes with her.” I admitted, “I’ve noticed.”
Dustin sighed, “Ok, we will continue this conversation later. I do want an answer.” Melanie jumped in, “But it won’t matter if you get one. You want her in your Coven, so you’ll take her with or without her birth surname. You would take her into your Coven even if she wasn’t Alpha Dalton’s mate. That she is means you would’ve done it for him alone.” Dalton winced when she used his title.
Dustin studied Melanie, “I see your powerful friend is right. I’ll have to be on my toes around you, Melanie McAlister. You’re right though. I want her to tell me, but I’d welcome her into the Coven regardless. Emmaline shared her light with me and my siblings. We will be around for a long time. I have time to win Paige’s trust. Her wolf did.”
Melanie laughed, “I hope you’re not going to rely on the mate bond. They are soul mates. Paige knows her secrets are safe with him. She knows he’s a good man. So… that’s not really a valid argument.” Dalton relaxed hearing her say that and meaning it.
Dustin laughed, “Damn. You boys are trouble with these girls. I already see the literal circle of protection they’ve formed around each other. I have no doubt if the other two I’ve heard of were here, they’d literally be surrounding her. You guys are definitely going to keep things interesting.”
Paige smiled, “That’s us. We’ve been keeping things interesting for four years and counting.” Sierra agreed, “We kind of do.” Melanie snorted, “I mean…I can made you come along for the ride… but I mean…you came on...so….that’s correct. We have been keeping it interesting.” Sierra winked at her.
Ryan said, “Hi, Melanie. I’ve always wanted to meet you.” Melanie huffed, “Hi, Ryan…so I have questions…I mean…well…yeah, I have questions. Did you ever get my letters and packages before I left the pack? Because my tables and probabilities say you didn’t…but I did say if you didn’t get a single one…that was magic…which clearly is in play and…”
