We headed downstairs. The closer we got to the bottom of the stairs, the more I thought I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. I relaxed a little when Xander pulled me into him, but I was beyond nervous. Sierra was shooting worried looks my way.
Cassie popped in and pulled me away from Xander. That wasn’t going to work for me because I needed him next to me. I couldn’t do this if he wasn’t literally next to me… or if I wasn’t in his general vicinity. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.
I could do this. I was strong. I’d proven that time and time again. This was for Addison. I could do this for her. Freya said, “We can do it.” I gulped as Cassie popped us away. My face immediately felt hot. Addison was already in her dress, and she looked stunning.
Elena was here too. I smiled greeting, “You look gorgeous Ads….” I felt bile in my throat and trailed off. Paige frowned saying, “Mel, you look really pale. Are you…?” I was running through what must be Addison and Jason’s room before she finished her sentence.
I put the toilet seat lid up and threw up violently. My eyes widened when I saw what was coming out of my body. I was throwing up black bile…. there was no way that could be good. I didn’t even eat a muffin today... or anything for that matter.
Paige came in behind me and gasped, “It’s the Red Run territory that makes you physically ill?! CRAP! I don’t have everything I need. It has to brew for a week to work. I’m so sorry, Mel.” I laid down on the tile, “It’s fine.” Addison said, “We will just cancel.” I sat up and threw up again.
I pushed away and leaned my head against the wall. I shakily said, “No you won’t cancel, Ads. Promise me. This is a happy day for you. Someone can record it. We will watch it together over drinks and toast your day. You’re in your dress. I know you’re excited... and Jason…”
I paused to throw up more and vaguely realized Addison was on the phone. Cassie frowned and told me, “I’ll get you home then I’ll send Alexander to you.” I shook my head arguing, “No, keep Xander here. Promise me, Cassie. Jason needs him. If you promise me… Xander will stay. You know he will.”
Cassie bit her lip. I closed my eyes and threw up more. I tried linking Cassie, “Can you hear me?” Her eyes widened but she answered, “Yes.” I explained, “Every nice day we tried to have for Addison her dad ruined. Even her birthdays as a little pup before I showed up. She deserves the perfect day.” Cassie sighed, “Alright. I promise to keep Alexander here.”
Valentina shimmered in announcing, “I’ll take Mel back to her home.” She touched me and we were gone. Valentina shivered. I frowned asking, “Are you ok?” Valentina replied, “Huh what? Yeah. I just got this overwhelming sense of...” She trailed off.
Eventually she admitted, “I don’t even know what it was, but I want to go back.” I shrugged, “You can go, I’ll be fine.” Valentina shook her head arguing, “Nope. I promised Addison that I’d stay with you.” I sighed, “We are supposed to be there for her.”
Valentina asked, “Are you ok now?” I nodded, “I feel fine now.” I bolted up, “That’s it! You can shimmer us to our spot on Alpha Raven’s boundary! We can watch the mating ceremony from there.” Valentina smiled bragging, “You always come up with a way to do everything for those you love.” I grabbed my phone and texted Addison.
Me:A spell can’t keep me away. I’ll be on the border with binoculars. I promised I’d be there… and by god, I’m going to be there in more than spirit.
Ads:OH MY GOD! I love you, Mel! That means the world to me.
Me:??I’ll always be her for you. Now go marry my brother and stuff.
Ads:Oh, I will??I love the ‘and stuff’ part.
Me:Ew.
Ads:You started it.
Me:Touché.
I grabbed my backpack and shoved some binoculars in them. Valentina smiled and handed me my rifle. I snorted, “Sometimes the scope just has a better view.” She nodded, “I know you think that which is whyI have it.” I grabbed my laptop and a camera. I could zoom in and see if we could watch the ceremony that way. I grabbed an extra handgun just in case.
I told Valentina, “Shimmer us away.” Valentina tilted her head asking, “Are you forgetting something? We still smell like us.” I sighed, “I mean… it’s not a super big deal if they smell us, but we will be in Alpha Raven’s territory without permission… ok, you have a point.”
I dug through my bag and brought out the spray, covering both of us. Valentina hummed, “You didn’t spray us down like normal. So, that will only last about an hour.” I admitted, “I know. Xander has already commented about my lack of smell once. I imagine after the ceremony he’s going to pop in to check on me.”
Freya sighed, “I suppose I can help you from my end.” I frowned, “Huh?” Freya snorted, “Oden can sense us.” Dang it. That was true. I mean that wasn't a bad thing. Freya laughed, “I’ll handle it.” I asked, “How?” My wolf didn’t say anything. She was such a tight lipped wolf sometimes.
I nodded to Valentina, and she shimmered us away. I quickly climbed my tree and put up a camera. I came down lower on the tree and pulled out my laptop. We’d essentially made a tree stand in this one. I zoomed the camera in as much as we could.
My computer had the sound turned off, but Valentina and I saw the alert come in. Then I saw the one on my watch. I groaned, “Really?” The Ring was attacking Jason and Addison’s mating ceremony as a distraction.
I pulled out my heat signature binoculars and looked around. I found the snipers quickly. I typed out a message to Valentina to find what this was the distraction for. My friend quickly nodded. The Ring was NOT stopping Addison and Jason from getting married.
Even from the dungeons of Black Mountain Edward’s legacy of ruining things for Addison lived on. That frigging jerk deserved everything bad that was coming for him. I climbed up further into the tree. I began jumping from tree to tree towards the first sniper.
Freya sighed, “I’m tempted to tell you I won’t help you not let Oden know we are here if you INSIST on acting like a squirrel.” I asked, “Do you have a better way to sneak up on the sniper without shooting him and ruining the ceremony?”
Freya retorted, “Yes and no. It’s not something we can do right now.” I shrugged because I didn’t have time for her cryptic answers. I killed the first sniper fairly easily, because I’d taken him by surprise, and moved on.
Once I killed all of them, I took the final one’s earpiece. They were talking in clicks and there were still more of them. Witches were helping conceal the scent of rogues. UGH. I quickly sent out a message to everyone here with the watches to be on alert. Jason nor Addison would have theirs on, but everyone needed to be ready.
