I announced, “His biological father is Alpha Ezra. There are disgusting traditions in packs we are unaware of. Alpha’s rape their she wolves and have some sedative for the mates once they are marked. They use their heats to have sex with them.” Growls filled the air.
I continued, “They are selling she wolves and working with the Ring because they are despicable. My Melanie was kidnapped and taken to Black path for seven years. She used an alias and was led to believe no one liked her here while we thought she was dancing in New York. They suppressed my mate’s wolf and told her that I would reject her.
Elise gasped while Drake snarled and took Melanie from the other me’s arms. He wasn't happy about it. I said, “They might try to get her again, so you have to keep her safe.” Drake’s statement was emphatic, “We will.”
I added, “The Luna and Beta Female of Black Path will help you after you take over. They are under an Alpha command and a Witch's spell. You’ll find the leadership hiding in their damn office, like the cowards they are. Buck is their Lead Warrior, but he can be the new Gamma.”
Dad said, “That’s not the Gamma line.” I scoffed, “End the entire Gamma line down there. Well, Trevor and Booker. Mom can question the others, but they can’t be the damn Gamma’s. Give the position to Buck. The McCann’s are neck deep in this shit. Caine and Dax are good people, but they need mentors. They aren’t being trained.” Several people gasped.
I began to feel tired again. Finally. I added, “Get rid of the damn peanut butter cookies. Some Vampire can compel Supernatrual’s mom. They got dad and Red Run.” That was all I got out before I came back to the place I disappeared from.
I was in the men’s bathroom in the high school where my mate’s blood was on the floor. I popped to Melanie. She was in the nurse's office with my parents and her brothers. Melanie hugged me and I squeezed her tightly. My healing light told me my wife was ok.
I told her, “You don’t dive in front of bullets in an illusion to save your brother when you know it’s not really your brother.” Melanie whispered, “I had to… it was T… and it was a chance to change it all.”
I argued, “You knew it wasn’t really, T.”
Tristan whispered, “Wait, what? You dove in front of the guy who was pretending to be me that night? That’s what happened to you?” Melanie said, “I couldn’t see it… not again. Even if it wasn’t you. That other me shouldn’t live with that memory.”
I looked at my mom asking, “How did you know she needed you?” Jason explained, “T followed Melanie, and against my better judgment of thinking I’d hear sexy sounds I followed him. We saw you both disappear, which was fucking weird.”
I snorted, “Since we were awake, I’ll agree.” Jason shrugged, “We thought we’d wait fifteen minutes and see how you reappeared. Melanie came back bleeding from being shot. T called your dad, and I ran Melanie to the nurse's office. Your mom popped in and here we are.”
I told Melanie, “No more getting shot.” My wife whispered, “I was not a fan… it still hurts and stings… just like I remembered it… but that me will never know that. There were so many more people there than I thought. Tank got hurt.”
I told her, “I healed him.” Melanie whispered, “But no one healed our him.” Tristan assured her, “Tank healed, we justthought he’d gotten in a bar fight and blindsided.” Damn. Poor Tank. Mom said, “I healed him the next day when everyone found out he was hurt.” I’d been in my head not to hear about that, but I knew why I was.
Melanie continued, “That girl was there with the necklace pretending to be me. With people pretending to be Tiffany’s family leaving… it’s why they thought I wasn’t there. It’s why so many people truly believed I’d left. The ones left behind saw it all.”
I held her tightly saying, “I know, I saw all that. It was a well-orchestrated plan.” Tristan said, “Tell me someone killed the guy pretending to be me.” I scoffed, “I did. There were a lot of people dead. I’m pretty sure the other you was upset for so many reasons.”
Tristan muttered, “No joke.” I inclined my head, “One definitely being I interrupted the moment right after you met Everly. So, you were full of pent up energy from wanting to be with your mate moment, plus your sister’s attempted kidnapping. Not to mention there was someone pretending to be you. I’m guessing that you was in rare form.”
I linked my dad, “Is anyone going to comment on my mate calling him T?” My dad answered, “I think she’s said it twice now. The question will be if she keeps saying it.” That was true. Being back there at that time, on that night, probably brought the trauma back to the surface for her.
Melanie pulled back picking at her dress on her hips, “We’ve been gone too long. Let’s get back.” Jason said, “You can’t be…” Melanie interrupted, “I am serious. Addison, Valentina Avery, Abigail and Paige deserve a nice fun night. We can tell them about this tomorrow. Right now, let’s go back and enjoy the dance. I was having fun until we got pulled into the Ribbon.” We all looked at each other.
My mom urged, “Go have some fucking fun you guys.” Melanie whispered, “Please… I really like being normal and having these normal things… like going to a dance with my mate, my friends, and you guys.” Tristan sighed, “Fine.” We walked out into the hallway.
I wasn’t surprised to find Gabe and Cayden waiting. They would’ve known something was wrong. Gabe chuckled, “Miss Melanie, you are just fun. If you bring my mate into my life, I know it’s just going to be such fun.”
Melanie studied him and I felt her feel like she had a thought about it. I linked her asking, “Do you know who Gabe’s mate is?” Melanie answered, “I know who I know that feels like Kingsley does to me. I also have opinions about who would fit with him. I’m not Emmaline though… so I don’t know for sure.”
Out loud Melanie said, “Hang around Black Mountain’s territory Gabe, and we will find out.” Gabe’s eyes locked onto mine and I blasted him in the bond with the fact it was likely my mate knew. I said, “That seems to imply people are just going to show up to our territory.”
Melanie said, “They will… and will ask for Ashley or Melanie… both of which are me… so… it’s just that I help a lot of people…. A lot of the time…and those people like to talk to me…when they need help…so they will definitely show up.” Her eyes told me there was more to that statement. I let it go though, and we walked back into the gym.
We danced the rest of the night away. No one suspected something happened except my older brother. EJ linked me, “Where were you? You were gone too long, and I felt mom and dad here.” I answered, “We were in a Ribbon fiasco. Melanie got shot.”
EJ asked, “The other reality Melanie? Why the hell did you decided to take a nap?! What the fuck, little brother? This dance was your idea.” I corrected him, “No, mine got shot because shewent in too. There was no napping the damn Ribbon pulled us when we were awake. We went to the night she was kidnapped. My Melanie wanted to stop the other her from getting shot and the illusion version of T.”
EJ sighed, “I get that reaction. Even if I knew someone wasn’t you, if it looked like you my instinct would be to protect you at all costs.” I commented, “I know. I'm still annoyed because my mate got shot, and I couldn’t heal her because I was in the damn Ribbon. My wife could’ve been bleeding to death in the men’s bathroom if not for her brothers.”
EJ gave me a look before pointing out, “Not around a bunch of Werewolves she couldn’t. We’d have smelled her blood if T and Jase hadn’t been right there.” He had a point. I replied, “She’d have been bleeding longer than necessary.” EJ replied, “Melanie would have linked mom or me directly if her brothers weren’t waiting for her.” That was true.
The girls all hugged goodnight before I put Melanie in my car. My wife asked, “Are we driving home?” I smiled answering, “No.” I took her to Al’s dinner since they were open later on the weekends. Her eyes widened and she actually gasped. Her excitement shot through the bond.
We walked in and ate a burger and a milkshake. Melanie’s eyes were bright with happiness the whole time. When we got back in the car she said, “That was good. Mason’s is better… if Al and Mason collaborate… the burger that will be born from that meeting will be next level.” I smiled at her.
