The conversation came back to me in mine and EJ’s office. When we’d gotten word from Phil’s warrior friend that Black Path was attacked. Ashley Griffen, who was Melanie fucking McAlister, my mate stood to guard the damn pack alone.
I was going to kill EVERYONE in their leadership slowly and painfully. They left my mate to defend THEIR pack with her Warriors while they hid. They did not have an IDEA the suffering I would bring down on them. They should enjoy the comfort they had because their time enjoying anything was coming to an end the second I had answers.
I told Oden, “Something is wrong with me because that was actually a very disrespectful way to talk to the Beta of the pack she’s somehow in, but it was hot.” I said, “To be fair, he’s her hosting pack.” Because I knew that technically Jean wasn’t her Beta. Tristan was at the moment. Soon it would be Toby and Phil.
One thing I knew beyond a shadow of doubt was that Jean had called to make sure Melanie wasn’t where she’d actually been. Missouri. Without me she might have been caught. That didn’t make sense though. The Resistance had ways of getting around. Did they leave Melanie and Sierra out high and dry? Fury lit through me because this could’ve gotten her in a lot of trouble.
I could only thank every star in the universe that she’d trusted me enough to call. I knew we had a long road ahead of us to deal with what was going on. I needed some answers, but I could give her time. She needed to know she was safe. That I would be by her side, and that was time I had.
We had centuries together so time was actually on our side here. Plus, I had enough pieces to put it together myself. I needed her. I needed to taste her, to feel her. It had been a few hours since I left her, and I needed her. I was screwed.
We had a quickie, but it settled me. Oden chuckled, “Mate is so cute. She’s worried about messing up our mission.” I wouldn’t have cared if she had because her safety was more important to me. My Uncle could send someone else if she had messed anything up. He’d understand.
Our conversation about sleep made me start thinking about our Hackura ceremony. Eventually she’d only need a few hours of sleep. I honestly couldn’t wait for that. She was expressive, but I wanted to know the emotion behind those eyes. I could take her pain away from her. I wanted to protect her with all I had.
I honestly didn’t know if I could leave her again. My instincts were screaming at me not to. Meanwhile, my brain was telling me I had a mission to complete while Oden was silent. I knew he was just as conflicted as I was.
At the moment with Melanie looking at me with lust and admiration in her eyes it seemed impossible. We’d never leave if she kept doing that. We begrudgingly made it out of the bathroom. I knew that if I ended up leaving, I could get someone to start putting the pieces together of what the hell was happening here for me while I was on my mission.
I’d probably have to call Uncle Gunner. Micah would have questions I couldn’t answer at the moment. Besides, what Sierra didn’t know was that I had PLENTY of questions. I just wasn’t asking them. I honestly wanted to know how they removed their scents.
I had the ability to conceal my scent, but that was my Fairy side. Melanie must have figured out a way for everyone to do it. I couldn’t help but be proud of her. My mate was very smart and beautiful. I couldn’t wait to hear all of the things she’d come up with.
I hated that she’d done all this alone. I would’ve funded anything she wanted to research or look into. I couldn’t believe we’d been kept apart all this time. The truth was, I’d do anything for Melanie and one day she’d understand that.
Melanie could call and I would drop whatever I was doing. That’s what mates did. Something told me Sierra never had a good example of that and might not understand. Melanie did though. So, somewhere inside her she knew this was completely normal.
Uncle Bjourn called, and I knew I needed to talk to him. He was probably monitoring my feelings. The question was, why would he do that? I nearly groaned after my parting line. I told Olden, “Oh good. Our mate actually didn’t consider this trouble.” He growled, “We do.”
I knew that because I considered anything that could bring her harm. I squeezed her hand and forced myself to pop back to my place in Florida. Uncle Gunner was sitting there waiting. I raised an eyebrow, and he did the same.
I answered my phone, “Uncle Bjourn.” He replied, “Gunner said you aren’t in your place. Did you get an earlier meeting?” I laughed, “You know that I didn’t.” Uncle Bjourn was quiet, “You couldn’t stay away from her then?” I answered, “I wouldn’t, no but she called me. She needed my help so I had to go to do just that.”
Uncle Bjourn questioned, “Help with what?” I told him, “That’s unclear. I have a few things for Uncle Gunner to look into when he has time.” Uncle Bjourn questioned, “Is there anything I should know? Because I’m getting the sense there is.”
I admitted, “There’s a lot of things we all need to know. I’ve got pieces, but I certainly don’t have a full picture. She trusts me, and I’m not going to jeopardize that. She was in trouble, and she called me. What I discovered while there is fair game.”
Uncle Bjourn sighed, “I may not be your mother but I’m getting a bad feeling.” I looked towards Uncle Gunner, winced, then agreed, “Yeah. So am I.” Uncle Bjourn instructed, “Call me later.” I told him, “I will.”
I looked at Uncle Gunner asking, “What are you doing here?” Uncle Gunner snorted, “I’m here to give you some gadgets. You are normally always here when I arrive to give you things. I was unsettled when I discovered you weren’t here.”
I shrugged, “I was perfectly fine.” Uncle Gunner laughed, “So I smell, but oddly. You were with someone who has no scent because it’s like your scent, but more while being nothing. That’s fascinating.” I smirked back at him.
Uncle Gunner asked, “What do you need me to look into?” I texted him the address I’d just been to. I told him, “I want to know who owns that building. I also want to know what you can get on this building.” I texted him Melanie’s address.
Uncle Gunner nodded then asked, “Why?” I answered, “Because I want to chat with the owner. I think you will too. My dad definitely will, and so will Uncle Bjourn. Really, the list is shorter on who WON’T want to be involved in said conversation.”
Uncle Gunner commented, “Interesting.” He typed into his computer and frowned, “Well, both are owned by a shell corporation, the same one. I’m hitting some walls on that. I’ll look more into it. This all sounds like a fun challenge.” A shell corporation?
It must have a different name, because obviously the Resistance would be too obvious. Someone even set Melanie up with her own place? Who the HELL were these people? Uncle Gunner gave me a gold bracelet that would send out my location if I got burned.
I frowned because this was all clearly an excuse to see me. Someone in our family sent Uncle Gunner with an excuse to see me. Why? He didn’t give anything away about it, but that wasn’t surprising. Did he come here for Cayden?
Eventually Uncle Gunner reiterated, “That’s an interesting smell about you, nephew.” I snorted. Melanie might not have had a smell this time, but there was no way I didn’t smell like her overall. I studied him replying, “There’s no way Uncle Bjourn didn’t tell you who I was with.”
Uncle Gunner nodded, “Oh he did. On another note, Cayden is being very weird. So is Cassie.” I frowned because I hadn’t been monitoring my siblings much. I reached for my connection with Cassie. She was happy but worried.
I told him, “Cassie’s feelings seem fine.” Uncle Gunner disagreed, “She’s been fairly emotional.” I shrugged, “She just came off her concupiscence, that's normal.” Uncle Gunner nodded, “She’s worried about you. I just don’t know why.”
