Melanie argued, “I call it protecting… not shady…but you could say that… I guess… it’s somewhat offensive... but you can say it. Anyway… I need to do that and get to the bottom of how big this is and how far back it goes.” Sierra gasped, “You don’t think this is new?” Melanie answered, “No… I seriously doubt it.”
I looked at Phil and Gage, both shrugged. I asked, “Me again, what are we talking about?” Melanie began to pick at her shirt. Sierra said, “Mel likes to have all the information before sharing.” I sighed, “Ok, but you know.” Sierra smirked, “I’m special.”
I linked Fowler, “Show Melanie where Elise’s office is since my sister law won’t be in there today.” I told Melanie, “Fowler will show you where Elise’s office is. I’ll get one set up for you.”Phil snorted, “Consider me tasked to get Melanie an office.” Melanie smiled, “Ok thanks!”
Melanie grabbed her laptop and ran out of the door. Gage said, “Aww, she ditched us so fast for the office. The woman loves her computers.” Phil said to me, “I’m sure you’ll know in a few hours what’s up, and then you can tell my itching brain.” I wasn’t so sure.
Phil continued, “We can keep it a secret from Toby since he could use some brain itching. I’ve had to keep it all to myself, and that’s just unacceptable.” Gage teased, “That implies you tell me too, and I’m a fan of all this in the loop I get to be a part of.”
Sierra laughed, “Umm no he won’t know. He’s going to find Melanie either hyped out on coffee around bedtime… or he’s going to find her passed out on her computer. Those are the only two options.” I frowned, “Well, then I’ll find out before the meeting.”
Sierra laughed, “I’ll go again with probably not. I’ll be the one making sure Melanie the perfectionist is on time to the meeting she set up. I’ll stop her from being lost in the cyber world that she gets sucked in to. Then she rabbit trails. Melanie usually focuses on one thing, but that spirals. My girl just goes into a hole that we tend to have to pull her out of.”
Before I could answer EJ and Toby popped in. My brother looked and felt amused. Toby said, “So, I was checking the calendar and these additions that I nor Phil made just popped up. Like magic. I was cc’d on emails that I usually send. Or Phil does. Genevieve is just up in the main house cackling about comeuppance. What the fuck?!”
Phil shrugged, “Embrace it, cousin. Welcome to Team Beta Brain itching that we can’t scratch.” Gage retorted, “Or Team Gamma never gets included in the know. This bothers you and makes us all rejoice because we know about the meeting before tomorrow morning.”
Toby raised an eyebrow, “I assume the meeting block at eight tomorrow morning was done by Melanie. I don’t know what it’s about, or who did it, because it’s blocked and I can’t do anything to it.” Phil snorted. Gage said, “It was obviously her.”
I confirmed, “It was put on there by Melanie.” Toby nodded, “I usually have information to give to my Alpha as to gee, I don’t know, the subject of said meeting.” Gage offered, “I don’t.” Toby shot him a look. I said, “There is one person in this room with that information, and I don’t think she’s going to share.”
Sierra laughed, “Oh hell no. One does not steal Melanie’s thunder for many reasons. One being, she tends to spiral like I said. So, by the time the meeting happens she’ll have more information about other things.”
“So that means while I could tell you what started the reason for the meeting getting put on your calendar, I’d be missing some information. What I can tell you is that it is something Melanie did say would happen.”
Phil snorted, “That doesn’t really narrow it down. Melanie has SO many words and she’s said so many since she arrived. Is this because of her hacker or white wolf skills?” Sierra snorted, “Hacking.” I changed the subject, “Quick question then.”
Sierra nodded, “What would that be?” I asked, “Have you ever heard of the company Manford at Modd?” Sierra smiled slyly as she answered, “It’s a business that started in Nashville, so yes. Everyone in our neck of the woods has heard of it.” I gaped at her.
EJ questioned, “What do they do exactly?” Sierra shrugged, “They have lots of buildings and investments.” Phil sighed and linked me, “I knew she was in the Resistance already, but this confirms it. Facts have been proven.”
Sierra watched us then winked before announcing, “I’ll go try to make sure Melanie doesn’t inhale all your coffee. It’s a good thing you guys are rich since I’m only one person fightinga losing battle.” Sierra skipped off while we all stared at each other.
EJ said, “In other fun news, don’t forget we have an allied meeting on Friday in Red Run.” I nodded, “I remember. Elise isn’t going, right?” EJ shook his head answering, “She has a lot of disputes.” I thought about it, “I’ll talk to Melanie, but I’d like her to relax the day before our mating ceremony.”
Phil asked, “Is anyone else finding this week is ridiculously busy? Secret meetings tomorrow, a Luna Ceremony, and a mating ceremony, Oh yeah and an allied meeting. Why should we have Melanie relax? Let’s see what else she can put on our calendars for this week. For fun and all.”
Gage said, “I’m in. Since I’ll be on the emails. Bring it all on.” Toby asked, “What is Melanie’s version of relaxing? It’s a genuine question of mine. Does she hack the NSA? No, I know! A relaxing day will be hacking people she knows in our allies, right?”
Phil snorted, “Melanie did just fine relaxing on vacation.” Gage snorted, “She just gave you guys all the mysteries to solve. I have never been less relaxed from a vacation Alexander took.” I pointed out, “On that trip Melanie only had a phone that would play music.”
Toby snorted, “So, what I heard you say was if you take away her electronics, she’s less scary.” Phil said, “She’s still really smart without them. She’s also a heck of a fighter whether she has electronics or not. Her super cool watch included. She fought without it when we sparred and she’s still that good.”
Toby said, “Yes, I already know we have two intense fighters now. The Warriors are tense about it, somewhat excited though. Still, hopefully Melanie does not cause panics like Alexander does when he goes into machine mode when angry.” I was about to reply when I felt a tug in my bond with my dad.
My dad linked EJ and me, “The scientist working on Laxenread wants to talk to you both.” I replied, “We are on the way.” EJ spoke out loud, “We have to get going. Try not to have an aneurysm, Toby.” Gage happily said, “He’ll be ok.” Toby snorted, “My schedule is hackable. If that didn’t send me into shock, nothing will. Nothing is sacred around here anymore.”
I smiled saying, “Only by someone who won’t mess it up. She has Beta blood too.” Toby raised an eyebrow asking, “Is he serious, Phil?” Phil laughed, “He doesn’t have a Beta brain that demands answers to the questions we have.”
I urged, “Embrace the unknown.” Gage said, “Yeah, walk on the Gamma side of life.” Toby snorted, “I can’t embrace the unknown because it’s my job to know things. All so that you Alpha’s can live your carefree lives.” Phil laughed, “Come on Beta cousin, let’s see if we can find anything out.” EJ and I popped to our dad.
The lead scientist we had working on Laxenread narrowed his eyes at me. I asked, “Geter, have I upset you in some way I’m not aware of?” Geter answered, “I’m not sure. Are you hiding the fact that your Luna knows things I want the answers to?” Oden snorted, “Yes.”
I asked, “What do you mean?” Geter said, “AH HA! That was EVASIVE! I saw the Muffin Luna leaving here the other day, and I reviewed the security footage. Your mate watched us work on Laxenread. I’d swear she spotted where in the formula we’ve messed up.” Oden hummed, “Mate definitely did.” I knew that.
Geter asked, “Is your mate scared to say something about it? I’ve looked at this equation since the day she came in here, and for the life of me I can’t figure out what she saw. Truthfully, it VEXES me.” I snorted asking, “Have you been hanging out with Dylan Frost?”
Geter said, “I do have whiskey with him on occasion. Not lately, because I’ve been trying to figure out what the MuffinLuna knows.” I laughed. My dad said, “We do suspect Melanie knows how to fix the formula. We are waiting for her to clue us into all the things she knows.”
