Haley continued, “The Ring tried to take that from you. They tried to rip your caring spirit away, but you held on. Not only did you hold on, but you also did something about it. You could’ve turned your back on them, just as you believed they’d turned your back on you.”
“No one would have blamed you for doing that. You never let the Ring win, and I’m really fucking glad you didn’t. I don’t think you’d be able to face yourself if you had turned your back on them, then found out it was a lie.” She was right.
Haley told me, “There’s nothing wrong with cutting someone toxic out of your life. You didn’t try to communicate with Peter after a certain point. I wish you would’ve stopped opening the letters, but I think you did that to punish yourself. You thought you deserved to hear those awful fucking words. You stayed true to the person you were, and that’s what fucking matters.
I changed the subject and told her, “My family wants to do a session with me.” Haley nodded, “I think that’s great, but you need more independent sessions first. I’d like to sit down with you and discuss your feelings about your family, and what you want moving forward.”
“If you don’t know the answer, then there’s no fucking point in having everyone together. I don’t want you to be pressured into something you aren’t ready for. I want you to come into a meeting with clear goals of what you want the future to look like.”
I sighed, “I think I want my dad to walk me down the aisle at my Mating and Luna Ceremony… but I don’t know.” Haley said, “There are plenty of people you could ask if you’re not ready to ask your dad. Drake would understand if Mason or Hendrick did it.”
I cried, “I wouldn’t. One day my dad and I will be in a somewhat normal space. We are going to have centuries together. I just think I’ll regret it if I don’t… I just don’t want everyone to take that as a sign… everything is back to normal. I want to be normal… but I’m not.” I broke off crying.
Haley took my hand and her own tears rand down her own cheeks. I eventually whispered, “I’m just not normal. I don’t even know how to be ok again… or the me I was with them.” Haley sighed, “The answer is a bitch because it’s time. I’m really fucking proud of you though. You’ve started the process; we’ve started talking about it. You opened up more than I expected.” I hadn’t really said that much.
I asked, “Can we be done for the day?” Haley nodded, “Of course. Do you want me to pop you back to your room?” I nodded. My future mother in law did quickly, then left. A sandwich appeared on the bed. I snarfed it down.
I asked Freya, “Can we just have a dreamless sleep?” Freya said, “One can hope.” I didn’t have the energy to bother to curse Selene as I faded to sleep. I woke up feeling pretty rested. I kissed Xander’s cheek lightly and went for a run.
I knew people were following me, so I didn’t run too hard. I danced for a little bit before heading to the kitchen. I was fairly certain this week was a gym week for Xander and me. Thank goodness. No one wanted me in a meeting after the last few I’d attended…. probably.
Zoe came into the kitchen and announced, “The Alpha’s have an early meeting today. I’ll put their food in their office.” Inodded to her, “Sounds good.” I figured I’d go upstairs and wait for Xander to head to the gym.
I pulled up my Resistance network and sat on our bed. No one had spotted Booker yet. I sighed and put out feelers in Missouri since I was pretty sure he was there. Kingsley hadn’t replied yet, but that wasn’t surprising.
Nothing else was urgent. I answered several emails and heard Xander coming up the stairs. I quickly logged out of everything and put my computer away as he opened the door.
My mate smiled and asked, “Are you ready to hit the gym?” I nodded, “Yup! Let’s show them what we’ve got.” Xander smirked and kissed me hard on the mouth. My mate pulled back, winked, and said, “Now we can go.” He popped us into the gym. I was definitely ready to get some sparring and training in.
Unwelcome Guests
Alexander studied the name of the Resistance business front and its proprietor some more. Eventually I shook my head and stood. I told the room, “I’ve got to go and get Melanie, then head to the gym. Keep me up to date on any progress with this.”
Uncle Gunner assured me, “I will. I plan to keep trying to figure out Melanie’s coding signature. Your mate has more than one, which I’ve only known one other hacker to have besides myself. I’ve checked out the security on your businesses, Alexander, and they are no joke. I can’t look too hard at it, or I’ll trip Melanie’s defenses. There are lots of little traps. It’s impressive.”
EJ snorted adding, “You forgot to mention annoying when we are trying to figure out her code.” I asked, “Who else has multiple signatures?” Uncle Gunner answered, “A reclusive and old Vampire. He actually created the Dark Web.” Interesting.
EJ groaned, “And we are back to annoying.” Uncle Gunner laughed, “I enjoy it. It’s been a long time since I've had a challenge like this.” Micah said, “We could just ask her, since we aren’t Fairies who agreed not to.”
Uncle Gunner snorted, “No, but we are Hackura and we like a challenge.” Micah smirked, “That’s true.” I left them behind thinking over the name Manford at Modd. Something about that was nagging at me. Oden offered, “It’s not your wolf side.” Which meant it was my Hackura or Fairy side. Given my light seemed unsettled, it was the Fairy side. I wondered why.
I shoved it aside and stopped in the family room. I asked Oden, “Where is Mel?” Oden answered, “I smell her upstairs. I’d assume she’s in our room.” I took off in that direction. I made it up the stairs and into our room in no time.
Melanie was sitting on the bed. I did not believe for one second she’d been sitting there like that, just waiting for me. I could hear her laptop’s fan’s running, so she must have been doing something on it. I pushed that aside and told her we were heading to the gym.
I popped us in, and people took note. Several even studied us. I told everyone, “You all know the schedule. My mate and I will be jumping in as needed. Get to it.” I linked Melanie, “You can observe and get used to how things run.” My mate nodded.
I was about to walk away when Bradford came walking up to Melanie. I growled at him in warning. Cory popped over to us with Gage who looked utterly frustrated. KJ, Chason, and Fowler stepped up behind Melanie.
Melanie snorted, “You guys can calm down. I can handle Bradford… plus… I told him if he wanted to learn and was serious about it… I’d help him.” I asked, “You did what now?” Melanie smiled at me. Gage groaned, “She did say that. Gosh darn it.”
My mate explained, “Bradford here had his moment of realization that I actually am a skilled fighter. He understands now that my skills are not exaggerated because I was in a bad pack that I was the Female Lead Warrior of.”
She winced, “That I guess I was never a part of… but I was the Female Lead Warrior of… gosh that seems like a paperwork headache....” She seemed to think about something then frowned. Melanie shook her head, “Anyway… I told Bradford that if he was serious about training… I’d help him.”
Bradford spoke, “I mean no disrespect, Alpha Alexander. I just want to apologize. My dad and I had a long talk. Several actually.” He cleared his throat continuing, “I’ve actually moved into the pack house which is long overdue. I was rude to the Muffin Luna and Luna Elise. Hell, all the Luna’s and Alpha males. Then I compounded that by fighting the Muffin Luna.”
“I guess the best reality check is getting your ass kicked and having that same person point out you should be helped to the hospital. At that moment, I realized not even my friends respected me. I’m not sure they even like me. Honestly, I’m not sure I like me.” Melanie snorted but the fact was no one liked him. Oden agreed, “We don’t.”
