My mate announced, “I feel fine.” I kissed her before saying, “I’m glad.” Cassie appeared exclaiming, “Great!” My sister took Melanie by the hand and popped away with her. I went over and found EJ. I frowned asking, “So, what’s wrong with Dakota?”
Dalton sighed, “He just found out that Avery had to be told what a reception was. Apparently, your mate and mine were the only ones in their group who knew.” I questioned, “Wouldn’t she have known from Addison’s?”
Dalton nodded, “That’s how it all got brought up. One of the Warriors was snickering about the fact that there will be a reception because he listened to Paige explain it to them.” I nodded, “Black Path is full of assholes. What else can we even say?”
Dakota snarled, “They deserve SO MUCH SHIT! I want to tear them to pieces.” I nodded, “I’m right there with you. Not today though, because you’re getting married and your soon to be brother in law just got here.”
Gamma Buck looked nervous. He caught sight of Micah and Cayden and promptly walked over to them. I felt a flicker of annoyance from Max as he did his space unheard. The group of them talked for several moments.
Dakota growled, “I don’t think I like that.” I said, “Max definitely doesn’t like whatever he is hearing.” Dakota growled, “I feel like I shouldn’t like that guy, and I don’t know why. He’s my mate's brother. When I saw him, he was fighting by her side but ohhhhhh me and Jet itch to dislike him.” Jet was Dakota’s wolf.
I linked Melanie, “Buck is here.” My mate replied “I know. Avery told me he was coming. She asked him to… and like, I used to work with him all the time… so… it’s not a big deal. He’s her brother…and I used to make sure they talked so…him being here…is normal.”
I asked, “Is there a reason why he’s talking to Micah, Cayden, and Max with the space unheard chant?” Melanie squeaked, “He is?! OH MY GOSH! He is not…I swear that man…has some weird, rooted senses.”
My mate came running outside in a stunning tight fitted navy blue dress and walked over to the group. Max quickly chanted so she could be included. Melanie talked to Cayden and Micah and both of them nodded to her. Melanie sighed in relief and looked at Buck, shook his hand, and ran back inside.
I linked Max, “What the hell?” Max sighed, “I promised your mate I wouldn’t say anything today because it’s Avery’s day. Has anyone mentioned to you that your mate is too damn smart?” I sighed, “Several times.”
Buck left their group and went inside. I linked Cassie, “I don’t have a bond with him, but I think Cayden needs you.” Cassie popped next to him a second later. Max and Cassie stuck close by their mates the whole event.
The ceremony was beautiful, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off Melanie in her skintight navy dress. She looked stunning. EJ linked me, “We’ve got to get the new girls in on the slit rule when dresses are worn.” I looked over the rest of the girls and discovered what prompted my brother to say that. Elise was in the same dress. I snorted, “You’re preaching to the choir, big brother.”
As soon as the ceremony was over, I was on Melanie, kissing her deeply. I linked her, “Your friends need to learn that slits are your friends.” Melanie flushed red. Jason said, “Whatever is happening, stop it.” Addison elbowed him in the rib cage.
We went into the reception, and I danced with Melanie several times. The number of people that clearly wanted to talk to her wasn’t low. When my mate stepped away to get a drink, I saw several people swarm to talk to her. Eventually MaryBeth whisked Melanie away.
I watched for any sign I should step in but didn’t see one. Dane stood beside me and commented, “It’s such bullshit. Those three were always so close. Mel, Melinda, and MaryBeth were close in age and they hung out all the time, and then this shit happens. It’s killing MaryBeth.”
I looked at him and told him honestly, “I’m fairly certain it kills Melanie too.” Dane nodded, “She’s not dealing with her feelings. You can literally watch her shut them down. I’m worried.” I nodded and caught my parents’ eyes. I told Dane, “You are not alone.”
Elise walked over gently saying, “Ladybug has a session with your mom tomorrow, Alexander.” Dane and I did a double take. Elise shrugged, “She mentioned it to me yesterday.” I nodded,“Well, that’s good.” Melanie and I danced for most of the rest of the night.
I think she was afraid to get cornered by another family, or old pack, member. I spotted Adeline talking to her which seemed to go well. Melanie would officially break with them on Thursday when we had her Luna Ceremony.
Unofficially, she was part of our pack as my Luna and that was good enough for me. She could link anyone she wanted too anyway. Several Red Run pack members were watching her with open interest. They knew she was the white wolf and seemed particularly anxious for her shift at a moment's notice.
I popped us home after we congratulated Dakota and Avery then worshipped my mate all night long. I wasn’t overly surprised when I woke up and found her side of the bed cold. I linked Oden, “What time did she wake up?” Oden answered, “Freya said she didn’t go to sleep.”
I groaned and got up. The whole house smelled like food, but to my surprise Melanie wasn’t in the kitchen though. The food was on warmers. I asked, “Where’s Melanie?” Zoe came around the corner to answer, “She wasn’t here when I got here.”
Panic filled my chest shooting up from my foot. It took a second to realize it was not my own. EJ came around the corner at a dead run. He looked at my face immediately asking, “What’s wrong, Alexander?” His question halted all my brothers on their way out the door.
I snarled, “Wherever Melanie is, she’s panicking.” My chest felt heavy. My mom advised, “Pop to her.” SHIT! I’d forgotten I could do that now. I popped to Melanie and found her in a dark closet. Her breath was coming too fast.
I grabbed my mate and she scratched and clawed at me. I consoled her, “Mel, I’ve got you.” My mate was somehow sobbing while hyperventilating. I popped her to an open field. Iheld her tightly, “You’re outside. It’s ok.” I linked, “Mom, I need you.” My parents popped to me.
My mom studied Melanie, then popped away returning with Sam McAlister. Sam ran over shouting, “Ladybug? Melanie, sweetie. Open your eyes.” Melanie did. Her mom grabbed her face and said, “Focus on me, pup.”
Melanie’s breath started to even out. My mate sank back into me but kept her eyes on her mom. My mate eventually calmed down. I asked, “What happened?” Melanie whispered, “I don’t know… I put breakfast down and some teenagers asked for something…. In the pantry….but someone shut the door.”
I linked EJ, “Find out what the hell happened. Someone locked Melanie in some pantry.” EJ replied, “Elise and I are on the way to the pack house now.” My mom said, “Well, I think we should go have ourselves some breakfast. Then we will have our therapy session outside today, Melanie.”
Melanie frowned asking, “Won’t you be cold?” My mom snorted, “I will be fine. My outside office space is charmed.” I linked Melanie, “I can pop us to our room for a second.” Melanie told my mom, “I’ll just shower and meet you in the living room.” My mom nodded.
Melanie hugged her mom and whispered, “Thanks, mom.” Sam hugged her tightly and whispered, “Of course, Ladybug. I’ll do anything for you.” Sam wiped her tears so Melanie wouldn’t see them. Oden snarled, “I want heads.” I wasn’t about to say my wolf was wrong with that desire.
I popped us to our room and Melanie silently went to shower. Oden growled, “I don’t like it. Mate is too quiet and it’s disconcerting.” It really was. EJ linked me, “So, don’t overreaction to what I’m about to say. Apparently what happened was an attempt at a prank. I have dealt with it, and before you ask no you will not deal with it. Ever. Elise was pissed enough for the both of us.”
