I bit my lip trying not to laugh before replying, “Poor dad. Did someone pop him to her?” EJ snorted, “Mom told us all we’d better fucking not because his ass can shift and run after letting Claudzilla’s fucking garden live in this territory this whole goddamn time.” I barely managed not to laugh and simply told Melanie that the Warlock’s were contained.
I got the conversation back to our mating ceremony. It would have to have all three components, Wolf, Fairy, and Hackura. Something told me Melanie already knew that though. She was surprised I didn’t care about any more of the details.
I just wanted my Lovebug to be happy. That was my goal, and to be able to call her my wife. Elise linked me, “You really need to propose.” I snorted, “I’m proposing on Tuesday.” We all had busy Monday’s. Elise squealed so loudly I slammed our link shut because my ears were ringing.
Melanie and I discussed the timeline of our mating ceremony. I was prepared for her to need months before being ready. My mate stunned me by saying she wanted to have it much sooner. I did worry about everything with her family, and how she’d feel about all that. I was going to offer not to have Jason up there with me knowing my friend would understand.
Melanie didn’t want that though. She really was amazing. My mate’s biggest hang up seemed to be her dad walking her down the aisle. I knew Melanie would have him do it in the end though. I think she’d regret it if she didn’t.
I understood what she was trying to process. My mate had built an entire belief system around never getting to be with me. As much as that pissed me off… she did have to deal with rejecting that concept and throwing it out because… I was here now, and I did want her.
I even understood why Melanie didn’t want to go get married and have our mating ceremony later. Nothing about us had been traditional. That was true in a way. I disagreed that there wasnothing about us that was normal. The way we felt about each other as mates was perfectly normal. Oden said, “I mean, don’t hang your hat on that.” I asked, “What?” Oden just hummed in reply. What the fuck?
I pushed that aside and moved to what happened downstairs. I pointed out my mate could give us the coven names of those who were bad. Mom would probably become a one woman wrecking crew all by herself.
I didn’t want to dwell on the topic because I wanted to give her time to think so I changed the subject again. I wanted her to sit in on a business meeting we were all going to be a part of. Melanie had a different way of looking at things.
We found some obvious obstacles with the company, but I knew my mate could probably spot more. Oden purred, “Mate will find more because she’s a genius.” Melanie would also be blatantly honest about what she thought.
We’d run into some difficulties learning about the people in the company. Melanie seemed to have a way of getting to the truth of people. EJ and I were two steps away from having Cassie just flat out use her powers to ask what their deal was. Melanie took me out of those thoughts when she agreed, but I never doubted that she would.
With all that settled, we went to sleep. The next day I was sitting with EJ when I felt Melanie’s shock. I dug through the bond and called Jason. He answered, “Hey, Alexander.” I asked, “Was Melanie’s number given to someone that would surprise her? Based on the bond, she’s on the phone with someone and Mel’s stunned they called.”
Jason admitted, “Tiffany called T and asked for her new number. He didn’t think Mel would mind.” I studied the bond then assured him, “She doesn’t. Mel seems pretty happy they are talking, just shocked that her old friend is calling.”
Jason snorted, “Yeah, well Tiffany was fighting pissed. Dad had a Vampire go un-compel her. Tiffany didn’t even like the fake Melanie and was compelled to be her friend and stick up for her.” I scoffed, “That actress couldn’t even fake a friendship for god’s sake?!”
Jason snorted, “Right? T’s still mad that actress came and met him.” EJ grumbled, “Yeah, I still can’t believe that. It wasn’t enough to pretend to be Melanie, the actress wanted Ladybug’s actual life. Down to her brothers.” I shook my head, and we hung up.
I said, “I can’t imagine the number of old friends that want to talk to my mate. There’s Adeline, Ziggy, and Tank. That’s all I know of so far in Red Run.” EJ warned, “Cooper wants to talk to her and so does Dane.” I admitted, “That makes sense.”
EJ added, “Plus, all my mate’s uncles want to talk to her too.” Jesus. Oden said, “We need to make sure that doesn’t happen all at once. It will overwhelm mate.” Yes, it would but I wasn’t going to let that happen.
Urgency gripped Melanie so hard I stood ready to act. EJ asked, “Alexander?” I explained, “Melanie is looking for me.” I paused then said, “Now, she’s gone.” I could feel her further away in the bond. EJ asked, “Gone as in?” I answered, “Out of our territory.” Oden growled.
Drake was popped in with Tristan, Jason, Addison, Sam, and Everly by Jared. I asked, “What happened? I thought Mel was just talking to Tiffany?” Drake said, “Ladybug called T then me. She mentioned talking to me being weird because she used to talk to me, but I didn’t answer.”
I asked, “Huh?” Drake explained, “Melanie bought a plot of land and put gravestones on them for us. We need you to pop us there because if I know my daughter, she’ll be trying to destroy them. Which I’m sure Ladybug can do by herself, but we want to help.”
Cassie linked, “So, I’m with your mate and she needs these headstones gone. It’s got some magic on it though so I can’t shoot sunlight at them. I think mom could blow them up, but Melanie wants to break some herself.”
I linked my parents, “I need you guys.” Caine Davis linked me, “So, I’m positive someone told you Melanie is near my territory, but she needs you to show up. I think we both know she’s not going to ask because she got used to doing things alone. Show her she’s not, please.”
I replied, “I’m coming. Do you have eyes on her and my sister?” Caine answered, “Yes, I’m here but only your sister noticed me. It’s weird to get one up on Mel, but it’s nice. She’s more relaxed now that’s she back home.” Good.
I popped us in. Cassie linked, “Your mate is rambling about how she got her money’s worth, but they need to break.” I nodded to Caine while Melanie rambled about the stones breaking. I conjured everyone sledgehammers.
I wondered if Melanie knew she was talking out loud, but I doubted she did. Oden growled, “They hurt mate.” Everly actually jolted seeing Tristan’s grave and I couldn’t blame her. Drake and Sam reacted viscerally to each of theirs.
I took my shirt off and started hitting Sam’s. Melanie was crying just begging them to break and I felt my heart cracking. Mom linked, “I will blow it all to pieces once Melanie’s ready for that, but she needs to do this.” I heard one crack, wondering if that was it but Melanie just went at the next one.
Drake wiped away tears while my mate screamed at them to break. We all jolted when she managed to crack one in half, and it flung nearly into Caine Davis. Which my mate didn’t notice. Oden said, “Freya senses Caine, Dax, and Buck though. She doesn’t feel Melanie need to be aware of them.” She didn’t because the rest of us knew, and those men meant her no harm.
Caine’s jaw dropped along with Dax Kiern’s while he stared at the remnants of the gravestone. Buck shrugged at them but didn’t looked nearly as shocked. Oden said, “He’s spent a lot of time in the gym. WITH OUR MATE! We should be the ones who aren’t shocked.” I knew that.
Melanie was staring at her sledgehammer in surprise. I linked Mom, “Can her rage give her that much strength? That was weird.” Mom replied, “Your dad said he felt Freya stronger than he ever had before that happened.” Ok, but that was still crazy strong. Oden said, “Mate is strong.” I retorted, “I catch evasions.” Oden chuckled.
Melanie was ready for my mom to get them gone. I popped my mate further back so that could happen. I felt her relief once they were gone. Uncle Aiden was waiting when we got back to burn the remnants of the rubble with a charm.
