I asked Everly, “Quick question, you might have the answer to. I haven’t seen Grandma or Grandpa Haskins. Do I just keep missing them? Or are they really not here?” I honestly believed they must be here. They wouldn’t miss my Mating Ceremony.
Everly’s eyes widened before she looked around. Everly said, “Surely, we both just don’t see them. Drake and Sam told them they’d better be here. I’ll look around and find the corner they are hiding in.” I gave her a quick hug. I whispered, “Thank you.” Everly’s eyes lit up and she nodded.
I walked back out and danced with Kai, then Grandpa Ben. He said, “Well, you look stunning.” I whispered, “Thanks, Grandpa.” Grandpa Ben said, “Allison told me to tell you that you looked incredible. All of them thought the decorations and ceremony were beautiful. They were so happy you set up a link for them to watch.” I smiled at him. Angelique would’ve been on the same one…I sent it Anastasia too… ok a lot of my friends…so…hopefully everyone liked it.
Our dance ended and I was heading off the dance floor when mom grabbed me. Freya snickered. I huffed, “I just want to talk to Hastein for craps sake.” Freya replied, “I know.” Mom introduced, “Melanie, this is my friend Valerie. I am so sorry to you both about magic and necklaces that convinced me you two met. That’s all taken care of, but I wanted to introduce you.”
Valerie squealed and hugged me. Freya told me, “Her wolf is thrilled to meet us.” I could tell. Valerie said, “Look at you, Melanie Jane. You’re all grown up and beautiful! Don’t worry, Ryan is all over fuck ass magic that will never be used againstus again. I’ll let you keep talking to people, but I’m honestly just so happy to finally meet you.” I replied, “Likewise. I did always want to meet you.”
I spotted Everly was standing with her parents when I nearly reached Hastein. Who was clearly waiting on me to me talk to him. I grumbled, “UGH! This one is on me…but just this one.” I walked over to Everly, hoping she could tell me where my other grandparents were.
When my sister in law winced, I felt my heart fall. Xander linked, “Lovebug?” I told him, “It’s ok.” Xander growled, “You’re lying.” I told him, “It goes in the box…today is happy…and it’s not like… anything we can do…or work related.” My mate relaxed in the bond before replied, “I love you.” I told him, “I love you too.”
I hummed out loud surmising, “So, they are not here.” Everly admitted, “I asked Lucas, and he said they…” I cut her off, “Don’t worry about it. It’s not your place to make excuses for them. I honestly thought they were here, or I wouldn’t have put you in the position to tell me they weren’t. I was actually…convinced…they were her and I missed them…the probability they were here was actually quite high…So…I was wrong. That’s fine.” Beta Bond winced.
Everly told me, “Ok, I know it’s fine. One, because it’s your Mating Ceremony and that’s common sense. Two, you can’t lie. So, your voice cracking was the clue and the look on your face was the second. Just know they love…”
I cut her off again, “It’s so nice that your parents made it from California. I invited them for you and Kai. I can see it means a lot to my nephew to have his family here.” I pointed to Kai dancing with another pup from our pack.
Kai spotted us and waved animatedly. I commented, “Former Beta Jason and Beta Female Tabitha Bond, thank you forcoming.” Tabitha snorted, “Dear god, please call me Tabitha and my husband is Jason now.”
I semi-argued, “He’s on the Werewolf Council with his Alpha so… he’s not exactly just Jason.” Jason laughed, “That is true. We were very happy and surprised to get the invitation.” Tabitha agreed, “It was unexpected, but it sounded exactly like something the girl your family always discussed would do. That bitch pretending to be you should burn in hell.”
I laughed, “I’m sure someone talked to Iblis about that.” Jason said, “You grandparents are idiots.” Everly groaned, “Dad.” Tabitha chuckled, “I’m loving this. Normally, I’m the who says the obvious things.” I acknowledged, “That’s true…I’m pretty you and I will be pretty good friends. Probability wise anyway. We are a lot alike.”
Tabitha grinned, “That sounds fun.” Jason chimed back in, “My point still stands. I’ve never disliked the Haskins and always thought of them as good people. Them not being here is wrong, and literally everyone knows it. Including them. I’ll say sorry for that, but don’t give them another thought today. Ok?” I nodded and quickly gave Everly an awkward hug.
I pulled back, “Umm…sorry….it’s just…it was nice…of you to find that out for me…Sorry it put you in the position to deliver bad news…that really wasn’t my intention.” Everly replied, “I’ll always help you, Melanie. You’re my sister in law.” I inhaled deeply determined not to cry.
I left that group to go talk to Hastein when Tiffany jumped in my path. She hugged me and I squeezed her back. Tiffany screamed, “Get on the dance floor with me right now.” I laughed and we went back on the floor and started dancing.
I told her, “I really missed you.” Tiffany laughed, “I haven’t danced with such joy in years!” We were both breathless when we stopped and entire place roared with applause. Dad cameover and hugged me. He boasted, “You two still stop a room on the dance floor.” Dad wiped tears away and hugged Tiffany.
Tiffany demanded, “Adeline, get over here and let’s have a drink at the bar.” Tiffany grabbed us both and told the bartender, “Six shots total please.” Adeline snorted, “Ok, there crazy lady.” Tiffany laughed, “I have toasts to make.”
My old friend held up the first shot glass. Tiffany declared, “To being at the Mating Ceremony you and I knew was coming our entire friendship with Melanie, Adeline. We are finally here and honestly, deserve to be here more than anyone else for hearing all about Mel’s Xander for DECADES.”
Freya laughed, “I love her and her wolf.” Adeline agreed, “Hell yeah, we do. I’ll drink to that.” I admitted, “That is true… you guys did hear about it the most when I was in Red Run… which… I mean… that’s normal from what I’ve heard….about friendships.”
Paige snorted, “Thank you for that point of clarification because I know people who heard it more. They haven’t seen Drunk Melanie. They have NO IDEA how much she can talk.” I stuck my tongue out at my friends who laughed.
Several people snickered. Adeline, Tiffany, and I clinked our glasses then took our shots. Tiffany raised her second shot saying, “And here’s to old friendships rekindling. I will never, ever, literally EVER believe you stopped ranting or dancing again.”
“Nor will I accept that you fell off the face of the earth. I have random people now making sure I’m not compelled, and I will not be forced out of your life again. They will have to pry you from my actual cold dead hands.” I’d never let anyone kill Tiffany…so she’d just be standing over there dead body. I commented, “I mean…recently dead bodies are still warm so…there’s that.” Tiffany threw her head back and laughed.
Adeline cheered, “Hear, hear Tiff! I agree and I also have people watching out for that. I also look forward to getting to know all the friends Mel became closer with because the ones I know kick ass.” I admitted, “I do have great taste in friends… when you think about it… or they do… because they all just refused to not let me be their friend… especially Paige.”
Paige yelled, “I know that’s right!” Paige raised her drink and clinked it with our shots, and we took them. Abigail, Sierra, Avery, Addison, and Valentina came over to join us. I linked Sierra, “Did Olivia make it?”
Sierra replied, “She got dressed but it was overwhelming for her, but I know she watched the livestream set up.” I said, “You tell her I appreciate she tried, and I love her.” Sierra nodded. I was sad because I wished she could’ve come, but she wasn’t the only one missing.
Avery linked, “It’s ok to be sad that Odette isn’t here.” I replied, “I just wish I could find her. Odette needs me and I’m… having a party. Well… to celebrate getting married but… she’s probably not at a party and…”
Avery cut me off, “Odette would want you to enjoy today. She might not know about Supernatural’s, but she knows how much you love your Xander. We all know she would be happy for you.” She would. It just irked me I couldn’t find her.
I kept an eye on Hastein. His brothers were all casually watching him too. I even noticed Astrid and Bjourn throwing some glances his way. It was like a giant conspiracy that every time I went to go talk to him, someone got in my way. I was certain Hastein noticed that as well.
Paige linked me, “Ok, I’ve watched you be interrupted too many times and I know the minions that live in your mind are about to go crazy. So, what are you trying to get away from here to go do?” I answered, “I need to talk to Hastein.” Paige laughed, “Later you’ll have to tell me why. The girls and I are on it.”
