Uncle Aiden was dancing with Melanie, so I found Preston. I asked, “What’s up, little brother?” Preston sighed, “I’m not sure. I’m getting this sense my mate is near, but not so near. It’s like she’s coming but not here yet.”
I raised an eyebrow. I told him, “You’ll find her, little brother.” Preston nodded, “I know. It’s just that I told EJ I thought your mate needed us when I should’ve told you.” I snorted, “P, you did tell me. You said she needed me to protect her.”
Preston shrugged, “I didn’t push enough.” I told him, “Nope, we are not doing this. I ignored my instincts about my mate. I shouldn't have done that, and it’s not on anyone but me. Never do that. Do you hear me? If your instincts scream at you to go find your mate, then EJ and I will help you little brother.” Preston nodded, “I know.”
He brother looked across the tent. Keaton Daniels was sitting alone at a table looking dejected. Preston said, “Well, I’m going to see if I can cheer him up.” I asked, “Do you know what happened?” Preston snorted, “Yes, Keaton and I are friends. He called me.”
I asked, “Do you know his ex-girlfriend?” Preston rolled his eyes, “Lisa? Yeah. I know her.” I linked him, “You don’t like her.” It wasn’t a question. Preston said, “No, I don’t. She’s a user who is a totally different person not around Keaton. I hope she finds her mate and moves far, far away. Or I know beyond all doubt she will cause trouble for Keaton’s mate when he finds her.”
I urged, “Watch that closely then, little brother. If we have a crazy she wolf running around, we know who will take care of it.” Preston laughed, “Mom’s never met Lisa. Keaton’s ex is miraculously never around when mom is.” I didn’t like that at all. It sounded like this Lisa was up to no good.
I told Preston, “If you need EJ and I to get involved, even it’s just something you think we should do, then we will.” Preston laughed, “I’ll keep that in mind. I’m sure Keaton can handle it.” I watched him walk away as I studied Keaton.
I just wasn’t sure if Keaton could handle it. He’d been a loud and fun, normal Alpha until he started dating Lisa. Then he curled into himself. Why the fuck didn’t I find that weird at the time? Oden said, “Probably the cookies. It made us doubt ourselves. Maybe Keaton ate them.” Holy fucking shit.
I found Emmett and Chase quickly. Dad came over to us too sensing my urgency in the bond. I asked, “Did Keaton eat those peanut butter cookies we did?” Emmett asked, “The ones we all know to be evil? Sure. Why?”
I replied, “Maybe that’s what’s going on with him. Those cookies made me doubt my instincts, but I had Oden with the whole time. Maybe for Keaton, they weren’t directed at Melanie. He was just a pup when those started popping up and all before he even had Channing.”
“Maybe those cookies made him doubt all his instincts, along with his shitty ex. Now, he’s basically cut off from them because we banished them. What if they were like a drug and he’s indetox? He could be confused with a lot of new Alpha feelings he’s not used to.”
Chase replied, “I’ll be damned. That’s an excellent point. I’ll go talk to the Witches and Warlocks here. Maybe they can provide some insight.” I nodded to him. My dad nudged me, “Good catch.” I winked, “Thanks.”
Maximus shimmered next to me and wrapped me up in a hug. I told him, “Thanks, Cousin.” Maximus chuckled, “Congratulations on being with the woman of your dreams.” I said, “Thanks.” Jason came over, “Yeah, don’t hurt my sister.” Tristan agreed, “Ditto.”
I snorted, “You are both fully aware I will not do that.” Jason nodded, “I am. You’re probably the only shot we have of her being normal with us ever again.” I assured him, “It will get there.” Tristan agreed, “I think it’s moving in that direction.”
I asked, “Then what are you two so pissed off about? Because I can tell you are.” Oden began to growl, which meant their wolves told him. Jason admitted, “Our grandparents aren’t here.” I pointed to Ben and Esther, “They are right there.” Then it me.
I said, “You mean your mom’s parents. What the actual fuck?” Oden snarled, “They want us to RIP them to pieces. That’s the clear answer.” I’d like to say he was wrong, but I was actually thinking he could be right.
Tristan sighed, “All of us are pissed. Mom read them the riot act about coming, and we all figured that they would.” Gage whispered, “Melanie had special invitations delivered to them personally. This is no Beuno.” I growled, “Why the FUCK aren’t they here? DYLAN!”
Dylan literally ran over to me. The man gasped, “MMSGAP, you’re not supposed to be upset at your reception. What happened?” I growled, “Where are mate’s grandparents that live in your pack? Because I don’t see them.”
Dylan huffed, “Well, they aren’t in their house because I had plans to get them here. It involved Fairies and an excavator.” Gage asked, “What?” Dylan hummed, “Yup. I was going to have them driven here while in the bucket of said excavator, to think about their life choices before they were dumped here.”
“Travis had Warriors that were going to escort them to the chapel, because if you can’t use the fact that your brother is the Male Lead Warrior then all is lost. Alas, they are not home. Don’t worry, I’ll find some fun way to get back at them for that not happening. It was a well thought out plan on my part.”
I growled, “Has my mate noticed they aren’t here?” Dylan snorted, “MelAshley is a Beta blood.” Phil groaned. I said, “So, the answer is yes.” Gage replied, “Yeah, it is. Ben danced with her, so she definitely noticed.”
Dylan whispered, “MelAshley asked Everly where they were, and that’s when the McAlister’s realized she wasn’t here.” Gage sighed, “Awesome.” Dylan nudged him, “Sarcasm noted. Mr. I’m confused and having an identity crisis with my first and last name former Beta Bond got kudos for coming.”
I replied, “I’m not sure what bearing that has on this conversation.” Dylan replied, “Your mate commented on their presence here.” I dove into my bond with Melanie and found her feelings that felt like she’d locked them away in her own mentality, not like my mom could but still, about her grandparents being here.
I told Dylan, “You warn those motherfuckers if they think the McAlister’s are upset, they haven’t begun to consider how I will feel about this. They had no right to make Melanie upset at our Mating Ceremony. They were invited and their asses should be here. She’s their grandpup.”
Gage said, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll find them and explain how thoroughly screwed they are.” I replied, “They are. Because I won’t allow people in Melanie’s life to hurt her. They areofficially unwelcome in this territory.” Phil sighed, “Updating the Beta group and Gamma’s about that.”
Dylan saluted me, “Don’t worry MMSGAP, I’ll tell Travis to tell our Warriors they are not allowed within your borders without permission.” Gage asked, “Are you telling Melanie that?” I replied, “I’m sure she’ll know even if I forget.”
Dylan cooed, “Aren’t you such fun now that you are mated? Yes, you are.” I reasoned, “They have the ability to call her, which at this point is all they deserve. Melanie can decide whether to answer or not. They’ve had access to her, and they haven’t used it. Now, it’s gone.” They all nodded.
I linked Jayden, “The Haskins are not allowed in this territory.” Jayden replied, “That sounds fair. I’m stunned they didn’t show. Finn had a backup plan for his dad’s plan. I’ve heard about him not getting to do it ALL night long. It’s the running monologue through our link. The Haskin are damn lucky Keaton is present and single.”
I snorted, “So, Emma didn’t like Lisa.” Jayden replied, “FINN didn’t like Lisa. Emma loathed her with every fiber of her being.” I replied, “Finn likes everyone.” Jayden snorted, “Not Lisa. So, the Haskins are lucky I don’t have to hear about Keaton not showing up because his girlfriend wouldn’t come. Lisa’s history now and that’s the Haskins only saving grace from me.” Well, then.
Oden growled, “Freya said Melanie is hurt they aren’t here, but she’s not thinking about it. Mate is focusing on the happy things.” I replied, “She never should’ve been hurting for one single second today.” Oden agreed, “No, she shouldn’t. We handled it though.” True.
