He didn’t seem to mind we were losing. I was right behind her when we ended the run. My dad and I shifted back, and I snapped us clothes. Melanie was clearly getting faster. Oden told me, “Because Freya is getting stronger.”
I snorted, “Then you’re saying she’s going to get even faster because Freya isn’t at full strength.” Oden answered, “Yes, but we will too. Not as fast as her though.” I asked, “How the hell would her getting faster make us get faster?” Oden closed me out which made me frown.
EJ asked about my cardio plans while I gave him a look. What surprised me was a bit of guilt shooting up from my foot. I didn’t feel guilty. I turned to study Melanie wondering why she felt guilty. Oden answered, “She knows she’s getting faster because Freya is getting stronger, but she hasn’t told anyone. So, she feels guilty for deceiving them.”
I asked, “And we know that how?” Oden actually answered me, “Freya told me. You know because of her feelings from the tattoo. Don’t act like you didn’t put it together from her emotions. Her emotions shot up from your heel. What else would it be?” We’d have a hell of a bond after our Hackura one came into play.
I shook myself because I had a lot to think about. A tattoo was giving me clues into my mate’s feelings. It hit me that was why she came back to me the other night. She could tell I was angry. Melanie evaded about my questions about Robert.
I was furious that Robert got to my pack member. Karina needed a lot of help and care. EJ might know that by now, but I doubted he knew she got a headache when talking about her mate. Or that Robert gave Karina special cookies. That asshole.
Melanie felt confused and guilty now. She knew more than she was saying. I didn’t need her emotions to tell me that because it was on her face. When she didn’t continue, I kissed her and went inside. My dad had stayed behind.
We got into the office. EJ said, “She’s getting faster. Like Hood faster, and she already outran them.” I told him, “Oden said it’s because her wolf is getting stronger.” EJ raised an eyebrow. I shrugged. Phil came in, “So, the car you’ve had in storage was moved here.” I smiled, “Good. I’ll go give it to Melanie and she can drive her friends while Chason, Fowler, and KJ drive behind her.” EJ nodded.
I jogged back towards the front and passed my dad who nodded. I quickly went to Melanie. Her excitement over my gift shot up from my foot. I knew she’d like it. Her friends ran for the car, but my mate stayed back to talk about Robert.
Oden purred, “Mate trusts us.” She did and I’d never let her down for doing so. Melanie closed her eyes and rushed out her explanations. I was not prepared for what I heard. Oden snarled, “HE was the hit and run driver?! That whelp was there when she was kidnapped AND when she shifted!” Apparently.
I linked EJ, “Tell me Robert is awake.” EJ answered, “No, he’s still recovering. Melanie put a serious beat down on him.” I linked Ethan, “Wake Robert’s ass up.” Ethan replied, “He probably needs a few more hours to recover.”
I ordered, “I’m not asking you about his timeline to recover. I’m telling you to wake his ass up or I’ll call my Fairy uncle to charm his ass up.” Ethan agreed, “Alright.” I wiped Melanie’s tears away knowing Robert was going to pay. I’d told him to leave her alone and warned him about what would happen if he didn’t.
Melanie had more, but she’d shared quite a bit. Something told me whatever she knew was a doozy. I watched Melanie walk to her car. I linked Phil and Gage, “Get outside.” Phil asked, “What happened? We have a meeting.” I replied, “It will carry on without us.” Gage replied, “On that.” Phil groaned, “Oh god. Let me just go grab my shit stirring stick and I’ll be right there.”
I waited until my mate and her protection detail drove away. Phil came running up beside me with Gage just behind him. Phil said, “Alas, we should probably go to the meeting they are waiting on us to have. Especially since I cannot find my shit stirring stick.” Gage commented, “Dude, his eyes are so gold they mean we are not making any meetings today.”
I snapped Phil a stick and popped us to the hospital. Maverick tilted his head when he spotted us. My brother asked, “Alexander, what are you doing here? EJ said you guys would be here later.” I stormed into Robert's room without answering him.
Robert was groaning in pain. Ethan looked up to say, “He’s awake as you requested.” Phil groaned “Requested? When exactly did my Alpha cousin request that?” Gage snorted, “Recently.” Ethan answered, “A few minutes ago.”
Phil sighed, “So while he was talking to my bestie and future Luna, he decided he couldn't wait until after a meeting to talk to Robert? Oh, this is good.” Gage said, “Sarcasm noted.” Phil warned, “Mav, we need more heavy bags, and I need you to clear the gym. Maybe the general area. No, the whole territory.”
Gage snorted, “The whole territory needs to lock up their windows and hide.” Phil sighed, “Yeah, that would be best since this not a good day to be Robert.” Robert groaned, “Shut up, man.” I snarled, “DO NOT speak to my cousin and Beta that way you worthless pile of shit! Did I NOT tell you to stay away from Melanie?”
Robert paled, “You did.” I questioned, “So what part of staying away in your mind means run her and her mother off the road and leave them there? Your Beta Female and her daughter. YOU HIT HER IN THE HEAD WHILE SHE CRIED FOR HELP! YOU LEFT THEM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO DIE! YOU KEPT MY MATE FROM ME!”
Phil sighed, “Oh god. I’m just going to collect all the clothes Melanie has ever worn and throw them at him. What are you going to do, Gage? How about you, Mav? I have a plan. What do you two have?” Maverick sighed. Gage answered, “I can help hold up the dead piece of shit traitor.”
I growled, “I just started listing shit he’s done, guys.” Phil yelled, “STARTED? Oh fuck no. Come on, Robert! Melanie hasn’t even been here that long. I don’t have enough clothes for that to be the opener of things you’ve done. That’s pretty bad. Like on a scale it’s tipping towards evil, borderline Sociopathic.”
I snarled, “He was there the night she was shot and kidnapped from her pack. He had to have used a holoport to get here. Or a Fairy that is in the Ring.” Gage offered, “Or a Demon.” True. I snarled, “You LAUGHED at Melanie while she cried for her family!” Ethan winced.
I continued, “You watched as they kidnapped her. How did they get her out of Red Run’s territory, Robert? Answer or I’ll use my pushing power on you.” Robert flinched, “Not that again. They used a car and put her in the trunk of it.”
I snarled, “WHILE SHE WAS BLEEDING?!” Robert shrugged, “I was hoping she would bleed out. The stupid elitist bitch.” Gage said, “So, he’s dead.” He had been dead for a while now. Phil sighed, “I’m going to need the real Melanie to come back. Clothes won’t do.”
I snarled, “She’s with her friends having fun. Leave her alone.” Ethan was deadly quiet. I growled turning my attention back to Robert saying, “You were there when they suppressed her wolf.” Robert smirked boasting, “It was the best night of my life. Melanie was in pain for hours and even cried out for you. Both times. When she was shot and when her wolf was being suppressed.” Gage snarled at him.
Maverick spoke, “Alexander.” Unimaginable pain and anger gripped my very soul. I grabbed Robert and threw him through the wall of the hospital. He landed out on the lawn. Phil sighed, “Who needs a door? Not my Alpha Cousin. He makes them by throwing useless wolves through cement.”
“We should sign him up for the majors, he’s got an arm. Don’t mind me while I go collect Melanie smelling things. I’ll use the new hole door because it’s a straight shot to the main house. Gage, hold the dead motherfucker up for our Alpha. Mav, call for backup. Bye now.”
I snarled, “SHE CRIED OUT FOR ME?!” EJ popped outside to me. He asked, “Alexander, what the fuck?” Maverick said, “Umm so not good things were said. I don’t think we can stop him.” Gage said, “You will agree that Alexander can do whatever he wants to this piece of shit, EJ.”
Maverick was wrong though. EJ could order me to stop and I would. My dad ran outside asking, “Son?” I threw Robert shouting, “YOU LET MELANIE FUCKING CRY AND FIGHT AND CALL OUT FOR ME AND YOU LAUGHED AT HER?!”
“YOU LET THEM TOSS YOUR BETA’S DAUGHTER INTO THE TRUNK OF A CAR BLEEDING AND KIDNAP HER FROM HER HOME! YOU STOPPED US FROM MEETING! YOU CRASHED INTO THEIR CAR! YOU KEPT MELANIE FROM ME!”
