I told my brother, “They lied. I brought the other me here… from Nashville.” My dad growled, “Why would you be in Nashville? You’re in New York… dancing.” His voice didn’t sound certain. I said, “I was never in New York. Where I’m from… my wolf was suppressed on my birthday.”
“I didn’t meet Xander until I was twenty and Angela brought us together… at a concert… because I started a popular band… that one here heard about… because of magic… so…yeah. This me also doesn’t know you’re alive… so… that’s a thing.”
Elise commented, “You shift with clothes.” I snorted, “I can electrocute people too.” Eric said, “It’s you.” I questioned, “What’s me?” Eric answered, “The sniper, it’s you. Jason thought there was rage in the shooting where he was almost killed, because there was.”
“He’s your brother. You’ve loved my son since you were three and my other son was there. You are the ONLY one who would care enough about the packs around here to do that. Then your grandpa was there. The rage was you.”
I evaded, “That’s something you should talk to your me about.” Haley shrieked, “SINCE SHE WAS FUCKING THREE?! WHERE THE HELL IS SWEAR-Y HALEY WHEN YOU NEED HER?!” I said, “I’m pretty sure that’s my mother in law. Ok I know it is… because I’ve read the Ribbon journals… so… yeah.”
My dad yelled, “What, it’s true?! What Eric said is right?” I replied, “I didn’t say that. He did… he said it… so look at Eric likethat…who also told me to call him Eric… in my reality.” Jason snorted, “You didn’t have to say it. We know you.”
I rolled my eyes then realized how to distract them. I announced, “Jason, your mate is in Black Path. So are Dakota’s and Dalton’s. Dalton gets a Witch… A really powerful one. You need to take over their pack. Caine and Dax are good people. With your guidance though… they’d be better. Their dads are just complete crap.” Everyone just stared at me.
EJ turned to the door. He must have heard the other me and Xander. They came inside together with the younger me on his back. I smiled wishing Xander and I had that when I was sixteen. Or got to take a first run together that wasn’t… so intense. I linked this reality’s Xander, “Did you warn her?” He nodded.
My eyes started getting heavy. Haley popped beside me and put me on the couch. I told the other me, “You’ll be in a better place than I was.” The other me squeezed my hand, “Thank you.” I nodded, “Keep being you.” She knew what I meant, I could tell.
I advised, “Help Talia and Tao now. With the Conners knowing… they don’t need to be separated. Hit Black Path, then Ezra’s pack with all the allies. Tao can take over with Talia at his side. EJ and Alexander can get him a mentor… he’s ready.” The younger me nodded, “I’ll do it.” I faded from there.
I woke back up in our room. I linked, “Xander?” He didn’t answer. I got up and went downstairs. I found Elise first. I asked, “Where is Xander?” She answered, “With you.” I shook my head, “No, he’s not. I went into the Ribbon… and he wasn’t there when I woke up.”
EJ popped in a second later, “Alexander is also likely in the Ribbon, just not the one you went to if he wasn’t there.” I groaned, “Oh come on!” Eric announced, “Haley is also gone so she could be with Alexander or in her own Ribbon. This whole thing is madness.”
I said, “The reality I went to asked for ours… because she wanted her to creatively curse.” Eric barked out a laugh right before Haley and Xander appeared on the couch. They’d been in a fight. Eric growled. I ran to Xander and wrapped my arms around him.
I asked my mate, “Are you ok?” He bolted up. Xander declared, “Mom and I are fine. We went in when a pack attacked Black Path. We showed up with the allies. You are damn impressive, Lovebug. I know I’ve seen you fight and command before, but….” He trailed off then kissed me.
I snorted, “Well… I went in the Ribbon too. I went to a sixteen year old me. She shifted outside your territory, and I texted you to join us. They got to go on her first run together.” Xander smiled nuzzling my neck, “That’s sweet.” I nodded, “Yeah… I thought so.”
Xander popped us back upstairs. Honestly, I was really tired. We climbed right back into bed. I told Freya, “No visions… no more Ribbon… just sleep.” Freya admitted, “I don’t get to decide.” I groaned in reply, but thankfully I just got to sleep.
Haley seemed to be keeping me busy with Luna details the next few days. I sent the paperwork through about Bradford… and no one had complaints. I could tell something was on Haley’s mind, but she hadn’t said what it was yet.
Finally, the morning of my Luna ceremony… I asked her. “Haley… there’s something you want to say to me but haven’t… it’s driving me crazy. If it’s driving me crazy… I’m sure it’s driving you crazy, which is driving Eric crazy…. maybe even everyone in your connections.”
Haley spoke her space unheard chant. My soon to be mother in law said, “I know.” I asked, “You know what?” She pulled out a piece of paper with my company name and alias on it. I didn’t know what to say so I looked back up at her.
Haley said, “What I don’t know is how a teenager started and ran an opposition to the Ring from the inside. I have my guesses of course. You have two adults here who could’ve given you money. You are not the type to take handouts though.”
“So, that’s what you were using the Swiffer money for. What I do know is this is damn impressive. I’m actually quite proud of you. I also know that I was right. This is what you’re going to hold onto the fucking tightest, because it’s yours.”
I sighed, “I knew if you saw it you’d figure it out.” Haley smiled saying, “Manford at Modd, For T, mom, and Dad. Estelle Mia McNair, Melanie McAlister. If my children were raised in Faerie, they’d know too.”
I asked, “Does Eric know?” Haley answered, “No. You told me in confidence as my patient that you were part of the Resistance. This is not my fucking secret to tell. My word of advice is to tell Alexander before he finds out himself.”
I nodded, “I plan to… I just know no one is going to guess it’s me behind it all… no one has ever suspected that.” Haley laughed, “No, they really fucking don’t. I was surprised because I thought it was Mason and Hendrick. You are really fucking impressive Melanie.”
I pressed, “You’re not mad?” Haley laughed, “I am many things. Mad is not even close to one of them. I’m so proud of you. So fucking proud that they took you and you flipped that on them so god damn hard. This is amazing.”
My mom came into the room and Haley quickly spoke her space heard chant before I could reply. Haley was proud of me, and it felt like more pieces of me being glued back together. She and I didn’t talk about it as everyone else joined us. I couldn’t help but feel this moment was so surreal. I was having a girl’s day.
Adeline even joined us. Mom said, “I thought you’d like to have her here. Tiffany couldn’t make it, but Adeline wanted tocome.” I hugged my mom, then Adeline. I whispered, “Thanks for coming.” I introduced her to Sierra and Abigail. She easily slid right into our friend group.
All the girls were here getting ready…. And no one was going to whip me or beat me for it. I didn't have to cook… or train… I was here with my family and Xander’s…. and my friends. We were having… fun.
I used to do things like this with my mom, Chelsea, Adeline and Elise. Addison, Paige, Avery, and Sierra and I would get in trouble for carefree times. It definitely wasn’t a whole day… and I paid for them every time.
Sierra linked me, “It’s weird, right? I know it is. I don’t know why I asked.” I replied, “They don’t know it is.” Sierra argued, “Nothing gets by your eagle eyed mother in law.” I glanced at Haley who was studying me.
