I snorted, “That sounds interesting. Have you heard from Sierra?” Phil replied, “Yes, I have. Before you ask yes, something is up. Do I know what? No. Knowing things is a thing of the past. If only my brain got the memo. It itches, Alexander. How does one scratch an itch on the brain? Google did not have my answer. I’ll have to tell your mom that. She will be devastated.” Oden snorted.
Phil continued, “Back to the subject at hand. This is where you ask, did Sierra tell me something was up? No. Something’s off in her voice. I can tell she is worried. About what? I don’t know, I could only guess.”
I admitted, “Melanie hasn’t texted since I went to get them.” Phil said, “I’m sorry, what? You went to get them? I must have missed that detail in our phone call, or the one with my mate. I do not recall a SINGLE thing being said about you getting anyone.”
I explained, “Melanie texted me an address and I popped in to get them and took them back to Louisiana.” Phil snorted, “Fair warning, if you say you went to Missouri I will scream.” I didn’t say anything in reply. I just stared at the phone.
Phil groaned, “Oh my fucking god. You went to Missouri!” I questioned, “Why did you mention Missouri?” Phil snorted, “Melanie’s brother, one of your bone headed brothers, Jayden, and Finn went to Missouri. They were targeted immediately.” Oden growled in my head.
He continued, “They took their eyes off others because they’d clocked who they’d thought were the snipers. They almost got taken by surprise, but someone yelled out for Jason.” I growled, “Which brother?”
Phil answered, “Theo. He was saved as well and tackled to the ground. He said it was a hard, good tackle too.” I growled, “What was he thinking?” Phil sighed, “They were baiting the Ring.” I growled, “We don’t do that without serious back up!”
Phil sighed, “Yes, so Toby and I told him at a VERY loud volume. Jayden said they were backed up.” I argued, “We would’ve had people in wherever the hell they were.” Phil supplied, “They were in the mall. Oh and Kai McAlister was kidnapped.”
I shouted, “WHAT? Why didn’t you lead with that? I’ll come home and…” Phil interrupted, “Hold your horses. Kai was dropped off at Al’s diner with a Resistance card.” My chest tightened, “Ok then.” Phil snorted, “Yeah. Your mates’ brother and nephew were saved on the same day. “ Uh huh.
He added, “The day that just so happens to be the day your mate returns from vacation. Isn’t that just an entire series of odd coincidences? Especially when you were in the same state as Jason as their getaway Fairy. So very odd.”
I rubbed my face before saying, “I’m going to try to sleep.” Phil snorted, “Yeah right. You and me Alpha cousin, we aren’t sleeping until our mates are safely back with us.” I didn’t say anything, because I had a feeling, he was right.
I reasoned with myself when I hung up. The Resistance saved Kai, so Black Path won’t know Melanie was with them. They didn’t suspect she’d been with Jason at that mall because she’d called me at least. My phone rang and this time it was Jason.
I snorted, “Jase.” He sighed, “I suppose you heard.” I growled, “That you, my brother, a cousin and his Beta want an ass kicking? I did hear that.” Jason sighed. I asked, “Why are you still up?” Jason was quiet then said, “I could ask you the same thing.” I evaded, “I need less sleep than you.”
Jason retorted, “We have been friends for a long time, Alexander.” I agreed, “Yes, we have.” Jason told me, “I know an evasion when I hear one.” I laughed, “So do I. You are deliberately not answering my questions. What’s wrong?” Jason sighed, “I just can’t shake the feeling, but everyone thinks I’m crazy…”
I questioned, “Feeling about what?” Jason sighed, “I just…” I heard a knock on Jason’s door. He told me, “I gotta go.” I urged, “Call me back if you need to.” Jason sighed, “I’ll be fine. Everyone else is probably right.” He hung up.
I called my brother. Theo answered, “Yeah, I know.” I asked, “Do you?” He said, “Yes, look I’m getting lectured by everyone. I’m more curious about what’s going on with you.” I scoffed, “This is not the end of this conversation about going to MISSOURI.” Theo sighed, “Fine.”
I told him, “I have someone I want you to meet soon.” He asked, “Oh really?” I answered, “Yes, really. Don’t do boneheaded shit without me there to have your six. Ok?” Theo sighed, “Fine.” I heard Jane called, “Theo?” I urged, “Go to her, brother. I love you.” He replied, “I love you too.”
I managed to get a few hours of sleep. Oden commented, “I’m worried.” I snorted, “You’ve been oddly quiet.” Oden admitted, “I’ve been trying to reach Freya. I feel like I got close, so I kept trying.” I told him, “Let me know if you get a hold of her.” Oden said, “I will, right away. If they need us, we have to go.” I replied, “I agree.” Oden seemed determined to try and reach her.
EJ’s nervousness and worry hit me on the way to my meeting. I frowned but kept walking since he wasn’t pulling me to him. I made it to the meeting in time, but I couldn’t focus though. I was monitoring EJ to closely to care about what was being said.
He was angry and worried, and his anger was mounting. That was odd for my older brother. I thought about it but he’d be home now but there was nothing there to upset him. Max and Wesley did a great job of running the pack while we were gone. Did something come up today that had EJ was upset at someone in the pack?
Oden linked, “He could be upset with Theo and Jayden.” That was true. He just seemed to be way too pissed off for it to be that about that. Suddenly, Cassie’s worry hit me like a freight train. I was going to have to leave if this got worse. I needed to know what was wrong with my siblings.
I heard someone outside the door and thought I must be wrong about the scent. Oden growled, “We are not wrong. That’s our brother in law.” I raised an eyebrow when Cayden walked in. My heart sank when I saw his face because now I knew that something was really and truly terribly wrong.
One guys asked him, “Who are you?” Cayden ordered, “Leave. Or I will kill EACH and EVERY fucking one of you.” Oden growled, “It’s definitely bad.” We already knew that. When no one moved quickly enough Cayden let his eyes blaze. He shouted, “NOW!”
They fled while a few glanced at me with concern since I wasn’t moving. I asked once everyone was gone, “Cayden?” He sighed, “The shit we have all stepped in knows no bounds. We have to go.” EJ’s panic, worry, anger, and near hysteria hit me. I demanded, “Get me to EJ!”
Once I got a hold of my own emotions, I popped us to him myself. The second we popped in my eyes went to Cassie and I stopped short. She was glowing. Oden said, “Not only did Cassie say it’s not the moment, but so did Rain.” Great. Whatever. Screw the moment. I was going to be an uncle!
I walked over and hugged her and congratulated her. Oden linked, “Rhea has been kidnapped.” For fuck’s sake. I was stunned to silence when Drake hit the floor screaming that Melanie was living her dream. Arthur was beside him when my mom popped back in and released him from compulsions. What?
Oden snarled, “HE WAS COMPELLED ABOUT MATE!” I was in shock with everyone else when Drake stopped screaming. Holy mother of god. How deep did this conspiracy go? Breanna tried to release me and my siblings, but nothing happened.
Cayden and Micah slipped off. I was about to join them when I remembered my brother needed me. I put my hand on EJ’s back. I felt his shoulders relax. His worry did not abate though. I linked him, “EJ, we will get Elise back.” He nodded but didn’t reply.
Oden said, “Brutus is snarling.” I couldn’t blame him. Oden linked, “Snow said Angela refuses to leave her books until she can solve the blurry issue.” I winced because she was just a pup. This wasn’t on her.
Toby ran in saying we had some Witches we could question. I linked him, “For real? This is the ONE moment you link me instead of tell EJ something.” Toby winced but conceded, “That is a very valid point.”
