She made a joke that made me think about her heat. Once I marked her, she’d have one and I was already looking forward to it. She talked about recovery time for men. I asked Oden, “Did she make human friends? Or did Black Path ignore their Supernatural sides so much they were like humans in that area?” He replied, “Freya is just laughing.” Oh well. I could honestly care less about Black Path and their issues at this point. I hoped they did all suck in bed.
Melanie tapped my shoulder and pointed to a letter that had appeared. Crap. The real world wanted into our bubble. I knew the handwriting though, it was Wes. Shit. Did he need help? Oden purred, “She knows our family.” She did.
I teased her about knowing my family's names and their mates. She flushed, rambling. I could push it but decided I’d let it slide. She was a bad liar. She was cute when she was flustered though. I opened the letter.
Alexander,
I need some help if you have the time. Everyone’s out today, and I don’t want to bother EJ on vacation. I’m alone today. Even Toby is gone. Be safe Big Brother.
Wes
That’s it? Oden replied, “That’s all I see on the note.” He wasn’t even telling me what he needs help with. Now I had to go to him. I’d have gone anyway since he’s my little brother. This note made me worry though.
We were leaving. Melanie pulled her knees into herself and looked heartbroken by the turn of events. She thought I was leaving her. Oden growled, “Fix it.” I snorted, “You know that if she thinks she isn’t coming with me, she’s wrong.” He grunted.
I could see the excitement in her eyes once we hammered out details. She even wanted to see the mountain. I was ridiculously happy about that. She was going to finally see our home. I linked Phil, “Tell Sierra we are detouring to Black Mountain today and that both of them are coming. They can stay in our rooms, and we can shut down the gym to show it to them.”
Phil replied, “I’m in. I miss the place, and I really do want Sierra to see it.” Melanie jumped up to get ready. I popped downstairs linking my cousin, “Get to the living room.” Phil came bounding down the stairs. He smiled, taking in my expression.
He rubbed his hands together saying, “You convinced Melanie to come to Black Mountain.” I nodded. He asked, “How?” I snorted, “She wants to see it and always has. Elise told us that all the time.” He made a face, “I think it was something else.”
I admitted, “I told her no one from our family was there today besides Wes.” Phil asked, “What’s up with Wes? Is he ok?” I answered, “I don’t know. He didn’t say what was going on. All he said was he’s alone and he needs me if I can spare the time.”
Phil laughed, “If you can spare the time. That’s cute. All you Conners kids ALWAYS spare the time for each other.” I raised an eyebrow, “As if you Kruthers kids are any different.” Phil agreed, “We are awesome at being siblings.” I smiled, “We had great examples.”
He took out his phone and called Gage. I asked, “What are you doing?” He replied, “Getting answers.” Gage answered, “Yeah.” I asked, “What’s wrong with Wes?” He answered, “Uhhh nothing. He’s fine. Dylan is even here.” I asked, “Then why does he need me?”
He snorted, “Probably because he’s worried about the emotional breakdown you appear to be having going from happy to fury all the time. Plus, he’s feeling you have feelings you’ve never had before. I’m betting he’s just worried about you and someone doesn’t have their phone. He knows you’ll come if he asks.” I was certain something else was going on.
Phil hung up without saying anything when Melanie came down in metallic jeans and a tight turtleneck. I wanted to throw her back down. Phil linked, “You wanted to leave for Wes so get that ‘I’ll just rip that outfit off her and have my wicked way with her’ look on your face.”
I had to pop away to shower before I did just that. Phil was right, my little brother needed me. I heard Phil teasing my mate about her scent. I popped back down and linked him, “Not cool man. Not cool.” I grabbed Melanie’s hand and popped her into our room in Black Mountain.
I linked Gage, “We are here.” He said, “Good. I’ll see you before I leave.” I replied, “We’ll all be in the gym later.” He snorted, “Of course you will. We’ll never get you all to leave. She LOVES the gym as much as you do.” I could tell Melanie was really excited.
I wondered if she’d paint our walls red since it was her favorite color. I didn’t actually care what she did. As long as she liked it, I’d be happy. She was really excited and ran to the window. I linked Oden, “I swear I just saw a flicker of recognition on her face as she looked outside.” He agreed, “You did.”
Yeah, except I didn't see anyone from Red Run outside. She was mesmerized by the pack grounds. Her tone had a wistfulness to it. I’d show her the whole place once I got back. I wanted to take her on our bed for the first time, but then Wesley would come in here looking for me since he could feel I was back.
I made sure she was ok before I popped to my brother. Wesley sighed in relief, “You’re here.” I nodded asking, “What’s going on?” as I gave him a hug. Oden said, “He really is ok.” I could see that. Gage had confirmed it, but I needed to see him.
Wesley pulled back and shoved two disputes at me. I looked over them then raised my eyebrow commenting, “The decisions you have penciled in here are perfectly fine, Wes.” Gage might be right about my sibling just needing to see me.
He smiled asking, “Really?” I answered, “Yes. Why did you need me?” Wesley sighed, “I really wasn’t sure about those two because they deal with higher ranking wolves. Plus, you just vanished, man! I was worried and…” He inhaled, then threw a pen at me which I caught.
He shouted, “YOU ASS! I’ve been worrying myself into knots over whether or not you’re ok, and you were with woman!” I teased, “I thought you would’ve felt that in the bond and smelled it when I gave you a hug.” He shouted, “HOLY SHIT! YOU WERE WITH A WOMAN?! Like WITH with.” I replied, “Sex. Just say I’ve been having a lot of sex, little brother.”
Wesley continued, “I can smell that! Holy shit! Who finally caught your eye?” I admitted, “That’s a complicated answer.” Wesley frowned somewhat demanding, “Uncomplicate it. Because I convinced myself you had a sex doll, or something based on the bond since you’ve never been interested in anyone. Ever.” I shot him a look, and he winked.
I sighed, “I can tell you part of it if you promise not to say anything to anyone else until I do.” Wesley didn’t even hesitate to say, “I promise. Tell me.” I smiled letting him know, “I met my mate.” Wesley’s eyes doubled in size.
He questioned, “Where is she? No, that’s not the right first question. Who is she?” I laughed, “She’s upstairs.” Wesley prodded, “And her name is?” I said, “She was introduced to me as Ashley Griffen.” Wesley’s jaw dropped.
He shouted, “NO! You’re serious?! We get the badass wolf less Female Lead Warrior who can beat Alpha’s in wolf and human form?! Seriously? You know, that’s actually not surprising. You’ve been intrigued and she emails you. Of course she belongs with us. We are the best and her pack is shit. Is she actually that good at fighting?”
I laughed, “Yes, she beat Phil in a fight and several others in a pack we are allies with. She held her own with me. In fact, she almost had me for a minute.” Wesley demanded, “BRING HER DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!”
I laughed, “I’m showing her the gym later. I actually need to leave a note for EJ and have Toby clear his schedule for when I get back. We are going to have ourselves a heck of a meeting.” Wesley frowned, “Wait, you said you were introduced to her as Ashley Griffen. Is that not her name?”
