Kai popped his head out of the van saying, “Alexander smells like sugar cookies.” Virgil gaped then asked, “Really? Would you be referring to Alpha Duke Alexander Conners, little Kai?” Kai nodded, “Yeah! He’s cool! He comes to play with me sometimes so I knew that’s who she smelled like in the van when she joined me.” Darn Beta blood and me being proud of it.
Virgil nodded, “Does he? How adorable. Is he the only person you know that smells like a sugar cookie?” Kai nodded emphatically, “Yup. Daddy says he’s the only one with that scent too.” I glanced at the sky.
Virgil chuckled, “Thanks for that tidbit, little man. Can you give the adults just a few more moments?” Kai shrugged, “Sure. It makes sense though. People talk about both their fighting skills. Of course they like each other.” My jaw dropped. Peopled in Red Run talked about my fighting skills? ME?! Kai disappeared back into the van.
Virgil hit my arm saying, “You’ve got to be kidding me. You met your Alpha man! THE XANDER?! YOUR XANDER?!” Kai gasped from inside the truck then whisper yelled, “YES!” I groaned. I answered Virgil, “He sort of showed up….where I was.”
Virgil nodded, “And bow chick a bow wow! Get it! Get it! So, he doesn’t care about the whole ordeal then? I knew it! I actually said that.” I hit his shoulder, “Don’t be crass. He doesn’t exactly ummm... know about stuff. We were in the bubble. I’m explaining it when he gets back from a mission.”
Virgil snorted, “Then the show moves onto Black Mountain. I dig it.” I looked away saying, “We will see.” Virgil grabbed my arms, forcing my eyes back to him. He said, “Melanie McAlister, on a scale of one to ten you are a twenty. If that Alpha hybrid does not see that then he will contend with my fire throwing hands.”
I winced, “No... no matter what, don’t hurt him.” Virgil stared at me before replying, “He will see how lucky he is to have landed you.” He kissed my forehead, “I’ll get rid of their van.” I replied, “Thanks. I really appreciate it.” He chuckled, “Anytime.”
I helped Kai out of the back. My nephew studied me but didn’t say anything. I walked him back to my car. Kai smiled when he saw the gun in the passenger seat. I quickly put it in the glove box. He grinned, “I knew I heard a shot. They thought they ran over something, but I knew someone was coming to save me. How did you find me?” I started the car and turned back towards Blue Moon.
I answered, “You wear the wolf necklace I bought you.” Kai grinned and pulled it out from under his shirt. He said proudly, “I never take it off. I never told anyone where I got it either.” I smiled telling him, “Whenever you need me, as long as you have that necklace… I’ll always find you.”
Kai was quiet then said, “You seem sad.” Beta bloods were so darn observant. I looked at Kai and allowed myself to think what I had the moment I saw him….in person…honestly I thought the same through the pictures I hacked.
Kai looked so much like Tristan. I told him, “You look just like your uncle and I miss him. Quite a lot actually.” Kai shrugged, “Everyone says I look like daddy.” Everyone in Red Run had mentally lost their minds then. Kai was a mini Tristan, not Jason.
Kai said innocently, “You should come home if you miss it.” I looked away and admitted, “I wish I could.” Kai groaned, “Oh come on, Aunt Ladybug! Daddy misses you so much. He cries about it sometimes at night. I saw him looking at the pictures of you dancing in a photo album. That’s a secret though. You can’t tell.” I had to pull over as sobs racked my body.
Jason missed me? Maybe… Maybe we could work this all out so I could be with Xander. We could be cordial to each other. Kai gently asked, “Do you not like being called Aunt Ladybug? Daddy always calls you that when he talks about you.”
I cried harder asking, “He does?” Kai nodded “Yup.” I wiped my tears, “I’m surprised he told you about me.” Kai snorted, “I hear lots of Aunt Ladybug stories. Daddy really does miss you. Do you have fun dancing though? Everyone says that’s your dream.” I wiped my tears and started driving again.
I evaded, “Once upon a time… it was up there in my dreams.” Kai frowned before he crossed his arms. He told me, “You should come home if you aren’t happy dancing anymore.” Jason had clearly told Kai I was off dancing somewhere.
I reached out and ruffled his hair. I told him, “Coming home isn't in the cards for me.” Kai pouted, “But you're so close! We could just go back together and I’d be the hero of the pack.” My heart ached. I whispered, “I know we are close. You’re already a brave hero. Ok?” Freya linked me, “I like this one. He is adorable. I’m so happy we are meeting our nephew.” So was I. Meeting him was a pipe dream I never thought I’d have since they all out refused to let him near me.
Kai asked, “Did your wolf get hurt?” I yet again evaded, “Why do you ask?” Kai shrugged, “I can usually tell when adults are wolves. Yours isn’t as strong a sense, but I can tell you have one.” I explained, “In a way… my wolf was hurt. I’m not exactly sure how to explain it. I don’t even understand it really….which I don’t really care for. I like having answers…so…this is…annoying.” That word worked. It was the all-encompassing word I needed but it would work.
Kai grumbled, “Daddy won’t like that you got hurt.” I snorted, “I get hurt a lot… so… it’s ok.” Kai argued, “But you never fall when you dance.” I agreed, “No, I don’t.” Kai made a face saying, “I don’t understand. If you don’t get hurt dancing, how did you get hurt? And how did you get to me so fast? You weren’t with your Demon friend. He showed up after.”
I told him, “One day... I’m sure you will understand. One day, I’ll answer those questions as to how I got here so fast.” Kai sighed, “I think you should just come home. Daddy would be happy to see you. Everyone would be.” Poor pup, he really believed that. The sad truth was no one would be happy to see me.
I parked at the border of Blue Moon, closer to Red Run. I turned to Kai, “Me saving you has to be another one of our secrets. Ok?” I handed him a card. There was no way they told him about the Resistance yet.
I instructed, “Give them that when they asked who saved you.” Kai nodded, “But maybe you’ll come to my birthday party this year?” I wanted to cry again. I told him, “I’ll get you a present for sure….like I usually do. I’ll leave it in our special place if I can’t make it.” Kai was the only one who ever accepted my presents…but he was the one I stopped mailing them to…so…we had our spot. Kai nodded, “Ok.”
I pointed at Al’s Diner. I told him, “Walk in there and tell them who you are.” Kai snorted, “Al knows me.” I nodded, since I was sure Jason brought Kai here. Our dad loved this place. They’d brought me take out, but I’d never been in person.
Kai leaned over and hugged me tightly. He whispered, “You do smell a lot like Alexander. He must like you.” I whispered, “At the moment.” Kai surmised, “Then you are his mate.” I winked at him, “You are a smart pup.”
Kai snorted, “Your friend called him your Xander so that wasn’t that hard, but I do just piece things together. Daddy always says Alexander is waiting for his mate. That’s why he never has a girlfriend.” I laughed, “Your dad shouldn’t talk about that around you.”
Kai winked, “I’m sneaky.” I told him, “I like you…I mean I always have…I just…it’s nice meeting you in person.” Kai smiled, “I like you too, Aunt Ladybug. I’ve always wanted to meet you in person.” We smiled at each for a second. I shook myself urging, “Go on. I’m sure your parents are beside themselves.” Kai got out.
I moved the car to a different location, got out, and climbed a tree with some binoculars. Kai walked into the diner and the atmosphere descended into complete mayhem. The man I assumed was Al was one the phone while a woman picked Kai up and put him at a booth where food was instantly brought out for him.
An SUV squealed to a stop outside Al’s moments later. Former Alpha Lucas Lyons and Former Beta Dylan jumped out and ran inside. Kai handed them the card. I got down and got into my car ready to leave because seeing my brother once was enough today.
Maybe I could come back tomorrow and track him down privately to talk. I couldn’t lie and say crying over old pictures of me didn’t touch my heart and give me hope. He’d even told Kai about me after swearing not to…that meant something…it had to.
I contemplated that the whole drive home. I cringed when the thought of challenging Jean so Sierra could be with Phil. I was going to get hell for saving Kai, but hopefully I could challenge Jean before I was punished.
I’d hoped to get Sierra out of there today. Maybe I still could. I called Dax. He picked up immediately, “Mel, are you coming home?” I looked at a sign as I passed it. I grimaced knowing the drive was passing by far too quickly.
