My dad sighed, “She’s not wrong. Since Alexander was thirteen most of the assassins that have come have wanted him. It’s why his Guard is around more often than anyone else’s.” Uncle Bjourn asked, “Is now where we discuss information coming out of places near dance competitions in California and Minnesota?”
Melanie squeaked, “What? Huh? Those seems like weirdly specific places and questions… that don’t pertain to this conversation.” Uncle Bjourn said, “I disagree. You passed off information about Alexander before you were kidnapped. How?”
Uncle Bjourn sent me the need to get the answer. I asked, “Lovebug, did you do that?” Melanie replied, “I mean… there…it’s a…. so, about the whole assassins coming after you, thing. That was something we should discuss… further… for a while.”
Tristan surmised, “So, you did what they think you did. How did you pass off information?” Melanie squeaked, “I didn’t say that….they did….they said it…I didn’t say it was true…I said they were weirdly specific locations…that’s what I said.” Her face, voice, and tone definitely declared the fact that she did it. Oden laughed in my head.
I questioned, “Why didn’t I know about the assassin attempts?” Several Beta’s shot me looks of exasperation, but I didn’t care. I cared more about my mate being comfortable. My dad sighed, “You caught the attempts when you took over but for the last….” He looked at Melanie then added, “Seven years, no one came for you or any of the boys.”
Melanie said, “Taking out Xander, in the Ring’s mind, would be a huge message to send and victory for them. I thought it was just the rumors of how good of a fighter her was… but it’s not… it’s because stupid Patricia gave the Supernatural Council information about HOW good he is.”
“Taking out an Alpha Enforcer is a big victory… but the strongest Alpha Enforcer… in the strongest family… it would be a devastating blow to the Conners. They don’t truly understand your family though. I think they believe if they were able to take out Xander that the family would withdraw into themselves.”
“Then the Ring would be free to act as they once did. They believe they can come back out of the shadows if they strike at the Conners. I understand they are wrong, but I’m not about to sit quietly by and do nothing. That’s not really my strong suit…and besides… you wouldn’t either if they were coming for Everly, Tristan.”
Jason said, “Ok, fair point but we know that now. You don’t have to do this anymore. Is that how the Resistance recruited you? By telling you people were after Alexander?” Melanieraised an eyebrow asking, “Did you think I didn’t know that before I left? I’m highly intelligent in case you hadn’t noticed. A member of Red Run tried to use a Witch against him and we are allies. I’m fully away people come after Xander…and was before I was kidnapped.”
Dad linked, “Well, shit. Let’s not go there.” Cayden asked, “Why did you join then?” My mate evaded that with a question of her own, “Have you not noticed you all run into issues because people KNOW who you are?”
Drake growled, “I don’t like where you’re going with this, Melanie.” Melanie reasoned, “The Resistance is in the shadows with the Ring, whereas you can’t be. Or continuously choose not to be. They know you and you keep going at them… looking like yourselves.” Sierra sighed, “Mel.”
Melanie practically shouted, “In BROAD FREAKING DAYLIGHT! You don’t even try to carry out your plans at night! Do you not consider the dark might help you slightly? It’s harder for a sniper to shoot you at night…I’m just saying.”
Sierra groaned, “No, we can’t get on this rant. Kiss her, Alexander. It will last hours if you don’t and her face will turn red. Her hands will curl into little fists, and she’ll talk about her statistics and charts. It will not go to a good place.” I swooped in to kiss my mate.
When I pulled back Cayden casually said, “We can be in the shadows.” I didn’t need a bond with him to know that was not at all a casual comment. Melanie replied, “In a way.” Tristan said, “Well, now you can work with us. When you get missions, we can help you.”
Melanie snorted, “No, I can’t. That would blow all of us around you. If all of a sudden you all start getting in on things the Resistance members usually handle, me and friends would be their first suspects. People would come for us… good andbad….but like mostly bad. That feels pretty obvious though…it can’t be since you suggested it though….but I’m right.”
I hated that she had an extremely valid point. I compromised, “But you could tell us when you were going out. If you couldn't take me, you could take one of my Guards.” Melanie said, “Maybe… it would depend on the situation. I could tell you I was going somewhere though.”
Micah interjected, “And keep your phone on.” Melanie sighed, “Maybe… probably… that could be fine.” My dad said, “We have a lot to discuss.” Melanie sighed then her phone beeped. I felt genuine happiness from her.
My mate smiled, “I guess it will have to wait until later… or after our mating ceremony… because Xander and I have to be somewhere… so… bye!” Tristan shouted, “No fucking way! Don’t you dare leave.”
Oden said, “Freya said we are definitely leaving so Apollo can calm down.” I wasn’t say that to anyone. I told my wolf, “Feel free to pass that along to Apollo.” Oden snorted, “Yeah, no. Freya is sniping at him.” Oh good, a sibling human and wolf fight.
Melanie showed me a picture on her phone, grabbed me, and linked, “Pop us out before someone with more authority than my brother says no.” I snorted and popped away to a house. Oden said, “I do love being her getaway Fairy. I’m very happy you’re a hybrid with that ability.” Me too.
Dad linked, “There are days I think you don’t like me.” I replied, “I love you, dad.” He snorted, “Yes, well the McAlister’s have lost their actual shit.” I chuckled, “Ask T what Apollo and Freya were sniping at each other about.” Dad groaned, “Fine.”
I looked around then asked my mate, “Are we in Spain?” Melanie answered, “Yup. Come on.” She led me to a warehouse. Melanie told me, “I’ll link you if there’s a problem. I’m early… I guess... no… I am early…ok really early.” I snorted, “You usedthe location as an excuse to get out of the whole ‘you’re in the Resistance’ conversation.”
Melanie said, “I mean… I just…. Yes, ok... that’s exactly what I did.” I asked, “Do I get to meet your friend?” Melanie answered, “We will see. She’s wanted to meet you for a while… so probably? Pretty much everyone I know wants to meet you…so…that may or may not be because I talk about…you… one could say a lot…Ok I’m going.” My mate kissed me and skipped inside.
Oden purred, “Mate bragged about us.” I chuckled, “And told every male she came into any contact with how much she loved us.” Oden purred and possessiveness filled my veins. I touched the building and groaned, “Come on!”
I assumed it was Paige’s magic that flowed around the building. Which meant I couldn't hear inside. After an hour I saw a few people begin to leave… they looked a little scared. Melanie linked me, “If you’d like to come in and look scary… that would be great… and intimidating… definitely look intimidating.”
I snorted, “I’m all over that.” Since I was in the mood to scare the shit out of bad people, it was all roses to me. Oden agreed, “Me too.” I popped in behind her and gave those staring at my mate and a purple haired woman a menacing look.
I let my eyes go gold, and they ran the second their eyes caught mine. Melanie laughed, “Told ya so, K.” K laughed, “So you did.” The woman turned and smiled at me. K evaluated me but not in a way I was used to.
This wasn’t ogling me or appreciating how I looked. This was a full on thank god you’re strong enough to protect my friend while also saying don’t you dare consider hurting her appraisal. It felt like I’d passed the first test when K greeted , “So, you’retheXander. Nice to officially meet you.”
I replied, “So you’re K?” Not that I’d heard about her, but the need to protect this woman hit me. The woman held out herhand saying, “You can call me Kingsley or K. Whichever.” I felt Melanie’s surprise. Kingsley must not give out her name often. I asked, “Which do you prefer?”
Kingsley answered, “I don’t care much, honestly.” It was strange to me that I had no clue what type of Supernatural she was. I knew that I’d never met someone like her before. Kingsley smiled, “Well, I’ll be there tomorrow, Melanie.”
