My mate wiped tears away arguing, “I wasted a lot of food.” I disagreed, “No, you didn’t. My mom will conjure it to the Hackura realm and Faerie probably.” Sierra came in announcing, “It’s handled. They needed more food for the mating ceremony. You have actually saved the day, Mel.” I raised an eyebrow.
Sierra explained, “One of their cooks was sick, and Avery has been cooking up a storm. She’s relieved to be able to stop. Haley conjured the food there.” They had Fairies who would’ve conjured the food in the first place. Oden told me, “Freya says Black Path she wolves would consider that failure.” I wanted to wring people’s necks.
Melanie whispered, “Ok.” Sierra grabbed me then said, “See you when we are ready, Alexander.” She gently pushed me towards the door, so I walked downstairs. I grabbed my plate of food. EJ groaned, “I know she’s nervous, but damn if this isn’t the best breakfast I’ve had. I could eat it all day.”
My mom snorted, “That’s good since it’s going to be at the mating ceremony.” My brothers actually cheered. An hour later, I snapped myself ready and Melanie came down in a bright red and black dress that looked a little retro. Sierra matched her with a purple and black dress. It went right below her mid-thigh.
I growled and pulled her into me which made her smile. My dad announced, “Alright, we need to pop there.” Melanie’s palms were sweating. I linked her, “It will be ok.” I paused then asked, “Are you sure you want to go?” Melanie answered, “I’m coming.” I studied her and nodded.
Cassie popped in and grabbed the girls. My sister told us, “I’m popping us girls to the bride. Later!” She popped away so I popped to Jason. I smiled greeting, “Hey, man.” Unease and nausea shot up so hard from my ankle I swayed.
EJ grabbed me asking, “Alexander?” I stumbled away from him feeling sick. It was even hard to breathe. I began to head towards Jason’s cottage. That’s where Melanie would be, and it wasn’t me feeling this way. I’d never felt more drunk in my life as I tried to walk there.
Suddenly, I felt perfectly fine. What the hell? I asked, “Oden, did you take that feeling?” My wolf replied, “No, but I felt it too.” Jason gently asked, “Alexander, what happened?” I stared at his cottage. I admitted, “I think Melanie was sick.”
Cassie popped out to me. My sister smiled greeting my friend, “Happy mating day Jase! I need to borrow my brother for a second.” Tristan walked over and demanded, “Space unheard.” Cassie pursed her lips, but EJ did the chant. I guess my brother followed me too.
Tristan asked, “What happened to Mel? Alexander thought she was sick.” Cassie winced, “She was violently ill.” I snarled, “It was those fucking rings! It was for Red Run!” Cassie admitted, “That’s what Paige said. She needs at least a week to prepare the spell brew. It’s something Melanie has to drink or something.”
My sister apologized, “I’m so sorry Jase, but Melanie didn’t want you to know. She made Addison promise to have your ceremony today. She also made me promise to keep Alexander here. Mel said Jase needs you, big brother.” I growled, “So she’s all alone?”
Cassie shook her head, “No, she called a friend who shimmered in. Her name is Valentina. Addison made her promise to stay with Melanie. Addison was really sad until she got a text. She laughed and said Mel always figures out a way.”
I questioned, “What does that mean?” Cassie shrugged, “I was just told to make sure you stayed here.” I sighed, “Fine.” EJ commented, “Now, I’ll just be going to see what was up with Julian.” I asked, “Huh?” I tapped into our bond and felt his agitation, but he was otherwise fine.
Cassie left our group with him, but she went to give the news to our parents while he headed to Julian who shrugged even before EJ reached him. Jason went to tell his. Tristan scoffed, “It’s bullshit.” A woman asked, “She’s not coming, is she?”
Tristan said, “She was here, Adeline. The magic on the rings made her violently ill and the Witches and Warlocks need time to counter it.” Adeline made a face then said, “Well, I want to talk to her.” I replied, “You’re welcome to come to our pack anytime.”
Adeline stated, “I know it was her.” I asked, “Huh?” She explained, “Ladybug sent my mate here to Red Run and I know she did it because she thought we’d be cute together. I’d bet all my money she did. She’s Red One and my mate told me Melanie specifically told him to come find me if I wasn’t here. Melanie told Tank and Ziggy about each other, and then she found my mate for me. Mel was my best friend and I’m getting her back.” Adeline walked away with that declaration.
EJ walked back over and sighed, “She tried, little brother. This wasn’t in Mel’s control or ours.” Corbin came up smiling then frowned. He groaned, “What’s wrong now?” We explained this situation. Corbin raised his eyebrow, “Ok, I gotta see what Paige does then. The spell I know of takes a month to brew. She can do it in a week? Goddamn that woman is good.”
EJ snorted, “You’d better watch that.” Corbin shrugged, “I told your Alpha friend it’s about her talent. I’m not romantically interested in her.” I teased, “Why not?” Corbin snorted, “She’s mated.” I nodded, “Uh huh. I see you and your evasions, cousin.” I really did.
I wondered if Melanie knew who Corbin was interested in. My mate had been around watching over us. She could’ve seen him with someone. Melanie had to know if Corbin had a girlfriend. Holy shit. Oden snickered, “She absolutely knows Kade’s woman too.” She had to at this point. Kade was with her a lot. My mate had so much information about my own family that I wanted.
I asked, “Is there any update on if I can mark Melanie?” Corbin sighed, “We can’t find anything concrete either way. I set Paige on the task at our Coven meeting. She is quite determined to find an answer for her friend.” I sighed, “Alright.”
Corbin apologized, “I’m really sorry about this.” I shrugged, “Blame the Ring and the McCann’s. I do.” Corbin snorted, “Damn straight. Along with this older Dark Witch.” Tristan walked over and told me, “We gotta get up there, Alexander.”
Mid ceremony I noticed several of Melanie’s friends discreetly looking at their watches. Caine Davis had gone all Alpha mode about it too. I quickly looked at Cayden who had gone on alert. My brother in law had an arm around Cassie, protectively.
I asked Oden, “Is mate near?” Oden admitted, “I can’t tell if she’s here. I don’t smell her, but I’d swear she is.” I raised an eyebrow locking eyes with my dad. I linked EJ, “Something is up.” He replied, “I know.”
I linked Cayden, “What happened with the watches?” Cayden answered, “The screen flashed and said: Be on alert. We aren’t alone.” My head was drawn to the side of Red Run’s territory with Alpha Raven. I faintly heard what sounded like a fight. We were too far away to truly tell.
EJ linked, “Oh fuck me. Is Ladybug on the border so she can watch the ceremony?” I admitted, “I don’t know, but Oden can’t smell her.” My big brother replied, “We are never able to smell the Resistance.” I did not care for that point.
I linked her, “Melanie?” I got nothing in response. Jason and Addison were announced as husband and wife. Suddenly, a red dot appeared on Jason’s head before it disappeared. A shot sounded into the air as Addison jumped onto Jason, tackling him to the ground.
I ordered, “CASS GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE NOW!” I took off running for the border with Alpha Raven. Ten rounds fired in succession around me but not aimed anywhere near me. I heard people falling out of trees then I smelled the stench of rogues.
EJ popped to me, and we shifted. Rogues came out, running directly at us. I snarled and we began to fight. EJ and I used our powers against them. Elise joined us fighting by our side. We’d covered this side and doubled back to the group.
After several minutes Black Mountain Warriors were shimmered in by two male Demons. One looked around then shouted, “SAM MCALISTER!” Sam’s wolf, Sugar, turned towards him. He smirked and shimmered to her then began to set every Wolf around her on fire.
We all stared at him a second as our Warriors made quick work of the fight. Liam shifted back. He told us, “We have to get to the Muffin Luna.” He made face then corrected himself, “I mean Luna Melanie. Sorry, it’s a habit.”
