Julian nodded, “I agree. I think your theory is tied with mine. The Supernatural Council has more access to other supernatural’s and packs. They would know which ones asked for their council over the Werewolf Council. They would have those connections. Melanie could just hack that information though, apparently.”
I nodded, “I agree. I’ll look into Mason and Hendrick. Maybe they have a relative named Manford or Estelle.” We talked with our siblings a little bit longer. Oden said, “The theory feels right, but also wrong. It’s like we are missing something.” I knew we were. I just didn’t know what it was.
I headed to the gym to see how Melanie’s wolf less session went. I found Liam outside with a line of people. Toby was there too with an iPad and typing furiously. I asked, “What’s going on?” Liam laughed, “We have quite the list of people who want to be tested for Warrior status. Toby is figuring out when we can host a class as the size of this one; we’d need an additional one to the one already set up.”
Toby announced, “I got it. Ok, I have all your names, and I will email you the time of your testing class. Placements will follow that class to what level you are assigned. Dismissed.” Toby turned to me, “Damn if that mate of yours can’t give a rallying speech. She’s also still giving lessons.”
I popped into the gym and was surprised to find some of my Warriors were working in a small group. Melanie looked gorgeous so I studied every inch of her. Melanie flushed and linked me, “It’s a little hard to concentrate when your lust shoots up my foot.”
I told her, “It will be more intense after our Hackura bond kicks in on Saturday.” My mate blushed even harder. Melanie dismissed the Warriors and dashed out. I was just about to follow her when EJ linked me, “So, you won’t believe this.”
I snorted, “What now?” EJ said, “We have two Supernatural Council members at the front door. Three more in the territory. They want to meet with us and our Luna’s. Melanie’s calendar is blocked off, so I told them she was unavailable.”
I linked Melanie, “Where did you go?” Melanie answered, “Uhh well… see there’s…” I cut her off, “Supernatural Council members here.” Melanie said, “Well… then you know that detail…and probably where I went then. Also… why are there Hackura following me?”
I evaded, “We can discuss that later.” Melanie snorted, “You have KJ, Fowler, and Chason following me too. I don’t think the Hackura are necessary.” I didn’t reply because I did. My Guard was absolutely necessary to protect her in my opinion.
I popped to the office and found two men standing there. Elise linked me, “Where’s Mel?” I snorted, “Likely finding the other three members in our territory and blackmailing them. At least that’s what I inferred from what she was saying.”
EJ linked me, “Dalton called. Paige, Avery and Addison are no longer in their territory. They also have Supernatural Council members visiting. So does Yellow Hills, along with Yellow River.” Damn. I hadn’t considered Alpha Theo’s pack would get a visit. It did make sense though.
Yellow River had a hybrid. They just didn’t know Lux’s other half because he didn’t. Oden said, “That doesn’t mean they don’t know what he is.” Shit. That was true. Yellow River also had partial Fairies too because of Beta James and Cousin Idel.
One Supernatural Council member asked, “Where is your mate, Alpha Alexander?” I said, “She’s busy. We did not know you were coming, and Melanie has sessions planned in the gymall day.” That was true. I’d planned for the both of us to be in the gym all day and Phil had put that on both our calendar’s.
The other one said, “We need to speak with her.” EJ shot back, “Then as I said before my brother arrived, make an appointment for tomorrow and Beta Phil will move her schedule around.” We entered a stare off. They clearly seemed to believe they were going to get us to bring Melanie in here.
I asked, “Why do you want to speak with her?” One smirked, “We need her to come with us for questioning about her false identity.” I snarled, “No. She’s not going anywhere.” The other smiled at me, “She’s not your Luna yet, Alpha Alexander. I do believe she’s not even marked. Her false identity falls under Supernatural Council jurisdiction because of the pack she was in.”
EJ grabbed my arm and squeezed, sending me the emotions in the bond he had this. Oden snarled, “I will rip them apart.” EJ corrected them, “You’re incorrect, on several levels. Melanie was always under the jurisdiction of the Werewolf Council. Besides, my future sister in law is marked. Your information is outdated.”
One snorted, “She’s still not a member of this pack.” EJ quickly adapted, “So you wish to speak to her Alpha then?” I snarled, “I’m her goddamn Alpha.” One snarked, “Not officially.” Fuck him. Oden roared in my head.
The other One said, “I do believe you have Alpha Edward as a prisoner.” I snarled, “He was never her Alpha, nor is he worthy of the title.” Elise put her phone on speaker addressing her brothers, “Dalton and Dakota, there are two Supernatural Council members here who believe they have the authority to take Melanie, because EJ and Alexander aren’t her Alpha’s yet. So, they need your permission to do so, as her Alpha’s.”
Dalton declined the request, “No. Is there anything else?” The Supernatural Council member frowned saying, “You can’t deny that, Alpha Dalton.” Dalton laughed, “Do you want abet?” I hoped they did because I was literal seconds away from squeezing their brains out their noses.
My dad walked into the room. His voice thundered with authority, “Alpha Dalton, Alpha Dakota, and my sons can ALL deny that request. Which would then come down to a fight between you and me. Melanie McAlister is under the Werewolf Council.”
A council member smiled arguing, “But Ashley Griffen was under ours.” My dad snarled, “And what a fine job you did there. I have information that says she was the pack slave for two years until she became the Female Lead Warrior. Oddly, my Beta scouring our records for information for that detail from you, but we haven’t found it.”
Both men looked at each other. The other shrugged, “She’s coming with us.” I snarled, “Melanie is not going with you, even if you declare war. If you are declaring war in this office, I’ll go ahead and tell you that you didn’t come with enough numbers to win this battle. I’ll kill you both myself and leave your bodies for your bosses to see outside their office.” Oden commented, “I agree. Let’s do that.”
Both men looked taken aback. They glanced at each when both of their phones rang. This had better be their call to back off, or I was going to say screw everyone’s plan. I was going to make their heads explode, then rip their throats out. No one was taking Melanie from me ever again.
Things come to Light
Melanie looked around the gym. Xander told me to observe their practice and that aligned with my plans. Everyone tensed when Bradford walked over to me. I wasn’t worried though. Freya said, “You shouldn’t be. I would take over if it was necessary. His wolf is very apologetic.”
I knew that because I’d seen this body language on many Warriors. Bradford wanted to take me up on my offer to help him train. I could feel Xander was astonished that I’d offered. The thing was, in this pack, they could write down in people’s files that they were disrespectful twerps.
Black Mountain could afford not put in extra time with them once they turned things around. In Black Path, you couldn't do that because they didn’t have the numbers. This is what I could bring to the pack. I could help the stragglers.
I’d help Bradford and push him knowing he wouldn’t like it, but he would get better. Which he would like. Cory teased me about it, but I knew it was hard enough for Bradford to ask me, of all people, for help. I wasn’t going to make it harder for him. It wouldn’t encourage Bradford at all to be demoralized while asking for help.
My snarky side might enjoy that, but it never helped anyone in the long run. Freya told me, “I really do like you.” I replied “Yeah, well I like you too. Which is good since we are stuck together for centuries.” Freya snickered, “Or longer.” I had no idea what that meant.
Sierra linked me, “Mason set up the traces you wanted on Bradford’s mom. Patricia’s been complaining about you a lot.” I replied, “I don’t care if she complains. I care about when she seriously messes up and does something stupid.”
