Freya said, “We are taking steps to heal. Our oldest brother’s idea to do this was good. We just need to keep coming to him and following our instincts.” I owed KJ a big thanks for his advice. I wasn’t going to come. I was just going to continue to feel bad about having Kai keep a secret.
Kai groaned, “Oh come on! Don’t shift back yet. This is so much fun!” Tristan said, “We can do it again, son.” Kai huffed, “Fine.” He got off Freya’s back and I shifted back. I pulled at my sleeve saying, “Umm… so Kai is right… that was fun… and… umm… I’m totally fine.”
Jason commented, “Which is why you’re crying.” Kai asked, “Aunt Ladybug, are you ok?” I waved, “Totally… fine… I just... this was… everything I’ve wanted and… umm… happy tears… with a weird mix of bitterness because it was taken from us all.”
Kai snorted, “It’s good you went with the truth at the end because you could improve on your lying skills. You are not obviously fine.” He hugged me. I snorted, “I know that…about my lying skills.” Kai said, “We love you and we always have. I’m sorry people were assholes to you. They were to us too, by keeping you from us. I never thought that other lady was you.”
I asked, “You didn’t?” Everly chimed in, “He actually thought you hired her to talk to us. At one point, he thought the teachers did it. We had to go in for a meeting at the school because he wrote a paper about the evil school locking up his real Aunt Ladybug.”
I blinked and it hit me. That was why the Ring was going after him. It wasn’t just about controlling me. Kai wasn’t compelled and he was a Beta pup asking questions. I squeezed him tightly, “They couldn’t get you to believe the lie.”
Kai snorted, “Nope. I had a lot of theories.” I replied, “I know all about theories.” Tristan linked, “What was that look?” I replied, “I thought they were coming after Kai so hard because they wanted to control me, but it was because he wasn’t compelled. They wanted him to believe the lie. A future Beta was asking questions and coming up with theories.”
I linked Haley, “I need you to vet the teachers Kai had…I need to make sure no one gave a paper he wrote to the Ring.” Haleyreplied, “I’ll get the list and have them tell me the motherfucking truth. We will get that answer so fast.” I sighed in relief.
I ruffled Kai’s hair and we all walked back out of the forest. I saw KJ and walked over to give him a hug. I said, “Thanks… I wasn’t going to come… but you talked me through it… and it was really good… I think…it feels good.” KJ agreed, “It was.” Xander came and popped us home.
The rest of the week passed quickly. Xander hadn't mentioned our honeymoon trip again. Sierra had successfully put my family off of my calendar after our run because I’m awkward… and now Tristan knew about me not saving our aunt… and buying Everly’s photographs.
Freya said, “All things our brother didn’t care about. Apollo is sad for you, because you were so close to Uncle Duncan and furious that you feel that was your fault when it wasn’t. He’s proud that you bought Bali’s photos. Bali thought you would hate her for the fake words that weren’t hers being told to you as her. She’s thrilled you helped her career but didn’t really interfere.”
I hummed, “T said I did interfere.” Freya said, “But Bali agreed with you. It’s not about what, but who you know. She is more talented than that other photographer. You had that surveyed and I agree.” I knew that… because I was objective even when I thought she hated me.
My family ended up being put off because Geter demanded more of my time to discuss all my different elements. Geter wanted to know how I discovered them. It was fun discussing the nuances of my ideas with him. Xander was distracted the rest of the week, and my husband was pretty busy too.
When the weekend passed and he didn’t mention our honeymoon trip… I was a little disappointed… because I realized he’d forgotten about it. I was sitting in my office early onMonday morning. I hacked Xander’s calendar with Phil’s and Gage’s.
I paused with my mouse over the delete button. Xander was on a run with his brothers, and it was very clear that he’d forgotten about our trip. I looked at the suitcase I’d packed with Sierra and Abigial. I sighed and deleted the reminder off the guy’s calendars. Sierra came into the office with Abigail and they both stopped when they saw me. I could read the surprise on their face.
Sierra nudged Abigial assuring her, “It’s fine. I’ll ask. Mel, what are you doing here? Are you guys leaving later?” I shrugged, “I don’t think so.” Abigial frowned, “Uhh what? We packed sexy things that you blushed about for hours.”
Sierra agreed, “What Abigial said. Those lingerie sets need to be seen.” I explained, “I think… well no… I know at this point… Xander forgot.” Sierra groaned, “Mel, why don’t you just remind him?” Abigial agreed, “Yeah, you’ve had a lot going on. He did that super sweet dance though, just tell him,”
I replied, “I don’t want him to feel obligated to go. Please don’t say anything. They are clearly busy, and Xander’s felt preoccupied with something in our bond. I know he’s dealing with something… maybe he just needs space.” Abigial groaned now.
Sierra snorted, “Do you know what’s good for that? Vacation! He’ll see it on his calendar anyway. Or Phil or Gage will.” I blushed. Sierra groaned, “You deleted it, didn’t you?” Abigial gasped, “Off Gage’s calendar too?” I nodded.
Sierra sighed, “I think that’s the wrong move but alright.” Abigial said, “I don’t think it’s alright at all. Just know when this comes out, I’m having words with people.” Sierra changed the subject like I needed, “Angelique wanted to Skype with you, but I told her you were busy. Now you’re not, so call her.”
I nodded and put my suitcase away. Freya said, “Mate will…” I cut her off, “You know he’s dealing with something. I’m a lot… I know I am… and then we are the White Wolf… it’s ok.” Freya argued, “It’s not but I will back you up. Mate will agree you’re not a lot.” I was.
I called Angelique on Skype. She answered quickly asking, “Aren’t you on your honeymoon, little Melanie?” I winced, “No.” Angelique’s eyes narrowed, “Why not?” I shrugged. Angelique demanded, “Spill it, chickadee.”
I sighed, “Xander just forgot, and I deleted the reminder. He’s worried about something.” Angelique snorted, “You go over to his office right now and tell his partial Fairy ass he told you about a honeymoon and you want to go on it.”
I insisted, “It’s ok.” Angelique’s eyes narrowed as she commented, “You’re still a bad liar so I know this hurts your feelings.” My face flushed. I asked, “What did you need to talk about?” Angelique sighed, “I’m only going to agree to let this go for now, but this Xander of yours is going to hear from me when I meet him.” I laughed, “That’s not necessary. He just forgot. He’s busy.”
Angelique snorted, “Nope. I don’t like that excuse. Life happens but you make time for big moments. You guys are dealing with quite a bit from what I heard, and read in the updates to the group, but still.” I pushed again, asking “So… what’s going on?”
Angelique sighed, “Well, Charles is off on his adventure, and I insisted I was staying behind.” I replied, “I know that.” Angelique continued, “It’s just that I have realized the signs that my time here is coming to an end. I was wondering if you had somewhere you could clear for me to stay for a while.”
I smiled saying, “I definitely can.” This worked out so well since I could easily make sure Gabe was around… by havingXander tell him to be… or emailing him pretending to be Xander or Eric… I did that before… so I had options.
I would get Angelique a place in the area. Angelique warned, “I see that calculated look on your face. Where are you sending me this time?” I smiled and tried to innocently say, “Who me?” Angelique snorted, “Yes, you.” I said, “I’ll work on a place for you.” My friend nodded and ended the skype call.
Sierra asked, “What are you going to do?” I answered, “Well, I’m bringing her here. Estella’s name owning some place around here would pop off on everyone’s radar… I might use your mom’s name to get her a house. That wouldn’t raise anyone’s suspicion. Then when Angelique moves on from here… if she does… we can just give the house to your mom to have a place of her own when she wants to visit.”
Sierra agreed, “That will work. Can I just say I can’t believe Phil forgot he blocked off your calendars for your honeymoon? Abigial is gob smacked about Gage forgetting to.” I reasoned, “We’ve thrown a lot at them since we came into their lives. I’m sure they have some important stuff going on.”
