Fowler linked, “Is the muffin Luna ok?” I answered, “She’s better, I think.” I saw KJ watching us. He’d probably known Melanie been popped out by Cassie. We all sat there while it burned and watched the tension leave my mate.
Oden snarled, “How dare they let mate buy headstone for people who are alive! She bought beautiful markers for them and those PEOPLE RUINED IT! Mate didn’t need them.” Yeah, I could imagine how horrible that was. I’d be talking to those grave markers a lot. To believe I’d been refused my rights to the funerals to come grieve with the pack would been like a knife to the heart.
My dad linked, “Son.” I replied, “It’s fucking bullshit! They made her hurt in so many ways over a lie. Those were nice gravestones. It should be a beautiful thing, but it’s marred in lies and the fact they told her the pack wouldn’t grieve with her.” Dad sighed, “I know but Melanie’s here now, those stones are gone, and she’s ok.” My dad was right but I still hated it.
The rest of the weekend flew by. I was busy making plans for Tuesday. I was fairly certain Melanie hadn’t caught onto what I was making plans for. Elise and EJ walked into the office. EJ linked me, “Here’s your warning that Elise is on a tangent about how upset she is that she’s going to miss the presentation because Kels and Essie will be here.” I rolled my eyes.
Elise was convinced the two women in question liked my brother and me. My sister in law sighed as she sat down, pinning EJ with a look. Eventually she said, “The only reason I’m not having you postpone the meeting a few hours is because Melanie will be there.” I asked, “Why does that matter?”
Elise smirked, “Because I subtly glare at them. Melanie might just punch them in the face or something worse. I’ve wanted to punch them in the face this entire time. The possibility of them getting their comeuppance is worth missing the meeting.”
I argued, “Melanie won’t punch them.” Oden offered, “I’m not as confident about that. She did just get Freya.” That was true. Elise shot me a disbelieving look. I added, “Mel won’t, even though Freya is new to her, because they don’t like us.”
Elise sarcastically said, “Oh, you’re right. Of course they don’t like you. That’s why they flirt with you. Because they obviously aren’t interested. It’s also not why they wear revealing outfits and make subtle gestures towards their breasts. It’s all because they don’t like you. I guess I’m just the crazy one. Or I’m the girl of this group and I understand other women.”
I laughed, “You think everyone likes EJ. I get that though because you’ve had to fight a lot of girls and women who say they want him.” Elise sighed, “There are a lot of girls who aren’t as direct. I can’t believe you don’t see that Bessie flirts with you. You were single the last time she saw you. Now, ohhh now it’s going to be good. Because you are very much not single, and your mate is a deadly force to be reckoned with.”
EJ linked me, “Change the subject, please. For me.” I tilted my head back saying, “We could keep talking about that or I could show you the engagement ring I have for Melanie.” EJ smiled at me, so I winked at him. Oden said, “Rhea is screaming at me. Show them the ring.”
Elise squealed, “Oh my god! Yes! Show me!” EJ laughed, “I’m curious too.” I told them, “I got it out of my safe earlier this morning.” I pulled it out of my pocket and opened the box. It was a pink gold band in a Daisy oval shape. The main stone was a red garnet in a halo style with smaller diamonds surrounding it.
Elise gasped, “It’s perfect.” I smiled asking, “You think so?” Elise nodded, “Ladybug will love it. Actually, she probably won’t even look at it for a while.” I laughed, “What? Everyone looks at the ring.” Elise snorted, “Ladybug had been insistent since she was three years old about the fact that you were her mate. You proposing will be like all her dreams coming true. I’m sure she’ll say yes without looking at it.”
I laughed, “I hope she looks at it. I spent a lot of hours….” Phil walked in cutting me off, “Years. He spent years looking for that ring.” I laughed, “I was getting to that part, cousin. I was going to say, I spent a lot of hours throughout the years narrowing it down to this ring. I had four rings to pick between.” Elise smiled offering, “Mel will look at it eventually, and she’ll love it when she does.”
EJ wrapped his arms around Elise asking, “Do you remember when I asked you to marry me?” Elise giggled, “Yes, you Conners boys go all out. Speaking of, what are your plans for proposing Alexander?”
I teased, “It’s a surprise.” Phil sighed, “It is. Even from me.” Gage shouted as he walked by, “Me too. It’s annoying.” I rolled my eyes as my Gamma continued on his path wherever he was going. Elise frowned, “Doesn’t that bother you?” Phil smiled and winked at her.
Phil explained, “Knowing things is in the past my dear Elise; however, I do actually know what he’s doing. Not because he told me, but because the itch in my brain could not get more insistent. So, I sussed out his plans and helped relieve part of the itch on my brain.” I rolled my eyes, “Of course you did.”
Phil smirked, “You gave me no choice. I already don’t know so many things I want the answers to, so I don’t have room to add more. I have made zero progress on your tattoo or your electric mate.” I shrugged, “We’ll figure it out.” Phil added, “Quietly.” I nodded, “Naturally.”
Phil sighed, “At least my new bestie and mate are here. So is my brother, and he’s not so quietly looking into things in Nashville for me.” EJ asked, “What is Jeffery doing in Nashville?” Phil answered, “He’s finding people who tried to take my mate. Melanie will get me a list, but Jeffery’s way of finding out is more fun.”
“It brings both me and my brother joy. Who am I to deny my big brother his fun? If that just so happens to coincide with him bringing me more assholes who need to be wiped off the face of the earth… Well, I mean it’s practically a noble quest. Standing in his way would deny him and the world of such a noble quest of ridding the world of vermin. I couldn't possibly do that to the world, or my brother.” I laughed, “Sure, cousin.” Phil smirked and left.
EJ sighed, “We need to know who will come after Melanie. I’m worried about the other women too, but something tells me if we asked them I’d bet they say hers is the longest list.” I growled. Elise wiped away a few tears.
My mom popped into the room and frowned. Mom asked, “What’s wrong? You boys feel angry and really fucking worried. Melanie is just finishing up a run. So, explain what’s pissing you the fuck off because we are having a surprisingly dramatic fucking free weekend.”
Elise answered, “EJ pointed out the list of people who tried to hurt and or mark Melanie is probably longer than her friends that we know about.” My mom tilted her head as my dad walked into the room and hugged her from behind.
My mom said, “I’d imagine the list of who hurt her is longer, yes. Mark her? There were maybe a few Alpha’s that she beat in a fight because of their damn pride; however, I seriously fucking doubt anyone but that horrible kid tried to mark her at least in the pack. Only because that was the Ring’s fucking plan. They wouldn’t have wanted anyone to fuck with that.”
I closed my eyes thinking it through. That logic had merit. Unfortunately, mom would know how the Ring thought best. I nodded, “That’s probably right.” I hugged her and left the room. Dad linked, “I’m here if you need to talk.” I replied, “I know, dad.”
Everything went fine the rest of the weekend. Monday morning, I met my brothers for our run. When we shifted back, we snapped ourselves clothes. I asked, “Where’s dad?” EJ answered, “They started their run a half hour early today. Angela told dad last night today was going to be fun. Their wolves were antsy.”
I frowned asking, “What’s wrong with fun?” My dad and Uncles were just coming in at that moment. They shifted and we snapped them clothes. My dad snorted, “That fact that Fairies version of fun usually means lots of paperwork for the wolves.”
I laughed, “You don’t have to do said paperwork anymore.” My Uncle Jackson reasoned, “But your dad worries about you boys.” I shrugged, “Fair enough. I’m sure it will be fine, dad.” My dad warned, “Yes, well your mom has theories. She has the McAlister’s coming to the Luna disputes.”
“I already know Dylan will be there because he’s like a moth to a flame with your mate. He finds her incredibly fascinating. I assume KJ, Chason, and Fowler will be there watching andguarding. I’ve noticed they’ve been around her a lot. No member of this pack would do that if you didn’t tell them to since you already knew KJ has the assignment.”
I replied, “All three men should be around her a lot since they are Melanie’s shadows, and I did assign them to be.” EJ snorted, “A tough assignment.” I nodded, “Particularly when she disappears through a portal just outside our border. Because apparently there is one.” EJ raised an eyebrow.
We walked into our own meeting. EJ linked, “We can check the cameras to see how Luna disputes are going after this meeting you had Phil setup. What is this meeting about?” I smiled replying, “We are getting answers.”
